The Dr. Jules Plant-Based Podcast

Dr. Jules Cormier (MD)

Hey, I’m Dr. Jules! I’m a medical doctor, teacher, nutritionist, naturopath, plant-based dad and 3X world championships qualified athlete. On this podcast we’ll discuss the latest in evidence-based and plant-based nutrition, including common nutrition myths, FAQs and tips on how to transition towards a healthier dietary pattern and lifestyle that creates little friction with your busy life!

  1. From The Heart #5: Why Fear-Based Health Content Is Damaging Your Journey

    3D AGO · BONUS

    From The Heart #5: Why Fear-Based Health Content Is Damaging Your Journey

    Fear sells, but at what cost to our health? In this unscripted, heart-to-heart conversation, I address a troubling pattern I've noticed in wellness culture: the rise of fear-based health information that lacks crucial context and nuance. When patients ask me whether chia seeds are "toxic" unless soaked, or show me how their healthy peanut butter scores poorly on wellness apps while processed diet foods receive high marks, I worry about the impact of black-and-white thinking on our relationship with food. The internet's tendency to demonize ultra-rare risks while ignoring substantial benefits creates unnecessary anxiety and potentially harmful avoidance behaviors. Through practical examples—from the misunderstood dangers of chia seeds to the methodological limitations of the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list—I explain how "the dose makes the poison" and why counting ingredients without considering their amounts or effects leads to flawed conclusions. Food processing exists on a spectrum; protein powder is technically ultra-processed yet consistently associated with positive health outcomes. Context matters enormously. What's most concerning is how social media algorithms reward sensationalism over substance. A 22-minute video exploring nutritional nuance won't go viral like a shirtless influencer making alarming claims about "toxic" foods in a 30-second clip. This creates an environment where our attention spans shorten (we now have an acronym—TLDR—for content deemed too long) and our anxiety about food choices grows. The solution isn't abandoning tools like food tracking apps entirely—they can help people become more educated about what they consume. Rather, we need to approach health information with critical thinking skills and awareness of these tools' limitations. Your balance point may differ from mine, but I hope these conversations help you develop the discernment to navigate wellness information wisely, without letting fear dictate your choices. Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/ Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/ Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify! Thanks so much! Peace, love, plants! Dr. Jules

    24 min
  2. The Trauma That Shaped Me

    6D AGO

    The Trauma That Shaped Me

    A father ran down a hospital hallway and placed his lifeless child in our arms.  That single moment changed how we practice, how we teach, and how we judge the flood of health advice that fills our feeds. We talk candidly about the weight of trust, why humility can save lives, and how real medicine often starts with knowing when to call for help, and doing it fast. From there, we zoom out to the online health economy, where fear and urgency sell quick fixes. We unpack the red flags behind discount codes and sweeping claims, and we explain why experts speak in nuance, not absolutes.  You’ll hear how we think through personalized decisions, why supplements can be helpful only in context, and what accountability should look like when outcomes are on the line.  Along the way, we share practical filters: ask who benefits, demand evidence that matches your situation, and look for guidance that admits uncertainty and details trade-offs. Prevention takes the spotlight as science-based care that happens before the crisis. We lay out how daily habits, nutrition rich in plants and fiber, movement you can sustain, consistent sleep, stress tools that stick, and strong social ties, quietly compound to keep families out of hallways on the worst day of their lives.  If you value evidence over hype and want a stronger therapeutic alliance with your clinician, this conversation offers a grounded path forward. If it resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a steady voice, and leave a review so others can find it too. Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/ Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/ Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify! Thanks so much! Peace, love, plants! Dr. Jules

    20 min
  3. From the Heart #4: A Day in the Life of a Family Doctor

    JAN 28 · BONUS

    From the Heart #4: A Day in the Life of a Family Doctor

    Ever wonder what really happens behind the scenes in your family doctor's practice? In this raw, unfiltered episode, I open up about the everyday realities of primary care medicine that patients rarely get to see. The morning starts in my surgical clinic with a challenging decision – accommodate an anxious young patient by performing procedures on both ingrown toenails instead of one, knowing it will delay every appointment afterward. This everyday scenario reveals a fundamental difference between medicine and other professions. While lawyers and accountants end appointments precisely on time, doctors constantly stretch themselves thin because we know the alternative for patients is often waiting months for the next available slot. The most heartbreaking revelation comes when reviewing test results and seeing x-ray appointments scheduled for July 2026 – fifteen months away for patients with painful, potentially serious conditions. This isn't the fault of radiologists or technicians but reflects a healthcare system where resources haven't kept pace with demand. The frustration compounds when seeing patients repeatedly miss appointments without notice, wasting precious slots while others desperately wait for care. These challenges explain why I've pivoted increasingly toward preventative medicine. So many conditions I treat daily – from vitamin deficiencies to chronic diseases – could be prevented or minimized through lifestyle interventions. When healthcare resources are this stretched, prevention becomes not just personal health insurance but a civic responsibility. Next time you're frustrated by a delay in your doctor's office, remember there's likely someone before you who needed extra time, just as you might someday. We're all stakeholders in this shared healthcare system. What simple changes could you make today to protect both your health and our collective healthcare resources? Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/ Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/ Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify! Thanks so much! Peace, love, plants! Dr. Jules

    18 min
  4. Antibiotics: Use With Care

    JAN 25

    Antibiotics: Use With Care

    Imagine a world where a paper cut lands you in the ICU and a routine hip replacement feels risky.  We trace how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gets us there, and what it takes to steer away, by decoding how bacteria outsmart antibiotics and why everyday choices either fuel or slow that arms race. Along the way, we connect the dots to gut health, showing how the microbiome’s postbiotics support appetite, hormones, barrier integrity, and brain signaling, and why unnecessary antibiotics can flatten those benefits. We start with clear, plain-language science: bacteria evolve resistance by pumping drugs out, changing drug targets, and even sharing resistance genes. Overuse is the accelerant. Many prescriptions are written “just in case,” and diagnostics can lag behind symptoms. Beyond the clinic, the hidden engine is agriculture: the majority of antibiotics worldwide are used in livestock, creating resistant strains that move through food, water, and the environment.  That means AMR is not just a hospital issue, it’s a food system issue that touches home kitchens, grocery carts, and community health. Then we flip the lens to your gut ecosystem. Prebiotics feed probiotics, which make postbiotics like short-chain fatty acids that fortify the mucin layer, tighten gut junctions, and shape hormones including GLP-1, leptin, ghrelin, and PYY. These signals affect mood, appetite, and metabolic resilience. Unnecessary antibiotics can wipe out diversity and blunt postbiotic production, nudging metabolism and immunity in the wrong direction.  The fix is practical: ask your clinician if antibiotics are truly needed, never share or save pills, and complete the full course when prescribed. Prevent infections with handwashing, vaccines, and safe food handling. Vote with your fork for producers that curb routine antibiotic use. And rebuild your microbiome with fiber-rich plants, beans, lentils, oats, vegetables, fruits, and seeds. Antibiotics are a gift worth guarding.  Use them wisely, protect your gut, and help keep routine care safe for everyone. If this resonated, follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find the show. Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/ Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/ Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify! Thanks so much! Peace, love, plants! Dr. Jules

    18 min
  5. From The Heart #3: Beyond the Scale - Understanding Your Body's True Composition

    JAN 21 · BONUS

    From The Heart #3: Beyond the Scale - Understanding Your Body's True Composition

    Have you ever wondered why the number on your scale doesn't tell the whole story? This raw, unscripted episode from my new "From the Heart" segment dives deep into the science of body composition and why it matters more than your weight. Drawing from a real patient case study, I break down how a 68-year-old man with fatty liver and prediabetes discovered through body composition analysis that his health challenges weren't just about being overweight—he was dangerously under-muscled with toxic levels of visceral fat surrounding his organs. This visceral fat, measuring 208 square centimeters (double the threshold for disease risk), perfectly explained his liver inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. The truth about body composition challenges common misconceptions about weight and health. You can be "normal weight" yet metabolically unhealthy, or "overweight" yet maintain excellent health markers. I share my own example as someone classified as "overweight" by BMI standards despite having optimal metabolic health due to higher muscle mass. We explore practical strategies for reducing visceral fat through calorie management, smart food choices, stress reduction, and—critically—building muscle through resistance training. I debunk the myth that lifting weights leads to excessive muscle growth and explain why protein intake (1.2-1.6g per kg of lean body mass) matters for preserving muscle during weight loss. Whether you're struggling with weight management, curious about improving your metabolic health, or simply want to understand what's happening beneath the surface of your body, this episode provides actionable insights backed by science and clinical experience. Want to transform your understanding of what true health looks like? This is your blueprint for looking beyond the scale. Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/ Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/ Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify! Thanks so much! Peace, love, plants! Dr. Jules

    17 min
  6. Fiber That Fights Back

    JAN 18

    Fiber That Fights Back

    Your gut can love fiber, or fight it.  We unpack why the same bowl of beans leaves one person energized and another doubled over, and how timing, dose, and microbiome diversity decide which way it goes. Drawing on clinical experience and a landmark Stanford study from Erica and Justin Sonnenburg, we break down the difference between piling on fiber versus preparing your gut to handle it, and why fermented foods often deliver a reliable boost in diversity and lower inflammation. We start by defining a healthy gut: a strong intestinal barrier, low visceral hypersensitivity, and a diverse community of microbes that churn out short-chain fatty acids. Then we connect the dots between food and lifestyle, how sleep, stress, movement, and social health shape the gut-brain axis and change how you feel after a high-fiber meal. Think of fiber like training, not a test.  Just as jumping into a max-effort workout can spike inflammation, adding a lot of fiber to a low-diversity microbiome can cause bloating, cramps, or bathroom swings. The fix isn’t less plants; it’s smarter progression. You’ll hear the practical plan we use: start low, go slow, and mix fiber types while you build tolerance. Use cooking strategies that ease fermentation, soak and rinse legumes, pressure-cook beans, cook and cool starches to boost resistant starch. Layer in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and tempeh to raise microbial diversity, then steadily increase fiber by a few grams every few days. Over weeks, your microbiome adapts, the gut barrier strengthens, and fiber shifts from irritant to ally, supporting heart health, blood sugar control, satiety, and lower cancer risk. If you’ve ever said “I can’t do beans” or “broccoli wrecks me,” this guide shows how to turn those foods into fuel.  Subscribe for more science-backed, practical nutrition, and share this episode with a friend who’s trying to eat more plants. If it helped, leave a review so others can find it. Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/ Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/ Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify! Thanks so much! Peace, love, plants! Dr. Jules

    22 min
  7. Conversations du cœur #2: Les menaces silencieuses que les gens ignorent

    JAN 14 · BONUS

    Conversations du cœur #2: Les menaces silencieuses que les gens ignorent

    Que se passe-t-il lorsque vous vous sentez parfaitement bien, mais que votre corps se détériore silencieusement? Cette conversation brute et non planifiée est née après avoir vu plusieurs patients refuser des traitements potentiellement transformateurs simplement parce qu’ils ne présentaient pas encore de symptômes. Je partage l’histoire bouleversante d’une patiente atteinte de MPOC sévère dont la fonction pulmonaire était déjà réduite à seulement 44 %, mais qui a refusé le traitement parce qu’elle « se sentait bien ». Cette idée fausse et dangereuse ignore le fait que chaque infection respiratoire endommage de façon permanente la fonction pulmonaire, entraînant une spirale descendante qui mène inévitablement à la dépendance à l’oxygène et aux hospitalisations fréquentes. De la même façon, je décris un patient d’une soixantaine d’années incapable de se lever seul d’une chaise en raison d’une sarcopénie (fonte musculaire) qui s’était installée progressivement au fil des décennies. Nos corps déclinent naturellement avec l’âge: la densité osseuse atteint un sommet vers 25 à 35 ans avant de diminuer, la fonction pulmonaire recule, la capacité cardiaque s’affaiblit. La question n’est pas de savoir si nous allons vieillir, mais à quelle vitesse, et surtout si nous maintiendrons notre autonomie fonctionnelle au cours de nos années avancées. La science est claire: un apport protéique adéquat (1,2 à 1,6 g/kg par jour), l’entraînement musculaire régulier, l’exercice aérobie, une alimentation riche en végétaux, un sommeil de qualité, la gestion du stress grâce à des pratiques comme la méditation, ainsi que des liens sociaux solides ralentissent considérablement ce déclin. Beaucoup de patients qui mettent en place ces changements découvrent qu’il n’est jamais trop tard: j’ai vu des octogénaires parcourir des sentiers exigeants après avoir adopté de nouveaux choix de vie. Après deux décennies en médecine, j’ai compris que l’obstacle n’est pas l’information: en général, les patients savent ce qu’ils devraient faire. Le vrai défi est psychologique: développer l’état d’esprit qui transforme les choix de santé en habitudes durables plutôt qu’en contraintes. Si vous reportez des interventions médicales parce que vous « vous sentez bien », rappelez-vous que la façon dont vous vivez dans la trentaine et la quarantaine détermine en grande partie votre qualité de vie à 70 ou 80 ans. Trouvez votre motivation personnelle pour la santé avant que les symptômes ne vous forcent la main. Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/ Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/ Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify! Thanks so much! Peace, love, plants! Dr. Jules

    17 min
  8. Raising Kids In The Algorithm Age

    JAN 11

    Raising Kids In The Algorithm Age

    What if the loudest voices shaping your child’s mind aren’t in your home, but inside their phone?  As a physician, a dad, and a creator, I walk through the paradox of using social media for good while watching the same systems chip away at kids’ mental health, attention, and empathy. We pull back the curtain on how algorithms exploit developing brains, turning streaks and notifications into compulsive loops that feel like connection but often deliver anxiety and shame. I share real clinic moments, panic attacks sparked by a broken Snap streak, friendships derailed by a two-letter “OK”, and pair them with evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses linking problematic use to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress.  We also dig into early childhood research showing that heavy screen exposure correlates with weaker language and executive function, and we explore how digital communication strips away tone and context, making misunderstandings more likely.  But it’s not all doom. Phones can be powerful tools for curiosity, science learning, cooking, making, and building. The key is purpose: skills over validation, creation over comparison. You’ll hear the rules that work in our home and with families I advise: delay the smartphone where possible, skip high-risk apps for middle schoolers, set clear time limits with opt-in extensions, and use positive reinforcement rather than threats. We cover coping skills for boredom, rejection, and frustration, plus simple scripts for talking about cyberbullying, predators, and media literacy. Finally, we zoom out to schools and policy, calling for digital hygiene norms, algorithm transparency, and age protections that put child well-being first. If you’re looking to replace panic with a plan, this conversation offers practical, science-backed steps to raise resilient, emotionally grounded kids in a hyper-connected world. Listen, share with another parent or educator, and leave a review with the one boundary that has made the biggest difference in your home.  Your idea might help another family tonight. Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/ Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/ Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify! Thanks so much! Peace, love, plants! Dr. Jules

    19 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Hey, I’m Dr. Jules! I’m a medical doctor, teacher, nutritionist, naturopath, plant-based dad and 3X world championships qualified athlete. On this podcast we’ll discuss the latest in evidence-based and plant-based nutrition, including common nutrition myths, FAQs and tips on how to transition towards a healthier dietary pattern and lifestyle that creates little friction with your busy life!

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