How One Sustainability Activist Can Change Millions of Lives - with Klaus Mitchell

04/07/25 • 47 min

The Eat This Podcast with Dr. Alan Desmond

“Momentum breeds momentum. Don’t ever feel like you’re not making a difference—because I promise, you are.”

Today, we're sitting down with sustainability advocate Klaus Mitchell, the powerhouse behind Plant Based News. If you’ve watched a viral video about veganism, sustainability, or plant-based health in the last decade—there’s a good chance Klaus and his team were behind it.

With an online platform reaching over 85 million people every month, Klaus has helped shape influential Netflix documentaries, interviewed A-list changemakers like Joaquin Phoenix, and taken the stage at the UN’s COP climate conference to advocate for a better food system.

In this inspiring conversation, Klaus takes us behind the scenes—from launching Plant Based News in his parents’ back garden greenhouse to becoming one of the most impactful media voices in the global movement for sustainable food.

We explore the realities of burnout, misinformation, and advocacy —and why hope and storytelling remain our most powerful tools. A timely reminder that each of us can drive positive change, every single day.

Follow Klaus Mitchell: Instagram X/Twitter KlausMItchell.com

Follow Plant Based News: Instagram X/Twitter YouTube.com

Tune in: Plant Based News Podcast

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“Momentum breeds momentum. Don’t ever feel like you’re not making a difference—because I promise, you are.”

Follow Klaus Mitchell: Instagram X/Twitter KlausMItchell.com

Follow Plant Based News: Instagram X/Twitter YouTube.com

Tune in: Plant Based News Podcast

Previous Episode

Everyday Foods to Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Body Weight - with Dr. Neal Barnard

‘There are certain foods, when you bring them into your life, things begin to change dramatically’

Dr. Neal Barnard shares remarkable insights from his groundbreaking research on nutrition, weight management, and chronic disease prevention. We discuss the everyday foods that can help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight while promoting overall well-being. This is an inspiring conversation filled with practical tips and actionable advice that I know you’ll find valuable.

One of the most influential voices in nutrition and disease prevention—Dr Neal Barnard is a leading clinical researcher with over 140 scientific publications on the benefits of a healthy diet, a best-selling author, and the founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I was deeply honored that he traveled from Washington, DC, to join me for a live event in Exeter. I'm thrilled to share his wisdom with you today!

I highly recommend Dr. Barnard’s latest book The Power Foods Diet :The Breakthrough Plan That Traps, Tames, and Burns Calories for Easy and Permanent Weight Loss

Connect with Dr Neal Barnard on Instagram and Twitter/X

Next Episode

Yogurt: Gut Health Superfood or Just Clever Marketing?

Yogurt is a multi-billion dollar industry - and is heavily advertised as a gut microbiome-boosting super food. But what does the scientific literature actually tell us about yogurt and gut health?

The History of Yogurt: How yogurt became a Western staple, moving from niche food to health product.
What Science Actually Says About Yogurt: Why those ‘live probiotic cultures’ never reach your microbiome.
Is Kefir Truly a Superior Option for Gut Health?
Plant-Based Alternatives: Can non-dairy options like soy yogurt offer better health benefits?
Environmental Impact: Comparing the carbon footprint of dairy yogurt versus plant-based alternatives.
Final Verdict: Is yogurt really essential for better gut health, or is it all just clever marketing?

I hope this episode helps you look beyond the advertising and make evidence-based choices that genuinely safeguard your digestive health.

Links to some of the key papers mentioned in today’s episode:

Long-term dietary patterns are associated with pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory features of the gut microbiome.

Effects of Regular Kefir Consumption on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Parallel-Group, Randomized, Controlled Study

Is consuming yoghurt associated with weight management outcomes? Results from a systematic review

The Effects of Kefir and Kefir Components on Immune and Metabolic Physiology in Pre-Clinical Studies: A Narrative Review

A comparison of the nutritional profile and nutrient density of commercially available plant-based and dairy yogurts in the United State