Every day, billions of people consume animal products without considering the impact on their health, the environment, and animals. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, celebrated advocate and bestselling author, dedicates her life to unraveling this disconnection. Known as the “Joyful Vegan,” she has transformed countless lives through her books, podcasts, and innovative approaches to promoting compassion and ethical living.

On the NHA Health Science Podcast, hosted by Dr. Frank Sabatino, Colleen shared her personal journey and the pivotal moments that shaped her commitment to a plant-based lifestyle. From her early experiences to her groundbreaking projects, Colleen offers a blueprint for creating a more compassionate world.

The Social Disconnect: Why Compassion Is Suppressed

From childhood, most people are taught to love animals through stories, toys, and films. Yet, these same animals often appear on dinner plates, leading to a subconscious compartmentalization of compassion. This societal norm not only numbs empathy but also perpetuates harm on a massive scale. Colleen explores this phenomenon in her work, helping people recognize and reconcile this internal conflict.

Pivotal Moments: The Journey to Advocacy

Colleen’s journey began with a profound awakening sparked by reading Diet for a New America by John Robbins and later Slaughterhouse by Gail Eisnitz. These books exposed the grim realities of industrial farming and the culture of violence it perpetuates. These experiences led her to align her values with her actions, igniting her passion for advocating for animals and ethical living.

A Multi-Faceted Approach to Advocacy

Through her seven bestselling books, including The Joyful Vegan, and her long-running Food for Thought podcast, Colleen provides practical tools and inspiration for those seeking to make more compassionate choices. Her Joyful Vegan Trips further illustrate how plant-based living can be abundant, joyful, and culturally enriching, breaking down myths about veganism being restrictive or inaccessible.

Upcoming Projects and Expanding Impact

Colleen’s upcoming book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free, set to release in March 2025, is a comprehensive guide for anyone seeking to live more ethically and sustainably. This work reflects her ongoing commitment to empowering individuals with knowledge and practical steps to align their values with their daily lives.

A Call to Action

Colleen’s message is simple yet powerful: Start where you are. Change doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Small, consistent steps toward reducing harm and embracing compassion can lead to transformative outcomes for individuals, animals, and the planet.

To explore Colleen’s work and discover how you can create meaningful change, visit JoyfulVegan.com.

Episode Highlights 

[00:00] Introduction.

[02:00] Early childhood cognitive dissonance. 

[07:30] Going along with the status quo. 

[10:30] Getting lost in the illusion of compassion. 

[17:00] The profound impact of “Diet for a New America.” 

[20 :30] Normalizing pain and suffering needs to stop. 

[25:30] Veganism is a means to an end for compassion.

[31:00] Bringing abundance and joy to traveling. 

[36:00] A serendipitous partnership in travel. 

[38:00] Taking small steps when you start. 

About Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, known as the Joyful Vegan, is a prominent voice in the global movement for compassionate and ethical living. Born and raised in suburban New Jersey, her early years were a mix of joy and cognitive dissonance. Her father’s ownership of ice cream stores brought an endless supply of treats into her home, creating what seemed like a blissful childhood. Yet, as she reflects now, much of that joy was tied to a lack of understanding about the origins of the food she consumed.

From a young age, Colleen was surrounded by imagery that celebrated animals—stuffed toys, illustrated books, and even the wallpaper in her room. These depictions fostered an emotional connection to animals, while stories and fables taught her foundational values of kindness, respect, and empathy. Simultaneously, she was consuming animal products, a contradiction that created a quiet yet pervasive internal conflict.

As Colleen grew older, this dissonance reached a tipping point when she began to explore the realities of industrialized animal farming and the cultural norms that perpetuate it. A pivotal moment came when she read Diet for a New America by John Robbins, igniting a shift in her perspective and paving the way for her transformation into a passionate advocate for veganism and compassionate living.

Today, Colleen is a bestselling author of seven influential books, including The Joyful Vegan and Color Me Vegan, which have inspired countless individuals to examine their relationship with food, animals, and the environment. Her Food for Thought podcast, running for over 17 years, continues to provide a platform for education and empowerment. Through her Joyful Vegan Trips, she combines her love for travel with her mission, offering immersive experiences that showcase the abundance and joy of a plant-based lifestyle.

In addition to her work as an author and speaker, Colleen is a celebrated educator and guide for those seeking to align their actions with their values. Her message transcends dietary choices, encouraging individuals to embrace compassion in all aspects of life. Her upcoming book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free, further cements her reputation as a thought leader in sustainability and ethical living.

With over two decades of advocacy, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau remains a powerful force in the movement for a kinder, healthier, and more sustainable world. Her ability to inspire change through empathy, education, and empowerment has earned her a place among the most influential figures in the plant-based and animal advocacy communities.

About Dr. Frank Sabatino

As a recognized authority on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, Dr. Frank Sabatino has cared for and inspired thousands of people for over 40 years. Dr. Sabatino has a PhD in cell biology and neuroendocrinology and has done extensive landmark research on calorie restriction, stress, and aging. He currently is on staff at the TrueNorth Health Foundation in Santa Rosa, CA, and serves as the Director of Health Education at the NHA.

Dr. Sabatino’s passion and life’s work include raising awareness about the benefits of whole-food, plant-exclusive nutrition (without added salt, oil, or sugar), health rejuvenation and stress management.

Dr. Sabatino is the author of Weightless: Compassionate Weight Loss for Life, a groundbreaking guide to sustainable weight loss through a compassionate, plant-based lifestyle. Drawing on extensive clinical and personal experience, Dr. Sabatino offers practical strategies to overcome food addiction and avoid fad diets, risky drugs, and surgeries. The book provides meal plans, recipes, and lifestyle tips, emphasizing whole, plant-based foods and addressing the role of stress, sleep, and environmental toxins in weight management. “Weightless” empowers readers to achieve their weight goals healthily and sustainably, benefiting both people and the planet.

About NHA

The National Health Association (NHA), founded in 1948, is a nonprofit organization that promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet. The Association provides educational materials, educational events, and services to thousands of people around the world.

The mission of the National Health Association is to educate and empower individuals to understand that health results from healthful living. The NHA recognizes the integration of all aspects of health: personal, environmental, and social.

The NHA also provides travel experiences around the globe through the NHA Plant-Based Travel and cruise division.

More information: https://www.healthscience.org/

Scholarships

A unique benefit of the NHA Conference is the selection of two medical students who receive a full scholarship to the conference.

Contact Wanda Huberman for more information on how to apply for the scholarship.  whuberman@healthscience.org

NHA membership

For a very nominal investment, you can enjoy incredible benefits of the NHA membership.

Members of the NHA enjoy a subscription to the award-winning quarterly health journal, Health Science, access to the “Members Only” section of the NHA Website (which contains all 43 years of back issues of the magazine),  the ability to download for free many classic out of print eBooks on the history of the Natural Hygiene Movement, including Fasting Can Save Your Life and The Greatest Health Discovery, discounts on books, and early notice of the NHA events.

Only $35 a year for basic membership within the United States.  https://www.healthscience.org/join-renew/