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Hosted by Shawna Barker, plant-based nutritionist and longtime vegan, Vegan Boss Radio is your place to explore everything from plant-based nutrition and health to vegan lifestyle, ethics, fitness, and the real-life challenges of living your values in a non-vegan world.
Whether you’re vegan, plant-curious, or simply interested in eating more plants and feeling your best, you’ll find practical, evidence-informed conversations designed to help you thrive.
Each episode features fascinating people from all walks of life, including nutrition experts, doctors, athletes, entrepreneurs, authors, activists, and the many other amazing vegans out there making a difference, sharing their knowledge, stories, and experiences.
Subscribe and start exploring Vegan Boss Radio.
Want personalized guidance with your plant-based diet?
Shawna offers 1:1 nutrition consultations and plant-based nutrition support through Synergy Nutrition, helping you build a healthy, balanced approach to eating more plants, without the overwhelm.
👉 Nutrition Services: synergynutrition.ca
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Facebook: @veganbossradio
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Episodes
May 9, 2026
May 9, 2026
50 min
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tejal Raju to discuss chronic pain, inflammation, joint pain, and the role that plant-based nutrition can play in supporting overall health and pain management.
Dr. Raju is a double board-certified interventional pain physician in Anesthesiology and Pain Management who has been serving rural Southwest Virginia for over 14 years. In addition to her clinical work, she teaches medical, physician assistant, and resident trainees through her academic appointments at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and Radford University Carilion.
For over a decade, Dr. Raju has followed a plant-based lifestyle and is passionate about the role of nutrition in reducing inflammation and supporting long-term health. She also shares evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle content through her Instagram platform, Fork Over the Pain.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- What chronic pain conditions she sees the most
- The connection between inflammation and pain
- Common chronic pain and joint conditions
- The role of plant-based nutrition in reducing inflammation
- Fibre, gut health, and why most people are not getting enough
- How lifestyle approaches can work alongside conventional medicine
Connect with Dr. Raju on her website tejalrajumd.com and her Instagram @forkoverthepain.
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Work With Me
If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, histamines, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance.
👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca
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About Your Host
Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living.
📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!
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