149: The Power of Plant-Based Community Support with Lianna Levine Reisner

Welcome to NHA Today, the official podcast of the National Health Association! 🌱 In this inspiring episode, hosts Justin and Stephanie Williams sit down with Lianna Levine Reisner, co-founder and president of Plant Powered Metro New York (PPMNY). Lianna shares her personal health transformation, how she brought plant-based education to diverse communities, and why building supportive local networks is the key to long-term lifestyle change. Together, they explore: Lianna's journey from personal experimentation to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle How PPMNY empowers multicultural communities across the NYC metro area The role of mentorship, jumpstarts, and community events in helping people thrive Strategies for parents raising plant-based kids in traditional school environments How local groups can partner with restaurants and expand healthy food access Whether you're new to plant-based living or a seasoned advocate, this conversation offers heartfelt wisdom, practical ideas, and a powerful reminder of the impact community can make. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Meet Lianna Levine Reisner 03:00 Lianna's plant-based health journey 07:00 Raising plant-based children 11:00 Food environment challenges for families 15:00 Finding and building community 17:20 How Plant Powered Metro NY began 25:00 The four pillars: awareness, education, empowerment & community 28:00 Jumpstarts, mentorship & national collaboration 34:00 Multicultural outreach & bridging communities 40:00 Connecting with underserved populations 44:00 Working with restaurants for healthier options 45:40 Quick meal ideas from Lianna 49:20 Where to find PPMNY LINKS 🔗 Learn more about the National Health Association: https://www.healthscience.org/ 🌱 Explore Plant Powered Metro New York: https://www.plantpoweredmetrony.org/ 🎧 Listen to all NHA Today podcast episodes: https://www.healthscience.org/podcast/ 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @nationalhealthassociation

After years of living in constant pain and relying on prescription medications, Tim Kaufman found a way to take back his life through the healing power of a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. In this episode of NHA Today, hosts Justin and Stephanie Williams sit down with Tim to discuss his incredible transformation—from being over 400 pounds and battling addiction, to completing marathons, triathlons, and inspiring thousands through his platform Fat Man Rants. 🌱 In this episode you'll learn the following: How Tim overcame chronic pain and addiction through a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. The mindset shift that turned short-term motivation into lifelong purpose  How gratitude and consistency became his daily tools for success Why community and accountability are key to sustainable change 💬 "I didn't just want to lose weight—I wanted my life back." 🔗 Learn more about the National Health Association, explore membership, and subscribe to Health Science magazine: https://healthscience.org 🎙️ Special thanks to guest hosts Justin & Stephanie Williams 🌐 Follow Tim Kaufman: Instagram — @fatmanrants YouTube — Fat Man Rants Facebook — Fat Man Rants Website — fatmanrants.com

After years of struggling with health issues and endless prescriptions, Michelle Cen discovered the healing power of food. In this episode of NHA Today, she shares her powerful transformation—from daily pain and fatigue to vibrant health—through a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. 🌱 In this episode: How Michelle's health struggles inspired a deep dive into nutrition and lifestyle medicine The turning point that led her to the National Health Association What changed when she transitioned to a 100% whole-food, plant-based diet The emotional, mental, and physical benefits she experienced along the way How she's now helping others take control of their health naturally 💬 "You can't just treat the symptoms—you have to address the root cause. Once I changed what I ate, everything began to heal." — Michelle Cen 🔗 Learn more about the National Health Association, explore membership, and subscribe to Health Science magazine: https://healthscience.org 🎙️ Special thanks to guest hosts Justin & Stephanie Williams 📘 Learn More:  Michelle works with TrueNorth Health Center, Plant Chompers, and the Eternal Spring Institute for Wellness, supporting health programs and plant-based initiatives. Follow her on Instagram: @michelle.cen_ 🌐 https://www.michellecen.com/  

From bar food and burnout to vibrant plant-based living — Erin and Dusty Stanczyk, founders of EatMoveRest, share their transformation story with hosts Justin and Stephanie Williams on NHA Today. Discover how Erin's health scare and Dusty's digestive struggles sparked a journey from conventional medicine to lifestyle medicine — leading to a thriving online community, retreats in Costa Rica, a bestselling cookbook (The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook), and a plant-powered family of five.   🌱 In this episode: How food became their medicine after years of frustration with "normal" medical answers The turning point that led them to Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and the power of plant-based nutrition Building community through retreats, YouTube, and their EatMoveRest Club Parenting and raising healthy, plant-based kids Why compassion and connection go far beyond what's on your plate 📗 Learn more about Erin & Dusty's work: https://eatmoverest.com 📘 Follow EatMoveRest: Instagram → @eatmoverest YouTube → EatMoveRest Facebook → facebook.com/eatmoverest Pinterest → pinterest.com/eatmoverest Special thanks to guest hosts Stephanie & Justin Williams Connect with them: Website: https://www.plantbasedcapitalregion.org/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5065227353518556 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantbasedcapitalregion/  

Welcome to NHA Today, the official podcast of the National Health Association! In this inspiring episode of NHA Today, guest host Chuck Carroll from The Exam Room Podcast (PCRM) talks with Javant—founder of Healthy Vegan Eating and the Healthy Vegan Lifestyle App—about how he transformed his life through a whole-food, plant-based diet. After losing 80 pounds and improving his health, Javant made it his mission to help others take control of theirs through nutrition, mindset, and community. 🌱 In This Episode: How Javant went from prediabetic to thriving on a plant-based lifestyle The philosophy behind "making your own" and his upcoming cookbook The power of mindset and community in creating lasting health How nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mindset form his four pillars of wellness 📘 Learn More: Follow @HealthyVeganEating on Instagram for oil-free, whole food, plant-based recipes and inspiration. Explore the Healthy Vegan Lifestyle App and preorder Make Your Own cookbook, available on Amazon and other retailers. Listen to more from The Exam Room Podcast with Chuck Carroll → https://pcrm.org/podcast  

Welcome to NHA Today, the official podcast of the National Health Association! 🌱 In this heartfelt episode, guest host Cyd Notter talks with Jennifer Diamond, plant-based nutrition coach and YouTube creator, about navigating grief and emotional eating while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You'll learn: ✅ How to honor your emotions without turning to food for comfort ✅ Simple coping tools for stress, loss, and emotional overwhelm ✅ How to create "plant-based comfort foods" that heal, not harm ✅ Ways to build new habits when life feels out of control ✅ Why self-compassion is key to long-term wellness Jennifer also shares her personal story of loss, resilience, and rediscovery—proving that even through grief, growth and healing are possible. 🎧 Listen to more NHA Today episodes: https://www.healthscience.org/podcast 🌿 Learn more about the National Health Association: https://www.healthscience.org 💚 Connect with Jennifer Diamond: Website: https://www.thejenniferdiamond.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejenniferdiamond Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejenniferdiamond 🔗 Learn more about the National Health Association, explore membership, and subscribe to Health Science magazine: https://healthscience.org 🎙️ Special thanks to guest host Cyd Notter. Learn more about her work: www.cydnotter.com 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/cydnotter 📸 Instagram: @cyd_notter

Welcome to NHA Today, the official podcast of the National Health Association! 🌱 In this episode, guest host Cyd Notter sits down with Shoshana Chaim—Canadian wellness expert, international speaker, and co-host of The Plant Trainers Podcast—to explore how to optimize cellular health for energy, recovery, and longevity. You'll learn: ✅ How cellular communication and redox signaling affect every system in your body ✅ Why even healthy lifestyles sometimes need a deeper, cellular approach ✅ The top daily habits that protect mitochondrial and hormonal health ✅ What "biohacking" really means in a plant-based lifestyle ✅ How to build resilience, reduce inflammation, and age with vitality Shoshana also shares her personal story of helping her husband reverse heart disease through plant-based nutrition—and how her own health transformation led to a passion for helping others heal at the cellular level.   💚 Connect with Shoshana Chaim Website: https://www.shoshanachaim.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planttrainers Podcast: https://www.planttrainers.com   🔗 Learn more about the National Health Association, explore membership, and subscribe to Health Science magazine: https://healthscience.org   🎙️ Special thanks to guest host Cyd Notter. Learn more about her work: www.cydnotter.com 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/cydnotter 📸 Instagram: @cyd_notter    

Welcome to NHA Today, the official podcast of the National Health Association! 🌱  In this episode, guest host Cyd Notter sits down with Dr. Shobha Rayapudi—board-certified lifestyle medicine physician, epidemiologist, researcher, chef, and co-founder of Gift of Health, a nonprofit organization helping thousands reverse chronic disease and regain vitality through lifestyle change. Together, they explore the missing link between goals and success—and why our habits, not our willpower, determine long-term health. Dr. Shobha breaks down the science of habit formation and how to turn healthy intentions into automatic daily actions. You'll learn: ✅ The 5 key steps to forming habits that last ✅ Why small, consistent actions work better than motivation bursts ✅ How dopamine influences your behavior (and how to use it for good) ✅ Why accountability increases your success rate to 99% ✅ How to shift from "willpower" to "skill-power" for sustainable change Dr. Shobha also shares her personal journey from traditional medicine to lifestyle medicine—and the revelation that true healing happens when patients learn the skills to make lasting change, not just receive advice. 👉 Connect with Dr. Shobha Rayapudi 🌿 Website: giftofhealth.org  📘 Facebook: Gift of Health  Instagram: giftofhealth_org   Learn more about the National Health Association, explore membership, and subscribe to Health Science magazine: https://healthscience.org 🎙️ Special thanks to guest host Cyd Notter. Learn more about her work: www.cydnotter.com Facebook: facebook.com/cydnotter Instagram: @cyd_notter

Welcome to NHA Today, the official podcast of the National Health Association! 🌱 In this episode, guest host Cyd Notter talks with Dr. James Thompson, retired allergist and immunologist, integrative nutrition coach, and author of Fearless Wellness. Together, they explore how lifestyle and nutrition can build a strong, balanced immune system. You'll learn: ✅ How the immune system really works—and why 70% of it lives in your gut ✅ The best plant-based foods for immune support and longevity ✅ The connection between gut health, brain function, and inflammation ✅ How lifestyle changes can reduce the need for medications ✅ The "Fearless" eight-pillar model for holistic health Dr. Thompson also shares his journey from clinical practice to community health education and the mission behind the Healthy Living with a Vision Foundation, which empowers individuals to take control of their health through plant-based nutrition and accessible wellness programs. Links & Resources 👉 Connect with Dr. James Thompson Instagram: @fearlessmd21 Dr. Thompson's website: https://fearlessmd21.com Healthy Living with a Vision Foundation: https://healthylivingwithavision.org Fearless Wellness on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9HKrE9i 🔗 Learn more about the National Health Association, explore membership, and subscribe to Health Science magazine: https://healthscience.org   🎙️ Special thanks to guest host Cyd Notter. Learn more about her work: www.cydnotter.com 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/cydnotter 📸 Instagram: @cyd_notter 👉 Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to NHA Today for weekly conversations on plant-based nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and whole-body wellness.   #NHAToday #PlantBasedHealth #LifestyleMedicine #GutHealth #FearlessWellness  

Welcome to NHA Today, the official podcast of the National Health Association! 🌱 Can the food on your plate lower your risk of breast cancer? 🌱 In this episode of NHA Today, guest host Chuck Carroll sits down with Caryn Dugan, co-founder of The Doc & Chef and founder of the Center for Plant-Based Living. Caryn shares her personal journey—losing her father to cancer, facing her own melanoma diagnosis, and discovering how a whole-food, plant-based diet can reduce the risk of breast cancer and recurrence. Together with Dr. Jim Loomis, she now travels the world teaching how lifestyle medicine can help fight cancer before it starts. 💡 What you'll learn in this episode: How a plant-based diet supports breast cancer prevention The cancer-fighting power of cruciferous vegetables and alliums The truth about soy and breast cancer risk (hint: it's protective, not harmful) Simple ways to start cooking with more plants—even if you're new in the kitchen Why awareness and prevention must extend beyond Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎁 Special Offer for NHA Podcast Listeners: Caryn has offered a free month of membership to the Center for Plant-Based Living using the promo code CHUCK. The community, which she runs with Dr. Jim Loomis, includes live cooking classes, a recipe library, group support, and access to evidence-based nutrition guidance and much more! Visit plantbasedcenter.com to learn more 👉 Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to NHA Today for weekly conversations on plant-based nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and whole-body wellness. Links & Resources 👉 Connect with Caryn Dugan Website: PlantBasedCenter.com Instagram: @plantbasedcenter YouTube: The Doc & Chef Learn more about the National Health Association, explore membership, and subscribe to Health Science magazine:  https://healthscience.org 🎙️ Thank you to guest host Chuck Carroll for leading this conversation. You can also find his work here: The Exam Room Podcast (PCRM)