PLANTSTRONG Podcast

In 2016, Carleigh Bodrug started her blog, PlantYou, with one goal - to show the world that eating plants is not only healthy, but also FUN.

Since then, Carleigh and her ever-growing team have amassed over 10 million followers (and growing!) across her social platforms, and she’s even released a New York Times Best Selling Cookbook, PlantYou.

Today, we get a peek under the PlantYou curtain as Rip and Carleigh catch up and talk about her meteoric rise in the last eight years. Carleigh shares her authentic and fresh approach to content creation, inspiration for recipes, and tips for creating plant-based meals on a budget.

We also get an exclusive sneak preview of her next book, Scrappy Cooking, which is being released in April, 2024. It will, no doubt, dazzle and inspire readers to save money, reduce food waste and eat healthier - all while having fun.

The book equips readers with not only the tools to make the most of their scraps, but use up just about any vegetable, grain, or bean from their fridge and pantry.

Scrappy Cooking not only puts the focus on eating a diet that's more conscious for our environment (and our wallets) but our health as well. Every recipe in the book is vegan, almost entirely oil free, and focuses on whole, plant-based foods that are good for our bodies and the planet.

Rip encourages listeners to pre-order Scrappy Cooking as those numbers do count towards the first week sales numbers, but, more importantly, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness of the goodness that is whole-food, plant-based nutrition.

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Pre-order Scrappy Cooking

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

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COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

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Rip and the Esselstyn family always talk about the importance of "chewing" our green leafy vegetables rather than drinking them. Is it ok to to put extra green leafy vegatables in my soups and stews?

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn 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 Esselstyn

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https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

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In this episode of the PlantStrong Podcast, we are joined by Lauren Kretzer, a plant-based chef and holistic nutritionist.

Lauren shares her inspiring journey from Wall Street to becoming a private chef for celebrities and recipe creator for many popular New York Times best-selling cookbook authors, including Dr.Will Bulsiewicz and Kris Carr.

Since a cancer diagnosis in the Spring 2020, Lauren has doubled-down on her health, well-being, and family.

We discuss cooking tips, plant-based diets, and making small changes for a healthier lifestyle.

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Lauren's Website

Lauren's Substack

Lauren's Instagram

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn 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 Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/

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Cutting back on alcohol consumption and curious if non-alcoholic or "near beer" is ok on a PLANTSTRONG diet? Rip shares his thoughts with this insightful audience question.

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn 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 Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/

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From “Chicago Med” to a cozy Michigan farm…

Today, we talk love, compassion, and self-care with actress, musician, and philanthropist, Torrey DeVitto.

You may know Torrey from her six-years on the TV Show "Chicago Med" playing Natalie Manning, or from her many other film and TV credits, but she also spends a tremendous amount of time advocating for causes that encourage more compassion and conscious living.

Torrey is a self-proclaimed, “Jill of all Trades.” Her father, Liberty DeVitto, is the longtime drummer for Billy Joel so it’s no surprise that music was her first passion - excelling in violin at age 6. In addition to being a touring musician and actress, Torrey is also a dancer and model, where she works to promote eco-friendly fashion and makeup.

These days, though, you’re more than likely to find her on her farm in Michigan hanging with her new fiancé and having the occasional sloth day, which we definitely all need from time to time.

Follow her on Instagram at @torreydevitto

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn 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 Esselstyn

https://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 Rating

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Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn 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 Esselstyn

https://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 Rating

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Mastering the ten essential habits to help you move freely and live fully starts from the ground up. Literally.

If you’re having trouble with movement and mobility, know that it's not your fault. Our modern-day society has conditioned our bodies to become more inflexible, especially as we age. We sit at desks, on our couches, in cars. We hover over screens and laptops. Our bodies are losing the ability to move freely, but we can combat this.

Kelly and Juliet Starrett share their physical practices designed to improve the way your body feels and boost your quality of life, no matter your age.

The Starretts are the experts on movement and their latest book, Built to Move, highlights ten habits, assessments, and practices to make your body work better for you. The good news? None of them require heavy weights or a gym membership.

Juliet and Kelly share ways to integrate more movement into your daily life right at home, as well as advice and practices to improve sleep, nutrition, and even breathing.

After all, being fit isn’t necessarily about being the fastest or the strongest. It is, however, about being able to move freely and without pain. It is about building “durability,” as you’ll hear today.

Through their company, The Ready State, Kelly and Juliet bring movement and mobility practices to some of the most elite athletes on the planet, but this book and interview bring those practices right to you.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn 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 Esselstyn

https://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 Rating

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In our final minisode, Rip reviews the Simple tenets for eating a plantstrong diet and how to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

1. Eat your veggies and leafy greens
2. Eat plenty of whole fruit
3. Eat intact whole grains
4. 100% whole grain items - look for the words, “whole, rolled, cracked, and sprouted.”
5. Eat Your BEANS
6. Add Extra Flavor - herbs, spices, vinegars, hot sauce, mustard, ketchup - these are a secret weapon of taste.
7. Don't drink your calories, but do drink water, black coffee, and tea

What are we staying away from?

Meat, eggs, dairy, seafood, oil, white bread & pasta, excessive salt and added sugar

Limit -avocados (¼ per day), tofu, tempeh, and nuts (walnuts preferred)

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn 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 Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/

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We talked about this in yesterday's minisode, but it bears repeating: Don’t drink your calories!

What’s left to drink, then? Here’s a hint: It’s colorless, odorless, transparent, and it’s the most important liquid in the entire universe.

Of course, we're talking about water. Not vitamin water, coconut water, fruit water, or any other flavored calorie-infested beverage that tries to pass itself off as water. Just plain old water.

Not drinking enough of it has been linked to bone fractures, heart disease, lung conditions, kidney stones, colon cancer, urinary tract infections, constipation, cavities, compromised immune systems…and more.

Today, Rip shares the science behind hydration and ways to make water tasty and nutritious, including teas!

Join the FREE PLANTSTRONG 7-Day Challenge: https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/plantstrong-seven-day-challenge

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn 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 Esselstyn

https://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 Rating

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Today, Rip shares one simple rule that will help you to determine if a beverage is good or bad for your health. Does it have a ton of calories and sugar? Then, don't drink it. It really is that simple. And, yes, we're also even talking about juices and smoothies.

Learn about all of the health benefits you'll receive when you chew your calories instead of drinking them.

Join the FREE PLANTSTRONG 7-Day Challenge: https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/plantstrong-seven-day-challenge

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn 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 Esselstyn

https://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 Rating

Apple Podcasts

Spotify