Explore every episode of the podcast Just Beings
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evanna Lynch and Dr. Melanie Joy on what gives them hope for the future | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:59:12 | |
The season two finale of Just Beings is here! In this episode, hosts Evanna and Melanie discuss their experiences working to transform the food system, reflect on what they’ve learned from this season’s extraordinary guests, and share what gives them hope for the future. They also chat about the projects they’re working on, the practices they use to help them slow down and be more present, and the issues infighting causes within social justice movements. Evanna even addresses how she feels about the controversies surrounding the Harry Potter franchise. Happy listening! In this episode, Melanie mentions the 45 Days to Awakening program; Sam Harris’ book and app; the Highly Sensitive Person website; and the Slovenian Vegan Society. Check out Melanie’s new book, How to End Injustice Everywhere, and learn more about her work. Learn about Beyond Carnism, the nonprofit organization founded by Melanie, and its new website, infighting.org. Follow Melanie on social media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X Check out Evanna’s book, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting, and learn more about her work. Follow Evanna on social media: Instagram | Facebook Follow Just Beings on social media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X This season of Just Beings is brought to you by our friends at Vivo Life and LeafSide! This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| David Yeung on changing the world, one meal at a time | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:51:51 | |
David Yeung—the visionary cofounder of Green Monday and OmniFoods—has been concerned about the impact of our global food system on the planet for decades. That’s why his mission to create delicious plant-based alternatives to popular Asian dishes both pushes culinary boundaries and involves a commitment to protecting the planet, animals, and society. In this week’s episode, David joins Evanna and Melanie to share his wisdom on how small, achievable steps to go meat-free can lead to significant changes in our food system and on how we can unite as a global team to build a more sustainable and compassionate world through our food choices. David and our hosts also explore the psychology of dietary change, offering insights on why shaming and criticism aren’t the most effective ways to drive progress, and even touch on the power of meditation for personal transformation. David Yeung is the cofounder and CEO of Green Monday Group, a multifaceted social venture whose mission is to take on the world’s most pressing crises: climate change, food insecurity, and public health. This one-of-a-kind integrated platform empowers millions of people to work toward green awareness, action, and economy. David’s work earned him the award of Social Entrepreneur of the Year from the World Economic Forum and the Schwab Foundation, among other honors and recognitions. He has spoken at the World Economic Forum, the Milken Institute Summit, TEDx, and financial and academic institutions such as UBS and UCLA. David and Green Monday have received international media coverage from the BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNN, Nikkei Asian Review, and Reuters. David is a graduate of Columbia University, an Ashoka Fellow, and the author of a number of bestselling books on Zen wisdom and mindfulness. Follow David on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Follow Green Monday on Instagram and Facebook. Follow OmniFoods on Instagram and TikTok. This season of Just Beings is brought to you by our friends at LeafSide and Vivo Life! Stay up to date with Just Beings on social media by following @JustBeingsPod. | |||
| Johann Hari on finding focus in the modern world | 20 Sep 2022 | 00:43:51 | |
Are you finding it harder and harder to focus? If so, it’s not your fault—and you’re certainly not alone. When we’re striving for positive change, whether in our personal lives or on social issues, being able to remain focused on our goals is key. But a multitude of factors in our modern world are making it ever more challenging for us to do so. In this week’s episode, New York Times best-selling author Johann Hari joins Melanie to discuss his own personal journey to find his focus, what he discovered when he investigated the causes of the issue for his book Stolen Focus, and the steps we can all take toward regaining control of our own attention. Learn more about Johann Hari’s book Stolen Focus at stolenfocusbook.com. Discover his other work at johannhari.com. Check out the work of the Center for Humane Technology at humanetech.com. Follow Johann on social media: Follow Just Beings on social media: This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| The Happy Pear on the power of optimism and community | 13 Sep 2022 | 00:38:18 | |
In this episode of Just Beings, Dave and Steve Flynn of The Happy Pear join Evanna and Melanie to discuss how they made the journey from opening a humble fruit and veg shop in Ireland to building a community of over 1 million people living healthier lives. This uplifting conversation dives deep into the benefits and challenges of being optimistic in life and work, the power of following our curiosity, and the energy, motivation, and joy that come from being mission-driven and working in service of others. Learn more about Dave and Steve’s work at thehappypear.ie. Check out their books here. Join them for swimrise on the beach in Greystones, Ireland, at sunrise every day! (For more information, see here.) Follow them on social media: Follow Just Beings on social media: This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| Joanne Molinaro on telling stories to change the world | 06 Sep 2022 | 00:43:48 | |
Joanne Molinaro, known on social media as The Korean Vegan, is a master of the art of storytelling for social change. After the video in which she prepares Korean braised potatoes while describing how she worked as a janitor during high school in order to earn money to buy clothes to fit in with the cool kids went viral, she started producing 60-second recipe videos in which she tells stories about her family, immigrants from what is now known as North Korea. In this episode, Joanne—a passionate social justice advocate—joins Evanna and Melanie to discuss how she uses storytelling and food strategically to promote empathy as the antidote to the division and conflict she sees in the world. Tune in to learn how Joanne has embraced the challenge of embodying her values by making significant changes in her life, while protecting the bonds she has with loved ones and honoring her cultural traditions. Learn more about Joanne at thekoreanvegan.com. Check out her book, The Korean Vegan Cookbook. Listen to The Korean Vegan podcast. Follow her on social media: Check out Melanie’s books Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows and Beyond Beliefs. Follow Just Beings on social media: This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| Dr. Michael Gervais on becoming our better selves | 30 Aug 2022 | 00:48:44 | |
Psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais, a world-renowned expert on the relationship between the mind and human performance, has cracked the code of how ordinary people can do extraordinary things. By becoming more present, we can improve the way we respond to challenges in our personal lives as well as injustices in the world around us. In this week’s episode, he joins Melanie to share insights into how we can change the way we think so that we find personal empowerment and can help create a better world. Learn more about Michael’s Finding Your Best online course here. To enter the contest for a chance to win free access to the course, visit the Just Beings Instagram account. Check out his Finding Mastery podcast here. Follow him on social media: Follow Just Beings on social media: This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| Lily Cole on finding solutions to the climate crisis through communication and open-mindedness | 23 Aug 2022 | 00:48:59 | |
Fashion icon and environmental advocate Lily Cole joins Evanna and Melanie on this week’s episode to chat about her book Who Cares Wins, in which she presents a plethora of potential solutions to the environmental crisis intended to inspire and create lasting global change. In this wide-ranging conversation, they discuss the importance of having an attitude of openness and dialog when addressing environmental issues, why animal agriculture is such a contentious topic within the climate movement, and how to choose a focus when there are so many worthy causes in the world. Check out Lily’s book Who Cares Wins and her accompanying podcast. Follow Lily on Instagram. Lily’s upcoming film Hilma will be out later in 2022. Lily refers to George Monbiot’s book Regenesis, Simon Amstell’s BBC “mockumentary” Carnage, and Andrea Arnold’s film Cow. Check out Melanie’s book Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows. Follow Just Beings on social media: This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| Evanna Lynch and Melanie Joy on Just Beings | 23 Aug 2022 | 00:42:20 | |
“How do we all occupy space on this planet in a way that does justice to our own dignity? How do we reclaim our own dignity and honor the dignity of others?” These are among the questions that hosts Evanna Lynch and Dr. Melanie Joy will be exploring on the Just Beings podcast. In this episode, Evanna and Melanie kick off the show with an intimate conversation in which they recall how they bonded over their shared solutionary approach to addressing injustice, highlight the importance of striking the right balance between personal development and social impact, and discuss why the conversations they’ll be having on the show are so needed at this moment in time. They also introduce the formula for healthy relating—and explore how we can all begin practicing this formula in our everyday lives in order to work toward a more just world. Check out Evanna’s book, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting. Follow Evanna on social media: Learn more about Melanie’s work at melaniejoy.org. Follow Melanie on social media: Learn about Beyond Carnism, the nonprofit organization founded by Melanie, at carnism.org. Follow Just Beings on social media: This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| Just Beings Trailer | 16 Aug 2022 | 00:03:31 | |
On the Just Beings podcast, renowned actress and writer Evanna Lynch and award-winning psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Melanie Joy will be having conversations with changemakers about how to shift our thinking to create a more just world for people, animals, and the planet—and to cultivate personal transformation in the process. The show will be launching next Tuesday, August 23. Subscribe now to make sure that you don’t miss an episode! Follow Just Beings on social media: This trailer was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| Philip Lymbery on how saving the soil can save the planet | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:43:56 | |
Our global food system, which relies heavily on factory farming, is wreaking havoc on our soil and our environment. | |||
| Dr. Christopher Carter on decolonizing soul food | 05 Oct 2023 | 00:59:00 | |
Soul food has its roots in the culinary traditions of Black Americans and African diaspora communities in the southern United States, and it plays a crucial role in preserving Black history. But given the impact of racism and colonialism in the US food system on Black people, what should soul food look like today? This season of Just Beings is brought to you by our friends at LeafSide and Vivo Life! | |||
| Daniella Monet on self-care and compassionate living | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:49:29 | |
In this episode of Just Beings, actor, entrepreneur, and influencer Daniella Monet joins Melanie to discuss her journey to plant-based eating—which began when she was just five years old—and her advocacy for healthy food systems and peaceful living. This uplifting conversation delves into the importance of balance and self-care, particularly for people who champion social justice causes; how being authentic can be an effective form of activism; and why we need to give ourselves grace for doing the best we can in our advocacy efforts. Daniella Monet is a mom of two, an actor, an entrepreneur, an influencer, an investor, and a podcaster. A longtime vegan, Daniella uses her platform to advocate for a holistic plant-based lifestyle. In 2018, she and Evanna cofounded Kinder Beauty Box to curate and deliver cruelty-free beauty products. And most recently, she launched Daniella’s Digest, an app that helps individuals and families thrive by following a vegan lifestyle. Daniella is also an investor in several plant-based businesses, such as Sugar Taco, which provides plant-based meals to children in need, and Outstanding Foods. Learn more about carnism. Check out Melanie’s new book, "How to End Injustice Everywhere". This season of Just Beings is brought to you by our friends at Vivo Life and Leafside! | |||
| Ursula Bittner on direct action and taking a stand against greenwashing | 21 Sep 2023 | 00:48:53 | |
Have you ever looked at the “Climate Friendly!” label on a packaged item and wondered whether the product is truly environmentally friendly? If so, you’re not alone. In today’s world, where protecting the environment is paramount, it’s important to know how to differentiate genuine sustainability efforts from greenwashing. Greenwashing is a form of marketing in which an organization falsely claims that its products or policies are environmentally friendly. In this week’s episode, Evanna and Melanie are joined by passionate social justice advocate and Greenpeace economic expert Ursula Bittner. They discuss the dangers of greenwashing, Greenpeace’s campaigns and lobbying efforts to change our food system, and the role of direct action in bringing about positive change. Tune in to learn the steps we can all take to become more effective advocates for social justice and protectors of our planet. Ursula Bittner is an economic expert at Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe. She works on democracy, compliance, civil society, greenwashing, trade, supply chains, agriculture, and biodiversity. She holds a degree in international development from the University of Vienna, an MBA from California Lutheran University, and a degree from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. 10 years ago, she worked for a soya-food company. She then cofounded an association for a sustainable European protein supply, where she worked for eight years as the general secretary. During that period, she also managed the Austrian Soy Association. She has made research trips to India, Brazil, Argentina, Taiwan, Japan, China, and several countries in eastern Europe to explore issues related to soy, milk, and agriculture in general. In 2021, she founded the Initiative Saubere Hände—Stoppt Korruption to fight against corruption in Austria. Ursula advocates for a liberal democracy, a strong civil society, sustainable agriculture, and the protection of our planet. She became vegetarian when she was 11 years old and vegan about 15 years ago. Explore Greenpeace’s website to learn more about its work and how to volunteer. Visit Saubere Hände’s website to learn more about its work addressing corruption in Austria. Follow Ursula on X (formerly Twitter). Check out Melanie’s new book, "How to End Injustice Everywhere".
Learn more about LeafSide by visiting GoLeafSide.com. Stay up to date with Just Beings on social media by following @JustBeingsPod. This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| Dan Buettner on the longevity secrets of the blue zones | 14 Sep 2023 | 00:45:44 | |
Author and host of Netflix’s "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones," Dan Buettner, joins Evanna and Melanie on this week’s episode to discuss the secrets of the world’s longest-living populations and the remarkable places known as blue zones, where people live vibrant, healthy lives well into their 90s and 100s. He also shares his mission to transform American cities into healthier, happier communities. | |||
| John Lewis on how systemic racism fuels nutrition deserts | 07 Sep 2023 | 00:56:06 | |
John Lewis, known online as The Badass Vegan, is on a mission to show that making simple dietary and lifestyle changes can be the key to overcoming health challenges. | |||
| Bonnie Wright on going gently as we care for the world | 04 Oct 2022 | 00:48:57 | |
Bonnie Wright’s strong connection to the ocean developed in childhood, when she spent her weekends on the beach on the south coast of England. As an artist, she drew inspiration from the sea—and over time, as she witnessed the beach become ever more littered with trash and erosion and climate change threaten the coastline, she was inspired into activism, too. On the final episode of season 1, she chats with Evanna about her book, Go Gently: Actionable Steps to Nurture Yourself and the Planet, in which she shares approachable tips on how to live more sustainably to empower readers to reduce their environmental impact. This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||
| Dolly Chugh on learning and unlearning | 27 Sep 2022 | 00:46:42 | |
In her new book A More Just Future, award-winning psychologist Dolly Chugh recounts how she went from seeing the Little House on the Prairie books as enchanting tales of American family life to recognizing the series’ “whitewashing” of US history—and confronting the psychological discomfort that this recognition entailed. On this week’s episode, Dolly joins Melanie to talk about the book, which is a guide to unlearning the one-sided history most people in the United States have been taught; broadening our perspectives; and navigating a way forward that amplifies underrepresented voices and works to undo the damage wrought on the marginalized. They discuss why it’s so important that we learn a fuller and more truthful version of our history; how to grapple with the shame, guilt, disbelief, and resistance many of us feel when we recognize and address the injustices in our flawed systems; and how to work toward a more just future without shame or judgment. This episode was edited by Andrew Sims. | |||