Vegans Explore Podcast

In this episode, we take a closer look at Veganuary and how a simple January challenge evolved into a global Vegan movement reaching millions each year. We explore how Veganuary began in the UK in 2014, why its pressure-free approach resonated with so many people, and how participation has grown from a few thousand sign-ups to tens of millions worldwide. We also break down what the data actually s...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we take a clear-eyed look at the top Vegan trends shaping 2026 and why the movement feels different than ever before. From the rise of Pre-Vegans and gentle transitions to daily Vegan media, local food ecosystems, cultural representation, and practical climate action, this conversation explores how Veganism is settling into everyday life in more susta...

Sugar seems simple. It comes from plants, so it must be Vegan… right? In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we unpack why sugar is one of the most misunderstood ingredients in Vegan living and how its processing raises deeper questions about values, intention, and harm reduction. We explore how bone char is used in some sugar refining, why this matters to some Vegans and not others, and h...

This is a behind-the-scenes founder report on what Vegans Explore is building and why it exists. Sean A. Russell shares the real story behind launching a daily podcast, planning a global Vegan tour, and documenting communities around the world with intention and care. In this episode, Sean reflects on years of community building, from SoFlo Vegans to the creation of Vegans Explore, and explains wh...

In this powerful episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we sit down with Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder of PETA, for a deeply personal conversation about the moments, stories, and lived experiences that shaped her lifelong commitment to animals. Ingrid shares the unexpected turning points that slowly transformed her perspective, from early encounters with snails and lobsters to a life-altering experie...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast , we meet Keya , also known as VeganKween , Philly’s go-to guide for Vegan food, events, and community connection. Keya wears many hats as a Vegan content creator, HappyCow ambassador, educator, and walking directory for all things Vegan in Philadelphia. From spotlighting local restaurants to promoting festivals and helping visitors navigate the city’s...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we sit down with An, co-founder of Sen Saigon , to share the story behind New York City’s only fully Vegan Vietnamese restaurant. Born and raised in Vietnam, An became Vegan and was surprised to find that authentic Vegan Vietnamese food was nearly impossible to find in NYC. Instead of compromising, she and her husband decided to build what didn’t yet...

As 2025 comes to a close, Vegans Explore takes a moment to reflect, recalibrate, and look ahead. In this year-end update, Sean A. Russell shares an honest breakdown of where Vegans Explore stands today, what worked, what didn’t, and why the approach to building the world’s largest Vegan community is evolving heading into 2026. This episode explores the long game behind sustainable community buildi...

In this episode, we sit down with Earthling Ed for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation on Veganism, empathy, and why calm, respectful dialogue can be one of the most powerful tools for change. Recorded in 2018, this conversation captures Earthling Ed at a pivotal moment in the modern animal rights movement. He shares his personal journey from quiet Vegan to global activist, his approach to str...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Michael Klaper, a longtime leader in plant-based medicine and physician education, for a timely and deeply informative conversation. Dr. Klaper breaks down how nutrition directly impacts immune function, chronic disease, and long-term health, while also unpacking the major gaps in traditional medical education that leave doctors un...

Going Vegan can be life-changing, but the early days often come with unexpected challenges. In this episode, longtime Vegan advocates Victoria Moran, Renee King-Sonnen, and Susan Hargreaves share what they wish they had known when they first went Vegan. From navigating family pressure and social resistance to finding patience, confidence, and compassion, this conversation offers decades of lived e...

What does it really take to create a documentary that changes minds, shifts culture, and sparks real-world impact? In this powerful roundtable conversation, leading Vegan documentary directors Shaun Monson, Louie Psihoyos, Mark Pierschel, and Keegan Kuhn come together to discuss storytelling, strategy, and social change. These filmmakers are behind some of the most influential documentaries of our...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we sit down with Veronica Menin and Diego Tosoni, the co-founders of Love Life Cafe and true OGs of the South Florida Vegan community. What started as a small café inside a wellness and yoga space grew into one of Miami’s most respected plant-based restaurants, built on purpose, patience, and deep community roots. We talk about the long game of runnin...

In this episode, we sit down with Gwena Hunter , a visionary leader reshaping food access through compassion, faith, and action. Gwena shares her powerful Vegan origin story, the spiritual awakening that transformed her path, and how manifestation played a role in launching the first brick-and-mortar Vegan food bank founded by a Black woman. This conversation explores the intersection of food just...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Small, Head of Community at Date Night, a virtual speed dating platform reimagining how people connect in a swipe-fatigued world. We explore how Date Night is creating real, face-to-face connections through virtual speed dating, why this model resonates with the Vegan community, and how their ongoing partnership with PETA ad...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we welcome back John Lewis , widely known as Badass Vegan, for a powerful conversation about growth, discipline, and purpose. John shares his journey from working as a butcher to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in Vegan fitness and culture. We dive into his upcoming book, the deeper meaning behind staying Vegan long term, and how food, mi...

In this powerful episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we sit down with Dotsie Bausch , Olympic silver medalist, Vegan advocate, and founder of Switch4Good . Dotsie shares her deeply personal Vegan Origin Story, from battling eating disorders and addiction to discovering cycling later in life and ultimately standing on the Olympic podium at nearly 40 years old. She reflects on the mindset shifts...

In this educational episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we explore the Alkaline Diet through the teachings and legacy of Dr. Sebi . The conversation focuses on the core principles behind his philosophy, including his belief that excess acidity and mucus in the body contribute to disease, and why he emphasized mineral-rich, non-hybrid plant foods. We break down the foods commonly associated with...

Every week, real progress is happening across the plant-based world, even when it is not trending on social media. In this episode, we break down the plant-based developments you might have missed and why they matter for the future of food, travel, and culture. From new public nutrition guidelines in Europe that include plant-based meals in schools, to airlines like Lufthansa , Delta Air Lines , a...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Will “Dr. B” Bulsiewicz, New York Times bestselling author and leading voice in gut health science, for a deep and accessible conversation on fiber, microbiomes, and the future of human health. Dr. B breaks down why the gut microbiome functions like a newly discovered organ, how fiber fuels healing throughout the entire body, and w...

James Wildman of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida has spent over a decade speaking to students across the state, reaching more than 100,000 people through his iconic presentation, 101 Reasons to Go Vegan . In this episode, James breaks down how education, humor, and evidence-based storytelling can shift perspectives without preaching. We explore how Veganism has evolved, what resonates most...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, Sean A. Russell sits down with Noah Hyams, founder of Vegapreneur and the new owner of Vegan Cuts, for an honest conversation about the current state of vegan entrepreneurship. Noah shares why this has been the hardest year yet for vegan businesses, what he has seen behind the scenes as restaurants and brands struggle, and why community is not just he...

In this candid solo episode, Sean A. Russell, founder of Vegans Explore, shares a real-time status update on where the platform stands and where it is headed next. From navigating burnout and balancing a full-time career to rethinking content, community growth, and sustainability, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to build a global Vegan community with integrity. Sean refl...

In this episode of the Vegans Explore Podcast, Sean A. Russell takes a clear, grounded look at one of the most misunderstood health conditions today, type 2 diabetes. This conversation goes beyond surface-level talking points to explore what is actually happening inside the body. Drawing from decades of scientific research and insights from leading plant-based physicians and educators, Sean breaks...

In this powerful and practical conversation, Sean A. Russell sits down with Dr. Neal Barnard, physician, researcher, author, and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, to answer the most common health questions people ask about plant-based living. Drawing from decades of clinical research and real-world experience, Dr. Barnard breaks down how a whole food, plant-based life...