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 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.

Vegan and Vibrant Episode 08: Cara Thibodeaux on Living a Great Full Life

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.

Cara Thibodeaux is one of those people with a contagious laugh who has your cheeks hurting by the end of a conversation.

She so clearly lives by her values of joy and gratitude, without crossing into toxic positivity-land— and when I first discovered her on Instagram organizing a fundraiser to support the Austin community during the recent devastating storm, I knew I had to bring her on the pod.

I also appreciate Cara’s realness about how, as much she loves getting to do her work as a content creator in the vegan world, it is not always glamorous, easy, “passive income” kind of work. (Hell, content-wise it’s all I can do to post a podcast episode and two Instagram posts in a freaking month, I can’t imagine! 😝)

I hope you love this conversation as much as I did. Alsooo, just a heads up, don’t look at Cara’s Instagram if you’re hungry… I’ve looked at it several times while prepping this intro and I. AM. SALIVATING!

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

About Cara Thibodeaux

Cara is a vegan influencer focused on promoting a vegan lifestyle and advocating for the rights of both human and non-human animals. On her Instagram @greatfullgirl and at thegreatfullgirl.com, Cara shares all about vegan lifestyle, including recipes, travel finds, and more.

Additional Resources + Stuff Mentioned in the Episode

• Cara’s article for VegNews, “How to Bring Vegan Options to Underserved Black Communities”

Vegan and Vibrant Episode 07: Brandon Blake on Living in Bonus Time

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.

You know that feeling when you first interact with someone and you just go, “oh yeah, we’re gonna be friends”? That’s exactly how I felt when I met Brandon Blake.

I’m dubbing Brandon the vegan Mr. Rogers— which to me (and thankfully Brandon agrees) is a HIGH compliment. He’s one of those people whose light shines so brightly that you think to yourself, “Is this dude seriously like this all the time?” But then the really cool thing is learning that there’s a lot more to his story than meets the eye... and a lot more going on than a huge smile. Brandon’s joy is real, but it was also born out of almost dying in a horrific bike accident.

When he came through the other side of “carmageddon,” he knew that he wanted to make the most of the “bonus time” he’d been given. One of the things he did was unexpectedly befriend a turkey named Ziggy, who would change his life forever.

Meeting Ziggy and the other animals at Pasado’s Safe Haven opened Brandon’s eyes to the precious individuals living inside the animals that we are conditioned to believe are objects to be used. Thanks to Ziggy’s heart and impact, Brandon and his wife Sabrina transitioned to a vegan lifestyle and became passionate advocates for the animals… and now, Brandon even works as Pasado’s Humane Education Coordinator!

I am so excited to share this episode with you and know y’all will feel Brandon’s heart come through in this conversation. Get ready to be inspired to live in YOUR bonus time!

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

About Brandon Blake

Brandon Blake is the Humane Education Coordinator at Pasado’s Safe Haven animal sanctuary in Sultan, Washington. He works on youth engagement with classrooms to help connect kids with farmed animals in order to help the kids see the animals as their friends.  

Brandon also leads “Sanctuary Circle Time”, which is his Saturday morning kid’s show learning about our animal friends, promoting kindness, compassion and vegan living to kid’s far and wide. After 14 years in the preschool classroom, Brandon is happy to be able to talk about veganism openly and honestly with kids for the first time, through his work with Pasado’s Safe Haven!

Brandon (or as he’s known in the teaching world, Teacher Bando) lives in Seattle with his wife Sabrina, their two kitties PeeWee and Lois, and their recently adopted toy yorkie named Fabio (rescued by Pasado’s Safe Haven from a horrific puppy mill). He finds additional joy playing music and doing multi lingual calligraphy, as well as cooking delicious food, made from plants with Sabrina in quarantine. 

🐷Follow Brandon on social media @bonustimemusic or email him to set up a classroom presentation for kids at brandonb@pasadosafehaven.org
🐷Learn more about Pasado’s Safe Haven
🐷See the newest episode of Circle Time (and all previous episodes recorded!) on the Pasado’s Safe Haven Facebook event page

Additional Resources + Stuff Mentioned in the Episode

• Sliding Doors (movie)

• Seattle Bike Blog post about Brandon’s accident and recovery

Vegan and Vibrant Episode 03: Taylor Wolfram on Intuitive Eating as a 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.

When I started following Taylor on Instagram and reading some of her blog posts, I immediately knew she was a dream guest for the pod.

As she describes in the interview, the field of nutrition has historically been harmful and oppressive in so many ways— which makes me incredibly grateful every time I encounter an RD aligned with HAES (Health at Every Size) principles. 

I was so drawn to Taylor's voice, because she powerfully weaves together a variety of messages that some might consider separate, with the common thread of body autonomy and respect.

In this conversation, Taylor and I talk about her journey to veganism, her experiences as a dietitian working with both vegan and non-vegan clients, intersectional activism, and the practices that keep her balanced emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

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

About Taylor Wolfram

Taylor Wolfram, MS, RDN, LDN, is a private practice dietitian, health writer and consultant based in Chicago, Illinois. With a background in research and communications, Taylor has the skills to translate the latest nutrition science into understandable messages for clients and the public. She has expertise in vegan nutrition, uses a Health At Every Size® approach and believes everyone has a right to body autonomy and respect.

🐷 Get Taylor's free guide on Intuitive Eating as a Vegan
🐷 Follow Taylor on Instagram

Additional Resources + Mentioned on This Episode:

• @fatveganvoice on Instagram

• The Vegan Chub Club podcast and Instagram

• Veganism in an Oppressive World - A Vegans-of-Color Community Project (collection of essays edited by Julia Feliz Brueck)

• Coping as a Vegan Empath / HSP (Highly Sensitive Person)