Just Beings

The season two finale of Just Beings is here! In this episode, hosts Evanna and Melanie discuss their experiences working to transform the food system, reflect on what they’ve learned from this season’s extraordinary guests, and share what gives them hope for the future. They also chat about the projects they’re working on, the practices they use to help them slow down and be

David Yeung—the visionary cofounder of Green Monday and OmniFoods—has been concerned about the impact of our global food system on the planet for decades. That’s why his mission to create delicious plant-based alternatives to popular Asian dishes both pushes culinary boundaries and involves a commitment to protecting the planet, animals, and society. In this week’s episode

Our global food system, which relies heavily on factory farming, is wreaking havoc on our soil and our environment. In this week’s episode, Philip Lymbery joins Evanna and Melanie to chat about his book "Sixty Harvests Left," in which he points out that if we don’t change our ways, factory farming will cause catastrophic climate change—and we could face a future without soil

Soul food has its roots in the culinary traditions of Black Americans and African diaspora communities in the southern United States, and it plays a crucial role in preserving Black history. But given the impact of racism and colonialism in the US food system on Black people, what should soul food look like today? In this week’s episode, Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter joins Melanie

In this episode of Just Beings, actor, entrepreneur, and influencer Daniella Monet joins Melanie to discuss her journey to plant-based eating—which began when she was just five years old—and her advocacy for healthy food systems and peaceful living. This uplifting conversation delves into the importance of balance and self-care, particularly for people who champion social justi

Have you ever looked at the “Climate Friendly!” label on a packaged item and wondered whether the product is truly environmentally friendly? If so, you’re not alone. In today’s world, where protecting the environment is paramount, it’s important to know how to differentiate genuine sustainability efforts from greenwashing. Greenwashing is a form of marketing in which an o

Author and host of Netflix’s "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones," Dan Buettner, joins Evanna and Melanie on this week’s episode to discuss the secrets of the world’s longest-living populations and the remarkable places known as blue zones, where people live vibrant, healthy lives well into their 90s and 100s. He also shares his mission to transform American cities into h

John Lewis, known online as The Badass Vegan, is on a mission to show that making simple dietary and lifestyle changes can be the key to overcoming health challenges. In the season 2 premiere of Just Beings, John tells Evanna and Melanie about his remarkable life story: born to a drug-addicted mother, he was adopted and grew up amid the violence of Ferguson, Missouri, before becom

Bonnie Wright’s strong connection to the ocean developed in childhood, when she spent her weekends on the beach on the south coast of England. As an artist, she drew inspiration from the sea—and over time, as she witnessed the beach become ever more littered with trash and erosion and climate change threaten the coastline, she was inspired into activism, too. On the final episo

In her new book A More Just Future, award-winning psychologist Dolly Chugh recounts how she went from seeing the Little House on the Prairie books as enchanting tales of American family life to recognizing the series’ “whitewashing” of US history—and confronting the psychological discomfort that this recognition entailed. On this week’s episode, Dolly joins Melanie to tal