Vegan Hacks

A conversation with Amanda Persi, founder of The The Getaway Co. a company that designs plant-forward culinary trips so vegans can explore food cultures around the world without compromising their values. https://thegetawayco.com/ instagram @thegetawayco Send us Fan Mail

What happens when one of the biggest names in vegan content considers dropping the word “vegan” from their brand? The Korean Vegan recently shared she’s thinking about rebranding and it raises a bigger question: is “vegan” helping or hurting creators in 2026? Also VHP talks about his tofu making journey. Send us Fan Mail

Bro culture has officially entered the plant-based aisle and it might be killing it. In this episode, we break down why brands like Beyond Eat Just and Impossible are chasing high-protein, gym-focused trends instead of what actually matters: taste, price, and real-world appeal. Are vegan companies targeting the wrong audience? And is that why mainstream adoption is stalling? Let’s get into it. Send us Fan Mail

At Expo West I expected a plant-forward food show… but what I found instead raised a lot of questions. In this episode of the Vegan Hacks Podcast, I break down the surprising presence of meat products and even beef tallow at what used to feel like a very vegan-friendly event. I also sit down with some incredible founders pushing plant-based innovation forward: • Liz Kang, Founder and Co-CEO of Mamame, creating bold tempeh chips • Madelyn Hadley, Founder of Madly Hadley, crafting clean-label vegan staples like coconut bacon bits and cashew parmesan • Jeremy from Steak ’n Shake, who explains the company’s controversial move to cook with beef tallow It’s a fascinating mix of food innovation, industry reality, and the big question: Where is the plant-based movement heading next? Send a text

Will Animal Protein Dominate Expo West This Year? Next week, the natural foods world descends on Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim. The Super Bowl of natural foods In past years, it felt like a plant-based paradise — innovated alt-meats launching, vegan innovation exploding down every aisle. And yes… there will be new important, plant launches. There always are. But the bigger question this year: Is animal protein about to dominate the narrative? A Send a text

In this episode, we dive into the Vegandale festival backlash and rebrand, discuss growing concerns about vegan brands using non-vegan marketing or alienating the community, and tackle the uncomfortable but important conversation about wealth and privilege in vegan culture. Send a text

Jason sits down with social media creator and vegan activist Anita Dollar (IG: @veg.anitadollar) for a relaxed but powerful conversation over lunch at Vromage in West Hollywood. They discuss influencing in the plant-based space, culture, and vegan activism both online and in real life. Send us a text

Jason hits the Fancy Food Show to eat snacks, absorb vibes, and take the temperature of vegan food culture. Featuring conversations with Bill Muir (aka Sgt. Vegan, @sgt_vegan) and Noah Hyams (@vegpreneur, @vegancuts) on the current state of veganism, the industry shakeout, and what’s actually worth paying attention to. Send us a text

This podcast is about how it is impossible to achieve vegan purity, even though some claim it! Join Jason as he takes an urban hike and rants into a microphone about the the state of vegan in 2026. Send us a text

Two restaurants. Two opposite decisions. One added dairy and eggs to their menu chasing “flexibility,” broader appeal, and short-term survival. The other went all in and committed to being 100% vegan. Send us a text

A recent confession on Reddit went viral: someone admitted they were paid by a meat-industry group to infiltrate Reddit and other platforms pretending to be vegan, creating fake health scares and sowing doubt about plant-based diets. We break down the thread, what it reveals about industry disinformation, and why it matters for anyone who eats vegan or supports animal-friendly food. Also Jason breaks down the recent Miyoko's Creamery conflict. Reddit Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/AMA/comments/1p7kmbn/i_was_paid_to_discredit_veganism_online_ama/ Send us a text

Here is my speech from World Vegan Fest about my social media journey! I was nervous, never did anything like it before but I survived! Send us a text

Today on the Vegan Hacks Podcast, we’re joined by Leonore, the certified vegan nutritionist and creator of Itadakihealthy, a coaching and content hub dedicated to helping people thrive on a plant-based diet in Japan. Originally from Germany and now based in Tokyo for over a decade, Leonore shares her journey of building a vibrant vegan community in a country known for its culinary traditions. We talk about how she helps clients find balance, stay healthy, and enjoy plant-based living in Japan’s sometimes challenging food landscape. Whether you’re vegan in Japan, dreaming of visiting, or just love hearing about global plant-based culture, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical tips from one of Japan’s most trusted vegan voices. Follow on IG: @itadakihealthy https://www.itadakihealthy.com/ Send us a text

At the World Economy Summit, Impossible Foods’ CEO argued that plant-based food has become “too political” and hinted at a future hybrid burger made with both beef and Impossible protein. Send us a text

Big moves, big bans, and big crashes in the plant-based world this week. Vegan Besties keeps the momentum going with their third location, proving that community and comfort food can still win in a shaky economy. Meanwhile, the EU just voted to ban words like “burger” and “sausage” from plant-based foods (because apparently people can’t tell tofu from a cow). And Beyond Meat’s stock? Yeah… it’s not looking good. Send us a text

In this episode, I take you through the highs and lows of being vegan in Tokyo — from hunting down plant-based eats in the land of green onion overload to navigating the challenges of dining with omnivores. Then we shift gears to the business world: Beyond Meat has announced a major restructuring plan. What does it mean for the future of plant-based meat? Is it a fresh start, or the beginning of the end for the category’s biggest name? Send us a text

Had a fascinating conversation with the founder and inventor of the soy milk-based Thrilling Bakon. David shared how his background in both food and science led to the creation of this unique and wildly popular vegan bacon—and opened up about the challenges of growing a plant-based business in a slow-burn market. more info here https://www.thrillingfoods.com/ Send us a text

We’re talking all things tofu with George Stiffman, tofu expert, founder of Soycery, and author of the groundbreaking book Broken Cuisine. From ancient tofu traditions to wild varieties you’ve probably never heard of, George takes us deep into the delicious, surprisingly epic world of soy. George's Tofu Buying Guide: https://tofutuesday.substack.com/p/the-best-way-to-get-ahold-of-chinese Folllow George at IG: @georgethetofuguy IG: @soycery Send us a text

Yves Veggie Cuisine, a brand that kept vegan eating affordable and accessible for over 40 years is shutting down. Parent company Hain Celestial says they’re focusing on “more profitable brands,” leaving fans stunned and angry. In this episode, we unpack what Yves meant to the plant-based movement, why its quiet closure matters, and what this says about the future of vegan staples under big food corporations. Send us a text

Send us a text New episode of Vegan Hacks Pod! I’m joined by the unstoppable Eunice Reyes — aka Rated V for Vegan, for a lively deep dive into the world of vegan influencing: the wins, the pitfalls, her adventures in vegan travel, and the unexpectedly strange canned meats lurking at your neighborhood Adventist store. Buckle up, you don’t want to miss this one!