Ep 96 – Vegan Restaurant Shake-Up

In this episode, we're diving deep into the recent wave of closures happening in the plant-based community. The Great Vegan Restaurant Shake-Up: Why Our Favorite Spots Are Closing Losing a beloved vegan restaurant can feel like a genuine loss. For many of us, these aren't just places to eat; they're safe havens and community centers where we can share a meal without a second thought. But recently, a troubling trend has emerged: vegan and plant-based restaurants around the world are closing their doors at an alarming rate. In this powerful episode of the Think Plant-Based podcast, we're confronting this issue head-on. We dive into the complex factors driving this trend, from the broad economic pressures hitting the entire food industry to the more specific challenges unique to plant-based businesses. We'll talk about everything from the rising cost of ingredients to the evolving palates of the "plant-curious" consumer. But this isn't a story of defeat. We believe these closures are a critical moment for the movement—a chance to learn, adapt, and build a stronger, more resilient future. We share practical, actionable advice for both restaurant owners and customers on how to weather this storm and ensure that the plant-based dining scene not only survives but thrives. Tune in to this episode and find out how you can be a part of the solution. Episode Highlights:  * Understanding the economic and market forces behind the closures.  * The difference between a "niche" business and one with broad appeal.  * Specific ways customers can make a real difference, from direct ordering to social media support.  * A look at the future of the plant-based movement and why this evolution is a sign of maturity, not decline. Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 95 - Ben Hagerty

In this episode, we talk to Ben Hagerty about his plant-based journey. We discuss vegan entrepreneurship and the best plant-based travel spots. About Ben Hagerty Ben is the co-owner and essayist for the vegan travel guide and website, It's Bree and Ben (http://www.itsbreeandben.com/). With his wife, Bree, they travel across Canada and the U.S. to learn and write about destinations where vegan and plant-based travelers can consider, which includes restaurants, boutiques, and other small and local businesses. Ben also just completed his Masters degree in vegan entrepreneurship, in which he explored vegan businesses in the Vancouver neighborhoods of Kitsilano and Mt. Pleasant to learn about their insights and the common themes that they experience. He wrote his findings in an academic blog series entitled, Ben's Vegan Vancouver, which may be read on my website at https://itsbreeandben.com/bens-vegan-vancouver/. (About Bree & Ben: https://itsbreeandben.com/about/) Website: https://itsbreeandben.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbreeandben/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsbreeandben/ Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 94 – STUART WALDNER

In this episode, we talk to Stuart Waldner about his plant-based journey. Residing from Lexington, Kentucky, we talk about how growing up in one of the unhealthiest states shaped who he is and inspired him to write his book, "Escape the Meatrix". About Stuart Waldner Stuart Waldner is an activist and an author who invites readers to take the red pill as they Escape the Meatrix, the title of his debut non-fiction book, written after he transitioned to a plant-based diet in 2008. As his health improved, he felt better, and the more he learned about the statistical connections between our dietary choices and the worldwide climate crises we face, the more he felt an urgency to tell other people —for our health and for the planet. Waldner spent nearly two decades exploring Earth’s greatest wonders and connecting with sacred sites around the globe. When he’s not advocating for the health of people and the planet, he spends time playing with his dogs, cooking plant-based foods, running, and restoring his 128-year-old Victorian home. (Source: https://stuartwaldner.com/) Website: https://stuartwaldner.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuartwaldner/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084725122965 Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 93 – BILLY GRISACK

In this episode, we talk to Billy Grisack about his inspiring story on how a plant-based diet helped change his life for the better. From losing over 100lbs, to overcoming many health issues, you won't want to miss this episode! About Billy Grisack Plant based musician, songwriter, Star Trek superfan, DND player, dad and husband. (Source: https://twitter.com/billygrisack) Website: www.departmentofvegucation.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/billygrisack Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 92 – SANDRA NOMOTO

In this episode, we talk to Sandra Nomoto about her plant-based journey and her new book, "VEGAN MARKETING SUCCESS STORIES" . Similarly, we talk to her about branding and marketing tips for new or old businesses. About Sandra Nomoto “The Content Doctor” Sandra Nomoto is an award-winning content writer and editor for cruelty-free businesses. She also offers a suite of services for authors. Launching her career in the public relations industry, she ran Conscious Public Relations Inc. Over the 10 years in business, the company was the fourth public relations agency in Canada to earn B Corporation® certification, and Nomoto contributed to eWomenNetwork Vancouver earning the Best Social Media and Community Engagement Award. She authored The Only Public Relations Guide You’ll Ever Need in 2019 and Vegan Marketing Success Stories in 2022. On the side of her desk, she co-hosts VEG Networking Canada, Canada's only vegan networking group. She previously served on the boards of directors of the Vancouver Mural Festival and Vancouver Short Film Festival, and writes at SandraNomoto.com and for several outlets. (Source: https://www.sandranomoto.com/) Website: https://www.sandranomoto.com/Facebook: https://facebook.com/sandranomotoYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sandra_nomoto Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 91 – DR. AMANDA ADKINS

In this episode, we talked to Dr. Amanda Adkins about her plant-based journey and how to stay healthy overall on a plant-based diet. About Dr. Amanda Adkins Hi! I'm Dr. Amanda Adkins, MD, and I've been a board-certified internal medicine specialist since 2009. I have a deep passion for ensuring that everyone has a chance at a healthy and happy life. I know from both medical and personal experience that a plant-based lifestyle can lead to remarkable changes in our health and our ability to fulfill God's will for us. Therefore, I decided to become a health coach to be able to guide more people to better health. ​I want to share with you the transformational benefits I experienced first hand by changing to a Plant-Based Lifestyle. I am here to provide the tools you need to make the change, to guide you and to cheer you on through this journey. I want you to be able to achieve your dreams, and not be held back by heart disease, low energy, mental fatigue, or other health issues that can be reduced or even eliminated by switching up the fuel your body needs. ​My own experience led me down a path of recovery from an unhealthy start in life. By the age of 14, I weighed almost 200 pounds and knew that if I was going to live a life fully, something had to change. Finding balance in mind, body and spirit has been an incredible journey. I look forward to supporting you in your pursuit of happiness and health. (Source: https://www.dramandamd.com/about-me) Website: https://www.dramandamd.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dramandaadkinsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj7HwQ88Xn1FhK5eKtoOIkw Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 90 – HARIKA PARMAR | VOGO TOURS

In this episode, we talk to Harika Parmar, the creator of VOGO Tours, about her Vegan Eco Travel Tours around the world. She helps people have amazing journeys with their travels. About Harika Parmar | VOGO Tours My quest started as a young thirteen-year-old girl at boarding school. I came across a documentary called Earthlings which played with my emotional heartstrings. I knew I had to make change for the animals and for the environment - so I started with myself. My holistic journey solidified over the years which led me on a path to live simply. I'm a plant-fueled environmentalist and philosophical teetotaler that believes food is medicine. I'm forever growing with my journey to live an ethical, sustainable life. The driving factor behind VOGO spanned across a decade of adventuring across fifty countries living, studying, volunteering and working in over five continents and having to sacrifice the joy of food for the convenience of travel. Often it resulted in settling for side salad portions, mediocre salads and conversations lost in translation. I started VOGO with a simple goal in mind - to create an ecological travel experience, immersing into culture and adventure by still maintaining beliefs when it comes to food. Today I welcome you on this journey where we've broken down barriers curated journeys with vegan and vegetarian food at the forefront as well as a better, sustainable way to travel without compromising your ethics. (Source: https://www.vogotours.com/about) Website: https://www.vogotours.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VogoTours/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vogotours/ Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 89 – RYM SELMI | MIIRO

In this episode, we talk to Rym Selmi, the CEO of MiiRO, about her plant-based journey and why she created a company that focuses on plant-based low sugar sweets. About Rym Selmi | MiiRO The plant-based lifestyle healed me. My journey started when I got really burnt out at work. I started to feel that my previous diet had negative effects on my mental state, so I decided to begin a personal journey toward a plant-based lifestyle. I started to see improvements in my sleep, productivity, digestion and even my mood. This journey has healed me and changed everything for the better.  Shifting to a less sugar diet was a decision that would change my life. My pregnancy caused me to develop a desperate need for high-quality vegan sweets. I contracted gestational diabetes, so I needed an option that still fit with my plant-based preferences, but also had low or no sugar added. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find any alternatives that satisfied my cravings for rich, creamy chocolate—every low sugar chocolate that I tried was bland and sad, leaving me feeling worse than before. I started doing extensive research, reading every R&D report I could find until eventually, I became an expert on the subject matter. (Source: https://miiro.co/pages/about-us ) Website: https://miiro.co/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miiro.plantbased/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miiro_plantbased/ Get 10% OFF MiiRO Products: https://miiro.co/discount/THINKPLANTBASED10 Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 88 – DR. VANITA RAHMAN

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Vanita Rahman about her plant-based journey and how to eat a healthy balanced plant-based diet. Also, we talk to her about getting enough iron and how soy can be beneficial for you. About Dr. Vanita Rahman Vanita Rahman, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician, certified nutritionist, and personal trainer. She is a native of the Washington, D.C., area and earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Virginia. She completed her internal medicine residency at the Washington Hospital Center and has authored several books on plant-based nutrition.  Prior to joining the Barnard Medical Center, Dr. Rahman spent more than 15 years practicing internal medicine with Kaiser Permanente, where she launched a very popular and successful plant-based weight loss program. While medications and surgical procedures can be necessary and lifesaving, Dr. Rahman firmly believes that nutrition and lifestyle play a crucial role in the prevention and management of most common diseases. She maintains that it is important to treat all aspects of a patient's health, including diet, exercise, sleep habits, and stress management. Simply Plant Based: Fabulous Food for a Healthy Life (2021) is her third book. She also wrote Vegan Style (2017) and Stronger with Plants (2016). She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, exercising, and experimenting with plant-based recipes. (Source: https://www.pcrm.org/barnard-medical-center/vanita-rahman-md) Website: https://www.pcrm.org/barnard-medical-centerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.VanitaRahmanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.vanita.rahman Book: Simply Plant Based: Fabulous Food for a Healthy Lifehttps://www.amazon.com/Simply-Plant-Based-Fabulous-Healthy/dp/1570674043 Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 87 – PAUL SHAPIRO | THE BETTER MEAT CO

In this episode, we talk to Paul Shapiro about his plant-based journey. Also, we also talk to him about his company, "The Better Meat Co", which creates Rhiza Mycoprotein, a key component to creating plant-based meat products. Paul is currently looking for a publisher for his new book. About Paul Shapiro Paul Shapiro is the author of the national bestseller Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World (published by Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books in 2018). He’s also the CEO of The Better Meat Co., a four-time TEDx speaker, the host of the Business for Good Podcast, and a long-time leader in food sustainability. Paul is an authority figure on food and agricultural sustainability. He is a regular podcast guest and has been invited on hundreds of news outlets, including StarTalk Radio with Neil deGrasse Tyson, The Rich Roll Podcast, and CNN. Also, he has published hundreds of articles ranging from daily newspapers such as The Washington Post to pop-sci publications like Scientific American as well as magazines like FORTUNE and academic journals. Shapiro lives in Sacramento, California with his wife Toni Okamoto Shapiro, author and founder of Plant-Based on a Budget, and their very friendly pit bull, Eddie. (Source: https://www.paul-shapiro.com/ ) Website: https://www.bettermeat.co/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulshapiro/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebettermeatco/ Book: Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the Worldhttps://cleanmeat.com/ Also, don’t forget to check out: EP 86 – MONK COLEMAN