In this episode of the Climate & Cuisine Podcast, host Jane DeMarines sits down with filmmaker, YouTube creator, and long-time vegan activist Chris Cooney, best known for his viral brand The Vegan Zombie and his new feature film, Vegan Zombies A44.

Chris shares the fascinating journey that led him from an unfulfilling day job to creating a zombie-themed vegan cooking show, a bestselling cookbook published in multiple languages, and now a full-length vegan horror movie. Jane and Chris explore how storytelling, humor, and food can work together to spark meaningful conversations about sustainability and compassionate living.

Together they dive into:

🎬 The Making of Vegan Zombies A44

How a fun idea for a zombie apocalypse cooking show evolved into a feature film now screening at international festivals—including the Animal Liberation Film Festival in Melbourne. Chris explains how he subtly weaves vegan themes into the story without preaching, allowing audiences to connect through entertainment first.

📚 From YouTube Series to Award-Winning Cookbook

Chris discusses the origins of his cookbook Cook & Survive, how it gained global attention, and why engaging content can often do more to promote veganism than confrontation or debate.

🌱 The Evolution of Veganism Over 30 Years

Chris reflects on three decades of veganism—from being considered “extreme” in the 1990s to riding today’s rising wave of plant-based eating. Jane contributes current statistics and trends, noting the growing adoption of vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian diets among younger generations.

📈 Why Veganism Is Still Growing (Despite Public Myths)

Chris and Jane unpack the perception that veganism is “declining,” explaining why the data shows an overall upward trend—especially in health-conscious and climate-focused communities.

🎥 Creative Advocacy: Inspiring Change Through Entertainment

Chris explains how he uses horror, humor, and approachable storytelling to inspire change. He also teases potential future projects—including the possibility of an A44 sequel.

Get Chris's Latest Book - https://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Zombie-Cook-Survive-Cookbook/dp/3955750132

Watch the Movie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V3fziqp7xY

In this powerful episode of Climate & Cuisine, host Jane DeMarines sits down with award-winning journalist and bestselling author Michael Grunwald, whose latest book We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate exposes one of the biggest truths about climate change—our food system is at the center of it all.

Grunwald shares compelling insights from his book, built around the groundbreaking work of food-and-land expert Tim Searchinger, revealing how agriculture’s influence shapes policy, science, and the fate of our planet. Together, Jane and Michael unpack the urgent need for smarter land use, better technology, and a new global ethic that recognizes one simple reality: every acre matters.

From political battles to innovative solutions that could transform our world, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and a realistic roadmap for feeding humanity without destroying the Earth.

📘 Michael’s Book: We Are Eating the Earth (Available on Amazon) https://www.amazon.in/We-Are-Eating-E...

#ClimateAndCuisine #MichaelGrunwald #WeAreEatingTheEarth #FoodSystem #ClimateCrisis #SustainableFood #RegenerativeAgriculture #ClimateSolutions #FoodAndClimate #EnvironmentalJustice

How do we turn facts into feelings—and data into action? In this compelling episode, host Jane DeMarines sits down with Dr. Garrett M. Broad, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Rowan University and Provost’s Fellow for Sustainability, to explore the art and science of environmental communication.

Together, they dive deep into how stories shape sustainability movements, why emotional connection is essential to inspire change, and how digital media can transform the way we talk about food, climate, and justice.

Dr. Broad—author of More Than Just Food: Food Justice and Community Change—shares insights from his years of research on food systems, environmental equity, and the growing intersection between social movements and media.

🌎 Whether you’re an activist, communicator, or climate-conscious listener, this conversation will show you how powerful messaging can shift mindsets and move the world toward compassion, action, and sustainability.

#FromDataToEmotion #EnvironmentalCommunication #JaneDeMarines #GarrettBroad #ClimateDietPodcast #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EcoStorytelling #FoodJustice #SocialChange #VeganForThePlanet #SustainableFuture #PlanetB #CompassionInAction #ClimateHealers #EcoAwareness

In this inspiring episode of Climate & Cuisine, host Jane DeMarines sits down with Saurabh Dalal, a lifelong ethical vegan, physicist, and environmental advocate, to explore how shifting to a plant-based lifestyle can transform our planet’s future.

Saurabh shares his journey from multi-generational vegetarian roots to becoming vegan in 1991 — a decision grounded in compassion and science. Together, Jane and Saurabh dive into the hard truths about animal agriculture, its devastating environmental impact, and why eating plants is one of the most effective actions anyone can take to combat climate change.

They also discuss the rise of vegan communities in cities like Washington, DC, and New York, the work of the DC Veg Society, and how collective action, awareness, and compassion can create a more sustainable world.

💡 Discover how one plate can help cool the planet — and why vegan living is a win-win for people, animals, and the Earth.

👤 About the Guest – Saurabh Dalal

Saurabh Dalal is an engineering consultant and physicist who is passionate about promoting a vegan lifestyle and ahimsa (nonviolence) as compelling solutions to many global issues. A lifelong vegetarian and vegan since 1991 for ethical reasons, Saurabh volunteers for numerous organizations, serves as a board member or advisor to several like-minded groups, and is deeply involved in the international Jain community.

He is also an avid ethical investor and continually seeks ways to integrate sound science into his activism, uniting data-driven reasoning with compassion-based living.

🌱 Learn more:

🌐 DC Veg Society – vsdc.org

🌐 Climate Diet – climatediet.org

#ClimateAndCuisine #VeganForThePlanet #BeyondTheHoofprint #OnePlateOnePlanet #PlantBasedLiving #ClimateActionNow #SaurabhDalal #JaneDeMarines #DCVegSociety #SustainableEating #EcoFriendlyLifestyle #VeganLife #ClimateDiet

At one time, Chuck Carroll — now known as The Weight Loss Champion — weighed 420 pounds on a 5’5” frame, consuming nearly 10,000 calories of fast food every day. With a 66-inch waist and a 6XL shirt, he was on a path toward an early grave. But after confronting his food addiction, Chuck turned his life around — losing over 270 pounds and keeping it off for more than 15 years through the power of a plant-based lifestyle.

In this inspiring episode of the Climate & Cuisine Podcast, hosted by Jane DeMarinies, Chuck shares his remarkable journey from obesity and addiction to health and hope — and how food became his medicine.

Together, Jane and Chuck dive deep into: 🌱 The impact of plant-based diets on health and the environment 🏥 How New York City hospitals are using plant-based meals to treat chronic disease 💪 The truth about weight loss surgery — and what really makes lasting change 🎬 The power of documentaries like What the Health, Forks Over Knives, and Cowspiracy 💊 Why weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may not be the long-term solution 🌍 How eating plants can heal both people and the planet

Chuck also shares insights from hosting The Exam Room Podcast, produced by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), which has become the #1 ranked nutrition podcast in 79 countries, with over 100 million views and downloads.

🎧 Listen to The Exam Room Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exam-room-by-the-physicians-committee/id1089485292

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2pMLoY3YGVFiqgJkgoU6Q1

📱 Follow Chuck Carroll (The Weight Loss Champion): Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuckcarrollwlc

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/ChuckCarrollWLC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chuckcarrollwlc

🎙️ Follow The Climate & Cuisine Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatediet

Website: https://www.climatediet.org

💚 About the Show: The Climate & Cuisine Podcast explores the intersection of food, health, and the planet — showing how what’s on our plate can shape our well-being and the world around us. Hosted by Jane DeMarinies, the show features inspiring guests who are changing the way we think about eating and sustainability.

Are the “healthy” foods in your pantry secretly fueling your inflammation? 🧐 In this eye-opening episode, author and nutrition expert Cyd Notter — age 70 and thriving — breaks down the hidden truths behind refined sugars, food labels, and how what we eat every day silently shapes our health.

Discover: 🍭 The shocking reasons refined sugar triggers inflammation in your gut and brain. 🥣 How to read nutrition labels like a pro (and spot deceptive marketing tricks). 🥦 The anti-inflammatory power of a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. ⚖️ Why your favorite “healthy” snacks might be spiking your blood sugar and mood. 💡 Simple swaps and mindful habits that can transform your health — starting today.

If you’ve ever struggled to make sense of food labels or wondered why you still feel tired, bloated, or in pain despite eating “healthy,” this conversation will change the way you look at your plate forever.

👇 Connect with Cyd Notter: 🌐 Website: https://cydnotter.com

📧 Email: cydnotter@cydnotter.com

🎓 Free Training Class: https://cydnotter.com/register

📘 Latest Course – Label Reading Tips to Make Smart Choices: 👉 https://payhip.com/b/ku7Eg

✨ Her award-winning book: The “Plan A” Diet — Combining Whole-Food Plant-Based Nutrition with the Timeless Wisdom of Scripture : https://www.amazon.in/Plan-Diet-Combining-Nutrition-Scripture/dp/1642793701

Are the “healthy” foods in your pantry secretly fueling your inflammation? 🧐 In this eye-opening episode, author and nutrition expert Cyd Notter — age 70 and thriving — breaks down the hidden truths behind refined sugars, food labels, and how what we eat every day silently shapes our health.

Discover: 🍭 The shocking reasons refined sugar triggers inflammation in your gut and brain. 🥣 How to read nutrition labels like a pro (and spot deceptive marketing tricks). 🥦 The anti-inflammatory power of a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. ⚖️ Why your favorite “healthy” snacks might be spiking your blood sugar and mood. 💡 Simple swaps and mindful habits that can transform your health — starting today.

If you’ve ever struggled to make sense of food labels or wondered why you still feel tired, bloated, or in pain despite eating “healthy,” this conversation will change the way you look at your plate forever.

👇 Connect with Cyd Notter: 🌐 Website: https://cydnotter.com

📧 Email: cydnotter@cydnotter.com

🎓 Free Training Class: https://cydnotter.com/register

📘 Latest Course – Label Reading Tips to Make Smart Choices: 👉 https://payhip.com/b/ku7Eg

✨ Her award-winning book: The “Plan A” Diet — Combining Whole-Food Plant-Based Nutrition with the Timeless Wisdom of Scripture : https://www.amazon.in/Plan-Diet-Combining-Nutrition-Scripture/dp/1642793701

What happens when a single conversation changes the course of your life — your health, your family, and even the planet? In this powerful and heartwarming episode, Erin DeMarines and Jane DeMarines share their vegan origin story, the health breakthroughs that inspired them, and the creation of their podcast Climate & Cuisine under the nonprofit Climate Diet.

🔥 You’ll discover:

* How Erin’s triathlon coach sparked her plant-based journey 🌱 * The truth about dairy, hidden ingredients, and why food is your most powerful medicine 🥛❌ * The family’s life-changing shift after reading The China Study 📖 * Why plant-based recipes can heal you while healing the planet 🌎 * Secrets from Blue Zones (the longest-living communities on Earth) * The story behind Erin’s brand Good Mood Foods and her Bloom TV cooking shows 🍫👩‍🍳 * How the next generation can tackle climate change through food choices

✨ This isn’t just a podcast — it’s a movement to reclaim your health, protect our planet, and inspire the next generation.

🔗 Try Good Mood Foods snacks: www.TheGoodMoodFoods.com

📩 Get FREE weekly plant-based recipes + climate impact tips: www.climatediet.org

📺 Watch Erin on Bloom TV: Search Erin DeMarinis Bloom TV for her latest plant-based cooking segments! 📲 Follow Good Mood Foods on Instagram: @TheGoodMoodFoods

🌟 If you believe food is the key to a healthier, more compassionate, and more sustainable world — this episode is for you.