Yoga teacher, ayurvedic educator, and culinary instructor Christina Gdisis (pronounced Dee-sis) alchemically blends her Greek heritage, animal rights sensibilities, spiritual path, and deep appreciation of both food and nature in her work as The Conscious Vegan Kitchen and in this conversation.

Website: https://www.consciousvegankitchen.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consciousvegankitchen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciousvegankitchen

Upcoming project: Guided culinary retreat to the Mani Peninsula of Greece happening in late 2025 -- information on Christina's website

A vegan luminary for over 30 years, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau makes compassion accessible and joyful in this interview and in her new book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free.

Website: JoyfulVegan.com

Instagram: @Joyfulvegan

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/colleenpatrickgoudreau

You know the universe has something big in store when your first job out of college is personal trainer for Dr. Deepak Chopra. That's how it was for today's guest, Kathleen Kastner, yoga instructor and former studio owner, children's book author, and cat-mom of Noah, the rescue voted Newsweek's first Pet of the Year.

Website: https://www.kathleenkastner.com

Books (Karma Cats kids' series and others) https://www.kathleenkastner.com/books-articles/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.kastnermortenson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenkastnerauthor/

Ginny Messina, RD, MPH, is a breath of fresh air on the nutritional landscape, based as she is in science, ethics, and common sense. Get Ginny's take on controversies such as seed oils and beef tallow, her expertise on calcium and B12 for vegans, and thriving as a vegan in a not-yet-vegan world

Website: https://www.theveganrd.com

Books: Vegan for Life, Vegan for Her, Even Vegans Die (with Carol J. Adams and Patti Breitman)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVeganRD/

Instagram: https://www.ginnymessina/

Substack: https://theresistancekitchen.substack.com

Rather than focusing on veganism, today's show looks at a vegan doing something remarkable. Writer Deborah Shouse experienced the death of her adult daughter and, at the urging of a grief counselor, wrote letters to her daughter -- and transcribed the messages that came back.

Deborah's Books: 

Letters From the Ungrateful Dead: A Grieving Mom's Surprising Correspondence With Her Deceased Adult Daughter

Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver's Journey

Novel: An Old Woman Walks Into a Bar

Website: https://DeborahShouseWrites.com

IG: @DeborahShouse

If mice, ants, or other little folks are a problem, Kevin Newell of Humane Wildlife Solutions has the answer. While his award-winning company is based in Scotland, vegan and animal advocate Newell works with individuals and businesses around the world. In this episode he shares practical solutions for getting your home back -- and nobody gets hurt.

Website: https://humanewildlifesolutions.co.uk/

Instagram and Facebook: @humanewildlifesolutions

Also mentioned in this episode:

Victoria's newest book, Age Like a Yogi

Victoria's Feb. 7-9, 2025, retreat at the Kripalu Institute for Yoga and Health, Stockbridge, MA

Grey is a Renaissance man who rose to prominence when his Vegan Thanksgiving music video went viral eight years ago. He is still a force in Hip Hop, a restaurateur, founder of Plant-Based Dripping (vegan message wear), and an integral part of Vegan and Friends, Atlanta's weekly vegan market. We talk about how all these aspects converge with his strong family life and Vegan House of Pancakes, the new cafe he and his wife just opened.

Website: https://vegan-friends.com

Thanksgiving song on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQv7TMcZ_eE

Instagram:

@officialgreymusic

@plantbaseddrippin

@veganandfriendsatl

@VeganHouseofPancakes

For this special 500th episode, Victoria's daughter, Main Street Vegan coauthor, and cohost in the early days of the the Main Street Vegan Podcast, returns to the program to talk about growing up vegan and working in the physically demanding fields of stunts, aerial performance, and stage fighting.


Instagram: @AdairStunts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adair.moran/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYCnk1w4Ff7Q_B1gKK6BVKA
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2713600/

Karen Asp is a veteran magazine writer and author specializing in health and fitness (and she holds world records in Nordic Walking). She is also an animal rights advocate who has met the near demise of magazines by immersing herself in dog rescue. We talk about the state of journalism, the digital world, and how hands-on work with dogs enriches this vegan's life.

Karen's book: Anti-Aging Hacks

Instagram: @KarenAspWriter

X: @KarenAspWriter

Bestselling author and wellness expert Tara Stiles shares her yogic journey and a lifestyle based on caring for ourselves and each other. A vegan, and a former dancer and model, Tara is founder of Strala Yoga, supporting ease and well-being. 

Tara's website: https://www.stralayoga.com

Instagram: @TaraStiles

Select books: 

• Yoga Cures: Simple Routines to Conquer More Than 50 Common Ailments and Live Pain-Free
• Clean Mind, Clean Body: A 28-Day Plan for Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Self-Care

Find the Strala Yoga app at the App Store.

Tara provided an endorsement for Victoria's latest book, Age Like a Yogi: A Heavenly Path to a Dazzling Third Act

And sponsor this episode is Om Botanical, super-natural vegan and ayurvedic skin care: https://www.ombotanical.com. Use MAINSTREET in discount box for 10% off.