The Plant Based News Podcast
Plant Based News
The PBN podcast, from the award-winning team, covers all things health, environment and animals.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 31, 2023 • 1h 9min
Are There Really 60 Harvests Left? Philip Lymbery On The Race To Save The Planet
Welcome back to another episode of the PBN podcast!
Today we have Philip Lymbery Global Chief Executive of animal welfare charity 'Compassion in World Farming'.
Philip is an ornithologist, photographer, dedicated animal advocate and award-winning author who has been leading Compassion for more than a decade. His critically acclaimed books, Farmageddon: The true cost of cheap meat, and Dead Zone: where the wild things were, were the first mainstream books to show factory farming as a major driver of wildlife declines and at the heart of what needs to change to stave off the climate, nature and pandemic emergencies now facing humanity. His third book, Sixty Harvests Left: How to reach a nature-friendly future, will be published by Bloomsbury in August 2022.
Find out more about Compassion in World Farming here - https://www.ciwf.org.uk/
The PBN Podcast is hosted and produced by Robbie Lockie, edited by Phil Marriott and researched and scripted by Antonia Georgieva.
00:00:00 An introduction to Philip Lymbery
00:03:45 The beginning of Philip’s vegan story
00:07:35 Compassion in World Farming - a history of the world's leading farm animal welfare organisation campaigning to end factory farming and stop farm animal suffering
00:19:09 Feeling frustrations
00:24:35 Sixty Harvests Left - Philip’s latest book
00:29:30 The best ways that advocates should be using their time to awaken the minds of the masses
00:35:00 Regenerative Agriculture
00:44:30 A vision of the future: what does it look like for our planet?
00:49:26 Government action
00:58:50 Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher
01:00:00 What’s happening with the advent of octopus farming
01:04:00 Campaigns that CIWF are running, plus other successes
01:06:36 Stranded on a desert island

May 17, 2023 • 1h 7min
'Yoga Is A Vegan Practice': Tabay Atkins, 17, On Becoming America's Youngest Yoga Teacher
Welcome back to another episode of the Plant Based News Podcast! I am joined today by a remarkable young person, Tabay Atkins, who is known for his work as a vegan chef, philanthropist, plant-based advocate, and America’s youngest yoga teacher.
Tabay discovered his passion for yoga after witnessing his mum’s battle with cancer and the positive effects that yoga practice had in her recovery. He became the youngest certified yoga teacher at age 11 and later went on to complete 500-hour Vinyasa certification yoga teacher at age 14. His incredible journey has led him to work on campaigns with big brands such as Nike. He is passionate about sharing his practice of yoga, vegan cooking, and healthy living and using his platform for social change and giving back to his community.
Putting his money where his mouth is, in 2022 at only 16 years old, Tabay launched his own business, Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen – a vegan food truck in Orange County, California. Acknowledging the roots and what catapulted him on this journey, he donates his earnings from his successful ventures to help cancer patients.
The PBN Podcast is hosted and produced by Robbie Lockie, edited by Phil Marriott and researched and scripted by Antonia Georgieva.
00:00:00 An introduction to Tabay Atkins
00:11:02 12 year-old Tabay’s Harry Connick Jr TV appearance (2017)
00:13:20 The interconnecting ideas between veganism and Ahimsa - the yoga practice
00:16:50 Why do some people practice the non-harming yoga practice Ahimsa but still eat animals?
00:23:41 Living by the mantra: “Think good thoughts, speak kind words, feel love, be love, give love”
00:27:38 Working with sports brand Nike
00:30:35 The lack of support for young people and their aspirations
00:36:20 The importance of nutrition
00:44:10 Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen
00:48:55 Tabay’s relationship with food
00:53:20 The power of celebrity
00:55:20 Advice for those who are overwhelmed by modern life
01:02:00 LEGO is a form of therapy
01:04:00 Stranded on a desert island

May 3, 2023 • 1h
Jamila Anahata On Soul Food, Spirituality and Racial Inequality
It is my pleasure to welcome you back to another episode of the Plant Based News podcast. Joining me this time we have Baltimore-based vegan advocate, content creator, and spiritual wellness coach Jamila Anahata, best known for her platform The Soulful Veganista.
Jamila is passionate about empowering people with her work, particularly those experiencing marginalization, helping them live more authentically. She often covers topics like self-empowerment, spirituality and living authentically.
Find out more about Jamila here - https://www.thesoulfulveganista.com/
The PBN Podcast is hosted and produced by Robbie Lockie, edited by Phil Marriott and researched and scripted by Antonia Georgieva.
00:00:00 Introduction to Jamila Anahata
00:02:30 Beginning the vegan journey
00:04:42 Earthlings
00:07:00 The food culture of Jamila’s childhood
00:12:00 Racial inequality within the food system and how it directly correlates to the rate at which people of colour suffer from disproportionately higher rates of chronic disease.
00:15:04 Living in a society which is dominated by a capitalist food system
00:21:10 The power of Spirituality
00:27:55 The importance of community
00:35:19 How veganism is perceived within the black community
00:43:55 Generational trauma
00:48:00 The transformative power of creating content online
00:50:10 What does the future look like for Jamila Anahata?
00:52:50 Advice for people wanting to believe in themselves
00:56:04 Stranded on a desert island

Apr 19, 2023 • 52min
Sarah Regensburger On The Future Of Vegan Fashion
Welcome back to another episode of the Plant Based News podcast! Today we are delving deeper into the rise of the vegan fashion industry, as I am joined by fashion designer and activist Sarah Regensburger.
Sarah Regensburger launched her namesake sustainable vegan fashion brand in 2018 to platform a vision of creativity with no boundaries, made for rebels with a cause. The Sarah Regensburger collections stand for unapologetic individuality, diversity, and a more sustainable future.
The PBN Podcast is hosted and produced by Robbie Lockie, edited by Phil Marriott and researched and scripted by Antonia Georgieva.
00:00:00 An introduction to Sarah Regensburger
00:02:30 Discovering the vegan lifestyle
00:05:20 Starting out in fashion
00:08:00 Experiences within the fashion industry
00:09:25 Paris Fashion Week
00:13:45 The Power of Fashion with Maria Raveendran - Ted Talk
00:16:30 Fashion is a feeling
00:18:44 Joshua Katcher on the fur industry
00:20:40 The use of animals in fashion: what are the alternatives?
00:24:48 Slay - the documentary
00:28:46 Sarah Regensburger’s fashion brand
00:32:15 The inspirations behind Sarah’s collections
00:34:10 Cultural identity and how fashion represents a lifestyle
00:38:00 Fast fashion / Fashion on a budget
00:41:00 Celebrity representing sustainable fashion
00:42:20 Lady Gaga on the meat dress (British Vogue)
00:48:20 Future plans
00:49:40 Stranded on a desert island

Apr 4, 2023 • 1h 28min
Macken Murphy On Empathy, Language, And 'Self-Awareness' In Non-Human Animals
Welcome back to another episode of the Plant Based News podcast!
Macken Murphy is a graduate of Boston University, where he completed a dual major in History and Biological Anthropology in 2020 and was honored as the student speaker for the 2020 commencement. He then went on to pursue a postgraduate degree in Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at Oxford.
The PBN Podcast is hosted and produced by Robbie Lockie, edited by Phil Marriott and researched and scripted by Antonia Georgieva.
00:00:00 An introduction to Macken Murphy
00:03:00 Discovering the vegan lifestyle
00:06:00 The shift in consciousness
00:12:20 Cognitive dissonance
00:23:30 The similarities between human behaviour and the way animals live
00:25:00 The Species Podcast
00:41:40 The levels of awareness in humans and animals
00:50:00 Could humans be labeled as a parasitic species?
00:54:00 Why young people appreciate the Species podcast
01:00:00 Discussing the ethics of veganism in the Species podcast
01:04:10 Is veganism morally superior to carnistic culture?
01:11:00 Evolution
01:25:30 Stranded on a desert island

Feb 1, 2023 • 1h 3min
Emma Hakansson On The Horrors Of Animal Use In The Fashion Industry
This episode is sponsored by ZenB. Get your hands on delicious award winning plant-based products at - www.zenb.co.uk (Use ‘PBN40’ & save 40%)
Welcome back to another episode of the Plant Based News podcast! This time we're thrilled to be joined by activist, author, and consultant Emma Hakansson, whose work in the fashion industry has set the tone for ethical fashion, raising awareness around the deep-seated issues of the industry.
Emma is the founding director of ethical production agency Willow Creative and not-for-profit Collective Fashion Justice, working for a fashion industry that prioritises animals, people and the planet before profit.
The PBN Podcast is hosted and produced by Robbie Lockie, edited by Phil Marriott and researched and scripted by Antonia Georgieva.
00:00:00 An introduction to Emma Hakansson
00:04:10 The beginning of Emma’s vegan story
00:07:00 The power of animal agriculture in Australia
00:10:30 How Emma avoids being depressed when fighting for animals
00:13:50 SPONSOR - Zen B ad
00:14:23 Total Liberation for all
00:19:30 The horrors of the fashion industry
00:23:50 Clip from Willow and Claude fashion documentary
00:25:45 The environmental impact of the fashion industry
00:30:40 Green washing
00:33:30 The egotistical activist
00:40:00 The difficulty with finding sustainable fashion which is accessible and affordable
00:44:20 Slay - a documentary by Rebecca Cappelli
00:50:50 How Veganism Can Save Us - A book by Emma Hakansson
01:00:50 Stranded on a desert island

Jan 18, 2023 • 1h 7min
The 'Plant-Based Gynae' Debunks Misinformation About Women's Health - Dr Nitu Bajekal
Welcome back to another episode of the Plant Based News podcast. We are joined today by Dr. Nitu Bajekal, also known as “the plant-based gynae”. Dr. Nitu is a gynaecologist with over 35 years’ experience in Women’s Health. She provides medical and holistic care for women with a variety of health concerns. Her expertise in menopause, fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome (or PCOS) and cervical cancer screening makes her one of the leading experts in the field.
The PBN Podcast is hosted and produced by Robbie Lockie, Edited by Phil Marriott.
00:00:00 An introduction to Dr. Nitu Bajekal
00:05:06 How Dr. Nitu discovered the plant-based lifestyle
00:10:30 What led Dr. Nitu to medicine and gynaecology
00:17:30 Being your own advocate and understanding your own body
00:20:30 Smashing myths and false information about medicine
00:26:00 Body autonomy and women’s health
00:36:00 Why does it seem like we’re in an uphill battle when it comes to encouraging people to adopt a plant-based lifestyle?
00:40:00 Understanding endometriosis: what are the signs that women should look out for?
00:45:20 Hormonal health: how common is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
00:52:30 What are the facts about soy? Is it safe to eat soy?
01:00:55 Advice for medical professionals to encourage patients to embrace a plant-based diet
01:05:00 Stranded on a desert island

Jan 4, 2023 • 59min
Nisha Vora(Rainbow Plant Life)On Coping With Imposter Syndrome
Todays episode is supported by our friends over at lovecomplement.com - check out their epic January deals to support your new years resolutions.
Today we have the pleasure of sitting down with vegan cook, author, and creator of the popular vegan blog Rainbow Plant Life, Nisha Vora, whose intriguing life journey has led her from pursuing a career as a lawyer to teaching people how to master healthy and delicious vegan cooking at home.
At Rainbow Plant Life, which she has been running full time since 2019, Nisha teaches people how to create delicious vegan comfort foods. In 2019, she also published The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook full of wholesome, indulgent, plant-based recipes, which she developed, wrote, and photographed herself.
Nisha’s work has been featured across publications including CNN, Buzzfeed, Forbes, Glamour, Elle, Refinery 29 and others. She is continuing to grow Rainbow Plant Life on Instagram and Youtube and is working towards her second cookbook. Welcome!
The PBN Podcast is hosted and produced by Robbie Lockie, Edited by Phil Marriott.
Show Notes:
00:00:00 An introduction to Nisha Vora
00:03:30 Discovering the vegan lifestyle
00:07:00 Learning how the food system works during childhood
00:09:30 Experiencing bullying and racism
00:11:45 Crafting recipes and learning how to cook
00:20:30 Advice for people who are stuck in a job they hate
00:26:36 Imposter syndrome
00:30:10 Starting up the Rainbow Plant Life brand
00:34:30 The challenges of being a woman in business
00:37:10 Dealing with negativity and hostility on social media
00:42:35 Where does Nisha’s food inspiration come from?
00:46:45 How has Nisha learnt about food pairings?
00:48:30 The sensitivities and respect shown when creating and sharing recipes
00:51:30 Advice for those new to veganism
00:55:00 Sustainability
00:56:50 Stranded on a desert island

Nov 30, 2022 • 54min
Does The Perfect Vegan Exist? Alicia Silverstone On The Dangers of Burnout, Mental Health, And More
Welcome back to another week of the Plant Based News podcast. We have a very special guest on today’s episode. Best known for her roles in cult classics such as Clueless and The Crush, our guest on the podcast today is none other than actress, entrepreneur, and vegan advocate Alicia Silverstone.
Becoming vegan in her early 20s, she first made the lifestyle change out of consideration for animal welfare. Since the early 2000s, she has been a strong advocate for animal rights and has participated in several PETA ad campaigns promoting veganism. Discovering the health benefits of a plant-based diet, she co-created myKind Organics vitamin line – a certified organic, non-GMO vegan supplement range. The supplements are crafted from real whole foods offering clean nutrition that is good for the environment and good for our bodies.
Alicia is now the host of The Real Heal with Alicia Silverstone from iHeartMedia, where she sits down with guests each week to talk candidly about health, healing, and cutting through the noise of our busy lives, covering topics like self-love, nurturing children, ocean conservation and more. She has also chronicled her journey towards a more conscious way of eating in her New York Times bestseller, "The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet" and her second book, "The Kind Mama." Her website, thekindlife.com, is a platform for health and eco-living.
I am thrilled to welcome Alicia to the Plant Based News podcast and talk about her vegan journey and all things wellness, nutrition, and self-care. Welcome, Alicia!
*Show Notes*
00:00:00 An Introduction to Alicia Silverstone
00:02:14 How Alicia discovered the vegan lifestyle
00:07:19 The Witness documentary and the impact the movie had on Alicia
00:12:50 The Kind Life books: The Kind Diet and The Kind Mama
00:24:40 How the media attention has affected Alicia with her vegan message
00:31:44 How Alicia has maintained her positive mental wellness
00:36:30 The Real Heal Podcast
00:45:43 The challenges that vegans face
00:47:30 How Alicia avoids the dangers of burn-out
00:50:30 Would Cher Horowitz (Alicia’s character in Clueless be a vegan?)
00:52:00 Stranded on a desert island
Produced and Presented by Robbie Lockie, Edited by Phil Marriott

Nov 16, 2022 • 1h 2min
Dan McKernan On Why He Ditched His Six Figure Salary To Start An Animal Sanctuary
Welcome back to another episode of the Plant Based News podcast! This week I am delighted to welcome to the podcast animal advocate and founder of Barn Sanctuary Dan McKernan.
Dan’s journey of animal advocacy goes back a few years to when he decided to leave a successful, high-paying job in the tech industry in Austin, Texas. He decided to return to his home in rural Michigan and was intent on transforming his family’s 140-year-old farm into a safe haven for farmed animals. This is how in 2016 Barn Sanctuary was formed.
Barn Sanctuary in Chelsea, Michigan is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected farmed animals in need. It is currently home to over 100 rescued farmed animals, which reside within the 70-acre property. Barn Sanctuary exemplifies Dan’s mission to change the way the world views farmed animals and help lead society towards a more compassionate and plant-based lifestyle.
The PBN Podcast is hosted and produced by Robbie Lockie, Edited by Phil Marriott.
Learn more about Dan and Barn Sanctuary here -https://www.barnsanctuary.org/
00:00:00 An Introduction to Dan McKernan
00:04:10 Discovering the vegan and plant-based lifestyle
00:06:48 Detaching from the misconceptions that being vegan is not masculine
00:14:45 The transition from being tech nerd to founder of Barn Sanctuary
00:19:35 What happens on the animal sanctuary
00:27:10 Stories of visitors at the sanctuary
00:31:00 Dealing with the loss of animals cared for at the sanctuary
00:38:21 Dreaming of the perfect future for animals
00:42:00 Mercy For Animals: Transfarmation
00:43:00 Saved By The Barn TV Show
00:51:35 This Farm is a Family - a book for children
00:58:40 Stranded on a desert island


