Eat For The Planet with Nil Zacharias

Is plant-based food dying—or detoxing? In this episode, Kerry Song, founder and CEO of Abbot’s, returns to Eat For The Planet to unpack what she sees as the third wave of plant-based eating. We explore why consumers are walking away from ultra-processed mimicry, how trust is rebuilt through clean labels and transparency, and why the real opportunity lies in the space between imitation and compromise. Kerry shares what she’s learned from building a wellness-driven brand in a hype-driven category—and why satisfaction, simplicity, and real food are the future. This is a conversation about food, culture, trust—and the rise of the middle path. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ethan Brown returns to Eat For The Planet eight years after his first appearance for a raw and timely conversation about what it means to lead Beyond Meat through public scrutiny, shifting consumer narratives, and a changing food landscape. We talk about the limits of frictionless adoption, the company’s strategic reset, and why storytelling is now central to Beyond’s mission. Ethan shares what he’s learned from adversity, how he draws strength from history, and why he still believes plant-based meat can transform the plate—and the planet. Subscribe to The Main Dish, where I make sense of what we eat, why it matters, and how the systems behind our food are changing—or not. Learn more about the Eat For The Planet Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dan Altschuler Malek returns to Eat For The Planet for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about the state of food innovation. We dig into the lessons learned from the early rise—and recalibration—of alternative proteins, and why building a resilient food system requires patience, scrappiness, and a willingness to rethink success. Dan reflects on why food systems rarely "disrupt" the way tech industries do, how investors and entrepreneurs must evolve their strategies, and why he remains optimistic about the future of food. From manufacturing challenges to consumer culture shifts to the hidden power of blended products, this is a conversation about playing the long game—and why that's the only game worth playing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With declining sales, cultural backlash, and growing skepticism around alt-proteins, many are asking: Is the plant-based movement already past its peak? In this episode, Sarah Lake, CEO of Tilt Collective, makes the case that this moment is less a dead end and more a turning point. She shares the real forces shaping what we eat—from corporate power and public policy to culture and consumer psychology. They unpack why meat reduction remains such a political and emotional minefield, and why changing food environments—not just minds—may be the key to shifting diets at scale. Sarah shares Tilt’s approach to funding high-impact solutions globally and explains why success will look different in New York, Brazil, or Thailand. If you’re tired of shallow optimism or hand-wringing despair, this conversation offers a third way: honest, grounded hope. Sarah Lake's TED Talk: The Hidden Forces Behind Your Food Choices Music: Endless Inspiration (Vibe Street Mix) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Eat for the Planet podcast, Nil Zacharias speaks with Alicia Kennedy, author of No Meat Required, about challenging meat’s dominance in the food system and exploring the cultural, culinary, and systemic shifts needed to create meaningful change. They discuss how plant-based eating, rooted in countercultural movements, can serve as a force for transformation while navigating the challenges of identity, desirability, and accessibility. Alicia critiques the focus on hyper-realistic meat substitutes and advocates for a return to celebrating vegetables, grains, and whole foods as a path to reimagining food systems. She emphasizes the importance of community-driven food and the need for systemic solutions that address labor, access, and sustainability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Eat for the Planet, Sami Nabulsi, founder of Pythag Tech, explores the intersection of innovation, politics, and progress in the cultivated meat industry. Drawing from his transition from finance to food tech, Sami shares his vision for the future of cultivated meat, including its potential to reshape global food systems and address critical challenges like sustainability, scalability, and national security. The discussion delves into overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles, combating misinformation and political resistance, and fostering collaboration with traditional meat industry players to unlock new opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Palak Patel is an award-winning chef, best-selling author, and a dynamic force in the movement for sustainable food systems. In this episode, Palak reflects on her personal and professional evolution, highlighting food’s role as an emotional and cultural connector. Drawing from her cookbook Food is Love, she discusses how emotion drives her cooking and offers insights into the challenges of transitioning from traditional meat-based diets to plant-based alternatives while preserving cultural identity. Palak also delves into pressing food system issues like waste reduction and the role of chefs in driving innovation and sustainability. She emphasizes the importance of bridging culinary expertise with systems thinking to create meaningful impact. The conversation touches on meat’s deep cultural ties, the need for emotional storytelling in food, and her hopes for the future of food systems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Overthrow Hospitality is an award-winning plant-based food and beverage hospitality group with ten unique venues offering elevated dining and drinking experiences to the socially conscious consumer. In this episode, Ravi Derossi, Founder and CEO of Overthrow Hospitality discusses the company's evolution into a fully plant-based hospitality group with an innovative approach to dining. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of creating exceptional dining experiences that resonate with both plant-based and meat-eating audiences, while sharing insights on the broader food landscape and their ambitious plans for expansion. Overthrow Hospitality is currently fundraising on StartEngine. Find out how you can become an investor. Related Episodes: #21 - Art Meets Purpose: Designing Conscious Food Experiences With Ravi DeRossi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Steve Molino, Partner & Head of Investments at Clear Current Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on catalyzing sustainable change in the food system. The conversation focuses on the state of the alternative protein industry and its potential to transform the global food system. Steve shares his journey into impact investing, insights into the challenges facing plant-based and cultivated meats, and his perspective on the future of sustainable food innovation. The discussion explores consumer demand, global market dynamics, and the importance of refining investment strategies to drive real impact. Music: Endless Inspiration (Vibe Street Mix) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Liron Nimrodi, the Co-Founder and CEO of Zero Egg. Animal friendly, sustainable, and a healthier alternative, Zero Egg is the plant-based egg for everyone. Zero Egg’s products are 100% plant-based, gluten-free, non-GMO, low in calories and fat, have zero cholesterol and are cleaner in terms of ingredient list (compared to other existing plant-based egg products) making them suitable for a range of dietary needs. Founded in 2018, the company believes the plant-based egg should be an everyday choice and is on a mission to make plant-based food accessible to everyone. With a feather-light footprint, Zero Egg offers the taste and texture of an ordinary egg, has better-for-you attributes, and is easy on the planet. It is made of plant proteins including soy, potatoes, peas, and chickpeas. Manufacturing Zero Egg uses radically less land, water, and energy, and produces significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than eggs from hens. Zero Egg is determined to meet the growing demand for egg alternatives that taste, cook, and function like traditional eggs, specifically in foodservice and food manufacturing. In addition to the United States, Zero Egg is also distributed in Israel and Europe. The company received early accolades at launch, including Calcalist’s 2019 Food Innovation competition in Israel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode discusses the plant-based food industry's evolution and future prospects, following the Gartner Hype Cycle. Despite a disillusionment phase, consumer demand remains strong, with plant-based food sales growing in 2022. To ensure continued growth, we need to focus on three pillars: Innovation (addressing nutritional concerns and offering global flavors), Accessibility (emphasizing foodservice and prepared frozen meals), and Sustainability (commitment to sustainable sourcing and regenerative agriculture practices). Alongside these pillars, changing public perceptions and raising awareness of the health and environmental benefits of plant-based food is crucial for the industry's ongoing growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samuel Dennigan is Founder and CEO of Strong Roots, a leading plant-based brand committed to planet-friendly food. Launched in 2015, Strong Roots are on a mission to provide tasty and environmentally responsible food for busy lives. Since its beginnings Strong Roots has become a firm favorite of consumers globally listing its Cauliflower Hash Browns, Sweet Potato Fries, Kale-and-Quinoa Burgers and other innovative products in over 10,000 stores worldwide including major retailers in the U.S., UK, and Ireland. Shop Strong Roots' New Frozen Meal Entrées here: shop.strongroots.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices