The Vegan Pod

We celebrate Pride Month with a special Vegan Pod guest, as one of the most influential of influencers in the vegan and LGBTQ+ communities, Sean O'Callaghan, aka. Fat Gay Vegan, discusses growing up in Brisbane, moving to London and becoming a high-profile vegan voice in the 2010s, the importance of community spirit in veganism and much more.   *Please note: since this episode was published, we're...

The recent, tragic, case of Georgina Owen has highlighted in the most devastating circumstances the critical importance of Vitamin B12 in a vegan diet. Vegan Society dietitians, Emily Angus and Amber Woodhouse, join Damian Watson to explain what B12 is, what it does and why vegans - and others - must make sure they get enough of it. Please note: this podcast touches on sensitive topics relating to...

Food security is vital for every nation on earth and it's under threat, not just from immediate crises such as the Iran War, but also from long-term environmental and sustainability problems caused by a 'broken' food system.   In this edition of the Vegan Pod, Vegan Society Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Alistair Currie, and Sunita Ramani, Senior Campaigner at the campaigning food charity, Foo...

The latest episode of the Vegan Pod examines the issue of vegan rights.   Dr. Jeanette Rowley is The Vegan Society's Vegan Rights Advocate and a leading authority on the subject that underpins so much of our work. She has advised vegans in numerous cases concerning employment, education and even prisoners' rights.   Find out about Jeanette's work, that of The Vegan Society's International Rights N...

‘The Future Is Still Vegan’, says Vegan Society CEO, Libby Peppiatt, after what can be described as a 'testing' period for the movement.  Media, money, meaty name bans...    It’s time to take stock and assess where veganism goes – and how it grows – from here. 

The first Vegan Pod of 2026 welcomes Sarah Bentley and Sareta Puri, two leading Food Justice campaigners with more in common than their roles with Made In Hackney, the grassroots community cookery school-turned international inspiration for vegans.  What is Food Justice and how can veganism help achieve it for all?

In the last Vegan Pod of the year, Vegan Society members, volunteers and staff reflect on 2025 and share their hopes for veganism in 2026 in a special montage of Vegan Voices.  

We're delighted to welcome leading environmental activist and journalist, George Monbiot, to the Vegan Pod. George is a fearless and tireless advocate for sustainability, green living and political and corporate transparency. He is a best-selling author, a high profile media commentator and has even dabbled in the world of music. With four decades of campaigning behind him, is George Monbiot showi...

A partner episode for our World Mental Health Day Special, in which Vegan Society CEO, Libby Peppiatt, interviews Billy Thompson, who leads the amazing team at The Retreat animal sanctuary in the south of England. How does the team at The Retreat make sure they're taking care of themselves while they help those who can't do the same?

The Vegan Society marks World Mental Health Day with a special edition of the Vegan Pod. Vegan psychologist, author and communications coach, Clare Mann, and Animal Justice Project activist, Ayrton Cooper, join Damian Watson to discuss some of the triggers of poor mental health in vegans and how to look after yourself while you look after those who can't look after themselves.

The Vegan Trademark made international headlines in September, following the world-first vegan certification of the new Mercedes-Benz GLC.  But what does the Vegan Trademark mean and why is it so valued and trusted by consumers and manufacturers alike?  Vegan Society Sales and Marketing Manager, Karen Spinner, and Vegan Trademark Team Leader, Caroline Bolton, join Damian Watson to discuss the powe...

Do you have a pension? If so, how vegan is it? How vegan can pensions and other investments be?     Lawyer, Jonathan Dennis, and independent financial adviser, Chris Welsford, join Damian Watson to discuss an ongoing case where a vegan is challenging their employer’s pension investment strategy and what the case might mean for other vegan investors in a predominantly non-vegan investment market.

With summer upon us at Vegan Society HQ, the latest Vegan Pod focuses on the best European city breaks for vegans and looks wider afield at life for vegans internationally.    Writer and teacher, Woody River, provided the latest Vegan magazine recommendations for Europe-bound vegans. Woody has lived all over the world and is joined on the the Vegan Pod by former TV and radio reporter, Rob Olver, w...

The Vegan Society has described the findings of the UK government’s latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey as “very concerning”. The survey followed the confirmation of the Food Strategy Advisory Board, which includes the chairman of Cranswick PLC, one of the biggest factory farming companies in the UK.      Vegan Society Senior Dietitian, Emily Angus, and Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Ali...

Is the future vegan? That's certainly our hope at The Vegan Society - and it's the subject of one of our ongoing campaigns and a major part of our 80th anniversary exhibition at the Library of Birmingham.   But what might a vegan future look like? Animal rights author, scholar and curator, Kim Stallwood, and Vegan Society Campaigns Manager, Hannah Montgomery, join Damian Watson for a look into a v...

PR consultant Karin Ridgers, founder of vegan PR agency Mad Promotions, and Holly Johnson, editor of Vegan Food and Living magazine, join our host, Rachel New, to discuss how to counter misinformation about veganism in the media.

On today’s Vegan Pod 'Children’s story books – advocates for animal compassion?', Rachel New is joined by Tina Newman, creator of @ViviTheSuperVegan, and Jodie Barchha Lang @GreenVegan1, author of Nero the Brave Little Bull.   Grab a cuppa and settle in for vegan story-time as the trio discuss how children’s books can inspire and empower mini vegans on their journey to compassion, and their role i...

Today on The Vegan Pod, we’re talking supplements and whether they’re essential to a vegan diet. Vegan Society dietitians Angela Rymer and Emily Angus join us to set the record straight on supplements and whether it’s possible to sustain a healthful vegan diet without them. 

Today on The Vegan Pod, we’re revisiting a previous episode tackling the misconception that vegan cooking is difficult and takes time and effort. In this episode, guests Madeleine Olivia and Johnny Morillo help set the record straight, in a bid to inspire future vegans. Maybe you were even one of them! Why not refresh your memory and listen to the full episode on vegansociety.podbean.com or search...

In the latest episode of The Vegan Pod we’re diving into the history of veganism, tracing the movement’s roots back to the founding of The Vegan Society in 1944 and exploring how it has grown and evolved over the decades. We’re fortunate to have two incredible guests with us for this episode. First, we’re joined by Kim Stallwood, an animal rights author and scholar with decades of experience in th...

In the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re talking about veganic agriculture—a method of farming that uses no animal products or byproducts in the growing process.  Joining us for this episode we have co-founder of the Veganic Agriculture Network, Meg Kelly, and pioneer in the field of stock-free organic farming, Iain Tolhurst. Together, they unpack the ethical and environmental benefits of veg...

As children enter the new school year and students head back to university after  summer, we’re asking: What is vegan-inclusive education and why is it important?  Two brilliant guests join us for this discussion – Plant Based Universities Lead Coordinator, Alistair Stewart; and Laura Chepner, Education Officer at The Vegan Society and founder of The Vegan Society’s Education Network. The views ex...

Ultra-processed vegan foods have been a hot topic in the media recently and have been called out for having negative health implications. On the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we explore the truth behind the headlines and ask: Are ultra-processed foods bad for us? How do vegan ultra-processed foods compare to their non-vegan counterparts? Are there benefits to choosing to eat processed foods?  T...

On the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re celebrating World Environment Day by discussing how our relationship with non-human animals contributes to the climate crisis and asking what we can do to change it. Despite research illustrating the widespread environmental impact of animal agriculture, it is often an issue that gets left out of conversations about the climate crisis. To help us explo...

In the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re talking about cosmetics and asking how we can make more conscious choices in our everyday purchases. Interest in vegan beauty is at an all-time high after growing steadily over the last 10 years but lots of people don’t fully understand what vegan beauty is or why they should be looking out for it.   To help us dig a little deeper into how our everyday...