PLANTSTRONG Podcast
Rip Esselstyn
The PLANT STRONG Podcast is for people who want real answers about food, health, and longevity—without the noise, fear, or extremes.
Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition and want a path forward that actually supports healing. Maybe you’re an athlete looking to fuel performance and recovery. Maybe you’re a parent trying to escape the ultra-processed food aisle and feed your family real, nourishing meals. Or maybe you’re simply tired of being confused about what “healthy” actually means.
The challenge? Eating more real food can feel overwhelming. You’ve heard warnings about protein, cost, or restriction. You’ve been told it’s complicated, boring, or socially isolating.
This podcast exists to change that.
Each week, host Rip Esselstyn sits down with leading doctors, researchers, athletes, authors, and everyday people who are proving—through lived experience and science—that eating more whole plants and moving your body consistently can deliver powerful, lasting results. We’re not interested in perfection or dogma. We’re here to be extremely practical, extremely evidence-based, and extremely encouraging.
Rip’s work began more than two decades ago, when he helped transform the health of his fellow firefighters using simple, whole foods—guided by the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. That experience launched a lifelong mission to help people reclaim their health through real food and active living, and ultimately led to the creation of PLANT STRONG.
Today, the podcast is an extension of that mission: cutting through misinformation, challenging cultural norms, and showing what’s possible when you fuel your body with food that actually supports it.
You’ll hear conversations about:
Preventing and reversing chronic disease
Strength, endurance, and recovery
Gut health, inflammation, and longevity
Behavior change that actually sticks
How to build habits you can sustain in real life
You’ll also hear about REAL30™—our simple, powerful framework built around consistency, not restriction:
30 days
30 minutes of movement a day
30 different whole plants each week
REAL30 is often where listeners turn inspiration into action—and it’s a recurring thread throughout the show.
This podcast isn’t about being perfect. It’s about eating real food, building real habits, and getting real results. You won’t be weak when you eat strong food.
Welcome to PLANT STRONG.
Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition and want a path forward that actually supports healing. Maybe you’re an athlete looking to fuel performance and recovery. Maybe you’re a parent trying to escape the ultra-processed food aisle and feed your family real, nourishing meals. Or maybe you’re simply tired of being confused about what “healthy” actually means.
The challenge? Eating more real food can feel overwhelming. You’ve heard warnings about protein, cost, or restriction. You’ve been told it’s complicated, boring, or socially isolating.
This podcast exists to change that.
Each week, host Rip Esselstyn sits down with leading doctors, researchers, athletes, authors, and everyday people who are proving—through lived experience and science—that eating more whole plants and moving your body consistently can deliver powerful, lasting results. We’re not interested in perfection or dogma. We’re here to be extremely practical, extremely evidence-based, and extremely encouraging.
Rip’s work began more than two decades ago, when he helped transform the health of his fellow firefighters using simple, whole foods—guided by the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. That experience launched a lifelong mission to help people reclaim their health through real food and active living, and ultimately led to the creation of PLANT STRONG.
Today, the podcast is an extension of that mission: cutting through misinformation, challenging cultural norms, and showing what’s possible when you fuel your body with food that actually supports it.
You’ll hear conversations about:
Preventing and reversing chronic disease
Strength, endurance, and recovery
Gut health, inflammation, and longevity
Behavior change that actually sticks
How to build habits you can sustain in real life
You’ll also hear about REAL30™—our simple, powerful framework built around consistency, not restriction:
30 days
30 minutes of movement a day
30 different whole plants each week
REAL30 is often where listeners turn inspiration into action—and it’s a recurring thread throughout the show.
This podcast isn’t about being perfect. It’s about eating real food, building real habits, and getting real results. You won’t be weak when you eat strong food.
Welcome to PLANT STRONG.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 14, 2020 • 1h 5min
Ep. 41: T. Colin Campbell, PhD - T is for 'Trailblazer'
For 65-years, Dr. T. Colin Campbell has been a courageous truth-seeker and unapologetic truth-teller in the scientific research and study of nutrition. Of course, most know his work from The China Study, Whole, Forks over Knives, and his repeat visits to Plant Stock, but recently, Dr. Campbell released two articles that speak to this “revolutionary idea” that the best defense against Covid-19 is whole food plant-based diet. In fact, not only is it the best cautionary measure you can take, but it’s also the most responsible to protect the strain on the hospital system, our global environment, and the food supply chain, which has been severely compromised. Dr. Campbell and Rip discuss his body of work over the last six decades and explore the contents of his recent essays on his ideal prescription for optimal health - a whole-food, plant-based diet. Episode Resources: Register Now for the Plant-Strong Primer Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order T.Colin Campbell Center for Nutritional Studies Recovery From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Testing, Tracing, & Nutrition Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list, and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode
May 7, 2020 • 1h 38min
Ep 40: Dr. Will Bulsiewicz - Build the Gut of a Hero
In 2018, after an interview about building a healthy gut on a plant-based diet went viral, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz knew he needed to do something. He wanted to continue to spread this message to a wider audience. The result almost two years later? His brand new book Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome. Fiber Fueled is the playbook to optimize and restore your gut health on a plant-based diet, and this entire episode is dedicated to the one nutrient that has the most positive impact on your gut health - FIBER. Dr. B dishes on: His F-GOALS: Those super plant-foods to optimize gut health Straight talk on paleo, keto, lectins, and other misinformation floating around Honest dialogue on probiotics and prebiotics And, yes, a topic like fiber wouldn't be complete without a discussion on poop! It's empowering to know that you're not born to have disease. You're born for health and it all starts with the relationship between your microbes and fiber - fiber from plants. Fiber really is sexy! Episode Resources: Plant-Strong Primer Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list, and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Dr. B Website Fiber Fueled Book Page Fiber Fueled on Book Shop (Buy local! Support your local bookstore!) Fiber Fueled on B&N Fiber Fueled on Amazon Dr. B Facebook Dr. B Instagram Theme music for episode
Apr 30, 2020 • 54min
Ep.39: Dan Buettner - Finding Blue Skies During Covid-19
Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and a New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world—dubbed Blue Zones—where people live the longest, healthiest lives. Today, Dan and Rip discuss the Power 9, those nine mutually supporting characteristics that these Blue Zones areas have in common to promote health, happiness, and longevity. They include: Move Naturally Purpose Downshift 80% Rule Plant Slant Wine at 5 Right Tribe Loved Ones First Belong I encourage you to explore ways to adopt and implement as many of these as possible into your own lives - especially now - when the entire planet is on the precipice of change. We can use these uncertain times for our own good - and the good of the world. It starts now and it starts with you. Episode Resources: Plant-Strong Primer Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Blue Zones Website, Books and Resources Blue Zones Power 9 Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode
Apr 23, 2020 • 1h 33min
Ep. 38: Chris Wark - How Chris Beat Cancer
“I just couldn’t wrap my head around this idea that you can poison your way back to health.” In 2003, Chris Wark received a grim colon cancer diagnosis at the young age of 26. And, as most of us know, when it comes to cancer treatment, much of the decision-making is based around FEAR. Who wouldn’t be afraid if you were told you basically had a 50-50 shot at surviving? Chris, however, took a different approach. Instead of using fear to drive his decision on chemotherapy, he turned to facts and his faith. Instead of pumping chemo drugs into his body, he pumped in as many anti-cancer foods as he could and turned his body into a nutritional powerhouse. He built his body up instead of tearing it down. That was 13 years ago. Today, Chris is the best selling author of the book Chris Beat Cancer, and a robust website of the same name, ChrisBeatCancer.com. He’s also the father of two beautiful girls and public speaker. Episode Resources: ChrisBeatCancer.com Chris Beat Cancer - A Comprehensive Plan for Healing Naturally Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Thank you podcast listeners! Join our Million Downloads giveaway - enter here to win one of the following great prizes, no purchase necessary! Winners announced on April 27th. Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode Plant-Strong Podcast Website
Apr 16, 2020 • 1h 20min
Ep. 37: Damien Mander - Conservation Crusader
Damien Mander is founder and CEO of The International Anti-Poaching Foundation and, if you’ve seen “The Game Changers” documentary, you’ll also, no doubt, remember his powerful contribution to the film as a former hunter-turned-conservationist. In this candid interview, Mander describes his former self - the alpha male who used to take aim at the vulnerable through the hunting, killing, and eating of animals. A chance meeting with an elephant transformed him from a meat-loving Aussie to a plant-strong crusader with a personal mission to protect animals and the world’s natural heritage for future generations. You’ll hear all about the initiatives of the IAPF and their valiant efforts to protect over 20 million acres of the African wilderness. In 2017 Damien founded ‘Akashinga – Nature Protected by Women’, an IAPF program that has already grown to over 170 employees, becoming the only group of nature reserves in the world to be protected by women. Their goal is to employ 1000 women by 2025, protecting a network of 20 nature reserves, all managed by the IAPF. We’ve recently seen first-hand just how delicate our ecosystems are and, thanks to people like Damien, we are fighting valiantly, with thought-provoking conversations just like these that inspire us to action. Episode Resources: International Anti-Poaching Foundation Damien's Mander's TEDx Talk Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Help us improve access to the Engine 2 Food Line! Survey closed 4/20/20 Thanks! Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode
Apr 2, 2020 • 1h 16min
Ep. 36: Dr. Michael Klaper - Health and Hope Amidst a Lockdown
Dr. Michael Klaper is a friend, a philosopher, and a humanitarian. Today, he returns to the podcast for the third time to talk about the coronavirus and to answer your health questions. In this ever-changing landscape, we are dedicated to providing you with a compass - pointing you towards facts, science, and the world’s most well-trusted medical authorities on health and nutrition. In addition to talking through the origins of the COVID-19 virus, as well as tips on how you can maximize your health and minimize risk, Dr. Klaper also provides HOPE! In fact, as he says, there is room for magic in this “pandemic of possibilities.” Hopefully, we will all emerge with a renewed sense of awareness and appreciation for our planet, our animals, and each other. Episode Resources: Dr. Michael Klaper Website and Social Links Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Know your numbers! Plant-Strong has partnered with the nation’s leader in direct-to-consumer lab testing. For a list of recommended tests and a money-saving bundle, visit our website. Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode
Mar 26, 2020 • 1h 1min
Ep. 35: Q&A with Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn
During this time of uncertainty, we are more committed than ever to bring you science, facts, and answers to your health questions. We put the call out and you responded in a huge way and this week, we go straight to the top -- a Q&A session with my father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn. Like most of us, he and my Mother are practicing social distancing from their home in Cleveland, Ohio, so we recorded this conversation over Zoom. Whatever lack of quality there is in the recording is made up in spades with the information and answers that he provides to YOUR questions - ranging from cholesterol tests, how to order food at restaurants, the effects of caffeine on the body, the six most important leafy greens your should be eating daily, and the importance of nitric oxide and more. Enjoy this always-educational conversation with Dr. Esselstyn. Episode Resources: Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Music credits for Episode
Mar 19, 2020 • 46min
Ep. 34: BONUS: Brian Hart, M. Ed. - Reflections on Food and Pandemics
This week, during these uncertain and volatile times, we present a special episode with Brian Hart, M. Ed. Hart is a highly experienced educator with over twenty-five years in the field as a teacher, administrator, and advocate for school change in both the public and private sectors. He is also Rip's brother-in-law and the Executive Director of the Esselstyn Family Foundation, a 501c3 public charity that strives to get the plant-based message out, free of cost, to as many people and medical organizations as possible. Brian recently wrote a thought-provoking piece for Medium.com entitled, "Food Choice and COVID-19: Reflections on Food and Pandemics." Today, he and Rip discuss the hope-filled lessons from this article and the silver linings we can take away during these uncertain times. Episode Resources: Food Choice and COVID 19 Esselstyn Family Foundation
Mar 12, 2020 • 51min
Ep. 33: Nina and Randa Nelson - Clear Skin Crusaders
At age 26, identical twins Nina and Randa Nelson are strong voices in the plant-strong movement. In their early 20s, both were struck with severe acne that left them depressed, confused, and out of work...just as they were pursuing careers in the entertainment industry. Not wanting to settle for traditional antibiotics and powerful medicines with terrible side-effects, Nina and Randa refined their already-clean diet even more to remove excess oils and toxins. Within days, the acne started to clear dramatically. Today, they share the six guiding principles from their book, "The Clear Skin Diet," so that others can put the plan to work. Acne affects millions of young people and has a dramatic impact on self-esteem and social development. Share this episode with anyone who wants to heal their skin from the inside out. Episode Resources: Theme Music Join one of our 2020 Plant-Strong Immersions - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for any five or six day retreat Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Register for Camp Plant-Stock - August 14th-16th, 2020 Clear Skin Diet Website Nina and Randa Nelson Website Somewhat Relatable Podcast
Mar 5, 2020 • 45min
Ep. 32: Dr. Michael Klaper - Get Off Your 'Buts'
“Heaven forbid, you get a heart attack or a stroke. It's only you in that hospital bed. It's not the people at work. It's not your daughter-in-law. It's not the people you go out to dinner with. It's you. You're a grown man. You're a grown woman. It doesn't matter what people think at this point and you don't owe anything to anybody. It's nobody's business what you order for lunch.” Not many people tell it like it is better than Dr. Michael Klaper. As a revered member of the Plant-Strong retreat team, this nutritional Paul Revere always inspires with his infinite wisdom, caring spirit, and straightforward approach. It’s also this fervor that drives his quest to expose and awaken tomorrow’s young physicians to the power of plant-based healing with his Moving Medicine Forward Initiative. This candid interview is true-to-form as Dr. Klaper and Rip ask the audience to let go of their sacred cows and get off their ‘BUTS’ to make positive changes for long term health. Life is made up of small changes, and the food we eat every day changes us from the inside out. When you switch to a whole food plant-based diet, you have a self-healing mechanism and the body gets itself back into balance. So, why not eat the cleanest fuel possible for your metabolic engine? There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Every bite matters. Episode 10 Resources Join one of our 2020 Plant-Strong Immersions - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for any five or six day retreat. Know your numbers! Plant-Strong has partnered with the nation’s leader in direct-to-consumer lab testing. For a list of recommended tests and a money-saving bundle, visit our website. Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Dr. Klaper Website Moving Medicine Forward Dr. Klaper Episodes from Season 1: Paleo: The Devil’s Bargain Keto with Doug Lisle Theme Music (https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/6155)
