Food for Thought with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Practical, joyful, real-world inspiration for living sustainably, healthfully, and compassionately—for humankind, animalkind, and the ecosystems we all depend on. Tools, tips, stories, and resources on plant-based eating, wellness, wildlife, biodiversity, conservation, zero-waste living, travel, animals, history, etymology, and so much more hosted by author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau since 2006. www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com
Episodes
In this updated episode of Food for Thought—Omega-3s: Skip the Fish, Boost Your Brain (and Get Enough!)—we talk about these incredibly important fatty acids that are vital for brain, heart, mood, eye, and overall health.
You’ve probably heard recommendations to eat fish to get your omega-3 fats, but listen to understand exactly what these fats are—and why skipping the middle fish is beneficial.
What’s also essential is getting an am...
Today’s episode is an update of one I produced a few years ago—so you have the most accurate, up-to-date, science-based information about how to eat as healthfully as possible and how to use supplements to complement an already healthy diet.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
* Why I prefer targeted essentials over one-size-fits-all multivitamins
* The non-negotiables I prioritize (and why), including B12, D3, DHA/EPA, Creatine, and more
...
We’re continuing the protein conversation I started in Are You Getting Enough Protein? (Part One and Part Two). In those episodes, I unpacked why amino acids from plant and animal sources are identical, why the RDA is just a minimum, and why being intentional about protein matters as we level up in age and fitness.
Paid subscribers enjoy printable resources and my recipe for Homemade Seitan, so join the club today!
In this episode,
* ...
Language doesn’t simply describe reality—it shapes how we see it, how we feel about it, and whether we act. The words we use around climate aren’t neutral: they can spark urgency, create fatigue, or open the door to hope.
Research shows that familiar terms like climate change and global warming elicit more urgency and willingness to act than newer, heavier terms like climate crisis or climate emergency.
In this episode of Food for Th...
If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, I encourage you to start there—we covered the basics of protein: what it is, how it functions in the body, why plant and animal amino acids are identical, and why the RDA is just the minimum.
In Part 2, I talk about what’s shifted for me now that I’m at Level 55 (a language reframe I now love for “aging”), and why I had to “level up” when it came to both strength training and protein intake. He...
For decades, U.S. dietary guidelines have linked “protein” with animal products. Even as the visuals evolved—from the “Basic Four” to the Food Pyramid to MyPlate—the message stuck: protein means meat.
But protein isn’t a food group at all. It’s a macronutrient made of amino acids—the building blocks your body uses to build muscle, repair tissue, produce enzymes and hormones, and support immune health. And here’s the thing: your body...
Religious traditions have played a significant role in shaping many familiar dishes. Over the centuries, abstaining from eating meat and other animal products for spiritual reasons led to creative, plant-based recipes that have since become cultural staples. I think this matters because it helps legitimize plant-based eating as something deeply rooted in cultural and historical tradition—not a fad or modern invention. It reminds us...
Losing an animal companion can be a profound and often
Enjoy my conversation with Mariann and Jasmin from Our Hen House.
In this heartfelt conversation, author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau joins Jasmin and Mariann to discuss her eighth book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero Waste, Plant-Based and Cruelty Free, exploring how compassion can be a guiding force during challenging times and offering practical ways to manifest it in everyday life.
This episode explores:
Enjoy my conversation with World Vegan Travel all about living compassionately and traveling sustainably. Travel just about seeing new places — it can be a way to show what you care about. On this episode, we talk about sustainable travel and vegan travel, and how making smart choices while on the road can help people, animals, and the planet. She encourages travelers to support responsible tourism, like choosing plant-based meals,...
Enjoy this episode of my conversation with Victoria Moran on her podcast Main Street Vegan. In it, we explore how everyday choices — from the food we eat to the words we use — can reflect and deepen our commitment to compassion, sustainability, and justice. We discuss the power of habit, the myth of perfection, and how to stay hopeful and grounded while navigating a world in crisis. Whether you’r...
Enjoy this conversation with Toni and Michelle from Plant-Powered People Podcast. Feeling overwhelmed trying to “do the right thing” in a complicated world? You're not alone—and you're not doing it wrong. In this episode, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau helps us move beyond guilt, perfectionism, and burnout by reconnecting with what matters most: compassion. Whether you’re struggling to stay consistent with your values, feeling discourage...
A story about a house, a hillside, and a centuries-old oak tree—and what it teaches us about healing, renewal, and the resilience of nature. In this episode, I explore what it means to be a participant in the restoration of the world around us and ourselves.
——————
🌟 Join thousands of like-minded subscribers at my Substack. Community, connection, and inspiration for living compassionately, healthfully, and sustainably.
Thanks to...
A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free is now available wherever you buy books! I compiled a list for you here of independent and large retailers + where you can find signed copies!
——————
🌟 Join thousands of like-minded subscribers at my Substack. Community, connection, and inspiration for living compassionately, healthfully, and sustainably.
Visit my website: JoyfulVegan.com
In Part Two of our exploration of Japanese cuisine (See Vegan in Japan: Part One), we’re diving deep into the specific foods, restaurants, and street food options that Joyful Vegans can enjoy when visiting Japan or Japanese restaurants anywhere in the world. While animal products—especially bonito flakes in broths—are common, Japan has a long history of plant-based eating, with many traditional dis...
Love is for the Birds! In this episode, we explore the fascinating (and feathered) origins of Valentine’s Day. Long before Hallmark, medieval poets and BIRDS played a role in shaping this holiday of love.
From Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowls to the first handwritten valentines and the rise of mass-produced cards, discover how nature, animals, poetry, history, and tradition intertwined to create the...
Do I have a nutrient deficiency? Am I eating the wrong foods? Did I experience a stressful life event? Am I experiencing hormonal changes? Are my genes responsible? Do supplements work? Are treatments effective? Do topical remedies work? These are some of the questions we answer in today's episode on hair loss, especially as it pertains to women. Over the course of the next 90 minutes, we'll debunk the myths, explore the causes and...
In this 18TH YEAR OF THE PODCAST, Colleen shares ideas, tools, and practices we can implement to live joyful, meaningful, healthy, compassionate lives. Today is the best day to start, whether or not it's the beginning of the new year.
A follow-up to 50 Ways to Live a Meaningful Life episode.
——————
Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to epis...
WARNING: This podcast episode contains only good news, especially stories that relate to animals and nature. So, stop doom-scrolling and start celebrating 20 good news stories from 2024 — from across the world:
- Australia
- Zambia
- United States
- Ecuador
- Brussels
- United Kingdom
- Denmark...
and more.
As we move into my 18th year of podcasting, thank you for your support and listenership.
——————
Popular Podcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.