Food For Thought: The Joys And Benefits Of Living Vegan

Losing an animal companion can be a profound and often overlooked grief. In this episode, I explore what it means to mourn a beloved pet, how to navigate the pain, and ways to honor the bond that never really ends — all through the lens of the life and loss of my cat Charlie. ——————

Enjoy my conversation with Mariann and Jasmin from Our Hen House. In this heartfelt conversation, author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau joins Jasmin and Mariann to discuss her eighth book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero Waste, Plant-Based and Cruelty Free, exploring how compassion can be a guiding force during challenging times and offering practical ways to manifest it in everyday life. This episode explores: How compassion is often misunderstood and how we can reclaim its true meaning in secular contexts The psychological barriers that prevent people from aligning their actions with their compassionate values Practical ways to make a difference, from rewilding our gardens to support native pollinators to embracing a zero-waste mindset The importance of starting where you are rather than doing nothing because you can’t do everything How Colleen’s personal journey, including her relationship with her mother, shaped her compassionate worldview ——————

Enjoy my conversation with World Vegan Travel all about living compassionately and traveling sustainably. Travel just about seeing new places — it can be a way to show what you care about. On this episode, we talk about sustainable travel and vegan travel, and how making smart choices while on the road can help people, animals, and the planet. She encourages travelers to support responsible tourism, like choosing plant-based meals, avoiding activities that harm animals (like elephant rides), and staying in places that respect local people and nature. ——————

Enjoy this episode of my conversation with Victoria Moran on her podcast Main Street Vegan. In it, we explore how everyday choices — from the food we eat to the words we use — can reflect and deepen our commitment to compassion, sustainability, and justice. We discuss the power of habit, the myth of perfection, and how to stay hopeful and grounded while navigating a world in crisis. Whether you’re new to plant-based living or a longtime advocate, this conversation offers both practical insight and soulful encouragement. ——————

Enjoy this conversation with Toni and Michelle from Plant-Powered People Podcast. Feeling overwhelmed trying to “do the right thing” in a complicated world? You're not alone—and you're not doing it wrong. In this episode, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau helps us move beyond guilt, perfectionism, and burnout by reconnecting with what matters most: compassion. Whether you’re struggling to stay consistent with your values, feeling discouraged by your impact, or unsure where to start—this conversation offers practical, heart-centered guidance for creating real change, one small step at a time. ——————

I’m working on some new episodes for you, so stay tuned! In the meantime, I am going to share some recent conversations between me and some of my favorite people that took place on THEIR podcasts – amazing people like Victoria Moran, Jasmin and Mariann / Our Hen House, Michelle Cehn and Toni Okamoto from Plant-Powered People Podcast, with Brighde Reed at World Vegan Travel, and more. Enjoy! ——————

A story about a house, a hillside, and a centuries-old oak tree—and what it teaches us about healing, renewal, and the resilience of nature. In this episode, I explore what it means to be a participant in the restoration of the world around us and ourselves.  ——————

 A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free is now available wherever you buy books! I compiled a list for you here of independent and large retailers + where you can find signed copies! ——————

I feel as giddy as when I started Food for Thought Podcast 18 years ago. I have more clarity, control, and calm than I've had in a long time. Listen to today's exciting announcements, and make sure you FOLLOW Food for Thought for some life-changing episodes coming up!  ——————

In Part Two of our exploration of Japanese cuisine (See Vegan in Japan: Part One), we’re diving deep into the specific foods, restaurants, and street food options that Joyful Vegans can enjoy when visiting Japan or Japanese restaurants anywhere in the world. While animal products—especially bonito flakes in broths—are common, Japan has a long history of plant-based eating, with many traditional dishes naturally free of animal products. Plus, I reveal my new favorite Japanese food of all time—one that’s easy to make at home! —————— Join our awesome community and support this work over on Substack.  Visit my website: JoyfulVegan.com Join me on an all-inclusive vegan trip: JoyfulVeganTrips.com AFFILIATE PARTNERS: Complement — Use this link (https://lovecomplement.com/?aff=152) and coupon code "joyfulvegan" and get 15% off my favorite supplements. Plaine Products — Use this link (https://www.plaineproducts.com/ref/161) and coupon code "compassion" for 20% off my favorite zero waste bath and body products. Tha

Love is for the Birds! In this episode, we explore the fascinating (and feathered) origins of Valentine’s Day. Long before Hallmark, medieval poets and BIRDS played a role in shaping this holiday of love. From Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowls to the first handwritten valentines and the rise of mass-produced cards, discover how nature, animals, poetry, history, and tradition intertwined to create the celebration we know today. Plus, a special thank-you to Plaine Products for sponsoring this episode! Tune in for a story of love, poetry, and—of course—birds. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending on the option you choose.  Support this podcast today at JoyfulVegan.com/Donate Visit my website: JoyfulVegan.com Join me on an all-inclusive vegan trip: JoyfulVeganTrips.com AFFILIATE PARTNERS: Complement — Use this link (https://lovecomplement.com/?aff=152) and coupon code "joyfulvegan"

Do I have a nutrient deficiency? Am I eating the wrong foods? Did I experience a stressful life event? Am I experiencing hormonal changes? Are my genes responsible? Do supplements work? Are treatments effective? Do topical remedies work? These are some of the questions we answer in today's episode on hair loss, especially as it pertains to women. Over the course of the next 90 minutes, we'll debunk the myths, explore the causes and solutions, and what role nutrients, genetics, and hormones play. Colleen shares her own personal experience with hair loss, her favorite hair products, and practical, proven ways to support healthy hair growth. Whether you’re dealing with hair thinning or just want to learn more, this episode is for you, especially if you're a woman. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending on the option you choose.  Support this podcast today at JoyfulVegan.com/Donat

In this 18TH YEAR OF THE PODCAST, Colleen shares ideas, tools, and practices we can implement to live joyful, meaningful, healthy, compassionate lives. Today is the best day to start, whether or not it's the beginning of the new year.  A follow-up to 50 Ways to Live a Meaningful Life episode. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending on the option you choose.  Support this podcast today at JoyfulVegan.com/Donate Visit my website: JoyfulVegan.com Join me on an all-inclusive vegan trip: JoyfulVeganTrips.com AFFILIATE PARTNERS: Complement — Use this link (https://lovecomplement.com/?aff=152) and coupon code "joyfulvegan" and get 15% off my favorite supplements. Nama Juicer — Use this link (https://namawell.com/?ref=joyfulvegan) and coupon code COLLEEN10 and get 10% off my favorite juicer. Plaine Products — Use this link (https://www.plaineproducts.com/ref/161) and coupon code "com

WARNING: This podcast episode contains only good news, especially stories that relate to animals and nature. So, stop doom-scrolling and start celebrating 20 good news stories from 2024 — from across the world:  Australia Zambia United States Ecuador Brussels United Kingdom Denmark... and more.  As we move into my 18th year of podcasting, thank you for your support and listenership.  —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending on the option you choose.  Support this podcast today at JoyfulVegan.com/Donate Visit my website: JoyfulVegan.com Join me on an all-inclusive vegan trip: JoyfulVeganTrips.com AFFILIATE PARTNERS: Complement — Use this link (https://lovecomplement.com/?aff=152) and coupon code "joyfulvegan" and get 15% off my favorite supplements. Nama Juicer — Use this link (https://namawell.com/?ref=joyfulvegan) and coupon code COLLEEN10 and get 10% off my favorite juicer

ANNOUNCEMENT: You can now PREORDER A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free! VISIT JOYFULVEGAN.COM/PREORDER for links to bookstores and to enter to win gifts for pre-ordering! For centuries, abstaining from meat, dairy, and eggs during sacred seasons like Advent and Lent was a common practice in Christianity, rooted in reflection and restraint. In this episode, we uncover the rich history of these traditions, highlighting how plant-based eating was once a natural part of spiritual preparation for Easter and Christmas.

  In this episode, host Colleen Patrick-Goudreau dives into the complex but crucial task of understanding why people vote the way they do—and what that means for how we advocate for animals. In it, she shares insights into the psychological differences between conservative and progressive mindsets explores how these perspectives shape beliefs and actions and discusses how we can use this understanding to refine our message for animals She looks at ways to engage with people whose views and choices may challenge us, all while prioritizing our mental well-being and staying true to our values. By understanding the stories people tell themselves and the fears and values that drive them, we can communicate more effectively, craft impactful campaigns, and create meaningful, lasting change for the animals and the causes we care about. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending

In today's episode, host Colleen Patrick-Goudreau talks all about omega-3s—those essential fats we all need for heart, brain, and overall health. But here's the catch: instead of getting them through fish, which has ethical, environmental, and health concerns, we can go straight to the source: marine plants like algae. Omega-3s aren't included in a regular blood panel, so we'll dive into why it's important to get tested, what the optimal levels are, and why you don’t want to fall below them. Let’s get into it! USE THIS LINK (https://lovecomplement.com/?aff=152) to get 15% off on all Complement products, including their Essentials, Omega Complex, as well as their Omega-Index Test! Enter "joyfulvegan" when checking out to get your discount. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending on the option you choose.  Support this podcast today at JoyfulVegan.com/Donate Visit my website: Joy

PRE-ORDER COLLEEN'S NEW BOOK at http://www.joyfulvegan.com/preorder A dilemma a lot of new vegans grapple with is what to do with all the animal-derived products they have from their pre-vegan days — leather shoes, wool sweaters, down-filled pillows, etc. — and a question a lot of people ask is "is it vegan to wear / buy second hand leather, wool, silk, etc. In both cases, the harm has been done, but there are a lot of arguments for and against wearing these items, including:  being vegan means not wearing any animal products at all, so you can't be vegan and do so. even wearing second hand leather is giving tacit approval that it's okay to kill animals for their skin. second hand leather is more environmentally friendly than new synthetic leather. And so on. Enjoy! —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending on the option you choose.  Support this podcast today at JoyfulVegan.co

In this episode, Colleen dives into the importance of getting regular blood work to monitor key biomarkers, prevent disease, and assess your overall health—whether you’re vegan or not. She discusses what the optimal numbers are for such biomarkers as LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, iron, B12, and more to get a clear picture of your wellness.  Learn why tracking these levels helps catch potential issues early, so you can make informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle to optimize your long-term health. —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending on the option you choose.  Support this podcast today at JoyfulVegan.com/Donate Visit my website: JoyfulVegan.com Join me on an all-inclusive vegan trip: JoyfulVeganTrips.com AFFILIATE PARTNERS: Complement — Use this link and coupon code "joyfulvegan" and get 15% off my favorite supplements. Nama Juicer — Use this link and coupon code C

In this episode, Colleen dives into the rich history of bread, exploring its ancient origins, cultural significance, and how it's been a vital, naturally vegan staple across the globe. From the earliest flatbreads baked in ancient civilizations to the diverse leavened breads enjoyed today, we'll uncover why bread has always been more than just food—it's a symbol of sustenance, tradition, and community.  Join us as we celebrate the story of bread and its delicious, plant-based legacy! Also, check out a related episode called Breaking Bread: Words from the Staff of Life, and join Colleen in her online cooking class, The Art of Focaccia: Making and Designing Edible Masterpieces.  —————— Join our awesome community and support this podcast through Patreon or as an Apple Subscriber for bonus material, early access to episodes, and other perks, depending on the option you choose.  Support this podcast today at JoyfulVegan.com/Donate Visit my website: JoyfulVegan.com Join me on an all-inclusive vegan trip: JoyfulVeg