PLANTSTRONG Podcast
People become curious about whole food, plant-based nutrition for a multitude of reasons. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, or another chronic disease and you know (or you’ve been told) that this is your best shot at healing your body. You may be an athlete looking to maximize your performance and recovery with the power of plant-based nutrition, or you’re a parent who wants to escape the processed food aisle and start feeding your children real, nourishing foods. Perhaps you are concerned about climate change and the profound negative impact that animal agriculture has on the planet. The problem? A whole food, plant-based diet can seem overwhelming, confusing, and, yes, expensive. You’ve been told it will make you deficient in something, or that you won’t get enough protein. You think it might be a boring way to live, or that it is so extreme you’ll alienate yourself from friends and loved ones. Well, here at the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, we’re not afraid to be extreme - extremely positive, extremely helpful, and extremely well-researched. Each week on the show, host Rip Esselstyn talks to medical experts, authors, athletes, and people just like you who are not just surviving on a plant-based diet, but THRIVING. As founder and CEO of PLANTSTRONG, Rip Esselstyn is a wellness advocate, former professional athlete, firefighter, and NY Times best-selling author renowned for his dedication to promoting vibrant health through plant-based nutrition and active living. Over twenty years ago, Rip rescued several of his fellow firefighters with whole, plant-based foods following the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. The results were so dramatic that Rip wrote the bestselling book,The Engine 2 Diet, to spread the word. His subsequent works, including Plant-Strong, The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet and The Engine 2 Cookbook, further solidified his reputation as a leading voice in the plant-based movement. Rip was also featured in the documentary Forks over Knives and served as an executive producer of The Game Changers film; a revolutionary documentary that shatters the myths about meat, protein, and strength. Rip’s mission and the mission of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast is to make plant-based living accessible and approachable, and to further the advancement of all things within the plant-based movement. We share the scientifically proven benefits of plant-based living and envision a world that universally understands, promotes, and prescribes plants as the solution to empowering your health, enhancing your performance, and restoring the environment. You won’t be weak if you’re eating strong food. PLANTSTRONG food. We welcome you wherever you are on your plant-based journey and we’re thrilled you’re here.
Episodes
Today, on what is a day of Thanksgiving here in the United States, we want to take a few minutes to honor three extraordinary men—Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Baxter Montgomery, and John Robbins—who we’ve recently lost. These weren’t just leaders in the whole food, plant-based movement—they were trailblazers, mentors, and fearless advocates for health and hope.
Dr. McDougall taught us that food is medicine and that living your prin...
Rip Esselstyn welcomes back beloved plant-based author Dreena Burton, who is stepping into an exciting new chapter with Fascia Flo — her movement program designed to unlock mobility, reduce pain, and support healthy aging.
Dreena shares her personal journey with injury and how it led her to discover fascia, the body’s connective tissue network that plays a key role in movement, posture, and emotional well-being. She breaks down the...
What happens when a doctor becomes the patient? In this inspiring episode, Rip talks with Dr. Sunny Sharma — a lifestyle medicine physician whose life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. That experience didn’t just change his health; it completely transformed how he practices medicine.
Dr. Sharma shares how his journey deepened his empathy, strengthened his belief in prevention, and led him to embr...
In this inspiring episode, Rip sits down with Lauren Bernick, host of the podcast, Age Like a Badass Mother and creator of WellElephant.com.
At age 46, Lauren was blindsided by a diagnosis of advanced heart disease, despite believing she was eating a “healthy” diet. Faced with the prospect of lifelong statins and the threat of a heart attack, she took matters into her own hands—turning to Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s Prevent and Rever...
What happens when you mix humor, authenticity, and a love for peanut butter hacks? You get Nikki Boes — a vibrant voice in the vegan community (@vegan_af_) who’s showing the world that you don’t have to be a “perfect vegan” to make an impact.
In this lively and laugh-filled conversation, Nikki opens up about:
- Her personal transformation through a plant-based diet
- How she handles the trolls who attack her posts
- The way humor has be...
In this powerful before and after episode, Rip and Dr. Laurie Marbas introduce us to, Marlene Skiver, who’s goal is to reclaim her health through the power of plants.
Marlene has faced her share of challenges — from pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, and Hashimoto’s disease, to the stress that followed retirement and the loss of loved ones. But instead of giving in, she’s choosing to fight back — fork in hand.
Together, Marlene and Dr. ...
Ep. 323: Dr. Tila Kansagra - How Lifestyle Medicine Heals Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and Burnout
We all know the saying, “the body keeps the score,” and this week’s guest, Dr. Tila Kansagra, has lived it — and now helps others heal from it.
A UK-based general practitioner and lifestyle medicine physician, Dr. Kansagra brings compassion, lived experience, and evidence-based practice together to help her patients move beyond symptoms and toward true wellness.
In this conversation, we dive into her personal journey with familial tr...
In this episode, Rip sits down with Chef Tara Punzone, founder of Pura Vita—the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant in the U.S.—and writer Gene Stone, co-author of Vegana Italiana. Together, they dive into the passion and purpose behind their brand-new cookbook, which transforms beloved Italian classics into bold, satisfying vegan dishes.
Tara shares her journey from growing up in a big Italian family in New York, where food a...
He’s back for the fourth time!
Dan Buettner—National Geographic fellow, explorer, longevity expert, and creator of the Blue Zones—returns and this time we’re diving into his brand-new New York Times best-selling book: Blue Zones: One Pot Meals.
Dan and Rip roll up their sleeves and go page by page through his delicious new recipes—from savory Tex-Mex breakfast skillets to mushroom walnut bolognese, roasted cauliflower, creamy mac ‘...
Think plant-based cooking takes too much time? Rip Esselstyn and producer Carrie Barrett are here to prove otherwise. In this energizing mini-episode, the duo dismantles one of the biggest myths around a whole food, plant-based lifestyle—that it’s complicated and time-consuming.
With a mix of personal stories and practical strategies, Rip and Carrie show how to make plant-based meals fast, fun, and family-friendly. From the “bowl bu...
What if the only thing standing between you and your true potential… is you?
Rip welcomes Kori McClurg, author of the new book Get Out of Your Own Way. Kori’s journey from self-loathing to self-love is one of courage, vulnerability, and the transformative power of plants.
Like so many, Kori spent years battling the weight of diet culture, mental health struggles, and a body that reflected her inner turmoil. But through honesty, self-...
What happens when you grow up in a Mexican steakhouse, but later discover the healing power of plants?
For Dora Ramírez, the journey from sizzling meats to vibrant, plant-based cuisine was nothing short of transformative. Raised in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, Dora feared giving up animal products would mean giving up her culture. Instead, she found that beans, grains, veggies, and spices didn’t just replace her favorite dishes—they enhanc...
This week on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, Rip sits down with the legendary Kathy Stevens, founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, as she prepares to step away after more than 20 years of rescuing animals and inspiring people to live with compassion.
Since 2001, Kathy has been leading with love—creating a safe haven for thousands of animals and cultivating a culture that welcomes everyone, no matter where they are on their journey. In this...
If you’ve ever been told that 'carbs are the enemy,' or if you think type 2 diabetes is a life sentence, Adam Sud is about to blow the lid off those myths.
He’s a certified insulin resistance and food addiction coach, and returns for his fourth appearance on the podcast to clear up the misconceptions and set the record straight about what really causes diabetes.
He shares the real root causes of insulin resistance, the role of fat v...
At 38, Tyler Dodge was battling anxiety, erectile dysfunction, and extra weight—but instead of turning to medication, he turned to plants. By embracing a whole food, plant-based lifestyle, Tyler shed 50 pounds, lowered his blood pressure and cholesterol, and reclaimed both his physical and mental health. His powerful story proves that real men eat plants—and thrive.
This is a must-listen—especially for the men in your life—especiall...
In this week’s episode, Rip talks with Dr. Luella Jonk, a seasoned relationship coach and psychotherapist, about how to keep your relationship strong when you’re on different pages.
Drawing from 25 years of experience, Dr. Jonk shares the core pillars of lasting partnerships, including trust, unity in parenting, financial alignment, and the quiet power of “silent connection.” She explains why marriage is a covenant, not a contract, ...
What happens when a seasoned cardiologist realizes that prescriptions and procedures aren’t enough?
You get Dr. Jami Dulaney—a board-certified cardiologist who transformed her practice (and personal life) by embracing plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine.
Motivated by her own family history of heart disease and a desire to do more than simply manage symptoms, Dr. Dulaney shares her transformative journey from practicing tradi...
In this unforgettable episode, Rip Esselstyn sits down with Nancy Wells, whose near-death experience at the Glass City Marathon turned into a life-saving wake-up call—and a triumphant return to running and living with purpose.
While racing last April, Nancy collapsed from a massive heart attack—a"Widowmaker." Thanks to the quick actions of a retired nurse and fast-acting paramedics, Nancy survived. But surviving was just the beginni...
It’s hard to believe that one of the safest places to be when we’re sick can also be one of the deadliest. That’s right - a hospital stay. Despite massive amounts of training and new technologies, preventable harm in healthcare is one of the leading causes of death here in the U.S.
This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Julie Siemers, a patient safety consultant and critical care nurse who has spent over 45 years on the front...
Doug Evans is back on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast—and he’s sprouting with wisdom! It’s been over four years since Doug’s first appearance, and his passion for sprouts has only intensified.
Rip and Doug dig deep into the nutritional superpowers of sprouts, the simplicity of growing them at home, and the transformational impact they can have on your health, your plate, and your life.
Doug shares his deeply personal journey, the origins of ...
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