Vegan Boss Radio

*** A Note from Steven Shortly after recording this episode, Steven learned that he has a tumour and is currently raising funds to help cover his medical expenses during this time. If you enjoyed this conversation and would like to support him, you can contribute here: Support Steven: http://spot.fund/4hm85wlsc   *** Can laughter be a gateway to conversations about veganism? In this episode, I'm j...

What if one of the biggest barriers to eating healthier isn't knowing what to eat but knowing how to prepare it? In this episode, I’m joined by Catherine Connally , a clinical nutritionist, culinary medicine educator, and creator of Flavour with Benefits® . Catherine shares her plant-based journey and the experiences that led her to this lifestyle. We discuss why culinary medicine is becoming an i...

Finding vegan food while traveling has come a long way over the past decade, but it can still sometimes be difficult to find the places that are worth visiting.  In this episode, I’m joined by Audrey-Josephine Addo, founder of Lost & Vegan , a platform designed to help people discover vegan restaurants and plant-based dining options while exploring new cities. AJ shares her vegan story, includ...

In this solo mini episode, I talk about creatine. What it is, who may benefit from taking it, if vegans are deficient, and the emerging research on brain health, mood, and cognition for women in perimenopause and menopause. This mini solo episode covers: What creatine is and how your body already makes it (and why that matters for how we talk about it) Why vegans and vegetarians have measurably lo...

Interested in hiking through the jungles of Costa Rica and ending the day with homemade vegan ice cream? Then I think you’re going to love this episode. In today's episode, I’m joined by Emma Fry, founder of Vegan Adventure Holidays . Emma is a UK-born adventurer now based in Guatemala, where she spends her time leading vegan hiking trips up volcanoes and through jungles and remote trails across C...

When Billie Eilish recently stated that you cannot claim to love all animals while simultaneously eating them, the internet imploded. From accusations of "vegan privilege" to debates over Indigenous rights and MCAS-friendly diets, the backlash was a masterclass in cognitive dissonance. This mini solo episode discusses: The Contradiction: Why Billie’s statement triggered so many people and the psyc...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tejal Raju to discuss chronic pain, inflammation, joint pain, and the role that plant-based nutrition can play in supporting overall health and pain management. Dr. Raju is a double board-certified interventional pain physician in Anesthesiology and Pain Management who has been serving rural Southwest Virginia for over 14 years. In addition to her clinical work,...

I recently watched an episode of Surrounded where one vegan sits down with 20 meat-eaters to answer questions and challenges about veganism. And while the format is intense, the arguments themselves are actually very familiar. In this mini solo episode, I break down some of the most common points raised and offer my perspective on each one. Including: “Plants feel pain” Soy production and whether...

Is oat milk actually bad for you, or is this just another nutrition myth going viral? In this mini solo episode, I break down some of the most common claims circulating online about oat milk and oats, including concerns around blood sugar spikes, maltose, seed oils, and overall health impact. You’ve probably seen posts claiming that oat milk is “basically sugar,” that it causes dangerous spikes in...

What role can nutrition play in cancer prevention, treatment, and long-term health? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Zahra Kassam , a Radiation Oncologist and leading voice in lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition. We explore the evidence behind plant-based diets in relation to cancer risk, survivorship, and overall chronic disease prevention, as well as how nutrition can support patients...

For more than four decades, Gail Eisnitz has investigated factory farms and slaughterhouses in the United States, documenting practices that most people never see. In this episode of Vegan Boss Radio, Gail shares what she witnessed during her years as an undercover investigator and why she believes transparency about the realities of animal agriculture is so important. Some parts of this conversat...

Is whey protein really superior to plant-based protein powders for building muscle? It’s a claim that still pops up constantly in fitness spaces: that whey protein is the “gold standard” for muscle growth, while plant proteins are somehow inferior. In this mini solo episode, I break down the science behind this belief and explain why the research does not support the idea that whey protein is bett...

Is veganism really “dead”, or is that just the headline? In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Scott-Reid to unpack the recent wave of media stories claiming that veganism is over. We explore what those articles often miss, how plant-based diets are frequently conflated with veganism, and why cultural narratives around meat consumption are shifting in surprising ways. Jessica Scott-Reid is a jour...

In this solo mini episode, Shawna walks through her plant based nutrition guide to the key vitamins and minerals. This episode covers: Vitamin B12 (including dosing ranges and supplement forms) Vitamin D3 and sun exposure Calcium on a vegan diet Iodine and thyroid health Iron and when supplementation is actually necessary Zinc intake on plant-based diets Omega-3s (ALA, EPA, and DHA) This guide is...

In this episode, Shawna sits down with Chantelle Archambault , Communications Director at the Vancouver Humane Society , for an important conversation about animal advocacy, public awareness, and how change actually happens at the community and policy level. Chantelle has worked as the Communications Director at the Vancouver Humane Society since 2021. She is passionate about justice for all, both...

What if aging didn’t have to mean slowing down, losing strength, or accepting things that are considered just normal parts of aging? In this episode, Shawna is joined by Jane Thurnell-Read , an independent author and blogger. She writes about health and wellbeing with a focus on positive lifestyle solutions. She’s in her seventies and loves inspiring others. She enjoys lifting weights in the gym,...

In this episode of Vegan Boss Radio, Shawna is joined by Rosie Martin , a UK-based registered dietitian, to break down some of the most common misconceptions and challenges people face when eating plant-based. Together, they explore: Widespread myths and misinformation around plant-based nutrition Nutrients people tend to worry about unnecessarily, and the ones that actually deserve attention Gut...

Can you really build muscle on a plant-based diet? Is meat actually necessary for strength, or is that just a story we’ve been told? In this episode, Shawna sits down with Dr. Minil Patel  to break down the science, culture, and myths surrounding plant-based nutrition, strength training, and masculinity. Dr. Patel shares his personal journey from being, in his own words, “the least vegan person” t...

In this episode, I’m joined by Karen Lee of The Sensitive Foodie Kitchen for a powerful conversation about autoimmune disease, healing, and the role of a whole-food, plant-based diet in supporting long-term health. Karen shares her journey following a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2016 and how she uses diet and lifestyle approaches to manage her condition. We explore how plant-based nutrition ca...

In today's episode, I'm joined by Vanessa Sturman, a multi-award-winning Speaker and Health and Nutrition Coach who helps busy leaders, teams, and individuals build practical, sustainable nutrition habits that support performance, resilience, focus, and healthy weight maintenance. She connects how we eat with how we lead, linking personal performance, business success, and planetary health. A regu...

In this episode, Shawna sits down with Tania Cantú , the creator behind Plant Based Mexican (@plantbasedmexican) , a woman whose life flipped the moment she realized her body had been whispering warnings since childhood. A vibrant voice blending humour, wellness, and flavour to show the world that healthy living doesn’t have to be bland or boring. After overcoming childhood asthma, food sensitivit...

In this episode, I chat with Sylvain Karpinski, founder and CEO of GUSTA Foods and SLY Foods , and one of the most innovative voices in Canada’s vegan food landscape. Sylvain has been vegan for two decades and has built two successful plant based companies rooted in his passion for sustainability, flavour, and adventure. GUSTA Foods quickly became a staple in Canadian grocery stores with its artis...

In this mini solo episode, I share the 10 things that I wish everyone knew about being vegan. Everything from why veganism is not a diet, to the funny (and sometimes frustrating) realities of navigating a non-vegan world. I discuss the emotional and practical sides of vegan life: dealing with constant “nutrition experts,” learning to be overprepared, handling the never-ending jokes, and rememberin...

Why do we love some animals but eat others? In this powerful episode, I'm joined by Harvard-educated psychologist and author Dr. Melanie Joy  to explore the invisible belief system of carnism , and how it shapes our values, culture, and food choices. We discuss the emotional side of activism, how to navigate anger and grief, and the importance of compassion, not just toward animals, but toward our...

Soy is one of the most misunderstood foods out there — even within the vegan and plant-based community. In this mini solo episode, I break down the top myths about soy and share what the latest research really says. From hormones and breast cancer risk to thyroid health, “processed” tofu claims, and concerns about soy and the environment — this episode covers it all. You’ll learn why soy doesn’t i...