Switch4Good

352 - Animal Sanctuary Founder: The Cow Who Survived Dairy's Darkest Side | Indra Lahiri

For more than two decades, Indra Lahiri has dedicated her life to rescuing animals who have survived unimaginable trauma at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in northeastern Pennsylvania. But through years of witnessing suffering day after day, Indra found herself facing something many caregivers, advocates, and helping professionals quietly struggle with: burnout, chronic stress, and secondary trauma. In this conversation, Indra shares how animals helped reshape her understanding of healing, emotional connection, and resilience. We also talk about the restorative power of animals and nature, the warning signs of burnout, and what it actually looks like to care for others without losing yourself in the process. What we discuss: * The story of Penny the cow and posttraumatic growth. * How to tell the difference between healthy compassion and self-harm? * The emotional and physiological benefits of spending time with animals. * Preventing burnout and the importance of variety in self-care. * Signs that trauma or burnout may be spilling into other areas of your life. * Burnout, self-loathing, and the inner narratives that keep people stuck. * The importance of gratitude and meaningful connection. Resources: * Indraloka Animal Sanctuary [https://indraloka.org/] * Resilient Professionals Mastery Series | Indraloka Animal Sanctuary [https://indraloka.org/resilient-professionals-mastery-series/] * https://www.instagram.com/indralokasanctuary/ [https://www.instagram.com/indralokasanctuary/] * https://www.facebook.com/IndralokaAS/ [https://www.facebook.com/IndralokaAS/] * Indra Lahiri on Connection, Communication, and Running an Animal Sanctuary – Switch4Good [https://switch4good.org/episodes/indra-lahiri-on-connection-communication-and-running-an-animal-sanctuary/] Click the link below to learn about the FISCAL Act https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/ [https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/] Share the website and get your resources here https://kidsandmilk.org/ [https://kidsandmilk.org/] Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide [https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide] SUPPORT SWITCH4GOOD https://switch4good.org/support-us/ [https://switch4good.org/support-us/] ★☆★ JOIN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat [https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat] ★☆★ SWITCH4GOOD WEBSITE ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/ [https://switch4good.org/] ★☆★ ONLINE STORE ★☆★ https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/ [https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/] ★☆★ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM ★☆★ https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ AMAZON STORE ★☆★ https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good [https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good]

351 - 1,500 Beagles Rescued From Ridglan Farms: How Alexandra Paul Got Arrested Getting Them Out

In this very special episode, Alexandra Paul returns to the podcast for a powerful, and at times difficult, conversation. For those of you new here, you may know her from Baywatch or some of the iconic films she's appeared in. Longtime listeners already know her for her decades of activism, often stepping into spaces most people would never consider. Recently, she made headlines after being arrested during an animal rights operation at a breeding facility in Wisconsin, where activists entered the property and removed dogs being used for research, bringing the issue into the national spotlight. Alexandra walks us through the decision-making process that led her there, the realities of what these animals endure, and the risks that come with intervening. The discussion raises big questions about legality and morality, and what it means when they don't align. Grounded, candid, and at moments uncomfortable, this episode offers a closer look at conviction in practice and the many forms meaningful action can take. What we discuss: * What was happening to the beagles at Ridglan Farms and why beagles are commonly used in animal testing. * How animal testing is actually holding scientific progress back. * Alexandra's detailed account of the day of the rescue. * The planning, logistics, and internal mechanics of a rescue of this scale. * Why Alexandra chose this form of direct action, why this specific case, and how she felt leading up to the rescue. * Alexandra's experience with incarceration. * What you can do right now to be part of the change. * Her recommendations for maintaining resilience and longevity in activism. Resources: * SaveTheDogs.io [https://savethedogs.io/] * Center For A Humane Economy [https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/] * Beagle Freedom Project [https://bfp.org/] * Alexandra Paul (@thealexandrapaul) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/thealexandrapaul/] * https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraPaulOfficial/ [https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraPaulOfficial/] Click the link below to learn about the FISCAL Act https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/ [https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/] Share the website and get your resources here https://kidsandmilk.org/ [https://kidsandmilk.org/] Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide [https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide] SUPPORT SWITCH4GOOD https://switch4good.org/support-us/ [https://switch4good.org/support-us/] ★☆★ JOIN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat [https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat] ★☆★ SWITCH4GOOD WEBSITE ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/ [https://switch4good.org/] ★☆★ ONLINE STORE ★☆★ https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/ [https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/] ★☆★ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM ★☆★ https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ AMAZON STORE ★☆★ https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good [https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good]

350 - Why High-Milk Countries Have the Most Broken Bones: The Milk-Fracture Paradox | Dr. Walter Willett

"The rates of fractures are highest in the high milk drinking countries, basically North America, Scandinavia, Denmark, and they're lowest in countries that actually don't consume milk at all." Today, we're joined by one of the most influential and widely cited figures in nutrition science. Dr. Walter Willett, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has published over 2,000 papers across four decades. His work includes some of the largest and most rigorous studies on diet and chronic disease ever conducted. He is the author of several books, including the bestselling Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy, which challenged prevailing nutrition dogma and offered a clearer, evidence-based path forward. In this conversation, we examine the eating patterns most closely linked to longevity—for both human health and the health of the planet—the rise of foods designed for convenience rather than nourishment, and the risks they pose. We also break down the practical steps that offer the greatest protection against illness. So tune in for the rare opportunity to hear from a scientist and physician whose work continues to define the boundaries of nutrition. What we discuss: * The potential risks of dairy consumption during adolescence in relation to bone health. * Dairy-free sources of calcium and how to meet needs without milk. * Concerns with current dietary guidelines and how they may mislead the public. * Why plant protein sources are preferable to animal sources. * The Planetary Health Diet and what it emphasizes. * How diet influences susceptibility to infectious diseases, especially in children. * The types of processed foods most harmful to health. * The primary drivers of the obesity epidemic. * Practical tips for eating healthier with limited access to fresh foods. * Key principles to follow when navigating conflicting nutrition advice. Resources: * Walter C. Willett | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health [https://hsph.harvard.edu/profile/walter-c-willett/] * The Nutrition Source [https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/] * Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating [https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Drink-Be-Healthy-Harvard/dp/1501164775/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0] * 1 Million Tables [https://1milliontables.org/] Click the link below to learn about the FISCAL Act https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/ [https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/] Share the website and get your resources here https://kidsandmilk.org/ [https://kidsandmilk.org/] Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide [https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide] SUPPORT SWITCH4GOOD https://switch4good.org/support-us/ [https://switch4good.org/support-us/] ★☆★ JOIN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat [https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat] ★☆★ SWITCH4GOOD WEBSITE ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/ [https://switch4good.org/] ★☆★ ONLINE STORE ★☆★ https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/ [https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/] ★☆★ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM ★☆★ https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ AMAZON STORE ★☆★ https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good [https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good]

349 - Dr. Michael Klaper on How to Reverse High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Inflammation: Cut This Food

Dr. Michael Klaper returns to the Switch4Good podcast for a conversation that redefines what medicine can achieve when food is placed at the center of care. A physician, educator, and longtime leader in nutrition science, Dr. Klaper has advised NASA on dietary planning for space missions, appeared in documentaries including Cowspiracy, The End of Meat, and What the Health, and authored several foundational books on plant-based health. His latest work, Moving Medicine Forward: What More Doctors Should Know About Nutrition–and How It Can Save Your Life, challenges clinicians and patients alike to recognize food as essential therapy rather than secondary support. This episode also features special guest host Jane Velez-Mitchell, founder of UnchainedTV, who helps guide a conversation that will leave you with the tools to elevate your health and strengthen your well-being, starting today. What we discuss: * Why nutrition remains a blind spot in modern medicine. * Why pharmaceuticals are often prioritized over dietary intervention. * How the new food pyramid was actually formed. * Dr. Klaper's perspective on the Mediterranean diet. * The most impactful first dietary change you can make to improve your health trajectory. * The benefits of removing dairy from your diet. * What drives inflammation and how the inflammatory process contributes to heart disease. * The power consumers have to drive meaningful change. Resources: * Website: Moving Medicine Forward [https://www.movingmedforward.org/] * Book: Moving Medicine Forward: What More Doctors Should Know About Nutrition―and How It Can Save Your Life [https://www.amazon.com/Moving-Medicine-Forward-Doctors-Nutrition_and/dp/1637748264] * Instagram: Moving Medicine Forward (@movingmedicineforward) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/movingmedicineforward/] * Facebook: Moving Medicine Forward [https://www.facebook.com/p/Moving-Medicine-Forward-100087755427720/] * Beat Coronavirus with Dr. Michael Klaper – Switch4Good [https://switch4good.org/episodes/beat-back-coronavirus-with-dr-michael-klaper/] * UnchainedTV [https://unchainedtv.com/] Click the link below to learn about the FISCAL Act https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/ [https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/] Share the website and get your resources here https://kidsandmilk.org/ [https://kidsandmilk.org/] Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide [https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide] SUPPORT SWITCH4GOOD https://switch4good.org/support-us/ [https://switch4good.org/support-us/] ★☆★ JOIN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat [https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat] ★☆★ SWITCH4GOOD WEBSITE ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/ [https://switch4good.org/] ★☆★ ONLINE STORE ★☆★ https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/ [https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/] ★☆★ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM ★☆★ https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ AMAZON STORE ★☆★ https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good [https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good]

348 - Are These Common Foods Secretly Causing Your Autoimmune Disease? | Michele Fasnacht

"After struggling with health issues for decades and years of doctors and misdiagnoses, I was finally diagnosed with progressive MS and lupus and the only thing that had happened to me was removing dairy. We started working with plant-based doctors, lifestyle medicine doctors, and working with plant-based and vegan chefs. We created a menu of healthy kid friendly meals. Once you know better, you cannot pretend you don't." What if school could shape not just smarter students, but a more compassionate world? Today, we're joined by Michele Fasnacht, founder of Solid Rock Community School in Florida, the only K–12 school in the U.S. combining a fully plant-based program, on-site chef, and animal sanctuary into everyday learning. After overcoming severe childhood trauma and chronic illness, Michele transformed her life and is now redefining education through empathy, conflict resolution, and conscious living. In this episode, we explore what happens when those values move from theory into practice, and how it's changing students' lives inside and outside the classroom. What we discuss: * The inspiration behind Solid Rock Community School and the vision that brought it to life. * What makes the environment at Solid Rock unique and how it differs from traditional education settings. * Their approach to conflict resolution and how it empowers students to navigate challenges. * How the school shapes students' communication skills. * Michelle's journey implementing a fully plant-based meal program: the challenges, the pushback, and the breakthroughs. * Michelle's personal health transformation after removing dairy from her diet. * Why the school includes an on-site animal sanctuary and the powerful lessons it teaches. Resources: * Solid Rock Community School [https://solidrockcommunityschool.org/] * Sanctuary at Solid Rock [https://sanctuaryatsolidrock.org/] * Compassionate Humane Education: https://courses.cheimpact.org/pages/home [https://courses.cheimpact.org/pages/home] * Facebook: Solid Rock Community School | Tarpon Springs FL [https://www.facebook.com/solidrockcommunityschool/] * Facebook: Sanctuary at Solid Rock [https://www.facebook.com/sanctuaryatsolidrock/] * PLANT the CHANGE Podcast with Michele Fasnacht - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@PLANTtheCHANGE] * Instagram: Solid Rock Community School (@solidrockcommunityschool) [https://www.instagram.com/solidrockcommunityschool/] Click the link below to learn about the FISCAL Act https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/ [https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/] Share the website and get your resources here https://kidsandmilk.org/ [https://kidsandmilk.org/] Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide [https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide] SUPPORT SWITCH4GOOD https://switch4good.org/support-us/ [https://switch4good.org/support-us/] ★☆★ JOIN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat [https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat] ★☆★ SWITCH4GOOD WEBSITE ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/ [https://switch4good.org/] ★☆★ ONLINE STORE ★☆★ https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/ [https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/] ★☆★ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM ★☆★ https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/ [https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/] ★☆★ AMAZON STORE ★☆★ https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good [https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good]