PLANTSTRONG Podcast artwork

Nutrition · Rip Esselstyn

PLANTSTRONG Podcast

by Rip Esselstyn

The PLANT STRONG Podcast is for people who want real answers about food, health, and longevity—without the noise, fear, or extremes. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition and want a path forward that actually supports healing. Maybe you’re an athlete looking to fuel performance and recovery. Maybe you’re a parent trying to escape the ultra-processed food aisle and feed your family real, nourishing meals. Or maybe you’re simply tired of being confused about what “healthy” actually means. The challenge? Eating more real food can feel overwhelming. You’ve heard warnings about protein, cost, or restriction. You’ve been told it’s complicated, boring, or socially isolating. This podcast exists to change that. Each week, host Rip Esselstyn sits down with leading doctors, researchers, athletes, authors, and everyday people who are proving—through lived experience and science—that eating more whole plants and moving your body consistently can deliver powerful, lasting results. We’re not interested in perfection or dogma. We’re here to be extremely practical, extremely evidence-based, and extremely encouraging. Rip’s work began more than two decades ago, when he helped transform the health of his fellow firefighters using simple, whole foods—guided by the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. That experience launched a lifelong mission to help people reclaim their health through real food and active living, and ultimately led to the creation of PLANT STRONG. Today, the podcast is an extension of that mission: cutting through misinformation, challenging cultural norms, and showing what’s possible when you fuel your body with food that actually supports it. You’ll hear conversations about: Preventing and reversing chronic disease Strength, endurance, and recovery Gut health, inflammation, and longevity Behavior change that actually sticks How to build habits you can sustain in real life You’ll also hear about REAL30™—our simple, powerful framework built around consistency, not restriction: 30 days 30 minutes of movement a day 30 different whole plants each week REAL30 is often where listeners turn inspiration into action—and it’s a recurring thread throughout the show. This podcast isn’t about being perfect. It’s about eating real food, building real habits, and getting real results. You won’t be weak when you eat strong food. Welcome to PLANT STRONG.

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Ep. 370: Neal Barnard, MD: Why He's Is Suing The Federal Government Over the New Dietary Guidelines

#38 trending · Nutrition

Dr. Neal Barnard is back on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast — and this time, he and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine are taking the federal government to court.

Sep 10
43 min

Ep. 369: Lisa Wargofchik - How to Make Healthy Choices Without Relying on Willpower

Rip sits down with Certified High Performance Coach and author Lisa Wargofchik to talk about her book, Remarkable Routines: How Daily Habits Shape a Life of Intention and

Sep 3
59 min

Ep. 368: The Fountain of Youth Is Movement: Rip Esselstyn on Fitness, Fun, and Community

Originally recorded for Complement's Plantapalooza in 2024, this timeless conversation with CEO, Matt Tullman, explores how sport, community, fun, and whole plant foods c

Aug 27
1 h 03 min

Ep. 367: Menopause Is Not the End: Dr. Jessica Shepherd on Hormones, Plants, and Thriving in Midlife

Rip sits down with OB-GYN, women’s health expert, and author of Generation M, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, for a candid, empowering conversation about perimenopause, menopause,

Aug 20
56 min

Ep. 366: What Your Cholesterol Numbers Aren't Telling You: Dr. Daniel Chong Explains ApoB, Lp(a), Plaque, and Disease Prevention

Dr. Daniel Chong has spent years helping patients understand their true cardiovascular risk and take meaningful action to prevent heart attacks and strokes. In this epis

Aug 13
55 min

Ep. 365: Kendale Ritchey, DPM - A Podiatrist’s Own 30-Year Mystery Illness Solved with Plants — and the Devastating Effects of Diabetes on Your Feet

Dr. Kendale Ritchey is a podiatrist in Knoxville, Tennessee, a former University of Tennessee swimmer, and a self-described “recovered barbecue-aholic.” For nearly three

Aug 6
52 min

Ep. 364: Micah Yu, MD - A Doctor's Own Joint Pain Wake-Up Call and His Top Supplements to Help Your Chronic Inflammation

At 17, after adopting a high-protein diet filled with meat, milk, protein powder, and processed meats, Dr. Yu experienced his first gout attack. The pain was so intense t

Jul 30
54 min

Ep. 363: Melissa Mondala, MD - Why So Many Women Feel “Off” In Midlife— and How to Feel Better

Dr. Melissa Mondala joins Rip to talk about women’s health, autoimmune disease, anxiety, perimenopause, metabolic health, hormones, and the power of whole food, plant-bas

Jul 23
50 min

Ep. 362: Why You Eat When You’re Not Hungry — and How to Stop with Dr. Jud Brewer

Ever eat when you weren’t really hungry and wonder why willpower wasn’t enough to stop you? This week, Rip talks with Dr. Jud Brewer - neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and

Jul 16
54 min

Ep. 361: The Whole Truth: Nelson Campbell on the Hidden Agendas Behind Decades of Health Misinformation—and What to Do About It

Nelson Campbell joins Rip Esselstyn for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about his new book with Dr. T. Colin Campbell, The Whole Truth: The Hidden Agendas Beh

Jul 9
56 min

Ep. 360: Real 30, Real Food, Real Results: Meet Barbara Court - A Plant Strong Success Story

Barbara Court is almost 75 years old, full of humor, full of heart, and living proof that it is never too late to get Plant Strong. After joining PlantStrong’s free Real

Jul 2
42 min

Ep. 359: Dr. Kim Williams Breaks Down the New Heart Health Guidelines (and it's Great News for Plants!)

The newest AHA and ACC guidelines for treating dyslipidemia are here — and according to Dr. Kim Williams, they mark a powerful shift toward prevention, earlier testing, a

Jun 25
43 min

Ep. 358: How Terri Edwards Reversed Her Joint Pain, Lost 50 Pounds & Transformed Her Health with Comfort Foods

Rip sits down with Terri Edwards — founder of EatPlant-Based.com — to talk about the recipes, habits, and simple food swaps that helped her completely transform her healt

Jun 18
1 h 04 min

BONUS: Your Doctor Needs to Hear This — A Vital Signs Preview

In this special episode, Rip shares a preview of Vital Signs: Real Food. Real Medicine. Real Change., Plant Strong’s upcoming CME-focused conference for healthcare provid

Jun 16
48 min

Ep. 357: What Your Doctor ISN'T Telling You About Food with Dr. Alan Desmond

Rip welcomes back Dr. Alan Desmond, consultant gastroenterologist, lifestyle medicine advocate, and author of the new book, What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Food.

Jun 11
1 h 07 min

Ep. 356: How Well Do You Want to Age? with Scott Fulton

What if the real goal isn’t simply living longer… but staying healthy, capable, sharp, and independent for as long as possible? In this fascinating conversation, Rip sit

Jun 4
1 h 04 min

Ep. 355: How Alternative Meat Could Replace Industrial Animal Agriculture with Bruce Friedrich

Rip visits with Bruce Friedrich, founder of the Good Food Institute and author of Meat, to explore the future of protein—and why alternative meat could reshape our global

May 28
1 h 09 min

Ep. 354: Cancer. Heart Disease. High Cholesterol. Inside One Fire Department’s Wake-Up Call

What happens when almost 500 firefighters get a full health screening—and many discover hidden risks they never saw coming? Rip sits down with Deputy Chief Jayme McConne

May 21
56 min

Ep. 353: Why Fiber Sometimes Backfires (and How to Fix It) with Dr. Chris Miller

Rip sits down with lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Chris Miller to explore why some people struggle when transitioning to a high-fiber, plant-based diet—and how to fix i

May 14
58 min

Ep. 352: Beyond Carrots - Here are the Best Foods For Eye Health with Rani Banik, MD

Rip sits down with integrative neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. Rani Banik to explore how nutrition, lifestyle, and daily habits shape your long-term eye health. From macular d

May 7
1 h 13 min

Chart trend

Position in the Nutrition chart (US), last 90 days.

#7
all-time peak
16
days in the top 10 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where PLANTSTRONG Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 16, 2026).

#29 ▼ 6 Nutrition US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Wow! The Plant Strong podcast has been incredibly helpful to my wellness goals. All the contents and presenters are a worth of knowledge and I can feel their passion which appears to align with Rip’s passion 😁 In addition, the meals are delicious, quick to prepare and healthy. Thank you!

Carmen from DE · Jul 2025

Often good content and guests, but Rip is not a great interviewer. He’s clearly a warm person, though, so that saves the day most of the time. I always fast forward through the first 5 to 7 minutes of every interview, however, because he has to recap where he met the person, which is sooooo boring and of not interest to listeners.

zibett · Jul 2025

I am plant-based and this is one of my go to podcast. It has great information and keeps me motivated.

Ru44Mets · Jan 2025

This podcast always inspires me and encourages me to stay on my Plant Strong journey! It not only provides scientific information on the reasons for a plant-based diet, but also provides heart, humor, and emotional support and encouragement for my health journey. Thanks for making it such a joy to listen to!

Amber CS · Nov 2024

I listened to the podcast where he interviews Dr. Matthew Nagra. Once they got to the part about olive oil, the podcast interviewer became condescending & continually interrupted and spoke over the Dr. Matthew Nagra. He also kept saying repeatedly “Well…My Dad…” this and that. It was beyond obnoxious & I couldn’t even finish the episode despite actually enjoying the topics being discussed. I wish he could learn to respectfully disagree with someone without trying to make himself and his dad sound superior. Take a lesson in humility.

Traket92x · Feb 2025

I am a plant based individual initially very intrigued by the episode on walking and optimal training with Brad Kearns. I decided to give other episodes of this podcast a try but was immediately disappointed, mainly on the discussion of oils. I am a science-based medical professional and there is a lot of research disproving that seed oils are harmful in any way and it just reminded me that we should all be cautious taking nutrition and medical advice from those with no professional training and education in the field. As far as I understand Rip is an athlete and former fireman…this does not constitute enough knowledge and expertise to advise anyone on how they should be eating. Stick to medical experts in the field- I like Dr Garth Davis.

Lagrijalva · Jan 2025

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.

More podcasts like PLANTSTRONG Podcast

Popular shows in Nutrition, for your next listen.

Browse charts by category

Daily updated Apple Podcasts rankings for the United States.

About PLANTSTRONG Podcast on Reason.fm

Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of PLANTSTRONG Podcast, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.

Contact

Questions or issues? Reach us at hello@reason.fm

0:000:00