PLANTSTRONG Podcast

In this episode, Rip sits down with Jet, a 66-year-old husband, father, hiker, and former keto devotee whose health collapsed despite doing “everything right” according to low-carb gurus. After a terrifying calcium score, debilitating angina, and near-widowmaker blockage, Jet found himself out of breath, unable to hike his favorite mountains, and feeling an impending sense of doom. A reunion — and...

What does it mean to live intentionally ? In this inspiring conversation, Rip sits down with endurance athlete and author Joe Gagnon , who shares how he shifted from chasing external success to living with deeper purpose and awareness. Joe explores the mindset and habits that fuel his growth — from building strong health pillars and saying “yes” to new challenges, to embracing discomfort as a teac...

Inflammation is running rampant — and it’s not starting in your joints or your arteries. It’s starting in your gut . This week, Rip is joined by world-renowned gut health expert Dr. Will Bulsiewicz , aka “Dr. B,” author of the book Plant Powered Plus . (Release Date: January 13, 2026) Together, they break down why chronic disease, fatigue, weight gain, autoimmune disorders, and even emotional burn...

Eating healthier shouldn’t feel confusing, overwhelming, or impossible to sustain—and if it ever has, you’re not the problem. In this 30-minute REAL30 ™ webinar, Rip Esselstyn and Laurie Kortowich introduce a simple, science-backed framework designed to help you eat more real, whole plants and stay consistent without turning your life upside down. The REAL30 is built on three approachable pillars:...

This episode originally dropped in October, 2024 Dr. Dawn Mussallem joins Rip for an enlightening discussion on the vital role of personalized precision lifestyle medicine in breast cancer prevention and recovery. They dive deep into the importance of nutrition, emphasizing whole food plant-based diets, supplements, and the power of social connections in enhancing health outcomes. Dr. Mussallem sh...

Rip sits down with Andrea Freeman, James Beard Award-winning author of Ruin Their Crops on the Ground . Drawing on more than 20 years of research, Andrea unpacks how food, race, and class have shaped America’s food system, exploring the historical roots of inequality that still influence what ends up on our plates today. Their conversation takes listeners on a journey from the Trail of Tears to co...

Rip welcomes Chuck Carroll — once a “fast food junkie”- now a beloved voice in the plant-based movement and host of the Exam Room Podcast . While plant-based eating helped normalize his blood pressure, stabilize his weight, and restore his vitality, Chuck also shares a vulnerable part of his story: despite doing everything right , he’s now navigating a complex chronic illness with no clear diagnos...

What happens when a company decides to put real food at the center of employee wellness? In this powerful episode, Rip sits down with the team at Central Garden & Pet , a 7,000-employee organization that has taken a radically forward-thinking approach to improving the health of its people. Their partnership with PLANTSTRONG by Metabite has produced clinical-level outcomes — without drugs, depr...

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 i...

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 emoti...

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 belie...

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. Ca...

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 wh...

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 — fo...

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...

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...

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 bologne...

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, an...

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 in...

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 re...

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 wh...

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 i...

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—especial...

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 transf...

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 survive...