How to find out if a person is vegan? Just wait 10 minutes and they will tell you. This joke might be as old as tofu itself (it’s been around for at least 2,000 years and yes, we had to Google it) but it’s still true. Beaming with pride, most vegans fail the mission of keeping their choice a secret for long.
I, for one, haven’t eaten meat for a good third of my life and here, I just said it, well aware that this attitude is exactly what makes non-vegans take a lifelong vow of never ever putting their feet anywhere closer than 50 metres to beans and lentils.
Whether you’re just curious or really considering moving towards a plant-based diet, we’ve picked several vegan podcasts that won’t bore you to death with the latest developments in banana bread and fake leather industries. In fact, these podcasts are so fun and informative, they will make even the grumpiest granddads more accepting of the V-topic. At least when it comes to an almond milk flat white which is seriously yum.
The Rich Roll podcast
From drugs, alcohol and obesity to completing 5 Ironman challenges on 5 islands of Hawaii in under a week – Rich’s journey is definitely one to admire. His life took a 180-degree turn at the age of 40 when conquering a mere flight of stairs turned out to be an unreachable achievement. Rich adopted a plant-based diet and started conquering marathons instead. He became the first vegan athlete to complete a 515 km ultra-marathon!
His podcasts are hands down THE LONGEST you’ll find. One episode might easily last 1,5-2 hours. This guy is only in a rush when it comes to marathons, it seems!
But duration aside, The Rich Roll podcast is my favourite vegan-not-vegan kind of podcast. And it has nothing to do with Rich’s meditative, calming voice that works way better than my morning journaling routine (which is basically non-existent). Almost nothing to do!
With guests like Russel Brand, Tony Hawk and Jamie Dornan, he discusses resurrecting rock ‘n roll, curing aging, living a ‘no excuse’ life, broadening the gender identity conversation and fighting climate change. See, none of these is an in-your-face vegan small talk – though most of his guests are out and proud adepts – so you still learn something about veganism from almost every episode, only in a less annoying way.
With the first episodes dating back to 2013, there are so many topics and so many forward-thinkers to choose from. These podcasts are informative, deep and thought-provoking. What else to wish for?
The PBN Podcast
If racing cars, luxury fashion and ‘soul-sucking’ jobs is something you eagerly discuss while BBQing at the beach with friends, you’ll love Plant Based News podcast.
Hosted by Robbie Lockie – yup, that’s the guy behind World Plant Milk Day – these episodes are more of a friendly chat than formal interviews. They’re relaxing, sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always easygoing. Perfect to listen to while busying yourself with chores!
Non-judgmental, peaceful, honest and never too pushy, it makes you feel at ease around vegans and vegan topics.
Lean Green DAD Radio
Let’s just say that jingle would’ve won Lean Green DAD a spot on this list no matter how good or bad the rest of the episode is. I’m-a-lean-green-eating-machine-I’m-as-healthy-as-can-be… Don’t know how many more morning showers this song will haunt me for. And to be frank, I don’t think I mind.
On a serious note, this podcast is the most vegan-focused of all. It’s not a chat about the secrets of the Universe with an occasional V-bomb, it’s about vegans, for vegans and by vegans… so brace yourself.
If you’re already halfway into a plant-based diet and need more information on the basics, Lean Green DAD Radio is your perfect source. It’s like the ABC for vegans. The podcast’s host, Cory, is not a dietitian or medical professional – and he never gets tired of repeating that fact. He’s just a dad who also happens to be vegan, so his explanations are simple, casual and straightforward. Quite a comforting approach!
Every episode revolves around different aspects of family life and nutrition. Cory’s guests are CEOs, doctors, sports stars but they’re here to talk about family and the simple pleasures of our everyday life.
My fav episodes are hands down the ones where Cory is joined by Gabriel, another plant-based dad and a good friend. This is 30 minutes with two happy people living their best lives – they joke, they laugh, they discuss kids and all the things they love. Don’t we all need a bit of positivity right now?