PLANTSTRONG Podcast

In this special episode, Rip shares a preview of Vital Signs: Real Food. Real Medicine. Real Change., Plant Strong’s upcoming CME-focused conference for healthcare providers who want to bring the power of whole-food, plant-based nutrition into real-world clinical care.This is not just another conference. Vital Signs is about helping doctors, nurses, dietitians, health coaches, and medical professionals build confidence in the evidence so they can walk into the exam room and talk about food with clarity, conviction, and hope.And here’s why that matters: most providers see roughly 1,000 patients a year. Each of those patients eats three meals a day. That means every provider we reach with this message has the potential to influence nearly one million meals.One million meals.That is the power of changing the confidence of one healthcare provider. That is the power of putting real food, real evidence, and real tools into the hands of the people patients already trust.In this preview, Rip begins with the gap in medical education: providers receive thousands of hours of training in diagnosing, prescribing, and managing disease, yet most are taught very little about food as a clinical tool. And yet so much of what walks through the door every day — heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, fatigue, and loss of vitality — is deeply connected to diet and lifestyle.This conversation asks a better clinical question:What would change if food was treated as part of the prescription?You’ll hear from physicians who are using lifestyle medicine in real clinical settings, beginning with cardiologist Dr. Brian Asbill, who shares a powerful patient case that changed the way he practiced medicine. His story shows that food as medicine is not simply about “eating better.” It can be a therapeutic intervention that moves risk factors, restores hope, and helps patients understand that their bodies can respond.From there, Dr. Laurie Marbas, a board-certified family and lifestyle medicine physician, brings the conversation into the realities of primary care. She shares how providers can begin a food-as-medicine conversation inside a 15-minute visit, how to avoid overwhelming patients, and how one practical, specific recommendation can plant a seed for meaningful change.Next, Dr. Sunny Sharma shares what changed when he went from physician to patient after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. His experience deepened his empathy, strengthened his belief in prevention, and reminded him that patients are not just lab values. They are people carrying fear, stress, family responsibilities, habits, barriers, and hope.The conversation then turns to the provider side of the exam room with Dr. Kristin Kelber, a physician in Cleveland who now practices lifestyle medicine full time. Dr. Kelber speaks to provider burnout, moral distress, and the joy that can return to medicine when clinicians are equipped to help patients truly reclaim their health.Finally, Rip closes the faculty portion with a special message from his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., whose decades of work have helped reshape what is possible in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Esselstyn speaks directly to providers about nutrition, cardiovascular disease, patient empowerment, and the importance of helping patients become the locus of control in their own health.What you’ll hear in this episode is a compressed version of what Plant Strong is building atVital Signs 2026, taking place October 18–20 at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.At the full event, providers will go deeper into cardiovascular disease, metabolic health, behavior change, patient resistance, provider burnout, implementation, whole plant-centered meals, peer exchange, and the practical tools needed to bring lifestyle medicine into real patient care.This episode is also a call to action for the Plant Strong community.So many listeners ask, “Where can I find a provider who supports my decision to use a plant-based lifestyle in pursuit of better health?”One powerful answer is this: help us reach the providers who already care for you.Share this episode with your doctor, cardiologist, nurse practitioner, dietitian, health coach, or healthcare team. Invite them into this conversation. Encourage them to attend Vital Signs.Because if we want to move the needle in healthcare, we have to help the people inside healthcare feel empowered to prescribe one of the most powerful medicines on the planet: plants.Learn more about Vital Signs:https://plantstrongevents.com/VitalSignsWatch the Conference Preview on YouTube:https://youtu.be/U42ySRuG4gw

What if your health wasn’t just shaped by what you eat—but by what’s hidden in your medications?In this episode, Rip sits down with pharmacist-scientist Dr. Sachin Shah, a leading voice in medication transparency and patient safety. Together, they explore why food truly belongs at the center of health, how modern medicine sometimes misses the human in healthcare, and why knowing what’s inside your pills can be just as important as knowing what’s on your plate.Dr. Shah also breaks down alpha-gal syndrome—a tick-bite–triggered condition that can make people allergic to red meat and certain medications—while also sharing hopeful, forward-looking ideas around heart health, non-invasive therapies, and the power of informed choices.This is a conversation about clarity, care, and taking your health back into your own hands—with compassion, curiosity, and a whole lot of heart.Episode WebpageWatch the Episode on YouTube

In this deeply grounded conversation, Rip sits down with Jan Liband — a former college athlete, longtime plant-based advocate, and expert in food and environmental sustainability. What began for Jan as a single pamphlet exposing the environmental toll of animal agriculture became a lifelong commitment to plant-based living nearly 40 years ago.Jan shares his journey from a meat-centered, “healthy by 1980s standards” diet to discovering how plant-based eating dramatically improved his energy, recovery, and athletic performance. Along the way, Rip and Jan tackle some of the biggest barriers to change — especially for men — including cultural conditioning, fear of change, and the never-ending obsession with protein.The conversation goes beyond personal health and zooms out to the bigger picture: how our global food system drives roughly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, accelerates deforestation, drains freshwater resources, and threatens biodiversity. Jan explains why dietary change is one of the fastest, most impactful climate actions individuals can take — far faster than waiting on energy or infrastructure shifts.From practical food swaps and transition strategies, to a powerful discussion of the Eat-Lancet report and planetary boundaries, this episode is both a reality check and a hopeful roadmap. The message is clear: small, consistent changes on our plates can ripple outward — improving our health, strengthening our communities, and protecting the planet for generations to come.Key TakeawaysOne piece of information — a pamphlet on animal agriculture — can spark lifelong change.Plant-based eating can improve digestion, recovery, energy, and athletic performance within weeks.Men often struggle with plant-based eating due to early-formed habits, social pressure, and protein myths.Americans are not protein-deficient — they are protein-toxic — while severely lacking fiber.Gradual change increases long-term success; the best diet is the one you’ll stick with.Animal agriculture drives the majority of food-related greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water waste.The Eat-Lancet report supports plant-rich diets as essential for both human and planetary health.Food choices are the single most powerful daily action individuals can take to protect the environment.Watch the Episode on YouTubeEpisode Webpage

Firefighters are trained to run toward danger — but too often, their own health is what’s at risk. In this episode of the Plant Strong Podcast, Rip sits down with fellow firefighter Andy Schaefer of Avon, Ohio, whose journey into plant-based eating began with a life-altering decision: donating one of his kidneys to his brother-in-law.Determined to be as healthy and resilient as possible, Andy adopted a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle more than five years ago — and the results were undeniable. Faster recovery, dramatically improved biomarkers, more stamina on the fireground, and a renewed sense of purpose. Today, Andy is leading from the firehouse kitchen, fueling his crew with plant-strong meals that leave them feeling energized, focused, and ready to perform when the alarm sounds.From zucchini fritters that changed an entire shift’s perspective on food, to the deeper reality that nearly 85% of fire calls are lifestyle-related medical emergencies, this conversation is about service, brotherhood, and reclaiming health — one plate at a time.Key TakeawaysPeak performance starts with the fork. Andy’s plant-based diet helped him recover quickly from kidney donation surgery and outperform expectations on physically demanding fireground drills.Leadership doesn’t require a badge or rank. By cooking plant-based meals at the firehouse, Andy inspired his crew to eat more plants, feel less fatigued, and perform better on shift.Firefighters are tactical athletes. Like professional athletes, first responders must be ready at any moment — and nutrition plays a critical role in stamina, breathing control, and long-term health.Sadly, nearly 85% of fire calls are lifestyle-related medical emergencies and not fires, at all.Episode WebpageWatch the Episode on YouTube

What does it mean to live intentionally?In this inspiring conversation, Rip sits down with endurance athlete and author Joe Gagnon, who shares how he shifted from chasing external success to living with deeper purpose and awareness. Joe explores the mindset and habits that fuel his growth — from building strong health pillars and saying “yes” to new challenges, to embracing discomfort as a teacher.Through endurance racing, reflection, and a plant strong lifestyle, Joe has learned that intentionality, courage, and consistency aren’t just traits of high performers — they’re the foundation for a fulfilled life.If you’ve ever wondered how to align your life with what matters most—or how to find meaning in the face of any challenge and discomfort—this episode will help you reflect, reset, and take the next step toward a more intentional life.Key TakeawaysLiving intentionally starts with understanding your purpose.Failure is not the end—it’s an opportunity for growth.Grit, grace, and groundedness are vital for personal fulfillment.Reflection on how you spend your time helps align your life with your values.You are responsible for your own happiness and legacy.Watch the Episode on YouTubeEpisode WebpageLearn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/ Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyLearn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/ COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrong.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify