This episode is one for the books, friends. I am still buzzing from this conversation with Dr. Tumi Johnson, and I have a feeling you will be too. There are some interviews that stay with you long after the mic turns off, and this was absolutely one of them. Dr. Tumi brought a level of depth, vulnerability, and wisdom that I found myself completely pulled into—and I can't wait for you to experience it.

Dr. Tumi is a physician of over 20 years, a dance performance artist, and the author of Delicious Healing. She shares her incredible personal journey of using a plant-based lifestyle to heal severe depression, lifelong asthma, and eczema. We dive deep into why plant-based living is a game-changer for disease reversal, how she guides her patients to their healthiest selves, and the surprising, powerful role that art—specifically dance—plays in the healing process.

We also tackle the emotional side of the journey, including why we often choose comfort food over self-love, how to navigate family gatherings, and the courage it takes to truly choose yourself.

This conversation was deeply nourishing for my soul, and I hope it will be for yours too. Tune in, and let me know what lands for you.

Connect with Dr. Tumi:

• Website: drtumijohnson.com
• Instagram: @thepoemdances
• Facebook: PerformingHealing
• Book: Delicious Healing (audiobook available now!)

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"Thanks for listening to The Plant-Based Curious Podcast. If this episode helped you, please share it with one friend who might need it. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a step on your journey. For questions or to connect, visit me at plant-basedcurious.com."

I used to live with chronic digestive issues myself, so I know how overwhelming it feels when your body seems to betray you after every meal. That's why I'm so excited to bring you this conversation with Hannah Aylward a functional gut health practitioner who has helped hundreds of women heal their IBS, bloating, and food sensitivities by getting to the root cause.

In this episode, Hannah shares her own seven-year struggle with gut issues and reveals why eating "all the right foods" isn't always enough. We dive into the hidden culprits behind IBS, the truth about PPIs and antacids, and why plant-based eaters can actually worsen their symptoms without the right strategy. Plus, she shares simple, non-food habits that can transform your digestion starting with your very next meal.

If you've ever felt embarrassed, overwhelmed, or just tired of guessing which foods will set you off this episode is for you. You're not broken. You just need a better strategy.

Connect with Hannah: hannahaylward.com | @hannahaylwardhhc

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"Thanks for listening to The Plant-Based Curious Podcast. If this episode helped you, please share it with one friend who might need it. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a step on your journey. For questions or to connect, visit me at plant-basedcurious.com."

I'm so glad you're back for another episode of *Plant Based Curious*. Today, we're diving into something that completely changed how I think about the food on my plate, the local food economy and I've brought along the perfect guide.

Meet Greg Peterson. Greg has spent a lifetime obsessed with sustainable food systems, from his early experiments with aquaculture to his groundbreaking work in urban farming. And trust me, his energy is contagious.

In this episode, Greg helps me (and you) understand why our current global food system as efficient as it may seem—often leaves us with less nutritious, less sustainable options. We talk about the hidden costs of food that travels thousands of miles, and what that means for our health and the planet.

But here's what I love most: Greg doesn't just point out the problems. He shows us the way forward. He shares simple, joyful tips for growing your own food, even if you've never so much as kept a basil plant alive. Start small, he says. A few herbs on a windowsill. A tiny backyard patch. You don't need a farm, just a little curiosity.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or you can barely keep a succulent alive, this conversation will inspire you to rethink where your food comes from and how delicious and empowering local eating can be.

To learn more about Greg and his incredible work, visit UrbanFarmPodcast.com and check out The Urban Farm Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Let's grow something good together.

— Diane

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"Thanks for listening to The Plant-Based Curious Podcast. If this episode helped you, please share it with one friend who might need it. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a step on your journey. For questions or to connect, visit me at plant-basedcurious.com."

Hey plant based curious friends,

What happens when a high-performing, travel-intensive working mom hits a wall of severe burnout and declining health? For me, that low point became the unexpected launchpad for a radically different way of living and in this episode, I get to share my story with you from the other side of the mic.

I was recently invited to join Dr. Jean Storm, Medical Director at Quality Insights, on her podcast Taking Healthcare by Storm. And let me tell you this conversation was special. Dr. Storm and I went deep on what it really means to rebuild your health from the inside out, without perfectionism or pressure.

If you've been flirting with the idea of eating more plants but don't know where to start or you're simply tired of health advice that ignores your mind, spirit, and real-life schedule this episode was made for you.

In our conversation, I open up about my personal journey from exhaustion to integrated wellbeing, including how I learned to reframe discomfort as a catalyst for growth. Dr. Storm and I explore:

• Why plant-forward eating doesn't have to be all-or-nothing (spoiler: small steps count)
• The power of "movement snacks" for sustainable energy even on your busiest days
• Quick, science-backed stress resets that actually work for working parents and professionals
• A bigger-picture vision for healthcare one rooted in prevention, lifestyle medicine, community support, and whole-person measures of wellbeing

Whether you're already plant-based, still plant-curious, or just searching for a more compassionate way to heal, I truly believe this episode will leave you feeling seen, empowered, and ready to take one small step forward.

Listen in, and then come find me over on my page I'd love to hear what resonated with you.

📣 Have a topic or guest you'd love to hear on a future episode of Plant Based Curious? Reach out anytime.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by me and my host are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of Quality Insights.

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"Thanks for listening to The Plant-Based Curious Podcast. If this episode helped you, please share it with one friend who might need it. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a step on your journey. For questions or to connect, visit me at plant-basedcurious.com."

In this solo episode of Plant Based Curious, I’m walking you through my three-part playbook for navigating social situations as the only plant-based eater in the room. We start with the mindset play: finding your anchor why (mine started with a health scare and grew into something much deeper) and discovering the quiet courage to stay true to your values even when it feels lonely. I share the personal story behind my journey, including the moment I stopped using the word “meat” and started saying “animals,” and why that small shift changed everything.

Then we move to the strategy play: how to show up as the generous guest with a show-stopping dish (instead of the person nibbling on sad lettuce by the cooler). I’ll tell you what I learned from my friend Pam, whose vegan mac and cheese made everyone forget they were eating plant-based, and how I stopped feeling left out and started feeling proud.

Finally, the communication play: your go-to scripts for the questions that always come whether it’s genuine curiosity, a direct challenge, or the tough guilt trip. I’ll give you the exact words I use to stay gracious, hold my boundary, and pivot the conversation toward connection instead of conflict.

If you’ve ever regressed under social pressure, felt like the odd one out, or just wished someone understood what it’s like to be the only vegan at the table, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with a game plan, some courage, and the reminder that you deserve to take up space exactly as you are.

Plus, I’ll tell you about my book, A Whole Life Nourished, for anyone ready to go deeper into building a life that feels good from the inside out.

Let’s get curious together.

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"Thanks for listening to The Plant-Based Curious Podcast. If this episode helped you, please share it with one friend who might need it. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a step on your journey. For questions or to connect, visit me at plant-basedcurious.com."

Welcome back to Plant Based Curious. It’s been three years since I started this podcast, and I’m reaching back to share the episode that started it all;a conversation that captures why I created this space.

I sit down with Yvonne Pierre of Let’s Talk Healing to talk about my own journey from sickness to plant-based living. I open up about struggling with hypertension and gut issues at a young age, and how a doctor’s visit revealed that my food was at the root of it all. That moment sparked a shift that went far beyond diet, it led me to a vegan philosophy that opened my heart to animals and the environment.

This episode also shares the story behind the Plant Based Curious community I launched in 2021 (which closed in 2024). Though the community is no longer active, the podcast remains a welcoming space to explore plant-based living without pressure or judgment.

Whether you’re new or have been here from the start, I invite you to listen (or listen again). Let’s go back to where it all began. I’m so glad you’re here.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why I was getting sicker despite thinking I was “healthy enough”
• The turning point that connected my gut health to my diet
• How plant-based led me to a deeper vegan philosophy
• The inspiration behind the Plant Based Curious community and podcast

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"Thanks for listening to The Plant-Based Curious Podcast. If this episode helped you, please share it with one friend who might need it. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a step on your journey. For questions or to connect, visit me at plant-basedcurious.com."

This week, I'm talking with Molly Patrick of Clean Food Dirty Girl and trust me, you're going to love her.

Molly has never eaten meat. Not one bite. She grew up in a teepee in New Mexico while her parents’ hand-built their home, and today she lives on Maui leading a global community of over 280,000 "Dirties." Her approach? Warm, hilarious, and sprinkled with just the right amount of swearing.

We get into:

• Why vegan and whole food plant-based aren't the same thing
• What "batch block" is and the one small step to finally break free from it
• How growing up off-grid shaped her relationship with food
• The surprising muscle sobriety and plant-based eating share

What I loved most about this conversation? Molly doesn't care if you're perfect. She cares if you're still showing up.

If you've ever felt like you need to get it right to start, this episode is your permission slip to just begin.

Find all of Molly's links in the show notes. Until next time, stay curious.

Website: Clean Food Dirty Girl

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"Thanks for listening to The Plant-Based Curious Podcast. If this episode helped you, please share it with one friend who might need it. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a step on your journey. For questions or to connect, visit me at plant-basedcurious.com."

The One-Liner:
Think plant-based eating is too expensive? I’m shutting that myth down with real strategies from my own life; from my days as a single mom to navigating inflation today.

What I’m Covering Today:

My Story: Two very different seasons of budget-conscious eating (single mom years vs. today’s economy) and what they taught me about real, nourishing food.

The Myth: You don’t need expensive specialty products. Plant-based eating is about whole foods, which are historically the cheapest items in the store.

The Four Pillars of Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Eating:

Pillar 1: The Affordable Pantry

• Stock up on beans, lentils, rice, and oats (pennies per serving).
• Buy spices from bulk bins.
• A little nutritional yeast goes a long way.

Pillar 2: Make Friends with Frozen

• Frozen fruits and veggies are often more nutritious than fresh (flash-frozen at peak ripeness).
• They’re cheaper and eliminate waste.

Pillar 3: Shop Farmers Markets Strategically

• Go at the end of the day for discounts.
• Ask for "seconds" (cosmetically imperfect produce sold at a steep discount).
• Buy what’s in season.

Pillar 4: Meal Prep to Prevent Waste

• Cook once, eat three times (batch cook beans, rice, and roasted veggies).
• Use the "three ways method" with one ingredient (e.g., sweet potatoes).
• Save vegetable scraps to make free stock.

The Game Changer: The Kitchen Audit

• What it is: Taking inventory of everything in your pantry, fridge, and freezer before you shop.
• Why it works: The biggest budget killer is wasted food. This helps you use what you have first.
• Your Challenge This Week: Do a kitchen audit. Shop your own kitchen before you hit the store.

Resources & Next Steps:

• Share your Kitchen Audit results: Plant-BasedCurious.com
• Next Episode: Living Plant-Based Without Perfection (with Molly Patrick): A follow-up conversation about her plant-based lifestyle, meal plans, recipes and more.
• Rate & Review: If this episode helped you, please rate and review the show. It helps other curious folks find us.

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Support the show

"Thanks for listening to The Plant-Based Curious Podcast. If this episode helped you, please share it with one friend who might need it. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a step on your journey. For questions or to connect, visit me at plant-basedcurious.com."