Switch4Good

Got gut issues? We've got a doctor on call. Dr. Alan Desmond is a general practitioner and gastroenterologist based in the UK. He incorporates whole, plant-based nutrition to treat the problem, not the symptoms, and he's seen remarkable results with hundreds of patients. He's also the author of "Plant-Based Diet Revolution: 28 Days to a Happier Gut and a Healthier You" and serves as an ambassador...

Your therapist is probably counseling you wrong. According to Dr. Jennifer Howk, Ph. D., your past experiences have little to do with the way you are. Dr. Howk practices evolutionary psychology which emphasizes the role of nature in the development of one's personality. As a former staff member of the prestigious True North Health Center, Dr. Howk is an expert when it comes to the psychology behin...

In this episode, we get political—in a good way. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joins us to discuss his journey to the plant-based lifestyle, his meaningful work as a public official, and the responsibility he feels toward improving the wellbeing of his constituents. As a Black leader and former type 2 diabetic, Adams serves as an example that the plant-based lifestyle is not a "white perso...

"We knew the Taliban was going to regain power … we just didn't know when," Pen Farthing told us in this episode. A British-soldier-turned animal welfare hero, Farthing founded and managed Nowzad—an animal shelter and clinic in Kabul. He and his staff (many of whom were Afghani women) spent years rescuing dogs and cats, running animal education programs, and administering spay/neuter operations an...

We are back for round two with Dr. Monica Aggarwal. If you haven't listened to the first episode (#148), go back and listen to her origin story. Dr. Aggarwal takes a different approach to heart health than most cardiologists. Instead of stents and blood-thinners, she uses lifestyle and nutrition as a patient's first line of defense. Named a New Generation Innovator by Cardiology Today, Dr. Aggarwa...

Dr. Monica Aggarwal is the perfect example of what can happen when you don't take care of your body … she's also the perfect example of what can happen when you do take care of your body. Living under the constant pressure of defined gender norms in a subspecialty medical profession, Dr. Aggarwal strived to be perfect. After finishing school and experiencing several miscarriages, she had three chi...

When dieting doesn't work, it's time to stop dabbling in healthy eating. Dr. Joel Fuhruman is a highly respected physician who has made his mark by focusing on nutrition. He is the founder of the Nutritarian Diet which is based on whole, plant-based foods that have been scientifically shown to reduce cancer risk and extend longevity. In his seven bestselling books, you won't find "cheat days" or "...

For someone who had no idea what to do with their life after graduating high school, 25-year-old Calen Otto has more purpose and passion than most people twice their age. What started out as a year in Chile as a foreign exchange student led to a ravenous travel bug. At 19, Calen crossed the US on a bike and supported themself by working as they went. They've been to 25 countries, mastered the art...

How do you know if a product is cruelty-free if you can't trust the label? According to Kim Paschen—Program Manager for Leaping Bunny—there is no regulated definition for cruelty-free. That means companies who use this label are not held accountable and may very well include ingredients that have been tested on animals. When it comes to compassionate cosmetics that are truly animal-free, things ge...

How does a 12-year-old start a non-profit? Haile Thomas will tell you. Now 20, Haile is accomplished beyond her years. Extraordinarily articulate and composed, Haile has been featured on The Food Network, Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, the Drew Barrymore Show, and a dozen other talk shows. She's the founder of The Happy Organization—a non-profit that empowers kids to embrace self-care and...

There are doctors who like to point out your problems and use medication as a bandaid, and there are doctors like Melissa Sundermann . A double board-certified DO in internal and lifestyle medicine, Dr. Sundermann combines Western medicine with a holistic approach to help her patients heal. She's friendly, empathetic, and empowering. Join in on our delightful conversation with this Michigan-based...

Camille Martin, RD, was caught in the vicious cycle of binging, restricting, and dieting for years. Her weight would fluctuate, but she was never happy, until she decided to quit dieting and let herself eat. To her surprise, she didn't gain weight—she lost it. Now a registered dietitian and very new vegan, Camille shares her story and helpful tips to change your eating habits. We also dive into mi...

Dr. Goldner was resigned to live out her life in the clutches of lupus—she expected to become disabled by her forties, deal with chronic pain, and never have children. Her perspective changed after meeting her husband and attempting to get trim for a Maui honeymoon. She shocked herself by healing her disease simply by eating a high-raw, whole-food, plant-based diet. For Goldner—and the hundreds of...

If you move your body, this episode is for you. TJ Waterfall is a UK-based sports nutritionist who takes a practical approach to fueling with a plant-based diet. In this episode, we cover highlights from his book, "The Plant-Based Power Plan," and dive into so much more in relation to diet and fitness. Questions about salt, protein, or antioxidants? TJ has the answers. Stay tuned through the end t...

If you don't already know about the Very Good Butchers, you will soon. While not the most dominant plant-based meat company, it's certainly the cleanest. We were shocked (pleasantly so) that we could find every single ingredient listed for the Smokin' Burgers and Very Good Pepperoni in our local grocery store. Co-founder and CEO Mitchell Scott sits down with us to discuss the rising trend of vegan...

Dr. Arti Thangudu is a triple board-certified MD specializing in endocrinology, thyroid, and diabetes. She's also a mom to two adorable young kids and runs her own private practice in San Antonio—Complete Medicine. But she didn't stop there. Arti is determined to prevail over the rampant diabetes epidemic in her city. With a diabetes rate 6 percent higher than the national average, Dr. Thangudu's...

Agriculture subsidies have robbed Americans of their right to vote with their dollars. Millions of consumers make conscious choices to not purchase animal products, believing their purchasing decisions are making a small but definitive statement about demand. Unfortunately, the colossal government subsidies that are pumped into the animal agriculture industry keep it alive regardless of demand. Wh...

Most people have a favorite hairdresser or perhaps even a favorite barista … we have a favorite gastroenterologist. This is Dr. Angie Sadeghi's second time on the podcast—she just has so much knowledge to share! Circle back and listen to Episode 3 for her full backstory, then give this show a listen to learn all about the gut microbiome, how to feed your "good" bacteria, the brain/gut connection,...

The wave of conscious consumerism is growing stronger day by day, but sometimes, it's a challenge to discern how the products we buy affect our health, the environment, and those used to make it (both laborers and animals included). Adriane Marie has devised a solution to help us all shop smarter and more efficiently. The HEALabel app is the ultimate guide to making conscious consumer choices at t...

Why are good people not vegan? Many people show tremendous empathy and compassion; they love animals; they deeply care about the planet; they perform selfless acts for others; and yet, they continue to support a system of routine abuse and cruelty. Animal law attorney and former Director of the iconic Vegan Action certification—David Blatte—wrote a book to explain this extreme juxtaposition and ho...

To create a vegan world, we need to give the people chicken. Sounds like an oxymoron, but the VP of Farm Animal Protection at the Humane Society of the United States is paving the way for people to ditch the cruelty and still enjoy the foods they love. His career spans undercover investigation work, negotiating with corporations to include plant-based options, supporting companies the produce plan...

There's a little bit of everything in this show. We've got TWO soccer stars and we chat about vegan food, breast cancer, athletic performance, gender equality in sport, and so much more. Both play for the Orlando Pride professional women's soccer team, but when they're not on the field, Ali Riley and Toni Pressley star in their own vegan cooking show—Girls Gone Veg. From sumptuous mac and cheese t...

No matter what your relationship to food is, we all live in a world manipulated by an addiction business model. We're constantly confronted with ads for foods that have been designed to make us want more, and it began when the tobacco industry started buying up brands like Nabisco and Kraft Foods. Dr. Joan Ifland is an expert in processed food addiction, and her research is both eye-opening and ap...

Rip Esselstyn is a world record holder, former pro triathlete, best-selling author, firefighter, and founder of Plant-Strong—an organization helping people lead healthier lives through plant-based nutrition. After a career as a pro athlete, Rip transitioned to firefighting at the Engine 2 firehouse in Austin, Texas. It was there that after a friendly competition, he realized one of his co-workers...

Tricia Nelson is here to heal your hunger. She developed an unhealthy relationship with food and alcohol early on, and by college, she was 50 pounds overweight. Dieting, exercise, 12-step, and even eating disorder therapy failed to offer long-term solutions. Finally, she realized she didn't have a food problem—she had an emotional problem. Now recovered, Tricia has the experience and the research...