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Every October, a sea of pink ribbons reminds us that breast cancer touches millions of lives. But how often do we talk about what may contribute to its development, and what we can do to help prevent it? In this powerful episode, renowned breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk, founder of the Pink Lotus Breast Center and bestselling author of Breasts: The Owner’s Manual, takes us through some surprising factors that may influence breast cancer risk, the role nutrition and lifestyle can play, and common myths that deserve debunking. Join us for a deep dive into the latest scientific evidence...
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At over 400 pounds, Tim Kaufman lived on fentanyl, painkillers, vodka and fast food. His blood pressure hit 255/115. Today he has lost 200 pounds on a whole-food, plant-based diet and races half Ironman triathlons. Tim explains how a 30-day juice fast and Forks Over Knives changed his life, and how cutting dairy ended his joint pain and eczema. He shares what he eats in a day and how he lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. He talks about coming back from spine surgery and an ankle fusion. He also tells the story of a type 2 diabetic in his cooking class who reversed his diabetes. What we...
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"Willpower is just a part of it. Change really happens when you change your environment." Dave Wegener is a high school visual arts teacher, husband and father. He grew up overweight, loved McDonald's and called himself a volume eater. In 2016 he hit 335 pounds and his triglycerides were at 424. His doctor wanted to put him on medication. Dave said no. He made a deal with his doctor instead. He would eat fewer calories, draw every meal in a sketchbook food journal and walk 30 minutes a day. Those small steps led him to Forks Over Knives and a whole food, plant-based diet. He went on to lose...
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What happens when you take one of America’s most culturally diverse food cities and put plants at the center of the plate? Ellen Kanner takes us deep into the flavors, traditions, and food memories that shaped her as a fifth-generation Miamian, chef, and author, sharing how she reimagines beloved dishes without losing the flavors, textures, and cultural meaning that make them special. Along the way, she shares her “Rule of One,” challenges some of the biggest myths about plant-based cooking, and makes a compelling case for approaching food as a full-body experience. It’s a delicious...
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Physiotherapist, nutritionist, and The Proof is in the Plants author Simon Hill joins Dotsie and Alexandra to trace how a single terrifying moment reshaped his entire career, and what the evidence really says about eating for a long, healthy life. When Simon was 15, he watched his father, just 41 years old with no prior health issues, suffer a heart attack right in front of him on a remote Sunday afternoon. That day, combined with a growing frustration over the "bro science" he was fed while working with elite AFL and VFL athletes, sent him back to school for a master's in nutrition science...
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What drives someone to pursue not just one extraordinary path, but two? Olympic gold medalist and physician Imogen Grant has devoted herself to two radically different disciplines, medicine and rowing, and somehow managed to reach the pinnacle of both. But listening to her speak about the human body, “the perfect stroke,” and what draws her so deeply into each, and the divide between them starts to disappear. She brings a rare depth and poetry to the things she does, with an endlessly curious, deeply disciplined nature and a genuine fascination with discovery. She also gets candid about...
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Can the way we eat and live actually lower our risk of cancer? That question sits close to my heart, and in this episode I sit down with Dr. Shireen Kassam, consultant hematologist, lifestyle medicine physician, and founder of Plant-Based Health Professionals UK to dig into what the science really says. Dr. Kassam has spent years at the intersection of clinical oncology and nutrition, and what she shares here is both hopeful and practical. We talk through how diet, exercise, body weight, alcohol, smoking, sleep, and the gut microbiome each shape cancer risk, and why our daily choices matter...
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Protein has become the buzzword of the moment, but how much of what we're hearing is grounded in science? Registered dietitian and nutrition researcher David Goldman returns to separate facts from marketing and explain what the research actually says about meeting your protein needs, building muscle, and healthy aging. And then there’s this: They say you are what you eat. David's research suggests the story doesn't end there. The plant foods you eat may influence how attractive you appear to others. Packed with practical advice and refreshing clarity, this episode will leave you better...
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Young people today are inheriting a world they didn’t design. They’re facing a climate crisis, a food system that puts profit before health, and a constant stream of misinformation that can make meaningful change feel impossible. But a new generation of advocates is already stepping up, asking difficult questions and challenging outdated systems. In this episode, we talk with Lucy Whitney and Gianna Klein, recent graduates of NYU and Cornell who studied sustainability, the environment, and the connection between what we eat and the only habitable planet we’ve got. Through Switch4Good’s...
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A move from Houston to a cattle ranch in rural Texas was never meant to alter the course of her life so completely, but that is exactly what happened for Renee King-Sonnen, founder of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary. What began as a new chapter alongside her husband became something far more complicated as her relationship with the animals deepened and she confronted realities on the ranch she could no longer ignore, reshaping everything from her marriage to her identity and sense of purpose. That internal shift led to the creation of a sanctuary for rescued animals and the path she now walks in advocacy...
info_outlineA lot of well-meaning people having riding an elephant as part of their bucket list.
One popular destination for this activity is Thailand, where tourists can spend their vacation watching elephant shows, getting up close to the animals, and riding on their backs.
What a lot of these tourists don’t know is the suffering these elephants endured to be used for their amusement.
Today’s guest is Ashley Bell, who has appeared in several films and television shows. She made her major feature film debut as Nell Sweetzer in The Last Exorcism, which garnered her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She also gave a brilliant performance in Psychopaths and has been featured as a voice actress in several popular video games.
But in 2018, Ashley stepped behind the camera for Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story. She wrote and directed this groundbreaking documentary that follows her daring 48-hour mission across Thailand to rescue a 70-year-old elephant from slavery.
Ashley sits down with Dotsie and Alexandra to discuss the disturbing reality behind elephant exploitation, the inspiration behind Love & Bananas, and how she combines her platform with her passion for animal activism.
What we discuss in this episode:
- How meeting Lek Chailert inspired Ashley to make Love & Bananas: An Elephant Love Story
- What’s causing elephant populations to drop?
- Why African elephants are being poached, and how they’re evolving to save themselves
- The “crush box”: The disturbing method behind elephant training that you’ve never heard of
- Why Ashley made Love & Bananas, how it’s changing the lives of elephants in captivity, and what you can do to help
- The bill that is currently being pushed to free Billy and move him to a PAWS Wildlife Sanctuary
- How circuses like Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey are finally closed but have turned into supposed conservation centers
- Follow Ashley on Instagram at @AshleyMichaelBell, on Facebook at @AshleyMichaelBell, on Twitter at @AshMichaelBell, on the
- To support our mission to educate, inspire, and embolden the world to lean into eating plants instead of baby cow growth food, donate today to spread the word.
Connect with Switch4Good
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg
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- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SwitchForGood
- Website: switch4good.org