Vegan Boss Radio

In this episode, I’m joined by Karen Lee of The Sensitive Foodie Kitchen for a powerful conversation about autoimmune disease, healing, and the role of a whole-food, plant-based diet in supporting long-term health.

Karen shares her journey following a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2016 and how she uses diet and lifestyle approaches to manage her condition. We explore how plant-based nutrition can support people living with autoimmune conditions, reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life, while still being realistic, nourishing, and enjoyable.

Karen is a retired intensive care nurse and naturopathic nutritionist who has a
passion for amazingly tasty food that’s also great for health. After a diagnosis of MS in 2016, she uses diet and lifestyle to manage her condition and shares this knowledge with others through her website – The Sensitive Foodie Kitchen – as well as workshops, talks and online classes.

She published her first book Eat Well Live Well with The Sensitive Foodie in 2019. Her second book, Healing From The Inside Out, is due out 15th January 2026, and explores the benefits of a whole-food plant-based diet for autoimmune disease.

Karen is a facilitator for the charity Overcoming MS that provides an accessible lifestyle medicine program that supports people with MS. She also teaches medical students how to cook plant-based meals as part of the Cooking for the Climate module offered by Plant-Based Health Professionals UK (PBHP) and works as PBHPs Event Manager.

We also talk about the importance of food skills, community education, and empowering people with practical tools they can actually use, whether they’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to build resilience and health from the inside out.

This episode is thoughtful, grounded, and inspiring, especially for anyone navigating chronic illness or curious about the role of plant-based nutrition in autoimmune health.

Learn more about Karen on her website, Instagram @the.sensitive.foodie, Facebook @thesensitivefoodie, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

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🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store , everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

In today's episode, I'm joined by Vanessa Sturman, a multi-award-winning Speaker and Health and Nutrition Coach who helps busy leaders, teams, and individuals build practical, sustainable nutrition habits that support performance, resilience, focus, and healthy weight maintenance. She connects how we eat with how we lead, linking personal performance, business success, and planetary health.

A regular contributor to Sky News, BBC Radio, and other major media outlets, Vanessa's approach is rooted in enjoyment and real life, with flavour-filled food and simple shifts that fit naturally into everyday routines. No restriction. No overwhelm. Just realistic, evidence-based steps.

Drawing on nutrition science, real-world experience, and cultural food knowledge, Vanessa equips people to sustain energy and focus under pressure. Her inclusive, relatable perspective is shaped by her recovery from teenage binge eating and her experience growing up as a person of colour with an immigrant mother who taught her the value of food, budgeting, and reducing waste.

Educated at Cambridge University in Social and Biological Anthropology (BA (Hons), MPhil, MA), Vanessa is also a published recipe developer and experienced one-to-one coach. Her clients include Fulham Football Club, Cambridge University, and Octopus Electric Vehicles. She serves as a Health Expert for BBC Radio Oxfordshire and Berkshire and has received two speaker awards for her high-impact delivery.

Vanessa delivers keynotes, workshops, and panel sessions on leadership, adaptability, and small habit change, even within diverse food cultures. She also coaches individuals and corporate teams to make sustainable nutrition choices that support wellbeing and success. 

Links:

Website and Vanessa’s Power Hour, code POWER15 at checkout for a 15% discount https://www.vanessasturman.com/the-power-hour 

Follow Vanessa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vanessaforhealth 

To discuss your needs with Vanessa, no obligation, book a call here https://calendly.com/energiseandthriveplantbased/healthy-living-discovery- call or drop me a text on 07826 519611

Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-sturman-plant-based-health-coach/ 

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Also, a quick reminder that there are still a few spots left in my upcoming 15 Hour online Plant Based Nutrition Course, running Thursdays from 8am–11am PST, starting January 5th. If you’d like to register, just email registrar@pacificrimcollege.com.

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🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store , everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

In this episode, Shawna sits down with Tania Cantú, the creator behind Plant Based Mexican (@plantbasedmexican), a woman whose life flipped the moment she realized her body had been whispering warnings since childhood.

A vibrant voice blending humour, wellness, and flavour to show the world that healthy living doesn’t have to be bland or boring. After overcoming childhood asthma, food sensitivities, and generational patterns around health, she turned her personal transformation into a mission to inspire the Latino community to nourish their bodies and rewrite their story.

Her story isn’t just about going plant based…it’s about confronting the emotional chaos, the family dynamics and the moments that pushed her to ask: “Who am I becoming?”

A lifelong athlete, plant based cook, and mindset mentor, Tania’s transformation led her to create a space where wellness meets humour, flavour, movement, and the kind of honesty people don’t usually share online. She shares practical tools, delicious recipes, and lifestyle habits that help people. Today, Tania empowers everyone to take back their health, reconnect with their inner voice, and create a life that actually feels good, one recipe, one habit, and one brave decision at a time. And her message has become her signature: "If Tania Can, You CanTU".

In this episode, we dive into:
• Tania’s plant based journey and what inspired her to share her recipes online
• Sneaky animal products commonly found in Mexican cuisine (like lard in beans, chicken stock in rice, and seasoning cubes that aren’t vegan)
• The rise of plant based options in Mexico, especially in Mexico City
• Tania’s favourite ingredient swaps for creating authentic flavours
• Her top plant based recreations of classic dishes
• How she inspires a bilingual audience that’s curious about healthy living, even if they’re not plant based

Before the interview, Shawna also shares details about her upcoming 15-Hour Plant Based Nutrition Course, running online through Pacific Rim College from January 8th to February 5th. This course is ideal for nutrition students, nutritionists, and healthcare providers who want to better support plant based clients, as well as anyone already vegan or plant based who wants an in-depth understanding of nutrient needs and evidence-based guidance. To register, email registrar@pacificrimcollege.com.

This episode is a delicious blend of culture, education, and inspiration, perfect for anyone who loves Mexican food, is curious about plant based living, or wants practical tools for navigating eating plant based within traditional cuisines.

Learn more about Tania on her Instagram @plantbasedmexican and her YouTube @plantbasedmexican.

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🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store , everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

In this episode, I chat with Sylvain Karpinski, founder and CEO of GUSTA Foods and SLY Foods, and one of the most innovative voices in Canada’s vegan food landscape.

Sylvain has been vegan for two decades and has built two successful plant based companies rooted in his passion for sustainability, flavour, and adventure. GUSTA Foods quickly became a staple in Canadian grocery stores with its artisanal, clean-label vegan sausages, roasts, and cheeses. More recently, Sylvain launched SLY Foods: a line of gourmet, freeze-dried, plant based meals designed for adventurers who want nutritious, long-lasting meals that taste amazing.

In this conversation, we explore:
• Sylvain’s vegan journey and what inspires his work
• The origins and growth of GUSTA Foods
• Why he created SLY Foods and the gap it fills for outdoor enthusiasts
• How the plant-based meat alternative market has evolved
• His experiences as an adventure athlete and how that shaped SLY Foods

This is an inspiring, insightful episode for anyone interested in vegan entrepreneurship, plant based innovation, or the intersection of food and adventure.

Learn more at both @gustafoods and @slyfoods.ca

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Before the interview, I also share details about my upcoming 15-Hour Plant Based Nutrition Course, running online through Pacific Rim College on Thursdays from 8am-11am PST from January 8th to February 5th. Open to everyone, not just students, this course covers nutrient requirements, how to respond to common criticisms of vegan diets, and evidence-based explanations for popular plant based nutrition myths.

More info & to register: Pacific Rim College School of Continuing Education

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🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store , everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

In this mini solo episode, I share the 10 things that I wish everyone knew about being vegan. Everything from why veganism is not a diet, to the funny (and sometimes frustrating) realities of navigating a non-vegan world.

I discuss the emotional and practical sides of vegan life: dealing with constant “nutrition experts,” learning to be overprepared, handling the never-ending jokes, and remembering that even when it doesn’t feel like it, every vegan choice makes a difference.

I also talked about a new video by past guest Natalie Fulton about how vegans “lost the culture war,” exploring how veganism’s boom after Cowspiracy and EAT-Lancet was met with backlash from the meat industry and media misinformation.

The episode wraps up with my own vegan story, which is coming up to my 32 year anniversary of going vegetarian this month, and how that eventually led to going vegan in 2002. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• My private vegan nutrition consultations and upcoming Plant Based Nutrition Course - detail can be found at synergynutrition.ca

• Natalie Fulton’s video “How Vegans Lost the Culture War” on YouTube

____________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store , everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Why do we love some animals but eat others?

In this powerful episode, I'm joined by Harvard-educated psychologist and author Dr. Melanie Joy to explore the invisible belief system of carnism, and how it shapes our values, culture, and food choices.

We discuss the emotional side of activism, how to navigate anger and grief, and the importance of compassion, not just toward animals, but toward ourselves and each other. Dr. Joy also opens up about her new novel, A Half-Hearted Death Wish, and what inspired her to share this deeply human story.

Whether you’re vegan, veg-curious, or simply interested in the psychology of eating, this episode will leave you with a deeper understanding of why society eats certain animals but not others.

Learn more about Dr. Joy’s work at melaniejoy.org and carnism.org, as well as her Instagram @drmelaniejoy , and the Beyond Carnism Instagram @beyondcarnism. ____________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Soy is one of the most misunderstood foods out there — even within the vegan and plant-based community. In this mini solo episode, I break down the top myths about soy and share what the latest research really says.

From hormones and breast cancer risk to thyroid health, “processed” tofu claims, and concerns about soy and the environment — this episode covers it all. You’ll learn why soy doesn’t increase estrogen or lower testosterone, how it may actually protect against certain cancers, and why cutting it out of your diet could mean missing out on a nutrient-dense, protein-packed food with decades of proven health benefits.

Whether you’re still unsure about soy or just need some science-backed facts to share with skeptics, this episode will help you feel confident adding tofu, tempeh, soy milk, and edamame to your meals.

Studies mentioned in this episode:

1. Dairy, soy, and risk of breast cancer: those confounded milks

2. Soy Isoflavones and Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-analysis

3. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Effect of Soy on Thyroid Function

4. Neither soy nor isoflavone intake affects male reproductive hormones: An expanded and updated meta-analysis of clinical studies

5. Clinical studies show no effects of soy protein or isoflavones on reproductive hormones in men: results of a meta-analysis

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👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

In this episode, I'm speaking with Dr. Jade Dittaro, a hospitalist, plant-based physician, and board certified lifestyle medicine practitioner. 

Dr. Dittaro has spent years helping patients make meaningful changes to support their recovery and long-term health. She’s passionate about plant-based nutrition, preventive care, and empowering people with practical, evidence-based tools for improving wellbeing.

We talked about her work in the hospital system and how receptive patients are to eating more plants, how Canada’s national health guidelines support plant-based diets, the first small steps to take if you’re feeling overwhelmed, and what it’s like raising kids on a plant-based diet.

Learn more about Dr. Dittaro on her Instagram @drjadedittaro and Facebook @drjadedittaro.

Dr. Dittaro mentioned both Aroga and LifestyleRx as places to find lifestyle medicine practitioners.

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👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tila Kansagra, also known as The Plant Promoting Doctor on YouTube. Dr. Tila is Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine, holds a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition, and works as a GP and private lifestyle coach. She supports clients with their health and weight loss goals by focusing on the six key pillars of lifestyle medicine—nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, healthy relationships, and avoidance of risky substances—alongside their medical care.

We talked about her personal health journey, how lifestyle medicine has shaped her practice with patients, and the importance of making small, sustainable changes that truly last.

We also touched briefly on the misconception that carbs are to blame for type 2 diabetes. Research has shown that intramyocellular lipids play an important role in insulin sensitivity, and vegans have been found to have about 30% lower levels. For anyone interested, here’s the study I mentioned: “A low fat vegan diet and a conventional diabetes diet in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled 74-week clinical trial.”

Learn more about Dr. Tila on her YouTube Channel @plant_promoting_doctor, her Instagram @plant_promoting_doctor, and her website plantpromotingdoctor.com.

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👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

In this episode, I'm joined by Natalie Fulton, a passionate advocate for the animals, who went vegan during the pandemic and vowed to do whatever she could to help. Since then, she’s been creating content on YouTube, Substack, and Instagram, while also serving as the Media and Content Lead for Pro-Animal Future.

In this episode, Natalie shares her experience with different forms of activism, from street outreach to creative campaigns like Elwood’s Dog Meat, and reflects on what’s most effective for inspiring others to take action. We also dive into broader topics like whether Gen Z is going vegan, and the ways veganism intersects with politics and culture today.

This conversation is both thought-provoking and inspiring—whether you’re new to activism or looking for new ideas on how to make an impact, you’ll take a lot from Natalie’s insights.

Learn more about Natalie on her YouTube @Natalie.Fulton and Instagram @nattiefulton.

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👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.

If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.

 Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.

 Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!