Why We Are Vegan Podcasts

To me, being vegan isn't about being perfect. It's about doing the least harm that you can. The 21st interview in this series, features actress and activist, Ana Valverde, one half of Those Annoying Vegans. Ana is a passionate and committed voice for veganism and other sentient beings. Ana has been vegan for four years. In this interview, she shares her vegan journey that began with her affinity with animals at a very early age in Costa Rica, and evolved into a drive to stand up for the voiceless. Mentioned in this interview: Nastasha Minocha, That Vegan Couple, Joey Carbstrong, Cubes of Truth, Earthlings, Kindred Spirits Care Farm, The Vegan Society, Earthling Ed

It's a definitive way of life that doesn't involve any cruelty at any point. The 20th interview in this series, features athlete, author and entrepreneur, Lisa Gawthorne. Lisa is a vivacious and passionate voice for veganism and other sentient beings, with conviction and purpose that emanates from all of her personal, professional, social, physical and creative endeavors. Lisa has been vegan for over 17 years. In this interview, she shares her vegan journey that began at a very early age and evolved into an iconic lifestyle and professional work ethic that informs and inspires. Mentioned in this interview: Bravura Foods, The Vegan Society, Veganuary, Vegan Runners, Team GB Duathlon, Stella McCartney, The Gamechangers Movie, Beyond Meat, What the Health, Cowspiracy, Gregg's Vegan Sausage Roll and Steak Bake, Viva!, Numai Delegato, Bianca Taylor, Heather Mills and V-Bites, Morgan Mitchell.

The best way to describe [Veganism] is you live as simply as you can, and you spread love, while living a compassionate lifestyle and extending that compassion to absolutely everything and everyone. The 19th interview in this series, features the lovely Cortney Palm. Cortney is a woman with conviction that inspires and compassion that ignites the sentient in all of us to live and love our fullest. Cortney has been vegan for 7 years. In this interview, she shares her thoughts on all things vegan and gives us a deeply personal look at her personal vegan journey and her vegan lifestyle. Mentioned in this interview: Lauren Ledoc (aka Vegan Yogi Unicorn), RZA, EarthlingEd, James Aspy (LA Animal Save's pig vigils), Jane Unchained, PETA, Mercy For Animals, Nature Conservancy, Oceana, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, Woody Harrelson, Vitamix, Nada Moo, Leah Dollinger & Meat the Victims, Herringbone (short film), and Brendan Brazier's Thrive

Note: There is a typo in the title of the podcast attached. The title of the post and podcast should both read "Jerneja" (not Jerneya). We know that food and politics are involved, especially because we know what is being subsidized...so at this point, being vegan is really a political stance. The 18th interview in this series, features Jerneja Caserta (Tomsic). Jerneja is one of the most interesting and outwardly passionate people I know. Her compassion for sentient beings has no bounds, her dedication to distilling and disseminating knowledge about veganism is perpetual, and her courage to speak her truth is admirable. Jerneja has been vegan for over 6 years. In this interview, she shares a glimpse of what she has learned and the evolution of her personal vegan journey. Mentioned in this interview: Gary Francione & the Abolitionist Approach, Abolitionist Approach on Facebook, Tom Regan's A Case for Animal Rights, Vegan Shift, Eriyah Flynn, Sarina Farb's Born Vegan on YouTube, South Florida Vegan Education Group, and Be Fair Be Vegan

Veganism...is about being kind to animals, but it's also about being kind to each other. The 17th interview in this series, features Dr. Ailis Brosnan. Ailis is passionate about holistically achieving optimal health as a means to leading a full enjoyable life. Ailis has been vegan for over 22 years. In this interview, she shares a glimpse of what being vegan in Ireland is like, raising her children vegan, and the evolution of veganism from her perspective over the past 22 years. Mentioned in this interview: The UK Vegan Society, Dean Ornish, Fiona Oakes, Scott Jurek, Patrik Baboumian, The Game Changers movie After listening, learn more about Ailis.

Everything I do, wear, eat, no animal abuse or use is in place. I do not wear leather. I do not wear wool. I do not eat animals or animal products, and this way...I am also helping reduce the polluting of the environment, and I know for sure also my health is positively influenced with this decision. The 16th interview in this series, features Richard de Koster. Richard is a kind and passionate soul dedicated to aligning and collaborating with humans and businesses in the Netherlands and worldwide to create and perpetuate not only the vegan conversation as it impacts all life here on earth, but also as a source of truth for living a life of compassion and purpose. Richard has been vegan for 2 years, and vegetarian for 20+.  In this interview, he shares his vegan journey in The Netherlands, why he became vegan and how is personal vegan journey continues to evolve and expand as he unites humans worldwide in a common and shared pursuit of health and harmony. Mentioned in this interview: Jodi Monelle's Live Kindly, Claire Smith & Beyond Animal, Damien Clarkson and Vevolution,

[Being vegan] means being conscious of what I put on my body, what I put in my body, things that I consume or buy, and making sure that those things in no way cause suffering for any living being of any kind. The 15th interview in this series, features Phoebe Hewson. Phoebe is truly a shining light in my life and such a joy to be around. Her compassion for other sentient beings of all races, species, walks-of-life, ages, identifications, etc. is beyond admirable. She is also one of the most quick-witted and funny people I know. Phoebe has been vegan for 6 years. In this interview, she shares her heart and soul, and the continuing evolution of her personal vegan journey. Mentioned in this interview: Elf (100% vegan & cruelty-free cosmetics), Kat Von D, Liz Murphy & Santosha Nutrition

Knowing that I'm doing my part, lightens my spirit and also makes it stronger. The 14th interview in this series, features Rita Spiegel. Rita is a fledgling vegan devoted to improving her life and the lives of other sentient beings, while sharing her passion for vibrantly painting the intricacies of the life on this planet that surrounds us. Rita has been vegan for 6 months. In this interview, she shares why she became vegan and how she continues to embrace veganism as the key to the survival of all that is beautiful on earth and the planet itself. Mentioned in this interview: Liz Murphy & Santosha Nutrition, Mas Vidal and Sahara Rose.

Last Sunday, we had the opportunity to take a private tour with Jessica Waite, co-owner of The Plot Restaurant, a 100% vegan dining experience practicing zero-waste ethos. The Plot will be opening the second half of January, 2020. I don't want to spoil anything for you here, so I encourage you to listen to the podcast above or watch the video at Why We Are Vegan's YouTube Channel.    

The minimum of course is living in integrity, because I don't think I could stand myself if I wasn't at least trying to live in integrity. The 13th interview in this series, features Karen Snook. Karen has devoted her life improving the quality of life for all sentient beings through her take-action compassion, from-the-heart teaching, and walking her talk 24/7. Karen has been vegan for 11 years. In this interview, she shares her personal vegan journey and the evolution of her life along the way.

I wish that more people would be willing to have conversations around their resistance. The 12th interview in this series, features Larena Patrick. Larena is one of the kindest, gentlest, most welcoming souls you will ever meet on this earth. Phoebe and I first met Larena at Little Pine Restaurant - our very first visit to what has become our go-to happy place every single time we venture up to LA. Larena has been vegan for 2 years. In this interview, she shares the evolution of her personal vegan journey. Mentioned in this interview: Moby, David Carter, Alicia Silverstone, and Little Pine's Chef Lu.

I wish that people knew the impact of their choices...every little choice they're making throughout the day has on this world, and other people, and other beings. The 11th interview in this series, features Kristen Leemon. In her free time, outside her "9-5" Kristen is a world traveller and vegan blogger residing in San Diego, CA. Kristen has been vegan for 3 years. In this interview, she helps us understand why she became vegan and shares with us her personal vegan journey. Mentioned in this interview: Angela Liddon  & Oh She Glows, The Plot Restaurant, Wrench & Rodent (referring to their vegan menu)

I think people focus on the 'well this is the way it's always been done', but I think we should continue to evolve and say...these are animals...they have a right to a healthy, safe life...we can move forward without making anyone else suffer. The 10th interview in this series, features Jessica Waite. Jessica began her vegan journey over 10 years ago. In this interview, she shares her community involvement, her new venture, her love of animals, and her future vision, as her journey continues. Mentioned in this interview: The China Study, Vegan Danielle, Moby, Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub, The Plot Restaurant, Lena Ropp's Pure Vegan Food, and Donna Zucar 

A lot of times people ask me, 'Do you ever have a cheat day?' That's the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard. The ninth interview in this series, features Nastasha Mckeon. Nastasha began her vegan journey over 10 years ago. In this interview, she shares the challenges she faced throughout her early vegan journey, such as relationships, and her vision for her future as her journey continues. Mentioned in this podcast: The book Skinny Bitch, The Game Changers Movie, Forks Over Knives, and Earthlings

My day isn’t really different than the average person. Sometimes I eat junk food, sometimes I eat really good food. The eighth interview in this series, features Gary Willoughby. Gary is a soft-spoken man leading the mission to create a more humane community through education; rescuing, protecting, and enhancing the lives of animals; and nurturing the bond between animals and people. Gary is the President & CEO of the SPCA of Erie County in Upstate NY. Gary began his vegan journey 12 years ago. In this interview, he helps us understand why he became vegan and shares with us his personal vegan journey. Mentioned in this interview: John Salley

I wish people would give themselves permission to break that conditioning and think for themselves. The 7th interview in this series, features Katelynne Donoghue. Katelynne began her vegan journey just over 2 years ago. In this interview, she shares her compassion for sentient beings, her new Reiki healing venture, and her future vision, as her journey continues.

Really you only have control over yourself and what you do.   The sixth interview in this series, features Tracy Childs. Tracy is the founder of the not-for-profit PlantDiego and owner of Veg-Appeal, both in San Diego, CA. She is an expert in plant-based nutrition and food preparation and is a certified Nutritional Consultant. Tracy has been vegan for 29 years. In this interview, she helps us understand why she became vegan and shares with us her personal vegan journey. Mentioned in this interview: Dr. Neal Barnard, Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, Dr. Michael Klaper, Jane Velez-Mitchell

In the case of being vegan, you are considering animals who are other sentient beings -- they have souls like we do -- so, if I care deeply about people... then I should care an equal amount -- and I do care an equal amount -- for animals as well... The fifth interview in this series, features Raffaella Giampaolo. Raffaella is an intuitive healer providing Reiki, sound therapy, aroma therapy and spiritual readings for self-discovery and transformation. Raffaella has been vegan for 4 years. In this interview, she helps us understand why she became vegan and shares with us her personal vegan journey. Mentioned in this podcast: Kimberly Snyder, Glowing Green Smoothie, Eating Animals (documentary), James Aspey, EarthlingEd

This is so much more than an animal issue; it's a people issue. The fourth interview in this series, features Vegan Danielle. Danielle has her own website and podcast called The Vegan Danielle Podcast. She was recognized as a Top Vegan Podcast of 2018 by Vegan in San Diego, and listed in the Top 25 Vegan Podcasts by Feedspot. She is a passionate advocate and activist. Danielle has been vegan for 4 years. In this interview, she helps us understand why she became vegan and shares with us her personal vegan journey. Mentioned in this interview: Earthlings, The Game Changers Movie, @lifelovevegan, Dominion, What the Health, Rachel Hosler and Karl Kyler Anonymous for the Voiceless in SD, Cowspiracy, Forks Over Knives, Ellen Vegan-Ericksen, Anonymous for the Voiceless

I’m vegan to save this planet, because I love animals, and because I believe it’s the best thing I can do for myself and for humanity. The third interview in this series, features Liz Murphy. Liz is a plant-based nutrition coach, vegan chef, and owner of Santosha Nutrition. Liz has turned her passion, education and talents into her full time joy, helping others to expand their palates and discover the healing powers of fresh, organic, whole foods in nourishing, repairing and invigorating body and soul. Liz has been vegan for 4 years. In this interview, she helps us understand why she became vegan and shares with us her personal vegan journey.

There are no levels; you either are vegan or you are not. The second interview in this series, features Macneil Shonle. Macneil and I have been coworkers at a local San Diego-based company whose goal is to empower seniors to live independently for as long as possible via wearable personal emergency devices, smartphones and flip phones made specifically for the 60+ aging community and their families. Macneil has been vegan for 20 years. In this interview, he helps us understand why he became vegan and shares with us his personal vegan journey. Mentioned in this Episode: Diet For a New America, John Robbins, Gary Francione, Peter Singer

Food Addiction: Part 1 One of the best jump starts along my path to more holistic wellness was learning about food addiction. In this podcast, I share an overview of food addiction. In the next few installments to follow, I will delve deeper into the six addictive "foods" that dramatically impact our wellbeing. What are those six "foods"? Listen and find out.

I am vegan because I am passionate about the welfare, happiness and health of all sentient beings and our planet. An Interview with Why We Are Vegan Founder, Gabrielle Hewson This is the first interview of the Why We Are Vegan podcasts interview series entitled "Why We Are Vegan", the genesis of the documentary by the same name, currently in production. The purpose of this on-going interview series is to focus on a wide variety of conscious, compassionate human beings walking their talk and inspiring others to consider the future of this planet and the sentient beings that live here worldwide. This first interview is the interviewer (moi) interviewing myself. Interviewing the interviewer was a great way to test my questions to make sure they flow well from one to the other, and to demonstrate the truths, hearts, minds, and dreams that propel those who answer them. We are all unique. I love that. These peeps embrace their uniqueness and move forward each and every day to inform and empower the rest of the world. Mentioned in this Episode: Skinny Bitch

Check out the FIRST session - Our Intro! Why We Are Vegan Podcasts, just finished the preliminary set-up and intro for ongoing podcasts that will include interviews, conversations, and information about a variety of topics associated with health, sentient beings of all kinds, the planet, and the vegan community. My gratitude and thanks to Mike Dell, lead support tech at Blubrry, for exceptional hosting support.