The Argument for Plant-Based Eating You've Never Heard Before

In this episode of the Plant Based Support Podcast, Dr. Niki Davis sits down with author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and longtime plant-based advocate Glen Merzer for a thoughtful conversation about health, storytelling, compassion, and the power of changing minds.

Glen shares his journey from Hollywood television writer to co-author of influential books including Mad Cowboy, Food Is Climate, Own Your Health, and Moving Medicine Forward. Together, they explore why communication matters in health advocacy, what motivates lasting behavior change, and how storytelling can inspire people to rethink their relationship with food.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

🌱 Why Glen believes humans are biologically designed to thrive on plants

🌱 The surprising reason humans are the only mammals that commonly develop heart disease from blocked arteries

🌱 Why community support is often the missing ingredient in successful lifestyle change

🌱 How plant-based eating impacts health, ethics, and the climate crisis

🌱 What gives Glen hope for the future of the plant-based movement

🌱 A preview of his upcoming film, Buddhist Blues

Whether you're plant-curious, newly plant-based, or a longtime advocate, this episode offers practical insights, thoughtful discussion, and plenty of inspiration.

🎙 Guest: Glen Merzer

Author | Screenwriter | Filmmaker | Podcast Host

🔗 Learn more:

• Glen Merzer: www.glenmerzer.com

• Plant Based Support: www.plantbasedsupport.org

💚 Join the Plant Based Support community for live events, support groups, expert education, recipes, resources, and encouragement from people who understand the journey.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may benefit from this conversation.

#PlantBasedSupport #GlenMerzer #PlantBasedDiet #WholeFoodPlantBased #LifestyleMedicine #HeartHealth #Vegan #PlantBasedLiving #Nutrition #HealthPodcast

What does happiness really come from?

Is it success, money, health, purpose… or something deeper?

In this powerful episode of the Plant Based Support Podcast, Dr. Niki Davis sits down with author, speaker, and happiness coach Ricky Powell for a deeply human conversation about mindset, gratitude, plant-based living, purpose, resilience, and what it truly means to live well.

Before becoming a happiness coach, Ricky spent decades working in television, helping put some of the biggest shows on air at NBC. But behind the scenes, he was navigating workplace toxicity, personal loss, health scares, and life-changing realizations that completely transformed the direction of his life.

Together, Dr. Niki and Ricky explore:

📺 Ricky’s journey from Hollywood and NBC into lifelong happiness coaching

🌱 Ricky’s return to plant-based living after a life-threatening heart condition

🧠 The “40% Happiness Factor” and the science of positive psychology

💚 Gratitude, forgiveness, service, and emotional wellbeing

⚡ Why mindset changes everything — even in difficult seasons of life

✨ The difference between “Thank God It’s Friday” and “Thank God It’s Today”

🤝 How community and connection help lasting health changes stick

This episode is warm, inspiring, funny, emotional, and full of practical wisdom for anyone seeking better health, deeper meaning, and a more joyful life.

Whether you are plant-based, plant-curious, rebuilding your health, or simply trying to navigate life with more peace and purpose — this conversation will stay with you.

⏱ Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:13 Ricky’s unbelievable origin story

05:25 Workplace toxicity and discovering happiness psychology

06:37 Returning to plant-based living

12:26 “Everything happens”, reframing life

15:11 The 40% Happiness Factor

17:01 Gratitude, forgiveness & service

23:28 “Thank God It’s Today” mindset

25:16 Loss, mortality & purpose

30:43 Lifelong Happiness & final thoughts

🔗 Learn more about Ricky Powell:

Website: lifelonghappiness.com

💚 GOING PLANT-BASED?

Switching to and staying on a plant-based diet can be challenging, so join a supportive community doing it alongside you, with guidance from trusted experts.

👉 Join us here: https://plantbasedsupport.org

WHAT YOU’LL GET INSIDE:

👥 Live support groups led by experienced hosts

🧭 Practical, easy-to-follow guidance

💬 A welcoming, judgment-free community

🩺 Educational sessions with clinicians and experts

📅 Accountability that helps you stay consistent

🥗 Tools, recipes, and next steps you can actually use

Whether you’re just starting or looking to stay on track, this is a space built to support you at every stage.

🤝 STAY CONNECTED

Subscribe for more conversations on plant-based living, health, and real-life change.

Every share, comment, or donation helps us reach and support more people on their journey.

#PlantBasedSupport #Happiness #PlantBasedLiving #LifestyleMedicine #PositivePsychology #Mindset #Gratitude #Wellness #Purpose #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth

In this episode, Dr. Niki Davis talks with Dr. Sandra Musial of Plant Docs about whole food plant-based nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and how community support can help people build healthier habits that last.

💚 GOING PLANT-BASED?

Switching to and staying on a plant-based diet can be challenging, so join a supportive community doing it alongside you, with guidance from trusted experts.

👉 Join us here: https://plantbasedsupport.org

WHAT YOU’LL GET INSIDE:

👥 Live support groups led by experienced hosts

🧭 Practical, easy-to-follow guidance

💬 A welcoming, judgment-free community

🩺 Educational sessions with clinicians and experts

📅 Accountability that helps you stay consistent

🥗 Tools, recipes, and next steps you can actually use

Whether you’re just starting or looking to stay on track, this is a space built to support you at every stage.

🤝 STAY CONNECTED

Subscribe for more conversations on plant-based living, health, and real-life change.

Every share, comment, or donation helps us reach and support more people on their journey.