Published by Jason Kartalian
Veganize your life with this funny and informative podcast about eating plant-based in this modern world. Vegan Hacks offers reviews of veganized chain restaurants, interviews with vegan influencers, discussions of vegan products and inspiring conversation about the future of plant-based diet.
Listen on Apple PodcastsMy seitan (aka "homemade meat") video just crossed 2.7 million views on TikTok and gained me over 25,000 new followers but it also brought in over 5,000 comments, and a solid 60-70% of them were... not kind. In this episode, I'm reading through some of the funniest, most confused, most surprisingly thoughtful, and most unhinged comments I got — from people convinced I invented bread, to a self-proclaimed chemistry professor explaining gluten formation, to meat-eaters defending seitan harder than some vegans. I talk about why seitan (a 1500+ year-old Buddhist monk creation) is having a viral moment again, the flour-wash method vs. vital wheat gluten debate, and what it's like watching your food go in front of an audience that has zero context for what they're looking at. Also: why I think the haters might actually be part of the movement. Send us Fan Mail
Follow Mohana on IG @veganmomo_ In this episode of Vegan Hacks , I sit down with Mohana Holloway to explore how her Indian heritage shaped her journey to veganism, why learning to cook is one of the most powerful skills for any vegan, and how culture has influenced plant-based eating for generations. We dive into naturally vegan Indian dishes, underrated spices everyone should have in their pantry, dorm-room cooking hacks, vegan travel, finding community in unexpected places like Phoenix, Arizona, and why respecting the cultural roots of plant-based food matters more than ever. Along the way, Mohana shares her favorite vegan restaurants, her famous air-fried Oreo recipe, stories from growing up in a multicultural household, and practical advice for staying vegan for the long haul. Whether you're new to veganism or have been plant-based for years, this conversation is packed with inspiration, delicious food, and thoughtful discussion about where vegan cuisine came from and where it's headed next. Send us Fan Mail
I just got back from Las Vegas, and I'm sharing my favorite vegan food experiences from hidden local gems to restaurants that completely exceeded my expectations. In this episode I talk about incredible spots like Chef Kenny's, Earthly, Tacotarian, Daikon Sushi, Tarantino's, Crossroads, and the all-you-can-eat vegan Korean BBQ experience at Master Kim's. I also explain why I think some of the best vegan food in Vegas is found away from the Strip . In the second half of the episode, I respond to some recurring social media debates, including: • Is sugar vegan? • What does "may contain milk" really mean? • Where's the line between appreciating and appropriating food cultures? • How I approach vegan content while trying to honor the cuisines and creators who inspire me. Whether you're planning a trip to Las Vegas, looking for your next great vegan meal, or interested in thoughtful conversations about vegan food culture, I hope you enjoy the episode. If you like the podcast, don't forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and let me know what topic you'd like me to cover next! Send us Fan Mail
Can Bitcoin align with vegan values? Or are the two worlds completely incompatible? In this episode, I sit down with Ethan Turer , author of the upcoming book Bitcoin Is Vegan , to explore one of the most unexpected conversations we've had on the podcast. We discuss: Why Ethan believes Bitcoin and veganism share the same ethical foundations. Whether Bitcoin mining is really bad for the environment. Government subsidies for animal agriculture. The idea of "economic veganism" and voting with your dollar. The relationship between Bitcoin, AI, and the future of money. Ethical investing, the stock market, and financial independence. Why this conversation is likely to challenge both vegans and Bitcoin enthusiasts. Whether you're a longtime Bitcoiner, completely skeptical, or just curious, this episode is about exploring ideas—not telling you what to believe. This podcast is not financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions. If you enjoy conversations about veganism, ethics, food, culture, and the future, subscribe and let us know in the comments: Can Bitcoin really be considered vegan? Send us Fan Mail
Jason made a video comparing fresh vs frozen tofu and realized that so many people have so many various ways preparing tofu! We discuss in this podcast Send us Fan Mail
Is there a distrust of plant based influencers in the vegan community? Jason discusses this! Send us Fan Mail
My thoughts on popular You Tuber and social media personality Gaz Oakley admitting on a podcast that he's eating animals now. Send us Fan Mail
Celebrity vegans are cashing checks, plant-based giants are pivoting hard, and veganism is somehow becoming political theater. In this episode, Jason reacts to Lizzo’s Chili’s rib ad, Beyond Meat’s new protein drink strategy, and the growing culture war around plant-based eating. Send us Fan Mail
Billie Eilish said: “Eating meat is inherently wrong" and there was a huge backlash from people online that are mostly from the progressive left wing side. Why does veganism trigger people emotionally? Send us Fan Mail
Here is an edited version of Jason's speech at Earth Day San Diego! Send us Fan Mail
A conversation with Amanda Persi, founder of The The Getaway Co. a company that designs plant-forward culinary trips so vegans can explore food cultures around the world without compromising their values. https://thegetawayco.com/ instagram @thegetawayco Send us Fan Mail
What happens when one of the biggest names in vegan content considers dropping the word “vegan” from their brand? The Korean Vegan recently shared she’s thinking about rebranding and it raises a bigger question: is “vegan” helping or hurting creators in 2026? Also VHP talks about his tofu making journey. Send us Fan Mail
Bro culture has officially entered the plant-based aisle and it might be killing it. In this episode, we break down why brands like Beyond Eat Just and Impossible are chasing high-protein, gym-focused trends instead of what actually matters: taste, price, and real-world appeal. Are vegan companies targeting the wrong audience? And is that why mainstream adoption is stalling? Let’s get into it. Send us Fan Mail
At Expo West I expected a plant-forward food show… but what I found instead raised a lot of questions. In this episode of the Vegan Hacks Podcast , I break down the surprising presence of meat products and even beef tallow at what used to feel like a very vegan-friendly event. I also sit down with some incredible founders pushing plant-based innovation forward: • Liz Kang , Founder and Co-CEO of Mamame, creating bold tempeh chips • Madelyn Hadley , Founder of Madly Hadley, crafting clean-label vegan staples like coconut bacon bits and cashew parmesan • Jeremy from Steak ’n Shake , who explains the company’s controversial move to cook with beef tallow It’s a fascinating mix of food innovation, industry reality, and the big question: Where is the plant-based movement heading next? Send us Fan Mail
Will Animal Protein Dominate Expo West This Year? Next week, the natural foods world descends on Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim. The Super Bowl of natural foods In past years, it felt like a plant-based paradise — innovated alt-meats launching, vegan innovation exploding down every aisle. And yes… there will be new important, plant launches. There always are. But the bigger question this year: Is animal protein about to dominate the narrative? A Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, we dive into the Vegandale festival backlash and rebrand, discuss growing concerns about vegan brands using non-vegan marketing or alienating the community, and tackle the uncomfortable but important conversation about wealth and privilege in vegan culture. Send us Fan Mail
Jason sits down with social media creator and vegan activist Anita Dollar (IG: @veg.anitadollar) for a relaxed but powerful conversation over lunch at Vromage in West Hollywood. They discuss influencing in the plant-based space, culture, and vegan activism both online and in real life. Send us Fan Mail
Jason hits the Fancy Food Show to eat snacks, absorb vibes, and take the temperature of vegan food culture. Featuring conversations with Bill Muir (aka Sgt. Vegan, @sgt_vegan) and Noah Hyams (@vegpreneur, @vegancuts) on the current state of veganism, the industry shakeout, and what’s actually worth paying attention to. Send us Fan Mail
This podcast is about how it is impossible to achieve vegan purity, even though some claim it! Join Jason as he takes an urban hike and rants into a microphone about the the state of vegan in 2026. Send us Fan Mail
Two restaurants. Two opposite decisions. One added dairy and eggs to their menu chasing “flexibility,” broader appeal, and short-term survival. The other went all in and committed to being 100% vegan . Send us Fan Mail
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