NEW: Plant Yourself merch designed by my daughter, Yael Zivan.

Video

Is “Cheat” Really the Word You Want to Use?

When clients talk about “cheat days” and “cheat meals,” they’re fooling themselves in two very significant ways.

In this video, I talk about what “cheating” is and isn’t, and offer a different lens through which to think about goals and deviation from them.

Read More

Lessons from a Bucket of Rice

Mergoddess Sarah Bofinger and I talk about how the next thing is always available to us.

Whether it’s a bucket of rice, or a half squat, or waking up from a bad dream, everything within our experience is an opportunity to rewrite our story. 

Read More

Do I have to be happy-happy to change?

Joy. Misery. Bad choices. Change. Surrender. Korean War defectors.

Something for everyone in this end-of-year convo with Mergoddess Sarah Bofinger.

Read More

Giving Farm Animals a Refuge with Lenore Braford: PYP 356

Lenore Braford talks about the hows and whys of rescuing abused and neglected farm animals.
Given that billions of farm animals live and die in misery, is there a point in saving just a few?
Listen as Lenore tells touching stories of rescue and resilience, and shows how these special animals act as ambassadors who can change hearts and minds about animal agriculture.

Read More

Combating BS with James “Lightning” Wilks: PYP 355

James Wilks is a producer, as well as narrator and chief instigator of The Game Changers, already the bestselling documentary of all time on iTunes.

We talk about the 7-year odyssey of making the film, its effect on popular culture and our food choices, and his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast earlier this month.

We talk about the long process of making the film, and the warrior spirit needed to defend it from disingenuous and misinformed attacks.

Read More

Mastering the Air Fryer with Kathy Hester: PYP 331

Kathy Hester is a cookbook author, gear and gadget junkie, and vegan wizard. She’s also a neighbor of mine, and a hilarious and warm and wonderful human being. 

This is her third appearance on the podcast – and frankly, I got tired of talking about food and not getting to eat it! So for this episode, I invited Kathy into my kitchen, to teach us all how to use the air fryer to get low-fat plant-based deliciousness into our lives.

Read More

Tackling Food and Economic Insecurity Through Urban Agriculture with Jesse Herrera: PYP 330

Jesse Herrera is founder and chief visionary of Urban Theory, which I’d categorize as a “think tank” and an “act tank” for social and economic and environmental justice.

Jesse is a former gang member, as well as a recovering architect. An urban planner.

A visionary realist.

We met at the World Healthcare Congress this past May, and immediately bonded by nerding out over sustainable small-plot agricultural tools and strategies, such as 2-wheel Italian tractors and compost tea.

And discovered that our missions aligned. I work with individuals and organizations, while Jesse targets cities and communities.

His passionate vision and clear-headed appraisal of obstacles and opportunities makes for an inspiring conversation.

Read More

We are Nature with Josh LaJaunie: PYP 328

Josh LaJaunie returns to the podcast for a fifth (?) time, for a conversation about our relationship with nature.

We talk about the beauty and grandeur of nature, and the ways human beings benefit and grow from being exposed to that loveliness.

And also about nature’s dangerous and scary and yucky and itchy and hot and humid and freezing and soaking and uncomfortable aspects – and how we need those experiences in equal measure with the pleasurable ones.

Our sport, ultrarunning, is an invitation to both faces of nature. To the beauty and grandeur, and to the hassle and discomfort. To the nurturing and the threatening.

We also explore the lessons nature holds for us; in trees and eddies, in cycles of live and death, growth and service.

Read More

Neal Barnard, MD, on Not Eating, Testing, or Exploiting Animals in Pursuit of Health: PYP 291

Neal Barnard, MD, is the president and founder of the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) – an organization far too large and influential to still be called a “committee,” but who among us hasn’t outgrown our childhood name? – and the founder of the Barnard Medical Center in the DC area.

He’s also the author of a crazy number of books, including the recent The Cheese Trap – which you should give to all your vegetarian dairy-loving friends just to gross them out and blow their minds.

Read More

Rip Esselstyn on Growing a Movement and Being Open to Opportunity: PYP 237

Rip Esselstyn is founder of Engine 2, a food and education company dedicated to eliminating chronic disease through a whole food, plant-based diet.

As Engine 2 continues to grow in influence and reach, Rip is stewarding the company to new opportunities. As a food brand associated with Whole Foods and an education provider to their employees, Engine 2 is poised to explode with Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods this past year.

Read More