Explore every episode of the podcast Plant-Based Canada Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 109: Science You Can Taste: Dr. Linda Ho Shares Her Expertise & Insights on Food Innovation | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:53:26 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Linda Ho, Research Chair with NAIT’s Applied Research Centre for Culinary Innovation (@NAIT), to discuss food product innovations, in particular her knowledge and experience related to plant-based proteins. Linda is a Research Chair and a Food Scientist whose experience has spanned from food quality assurance and control, to product development, to mentoring and lecturing students at post secondary institutions. Her primary product development focus has been with exploration of plant-based ingredients and understanding their functional inclusion in innovative food products, running sensory evaluation panels, and providing science-based solutions for food companies ranging from start-ups to large corporations. Resources: NAIT Applied Research website https://www.nait.ca/applied-research/home Centre for Culinary Innovation https://www.nait.ca/applied-research/about/centres/centre-for-culinary-innovation Dr. Linda Ho’s Socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-ho3/?originalSubdomain=ca NAIT’s Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NAIT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/nait X: https://x.com/NAIT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nait/ Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Instagram (@plantbasedcanadaorg) Facebook (Plant-Based Canada, https://m.facebook.com/plantbasedcanadaorg/) Website (https://www.plantbasedcanada.org/) X / Twitter @PBC_org Bonus Promotion Check out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through essential plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2025 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses. uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. | |||
| Episode 108: Can Basic Income End Hunger? Matt Noble on the Future of Food Security | 21 Oct 2025 | 01:16:49 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Matt Noble to discuss basic income, food security, and the systemic changes needed to ensure that no one goes hungry. Matt Noble is the founder and Executive Director of Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing nutritious plant-based food to individuals and families struggling with poverty and food insecurity across Toronto. Matt is a lead of the Put Food Banks Out Of Business (PFOB) initiative which is a national campaign advocating for a guaranteed, livable basic income—an income floor below which no Canadian can fall, as well as producer of the Plant-Based Subway Ad Toronto campaign , where in June & July of 2025, some of Toronto’s most inspiring vegan leaders were highlighted among 1100 TTC subway posters, illustrating how joyful and diverse plant-powered living can be. Matt studied Journalism at Centennial College, and is a researcher in the areas of poverty alleviation, food insecurity, housing, economics, public policy, agriculture and is an avid gardener. He works to advocate for a guaranteed liveable basic income as the most effective policy solution for addressing poverty and food insecurity. Resources: Plant-Based Canada Conference Talk: https://vimeo.com/ontariobarassociation/download/1088460575/f17705f09d Put Food Banks Out Of Business: https://www.putfoodbanksoutofbusiness.com/ The Plant-Based Toronto Subway Ad Campaign: https://www.plantbasedtoronto.ca/ PROOF Report: https://proof.utoronto.ca/ Matt Noble’s Socials: Put Food Banks Out Of Business Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Instagram (@plantbasedcanadaorg) Facebook (Plant-Based Canada, https://m.facebook.com/plantbasedcanadaorg/) Website (https://www.plantbasedcanada.org/) X / Twitter @PBC_org Bonus Promotion Check out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through essential plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2025 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses. uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 99: All About Sleep with Dr. Rikin Patel | 29 Apr 2025 | 01:14:33 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Rikin Patel to discuss the vital role of sleep in overall health, how it impacts children and families, and practical lifestyle strategies to improve sleep quality. Dr. Rikin Patel is a consultant pediatrician and lifestyle medicine physician. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto. He completed his pediatric residency at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and prior to medical school he completed a Masters in Health Policy Planning and Finance from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Currently, Dr. Patel works for the Scarborough Health Network and is the founder of Reset Pediatric Lifestyle Medicine clinic, a virtual clinic aimed at empowering families to make the best lifestyle choices for their health. He is a member of the Medical Advisory Board for the Centre for Nutrition Studies. He is passionate about promoting a culture of wellness and resilience within physician and trainee communities through medical improv, meditation and plant-based nutrition. He is a certified yoga instructor and teaches Shaolin Kung Fu at the Waterloo Kung Fu Academy with over 35 years of experience. Resources: Effects of sleep duration on child neurocognitive development (Lancet Child Adolesc Health, 2022): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35914537/ Sleep Calculator: https://sleepopolis.com/calculators/ Dementia Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/dementia.html Dr. Rikin Patel’s Socials: IG: dr.rikinpatel and resetpediatrics Facebook: thekungfudoc TikTok: the.kungfudoc Youtube: TheKungFuDoc Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Instagram (@plantbasedcanadaorg) Facebook (Plant-Based Canada, https://m.facebook.com/plantbasedcanadaorg/) Website (https://www.plantbasedcanada.org/) X / Twitter @PBC_org Bonus Promotion Check out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through essential plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2025 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses. uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 11: Paulina Araujo, RD on Energy Density vs. Nutrient Density and Weight Loss | 13 Jul 2021 | 00:40:48 | |
Paulina Araujo is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, Ontario. She counsels clients with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Paulina has a passion for helping people improve their health through better nutrition and other lifestyle therapies… and uses a variety of dietary and behavioural approaches with her clients. She is a strong believer in the power of plants and plant based nutrition to improve overall health and diabetes management.
The role diet plays in diabetes. Energy density vs. nutrient density. The role of energy density and weight loss. Helping clients improve their health through sustainable changes. Fear of carbohydrates in the dieting world. Common sense tips for weight loss. Linkedin Barbara Rolls review paper on Energy Density Kevin Hall’s plant-based vs ketogenic study Neal Barnard’s Mediterranean vs low-fat vegan diet study David Jenkin’s portfolio diet study Jeff Novick’s talk on calorie density | |||
| Episode 10: Luckie Sigouin on Staying Healthy for the Long-Term on a Plant-Based Diet | 29 Jun 2021 | 00:30:06 | |
Check out our latest podcast with fitness coach, and vegan athlete Luckie Sigouin (@luckiesigouin). Luckie combines his experience and background to help guide the Fit Vegan Community, which helps people lose weight and build lean muscles on a plant-based diet. By focusing on mindset and education, Luckie helps his clients make sustainable changes that lead to successful results for the long-term. In this episode we discuss:
Socials: Podcast | |||
| Episode 9: Dr. David Jenkins on The Portfolio Diet and a Glimpse Behind the Scenes of Nutrition Research | 16 Jun 2021 | 00:33:21 | |
Dr. David J.A. Jenkins is an University Professor, and Canada Research Chair, in the Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Medicine, at the University of Toronto and Medicine, and the Director of the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, and a Scientist in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, with Unity Health Toronto. Dr. Jenkins has been a mentor to many researchers and health professionals, including myself (the host of this episode) and other members of the Plant-Based Canada team. | |||
| Episode 8: Debbie Fong, MBA, RD on Fighting Lifestyle Disease with a Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet | 01 Jun 2021 | 01:05:26 | |
Debbie Fong, MBA, RD is a clinically-trained registered dietitian who’s passionate about making sustainable and healthy food choices. She promotes whole foods plant-based diets to help her clients lose weight for the long-term without counting calories, as well as to help prevent or manage various lifestyle diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this episode we discuss:
| |||
| Episode 7: Adriana Wild on Training as an Ultra-Athlete on a Plant-Based Diet | 12 May 2021 | 00:26:22 | |
Adriana Wild is a Vice Principal with the Calgary Catholic School District, who's also a plant-based marathon runner and ultra-athlete in her spare time. She loves sharing her passion for running with her colleagues and students, and has led various Girls Run For It programs and run clubs at schools. Her running accomplishments include winning the 2018 Calgary Marathon 50K, becoming the 2018 ACU National 50K Female Champion, and winning the 2018 Banff Marathon — setting a new women’s course record that year. In 2018, she was also a member of the #TSPYYC Speed Project Team and, along with her team, ran from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in just over 39 hours. Not to mention she holds two Guinness Book of World Records!
Instagram | |||
| Episode 6: Dr. Nanci Guest on A Plant-Based Diet for Athletic Performance | 27 Apr 2021 | 01:06:18 | |
In this podcast episode from @Plant-Based Canada we chat with Dr. Nanci Guest, PhD, RD who is a sport focused registered dietitian, personal trainer and a strength and conditioning coach, who completed her doctorate in nutrigenomics and athletic performance and has been working in private practice for over two decades. She has been a global consultant to professional and amateur athletes and teams, including serving as the head dietitian at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Toronto 2015 PanAm games and prepared several athletes for the last four London, Sochi, Rio and PyeongChang Olympics! In this episode we learn about what a plant-based diet looks like for the elite and everyday athlete, including Dr. Guest´s recommendations for high-athletic performance.
| |||
| Episode 5: In Conversation with Dr. Julie Chan | 13 Apr 2021 | 00:44:44 | |
In this episode we talk to Dr. Julie Chan, a plant-based Naturopathic Doctor, Registered Acupuncturist, and Founder of Liberty Wellness Clinic in Markham, Ontario. | |||
| Episode 4: Matt Noble and the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank | 30 Mar 2021 | 00:56:35 | |
In this episode we talk to Matt Noble, the founder of Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank, a volunteer-powered charity that has served over 250,000 meals worth of whole-food plant-based groceries to people struggling with poverty and food insecurity. Matt also shares some news about exciting initiatives, he and his team are working on, such as veganic agriculture and education. Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank will be breaking ground on a new project – The Veg Food Bank Farm – in partnership with Piebird Farm Sanctuary in the Summer of 2021. | |||
| Episode 3: Dr. Tushar Mehta on the Global Impact of Animal Agriculture | 16 Mar 2021 | 01:29:34 | |
We sit down with Dr. Tushar Mehta to talk about the global impact of animal agriculture. Dr. Mehta is an ER physician working in Brampton and Georgetown, Ontario, and has practiced family and addictions medicine in the past. Over the years he has worked with Project Canoe - a Toronto-based organization serving youth. He's also conducted medical outreach with village schools in India, and works with health education Project Haiti.
| |||
| Episode 2: Dr. Matthew Nagra on Nutrition Myths and Misinformation | 02 Mar 2021 | 00:54:32 | |
Dr. Matthew Nagra is a Naturopathic Doctor devoted to bringing the most up-to-date evidence-based nutrition information to his patients at his clinic in Vancouver. In 2018 he graduated from the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine after completing his bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology at the University of Victoria. How he incorporates evidence-based medicine into his practice. Socials: | |||
| Episode 98: Greener by Default with Katie Cantrell | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:34:39 | |
In the latest episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast, we chat with Kati Cantrell. Katie is a social entrepreneur passionate about creating a healthy, sustainable, and just food system. As the founder of the New Roots Institute, Katie spent a decade leading food policy workshops at universities, government agencies, and Fortune 500 corporations. She is now utilizing her expertise to implement plant-based defaults in institutional foodservice as the CEO and Co-Founder of Greener by Default. The organization offers strategies to institutions that serve food about how to incorporate plant-based defaults, and use behavioural economics research to help people lean toward healthier choices. Katie holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC Berkeley. Her work with GBD was recently featured in the New York Times, and she was chosen for Vox’s Future Perfect 50 list of innovators, thinkers, and changemakers for 2024. Resources “We're being nudged to eat meat. What if the tables were turned?” Bonus Promotion Check out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through essential plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2025 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses. uoguel.ph/pbn. | |||
| Episode 1: In Conversation with the Co-founders of Plant-Based Canada | 13 Feb 2021 | 00:27:49 | |
In this inaugural episode of the Plant-Based Canada podcast, the co-founders of Plant-Based Canada, Dr. Zahra Kassam and Michelle Fedele RD talk about their personal journeys, why they co-founded Plant-Based Canada, and what they hope to achieve. | |||
| Episode 97: Curiosity, Transformation, and Tea: A Conversation with Michelle Pierce Hamilton | 01 Apr 2025 | 01:04:57 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Michelle Pierce Hamilton to chat about her experiences and explore how she keeps her curiosity thriving. Michelle is a Project Management Professional, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Canadian Tea Sommelier, yoga teacher, and podcaster. She holds a certification in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies through Cornell University and is committed to staying current with the latest research on nutrition, diet, disease prevention, and longevity. With 21+ years of experience supporting complex change management in the private sector, Michelle transitioned to healthcare, where she has spent the last 15 years contributing to a wide range of clinical projects. As a teacher and facilitator, she has served as a faculty instructor at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, teaching both Project Management for the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business and the Tea Sommelier Certification. Additionally, Michelle taught at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition for seven years. Michelle’s core philosophy is centered on a whole food, plant-based lifestyle and a holistic approach to human health. This belief underpins everything she does, from supporting her own family’s healthy lifestyle to providing nutrition coaching for clients, or even supporting her project team members and stakeholders. As an entrepreneur for over a decade, Michelle founded and operated an ethically sourced, high-quality loose leaf tea business and boutique tea room in London, Ontario. There, she implemented a whole food, plant-based menu and hosted experience-based events and classes focused on “consciously delicious” food and drink—showing that healthy living can be both decadent and flavourful. In her current role as Primary Care Transformation Lead for the Middlesex London Primary Care Network, Michelle continues to make an impact in healthcare. She also co-hosts and co-produces the Nutrition for Noobs podcast with her best friend Kevin. The podcast breaks down basic nutrition topics in an engaging, light-hearted, and no-nonsense format for everyone. Michelle’s Socials Plant-Based Canada’s Socials X / Twitter @PBC_org Bonus Promotion Please note that the views and opinions expressed by the guest on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast host or the podcast team. The content shared is for experiential sharing Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. | |||
| Episode 96: How Large-Scale Poultry Farming is Fuelling Avian Flu with Eleanor Boyle | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:54:33 | |
In this episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast, we sit down with Eleanor Boyle. She’s a long-time journalist and former college instructor, who has written many articles on ways to improve our diets and food systems. You can find her blog at eleanorboyle.com. Eleanor has written two books: 'High Steaks: Why and How to Eat Less Meat' and 'Mobilize Food: Wartime Inspiration for Environmental Victory Today'. Resources Articles by Eleanor on avian flu: “To Address Bird Flu, Reform Chicken Farming” “We need a rethink of Big Poultry to stop avian flu” “Avian Flu: Way More Than An Industry Problem”
CFIA updates on avian flu (province-by-province) Details on how poultry production is subsidized by Canadian taxpayers Mercy for Animals report on Canadian chicken production World Animal Protection Canada reports on animal agriculture: Part II: Policies to Promote PlantBased Food Production and Consumption in Canada Summary of global human cases of avian flu (1997-2025) “This is how much longer you could live if you eat less meat, more plants” Previous PBC Podcast interview with Eleanor Bonus Promotion | |||
| Episode 95: Translating nutrition research into action for cardiovascular health with Dr. Meaghan Kavanagh | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:56:01 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Meaghan Kavanagh to chat about diet-disease relationships and translating nutrition knowledge into action for cardiovascular health. Meaghan is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto and the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital, mentored by Dr. John Sievenpiper. Her research explores diet-chronic disease relationships through clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and epidemiology. Recipient of the CIHR-MSFSS award, she visited the CDC in Atlanta as a Guest Researcher to investigate the Portfolio Diet's cardiovascular benefits in the NHANES program. Meaghan is dedicated to translating her research into practical tools, including the PortfolioDiet.app, developed for cardiovascular disease prevention. Before her Ph.D., Meaghan was a project manager at the University of Toronto (2016-2020), researching dietary patterns and disease prevention with Dr. David Jenkins, and Clinical Coordinator for the STOP Sugars NOW Trial at St. Michael’s Hospital (2019-2020) with Dr. John Sievenpiper. She completed her M.Sc. at the University of Guelph with Drs. Lindsay Robinson and Amanda Wright and her B.Sc. thesis with Dr. Alison Duncan. In 2025, Meaghan will continue as a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Frank Hu at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Resources: Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors, Lancet 2024 BMJ Open - newspaper reliable reporting Representation of statins in the British newsprint media Dr. Meaghan Kavanagh’s Socials: Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Instagram (@plantbasedcanadaorg) Facebook (Plant-Based Canada, https://m.facebook.com/plantbasedcanadaorg/) Website (https://www.plantbasedcanada.org/) X / Twitter @PBC_org Bonus Content from University of Guelph Do you want to take your plant-based knowledge to the next level? Stay tuned for a special promo code! The online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Open Learning and Educational Support at the University of Guelph has everything you need to know about implementing a sustainable plant-based diet. Each course is just four weeks long and will guide you through essential topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a commun | |||
| Episode 94: From Cancer Survivor to Wellness Advocate: A Patient’s Perspective from Dana Gudelis | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:46:48 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Dana Gudelis to chat about her cancer experience, and how it led to a transformative career change. Dana Gudelis is the founder of GÜDEhealth, a wellness platform focused on lifestyle medicine to help individuals achieve optimal health. Her passion for community wellness began in the 1970s at the University of British Columbia, where she studied Recreation. After a career in marketing, Dana's life took a transformative turn in the 1990s when she was diagnosed with a rare cancer, sparking her interest in food as medicine and healthier living. A five-time cancer survivor, Dana has battled leiomyosarcoma and undergone treatments including a clinical trial for hepatitis C. Her personal health journey, coupled with a family history of cancer, solidified her belief in lifestyle medicine. She has also supported loved ones through serious health challenges, including her granddaughter’s recovery from adrenal cortisol carcinoma. Dedicated to lifelong learning, Dana holds certifications in Nutritional Planning from Harvard, Whole Food Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell, Life Coaching from the Adler Institute, and is a Positive Intelligence® Certified Coach. Through GÜDEhealth, she empowers individuals to adopt habits that support both physical and mental well-being, focusing on the six pillars of lifestyle medicine and mental fitness. Dana’s mission is to guide others towards vibrant, fulfilling lives. Resources Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Cancer Dana Gudelis’ Socials Plant-Based Canada’s Socials X / Twitter @PBC_org Bonus Content from University of Guelph Do you want to take your plant-based knowledge to the next level? Stay tuned for a special promo code! The online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Open Learning and Educational Support at the University of Guelph has everything you need to know about implementing a sustainable plant-based diet. Each course is just four weeks long and will guide you through essential topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2025 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses! www.uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 93: Women's Health Insights for all Genders with Dr. Nitu Bajekal | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:57:58 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Nitu Bajekal, MD, to discuss women’s health—a health topic with insights that everyone can benefit from, regardless of gender. Dr. Bajekal is a Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in London with nearly 40 years of experience in women’s health. Specializing in Lifestyle Medicine, Menopause, PCOS, Endometriosis, and complex gynaecological issues, she is also a skilled laparoscopic and robotic surgeon. A Fellow of the Royal College and recipient of the Indian President’s Gold Medal, Dr. Bajekal is one of the UK’s first board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physicians. She has contributed to the UK’s first plant-based nutrition course at Winchester University and co-authored the chapter on women’s health for Plant Based Nutrition in Clinical Practice (2022). Dr. Bajekal has lectured globally and spoken at events such as Holistic Holiday at Sea. Passionate about educating women, she runs a voluntary service to promote healthier lifestyle choices among schoolgirls and women. Dr. Bajekal is the co-author of Living PCOS Free (2022) and Finding Me in Menopause (2024), offering practical, lifestyle-based approaches to managing PCOS and menopause. For more information, visit www.nitubajekal.com and follow her on Instagram and TikTok (@drnitubajekal). Resources Dr. Nitu Bajekal’s Socials Plant-Based Canada’s Socials
Check out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through essential plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2024 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses. uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 92: Field to Table: Jacquie Moore’s Journey in Plant-Based Cuisine | 10 Dec 2024 | 00:37:07 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Jacquie Moore, the visionary behind Café Alexandra in Aurora and Happy Body Meals. Jacquie Moore was the visionary behind Café Alexandra in Aurora, providing a dining experience centered on quick, healthy meals. Currently, she is expanding her culinary journey with Happy Body Meals, a specialized meal prep service dedicated to plant-based cuisine. Her lifelong passion for health and fitness is deeply intertwined with her heritage, coming from a family of farmers Jacquie shared that this cultivated in her a profound love for pure, field-to-table plant-based foods. Jacquie Moore’s Socials: Email: happybodymealpreps@gmail.com Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Instagram (@plantbasedcanadaorg) Facebook (Plant-Based Canada, https://m.facebook.com/plantbasedcanadaorg/) Website (https://www.plantbasedcanada.org/) X / Twitter @PBC_org Bonus Content from University of Guelph Do you want to take your plant-based knowledge to the next level? Stay tuned for a special promo code! The online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Open Learning and Educational Support at the University of Guelph has everything you need to know about implementing a sustainable plant-based diet. Each course is just four weeks long and will guide you through essential topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2024 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses! www.uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 91: 'What's for Dinner?' - Overcoming Decision Fatigue with Brigitte Gemme's Vegan Family Kitchen | 26 Nov 2024 | 00:49:46 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Brigitte Gemme to chat about her initiative Vegan Family Kitchen as well as plant-based practices and dementia. Brigitte is passionate about helping more people eat plants, empowering others to take charge of their health and live in alignment with their values. On her website VeganFamilyKitchen.com, she offers a meal planning service and teaches regular workshops about all aspects of healthy vegan cooking and nutrition. Brigitte previously worked in research management in the fields of education, sociology, and clean energy. She completed a Ph.D. in Educational Studies at the University of British Columbia and certificates in Plant-Based Nutrition from the universities of Winchester and Guelph. She lives in Vancouver (Canada) with her husband and two children. Resources: Book: Flow in the Kitchen: Practices for Healthy Stress-Free Vegan Cooking (link to Amazon.ca but can be ordered from any bookstore)
Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Bonus Promotion This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 90: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan with Matthew C. Halteman | 12 Nov 2024 | 01:29:05 | |
In this episode of the Plant-Based Canada, we have a wide-ranging conversation with Doctor Matthew C. Halteman. Dr. Halteman is a professor of philosophy at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics in the UK. He is the author of 'Compassionate Eating as Care of Creation', and co-editor of 'Philosophy Comes to Dinner: Arguments about the Ethics of Eating'. His latest book, 'Hungry Beautiful Animals: the Joyful Case for Going Vegan', is a heartfelt, humane, and humorous exploration of how going vegan can bring abundance into our lives. Dr. Halteman's website Bonus Promotion | |||
| Episode 107: The Four-Day Work Week with Juliet Schor | 07 Oct 2025 | 00:55:00 | |
Juliet Schor is an economist and Professor of Sociology at Boston College. Her research focuses on work, consumption, and climate change. She has been studying working time since the 1980s. Since 2021 she has been a lead researcher for Four Day Week Global’s work time reduction trials. She is particularly interested in barriers to work time reduction, the connections between working hours and carbon emissions, the well-being impacts of work time reduction, and how companies are implementing four-day weeks. Her book Four Days A Week, was published by HarperBusiness was published in June and is available now. Resources Juliet's TED Talk: The case for a 4-day work week Julet's new book: Four Days a Week: The Life-Changing Solution for Reducing Employee Stress, Improving Well-Being, and Working Smarter Juliet's Blue Sky Bonus Promotion Check out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through essential plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2026 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses. uoguel.ph/pbn. | |||
| Episode 89: Into the Clear Blue Sky with Dr. Robert Jackson | 29 Oct 2024 | 00:35:31 | |
In this episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast, we talk to Dr. Robert Jackson -- one of the world’s leading climate scientists. Dr. Jackson is Douglas Provostial Professor, Chair of the Earth System Science Department, and Senior Fellow in the Woods Institute for the Environment and Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford. He and his lab study how people affect the Earth, and look for ways to reduce our environmental footprint and improve health and well-being. Dr. Jackson is a Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Geophysical Union, and the Ecological Society of America. He currently chairs the Global Carbon Project, an international group of hundreds of scientists who track greenhouse gas emissions and communicate science to the public and policymakers. | |||
| Episode 88: Street Justice with Mike Parsram | 24 Sep 2024 | 00:42:04 | |
In this episode of the PBC Podcast, we talk with Mike Parsram. He’s a Toronto-based vegan, straight-edge vocalist who performs in several hardcore and metalcore bands. He has a bachelor of science in animal biology from York University. When he’s not on stage performing with Street Justice, Rust, Laying Still, Heartless, or Wish You Death, he’s in the gym powerlifting. Hardcore punk and punk subcultures have a rich history of supporting animal rights, animal liberation, and veganism. The connection can been traced back to the 1980s and the punk movement’s collective consciousness around issues of discrimination and racism, capitalism and economic disparity, and the commodification of animals as food. Mike talks about his love for music, the intersectionality between veganism in hardcore and other socials issues, and how he uses his platform as a frontman to give a voice to the voiceless. Street Justice Bonus Promotion | |||
| Episode 87: What does the science say about plant-based diets for dogs and cats and animal welfare, with Prof. Andrew Knight | 10 Sep 2024 | 00:46:05 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Prof. Andrew Knight to talk about the science behind plant-based diets for our animal companions. Andrew Knight is a veterinary Professor of Animal Welfare affiliated with the Murdoch University School of Veterinary Medicine and Griffith University, both in Australia, and with the University of Winchester in the UK. An experienced small animal veterinarian, he’s also a UK, European, American and New Zealand Veterinary Specialist in animal welfare. In 2024 he received a PhD focused on vegan food for animal companions (including investigation on aspects health, behavioural and environmental implications). He has around 150 academic and 80 popular publications, and an extensive series of social media videos and several websites on vegan companion animal diets, climate change and the livestock sector, invasive animal research, educational animal use, humane clinical and surgical skills training, and other animal welfare issues. His studies on vegan food for out animal companions are regularly reported in news outlets globally. He often works with animal advocacy charities and is frequently interviewed by the media. To add to this, he has received over 20 awards and research grants for this work. Resources: Prof. Andrew Knights’ Socials: Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Bonus Content Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. | |||
| Episode 86: The Healthy Voyager with Carolyn Scott-Hamilton | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:39:30 | |
Carolyn Scott-Hamilton is a plant-based chef, cook-book author, and television personality who specializes in how to stay healthy while travelling abroad. Carolyn has travelled the world for her show – the Healthy Voyager -- and offered her services as a health and nutrition expert, recipe developer, writer, speaker, consultant, and media spokesperson. | |||
| Episode 85: Scrumptious Recipes, Seasonal Eating, and Social Media with Laura Wright | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:57:33 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Laura Wright to chat about scrumptious recipes, seasonal eating, and social media. Laura Wright is a plant-based chef, gardener, and blogger from the Niagara region of Southern Ontario. Her website, The First Mess, was awarded Best Special Diets Blog by SAVEUR Magazine. She is the author and photographer of "The First Mess Cookbook: Vibrant Plant-Based Recipes for Living Well Through The Seasons," which is available internationally through Penguin and Avery publishers. Laura focuses on seasonal flavour combinations and produce-heavy recipes that appeal to all types of eaters. Links: Laura Wright’s Socials:
Do you want to take your plant-based knowledge to the next level? Stay tuned for a special promo code! The online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Open Learning and Educational Support at the University of Guelph has everything you need to know about implementing a sustainable plant-based diet. Each course is just four weeks long and will guide you through essential topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2024 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses! uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 83: The Cost of Climate Change with Dr. Neha Pathak | 30 Jul 2024 | 00:58:01 | |
In this episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast, we talk to Dr. Neha Pathak. Dr. Pathak is board certified in both internal medicine and lifestyle medicine and works as Chief Physician Editor for Health and Lifestyle Medicine and host of WebMD’s Health Discovered podcast. She reports on topics related to lifestyle, climate change, and environmental impacts on health for WebMD and Medscape, and is a regular contributor to Yale Climate Connections. Health Discovered Podcast
| |||
| Episode 84: "Animal vs Plant-Based Meat: A Hearty Debate" with Dr. Matthew Nagra | 19 Jul 2024 | 00:29:15 | |
Dr. Matthew Nagra joins the Plant-Based Podcast again to break down a new review he and his colleagues recently published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology on plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) and their impact on heart health. | |||
| Episode 82: How To Go Plant Based for Beginners with Dr. Thomas Hedley | 18 Jul 2024 | 00:59:47 | |
In this episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast, we talk to Dr. Thomas Hedley – a certified lifestyle medicine doctor who also practices as a GP oncologist at BC Cancer in Vancouver, Canada. His interest in lifestyle medicine started while working in a research lab that showed eating ground flaxseed, which comes from the flax plant, could lower blood pressure as much as medication. Since then, he shifted toward a plant-based eating pattern and personally experienced increased vitality as a result.
Bonus Promotion | |||
| Episode 81: "Climate Change and Other Animals" with Dr. Richard Twine | 02 Jul 2024 | 00:51:05 | |
Today’s episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast is Dr. Richard Twine. Dr. Twine is a Reader in Sociology and Co-Director of the Centre for Human-Animal Studies (CfHAS) at Edge Hill University, UK. His latest book is The Climate Crisis and Other Animals (Sydney University Press, 2024). He is also co-editor of The Rise of Critical Animal Studies – From the Margins to the Centre (Routledge, 2014), and author of Animals as Biotechnology – Ethics, Sustainability and Critical Animal Studies (Routledge, 2010). He has also published several articles on ecofeminism, vegan transition, the food system, and the animal-industrial complex.
Bonus Promotion | |||
| Episode 80: What do Food Trucks, Yoga, & Pathology have in Common? Dr. Prashant Jani | 18 Jun 2024 | 00:45:19 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Prashant Jani to chat about his experiences in surgical pathology to community initiatives, including a food truck. Dr. Prashant Jani is a Pathologist and Associate Professor at Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He completed his MBBS (1994) and MD (1997) from Pune University, India. He then came to Canada and completed a residency in Anatomic Pathology, and FRCPC, from the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada (2001-2005). Dr. Jani is the inaugural Clinical Sciences Division Faculty Wellness Lead at Northern Ontario Cancer Research Centre, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He has been practicing as a Pathologist and an Associate Professor of Pathology for the past 15 years and has been dedicated to promoting wellness for over 25 years. More specifically, he is a dedicated yoga instructor who has provided mental, physical and spiritual well-being in Thunder Bay for nearly two decades. Dr. Jani is the founder of the Superior Yoga Festival, Festival of India, Festival of Colours and Superior Veg Fest in Thunder Bay. He has launched a volunteer-run, low-cost vegetarian meal delivery service out of the Vedic Cultural Centre, and expanded this to include a food truck. Lastly, Dr. Jani has established NovaCare Health and Wellness Centre in Thunder Bay to rehabilitate patients with chronic diseases. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Resources: Dr. Prashant Jani’s Socials: Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Bonus Promotion Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 106: Fueling Success: Jason Fonger on Triathlon Triumphs and Inspiring the Next Generation | 23 Sep 2025 | 01:08:17 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Jason Fonger to chat about his experiences from being a plant based athlete, living in Thailand and his environmental observations, to professional speaking for schools. Jason Fonger is a triathlon champion and professional speaker from Ontario, Canada. A vegan for more than 15 years, he combines evidence-based nutrition with elite endurance training to prove that plants fuel peak performance. He works primarily with secondary schools, delivering interactive workshops designed to empower students and professionals with the transformative benefits of plant-based eating. He is also in the process of collaborating with school boards to pilot plant-based cafeteria programs that bridge the gap between current school food offerings and Canada’s Food Guide, helping shape an aligned and inclusive National School Food Program. Resources: Book: The Plant Based Athlete by Matt Frazier & Robert Cheeke Stories of world-class plant-powered athletes: https://www.greatveganathletes.com Jason Fonger’s Socials: Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Instagram (@plantbasedcanadaorg) Facebook (Plant-Based Canada, https://m.facebook.com/plantbasedcanadaorg/) Website (https://www.plantbasedcanada.org/) X / Twitter @PBC_org Bonus Promotion Check out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through essential plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2025 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses. uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 79: Eleanor Boyle on Rethinking Factory Farming to Stop Avian Flu | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:44:43 | |
In this episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast, we sit down with Eleanor Boyle. She’s a Vancouver-based writer who focuses on food policy and sustainable diets. A long-time journalist and former college instructor, she has written many articles on ways to improve our food systems. She has two book – “High Steaks: Why and How to Eat Less Meat”, and “Mobilize Food: Wartime Inspiration for Environmental Victory Today”.
| |||
| Episode 78: Martial Arts and Medicine with Dr. Cass Warbeck | 21 May 2024 | 00:57:17 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Cass Warbeck to chat about her experiences in the martial arts and medicine. Dr. Cass Warbeck is an avid martial arts athlete, having attained a black belt in Goju Ryu karate and black level in Kurama Yama kickboxing. After reading The China Study by T. Colin Campbell in 2013, she went plant-based and never looked back. A plant-based diet fueled her amateur Muay Thai fighting career and in March 2019 won the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) North American Bantamweight Muay Thai Title. Since then, she has also competed in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Cass has always loved inspiring and educating others to achieve better personal health through physical movement and nutrition. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Health and Fitness Physiology at the University of Calgary and worked as a personal trainer before completing medical school at the University of Alberta. She is currently a first year family medicine resident in Edmonton, Alberta with plans to pursue a fellowship in Sports and Exercise Medicine. Cass looks forward to utilizing the power of lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition in her future medical practice. Cass has been featured in the book, Legends of Change, and the magazine Canadian Vegan. She is also a long term volunteer for the organization Nutritionfacts.org and is the host of The Plant Fueled Podcast. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Resources Dr. Cass Warbeck’s Socials Plant-Based Canada Conference (May 25th, 2024) link here. Bonus | |||
| Episode 77: How Dr. Michael Klaper Moves Medicine Forward | 07 May 2024 | 01:04:14 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Michael Klaper to chat about his experiences in plant-based practices and Moving Medicine Forward. Dr. Michael Klaper is an internationally-recognized clinician and teacher, and sought-after speaker on diet and health. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, United States and served a medical internship at Vancouver General Hospital in British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Klaper received post-graduate training in surgery, anesthesiology and orthopedics at the University of British Columbia Hospitals in Vancouver, and obstetrics at the University of California Hospital, San Francisco. After a fifty-year career as a primary care physician, Dr. Klaper’s full-time focus is the non-profit, Moving Medicine Forward, which provides education for medical students and physicians on the use of diet and lifestyle practices to prevent and, often, reverse chronic disease. In powerful, often “career-changing” lectures and discussion groups, Dr. Klaper presents effective, diet-based strategies to help resolve hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes and many inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. A member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Klaper currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Plantrician Project and for the "International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention." Dr. Klaper teaches that “health comes from healthy living” and he is dedicated to the healing and flourishing of all living beings on our planet.
Episode Resources Dr. Klaper’s Socials
| |||
| Episode 76: Dr. Christine Gibson and the Modern Trauma Toolkit | 23 Apr 2024 | 00:55:08 | |
In this episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast, we chat with Dr. Christine Gibson. She is a Family Medicine physician with academic expertise in medical education and holistic care, with twenty years of clinical experience. Through extensive additional specialty training, she has become a local and national leader in education and practice related to health inequity and trauma healing. Dr. Gibson's Resources | |||
| Episode 75: The Mediterranean Diet with Jordi Salas-Salvadó, MD, PhD | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:51:50 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Prof Jordi Salas-Salvadó to chat about the Mediterranean diet. Prof Jordi Salas-Salvadó is a medical doctor and a Distinguished Professor of Nutrition and research at Rovira i Virgili University, in Spain. He is the Director of the Food, Nutrition and Mental Health Research Group recognized by the Government of Catalonia; Principal Investigator of the CIBER Network Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn) of the Carlos III Health Institute; Director of the Catalan Nutrition Centre of the Institute of Catalan Studies; Chairman of the Professorship Tree Nut World Forum for Nutrition Research and Dissemination; member of the Group of Experts of the Public Health Agency of Catalonia. Prof Salas-Salvadó is an expert in clinical trials evaluating the effect of diets and dietary compounds on cardiometabolic health. He was a lead researcher of the PREDIMED study, a landmark trial evaluating the effect of the Mediterranean Diet on the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. He is currently the Director and Chair of the Steering Committee of the PREDIMED-Plus trial. He has published >900 scientific articles (h-index 101; >30,000 citations; Clarivate Analytics “Highly Cited Researcher”) and has received multiple awards and recognitions. In addition to all the above, he has been a mentor to many researchers & health professionals, including the host of the podcast episode, and we are grateful to have him join the podcast and share his expertise as an honorary Canadian. Episode Resources: Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó’s Socials: Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Bonus: Check out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through essential plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2024 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses! uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! | |||
| Episode 74: Dr. Margaret Robinson on Navigating Indigenous Traditions and Veganism | 27 Feb 2024 | 01:14:44 | |
Dr. Margaret Robinson (she/her) is a Mi’kmaw scholar and a member of Lennox Island First Nation. She works as an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University in Mi’kma’ki, where she holds the Tier II Canada Research Chair in Reconciliation, Gender, and Identity. Dr. Robinson is two-spirit, bisexual, and queer, and her research examines how culture and identity support wellbeing. In our conversation, we discuss on Dr. Robinson’s research into feminism and bisexuality, the work she did in developing a measure for microaggresions and microaffirmations experienced by bisexual women, racism experienced by Indigenous communities in the Canadian Health-Care system, navigating veganism as an Indigenous person, and ways to decolonize our food systems.
Do you want to take your plant-based knowledge to the next level? The online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Open Learning and Educational Support at the University of Guelph has everything you need to know about implementing a sustainable plant-based diet. Each course is just four weeks long and will guide you through essential topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. You can also customize your learning with unique courses such as Plant-Based Diets for Athletes and Implementing a Plant-Based Diet at Home. As the first university-level plant-based certificate in Canada, you’ll explore current research, learn from leading industry experts, and join a community of like-minded people. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2024 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses! uoguel.ph/pbn. | |||
| Episode 73: Dr. Amardeep Mangat on Replacing Sick Care with Health Care | 16 Jan 2024 | 01:16:04 | |
Dr. Amardeep Singh Mangat was born in Tanzania and moved to California when he was 2-years-old. His parents are originally from Punjab India, but he grew up in San Francisco. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency with honours of ‘Resident of the Year’ and was selected Chief Resident at the UCSF-affiliated Alameda County Medical Center. He moved to Toronto in 2012 and has been working in the division of General Internal Medicine at North York General Hospital, which is the leading community academic hospital in all of Canada. Dr. Mangat serves as the GIM lead for the rapid referral Internal Medicine clinic and is also a lecturer at University of Toronto. In addition to all of that, Dr. Mangat is now the medical director of the Aroga Lifestyle medicine clinic in the GTA. Aroga is a trail-blazing clinic with an multi-disciplinary team that believes that most, if not all, cardiac and metabolic illnesses can be prevented and treated with intensive lifestyle modifications. Their team uses evidenced-based therapies to empower patients to experience true healing and wellness. | |||
| Episode 72: Navigating the intersection of health, nutrition, and climate with Dr. Teela Johnson | 02 Jan 2024 | 00:45:09 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by a Toronto-based hospitalist and emergency physician, Dr. Teela Johnson. Dr. Teela Johnson MSc, MD, CCFP-EM is a hospitalist and emergency room physician with a keen interest in the intersection of health, nutrition, and the climate-- and how they relate to equity issues. Through her work as a member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment Agri-Food Working Group and as a Board Director of the climate policy think tank Canadians for Responsible Food Policy, she brings to bear the extensive scientific evidence on how a transition to a plant-based food system can prevent and treat chronic disease, and simultaneously curtail the most detrimental greenhouse gas emissions that are propelling the climate crisis, while also giving voice and restoration to groups systematically oppressed across these intersecting realms. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Resources: Canadians for Responsible Food Policy: https://responsiblefoodpolicy.ca/ Lancet Countdown: https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lancet-Countdown-Policy-Brief-Canada_ENG.pdf Consultation on the future of competition policy in Canada: https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CompetitionActConsultation_CQDE_CAPE_EQT_ISED.pdf Recommendations from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment for Amendments to Bill C-12, the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act: https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/CAPE-C-12-briefing-note-EN-final.pdf Paris Agreement on Climate Change: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement
Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 71: See the Future of Sustainable Medical Imaging with Dr. Kate Hanneman | 19 Dec 2023 | 00:37:27 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Kate Hanneman to chat about climate change and environmental sustainability in health care practices, particularly medical imaging/radiology, as well as improving health outcomes for patients using cardiac imaging. Kate Hanneman MD MPH, is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and a Clinician Scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute. She is the author of over 100 peer-reviewed papers and leads an active research program focused on sustainability and improving health outcomes for patients using cardiac imaging. She is Co-Chair of the Canadian Association of Radiologists Sustainability Working Group and Deputy Lead for Sustainability and University Medical Imaging Toronto at the University of Toronto. She has followed a plant-based diet for over a decade. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Resources: Dr. Kate Hanneman's Socials: Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 70: Previving Breast Cancer with Dr. Simran Malhotra | 05 Dec 2023 | 00:57:25 | |
Dr. Simran Malhotra is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, hospice and palliative care, and lifestyle medicine. She practices part time as an inpatient palliative care physician at Medstar Health. She completed her internal medicine residency at Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center where she also served as chief resident in 2015. She completed her fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2016. | |||
| Episode 105: The Real ‘Nutty’ Professor: Dr. Joan Sabaté on the Science of Nuts, Plant Power, and Sustainable Eating | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:56:56 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Joan Sabaté, a renowned physician and nutrition researcher, best known for his work on environmental and sustainable nutrition, and the health benefits of nuts and plant-based diets. Dr. Joan Sabaté MD, PhD is a Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology. He directs the Environmental Nutrition research program at Loma Linda University School of Public Health and he is also a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine. He was the principal investigator of a nutrition intervention trial that directly linked the consumption of walnuts to significant reductions in serum cholesterol, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1993. He is a co-investigator of the Adventist Health Studies, the largest cohort of individuals following a vegetarian diet relating dietary intake with health outcomes. For the past 25 years, he has been the principal investigator of many human nutrition intervention trials investigating the health effects of nuts, avocados, and other plant foods. Dr. Sabaté has authored more than 200 high-impact research articles (with an h-index of 82 and >40,000 citations). Additionally, he was a member of the US 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Resources: Adventist Health Study 2 Studies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23836264/; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30487555/ Whole-food, plant-based lifestyle intervention trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39305340/ Review of Plant-Based Milks: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36083996/ 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials Nuts & Health: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8357360/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8269904/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15559025/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10479222/ Dr. Joan Sabaté’s Socials: International Congress of Vegetarian Nutrition Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Bonus Promotion Check out University of Guelph's online Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate. Each 4-week course will guide you through plant-based topics including nutritional benefits, disease prevention, and environmental impacts. Use our exclusive discount code PBC2025 to save 10% on all Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate courses. uoguel.ph/pbn. Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. | |||
| Episode 69: Nurturing Neurodivergence (Autism & ADHD) in Kids with Natalie Pelto | 21 Nov 2023 | 00:51:27 | |
Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by Natalie Pelto to chat about parenting kids with autism and ADHD. Natalie has many years of experience in the healthcare field, with lifestyle-based practices being a more recent endeavour. She was previously a Medical Radiation Technologist in diagnostic imaging specialising in CT, Trauma and bone mineral density for over 20 years, but following a personnel experience, which she shares with us later in the episode, has changed her career perspective and purpose. As part of this transition, she has become a self-declared life-long learner, completing multiple certifications in lifestyle medicine and nutrition including advanced child brain development with nutrition, and more. Natalie´s main area of interest focuses on working with children with severe autism and Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their families. From her personal experiences and learnings, she works to support all members of families with children with autism and ADHD. Her mission and vision are to see our future generations change and shape the world from a space of health and well-being. In this episode we discuss:
Episode Resources: Scientific Articles: App: Books: Natalie Pelto´s Socials Plant-Based Canada’s Socials: Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD. | |||
| Episode 68: Rising to the Occasion: Baking Bread with Ed and Natasha Tatton | 07 Nov 2023 | 01:08:40 | |
Ed and Natasha Tatton are the co-founders of BReD, a B Corp certified vegan sourdough bakery located in the premier ski and mountain bike resort of Whistler, BC, Canada. The bakery specializes in sourdough and vegan baked goods. Plus, Ed and Natasha’s new book, “BReD: Sourdough Loaves, Small Breads, and Other Plant-Based Baking” is available for purchase TODAY. The BReD cookbook is an homage to the Tattons' bakery and mission to inform and provide their community with cruelty-free food. Resources | |||
| Episode 67: Plant-Forward Weight Loss with Lucy Luong, RD | 28 Oct 2023 | 00:59:15 | |
In this episode of the Plant-Based Podcast, we chat with Lucy Luong -- a Californian turned Canadian registered dietitian and weight loss coach. She is passionate about people and wants to help everyone she can break free from ill-health, excess weight, and food addiction. | |||
| Episode 66: Animal-free medicine with Dr. Sachin Shah | 10 Oct 2023 | 00:52:15 | |
In this episode of the Plant-Based Canada Podcast, we talk to Dr. Sachin Shah -- CEO of VeganMed and a Professor of Pharmacy at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Dr. Shah founded VeganMed in 2018. He was inspired by the challenges faced by patients when finding animal-free medications. The company is dedicated to assisting consumers and healthcare providers in identifying medications, supplements, and other health products that are free from animal-derived ingredients. At Pacific, he is Director of the Fellowship in Industry Program (FIP), and the Innovative Clinical and Outcomes Research (iCOR) group. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications, his research has garnered over one billion media impressions – including with CNN, NPR, and BBC News — and featured in multiple video documentaries globally. Podcast Resources | |||