Vegan Posse

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Beginning on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Central, the Vegan Posse will be bringing you a weekly online support group, Vegan Peace - a place for you to find your peace, speak your piece, and connect. No registration necessary - join us via Zoom.

Questions? Email Chrissy at [email protected]

WHEN: Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Central

WHERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82407679747

 Add it to your weekly calendar using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYpd-6uqTItHtOBDJjm77Ca2nC9IQxlOIPc/ics?icsToken=DBQOfS24Fzeo0SaIMgAALAAAAA1JPglXlsllJ0I-OmIzcrCSLd8BpcyVMiePv9dFJMG3HWkdXuPOYmBvNILLdDYyiPtdjr42aC2D2OjEADAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=eWN4xbHGSUmLqiuUiqs4FA

Do you value the Vegan Posse? Support us through a one-time or monthly donation - even $5/month goes a long way!

https://buymeacoffee.com/veganposse

Stay tuned for Vegan Peace, the special weekly online group to support you on your vegan path. It’s a place for you to find your peace, speak your piece, and connect. It's also a time for the Posse to come together, ask questions of Chrissy and/or the group regarding nutrition and vegan living, and anything else no your mind.

Chrissy is a certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator, World Peace Diet Facilitator, and a clinical mental health counselor, and supporting vegans or vegan-leaning people on their path is in her blood. We'll be letting you know all the detailss oon, so stay tuned, or email ⁠[email protected] ⁠for more info.

Looking for individual one-on-one coaching or consulting? Contact Chrissy personally at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Help normalize veganism through the arts! Make vegan women's fiction classic, Marrying Myself, by me, Christine Melanie Benson, and international bestseller - grab your copy on Amazon or through my website, ⁠https://christinemelaniebenson.com/⁠

Amazon:⁠https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/⁠

Make vegan novel Marrying Myself an international bestseller and help normalize veganism through the arts!

https://christinemelaniebenson.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/

Seeking coaching and/or vegan support? Contact Chrissy directly at [email protected]

 This week’s episode with Dr. Michael Klaper:

Moving Medicine Forward: https://www.movingmedforward.org/

Dr. Michael Klaper, is a gifted clinician, internationally recognized teacher, and sought-after speaker on diet and health. He has practiced medicine for more than 40 years and is a leading educator in applied plant-based nutrition and integrative medicine.

Dr. Klaper graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago (1972), served a medical internship at Vancouver General Hospital in British Columbia, Canada with additional training in internal medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, and orthopedics at the University of British Columbia Hospitals in Vancouver and in obstetrics at the University of California Hospitals in San Francisco. He practiced acute care medicine in New Zealand for three years and served for eight years on the staff of the TrueNorth Health Center in Santa Rosa, California, a nutrition-based medical clinic specializing in therapeutic fasting and health improvement through a whole-food, plant-based diet.

Dr. Michael Klaper teaches that, “Health comes from healthy living” and over his medical career, has seen a whole-food, plant-based diet and lifestyle improvement reverse clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure (hypertension), obesity, adult onset diabetes, and

Dr. Klaper served as an advisor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) project on nutrition for long-term space colonists on the moon and Mars. He was also a member of the Nutrition Task Force of the American Medical Student Association and served as the Director of the non-profit Institute of Nutrition Education and Research.

A source of inspiration advocating plant-based diets and the end of animal cruelty worldwide, Dr. Klaper contributed to the making of two PBS television programs Food for Thought and the award-winning Diet for a New America movie based on the book of the same name. He has also been featured in two other documentaries, “What The Health” and “Cowspiracy”. He feels the most important work of his career is unfolding now in the Moving Medicine Forward Initiative wherein he travels to the nation’s medical schools and educates the students on using plant-predominant nutrition and positive lifestyle changes to truly heal their patients. www.DoctorKlaper.com/Moving-Medicine-Forward.

Announcements:

Stay tuned for Posse Time, a group to educate, cheerlead, support you on the vegan path. It’s a time for us to come together, ask questions of me and/or the group regarding nutrition and vegan living, and anything else no your mind. Iam a certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator, World Peace Diet Facilitator, and a clinical mental health counselor, and supporting vegans or vegan-leaning people on their path is simply in my blood. I’ll be letting you know all the detailssoon, so stay tuned, or email ⁠[email protected] ⁠for more info.

Looking for individual one-on-one coaching? Contact me personally at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Help normalize veganism through the arts! Make vegan women's fiction classic, Marrying Myself, by me, Christine Melanie Benosn, and international bestseller - grab your copy on Amazon or through my website, ⁠https://christinemelaniebenson.com/⁠

Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/⁠

This week's episode:

On March 15, 2026, a coalition of activists rescued 22 beagle puppies from Ridglan Farms, a notorious beagle factory farm near Madison, Wisconsin, that breeds beagle dogs to sell tolaboratories for a lifetime of experimentation. I got to talk to activist Amanda Olejarz, one of the courageous humans who walked into that facility and came out holding a sweet beagle puppy. As you’’ll hear, Amanda’s got a fascinating and inspiring personal story, which you’ll get to hear in addition to her own personal account of the Ridglan rescue. Enjoy this convo with Amanda Olejarz!

About Amanda:

Amanda Olejarz (oh-la-jars) has never eaten animals, and became consciously aware of who she was eating after her father told her she was eating Flounder, the fish from the Little Mermaid at age 6. After 2 decades as a massage therapist, she overcame chronic back pain and diseases she thought she was stuck with through raw nutrition, not massage therapy. Now, she helps people break free from conditioning and achieve self-liberation through her SAVAGE System. She became a vegan activist in 2024 with the Animal Rights Collective of Chicago, and eats well with ChicagoVeg, and makes vegan music you can download for free at ⁠https://greenpillmusic.com⁠ She’s also a fur mom to 2 Bengals, Kitty & Kat. Amanda’s social medias were just deactivated or disabled this AM, so to connect with her, join her FREE community on Skool or follow her YouTube or LinkedIn. ⁠https://www.skool.com/self-care-savages-6694/about⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SelfCareSavagesShorts⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaolejarz/⁠ Shout out to PlanetBased Clothing for the shirt Amanda is wearing. Amanda feels it perfectly fits the Ridglan Rescue and is grateful to Scott at PlanetBased Clothing for this design.

Stay tuned for Posse Time, a group to educate, cheerlead, support you on the vegan path. It’s a time for us to come together, ask questions of me and/or the group regarding nutrition and vegan living, and anything else no your mind. Iam a certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator, World Peace Diet Facilitator, and a clinical mental health counselor, and supporting vegans or vegan-leaning people on their path is simply in my blood. I’ll be letting you know all the detailssoon, so stay tuned, or email [email protected] for more info.

Looking for individual one-on-one coaching? Contact me personally at [email protected]

Help normalize veganism through the arts! Make vegan women's fiction classic, Marrying Myself, by me, Christine Melanie Benosn, and international bestseller - grab your copy on Amazon or through my website, https://christinemelaniebenson.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/

This week's episode:

On March 15, 2026, a coalition of activists rescued 22 beagle puppies from Ridglan Farms, a notorious beagle factory farm near Madison, Wisconsin, that breeds beagle dogs to sell tolaboratories for a lifetime of experimentation. I got to talk to activist Amanda Olejarz, one of the courageous humans who walked into that facility and came out holding a sweet beagle puppy. As you’’ll hear, Amanda’s got a fascinating and inspiring personal story, which you’ll get to hear in addition to her own personal account of the Ridglan rescue. Enjoy this convo with Amanda Olejarz!

About Amanda:

Amanda Olejarz (oh-la-jars) has never eaten animals, and became consciously aware of who she was eating after her father told her she was eating Flounder, the fish from the Little Mermaid at age 6. After 2 decades as a massage therapist, she overcame chronic back pain and diseases she thought she was stuck with through raw nutrition, not massage therapy. Now, she helps people break free from conditioning and achieve self-liberation through her SAVAGE System. She became a vegan activist in 2024 with the Animal Rights Collective of Chicago, and eats well with ChicagoVeg, and makes vegan music you can download for free at https://greenpillmusic.com She’s also a fur mom to 2 Bengals, Kitty & Kat. Amanda’s social medias were just deactivated or disabled this AM, so to connect with her, join her FREE community on Skool or follow her YouTube or LinkedIn. https://www.skool.com/self-care-savages-6694/about https://www.youtube.com/@SelfCareSavagesShorts https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaolejarz/ Shout out to PlanetBased Clothing for the shirt Amanda is wearing. Amanda feels it perfectly fits the Ridglan Rescue and is grateful to Scott at PlanetBased Clothing for this design.

Resources:Make Marrying Myself an international bestseller! https://christinemelaniebenson.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/

Looking for clarity, continuity, and support? Contact Chrissy for personal coaching:

[email protected]

Help make vegan novel Marrying Myself an Amazon bestseller! ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/⁠

Chrissy Benson's author website: ⁠https://christinemelaniebenson.com/⁠

For coaching - email [email protected]

Tara Punzone:

Vegana Italiana: Traditional Italian the Plant-Based Way; A Vegan Cookbook 

by Tara Punzone & Gene Stone

https://puravitalosangeles.com/vegana-italiana-cookbook

Ever wish you could whip up vegan versions of fresh cheese ravioli or meatballs? As the owner and chef behind the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant in the United States, Tara Punzone knows how to transform classic Italian staples into delicious vegan dishes without sacrificing any flavor. Growing up in a big Italian family in New York, food was always at the heart of Punzone's community and gatherings. Her debut cookbook, Vegana Italiana, offers more than 100 vegan Italian recipes inspired by her family’s meals and fan-favorites from her Los Angeles-based restaurant Pura Vita. 

When Punzone decided to go vegan when she was twelve years old, she learned how to follow a vegan lifestyle without compromising her traditions, heritage, or love of bold flavors, and this cookbook shares her tips to help you do the same, while also embracing new techniques and flavors along the way. She also shares her personal stories and memories from growing up in New York and moving to California as well as the culinary inspiration she received from her family. 
With tips for stocking your pantry and strategies to replicate Italian essentials like mozzarella and ricotta cheese, Vegana Italiana includes delicious recipes like:
• The Basics: Macadamia Parmigiano, Alfredo Sauce, and Roasted Garlic Aioli
• Antipasti: Bruschetta, Garlic Parmigiano Potato Wedges, and Strawberry Almond Ricotta Crostini
• Insalata e Verdure: Caprese, Peppas, and Stuffed Artichokes
• Soups and Stews: Minestrone, Sicilian Red Lentil, and Roasted Garlic Creamy Tomato Soup
• Pasta: Ravioli Pomodoro, Pesto Calabrese, and Cacio e Pepe
• Secondi: Eggplant Parmigiana, Meatball Parmigiano Hero, and Heartbeet Risotto
• Dolci: Tiramisu, Panna Cotta, and Lemon Mint Granita

BIO: Chef Tara Punzone is an Italian American from New York, who has thrived on a vegan diet for over 35 years. Her passion for healthy southern Italian food has been evolving since her childhood when she made the decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle. It was then Tara began converting all her family’s traditional dishes to vegan versions of the same, without compromise. 

Chef Tara opened Pura Vita in West Hollywood, California in 2018. Pura Vita is the first 100% Plant-Based Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar in the USA! Now everyone can also enjoy her recipes from home with her new book, Vegana Italiana.

Gene Stone:

BIO: A graduate of Stanford and Harvard, Gene Stone (www.genestone.com) is a former Peace Corps volunteer and newspaper editor for such companies as the Los Angeles Times, Esquire, and Simon & Schuster. He has written more than a dozen books under his own name on a wide variety of subjects, and has also ghostwritten or co-written another thirty-five books for a very diverse lot of people, many of which have been national bestsellers. However, for the past fifteen years he has concentrated mainly on writing or ghostwriting books about plant-based diets and their relationship to animal protection, health, and the environment. Among these books are such titles as Forks Over Knives, 72 Reasons to Be Vegan, How Not to Die, Living the Farm Sanctuary Life, Eat for the Planet, The Engine 2 Diet, and Animalkind.

This week, the Vegan Posse welcomes ultra-endurance athlete, six-time CEO, and author Joe Gagnon!

Who is this "regular guy " from the Bronx? In his own words...

Joe Gagnon sees his life as shaped by pivotal moments, from growing up in the Bronx to burning out in my thirties, then rebuilding through ultra-endurance sports and leadership. I’ve run six marathons on six continents in six days, completed the Badwater 135 through Death Valley, and led companies through major transformations. These are not stunts; they are experiments in resilience, energy, and focus, living proof of what intentional living demands and offers. Professionally, I’ve served as a six-time CEO, guiding early-stage companies through disruption while maintaining health, performance, and purpose. Personally, I’ve developed daily disciplines around nutrition, movement, and reflection that enable me to sustain impact over decades. I began my plant-based journey 20 years ago and became fully plant-based five years ago.

I wrote my second book, published in August 2025, titled "Living Intentionally," to unify my life lessons into a framework for others: purpose as the foundation, intentional choices as the path, and integrity as the guiding compass. For me, intentional living is not just a theory. It’s the practice that has carried me across finish lines, into boardrooms, and through life’s inevitable setbacks. It’s the practice I now teach and share so others can do the same.

Resources:

www.linkedin.com/in/joegagnon/

substack.com/@joecurious

www.instagram.com/thehighperformancelife

Help make vegan novel Marrying Myself an Amazon bestseller! https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/

Chrissy Benson's author website: https://christinemelaniebenson.com/

For coaching - email [email protected]

Posse Talk with Jen Howk! is the monthly episode where Chrissy Benson and Dr. Jen Howk shoot the breeze about veganism, life, love, world events, and anything else on their minds!

Looking for personal coaching or counseling? Email Chrissy directly at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Got show topics, guest suggestions questions for our monthly series Posse Talk with Jen Howk, or anything else on your mind? Email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ We love to hear form you!

Make the vegan women’s fiction classic Marrying Myself by Christine Melanie Benson an international bestseller! ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/⁠⁠

Chrissy Benson author website: ⁠⁠https://christinemelaniebenson.com/⁠⁠

Support the Vegan Posse through PayPal and/or Venmo. Consider becoming a monthly supporter!

PayPal: @VeganPosse

Venmo: @VeganPosse ⁠https://www.venmo.com/u/veganposse⁠

Thank you! YOU are the Posse.

Dr. Jen Howk website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenhowk.com/⁠⁠⁠

Dr. Jen Howk e-book: Truth Be Told: ⁠⁠⁠https://jenhowk.gumroad.com/l/truthbetold⁠

Wrapping up the year with a final 2025 episode of Posse Talk with Jen Howk!

Looking for personal coaching or counseling? Email Chrissy directly at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Got show topics, guest suggestions questions for our monthly series Posse Talk with Jen Howk, or anything else on your mind? Email ⁠[email protected]⁠ We love to hear form you!

Make the vegan women’s fiction classic Marrying Myself by Christine Melanie Benson an international bestseller! ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/⁠

Chrissy Benson author website: ⁠https://christinemelaniebenson.com/⁠

Support the Vegan Posse through PayPal and/or Venmo. Consider becoming a monthly supporter!

PayPal: @VeganPosse

Venmo: @VeganPosse https://www.venmo.com/u/veganposseThank you! YOU are the Posse.

Dr. Jen Howk website: ⁠⁠https://www.jenhowk.com/⁠⁠

Dr. Jen Howk e-book: Truth Be Told: ⁠⁠https://jenhowk.gumroad.com/l/truthbetold⁠