‘Our very first gig as a pop band was the Brit Awards — the entire music industry booed us. It was terrifying. I was 19 years old.’

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, I’m joined by actor, singer, and mental health advocate Suzanne Shaw.

Suzanne first rose to fame in 2001 as a member of Hear’Say, the pop group formed through the reality TV show Popstars.

Suzanne shares her extraordinary story - from the highs of early success to the lows of burnout, public scrutiny, postnatal depression, grief, and alcohol dependency. In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, Suzanne talks about:

• How early fame impacted her mental health
• Becoming a single mum while performing in the West End
• Her decision to quit alcohol and reclaim her confidence
• Going plant-based and discovering the joy of ultra-running
• The tools she uses daily to stay grounded and well
• Her mission to help others through the Dare to Succeed community

Now five years sober, thriving on a plant-based lifestyle, and running ultra-marathons, Suzanne is a shining example of resilience, transformation, and purpose. This is one of our most moving and inspiring episodes to date -  and the only episode that will feature an encounter with Sir Elton John.

Connect with Suzanne: Instagram  Tik Tok  LinkedIn

Join Suzanne's Dare To Succeed Community: suzanneshawofficial.co.uk

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

 "Our healthcare system has failed to give people with food intolerances the help they deserve." Today, I’m joined by my friend and colleague Dr. Will Bulsiewicz—better known as Dr. B, The Gut Health MD,  board-certified Gastroenterologist, bestselling author of Fiber Fueled and The Fiber Fueled Cookbook, and U.S. Medical Director of the personalized nutrition company ZOE.

Together, we dive deep into the misunderstood world of IBS, food intolerances, and how to reclaim your gut health—drawing on years of clinical experience and a shared passion for evidence-based, plant-powered healing.

We discuss:

• Why traditional healthcare often fails people living with IBS and food-related intolerances
• How frustrated patients can finally break through and make lasting progress
• Why adopting a plant-based diet can feel challenging
• The G.R.O.W.T.H. strategy—Dr. B’s step-by-step, science-backed framework for rebuilding food tolerance
• How Dr. B stays consistent with his own Fiber Fueled lifestyle, even when life gets hectic

This episode is full of practical tips, clinical insights, and real talk from two gastroenterologists who believe in the healing power of the food on our plates.

Whether you’re navigating IBS yourself, supporting someone who is, or just want to better understand your gut—this conversation is for you.

Buy The Fiber Fueled Cookbook by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz: Amazon UK | Amazon US

Connect with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz on Instagram: @theguthealthmd

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

“You’ve Never Eaten Meat? How Are You Still Alive?”  Sophie Waplington has been fielding that question her whole life - today, she joins me to set the record straight.

I sat down with Sophie - creator of Soph's Plant Kitchen, personal trainer, accomplished athlete, and high protein recipe creator - to talk food, fitness, and how she inspires her 1.4 million followers to build a healthy life rooted in confidence and abundance.

We cover a lot:
- The myth that plant-based diets lack protein (spoiler: they don’t)
- What it really means to be protein-aware
- Why tofu is a plant-powered secret weapon
- How food and movement support mental and physical strength
- The power of high-protein plant meals for performance and recovery
- Why exercise is for everyone—no matter your age or fitness level

Sophie shares her personal story with genuine honesty. I know you’re going to love this conversation!

Join Sophie's 1.4 million followers: @sophsplantkitchen

Get your copy of Sophie’s best-selling book: Soph's Plant Kitchen: Delicious high protein recipes to fuel you for life

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

Thanks to the standard Western diet and our busy modern lifestyles, gut health issues like acid reflux and diverticular disease have become so common that we almost accept them as normal.

In this live episode recorded in Washington D.C. with Chuck Carroll of The Exam Room Podcast, I break down what’s really driving these gut problems — and how the food on your plate can be your most powerful medicine.

We dive into the science behind gut-friendly diets, the essential role of fibre, and why millions of people are set up for gut issues by a low-fibre, meat-heavy diet. I also share a story from a visit to a U.S. pharmacy that made the connection between diet, disease, and drugstore shelves all too clear.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why diverticular disease has become so common in countries following a Western-style diet
• How fibre protects your gut — and how low-fibre diets increase hospitalisations
• What you need to know about acid reflux and GERD — and how to treat the root cause, not just the symptoms
• The problem with relying on antacids long-term
• Why high-fat meals can make reflux worse — and the case for a high-fibre, low-fat diet
• The gut health red flags I spotted in the pharmacy aisle
• The simple, evidence-based changes that can transform your gut health

If you or someone you care about is struggling with gut symptoms — or just wants to support long-term gut health — this episode is packed with practical advice and powerful insights.

If you enjoyed this conversation then you’ll love: The Exam Room Podcast from the Physicians Committee.

Follow Chuck Carroll: on Instagram

Want more gut health insights?  The Real Science Behind Gut Health And Food Intolerances - What Everybody With Gut Problems Needs To Know.

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

“You get more out of your workout when you’re fueled by plants. That’s the whole point.”

Today, I’m joined by two leading voices in plant-based fitness—Robert Cheeke, former champion bodybuilder, and Matt Frazier, ultrarunner and founder of No Meat Athlete - to explain why a plant-based diet may be the key to unlocking world class athletic performance. 

Together, they co-authored the New York Times bestseller The Plant-Based Athlete: A Game-Changing Approach to Peak Performance and in this episode, they share everything you need to know to fuel your body, build muscle, and smash your personal fitness goals - with plants.

We discuss:

• The science behind faster recovery and greater endurance on a plant-based diet
• How to meet your protein needs—without obsessing over powders
• What elite athletes actually eat in a day (spoiler: there’s no one-size-fits-all)
• Why plant-based performance is no longer a secret weapon—it’s a competitive edge

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned athlete, this conversation is packed with actionable advice to help you train smarter, recover faster, and thrive on plants.

Get the book: The Plant-Based Athlete: A Game-Changing Approach to Peak Performance

Follow Robert on Instagram: @robert.cheeke

Follow Matt and the No Meat Athlete community: @nomeatathlete_official

Learn more: www.nomeatathlete.com

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

“Guilt and shame are the enemies of sustainable change. Compassion and understanding are the keys.”

Dr. Melanie Joy is a Harvard-educated psychologist, author, and one of the world’s foremost experts on the psychology of food choices. Dr. Joy’s groundbreaking book, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, explores the invisible belief system she calls “carnism,” which conditions us to eat certain animals while loving and caring for others.

In this episode, we dive into the psychology of our dietary choices, the ethical implications of animal agriculture, and the powerful ways we can align our actions with our values. Melanie’s insights are as thought-provoking as they are empowering, offering a fresh perspective on how we think about food and its impact on the world around us.

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

“If an absolute amateur can grow organic veg at home and begin to feed a community — so can you.”

From sprouting seeds on a shelf to launching a transparent, mission-driven supplement brand, Harold Craston shares his journey with Shhine - built on sustainability, simplicity, and local organic farming.

Harold also opens up about supporting his father through a terminal cancer diagnosis - and how this transformed his own approach to health and nutrition.

Whether you're curious about growing your own nutrient-dense food with minimal fuss, or seeking ways to support your health and that of your loved ones, this inspiring conversation will encourage you to start small, think local, and create meaningful change from the ground up.

Learn more about Shhine’s mission: www.Shhine.co

Connect with Harold and Shhine: Instagram 

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

Zoologist turned NHS Dietitian Rosie Martin changed careers - to save more lives.

Today, I’m joined by Registered Dietitian Rosie Martin, who shares her powerful journey from zoologist to NHS dietitian and plant-based advocate.

Tune in for some incredible insights on

- Advocating for positive dietary change within the healthcare system. 
- What to say to people who ask, “where do you get your protein?”
- How the “one health” approach links animal welfare and human health.

Rosie also shares her tips on staying grounded and kind—even when you’re the only plant-based voice in the room.

Follow Rosie on Instagram: @plantdietitianrosie

Sign up for Rosie's free masterclass: The 3 Secrets to Banish Cravings and Lose Weight on a Plant-Based Diet.

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

Dr. Neal Barnard returns for Part Two—this time joining me to take questions from the audience at our recent sold-out Live Podcast. Listen in as we weigh in on: 

• How plant-based eating is entering mainstream medical practice
• Why precision nutrition isn’t ready for primetime
• The truth about saturated fat and heart disease
• How plant-based diets support athletic performance
• Why plant protein is high-quality protein

Practical, inspiring, and deeply human—this is nutritional wisdom from one of the world’s leading experts - Dr Neal Barnard.

Listen now and share with someone ready to feel their best through food.

Join the audience: The Eat This Podcast LIVE on Wednesday May 14th, Exeter UK.

I highly recommend Dr. Barnard’s latest book The Power Foods Diet :The Breakthrough Plan That Traps, Tames, and Burns Calories for Easy and Permanent Weight Loss

Connect with Dr Neal Barnard on Instagram and Twitter/X

Learn more about: The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

Yogurt is a multi-billion dollar industry - and is heavily advertised as a gut microbiome-boosting super food. But what does the scientific literature actually tell us about yogurt and gut health? 

• The History of Yogurt: How yogurt became a Western staple, moving from niche food to health product.
• What Science Actually Says About Yogurt: Why those ‘live probiotic cultures’ never reach your microbiome.
• Is Kefir Truly a Superior Option for Gut Health?
• Plant-Based Alternatives: Can non-dairy options like soy yogurt offer better health benefits?
• Environmental Impact: Comparing the carbon footprint of dairy yogurt versus plant-based alternatives.
• Final Verdict: Is yogurt really essential for better gut health, or is it all just clever marketing?

I hope this episode helps you look beyond the advertising and make evidence-based choices that genuinely safeguard your digestive health.

Links to some of the key papers mentioned in today’s episode: 

Long-term dietary patterns are associated with pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory features of the gut microbiome.

Effects of Regular Kefir Consumption on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Parallel-Group, Randomized, Controlled Study

Is consuming yoghurt associated with weight management outcomes? Results from a systematic review

The Effects of Kefir and Kefir Components on Immune and Metabolic Physiology in Pre-Clinical Studies: A Narrative Review

A comparison of the nutritional profile and nutrient density of commercially available plant-based and dairy yogurts in the United State

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list

Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.