In this powerful before and after episode, Rip and Dr. Laurie Marbas introduce us to, Marlene Skiver, who’s goal is to reclaim her health through the power of plants.

Marlene has faced her share of challenges — from pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, and Hashimoto’s disease, to the stress that followed retirement and the loss of loved ones. But instead of giving in, she’s choosing to fight back — fork in hand.

Together, Marlene and Dr. Marbas explore the root causes of her chronic disease, including insulin resistance, and what really happens when you stop treating symptoms and start addressing the foundation: food, stress, and lifestyle.

Dr. Marbas reviews Marlene’s current labs and we get a front-row seat to her early progress after adopting a more whole food, plant-strong approach. With every plant-powered meal, she’s already seeing her blood sugar and blood pressure start to drop.

This episode is more than just numbers — it’s about resilience, self-care, and rediscovering joy through food that loves you back. Tune in to hear how small, consistent changes can create big-time results, and get ready to follow along as we see what happens next on Marlene’s plant-strong journey.

Episode Webpage: https://www.plantstrongpodcast.com/blog/marlene-skiver

Watch the Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EeaiaKEPoDI

We all know the saying, “the body keeps the score,” and this week’s guest, Dr. Tila Kansagra, has lived it — and now helps others heal from it.

A UK-based general practitioner and lifestyle medicine physician, Dr. Kansagra brings compassion, lived experience, and evidence-based practice together to help her patients move beyond symptoms and toward true wellness.

In this conversation, we dive into her personal journey with familial trauma, her passion for plant-based nutrition, and how the six pillars of lifestyle medicine — nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, connection, and avoidance of risky substances — can transform lives.

Whether you’re struggling with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, burnout, or just want to live stronger and more intentionally, Dr. Kansagra’s story will remind you that healing starts when you care for the whole person — body, mind, and spirit.

Key Takeaways:

• How trauma and lived experience shaped Dr. Kansagra’s approach to medicine
• Why empathy and connection are essential tools for healing
• The definitions and diagnosis of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia
• The role of plant-based nutrition in helping to reverse chronic fatigue and restore energy
• How lifestyle medicine empowers patients to take control of their health
• Practical steps to build resilience and vitality

Watch the Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3FLJ1BwO5mA

Episode Webpage: https://www.plantstrongpodcast.com/blog/dr-tila-kansagra

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

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In this episode, Rip sits down with Chef Tara Punzone, founder of Pura Vita—the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant in the U.S.—and writer Gene Stone, co-author of Vegana Italiana. Together, they dive into the passion and purpose behind their brand-new cookbook, which transforms beloved Italian classics into bold, satisfying vegan dishes.

Tara shares her journey from growing up in a big Italian family in New York, where food and tradition were always at the center, to making the choice to go vegan at just twelve years old. Listeners will hear how she managed to honor her heritage without giving up the flavors she loved—proving that mozzarella, ricotta, ravioli, and meatballs can all be made deliciously plant-based.

The conversation also explores the collaboration with Gene Stone, the celebrated author behind many bestselling plant-based books, and how they brought together Tara’s culinary artistry with Gene’s storytelling to create a book that’s equal parts recipe collection, cultural history, and love letter to Italian food.

With tips for stocking your pantry, techniques for mastering vegan versions of Italian staples, and stories that connect food to family and community, this episode celebrates the joy of eating in a way that’s both compassionate and authentic.

Watch the Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mf5zAU2BbDM

Episode Webpage: https://www.plantstrongpodcast.com/blog/tara-punzone

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

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He’s back for the fourth time!

Dan Buettner—National Geographic fellow, explorer, longevity expert, and creator of the Blue Zones—returns and this time we’re diving into his brand-new New York Times best-selling book: Blue Zones: One Pot Meals.

Dan and Rip roll up their sleeves and go page by page through his delicious new recipes—from savory Tex-Mex breakfast skillets to mushroom walnut bolognese, roasted cauliflower, creamy mac ‘n cheese, and even chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

They talk about:

• Why long-term consistency is the only real longevity “hack.”
• How the world’s longest-lived people eat (and why beans are still king).
• The flavor “secrets” revealed by analyzing 650,000 top-rated recipes with Stanford’s AI lab.
• How Dan is bringing Blue Zones wisdom into kitchens, frozen food aisles, and even entire cities.
• Why all five original Blue Zones are sadly waning—but also, the exciting announcement of a brand-new Blue Zone that’s on the rise.

This conversation is equal parts mouthwatering, inspiring, and hopeful—and if you’re ready to supercharge your longevity with easy, affordable, maniacally delicious meals, you’re in the right place.

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Think plant-based cooking takes too much time? Rip Esselstyn and producer Carrie Barrett are here to prove otherwise. In this energizing mini-episode, the duo dismantles one of the biggest myths around a whole food, plant-based lifestyle—that it’s complicated and time-consuming.

With a mix of personal stories and practical strategies, Rip and Carrie show how to make plant-based meals fast, fun, and family-friendly. From the “bowl build” method to frozen food shortcuts, they reveal how simple tweaks can transform cooking into an easy, joyful part of your day.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why plant-based cooking can actually be faster than traditional cooking once you get over the initial hump.
• How frozen fruits, veggies, and grains can slash prep time without sacrificing taste or nutrition.
• The “build a bowl” approach—customizable, colorful, and stress-free.
• Simple ways to batch cook with tools like the Instant Pot for easy weekday meals.
• How to reimagine familiar favorites like pizza and tacos into plant-strong staples.

Discover how to spend less time in the kitchen—and more time enjoying vibrant, plant-strong meals.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

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What if the only thing standing between you and your true potential… is you?

Rip welcomes Kori McClurg, author of the new book Get Out of Your Own Way. Kori’s journey from self-loathing to self-love is one of courage, vulnerability, and the transformative power of plants.

Like so many, Kori spent years battling the weight of diet culture, mental health struggles, and a body that reflected her inner turmoil. But through honesty, self-compassion, and a shift to a whole food plant-based diet, she discovered a new path — one that nourished both her body and her spirit.

Here’s what you’ll take away from her story:

• Vulnerability is power — When we open up about our struggles, we create space for healing.
• Food is medicine — Shifting to a whole food plant-based lifestyle can dramatically improve health and vitality.
• It’s not about willpower — Real change happens when we address the emotions behind our habits.
• Self-compassion changes everything — Treating ourselves with curiosity and kindness opens the door to growth.
• Start small, move with grace — Sustainable transformation comes from compassionate, incremental steps.

Kori’s story is a reminder that transformation doesn’t start with a strict diet or sheer determination — it starts with love. When we get out of our own way, we create the freedom to thrive.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

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What happens when you grow up in a Mexican steakhouse, but later discover the healing power of plants?

For Dora Ramírez, the journey from sizzling meats to vibrant, plant-based cuisine was nothing short of transformative. Raised in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, Dora feared giving up animal products would mean giving up her culture. Instead, she found that beans, grains, veggies, and spices didn’t just replace her favorite dishes—they enhanced them.

Now, as the author of Comida Casera, Dora is sharing her fresh, plant-strong take on everything from tamales and mole to street food and comforting family classics. Her story is a celebration of food, culture, and the powerful connection between tradition and wellness.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Dora transformed her steakhouse upbringing into a plant-based journey
• The inspiration behind her cookbook, Comida Casera
• Why dishes like tamales and mole carry deep cultural meaning
• Practical tips for making authentic Mexican food at home—100% plant-strong
• How food can honor heritage, heal the body, and bring people together

Whether you’re new to plant-based eating or just looking to spice up your kitchen with authentic Mexican flavors, Dora’s story proves you don’t have to sacrifice tradition to cook with plants.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

Leave Us a Voicemail Question

Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong

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This week on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, Rip sits down with the legendary Kathy Stevens, founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, as she prepares to step away after more than 20 years of rescuing animals and inspiring people to live with compassion.

Since 2001, Kathy has been leading with love—creating a safe haven for thousands of animals and cultivating a culture that welcomes everyone, no matter where they are on their journey. In this heartfelt conversation, she reflects on her legacy, the lessons learned from her four-legged teachers, and the future of Catskill Animal Sanctuary.

You’ll hear:

• Kathy’s journey from teacher to animal sanctuary founder
• Lessons in empathy from Catskill’s rescued residents
• Why “leading with love” beats judgment every time
• The challenges of passing the torch to a new leader
• Her vision for the future of sanctuaries in a changing world

Kathy’s warmth, wisdom, and dedication shine through in every story—including one unforgettable tale about Rambo the ram, who forever changed her outlook on life.

Learn more or support the Catskill mission at casanctuary.org

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