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PLANTSTRONG Podcast

PLANTSTRONG Podcast

By: Rip Esselstyn
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 People become curious about whole food, plant-based nutrition for a multitude of reasons. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, or another chronic disease and you know (or you’ve been told) that this is your best shot at healing your body. You may be an athlete looking to maximize your performance and recovery with the power of plant-based nutrition, or you’re a parent who wants to escape the processed food aisle and start feeding your children real, nourishing foods. Perhaps you are concerned about climate change and the profound negative impact that animal agriculture has on the planet. The problem? A whole food, plant-based diet can seem overwhelming, confusing, and, yes, expensive. You’ve been told it will make you deficient in something, or that you won’t get enough protein. You think it might be a boring way to live, or that it is so extreme you’ll alienate yourself from friends and loved ones. Well, here at the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, we’re not afraid to be extreme - extremely positive, extremely helpful, and extremely well-researched. Each week on the show, host Rip Esselstyn talks to medical experts, authors, athletes, and people just like you who are not just surviving on a plant-based diet, but THRIVING. As founder and CEO of PLANTSTRONG, Rip Esselstyn is a wellness advocate, former professional athlete, firefighter, and NY Times best-selling author renowned for his dedication to promoting vibrant health through plant-based nutrition and active living. Over twenty years ago, Rip rescued several of his fellow firefighters with whole, plant-based foods following the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. The results were so dramatic that Rip wrote the bestselling book,The Engine 2 Diet, to spread the word. His subsequent works, including Plant-Strong, The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet and The Engine 2 Cookbook, further solidified his reputation as a leading voice in the plant-based movement. Rip was also featured in the documentary Forks over Knives and served as an executive producer of The Game Changers film; a revolutionary documentary that shatters the myths about meat, protein, and strength. Rip’s mission and the mission of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast is to make plant-based living accessible and approachable, and to further the advancement of all things within the plant-based movement. We share the scientifically proven benefits of plant-based living and envision a world that universally understands, promotes, and prescribes plants as the solution to empowering your health, enhancing your performance, and restoring the environment. You won’t be weak if you’re eating strong food. PLANTSTRONG food. We welcome you wherever you are on your plant-based journey and we’re thrilled you’re here.2024 Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • Ep. 333: Dr. Dawn Mussallem - Expert Diet, Supplement, and Mindset Tips for Breast Cancer Patients (Replay)

    Ep. 333: Dr. Dawn Mussallem - Expert Diet, Supplement, and Mindset Tips for Breast Cancer Patients (Replay)
    Dec 25 2025

    This episode originally dropped in October, 2024

    Dr. Dawn Mussallem joins Rip for an enlightening discussion on the vital role of personalized precision lifestyle medicine in breast cancer prevention and recovery.

    They dive deep into the importance of nutrition, emphasizing whole food plant-based diets, supplements, and the power of social connections in enhancing health outcomes.

    Dr. Mussallem shares her insights on various supplements, including the benefits and risks associated with Vitamins D, B12, and the impact of iron during cancer therapies, alongside the benefits of herbs and spices like turmeric and ginger in supporting overall health.

    The conversation also highlights the significance of sleep hygiene, social connections, and managing stress.

    While there is no "one size fits all" approach to cancer treatment and recovery, this episode aims to empower listeners to ask questions, seek knowledgable physicians, and prioritize overall physical and emotional health in their recovery.

    Register for our 2026 April Black Mountain, NC retreat - from now until January 10th, 2026, use code PODCAST for $300 off

    Listen to Part 1 of this Podcast Series

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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • Ep. 332: Andrea Freeman - Here's the Real Story Behind What's On Your Plate

    Ep. 332: Andrea Freeman - Here's the Real Story Behind What's On Your Plate
    Dec 18 2025

    Rip sits down with Andrea Freeman, James Beard Award-winning author of Ruin Their Crops on the Ground. Drawing on more than 20 years of research, Andrea unpacks how food, race, and class have shaped America’s food system, exploring the historical roots of inequality that still influence what ends up on our plates today.

    Their conversation takes listeners on a journey from the Trail of Tears to contemporary food policies, revealing how government decisions and corporate interests have systematically marginalized communities, perpetuating cycles of poor health and limited access to nutritious food. Andrea’s insights illuminate the ways in which food systems have been—and continue to be—tools of oppression, while also showing how understanding this history empowers us to advocate for meaningful change.

    Rob and Andrea dive into key topics including:

    • The politics of food and its intersections with race and class
    • Food deserts, systemic barriers, and ongoing food justice challenge
    • The historical impact of school lunch programs and agricultural subsidies
    • How corporate influence shapes dietary guidelines and marketing
    • The lasting effects of colonial-era food policies on modern diets

    Andrea also emphasizes the power of advocacy, inspiring listeners to see food not just as sustenance, but as a reflection of cultural identity and social justice. She encourages critical thinking about the choices available to consumers and how we can support policies that prioritize health and equity over profit.

    Watch the Episode on YouTube

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    Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrong.com/pages/events


    Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

    Take the Free 7-Day Challenge: https://liveplantstrong.com/free-7-day-challenge/

    Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

    COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer


    Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

    https://plantstrongfoods.com/

    https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

    https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

    https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/


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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Ep. 331: Chuck Carroll - What Happens When You Do Everything Right… and Still Get Sick?

    Ep. 331: Chuck Carroll - What Happens When You Do Everything Right… and Still Get Sick?
    Dec 11 2025

    Rip welcomes Chuck Carroll — once a “fast food junkie”- now a beloved voice in the plant-based movement and host of the Exam Room Podcast.

    While plant-based eating helped normalize his blood pressure, stabilize his weight, and restore his vitality, Chuck also shares a vulnerable part of his story: despite doing everything right, he’s now navigating a complex chronic illness with no clear diagnosis. His honesty underscores a truth many people quietly carry — that health journeys aren’t linear, and sometimes illness arrives without explanation or fairness.

    Still, Chuck shows that healing isn’t just physical. By talking openly about his struggles, he has found community, connection, and strength — and has created space for others to feel less alone in their own uncertainty.

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

    • How fast food addiction shaped Chuck’s early life — and how he broke free
    • Why gastric bypass surgery was only a temporary solution
    • How a whole food, plant-based lifestyle helped transform his health
    • What it’s like to face chronic illness even when you’re “doing everything right”
    • How sharing your story can lift the emotional and mental burden of illness
    • Why Chuck remains committed to advocacy, transparency, and hope

    Episode Webpage

    Watch the Episode on YouTube

    Need support for your chronic illness? Sign up for Chuck’s newsletter: https://chuckcarroll.kit.com/newsletter

    Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrong.com/pages/events


    Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

    Take the Free 7-Day Challenge: https://liveplantstrong.com/free-7-day-challenge/

    Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

    COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer


    Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

    https://plantstrongfoods.com/

    https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

    https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

    https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/


    Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star Rating

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    55 mins
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What an amazing story and what an amazing man to do everything you have done. I wish more people were able to see that animals they are exploiting are no different than their pet dogs or other pets. Thankyou so much for protecting the wildlife from humans.

Damien you rock!

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