The Vegan Pod
The Vegan Pod is presented by The Vegan Society, the UK's oldest vegan charity. Each episode explores timely topics and issues affecting the vegan community. The show offers perspectives and updates from the charity and invited guests. It aims to inform and engage listeners interested in veganism and animal rights.
Episodes
Are We Really A 'Nation Of Animal Lovers'?
The Vegan Society's second Empathy Index is out and has some (mainly) encouraging data about animal use - and some data that aligns very closely with Project Phoenix's latest research into attitudes towards factory farming.
But how do we reconcile people's expressed values about animals and what they actually eat, wear and use?
Alexander Huntley from The Vegan Society and Project Phoenix's Dr.
Dental Health For Vegans
Have you ever wondered if following a vegan lifestyle might have implications for your dental and oral health, or if dentistry can be truly vegan?
Wonder no more, because vegan dentist, Dr. Helen Voronina, from Dr. Helen's Dental and Implant Studio in Melbourne, has some advice - and reassurance - for vegans who want healthy teeth and gums.
Geoff Francis: 55 Years Vegan - Music, Art & Activism
This episode of the Vegan Pod is a nostalgic celebration of how one man’s commitment to the cause helped spread the vegan word around London’s creative scene in the 1970s and 80s.
Geoff Francis ran a chain of record shops, All Change Records, in London's West End and was involved in animal advocacy, working alongside the likes of Linda McCartney, Carla Lane and Captain Sensible, before establi
Fat Gay Vegan Pod
We celebrate Pride Month with a special Vegan Pod guest, as one of the most influential of influencers in the vegan and LGBTQ+ communities, Sean O'Callaghan, aka. Fat Gay Vegan, discusses growing up in Brisbane, moving to London and becoming a high-profile vegan voice in the 2010s, the importance of community spirit in veganism and much more.
*Please note: since this episode was published, we're
Vitamin B12: What Every Vegan Should Know
The recent, tragic, case of Georgina Owen has highlighted in the most devastating circumstances the critical importance of Vitamin B12 in a vegan diet.
Vegan Society dietitians, Emily Angus and Amber Woodhouse, join Damian Watson to explain what B12 is, what it does and why vegans - and others - must make sure they get enough of it.
Please note: this podcast touches on sensitive topics relating to
Food Security: Looking Beyond The Iran War
Food security is vital for every nation on earth and it's under threat, not just from immediate crises such as the Iran War, but also from long-term environmental and sustainability problems caused by a 'broken' food system.
In this edition of the Vegan Pod, Vegan Society Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Alistair Currie, and Sunita Ramani, Senior Campaigner at the campaigning food charity, Foo
Vegan Rights
The latest episode of the Vegan Pod examines the issue of vegan rights.
Dr. Jeanette Rowley is The Vegan Society's Vegan Rights Advocate and a leading authority on the subject that underpins so much of our work. She has advised vegans in numerous cases concerning employment, education and even prisoners' rights.
Find out about Jeanette's work, that of The Vegan Society's International Rights N
The Future Is Still Vegan
‘The Future Is Still Vegan’, says Vegan Society CEO, Libby Peppiatt, after what can be described as a 'testing' period for the movement.
Media, money, meaty name bans...
It’s time to take stock and assess where veganism goes – and how it grows – from here.
...And Food Justice For All
The first Vegan Pod of 2026 welcomes Sarah Bentley and Sareta Puri, two leading Food Justice campaigners with more in common than their roles with Made In Hackney, the grassroots community cookery school-turned international inspiration for vegans.
What is Food Justice and how can veganism help achieve it for all?
Vegan Voices
In the last Vegan Pod of the year, Vegan Society members, volunteers and staff reflect on 2025 and share their hopes for veganism in 2026 in a special montage of Vegan Voices.
George Monbiot - Winding Up, Not Down
We're delighted to welcome leading environmental activist and journalist, George Monbiot, to the Vegan Pod.
George is a fearless and tireless advocate for sustainability, green living and political and corporate transparency. He is a best-selling author, a high profile media commentator and has even dabbled in the world of music.
With four decades of campaigning behind him, is George Monbiot showi
Mental Health Part 2 - A Vegan State Of Mind
A partner episode for our World Mental Health Day Special, in which Vegan Society CEO, Libby Peppiatt, interviews Billy Thompson, who leads the amazing team at The Retreat animal sanctuary in the south of England.
How does the team at The Retreat make sure they're taking care of themselves while they help those who can't do the same?
World Mental Health Day Special - A Vegan State Of Mind
The Vegan Society marks World Mental Health Day with a special edition of the Vegan Pod.
Vegan psychologist, author and communications coach, Clare Mann, and Animal Justice Project activist, Ayrton Cooper, join Damian Watson to discuss some of the triggers of poor mental health in vegans and how to look after yourself while you look after those who can't look after themselves.
The Vegan Trademark - The Power of the Sunflower
The Vegan Trademark made international headlines in September, following the world-first vegan certification of the new Mercedes-Benz GLC.
But what does the Vegan Trademark mean and why is it so valued and trusted by consumers and manufacturers alike?
Vegan Society Sales and Marketing Manager, Karen Spinner, and Vegan Trademark Team Leader, Caroline Bolton, join Damian Watson to discuss the powe
Pensions and Investments for Vegans
Do you have a pension? If so, how vegan is it? How vegan can pensions and other investments be?
Lawyer, Jonathan Dennis, and independent financial adviser, Chris Welsford, join Damian Watson to discuss an ongoing case where a vegan is challenging their employer’s pension investment strategy and what the case might mean for other vegan investors in a predominantly non-vegan investment market.
European City Breaks and Beyond
With summer upon us at Vegan Society HQ, the latest Vegan Pod focuses on the best European city breaks for vegans and looks wider afield at life for vegans internationally.
Writer and teacher, Woody River, provided the latest Vegan magazine recommendations for Europe-bound vegans. Woody has lived all over the world and is joined on the the Vegan Pod by former TV and radio reporter, Rob Olver, w
Food Policy and Nutrition: Cause for Concern
The Vegan Society has described the findings of the UK government’s latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey as “very concerning”. The survey followed the confirmation of the Food Strategy Advisory Board, which includes the chairman of Cranswick PLC, one of the biggest factory farming companies in the UK.
Vegan Society Senior Dietitian, Emily Angus, and Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Ali
The Future Is Vegan
Is the future vegan? That's certainly our hope at The Vegan Society - and it's the subject of one of our ongoing campaigns and a major part of our 80th anniversary exhibition at the Library of Birmingham.
But what might a vegan future look like? Animal rights author, scholar and curator, Kim Stallwood, and Vegan Society Campaigns Manager, Hannah Montgomery, join Damian Watson for a look into a v
Misinformation In The Media
PR consultant Karin Ridgers, founder of vegan PR agency Mad Promotions, and Holly Johnson, editor of Vegan Food and Living magazine, join our host, Rachel New, to discuss how to counter misinformation about veganism in the media.
Children’s story books – advocates for animal compassion?
On today’s Vegan Pod 'Children’s story books – advocates for animal compassion?', Rachel New is joined by Tina Newman, creator of @ViviTheSuperVegan, and Jodie Barchha Lang @GreenVegan1, author of Nero the Brave Little Bull.
Grab a cuppa and settle in for vegan story-time as the trio discuss how children’s books can inspire and empower mini vegans on their journey to compassion, and their
Tackling the supplement stigma – do vegans need them?
Today on The Vegan Pod, we’re talking supplements and whether they’re essential to a vegan diet.
Vegan Society dietitians Angela Rymer and Emily Angus join us to set the record straight on supplements and whether it’s possible to sustain a healthful vegan diet without them.
Is vegan cooking difficult?
Today on The Vegan Pod, we’re revisiting a previous episode tackling the misconception that vegan cooking is difficult and takes time and effort.
In this episode, guests Madeleine Olivia and Johnny Morillo help set the record straight, in a bid to inspire future vegans. Maybe you were even one of them!
Why not refresh your memory and listen to the full episode on vegansociety.podbean.com or search
80 Years of The Vegan Society: The history and growth of veganism
In the latest episode of The Vegan Pod we’re diving into the history of veganism, tracing the movement’s roots back to the founding of The Vegan Society in 1944 and exploring how it has grown and evolved over the decades.
We’re fortunate to have two incredible guests with us for this episode. First, we’re joined by Kim Stallwood, an animal rights author and scholar with decades of experience in th
Should we be farming veganically?
In the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re talking about veganic agriculture—a method of farming that uses no animal products or byproducts in the growing process.
Joining us for this episode we have co-founder of the Veganic Agriculture Network, Meg Kelly, and pioneer in the field of stock-free organic farming, Iain Tolhurst.
Together, they unpack the ethical and environmental benefits of veg
Should schools and universities be vegan-inclusive?
As children enter the new school year and students head back to university after summer, we’re asking: What is vegan-inclusive education and why is it important?
Two brilliant guests join us for this discussion – Plant Based Universities Lead Coordinator, Alistair Stewart; and Laura Chepner, Education Officer at The Vegan Society and founder of The Vegan Society’s Education Network.
The views ex
Are ultra-processed vegan foods bad for you?
Ultra-processed vegan foods have been a hot topic in the media recently and have been called out for having negative health implications. On the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we explore the truth behind the headlines and ask: Are ultra-processed foods bad for us? How do vegan ultra-processed foods compare to their non-vegan counterparts? Are there benefits to choosing to eat processed foods?
T
Can redefining our relationship with animals help address the climate crisis?
On the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re celebrating World Environment Day by discussing how our relationship with non-human animals contributes to the climate crisis and asking what we can do to change it.
Despite research illustrating the widespread environmental impact of animal agriculture, it is often an issue that gets left out of conversations about the climate crisis. To help us explo
How can we shop for cosmetics more consciously?
In the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re talking about cosmetics and asking how we can make more conscious choices in our everyday purchases. Interest in vegan beauty is at an all-time high after growing steadily over the last 10 years but lots of people don’t fully understand what vegan beauty is or why they should be looking out for it.
To help us dig a little deeper into how our everyday
Can art be used as a form of vegan activism?
In the latest episode of The Vegan Pod we’re turning our sights to the art world and talking to two vegan artists, Rebecca Lanyon Willmott and Philip McCulloch-Downs, about how their veganism intersects with their artwork, about using art as a form of activism and how to ensure all of your art materials are animal-friendly.
The views expressed by guests on The Vegan Pod are not necessarily the vie
Women Leading Change: Sanctuary founders Fiona Oakes and Poonam Doshi share their journeys
On this episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day and talking to two women doing some fantastic work within the vegan movement
Fiona Oakes, founder of Tower Hill Animal Sancturary, and Poonam Doshi, founder of Lola’s Sanctuary, join our host, Maisie, to share their journeys with veganism, the challenges and successes of founding their animal sanctuaries, and to talk abo
Is vegan cooking difficult?
In the first Vegan Pod episode of 2024, we're asking "is vegan cooking difficult?". A common stereotype is that creating vegan meals is complicated and time consuming, but is there any truth to this? As we approach the end of Veganuary, many people who are new to veganism will be deciding whether to continue the lifestyle or return to their old ways, and for a lot of people, convenience and ease c
Can we embrace festive traditions whilst being vegan?
In the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, and the final episode of 2023, we’re getting into the festive spirit and talking all things Christmas.
Whether you’re planning your Christmas day meal, assembling a gingerbread house, attending your works Christmas party or buying gifts – the holiday period can be tricky to navigate when you’re trying to ensure everything is suitable for an ethical vegan l
What are the barriers preventing men from embracing veganism?
In the UK, women are around twice as likely than men to be vegan – but why is this? That’s what we’re asking on the latest episode of The Vegan Pod.
To help us explore the barriers that men face when it comes to living a vegan lifestyle, we’re joined by geographer, lecturer, and writer Dr Catherine Oliver and author, academic and spokesperson for Animal Rising, Dr Alex Lockwood.
The views expre
Should public services provide more vegan options?
In the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re discussing the importance of offering nutritious vegan food in public services such as schools and care homes.
Despite the UK’s established and growing vegan community, we continue to face challenges in accessing healthy and nutritious food, with some public sector menus failing to consistently include a single vegan option.
In this episode we’re joine
Has the vegan bubble really burst?
The latest episode of The Vegan Pod explores the plant-based food market, asking whether the “vegan bubble” has really burst amid reports of drops in plant-based sales.
We’re joined by Joe Hill, co-founder of One Planet Pizza and Rik Roberts, General Manager at Crackd The No-Egg Egg, to discuss highs and lows of running a vegan business, to celebrate their successes and to explore what the future
Should veganism be used as a vehicle for comedy?
In this episode of The Vegan Pod, we're asking “Should veganism be used as a vehicle for comedy?”.
Does vegan humour reinforce negative assumptions about veganism or help to tackle them? How can we deal with non-vegans who choose to make jokes about the vegan lifestyle? This month we were joined by two long-time vegans and professional comedians, Chris Stokes and Ishi Khan, to help us answer thes
Are protest laws affecting vegan activism?
In July's episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re exploring how protest laws are impacting the vegan movement and discussing how we can be effective activists in the current political climate.
In this episode, our host, Rachel New is joined by Dr Alex Lockwood, spokesperson for the activist group, Animal Rising, and Dr Steve Cook, Associate Professor of Political Theory who’s research focusses on justice
Is it expensive to be vegan?
Is it expensive to eat a vegan diet? That's what we're asking on June's episode of The Vegan Pod. Host, Rachel New, is joined by Vegan Punks, Dan and Jess and best-selling cookbook author, Katy Beskow, to help tackle the myth that it's costly to be vegan and discuss delicious ways to keep your food shop budget down!
The views expressed by our guests are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Soci
Growing veganically: Should your garden be vegan?
In May's episode of The Vegan Pod, we're celebrating Spring by talking all things gardening! Host, Rachel New, is joined by vegan gardeners Matthew Appleby and Danielle James, who help us understand how to make our gardens animal-friendly and offer advice on how to grow successfully whilst limiting our impact on natural ecosystems.
The views expressed by our guests are not necessarily the views o
Vegan running: Completing the London Marathon
April saw thousands of runners take place in the London Marathon, in this episode of The Vegan Pod, we talk to two vegan runners who completed this year's race!
Host, Rachel New, talks with Matthew Fordham and Emily Goyal to hear their running stories, their experience of the race and how they've fuelled themselves for their training on a vegan diet.
The views expressed by our guests are not nece
Do companion animals make vegans hypocrites?
In this episode of The Vegan Pod, we're asking "Do companion animals make vegans hypocrites?"
For vegans, there can be a number of questions and concerns when it comes to taking on a companion animal, from the overarching question “is it vegan to keep an animal?” to questions around breeding and adoption, and, of course, what to feed them to keep them happy and healthy.
To help us with this fasci
Love hurts - would you have a vegan wedding even if it meant losing guests?
Happy Valentine’s Day! In this month's episode of The Vegan Pod, we’re talking love and asking - would you have a vegan wedding even if it meant losing guests?
Joining us on this episode, to discuss organising and hosting vegan weddings, we have Tomi Makanjuola, vegan chef, writer and content creator, who had her vegan wedding at the end of last year, and Sian Bowron, who’s been running her wedd
New year, new you - should vegans aim to live a low-waste lifestyle?
Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of the Vegan Pod 2023! January is a time for fresh starts, resolutions, and making positive changes for the year ahead. One thing lots of people are considering this year, is their environmental impact - a Vegan Society survey has found that over half of Brits planned to make a resolution this year with an environmental goal in mind.
Joining us on
Should vegans cater to non-vegans at Christmas time?
Christmas is upon us and, naturally, in the latest episode of The Vegan Pod, we're talking all things foodie and festive!
Host Rachel New is joined by Sandra McLaren-Stewart, Founder and Director of Saorsa 1875, the UK’s first 100% vegan hotel in the Scottish Highlands, and food blogger Vegan Olive.
Together, the trio discuss the delicate business of hosting non-vegans at Christmas and the ever-
World Vegan Month: Veganism Around The World
In celebration of World Vegan Month, our latest episode of the Pod is exploring how veganism has grown and how it is experienced across the world.
To help us on this cultural journey, host Rachel New is joined by Nadia Mckechnie and Saori Kondo, founders of Vegan Consulting Japan and Brighde Reed, co-founder of Vegan World Travel.
As well as being the official trademark agent for The Vegan Society
Celebrating Black History Month: Exploring Cultural Heritage through Veganism
In October's podcast episode, we're celebrating Black History Month. Joining host Rachel New are chef Ngwafu Tansie, whose catering service Gwafuvegan specialises in West African food, and recipe creator and food photographer Livhuwani Tshikhudo, to share insights into how veganism ties into their cultures and some of their favourite ingredients and dishes to create and adapt.
Will a fully vegan world ever be possible?
In honour of International Day of Peace, this episode is all about the practicalities and possibilities of achieving a vegan utopia.
Guest host Rachel New is joined by sociology lecturer at the University of Kent, Dr Corey Wrenn, and the author of How to Argue with Vegans, Benny Malone, to discuss how a global shift to veganism could benefit humankind, how realistic it is and what a vegan world
Vegan fashion is on the rise but is it really the way forward to a better planet for all?
In this episode, guest host Rachel New will be joined by Sascha Camilli, founder of the world’s first digital fashion magazine, and Shaun Packe, Global Sourcing and Sustainability Director at clothing and footwear brand Superdry, to discuss responsible fashion. They’ll be talking about how vegans adapt their wardrobes to align with their values and how brands are tackling the overlap between ethic
Is a plant-based diet really enough to fuel a vegan athlete?
As the UK prepares to host the Commonwealth Games, we decided what better time to tackle stereotypes of ‘weak and unhealthy vegans’.
To get us in the spirit our guest host, Rachel New, is joined by vegan athlete, Lisa Gawthorne, and former Midlands boxing champion, Jamal Le Doux, to discuss all things fitness and vegan.
Do vegans live longer than non-vegans?
Do vegans live longer than non-vegans? Is veganism the secret to living a longer, fuller life? Is it sustainable long term? Is it a suitable diet for older adults to follow? Plant-based dietitan Harpreet Sohal and healthy ageing writer Jane Thurnell-Read discuss this further with our host Francine Jordan.
Is extreme activism counterproductive to the vegan movement?
Is extreme activism counterproductive to the vegan movement? Is there such a thing as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ activism? Sentient Media’s Ana Bradley and Think Like a Vegan author Emilia Leese join our host Francine Jordan to discuss this further.
Are vegans portrayed fairly in the media?
Interest and excitement around veganism might be at an all-time high, but why do vegans still seem to get a bad rap in the media? This time our host, Francine Jordan, was joined by vegan food writer Anay Mridul and vegan journalist Selene Nelson.
Is it cruel to raise a child vegan?
As more and more people turn to veganism, and with the number of vegan children in UK schools on the rise, we wanted to touch on this often-controversial topic in more detail. This time our host, Francine Jordan, was joined by Specialist Dietitian Lucy Kendrick and Danielle Saunders owner of Dirty Kitch and vegan mum of one.
Should vegans only date other vegans?
Should vegans exclusively only date other vegans? That’s what we’re asking during the first episode of The Vegan Pod for 2022!
To kick start the series, and with the arrival of Valentine’s Day, we thought what better topic to discuss than vegan dating. We were joined by two brilliant guests, Lewis Foster – CEO and Founder of vegan app Grazer and Claira Hermet – Self Love and Confidence Coach and
The Vegan Pod Introduction 2022
The Vegan Society has announced the return of its podcast – The Vegan Pod.
Hosted by The Vegan Society’s Media and PR Officer, Francine Jordan, the podcast will delve into topical issues faced by the vegan community.
The amazing work of animal sanctuaries
In this episode, we will be looking into all the amazing work that animal sanctuaries do, with guests such as Wenda Shehata, founder of Hugletts Wood Farm Animal Sanctuary in East Sussex, UK, Poonam Doshi, founder of Lola's Sanctuary in West Sussex, UK, and Chris Williams, volunteer for Elephant Nature Park in Northern Thailand. We will be exploring the inspiring stories and experiences of three v
How vegan businesses have coped with the challenges of Covid-19
In this first episode, we discuss how vegan businesses have coped with the challenges of Covid19. We are joined by Mike and Joe from One Planet Pizza, Richard from Doisy and Dam and Gregg from Fruitive. We've recorded this episode as a vodcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csGqIq7M5_0&t=2253s
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