We’re super excited to share our FIRST EVER in-person episode, on the topic of meditation! We launched this podcast virtually amidst the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, and we’re grateful to be able to be together and appreciate how far we have come.

In this episode, we talk all about different types of meditation, ways to get started, and the benefits you can reap from a regular practice. We also share our first experiences, and provide advice on different resources and how to find what works best for you. Finally, we touch upon the meaning of the “ego,” how thoughts are just thoughts, and spiritual practices related to meditation, such as yoga and affirmations, that you can try out and build into your meditation journey.

When you meditate, do you find that you feel clear-headed and recharged, or do you only discover racing thoughts? What methods have you used to better your practice? Do you think animals meditate? What educational resources have you read or what apps have your used to kickstart your practice? We’d love to hear your experiences, and your favorite parts of the episode you’d like to hear more about! DM us at @passthecompassion on instagram and we’ll shout you out in our next episode.

Hear us out here. Can you name a cartoon character (other than Popeye) that LOVES vegetables? How many times have you seen one of your favorites spit out spinach or bash Brussel sprouts? Or worse, were you ever terrified of an anthropomorphic vegetable in one of your 'toons? (We were, and we're looking at you, Lima Bean Monster from Jimmy Neutron). We're coming at you with some strong evidence and examples and our thoughts on how these tropes in media shape our perspectives on healthy foods during our younger years. We also touch upon the scientific reasons kids may be more averse to vegetables than adults, and spill some tips on how to find out if you’re a super taster. But mostly, we hope this episode sparks some nostalgia and provides you with some laughs as we move into spooky season. (Which by the way, please DM us costume ideas)...Happy Halloween!

What do you look for when you scan nutrition labels? If you only have 10 minutes to run to the grocery store, what products do you prioritize? In this episode, we talk about the most important components the nutrition facts section should -- or shouldn’t -- have for us to consider purchasing. We touch upon macro nutrients, different types of fiber, the importance of iron in the diet, hidden ingredients to watch out for (curse you, milk powder), and more. We also discuss how eating for different purposes (health, fitness, dietary restrictions, etc.) may influence the way we make decisions when it comes to the composition of our food. And yet...we barely scratch the surface of the nuances involved in these choices! Let us know if you want a part two…

By now, you’ve likely heard about plant-based substitutes and alternatives rising in popularity. This week, we talk about two companies who are changing the meat substitute game: Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. You may have seen their names pop up on restaurant menus, in grocery stores, or at your favorite coffee shops during your morning caffeine run. We introduce the founders, speak briefly on their background and why they started the companies, and then discuss the unique differences that set the two apart. What are their mission statements and how have they exemplified these values? What are the differences in ingredients, processing, and nutrition between the burgers, and compared to meat? Are they more sustainable than meat? What values might guide a consumer to choose one over the other (e.g., prioritizing taste vs. prioritizing ethical production?) We spill all the details and can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

This week, join us as we discuss our best and worst coffee experiences from all around the world! From Boston to the West Coast, Europe, Australia and back, we get into the culture surrounding coffee, subtle differences that have a BIG impact, and variations in quality depending on where you purchase (gas station coffee anyone)? How do Italians drink their coffee compared to Americans? What were non-dairy milk options like back in 2016? We also have a fun “trash the compassion” corner where we correct statistical errors from previous episodes and have a long laugh at ourselves. Grab a coffee on your morning commute, or wine for your post-work chill session and hang with us! As always, DM us @passthecompassion on instagram with any requests, questions or comments.

We just can’t resist the cheeky banter lately! After discussing the best ever vegan ramen, our short-lived careers as background actors, and our extremely thoughtful crafts as young artists, we dive into some quick facts about climate change and food insecurity. How much CO2 is released into the atmosphere when you pop a bottle? How much of the world’s grain is fed to livestock, and what would happen if we fed it to people instead? How much is our population going to grow, and how much food do we need to feed everyone? Jamie walks us through all of this and more. 

Welcome back! We're coasting through our second season with some more casual chit chat. This week, we tackle how to navigate eating out at restaurants while eating plant based or with other dietary restrictions — while still enjoying yourself fully! There’s no reason you can’t indulge when you’re working with a diet that doesn’t fit the “norm.” While providing tips and tricks, we share our best and worst experiences, top choice cuisines for plant based accommodations, and the downfalls of companies trying their best (but not hard enough) to provide viable options. We also mention the in-depth research and development of new vegan products and what this means for future restaurant offerings (is it possible to create the PERFECT vegan pizza?!) Lastly, check yourself at the end of the episode…Are you a “Vegan Friend Warrior?”

Why are there fish bladders in my wine!? We’re kicking off our summer season (and rosè season!) by diving in to one of our most surprising discoveries thus far: a great deal of wine we often find and drink is not vegan. In this episode, we talk all about the process of wine-making, where/when animal products come in to play, and what components actually make it into the final product. We also discuss how you can (or can’t) check the ingredients in your wine, the environmental impact of the wine industry, and tips for spotting vegan wine and other alcohol.

In 2020, our lives changed forever. As we begin to take steps towards putting the tumultuous, exhausting, and difficult times behind us, we discuss the Covid-19 pandemic; how it started, how it affected millions of lives, our environment, and our society, and measures we can take to prevent another in the future. According to the CDC, scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and 3 out of every 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals. The prevalence of zoonotic diseases in humans is no accident — our actions as humans have a direct impact on our susceptibility to disease and chances of experiencing another pandemic. Join us as we reflect on the pandemic, and honor the lives of those who are not with us anymore and families that are forever changed.

No full episode this week, but instead, a short mini bonus episode! We want to thank you all so much for your love and support. In this bonus episode, we provide some updates on the podcast, and Aly shares her educational and professional background. Make sure to join us for our next  full length episode next week and our second season starting Wednesday, June 23rd!