In this episode of the Climate & Cuisine Podcast, host Jane DeMarines sits down with filmmaker, YouTube creator, and long-time vegan activist Chris Cooney, best known for his viral brand The Vegan Zombie and his new feature film, Vegan Zombies A44.

Chris shares the fascinating journey that led him from an unfulfilling day job to creating a zombie-themed vegan cooking show, a bestselling cookbook published in multiple languages, and now a full-length vegan horror movie. Jane and Chris explore how storytelling, humor, and food can work together to spark meaningful conversations about sustainability and compassionate living.

Together they dive into:

🎬 The Making of Vegan Zombies A44

How a fun idea for a zombie apocalypse cooking show evolved into a feature film now screening at international festivals—including the Animal Liberation Film Festival in Melbourne. Chris explains how he subtly weaves vegan themes into the story without preaching, allowing audiences to connect through entertainment first.

📚 From YouTube Series to Award-Winning Cookbook

Chris discusses the origins of his cookbook Cook & Survive, how it gained global attention, and why engaging content can often do more to promote veganism than confrontation or debate.

🌱 The Evolution of Veganism Over 30 Years

Chris reflects on three decades of veganism—from being considered “extreme” in the 1990s to riding today’s rising wave of plant-based eating. Jane contributes current statistics and trends, noting the growing adoption of vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian diets among younger generations.

📈 Why Veganism Is Still Growing (Despite Public Myths)

Chris and Jane unpack the perception that veganism is “declining,” explaining why the data shows an overall upward trend—especially in health-conscious and climate-focused communities.

🎥 Creative Advocacy: Inspiring Change Through Entertainment

Chris explains how he uses horror, humor, and approachable storytelling to inspire change. He also teases potential future projects—including the possibility of an A44 sequel.

Get Chris's Latest Book - https://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Zombie-Cook-Survive-Cookbook/dp/3955750132

Watch the Movie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V3fziqp7xY

In this powerful episode of Climate & Cuisine, host Jane DeMarines sits down with award-winning journalist and bestselling author Michael Grunwald, whose latest book We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate exposes one of the biggest truths about climate change—our food system is at the center of it all.

Grunwald shares compelling insights from his book, built around the groundbreaking work of food-and-land expert Tim Searchinger, revealing how agriculture’s influence shapes policy, science, and the fate of our planet. Together, Jane and Michael unpack the urgent need for smarter land use, better technology, and a new global ethic that recognizes one simple reality: every acre matters.

From political battles to innovative solutions that could transform our world, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and a realistic roadmap for feeding humanity without destroying the Earth.

📘 Michael’s Book: We Are Eating the Earth (Available on Amazon) https://www.amazon.in/We-Are-Eating-E...

#ClimateAndCuisine #MichaelGrunwald #WeAreEatingTheEarth #FoodSystem #ClimateCrisis #SustainableFood #RegenerativeAgriculture #ClimateSolutions #FoodAndClimate #EnvironmentalJustice

How do we turn facts into feelings—and data into action? In this compelling episode, host Jane DeMarines sits down with Dr. Garrett M. Broad, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Rowan University and Provost’s Fellow for Sustainability, to explore the art and science of environmental communication.

Together, they dive deep into how stories shape sustainability movements, why emotional connection is essential to inspire change, and how digital media can transform the way we talk about food, climate, and justice.

Dr. Broad—author of More Than Just Food: Food Justice and Community Change—shares insights from his years of research on food systems, environmental equity, and the growing intersection between social movements and media.

🌎 Whether you’re an activist, communicator, or climate-conscious listener, this conversation will show you how powerful messaging can shift mindsets and move the world toward compassion, action, and sustainability.

#FromDataToEmotion #EnvironmentalCommunication #JaneDeMarines #GarrettBroad #ClimateDietPodcast #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EcoStorytelling #FoodJustice #SocialChange #VeganForThePlanet #SustainableFuture #PlanetB #CompassionInAction #ClimateHealers #EcoAwareness