Vegans Talking Shit

The Tofu Trio

Vegans are a controversial, much-maligned group, but we're all just regular human beings who live, love, and laugh. And man, can we talk shit. Join Jon, Vanessa, and Joey as we talk shit about what it's like to be vegan. Every week, we'll be talking shit about a different topic related to living a vegan lifestyle; the good, the bad, and the ugly. But since we seem to be completely incapable of staying on topic, we also talk shit about music, movies, comic books, and anything else that might come up during the conversation. So tune in to Vegans Talking Shit, available weekly on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us @veganstalkingshit on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and @vegans.talking.sh on TikTok. Send an email to veganstalkingshit@gmail.com, and you may get your questions or comments read during our show.

  1. Oct 6

    Are Aliens Vegan?

    All three members of The Tofu Trio are back together to tackle one of life's great questions; Are aliens vegan? Sure, it's a silly topic, but they've gone down sillier rabbit holes. Joey kicks things off by nerding out over the statistical certainty of intelligent life in the universe and explaining why any civilization with a billion-year head start on us is probably smart enough to leave animals off the menu. Jon pivots to the sci-fi series "Travelers," pointing out how future humans in the show are vegan. Vanessa brings things back down to Earth with a story about buying plumbing fixtures, where a salesperson committed the fatal error of making the wrong comment about vegans to her. She then mentions people she knows who believe in the Arcturians, alleged to be a highly evolved, technologically advanced alien race. Jon steps in with a plausible reason why extraterrestrials might not be vegan after all, but rather than offering a sharp rebuttal, Joey opts to completely bewilder his co-hosts by bursting into song, leaving Jon speechless. That musical interlude prompts a massive detour into artificial intelligence, leading the trio to wax philosophical about immortality. Finally, they wrap up the episode discussing writer/director Christopher Nolan and his latest cinematic epic, "The Odyssey." Tune in, space out, and join The Tofu Trio as they boldly go where no vegan podcast has gone before. Vegans Talking Shit is hosted by Joey Di Girolamo, Jon Missirlian, and Vanessa Silva. Main podcast image artwork by Diego Orellana. Theme song "Flying" by TrackTribe. Visit @veganstalkingshit on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and @vegans.talking.sh on TikTok. Send questions, comments, and topic ideas to veganstalkingshit@gmail.com, and you may get your email read during the show.

    Are Aliens Vegan?
  2. Sep 22

    Vegan Favorites

    It's only two-thirds of The Tofu Trio in this episode, as Jon is off bringing home the vegan bacon. For an episode that's probably best experienced on YouTube, Joey and Vanessa catch up on life and share their ultimate vegan favorites, which extend way beyond the kitchen. The conversation begins with an immediate detour, as Joey talks about a Brazilian film he recently watched, leading Vanessa to set the record straight on how cinema constantly gets her home country wrong, making it seem much more dangerous than it actually is. Joey also manages to fit in his thoughts on the TV show "Lanterns," and celebrates Team USA winning gold at the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Joey finally pauses his monologue long enough for the duo to dive deep into their favorite vegan and cruelty-free products. Recording from Brazil, Vanessa showcases locally available beauty products and a specific brand of tofu that seems to be exclusive to Brazil. When it's Joey's turn, he starts with his current obsession, Stevia-sweetened Zevia soda, followed by an absurdly long list of personal care items, his favorite coffee creamer, and the items that make up his mostly frozen-food diet. Jon is severely missed throughout the chaotic banter, but rest assured he'll be back in his rightful seat in the next episode. Vegans Talking Shit is hosted by Joey Di Girolamo, Jon Missirlian, and Vanessa Silva. Main podcast image artwork by Diego Orellana. Theme song "Flying" by TrackTribe. Visit @veganstalkingshit on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and @vegans.talking.sh on TikTok. Send questions, comments, and topic ideas to veganstalkingshit@gmail.com, and you may get your email read during the show.

    Vegan Favorites
  3. Aug 11

    Farm Animal Sanctuaries

    In this longer-than-usual episode, The Tofu Trio discusses farm animal sanctuaries, but not before Joey hijacks the mic yet again to review all the movies he's watched recently. He gives his unsolicited thoughts on "The Mandalorian and Grogu," "Masters of the Universe," "Disclosure Day," and "Supergirl" before Vanessa reminds him that this episode is actually supposed to be about animal sanctuaries. Joey begrudgingly drops his film critic persona and pivots to his experience volunteering at an Oregon farm sanctuary, eventually bringing up SASHA Farm, which vegan warrior Gary Yourofsky has been promoting. Joey highlights a few sanctuaries down in Florida, and Vanessa shouts out Sweet Olive Farm in Georgia. The conversation eventually derails into the frustration of attending events with zero vegan options, which triggers Joey into a full-blown rampage about his most recent trip to The Cheesecake Factory, which will almost certainly be his last. Jon points out that the lack of good vegan options at places like that dissuades people from going vegan because they assume it's impossible or that the lifestyle's just sad salads and raw tofu. Vanessa chimes in to add that restaurants lacking plant-based options make things just as stressful for non-vegans trying to dine with their vegan friends and family members. Jon then talks about the complexities of traveling while vegan before pivoting to a passionate defense of that rare culinary vegan delicacy known as the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The trio finally closes the show in the classiest way possible, by begging their listeners for cash. Jon suggests they create a Patreon account to help cover the expenses of running the podcast, soooooooo maybe? In the end, listeners are getting a full tour of animal rescues, terrible restaurant menus, and blatant financial desperation, proving that staying on topic is still a massive work in progress for this crew. Learn more about the farm animal sanctuaries mentioned in today's episode: Farm Sanctuary, widely known as the first and largest farm animal sanctuary in the United States, with locations in Watkins Glen, NY and Los Angeles, CASASHA Farm in Manchester, MILittle Bear Sanctuary in Punta Gorda, FLFlorida Rescue Farm in Duette, FLKindred Spirits Sanctuary near Ocala, FLSweet Olive Farm in Winterville, GABuy some Vegans Talking Shit merchandise! Visit https://vegans-talking-shit.myshopify.com to buy Vegans Talking Shit t-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, and more. Vegans Talking Shit is hosted by Joey Di Girolamo, Jon Missirlian, and Vanessa Silva. Main podcast image artwork by Diego Orellana. Theme song "Flying" by TrackTribe. Visit @veganstalkingshit on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and @vegans.talking.sh on TikTok. Send questions, comments, and topic ideas to veganstalkingshit@gmail.com, and you may get your email read during the show.

    Farm Animal Sanctuaries
  4. Jul 28

    The Mailbag (July 28, 2026)

    After dodging listener email in the last episode, The Tofu Trio actually manages to stay on track and read emails this week. First, they read a listener's message that expands on the stories Vanessa shared about riding horses, and another calls out Jon for defending Kim Kardashian, which leads to Joey delivering a mea culpa of sorts. That turns into a conversation about where they draw the line when it comes to supporting problematic celebrities, which somehow ends with Joey dropping a downright awful Matthew McConaughey impression. A third email from Poland triggers a deep philosophical debate about whether or not animals have souls. Finally, they wrap up the show with free plugs for Chunk plant-based meat and Tuno plant-based tuna. In the end, listeners get a rare treat as the three hosts mostly stick to the agenda, even if the horrible Matthew McConaughey impression nearly ruins the whole thing. Visit https://bitesizevegan.org/is-horse-riding-cruel-is-it-vegan/ to read the article on the ethics of horseback riding that was cited in today's episode. Buy some Vegans Talking Shit merchandise! Visit https://vegans-talking-shit.myshopify.com to buy Vegans Talking Shit t-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, and more. Vegans Talking Shit is hosted by Joey Di Girolamo, Jon Missirlian, and Vanessa Silva. Main podcast image artwork by Diego Orellana. Theme song "Flying" by TrackTribe. Visit @veganstalkingshit on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and @vegans.talking.sh on TikTok. Send questions, comments, and topic ideas to veganstalkingshit@gmail.com, and you may get your email read during the show.

    The Mailbag (July 28, 2026)
4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Vegans are a controversial, much-maligned group, but we're all just regular human beings who live, love, and laugh. And man, can we talk shit. Join Jon, Vanessa, and Joey as we talk shit about what it's like to be vegan. Every week, we'll be talking shit about a different topic related to living a vegan lifestyle; the good, the bad, and the ugly. But since we seem to be completely incapable of staying on topic, we also talk shit about music, movies, comic books, and anything else that might come up during the conversation. So tune in to Vegans Talking Shit, available weekly on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us @veganstalkingshit on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and @vegans.talking.sh on TikTok. Send an email to veganstalkingshit@gmail.com, and you may get your questions or comments read during our show.

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