How Plant-Powered Communities Change Lives: A Conversation with Liana Levine Reisner

Welcome to NHA Today, the official podcast of the National Health Association. In this episode, hosts Justin and Stephanie Williams sit down with Lianna Levine Reisner, co-founder and leader of Plant Powered Metro New York (PPMNY), a dynamic organization empowering individuals and communities to transform their health through whole food, plant-based living.

Lianna shares her personal health evolution, the grassroots beginnings of PPMNY, and the powerful ways plant-based communities can influence long-term lifestyle change. Her story is equal parts inspiring and practical, offering a roadmap for anyone passionate about wellness, community-building, or public health.

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A Personal Journey Toward Whole Food, Plant-Based Living

Lianna’s journey began, like many of ours, with curiosity and concern for her family’s health. After experimenting with dietary changes to address digestive issues and acne, she discovered the science of whole food, plant-based nutrition.

Eighteen months of research led her to leaders like Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Michael Greger, and ultimately the National Health Association. The shift was transformative: chronic symptoms from endometriosis disappeared, inflammation decreased, her energy increased, and her family experienced their own improvements.

This personal success became the seed for something much larger.

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Building a Community From the Ground Up

In 2017, Lianna discovered a local plant-based meetup group and quickly realized it needed leadership. Drawing from her background in nonprofit consulting and community development, she stepped in to revive and expand the group.

What started as a small volunteer circle evolved into a regional network: Plant Powered Metro New York, founded in 2019. Today, PPMNY includes more than 200 volunteers across the metro area, all dedicated to educating, mentoring, and supporting people on their plant-powered journeys.

Lianna describes the organization as “a family”, one built on shared values, shared meals, and shared vision.

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The Four Pillars of PPMNY’s Mission

Lianna outlines the structure of PPMNY through four core pillars:

1. Awareness

Ensuring the public hears the message: plants help us thrive. This includes health fairs, festivals, community events, and a robust online presence.

2. Education

Weekly in-person and virtual programs provide foundational knowledge on plant-based nutrition and lifestyle change.

3. Empowerment

Through cooking classes, market tours, and the signature Jumpstart Program, PPMNY helps people experience rapid improvements in their health with hands-on guidance and mentorship.

4. Community Support

Mentorship, potlucks, social events, and peer networks ensure people have ongoing support long after their first jumpstart.

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A Model for Multicultural Community Health

One standout aspect of PPMNY is its commitment to multicultural outreach. Lianna emphasizes that building a truly inclusive movement requires finding ambassadors within diverse communities, that is, people who understand cultural flavors, barriers, and needs.

PPMNY actively connects with Latino communities, communities of color in central Brooklyn, older adults, families with fewer resources, and many others.

Their goal? Make whole food, plant-based living accessible, relatable, and culturally relevant.

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Expanding Nationally Through Collaboration

While rooted in the NYC metro area, PPMNY now collaborates with groups across the U.S. including plant-based communities in upstate New York, Florida, Houston, and beyond. Through shared jumpstarts, training programs, and mentorship development, they help smaller groups grow stronger without reinventing the wheel.

This collaborative spirit is central to Lianna’s mission: building a national tapestry of plant-powered communities.

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Quick, Practical Meal Inspiration

Before wrapping, Lianna offered a simple, real-life example of a busy-night dinner in her house:

• A romaine-based green smoothie with chia seeds and fruit
• Whole grain pasta topped with seasoned strained tomatoes, garlic powder, herbs, nutritional yeast, or simple add-ins like beans or tofu

Healthy doesn’t have to be complicated—and often, the simplest meals are the most satisfying.

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Learn More

🌱 Discover Plant Powered Metro New York: https://www.plantpoweredmetrony.org
🎧 Watch or listen to this full episode on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform
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