by Michele Olender
There has never been a more important time to be Vegan. Vedge Your Best is the only podcast aimed at teaching midlife women how to limit and eliminate the consumption of animal products without feeling deprived, overwhelmed or unsupported, even if no one you know is Vegan. Life Coach Michele Olender will show you how living Vegan is the superpower that will unlock your possibilities and give you the confidence to take on your next impossible goal, by doing it YOUR way. Vedge YOUR Best and there’s nothing you can’t do.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/11/2020
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 22, 2025
<p><strong>Air Date: April 22, 2025 (Earth Day)</strong></p><p>In this special Earth Day episode, we explore the profound emotional and spiritual transformations that can accompany a vegan lifestyle. <a href="https://angelacrawfordphd.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Angela Crawford,</a> psychologist and author of the newly released book "The Vegan Transformation: A Journey to Heal Yourself and the World," shares insights from her extensive research with hundreds of vegans worldwide. Discover how aligning your actions with your values can lead to greater authenticity, purpose, and spiritual connection.</p><p><br></p><p>Episode Highlights:</p><ul><li><p>The surprising psychological and spiritual benefits that many experience when adopting a vegan lifestyle<br></p></li><li><p>Dr. Crawford's research methodology: surveying 350 vegans and conducting 75 in-depth interviews across the globe<br></p></li><li><p>The seven core transformations explored in her book, including values alignment, awakening compassion, finding purpose, and spiritual deepening<br></p></li><li><p>How veganism can lead to a greater sense of interconnectedness with all life<br></p></li><li><p>Practical advice for communicating effectively with non-vegans and navigating social challenges<br></p></li><li><p>Dr. Crawford's personal journey from meat-eater to vegan educator and author</p></li></ul><p>Dr. Angela Crawford holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and worked as a psychotherapist for 25 years before becoming a vegan educator, author, and speaker. She adopted a vegetarian lifestyle in 2007 and went vegan in 2019. Dr. Crawford is a certified Master Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator, Transformational Coach, and Food for Life Instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Her areas of expertise include the psychological benefits of a plant-powered lifestyle, thriving emotionally as a vegan, and overcoming barriers to healthy lifestyle change.<strong>Special Earth Day Note:</strong></p><p>Earth Day 2025 is not only the publication date of Dr Crawford’s newest book, but also your host Michele’s 36th wedding anniversary! As we celebrate our personal milestones, we're reminded that our individual choices—including what we eat and the people we commit to—can collectively create a more compassionate and sustainable world. Everything counts.</p><p><br></p><p>Vedge Your Best is dedicated to helping you thrive on your plant-based journey through inspiring conversations with thought leaders in the vegan movement. Subscribe for new episodes every week!</p><p></p><p><strong>Subscribe & Review:</strong></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners.</p><p>For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit <a href="http://micheleolendercoaching.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">micheleolendercoaching.com</a> or email <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">[email protected]</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Music, Production, and Editing by Charlie Weinshank. For inquiries email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">[email protected]</a> Virtual Support Services: <a href="https://proadminme.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://proadminme.com/</a></p>
April 15, 2025
<p>Feeling stuck with your vegan or plant-based goals? You're not alone — it might just be that your problem is too vague for your brilliant brain to solve. This week, Michele shares some behind-the-scenes chaos (hello taxes, travel, and vegan restaurant reservations!) and how it mirrors what many of us experience on our plant-based journey: overwhelm, foggy goals, and spinning our wheels without action.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>You can't solve a vague vegan problem</strong>. Whether it's “I need to eat better,” “I want to be more consistent,” or “I should cut back on dairy,” vague thoughts won’t move the needle. </p><p>You'll learn:</p><ul><li><p>Why your brain loves vague problems (and how they keep you stuck)</p></li><li><p>The “intention–action gap” and how to bridge it</p></li><li><p>How to turn foggy vegan intentions into clear, actionable steps</p></li><li><p>Why getting specific is the real vegan superpower in midlife</p></li></ul><p>Plus, Michele shares her “vague” Paris trip plans and recommends some must-listen music from friends in France.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Mentioned in this episode:</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><a href="https://lux-theband.com/" target="_blank">Lux The Band</a> Find their music on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4GyJJZZ1poiZJjAcxzjNSx" target="_blank">Spotify</a> and follow their updates.</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.musee-moyenage.fr/en/" target="_blank">Cluny Museum – Musée de Cluny</a> – Explore medieval art, including the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/en" target="_blank">Musée Carnavalet – History of Paris</a> – Learn about the history of the city of Paris </p><p><br></p></li></ul><p> <strong>This Week’s Challenge:</strong><br>Identify one vague vegan problem you've been carrying around. Just one. Then rewrite it in a way that makes it <strong>stupid simple</strong> and solvable. (Need help? Try: “Make lentil soup Sunday” or “Buy oat milk to replace creamer” or “call that seemingly vegan unfriendly restaurant and ask if there are options.")</p><p>Let go of fixing everything at once — start by solving <strong>one clear problem</strong>, and watch the ripple effect.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Subscribe & Review:</strong></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners.</p><p>For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit <a href="http://micheleolendercoaching.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">micheleolendercoaching.com</a> or email <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">[email protected]</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Music, Production, and Editing by Charlie Weinshank. For inquiries email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">[email protected]</a> Virtual Support Services: <a href="https://proadminme.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://proadminme.com/</a></p>
April 8, 2025
<p><strong>Episode Summary:</strong></p><p>If you’ve ever struggled to go vegan—or felt overwhelmed by cravings, confusion, or lack of support—this is the episode for you.</p><p>This week on Vedge Your Best, I’m joined by Cheryl Martinez, founder of <a href="https://veginercooking.com/" target="_blank">VeginnerCooking.com</a>, where she supports vegan beginners through recipes, resources, and her signature 30-Day Vegan Challenge.</p><p>Cheryl shares her journey from growing up in a meat-loving Latino family to becoming a passionate plant-based coach. We talk about:</p><ul><li>How to start (or re-start) your vegan journey without shame or overwhelm</li><li>Why giving yourself compassion can be the key to consistency</li><li>How to navigate cravings (yes, especially for cheese!)</li><li>Tips for dining out, social situations, and staying motivated</li><li>All the tools and community resources available at Veginner Cooking</li></ul><p>Whether you’re vegan-curious, vegan-ish, or have been plant-based for years but still struggle with certain habits—Cheryl’s wisdom will leave you feeling seen, supported, and ready to take the next step.</p><p><br></p><p> What You'll Learn in This Episode:</p><ul><li>Why Cheryl says going vegan was the easiest hard thing she’s ever done</li><li>How bloating, acne, and energy shifts revealed the truth about dairy</li><li>The mindset reframe that changed everything: you're not giving things up—you’re upgrading</li><li>How to make veganism stick without perfectionism</li><li>What’s inside Cheryl’s free 30-Day Challenge—and how to join today</li></ul><p><br></p><p> Links & Resources:</p><ul><li>Join the Free 30-Day Vegan Challenge: <a href="https://veginercooking.com/" target="_blank">VeginnerCooking.com</a></li><li>Follow Cheryl on social media: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/veginercooking" target="_blank">@VeginnerCooking</a></li><li>Use promo code VEDGE for a free downloadable cheat sheet from the <a href="https://veginercooking.com/shop" target="_blank">Veginner Shop</a></li><li>Explore Cheryl’s tools, recipes, and her AI companion PlantPal on her <a href="https://veginercooking.com/resources" target="_blank">Resources Page</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Subscribe & Review:</strong></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners.</p><p>For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit <a href="http://micheleolendercoaching.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">micheleolendercoaching.com</a> or email <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">[email protected]</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Music, Production, and Editing by Charlie Weinshank. For inquiries email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">[email protected]</a> Virtual Support Services: <a href="https://proadminme.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://proadminme.com/</a></p>
Compassion & Cucumbers
Dotsie Bausch and Alexandra Paul
Chef AJ
Rip Esselstyn
Yami Cazorla-Lancaster, DO, MPH, MS, FAAP
Desiree Nielsen RD
Physicians Committee
Matt Frazier, Matt Tullman, Isabelle Caputo, and Doug Hay
Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM
Dr. Joel Kahn
Live better for longer
Rich Roll
American Psychological Association
Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
10% Happier
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.