Climate Diet Podcast

Can what's on your plate really fight climate change? I sit down with policy researcher and lifelong vegetarian Nandita Srivastava to break down the hidden climate cost of meat — including why livestock methane is up to 80x more warming than CO2, and why India has one of the highest vegetarian rates in the world.

Nandita grew up vegetarian in India and later worked on international food systems and climate change projects across Asia and Africa. In this episode of the Climate Diet Podcast, we dig into the real data behind animal agriculture and climate change, the sneaky role food waste plays in methane emissions, and why sustainable eating doesn't have to mean giving up flavor — or your morning coffee.

🎧 WHAT WE COVER
✅ Nandita's vegetarian origin story growing up in India
✅ Why India has one of the highest vegetarian rates on Earth
✅ The staggering number of animals slaughtered for food every single day
✅ Methane vs. CO2: why livestock emissions matter more than you think
✅ How food loss and food waste quietly fuel climate change
✅ Simple, doable food swaps that actually cut your carbon footprint
✅ Why plant-based eating is also a personal health choice
✅ Climate Diet's Meat Down Pledge and Power of Food school program

📚 SOURCES & REFERENCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Our World in Data – how many animals are slaughtered for food every day: https://ourworldindata.org/how-many-animals-get-slaughtered-every-day
- The Rockefeller Foundation – True Cost of Food report: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/True-Cost-of-Food-Full-Report-Final.pdf
- Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop, "Increased Transparency in Accounting Conventions Could Benefit Climate Policy," Environmental Research Letters (2025): https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/adb7f2

Host Erin DeMarines sat down with Chuck Carroll — "The Weight Loss Champion" — who lost 260 pounds after weighing 420 lbs, and we got real about food addiction, weight loss surgery, and why he had it reversed years later.

At his heaviest, Chuck was eating 10,000 calories a day, half of it from a nightly run to Taco Bell. In this episode he opens up about the gastric bypass surgery that saved his life in 2009, why he believes food is more addictive than nicotine, the study showing your brain lights up the same way for a donut as it does for cocaine, how a plant-based diet helped him keep the weight off for over a decade, and the terrifying mystery illness that forced him to have his bypass surgery reversed earlier this year.

If you've ever struggled with food addiction, emotional eating, yo-yo dieting, or you just need proof that it's never too late to turn your health around — this conversation is for you.

🎙️ WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:

* Growing up on fast food and how it turned into a 10,000-calorie-a-day addiction
* Hitting 420 lbs by his mid-20s and the chest pains that scared him into change
* The gastric bypass surgery that changed everything in 2009
* Why he compares quitting Taco Bell to quitting nicotine — and says food is worse
* The "bliss point": how food companies engineer cravings to mimic cocaine in the brain
* Discovering plant-based eating through WWE wrestler Austin Aries
* The documentaries that changed his life: What The Health, Food Inc., and The Game Changers
* Building The Exam Room into one of the biggest nutrition podcasts in the world
* His mystery illness, the Mayo Clinic diagnosis, and reversing his gastric bypass in 2026
* Daily habits: morning sunlight, gut health, and his go-to healthy "splurge"
Why the plant-based community can be its own worst enemy

📚 RESOURCES & SOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
* Chuck Carroll's website & newsletter: https://chuckcarroll.com
* The Exam Room Podcast (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exam-room-by-the-physicians-committee/id1312957138
* The Exam Room Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/6XElJTfdDQLQBd8Wm5BeOv

📱 FOLLOW CHUCK CARROLL: Instagram / Facebook / X: @ChuckCarrollWLC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chuckcarrollwlc

Vegan author Victoria Moran joins Climate Diet to reveal why animal agriculture — not cars — is driving climate change, and what a plant-based diet can actually do about it.

I'm Jane DeMarines, founder and executive director of Climate Diet, and in this episode I sit down with Victoria Moran — bestselling author of 14 books, founder of Main Street Vegan Academy, and one of VegNews' Top 10 Living Vegetarian Authors — to talk about the real link between what's on our plates and the climate crisis.

We get into the climate data behind animal agriculture and greenhouse gas emissions, why the word "vegan" still scares people away from plant-based eating (and what to say instead), the surprising blind-taste-test bias that proves plant-based food already tastes just as good as meat, the truth about vegan protein, and the strategy Victoria calls "attraction activism" — living in a way that draws people toward veganism instead of pushing them away.

Whether you're vegan-curious, already plant-based, or just here for the climate science, this conversation will change how you think about your next meal — and your carbon footprint.

🔗 RESOURCES & SOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Victoria Moran (official site): https://victoriamoran.com/
Main Street Vegan Academy: https://mainstreetvegan.com/
Victoria Moran, PETA's Sexiest Vegan Over 50 (2016): https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/detroit-cardiologist-petas-sexiest-vegan-50/
Victoria Moran's 2024 Vegan Hall of Fame induction: https://www.compassionconsortium.org/victoriamoran

🎓 Want to become a certified vegan lifestyle coach or educator? Main Street Vegan Academy's 39th cohort runs this fall (October–November 2026). Use code VEGCOACH250 for $250 off, or email victoria@mainstreetvegan.com to ask about scholarships — tuition should never be the reason someone can't train.

#VictoriaMoran #VeganDiet #ClimateChange #PlantBasedDiet #AnimalAgriculture

They use beagles for animal testing because beagles don't fight back. Ella Magers is walking 207 miles to end that.

In this episode of the Climate Diet Podcast, host Erin DeMarines sits down with animal advocate Ella Magers, MSW — vegan for 31 years and campaign co-director of the March to Abolish Animal Testing (MAAT) — to expose what really happens inside America's largest beagle breeding facility, Marshall BioResources, and the grassroots movement fighting to shut it down.

Ella shares the moment as a 7-year-old that turned her vegan for life, her role in the open rescue that freed 2,000 beagles from Ridglan Farms, and why she's now walking from Albany, NY all the way to Marshall BioResources's front gate this September — a 207-mile, 14-day march to end dog experimentation in the United States for good.

WHAT WE COVER:
- Why researchers specifically choose beagles for lab testing
- The staggering 92% failure rate of drugs that pass animal trials
- Inside the Ridglan Farms open rescue — tear gas, rubber bullets, and 2,000 lives saved
- How public pressure got Chewy to drop Marshall's pet product line
- What it actually takes to organize a 207-mile march for animal rights
- How you can get involved — even if you only have one hour

GET INVOLVED:
🐾 Sign up, volunteer, or donate: https://www.marchforanimals.org
🐾 Follow the march: @marchforanimals
🐾 Follow Ella Magers: @sexyfitvegan
🐾 March dates: September 12–26, 2026 | Albany, NY → Marshall BioResources

She's a trauma surgeon who's spent 12 years fixing bodies in the ER — and hasn't touched meat once in that time.

In this episode, host Erin DeMarines sits down with Dr. Sandra Farach (aka "The Plantiful Surgeon"), a Tampa-based trauma surgeon, to talk about the factory farming footage that changed her life, the biggest protein myths doctors still believe, and what it's really like pushing plant-based options inside a hospital.

Growing up in a Cuban household built around meat-heavy dishes like picadillo and ropa vieja, Dr. Farach never questioned where her food came from — until she stumbled on factory farming videos during her medical residency. She quit meat cold turkey that day and has been whole-food plant-based ever since.

In this conversation, Erin and Dr. Farach get into:
- The video that made her go vegan overnight — and why she couldn't unsee it
- How her Cuban family reacted, and how their diet has changed since
- What it's like being a plant-based trauma surgeon in a hospital full of meat-eaters
- Her "Chief Talk" on plant-based nutrition to an entire Department of Surgery, using Dr. Dean Ornish's research on reversing heart disease
- Why medical schools barely teach nutrition, and the rise of lifestyle medicine and obesity medicine as new specialties
- The truth about the "where do you get your protein?" question (hint: where do cows and elephants get theirs?)
- Why studies show plant-based meat is actually healthier than regular processed meat
- Carnivore diet trends, social media misinformation, and separating fact from fear
- What vegan food in a hospital cafeteria actually looks like
- Vegan-friendly restaurants in Tampa — including a surprising steakhouse

Whether you're plant-based, vegan-curious, or just skeptical, this episode is packed with real data, real hospital stories, and a doctor's-eye view of why plant-based living matters for your health, animals, and the planet.

🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED
Dr. Dean Ornish's research on reversing heart disease: https://ornish.com
Bern's Steak House (Tampa) — the "surprising steakhouse" with vegan options: https://bernssteakhouse.com

🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr. Sandra Farach is a trauma surgeon based in Tampa, Florida, and a member of her hospital's medical staff wellness committee. She's been whole-food plant-based for 12 years and is currently completing her lifestyle medicine certification. Follow her as "The Plantiful Surgeon":
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantifulsurgeon/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@plantifulsurgeon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlantifulSurgeon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plantifulsurgeon/
X: https://x.com/plantifulsurg
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/PlantifulSurgeon/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-m-farach-md/

Is animal agriculture the #1 cause of climate change — not fossil fuels? In this episode I sit down with Dr. Sailesh Rao (Climate Healers) to unpack how the food on our plates is driving the climate crisis — and how a plant-based diet could heal the planet.

Dr. Sailesh Rao is a Stanford-trained systems engineer turned climate activist, founder of Climate Healers, and author of the Planet B books. He's worked on the documentaries Cowspiracy, What the Health, and A Prayer for Compassion. In this conversation we go deep on why animal agriculture deserves far more attention in the climate conversation than it gets — and what every one of us can actually do about it.

We talk about the staggering inefficiency of our food system: animals eat 5x as much food as humans, 87% of the world's farmland is used for animal agriculture yet it produces only a fraction of our calories, and how shifting to plant-based eating could reverse biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and climate change all at once. Dr. Rao breaks down the 7 planetary boundaries, why healthy food should be a basic human right, and how his community food project in Washington State is feeding people whole-food plant-based meals for free.

And don't miss the moment that changed everything for him — the "pinky promise" he made to his 5-year-old granddaughter that the world would go vegan, and why she told him "do your job." It's one of the most moving stories we've ever shared on this podcast.

Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, plant-curious, or just trying to understand the real link between food and climate change, this episode will shift how you see your next meal. 🌱

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES
🌍 Climate Healers: https://climatehealers.org
📚 Dr. Rao's books — Planet B series, Carbon Dharma & Carbon Yoga: https://climatehealers.org/for-you/books/
🥗 Learn more about our work at Climate Diet: https://climatediet.org/

He built the world's largest 100% plant-based marketplace — and it started with a pair of shoes.

In this episode of Climate in Cuisine, host Erin DeMarines sits down with Jonathan Faran, founder of Vegan America — the fastest-growing vegan marketplace in the US with 400+ vetted sellers across food, fashion, cosmetics, and home products.

Jonathan shares how a University of Chicago MBA student turned a frustrating shopping moment into a mission-driven startup that is making plant-based living accessible and affordable for everyone.

🌱 In this episode:

* Why Jonathan went vegetarian at age 4 and vegan for the last 10 years
* The hidden animal ingredients in your toothpaste, laundry detergent & supplements
* Why the plant-based movement is NOT dying — it's maturing
* The real difference between "vegan" vs "plant-based"
* How Vegan America vets every single product so YOU don't have to
* Why plant-based consumers might need a therapist who understands them
* How small vegan brands can sell on Vegan America for free
* The future of ethical, cruelty-free shopping in America

🛒 Shop plant-based: http://vegan-america.com/
📲 Follow Vegan America: @veganamerica on Instagram & Facebook

Whether you're fully vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, or just starting your plant-based journey — this conversation will change the way you shop, eat, and think.

Discover how vegan directory founder Kiana Melvin is transforming how people find plant-based restaurants, vegan businesses, and cruelty-free brands across America.

In this episode of Climate and Cuisine, host Jane DeMarines (Executive Director of Climate Diet) sits down with Kiana Melvin, the 26-year-old CEO and founder of Plant Plate Map — a nationwide vegan directory with over 1,700 listings, including 1,500+ vegan restaurants, plant-based food trucks, vegan caterers, private chefs, and cruelty-free businesses.

Kiana shares her vegan journey from pescatarian to vegetarian to fully vegan during COVID, why so many vegan restaurants are closing, and how her ad-free directory helps users filter by gluten-free, women-owned, and vegan-owned businesses. We also dig into the climate impact of animal agriculture, deforestation, and why plant-based eating matters more than ever in 2026.

🌱 Visit Plant Plate Map: http://www.plantplatemap.com

🌎 Learn more about Climate Diet: https://climatediet.org/

If you're looking for vegan food near you, want to support vegan-owned businesses, or are curious about plant-based living, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Michele Cuffe, author of Health Revival, to discuss the revolutionary concept of "Muscle-Centric Medicine" and why building muscle is the ultimate key to aging with vitality. Michelle reveals her "Big 6" pillars of health that can help you reconnect with your DNA and reverse the effects of modern lifestyle diseases.

If you’ve been looking for a realistic way to manage menopause, improve your sleep quality, or understand the science behind strength training for women over 50, this conversation is a masterclass in biohacking your way to a longer, healthier life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
* The 90% Rule: Why stress management is the foundation of health and the root of most doctor visits.
* Muscle-Centric Medicine: Why muscle is actually the "organ of longevity".
* The 6 Pillars of Health Revival: From hydration and nutrition to the surprising benefits of sauna therapy.
* Circadian Rhythm & Vitamin D: How to fix your sleep by simply getting back into nature.
* The Power of Motion: Why "a body in motion stays in motion" is the most important mantra for aging gracefully.

Stop looking for a quick fix and start your Health Revival today.

Ready to take your health into your own hands and unlock the secrets to longevity? Grab your copy of "Health Revival" by Michele Cuffe on Amazon to get the complete toolkit for aging with vitality: https://www.amazon.in/Health-Revival-Happy-Healthy-Human/dp/1662956363

Don’t miss out on daily health tips, workout inspiration, and the science of "muscle-centric medicine." Follow Michele online to stay connected:

Instagram: Follow @MicheleCuffeFitness (one ‘L’!) for daily reels, strength training tips, and behind-the-scenes health hacks.

TikTok: Find Michelle at @MicheleCuffeFitness for quick wellness bites and motivation.

Facebook: Connect with the community and stay updated on Michele’s latest projects.

Plant-based diet expert Glen Merzer discusses why doctors need nutrition training and how food choices impact climate change. Author of "Food is Climate" and co-author of "Moving Medicine Forward" with Dr. Michael Klaper.

🌱 What You'll Learn:
- Why medical schools don't teach nutrition to doctors
- How plant-based diets reverse chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease
- The connection between animal agriculture, methane emissions, and climate crisis
- Practical steps to transition to a whole food plant-based lifestyle
- How vegan eating benefits both personal health and environmental sustainability

Glen Merzer is a leading voice in the plant-based movement, former Hollywood screenwriter, and climate advocate who explains the science behind food and climate change.

📚 Books Mentioned:
- "Moving Medicine Forward" - Why doctors must learn nutrition : https://www.amazon.in/Moving-Medicine-Forward-Doctors-Nutrition-ebook/dp/B0FDBJPCB4
- "Food is Climate" - The environmental impact of food choices : https://www.amazon.in/Food-Climate-Response-Conventional-Narrative-ebook/dp/B09BXP53VL

Are we treating the root cause of chronic illness, or just handing out more pills? In this eye-opening interview, we sit down with Dr. Michael Klaper, a medical pioneer with over 50 years of experience, to uncover the undeniable power of a whole-food, plant-based diet.

Dr. Klaper breaks down how we can actively reverse conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes simply by changing what we put on our plates. We also dive into his fascinating work advising NASA on space nutrition, the environmental impact of animal agriculture, and why modern medical schools are failing to teach doctors about the healing power of food.

📚 Get Dr. Klaper’s New Book: Pre-order Moving Medicine Forward on Amazon to learn what your doctor should be asking you at your next visit : https://www.amazon.com/Moving-Medicine-Forward-Doctors-Nutrition_and/dp/1637748264

🌐 Connect with Dr. Klaper:
Visit movingmedforward.org to watch his medical school lectures and support the initiative.

If you’re searching for plant-based fitness, vegan longevity, or how to build muscle after 50, this episode is a must-watch.

In this powerful and deeply human conversation on the Climate and Cuisine Podcast, we sit down with bestselling author and plant-based fitness coach Maxime Sigouin, whose journey spans farm life, bodybuilding, elite modeling, caregiving through cancer, and helping thousands reclaim their health.

This episode goes far beyond diet trends. It’s about identity, prevention, strength, aging well, and living fully at any age.

🌱 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

✔ How a whole-food plant-based diet supports fat loss without starvation
✔ Why strength training is non-negotiable after 40, 50, and even 80+
✔ The biggest myths about vegan protein, muscle loss & weakness
✔ How plant-based nutrition can reduce cancer risk & chronic disease
✔ Why most people regain weight—and how to keep it off permanently
✔ The mindset shift that turns fitness into a lifestyle, not a phase
✔ How aging doesn’t mean slowing down—it means training smarter

Maxime also breaks down the 5-phase system from his new #1 bestselling book, Forever Fit, which was designed to replace traditional coaching and give people a step-by-step blueprint for lifelong health.

Amazon Link to buy the book - https://www.amazon.in/Forever-Fit-Recomposition-Transformation-System-ebook/dp/B0GGVQFK2Z

This episode is especially powerful for:
• Adults over 40, 50, and 60
• Anyone struggling with weight regain
• Vegans & plant-based beginners
• Fitness professionals & health coaches
• Those focused on longevity and prevention
• People tired of quick-fix diets and injections

💡 This isn’t about restriction. It’s about addition.
More food. More strength. More energy. More life.

Check For Information - https://linktr.ee/efitfoods

What if one of the most powerful climate actions was already on your plate?

In this episode of Climate & Cuisine, host Jane DeMarines sits down with Addison Chantz, Associate Executive Director of the Farm Animal Rights Movement, for an honest and hopeful conversation about how everyday food choices impact the climate, our health, and the future of our planet.

From navigating holiday indulgences to building sustainable, plant-forward habits, Addison shares their personal journey and practical insights on why progress—not perfection—drives real change.

🌱 In this episode, you’ll discover:

How food systems contribute to climate change—and how they can be part of the solution

Why plant-based and plant-forward eating is one of the most accessible climate actions

How small, realistic diet shifts can improve health and reduce environmental impact

Why younger generations are embracing plant-based choices

How joy, community, and compassion make climate action sustainable

Whether you’re vegan, plant-curious, or simply climate-conscious, this conversation shows how what we eat can shape a healthier, more resilient future—for ourselves and the planet.

🎧 Tune in and rethink what’s on your plate.

How can local leadership and food choices accelerate real climate solutions?

In this episode of Climate & Cuisine, hosted by Jane DeMarines, we’re joined by Sarah Kogel-Smucker, Montgomery County’s Climate Change Officer, to explore how communities can lead the fight against climate change—starting with policy, resilience planning, and what’s on our plates.

🌍 In this conversation, we discuss:

How Montgomery County aims to cut emissions 80% by 2027 and reach net-zero by 2035

Why local governments are critical climate leaders

The role of food systems in climate mitigation and resilience

How plant-forward eating reduces emissions and supports public health

Flooding, extreme weather, and preparing communities for climate impacts

Holding fossil fuel companies accountable while taking action locally

Food is responsible for nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, and everyday choices—like reducing meat consumption—can have a climate impact comparable to taking millions of cars off the road.

🌱 Climate & Cuisine connects the dots between food, policy, health, and climate, showing how individual and community actions can drive meaningful change.

👉 If you care about climate solutions, sustainable food systems, and practical action—this episode is for you.

In this thoughtful and timely episode of Climate & Cuisine, host Jane DeMarines sits down with restaurateur, caterer, and musician-turned-entrepreneur Michael Jantz-Moon for an honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the climate power of plant-based food.

Michael shares the behind-the-scenes realities of navigating economic disruption in the Washington, DC area—from widespread job losses and neighborhood restaurant closures to the difficult decision to sublease part of his restaurant space in order to protect the long-term health of the business. Rather than retreat, Michael explains how his team strategically adapted: shrinking their footprint, expanding catering and events, welcoming aligned partners into their space, and doubling down on wellness-centered offerings.

The conversation traces the evolution of DC Vegan Catering, founded in 2015 as a sister company to Cleveland Vegan, and explores how plant-based catering became a powerful entry point for climate-friendly food in a city that once lacked vegan options. Michael also reflects on transitioning from the music industry into food, surviving the pandemic’s impact on live events, and rebuilding with a diversified, values-driven business model.

Jane and Michael dive deep into why plant-based food is one of the most effective tools for climate action, how approachable comfort food helps normalize vegan dining for non-vegans, and the challenges posed by industry lobbying, food myths, and limited infrastructure for waste reduction. Michael explains how taste, convenience, and inclusivity—not perfection—are key to shifting food culture.

🌱 In this episode, you’ll learn:

How plant-based businesses can adapt during economic downturns

Why catering is a powerful gateway to climate-friendly eating

How vegan comfort food changes minds faster than lectures

The environmental and health case for plant-based dining

Why younger generations are driving real change through food choices

This episode is a must-listen for food entrepreneurs, climate advocates, and anyone curious about how resilience, creativity, and plant-based choices can help build a more sustainable—and delicious—future.

In this inspiring episode of Climate & Cuisine, host Jane DeMarines sits down with filmmaker, journalist, and vegan advocate Ray Kowalchuk to explore the powerful intersection of food, film, and climate action.

Ray shares his journey from film student to Executive Director of the International Vegan Film Festival, which began in 2018 and has since grown into a global, multi-day celebration around World Vegan Day. Together, Jane and Ray discuss how storytelling and cinema can spark cultural change, elevate plant-based living, and challenge deeply rooted systems contributing to the climate crisis.

The conversation dives into standout films like Cowspiracy and Forks Over Knives, the rise of young vegan activists using film as a megaphone for change, and the challenges of promoting vegan content in mainstream media. Ray also reflects on his experiences attending international climate conferences, the importance of media access, and how partnerships with universities, conferences, and grassroots movements are expanding the festival’s impact.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about:

How film influences food choices and climate awareness

The role of vegan cinema in shaping public dialogue

Why younger generations are leading the shift toward plant-based futures

How creative collaboration can accelerate climate solutions

🎬🌱 Whether you’re a filmmaker, climate advocate, or simply curious about the power of your plate and your media choices, this episode will leave you inspired to see food—and film—through a new lens.

In this episode of the Climate & Cuisine Podcast, host Jane DeMarines sits down with filmmaker, YouTube creator, and long-time vegan activist Chris Cooney, best known for his viral brand The Vegan Zombie and his new feature film, Vegan Zombies A44.

Chris shares the fascinating journey that led him from an unfulfilling day job to creating a zombie-themed vegan cooking show, a bestselling cookbook published in multiple languages, and now a full-length vegan horror movie. Jane and Chris explore how storytelling, humor, and food can work together to spark meaningful conversations about sustainability and compassionate living.

Together they dive into:

🎬 The Making of Vegan Zombies A44

How a fun idea for a zombie apocalypse cooking show evolved into a feature film now screening at international festivals—including the Animal Liberation Film Festival in Melbourne. Chris explains how he subtly weaves vegan themes into the story without preaching, allowing audiences to connect through entertainment first.

📚 From YouTube Series to Award-Winning Cookbook

Chris discusses the origins of his cookbook Cook & Survive, how it gained global attention, and why engaging content can often do more to promote veganism than confrontation or debate.

🌱 The Evolution of Veganism Over 30 Years

Chris reflects on three decades of veganism—from being considered “extreme” in the 1990s to riding today’s rising wave of plant-based eating.
Jane contributes current statistics and trends, noting the growing adoption of vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian diets among younger generations.

📈 Why Veganism Is Still Growing (Despite Public Myths)

Chris and Jane unpack the perception that veganism is “declining,” explaining why the data shows an overall upward trend—especially in health-conscious and climate-focused communities.

🎥 Creative Advocacy: Inspiring Change Through Entertainment

Chris explains how he uses horror, humor, and approachable storytelling to inspire change. He also teases potential future projects—including the possibility of an A44 sequel.

Get Chris's Latest Book - https://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Zombie-Cook-Survive-Cookbook/dp/3955750132

Watch the Movie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V3fziqp7xY

In this powerful episode of Climate & Cuisine, host Jane DeMarines sits down with award-winning journalist and bestselling author Michael Grunwald, whose latest book We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate exposes one of the biggest truths about climate change—our food system is at the center of it all.

Grunwald shares compelling insights from his book, built around the groundbreaking work of food-and-land expert Tim Searchinger, revealing how agriculture’s influence shapes policy, science, and the fate of our planet. Together, Jane and Michael unpack the urgent need for smarter land use, better technology, and a new global ethic that recognizes one simple reality: every acre matters.

From political battles to innovative solutions that could transform our world, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and a realistic roadmap for feeding humanity without destroying the Earth.

📘 Michael’s Book: We Are Eating the Earth
(Available on Amazon)
https://www.amazon.in/We-Are-Eating-E...

#ClimateAndCuisine #MichaelGrunwald #WeAreEatingTheEarth #FoodSystem #ClimateCrisis #SustainableFood #RegenerativeAgriculture #ClimateSolutions #FoodAndClimate #EnvironmentalJustice

How do we turn facts into feelings—and data into action? In this compelling episode, host Jane DeMarines sits down with Dr. Garrett M. Broad, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Rowan University and Provost’s Fellow for Sustainability, to explore the art and science of environmental communication.

Together, they dive deep into how stories shape sustainability movements, why emotional connection is essential to inspire change, and how digital media can transform the way we talk about food, climate, and justice.

Dr. Broad—author of More Than Just Food: Food Justice and Community Change—shares insights from his years of research on food systems, environmental equity, and the growing intersection between social movements and media.

🌎 Whether you’re an activist, communicator, or climate-conscious listener, this conversation will show you how powerful messaging can shift mindsets and move the world toward compassion, action, and sustainability.

#FromDataToEmotion #EnvironmentalCommunication #JaneDeMarines #GarrettBroad #ClimateDietPodcast #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EcoStorytelling #FoodJustice #SocialChange #VeganForThePlanet #SustainableFuture #PlanetB #CompassionInAction #ClimateHealers #EcoAwareness

In this inspiring episode of Climate & Cuisine, host Jane DeMarines sits down with Saurabh Dalal, a lifelong ethical vegan, physicist, and environmental advocate, to explore how shifting to a plant-based lifestyle can transform our planet’s future.

Saurabh shares his journey from multi-generational vegetarian roots to becoming vegan in 1991 — a decision grounded in compassion and science. Together, Jane and Saurabh dive into the hard truths about animal agriculture, its devastating environmental impact, and why eating plants is one of the most effective actions anyone can take to combat climate change.

They also discuss the rise of vegan communities in cities like Washington, DC, and New York, the work of the DC Veg Society, and how collective action, awareness, and compassion can create a more sustainable world.

💡 Discover how one plate can help cool the planet — and why vegan living is a win-win for people, animals, and the Earth.

👤 About the Guest – Saurabh Dalal

Saurabh Dalal is an engineering consultant and physicist who is passionate about promoting a vegan lifestyle and ahimsa (nonviolence) as compelling solutions to many global issues. A lifelong vegetarian and vegan since 1991 for ethical reasons, Saurabh volunteers for numerous organizations, serves as a board member or advisor to several like-minded groups, and is deeply involved in the international Jain community.

He is also an avid ethical investor and continually seeks ways to integrate sound science into his activism, uniting data-driven reasoning with compassion-based living.

🌱 Learn more:

🌐 DC Veg Society – vsdc.org

🌐 Climate Diet – climatediet.org

#ClimateAndCuisine #VeganForThePlanet #BeyondTheHoofprint #OnePlateOnePlanet #PlantBasedLiving #ClimateActionNow #SaurabhDalal #JaneDeMarines #DCVegSociety #SustainableEating #EcoFriendlyLifestyle #VeganLife #ClimateDiet