Vegan Boss Radio

Shawna Barker

Hosted by Shawna Barker, a plant-based nutritionist and passionate advocate for the vegan lifestyle. Whether you’re here for the health benefits, the ethics, or learning how to navigate the social aspects, this podcast is your go-to source for all things vegan. Each episode features in-depth discussions on nutrition, plant-based living, and the ethical side of veganism, with guests from all walks of life—athletes, entrepreneurs, activists, doctors, and more, all thriving on plants. Join me as we explore what it truly means to be a Vegan Boss—living consciously, thriving on a plant-based diet, and making an impact. 🎧 Subscribe now and start exploring what it means to be vegan.

  1. 6d ago

    Minisode: Beyond the Gym: What Vegans Need to Know About Creatine

    In this solo mini episode, I talk about creatine. What it is, who may benefit from taking it, if vegans are deficient, and the emerging research on brain health, mood, and cognition for women in perimenopause and menopause. This mini solo episode covers: What creatine is and how your body already makes it (and why that matters for how we talk about it) Why vegans and vegetarians have measurably lower creatine levels and if that even matters How creatine went from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics to becoming one of the most studied supplements in nutritional science The numbers: how much non-vegans get from food versus what a supplement provides The 2025 CONCRET-MENOPA randomised controlled trial and what it found for perimenopausal and menopausal women Who has a strong case for supplementing, who doesn't need to worry, and how to think about it for yourself Whether you lift weights, you're navigating perimenopause, or you're just curious about a supplement that keeps coming up, this episode gives you the full picture without the hype. References: The Effects of 8-Week Creatine Hydrochloride and Creatine Ethyl Ester Supplementation on Cognition, Clinical Outcomes, and Brain Creatine Levels in Perimenopausal and Menopausal Women (CONCRET-MENOPA): A Randomized Controlled Trial. Benefits of Creatine Supplementation for Vegetarians Compared to Omnivorous Athletes: A Systematic Review.  Muscle creatine levels and sprint performance in young adult vegans and vegetarians after 7 days of creatine monohydrate supplementation. Creatine Supplementation Beyond Athletics: Benefits of Different Types of Creatine for Women, Vegans, and Clinical Populations. Creatine in health and disease. Creatine. VeganHealth.org. "Updates to Weightlifting for Vegans" The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you have an existing health condition or are taking medication. ____________________________________________________________________ Work With Me: If you're ready to go plant-based or already are and want to feel more confident about your nutrition, I offer private consultations with personalized, evidence-based guidance. No overwhelm, just clarity. Book your free 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca ___________________________________________________________________ Vegan Boss Resources: 🛒 Supplements: 100% vegan, carefully curated and 10% off everything, always. Visit my Online Store. Ships across Canada. 👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Shop Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel on Instagram. 🎧 Enjoying the show? Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review, it genuinely helps more people find the podcast. ____________________________________________________________________ About Your Host: Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a BSc. in Nutrition and has been vegan since 2002. With over 14 years of experience, she brings evidence-based insights to help you build a plant-based life that actually works for you. 📩 DM me anytime on Instagram @vegan_boss

    16 min

  2. May 28

    #69 Emma Fry - Building Vegan Adventures in Central America

    Interested in hiking through the jungles of Costa Rica and ending the day with homemade vegan ice cream? Then I think you’re going to love this episode. In today's episode, I’m joined by Emma Fry, founder of Vegan Adventure Holidays. Emma is a UK-born adventurer now based in Guatemala, where she spends her time leading vegan hiking trips up volcanoes and through jungles and remote trails across Central America. She created Vegan Adventure Holidays for active vegan travellers who want more than just a holiday: incredible vegan food, meaningful connection, and the confidence that comes from tackling spicy hills in beautiful places! Usually fuelled by strong coffee and happiest with a dog nearby, Emma believes adventure should feel supportive, empowering, and just a little bit wild. In this conversation, we talk about her vegan journey, how and why she started Vegan Adventure Holidays, what goes into creating vegan travel experiences, and some of the realities of navigating veganism while travelling in places that don't always have a lot of options. Emma also shares some behind-the-scenes insight into collaborating with local families, restaurants, and cooks to create satisfying vegan meals for travellers while still respecting local food culture and traditions. Whether you’re vegan, curious about plant-based travel, or just love hearing stories about people building creative businesses around their values, I think you’ll really enjoy this episode. You can find Emma and Vegan Adventure Holidays online at veganadventureholidays.com and Instagram at @veganadventureholidays. ____________________________________________________________________ Work With Me If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, protein, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance. 👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca Vegan Boss Resources 🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always. 👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel. 🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you! About Your Host Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living. 📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

    1h 4m

  3. May 15

    Minisode: Billie Eilish vs. The World: Cognitive Dissonance & Debunking the Backlash

    When Billie Eilish recently stated that you cannot claim to love all animals while simultaneously eating them, the internet imploded. From accusations of "vegan privilege" to debates over Indigenous rights and MCAS-friendly diets, the backlash was a masterclass in cognitive dissonance. This mini solo episode discusses: The Contradiction: Why Billie’s statement triggered so many people and the psychology of why we "love" some animals but consume others. The Health Debunk: Addressing the claims that plant proteins are "hard to digest" or incompatible with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). The Science of "Fake" Meats: A 2024 meta-analysis shows that plant-based meat alternatives actually lead to better cardiometabolic outcomes (lower LDL, cholesterol, and weight) when replacing animal meat. The "Anti-Indigenous" Shield: Why using Indigenous survival as an excuse to buy factory-farmed meat is a form of tokenism that erases Indigenous vegans and those following a plant-based diet (including my own Métis family).  The "Vegan Police": My take on the internal community backlash regarding Billie riding horses and why we need to prioritize progress over perfection. Mentioned in this episode: Quote by @hiilanilily on Indigenous sovereignty and veganism. Cardiometabolic health meta-analysis on plant-based meat alternatives. Previous episode: Métis and Plant-Based with my Mother. Work With Me If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, histamines, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance. 👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca Vegan Boss Resources 🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always. 👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel. 🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you! About Your Host Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living. 📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

    16 min

  4. May 9

    #68 Dr. Tejal Raju - Plant Based Nutrition for Chronic Pain and Inflammation

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tejal Raju to discuss chronic pain, inflammation, joint pain, and the role that plant-based nutrition can play in supporting overall health and pain management. Dr. Raju is a double board-certified interventional pain physician in Anesthesiology and Pain Management who has been serving rural Southwest Virginia for over 14 years. In addition to her clinical work, she teaches medical, physician assistant, and resident trainees through her academic appointments at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and Radford University Carilion. For over a decade, Dr. Raju has followed a plant-based lifestyle and is passionate about the role of nutrition in reducing inflammation and supporting long-term health. She also shares evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle content through her Instagram platform, Fork Over the Pain. In this conversation, we discuss: What chronic pain conditions she sees the most The connection between inflammation and pain Common chronic pain and joint conditions The role of plant-based nutrition in reducing inflammation Fibre, gut health, and why most people are not getting enough How lifestyle approaches can work alongside conventional medicine Connect with Dr. Raju on her website tejalrajumd.com and her Instagram @forkoverthepain. ____________________________________________________________________ Work With Me If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, histamines, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance. 👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca Vegan Boss Resources 🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always. 👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel. 🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you! About Your Host Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living. 📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

    51 min

  5. May 1

    Minisode: Jubilee's "1 Vegan vs 20 Meat Eaters" - Let’s Talk About the Arguments

    I recently watched an episode of Surrounded where one vegan sits down with 20 meat-eaters to answer questions and challenges about veganism. And while the format is intense, the arguments themselves are actually very familiar. In this mini solo episode, I break down some of the most common points raised and offer my perspective on each one. Including: “Plants feel pain” Soy production and whether animal agriculture is really driving it The idea that you need multiple supplements to be vegan “Suffering is inevitable” Hunting vs natural death Protein, athletes, and performance Crop deaths and unintended harm And more If you’ve ever heard these claims or found yourself unsure how to respond to them, this episode addresses these conversations around veganism from both a nutrition and ethical perspective. ____________________________________________________________________ Work With Me If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, histamines, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance. 👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca Vegan Boss Resources 🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always. 👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel. 🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you! About Your Host Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living. 📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

    22 min

  6. Apr 2

    Minisode: Is Oat Milk Actually Bad for You?

    Is oat milk actually bad for you, or is this just another nutrition myth going viral? In this mini solo episode, I break down some of the most common claims circulating online about oat milk and oats, including concerns around blood sugar spikes, maltose, seed oils, and overall health impact. You’ve probably seen posts claiming that oat milk is “basically sugar,” that it causes dangerous spikes in blood glucose, or that the oils used in some brands are harmful or inflammatory. So what does the research actually say? This episode is all about cutting through misinformation and looking at the totality of evidence, rather than isolating single nutrients or fear-based claims. References: 1. Effect of Oat Consumption on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials 2. Effects of Oats (Avena sativa L.) on Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials 3. The Metabolic Effects of Oats Intake in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 4. Effect of oat supplementation interventions on cardiovascular disease risk markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials 5. Dietary linoleic acid and risk of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies 6. Reduction in saturated fat intake for cardiovascular disease 7. Whole grain consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all cause and cause specific mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies 8. Review of human studies investigating the post-prandial blood-glucose lowering ability of oat and barley food products 9. Cholesterol-lowering effects of oat β-glucan: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials 10. Consumption of oat milk for 5 weeks lowers serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in free-living men with moderate hypercholesterolemia ____________________________________________________________________ Work With Me If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, histamines, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance. 👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca Vegan Boss Resources 🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always. 👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel. 🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you! About Your Host Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living. 📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

    12 min

  7. Mar 20

    #67 Dr. Zahra Kassam - What We Know About Plant-Based Nutrition and Cancer Prevention

    What role can nutrition play in cancer prevention, treatment, and long-term health? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Zahra Kassam, a Radiation Oncologist and leading voice in lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition. We explore the evidence behind plant-based diets in relation to cancer risk, survivorship, and overall chronic disease prevention, as well as how nutrition can support patients during and after treatment. We also break down some of the most common nutrition myths surrounding cancer, including the widely circulated belief that “sugar feeds cancer". In this episode, we cover: • The role of plant-based nutrition in cancer prevention • Nutrition during cancer treatment and survivorship • Common cancer-related nutrition myths and misconceptions • How dietary patterns influence chronic disease risk • The work of Plant-Based Canada and its impact • The growing role of nutrition and sustainability in healthcare This is a thoughtful, evidence-based conversation for anyone interested in the intersection of nutrition, medicine, and long-term health. About Dr. Zahra Kassam Dr. Zahra Kassam is a Radiation Oncologist at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre in Newmarket and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto. She is certified in Lifestyle Medicine through the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and serves as Co-Chair of the Canadian Lifestyle Medicine Group of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. In 2019, she co-founded Plant-Based Canada, a nonprofit organization providing evidence-based education on the benefits of whole food, plant-based nutrition for human health, environmental sustainability, and planetary well-being. She is co-author of Eating Plant-Based: Scientific Answers to Your Nutrition Questions, written in collaboration with her sister Dr. Shireen Kassam, and co-editor of the academic textbook Plant-Based Nutrition in Clinical Practice. Dr. Kassam promotes sustainable nutrition within healthcare systems through her roles in national organizations. She serves as a Food Advisor to the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care and is a member of the PEACH Sustainable Food Committee, the National Advisory Committee on Planetary Health for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Green is Health Member Interest Group of the Ontario Medical Association, and the Climate and Sustainability Working Group of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists.   Learn more about Dr. Kassam and Plant-Based Canada at www.plantbasedcanada.org and on their Instagram @plantbasedcanadaorg. ____________________________________________________________________ 🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best. 👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations. If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store , everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.  Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go, everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you. 📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

    52 min

  8. Mar 13

    #66 Gail Eisnitz - Investigating the Hidden Reality of Factory Farms

    For more than four decades, Gail Eisnitz has investigated factory farms and slaughterhouses in the United States, documenting practices that most people never see. In this episode of Vegan Boss Radio, Gail shares what she witnessed during her years as an undercover investigator and why she believes transparency about the realities of animal agriculture is so important. Some parts of this conversation include descriptions of animal abuse inside factory farms and slaughterhouses, which may be difficult to hear. But as Gail explains, bringing these hidden practices into public awareness has been a central part of her life’s work. We discuss: • What Gail witnessed during her investigations inside factory farms and slaughterhouses • Why so much of the meat industry operates out of public view • The challenges and personal toll of documenting animal abuse for decades • How public awareness has historically driven policy change • Gail’s new memoir, Out of Sight, and the personal journey behind her investigative work Whether you’re already vegan or simply curious about how our food systems operate, this conversation offers a rare look inside an industry that most consumers never see firsthand. About Gail Eisnitz Gail A. Eisnitz, winner of the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Medal for outstanding achievement in animal welfare, has spent decades documenting and exposing the hidden realities of the U.S. meat industry. She is the chief investigator for the Humane Farming Association and author of the memoir Out of Sight: An Undercover Investigator’s Fight for Animal Rights and Her Own Survival. Eisnitz and her first book, Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry, were the driving force behind a front-page exposé in The Washington Post that ultimately resulted in a multimillion-dollar annual Congressional appropriation to enforce the Humane Slaughter Act — the first funding ever allocated to enforce the law more than 40 years after it was passed. Her investigative work has led to major media exposés on ABC’s Good Morning America, ABC’s PrimeTime Live, and Dateline NBC and has been featured in major publications including The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Miami Herald, the Detroit Free Press, Texas Monthly, the Denver Business Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. Her interviews have also been broadcast on more than 1,600 radio stations. In her memoir Out of Sight, Eisnitz takes readers on a deeply personal journey as she works to expose systemic animal abuse while navigating a rare visual processing disorder she has lived with since childhood — a condition that was only identified in scientific literature about a decade ago and was formally diagnosed while she was writing the book. Eisnitz has been vegan for more than two decades. Learn more about Gail and her books at her website www.gaileiznitz.com and her Instagram @gaileisnitz. ____________________________________________________________________ If you're interested in learning more about plant-based nutrition, you can find educational resources on my Instagram @vegan_boss, including posts like “7 Things I Wish I Had Known About Vegan Nutrition When I First Started,” “Top 5 Vegan Grocery Staples,” and “3 Vegan Nutrition Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.” ___________________________________________________________________________________ 🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best. 👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations. If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store , everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.  Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you. 📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

    54 min
See All (80)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hosted by Shawna Barker, a plant-based nutritionist and passionate advocate for the vegan lifestyle. Whether you’re here for the health benefits, the ethics, or learning how to navigate the social aspects, this podcast is your go-to source for all things vegan. Each episode features in-depth discussions on nutrition, plant-based living, and the ethical side of veganism, with guests from all walks of life—athletes, entrepreneurs, activists, doctors, and more, all thriving on plants. Join me as we explore what it truly means to be a Vegan Boss—living consciously, thriving on a plant-based diet, and making an impact. 🎧 Subscribe now and start exploring what it means to be vegan.

Information

  • Creator
    Shawna Barker
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Vegan Boss Radio

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