It’s hard to believe that one of the safest places to be when we’re sick can also be one of the deadliest. That’s right - a hospital stay. Despite massive amounts of training and new technologies, preventable harm in healthcare is one of the leading causes of death here in the U.S.

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Julie Siemers, a patient safety consultant and critical care nurse who has spent over 45 years on the frontlines of healthcare. She brings a message that everyone needs to hear: preventable harm in hospitals is far more common than most people realize.

Despite decades of focus, medical errors and breakdowns in communication continue to be a leading cause of death in the U.S. And the worst part? Many of these tragedies are avoidable.

What can you do? A lot, actually.

Dr. Siemers shares the signs to watch for when a loved one is hospitalized, how to speak up when something seems off, and why being an active participant in your care could save a life.

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Doug Evans is back on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast—and he’s sprouting with wisdom! It’s been over four years since Doug’s first appearance, and his passion for sprouts has only intensified.

Rip and Doug dig deep into the nutritional superpowers of sprouts, the simplicity of growing them at home, and the transformational impact they can have on your health, your plate, and your life.

Doug shares his deeply personal journey, the origins of his obsession with sprouts, and why they are one of the most sustainable, accessible, and under-appreciated foods in the plant-based world.

Whether you’re a sprouting newbie or a seasoned plant-strong pro, this conversation will inspire you to see sprouts in a whole new light.

You’ll learn:

• Sprouts as Superfoods: Discover how sprouting seeds dramatically increases their nutrient density, making them living, functional foods.
• Home Sprouting Made Simple: Doug explains how anyone—even in a tiny kitchen—can grow nutrient-rich sprouts with minimal effort and space.
• Health Benefits Galore: Learn how sprouts are packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and compounds that support detoxification, immunity, and overall vitality.
• Sprouting as a Lifestyle: Doug shares how this practice transformed his physical, emotional, and spiritual health—and how it can do the same for you.
• A Sustainable Solution: Growing sprouts at home is not only cost-effective, but also environmentally friendly and empowering.
• Exciting Research Ahead: Get a preview of Doug’s upcoming collaboration with Dr. Alan Goldhamer at True North to clinically study the healing power of sprouts.

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We are turning up the heat and diving fork-first into a true celebration of the tropics—a culinary carnival of color, culture, and compassion!

Rip welcomes Ellen Kanner—a Miami native, award-winning writer, and the powerhouse behind the new cookbook, Miami Vegan.

This book is more than just a collection of recipes—it's a flavorful journey through the heart of Miami, infused with bold Latin and Caribbean influences, and reimagined through the vibrant lens of plant-based living.

Ellen shows us that we don’t have to give up the flavors we love to eat food that loves us back. With over 80 sun-soaked, sizzling recipes, this is the kind of book that makes you want to crank up some salsa music and dance in the kitchen!

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Let’s face it—choosing a plant-strong lifestyle can sometimes feel like swimming upstream. Whether it’s side-eyes at the dinner table, skeptical coworkers, or relentless comments from “nutrition experts” on TikTok, the pressure is real.

In this episode, Rip and his producer, Carrie Barrett, share that it's not just doable—it’s empowering.

Drawing on decades of personal experience and thousands of conversations in the PLANTSTRONG community, they offer real-world strategies, mindset shifts, and a big dose of confidence to help you stay strong, no matter what’s coming at you.

They share:

• Why social pressure is one of the biggest obstacles to a plant-based lifestyle
• How to handle criticism from friends, family, and strangers
• The power of treating your lifestyle shift as a personal experiment
• Why ridicule often says more about them than you
• Tips for finding (and building) plant-based support communities
• The importance of having a strong “why”
• How to set boundaries and stand up for yourself with confidence
• Learning to give yourself grace on the journey

Conviction and confidence are your greatest allies. Stand tall, stay true, and remember—every time you say “yes” to plants, you’re saying yes to your health, your values, and the world.

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Rip is joined by Brandi Doming, the creative force behind The Vegan 8 and the brand-new cookbook, Vegan Wholesome. Brandi’s plant-based journey began as a deeply personal mission—to support her husband’s health. What followed was a total transformation in their kitchen and a powerful ripple effect that’s now helping thousands of people embrace simple, nourishing, and oil-free plant-based meals.

Brandi shares how her fitness and dance background shaped her approach to health, why she’s obsessed with keeping recipes as simple as possible, and how plant-based eating became a path to healing—not just for her husband, but for her whole family.

She and Rip also dig into some standout recipes from the new book that you won’t believe are oil-free and dairy-free.

Whether you’re new to plant-based eating or just looking for a little kitchen inspiration, this conversation will remind you that food can be both simple and spectacular.

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What happens when a doctor realizes that pills weren’t healing her patients—but plants were? You have the makings of a wonderful interview with triple board-certified physician Dr. Regina Ragasa.

As a specialist in obesity and lifestyle medicine, Regina opens up about her transformation from a conventional doctor (aka - “drug dealer”) to a fierce advocate for whole food, plant-based nutrition.

You'll hear how a single conversation with a colleague sparked her interest in reversing chronic illness through diet—ultimately leading to a life-changing shift in how she practices medicine.

Dr. Ragasa breaks down her three core rules for sustainable weight loss and optimal health:

1. Remove all animal products
2. Eliminate ultra-processed foods
3. Cook without oil

Each rule is backed by science and real-life success stories—including the inspiring case of her “patient zero” who reversed diabetes without medication.

Rip and Dr. Regasa dive deep into the challenges and misconceptions surrounding obesity, GLP-1 medications, and food culture and, with honesty and hope, she urges us all to embrace food as medicine and rethink the way we define health and healing.

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What if your next meal could change a life—starting with your own?

Rip sits down with Chef Kevin McGee, a 25-year veteran of plant-based living and the visionary behind the Urban Oak Initiative. From his Missouri roots and a former career in investment banking, to leading a nonprofit centered on food justice, Kevin shares a moving personal and professional journey grounded in compassion, health, and cultural heritage.

Listeners will hear how Kevin’s childhood influences—especially his mother and grandmother—shaped his culinary philosophy.

And you’ll hear a very personal story—how his daughter’s battle with cancer became a turning point in his life, igniting a new level of purpose that fuels everything he does today.

This episode is a masterclass in how food can nourish not just our bodies, but our spirits and communities as well. So grab a seat at the table—Chef Kevin is serving up something truly special.

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What if stress isn’t the enemy—but a secret ingredient for a longer, healthier life?

Rip is joined by Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist, physician, scientist, and author of The Stress Paradox, to explore how certain types of stress can actually help us thrive.

In this conversation, we’ll explore what she calls "good stress" and her five key stressors that can enhance our longevity and healthspan:

• Plant-based phytochemicals
• Intermittent intense exercise
• Thermal stress (heat and cold exposure)
• Circadian fasting
• Mental and emotional challenges

These kinds of stressors can actually activate the body’s repair systems and boost our physical and mental health.

You’ll also learn why modern comfort might be making us sicker, how to safely introduce beneficial stress into our lives, and practical, actionable strategies for building resilience and boosting vitality.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea that stress is something to avoid at all costs, this episode will offer you a liberating and science-backed shift in perspective.

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Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

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