Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

Hey friends,

I have bittersweet news to share: I have made the decision to stop publishing the Vegan and Vibrant podcast and to archive the Vegan and Vibrant Facebook group.

When I started it in 2020, it was before I made a big change in my professional life to shift from being in solo private practice to running a small group practice (The Gaia Center in Nashville). Since that time, so many incredible things have happened in that part of my world, including starting the Bodyful podcast earlier this year.

My default mode is to just always take on more things, more projects, more learning, more more more— because I am just SO DAMN EXCITABLE, y’all (textbook Enneagram 7).

But I also know that my biggest growing edge is to say NO to even some of the awesome and exciting things, in service of doing FEWER THINGS BETTER. It’s easy to say no to lame things… I can set those boundaries left and right! But saying no to great things is really hard, and that includes being willing to let go of this podcast (and the group, which is easier, because there’s very little engagement in it already.)

I will still be continuing the Monthly Vegan Emotional Support Group and sending occasional Mewsletters, so make sure you are signed up for those and following me @valthevegantherapist on Instagram if you’d like to stay connected!

A logistical note: Since hosting each podcast costs about $15/month, it doesn’t make sense for me to keep up the Vegan & Vibrant episodes indefinitely. I will be removing the podcast from my hosting platform soon and updating all the show notes posts with a link where you can download the episode file (an mp3, yes, ancient technology!) — that way the wonderful conversations I’ve had with guests will live on, without having to pay for the hosting forever.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this podcast and continues to support this wacky multipassionate woman.

xo

Val

Vegan and Vibrant Episode 13: Shriya Swaminathan on Living for the Animals & Creating Joy

NOTE: As of October 2021, this podcast is no longer publishing new episodes; however, you can download mp3 files of all existing episodes at these show notes posts on the blog.

From her desire to be a vet growing up, her immense love for her cat, Ginger, and her passion for animal rights, Shriya Swaminathan was born to serve the animals.

While in school at UC San Diego, a speaker from a pharma company guest lectured in one of Shriya’s classes. Shriya asked about the possibility of eliminating animal testing and was told, “if you could figure out the answer to that, you would be a billionaire.” This sparked her passion for learning about other ways of testing products other than testing on animals— which led Shriya first into a doctoral program, and ultimately down a winding path to her current work as a full-time animal activist.

Now a research associate for PETA, vegan hospitality consultant ( Nourish by Shriya), writer for VegWorld Magazine, and mentor at Animal Activism Mentorship, Shriya lives and breathes animal liberation. This conversation will motivate and inspire you to learn more about veganism beyond food, and will encourage you to find your joy and remember that sometimes we have to be willing to zig and zag to get there.

To listen to this episode, download the mp3 file HERE.

About Shriya Swaminathan

Shriya is an animal rights activist at PETA’s Laboratory Investigations Department. She is also a trained Vegan Hospitality Consultant and founder of Nourish by Shriya- her new consulting service that helps businesses attract vegan clients. She enjoys travel and exploring local vegan cuisines in the cities she visits! She volunteers with the Agriculture Fairness Alliance- a plant-powered lobbying group that aims to promote equity in farm policy, redirect subsidies towards climate-friendly, plant-based agriculture, and assisting animal farmers in their transition to consumer crop production. Shriya recently joined the Animal Activism Mentorship team as a mentor where she helps new activists identify their interests and use their talents to help the animals.

In her free time, you can find her hanging out with the residents at the Gentle Barn Sanctuary, while educating folks about the abundance of a vegan lifestyle. Her precious companion pooch Halley joins her activism on the #adoptdontshop message!

Vegan and Vibrant Episode 12: Rhyan Geiger on Nutrition and Self-Care

NOTE: As of October 2021, this podcast is no longer publishing new episodes; however, you can download mp3 files of all existing episodes at these show notes posts on the blog.

If you can’t already tell from the image above, Rhyan Geiger is a literal ray of sunshine.

She is also a wealth of information about nutrition, especially how to thrive on a vegan diet. Rhyan does nutrition coaching with clients in Phoenix and virtually, and is the creator of the Vegan Lunch Club, an EIGHTY-day meal plan that takes all the guesswork and decision fatigue on what to eat— including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. She shares recipes on her blog, and on Instagram and TikTok you’ll find her frequently busting vegan myths, sharing mindset tips, and dropping knowledge on how to veganize pretty much anything.

This conversation is great for anyone transitioning to veganism, or who just needs some light-hearted reminders about caring for yourself… because, rememeber, we can only advocate for the animals if we are first advocating for ourselves.

To listen to this episode, download the mp3 file HERE.

About Rhyan Geiger

Rhyan is a registered dietitian who specializes in vegan nutrition. She is the owner of Phoenix Vegan Dietitian, where she helps others easily transition to vegan living. She has many years of experience in vegan nutrition and believes in positively impacting the world one bite at a time. Rhyan is an expert in this field and has been featured in Women's Health and Business Insider. You can connect with her at www.phxvegandietitian.com or on Instagram @phxvegandietitian

Vegan and Vibrant Episode 11: Meredith Marin on Mindfulness and Making the World More Vegan

NOTE: As of October 2021, this podcast is no longer publishing new episodes; however, you can download mp3 files of all existing episodes at these show notes posts on the blog.

Meredith Marin is a freaking POWERHOUSE in the vegan community (and beyond).

I don’t have a lot to say to preface this one because I just want you to go listen to it 😆 You’re going to leave this conversation inspired to go MAKE SHIT HAPPEN!

In this conversation, Meredith tells the unique story that brought her to veganism, shares about how she used her community organizing skills to make Aruba the most vegan-friendly island in the Carribbean, and shares some hilarious horror stories of bad therapists she’s had (and what to look for in a good one).

To listen to this episode, download the mp3 file HERE.

About Meredith Marin

Meredith Marin is a vegan entrepreneur and mindfulness-based life coach with a master's in social work. She specializes in helping vegans lead with confidence, live with purpose, and make an impact on the world. She is the Founder and CEO of global brand Vegan Hospitality, helping vegans create more plant based options in their communities. Through private coaching and group programs, Meredith brings mindfulness and community organizing tools to vegans to help them become more effective activists and entrepreneurs.  Meredith currently lives in Florida with her vegan family and virtually coaches and teaches vegans all over the world to make an impact. You can find her online at meredithmarin.com, veganhospitality.com, and on Instagram at @meredithmarin.

Vegan and Vibrant Episode 10: Clare Mann on Vystopia & Seeing Each Others' Worth

NOTE: As of October 2021, this podcast is no longer publishing new episodes; however, you can download mp3 files of all existing episodes at these show notes posts on the blog.

If you’ve been vegan longer than 10 minutes, you’ve probably heard Clare Mann’s name, and/or her concept of “vystopia”— the term she coined for the “existential crisis experienced by vegans which arises out of an awareness of the trance-like collusion with a dystopian world.”

Since going vegan 11 years ago (and vegetarian many years before, “until I realized I was not a baby cow” 😂), Clare has dedicated much of her career as a psychologist to supporting the vegan community, as well as direct activism work with animals.

Clare was a big inspiration to me for deciding to target some of my work specifically for vegans. At first, the imposter syndrome voice said, “well she’s already been doing it, and much longer, and much better than you could. So why bother?” But then… according to research compiled from national surveys in numerous countries, there are likely around 79 million vegans in the world. And I’m pretty sure Clare can’t help them ALL.

So once I decided to get out of my own way, I felt empowered knowing that the more mental health providers there are out there supporting the vegan community, the more we can all collectively help the animals.

In this conversation, Clare and I got into so many rich topics— not just about veganism and how to survive the experience of vystopia, but also the importance of stepping back to see each other’s perspectives from a place of honoring everyone as valuable living beings, no matter our differences.

To listen to this episode, download the mp3 file HERE.

About Clare Mann

Clare Mann has practiced as a psychologist and organizational consultant for over twenty years. She is the author of numerous books and training programs. Beyond her work which clearly sits inside an ethical leadership model, Clare is an ethical vegan and a staunch defender of animal rights. She has studied the psychology of ethical veganism for over a decade, and is an active support within the community. You can find Clare's books and courses on her website at veganpsychologist.com, as well as information about her online counseling services.

Additional Resources + Stuff Mentioned in the Episode

• Follow Clare on Facebook and on Instagram @clare_mann

• Book: Vystopia - the anguish of being vegan in a non-vegan world

• Book: Myths of Choice - why people won't change and what you can do about it

• Essential Skills for Vegan Advocacy free video course

• George Monbiot OpEd for The Guardian: “I’ve converted to veganism to reduce my impact on the living world”

• George Monbiot video interview: “Is the rise in mental health issues linked to consumerism and toxic media?”

Vegan and Vibrant Episode 09: Earth Day Minisode!

Earth Day 2021 Minisode

NOTE: As of October 2021, this podcast is no longer publishing new episodes; however, you can download mp3 files of all existing episodes at these show notes posts on the blog.

To listen to this episode, download the mp3 file HERE.