PLANT the CHANGE: A vegan educator reimagines classrooms to raise conscious, compassionate, healthy kids

What happens when a cattle rancher’s wife suddenly realizes she can no longer see the animals she once raised as food? In Part Two of Plant the Change with Michele Fasnacht, Renee “Rowdy Girl” King shares the unexpected moment that changed everything. After years of life on a cattle ranch, Renee’s perspective was transformed by a seemingly simple bowl of beef stew—and she began questioning everyth...

What if living a more compassionate life starts with simply seeing animals differently? Reality TV gave viewers a glimpse into Cher Hubsher’s life—but there was so much more happening behind the scenes. In this part two episode of Plant the Change, Cher and Michele Fasnacht share an honest conversation about her vegan journey, her love of animals, rescuing 22 animals, and the challenges of staying...

Could a 14-year-old be better at changing minds than most adults? At just five years old, Evan chose to go vegan—and by 14, he was already a passionate animal activist, educator, and influencer. In this episode of Plant the Change, “Vegan Evan” shares why he made the decision, how he handles criticism, and why he believes anyone can make a difference regardless of their age. You’ll discover: • How...

What do you do when criticism, competition, and negativity threaten to overwhelm everything you've worked so hard to build? In this episode of Plant the Change, Michele Fasnacht sits down with Niki Becker of Green Table for an honest conversation about the challenges of building a business, handling negative reviews, and staying focused when others try to bring you down. Niki shares how some of th...

What if saving more animals isn’t about doing more—it’s about working together? Animal rescue can be heartbreaking, expensive, and overwhelming—but Dani Giroux, founder of Runaways Animal Rescue, believes the answer is community. In this conversation with Michele Fasnacht, Dani shares what it really takes to rescue animals in need, from life-threatening medical cases to the difficult reality of kn...

Could simply changing the foods you eat could improve your health, your mindset, and your impact on the planet all at once? In this episode of Plant the Change, Host Michele Fasnacht talks with Tarpon Springs Mayor John Koulianos about his plant-based journey, staying active (now at 72), running marathons, and how small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Listeners will discover: • How a...

What if everything you've been taught about zoos, pet monkeys, and conservation isn't telling the whole story? Most people love primates and genuinely want to protect them—but few understand the heartbreaking reality behind the pet trade, captive breeding, and what life is actually like for rescued monkeys. In this powerful conversation, Jungle Friends founder Kari Bagnall shares unforgettable res...

What if the biggest threat to your child's future health is already sitting on their dinner plate? Parents today are facing an alarming rise in childhood obesity, prediabetes, and chronic disease—often driven by everyday food choices. In this eye-opening conversation, pediatrician and lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Jeffrey Hirshfield explains why prevention must begin early and how simple change...

Can two practicing physicians go through 16 years of medical training and still miss one of the most powerful tools for preventing and reversing chronic disease? After years of practicing medicine, Drs. Kaushik and Angela Reddy discovered evidence that challenged everything they thought they knew about preventing and treating chronic disease. In this inspiring conversation, they share how their da...

What if your child’s lunchbox could teach compassion, justice, health, and sustainability? Every school meal helps shape what children see as normal. This episode with Michele Fasnacht explores how parents, teachers, and school leaders can make plant-based food familiar, joyful, and inclusive—without relying on shame, restriction, or perfection. You’ll discover how to help children build healthier...

What if the life you're trying so hard to make look perfect is keeping you from becoming your authentic self? Many people struggle with hiding parts of themselves—whether it's addiction, identity, past mistakes, or beliefs that don't fit societal expectations. In this Part 2 episode, Jane Velez-Mitchell shares how embracing honesty transformed every area of her life and why authenticity is often t...

What if the food choices you make every day could help protect the planet, improve your health, and create a more just food system? In part two of Michele’s conversation with Ocean Robbins, they explore how plant-based living reaches far beyond personal wellness. This episode connects the dots between food, climate change, water use, deforestation, school nutrition, social justice, and long-term h...

What if one rescued pig could change the way millions of people see animals, compassion, and what it means to create a kinder world? In this episode of Plant the Change, Michele Fasnacht continues her discussion with Steve Jenkins, known for raising Esther the Wonder Pig, about the unexpected power of animal relationships, sanctuary work, and the ripple effect that happens when people are invited...

What would change if compassion stopped being treated like an “extra” in education—and became the very foundation for how we teach, parent, lead, and repair harm? In a world where many children are pressured to comply, stay quiet, or manage emotions they were never taught to understand, this episode Michele Fasnacht challenges parents and educators to rethink what real growth looks like. Instead o...

What if the solution to better health, stronger values, and a more compassionate future for our children started with what we put on their plates? In this Part 2 episode, Michele Fasnacht concludes her discussion with Dr. Michael Klaper. They explore how plant-based nutrition can impact personal health, global health, sustainability, and the way we educate the next generation. Together, they discu...

What happens when one activist’s fight for animals leads to arrests, bans from five countries, thousands of lectures, and a message that changes lives? In this powerful second part of Michele’s conversation with Gary Yourofsky, listeners are invited to look honestly at activism, animal rights, veganism, and the challenge of helping people change without demanding perfection on day one. Gary shares...

What if school was never actually built for kids—and the students we call “broken” are really just reacting to a system that was never designed for their humanity? In this episode of Plant the Change Straight Talk, Michele Fasnacht challenges the traditional education model and asks whether classrooms built around control, compliance, and standardization are helping children grow—or teaching them...

What does it take for one ordinary moment backstage at a circus to completely change the way someone sees animals, food, justice, and their own role in the world? In this powerful conversation on Plant the Change, Michele Fasnacht sits down with animal rights activist Gary Yourofsky to explore the awakening that turned him from a “normal kid” in Michigan into one of the most recognized voices in m...

What if the biggest key to lowering healthcare costs, preventing chronic disease, and improving your quality of life is already sitting on your plate? If you care about your family’s health, rising healthcare costs, or how to build habits that actually last, this episode connects the dots between food, lifestyle, workplace wellness, and long-term independence. Dr. Angela Reddy shares why preventio...

Parents, are you feeling the weight of raising kids in a world that seems more stressful, divided, and overwhelming than ever before? In this heartfelt episode of Plant the Change, Michele Fasnacht speaks directly to parents about the real challenges of parenting today - from social media pressure and emotional overload to family stress, disconnection, and the growing need for compassion at home....

What if the biggest threat to your child’s long-term health is already showing up by age 10? Parents want their kids to grow, learn, and thrive, but most children are being raised in a food environment that increases the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and early heart disease. In this episode, Dr. Michael Greger explains why plant-based nutrition is not just a lifestyle choi...

What if the real reason schools feel unsafe has less to do with security measures—and more to do with what students are carrying emotionally? In this episode, Michele Fasnacht challenges the idea that social-emotional learning is just an “extra” in education. Drawing from both personal experience and what students are facing today, she makes the case that emotional safety must become a daily part...

Could a plant-based or holistic approach help your pet live a healthier life? Pet parents are asking bigger questions than ever about cancer, nutrition, toxins, and ethical animal care. In this episode, Dr. Armaiti May shares how holistic veterinary medicine and plant-based feeding can fit into a more compassionate, health-focused approach for dogs and cats. • Learn why pet food choices may play a...

What if your favorite comfort foods could reduce inflammation—and still taste like home? If you’re curious about plant-based eating but feel overwhelmed, judged, or unsure where to start, this episode breaks it down through Nikki Becker’s real-life journey—turning health challenges into a thriving vegan, ocean-friendly, farm-to-table restaurant and a growing product line. In this episode, you’ll l...

What if the way we "teach" is actually training kids to comply—not to think? In this STRAIGHT TALK episode, we expose how outdated school norms—from silent lunches to rigid grading—are failing to prepare kids for a rapidly changing world. If you're an educator, parent, or changemaker wondering why students are disengaged, this episode is your wake-up call. - Learn which "normal" school practices a...