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Vegan Hacks

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. 

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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 27 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • S1 · E280
    Friday · 31 min

    The Top 10 Vegan Cities List Is WRONG?!

    In this episode of Vegan Hacks Pod, Jason takes on a popular Top 10 vegan-friendly cities list—and has some serious questions about it. Portland takes the top spot, but should it? Why are Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, and other cities missing or ranked lower than expected? Jason breaks down the list from the perspective of someone who actually travels to these cities, eats at the restaurants, checks out the vegan scenes, and pays attention to the smaller communities and pop-ups that don't always make the headlines. We talk Portland, Los Angeles, Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando, San Diego, Oakland, Madison, Tampa and the glaring question: WHERE IS NEW YORK?! Send us Fan Mail

  • S1 · E279
    September 25 · 27 min

    VEGAN EXCEPT FOR BEEF?!

    Can you be vegan… except for beef? It sounds ridiculous, contradictory, and maybe even impossible but there’s a bigger conversation hiding inside that question in involves plant based companies adding beef to their products! Send us Fan Mail

  • S1 · E278
    September 18 · 34 min

    THE VEGAN RESTAURANT CRISIS: What Happened to California’s Vegan Scene?

    California was once one of the biggest centers of vegan food in America. Now, restaurants are closing, locations are disappearing, and even some companies that built their identity around plant-based food are changing direction. On this episode of Vegan Hacks Pod, Jason breaks down what’s happening to the vegan food scene from Hart House, Monty’s Good Burger and The Vegan Joint to the growing pressure facing independent vegan restaurants. We also get into the complicated story of Sunday Supper, a company that was deeply connected to the vegan community but has now added dairy products to its lineup while an active crowdfunding campaign still describes the company as 100% plant-based. But is this simply a case of people losing interest in vegan food? Jason looks at the bigger picture: inflation, restaurant prices, rent, labor, corporate supply chains, private equity, social media and the economics of running a vegan business. And there may be a path forward. Jason talks about why restaurants with food that appeals beyond just vegans and the growing vegan pop-up scene could be an important part of the future. Send us Fan Mail

  • S1 · E277
    September 11 · 31 min

    Beyond Meat Goes GNC: Has Beyond Lost the Plot?

    Beyond Meat is going through another major transformation and this time, they're going way beyond meat. The company is launching its new PhytoSphere platform, featuring protein powders, savory jerky bars, Veggie burgers, beverages and other products built around the idea of stacking plant nutrients and entering “thrive mode.” But is this actually the future of plant-based food… or has Beyond Meat completely lost sight of what made the company important in the first place? Send us Fan Mail

  • S1 · E276
    September 3 · 30 min

    TOFU RECALL! What Happened to One of Veganism’s Favorite Brands?

    There was a lot of panic when news broke about a tofu recall. But once you look past the headlines, there’s a much more interesting story. In this episode, we get into the Hodo Foods recall, what actually happened, and how one small, independent tofu company grew from a farmers market operation into a major national brand. But the bigger question is what happens when an independent vegan-friendly company gets taken over by larger corporate interests. We also talk about the future of flavored tofu, why most of it still isn't flavorful enough, the strange world of food recalls, and why tofu might be one of the most underrated proteins on the planet. And then… I go on a rant. Should vegan creators treat their platforms as a safe space for vegan food, or is it okay to constantly show off the meat and dairy versions alongside their vegan alternatives? Are some creators doing it for authenticity or just for views? Plus: corporate takeovers of vegan brands, supporting independent vegan businesses with your wallet, and why maybe we should all just make more of our own food. Stay safe out there. And watch your tofu. Send us Fan Mail

  • S1 · E275
    August 29 · 32 min

    BUSINESS or BETRAYAL? Beyond Meat’s Vegan Problem

    Beyond Meat was once one of the biggest names in the plant-based movement—but is the company now moving away from the very vegan customers who helped build the brand? In this episode, I dive into Beyond Meat’s new collaboration with Milk Bar, where Beyond products are being used alongside real eggs and dairy cheese. Is this a smart attempt to reach the massive flexitarian market, or does it undermine the ethical and environmental identity Beyond Meat built its brand around? I also talk about Beyond’s struggles as a publicly traded company, the shrinking shelf space for vegan products, and why I think vegans need to be careful about putting too much faith in giant corporations. Then we get into a major recall involving nearly 30,000 pounds of imported Argentine beef—and why stories like this make me ask a simple question: why are we so dependent on animal products in the first place? I also share my approach to making my own vegan “meat,” including simple ground-beef alternatives made from tofu and walnuts. Are companies like Beyond Meat allies of the vegan movement or are they simply businesses trying to survive? Send us Fan Mail

  • S1 · E274
    August 21 · 24 min

    Who Owns Veganism? Brands, Culture Wars & Vegan Influencers

    This week, I’m digging into some fascinating and occasionally infuriating vegan conversations happening online. First up: Miyoko Creamery. Miyoko Schinner reviews the current Myoko-branded cream cheese and explains why she has nothing to do with the product bearing her name. We get into what happened to the company she founded, how the brand changed, and what it means when a vegan brand becomes disconnected from the person and mission that built it. Then we jump into the increasingly strange world of vegan as a political insult, where politicians are apparently using the word as a culture-war weapon. Why has something as simple as not eating animals become wrapped up in masculinity, politics and identity? And finally, we get into vegan content creators and the engagement trap. Is “vegan except for ice cream” a useful gateway to eating more plant-based or does it water down the vegan message? And what happens when vegan influencers keep posting old non-vegan food content after they supposedly make the transition? Send us Fan Mail

  • S1 · E273
    August 13 · 30 min

    Beyond Meat Is In Trouble: What Happened to Plant-Based Meat?

    Beyond Meat was once the biggest name in plant-based meat. Its stock once traded for nearly $240 a share. Now it’s trading around 41 cents, and the company is taking the dramatic step of a 1-for-30 reverse stock split to avoid being delisted from Nasdaq. So what happened? In this episode, I take a look at Beyond Meat’s financial problems, its attempt to reinvent itself as a broader protein company, and what the company’s current situation says about the plant-based meat industry. But this isn't just about Beyond. We also talk about the bigger question: Do vegans really need companies like Beyond Meat to succeed? I love convenience, but when plant-based products become expensive, heavily processed, and increasingly disconnected from what consumers actually want, maybe it's time to rethink the model. We get into homemade vegan meat, black bean burgers, protein alternatives, the economics of convenience, and whether Beyond Meat can actually find a way back. Is Beyond Meat the victim of a changing market—or did the company simply lose its way? And perhaps the bigger question: What does the future of plant-based meat actually look like? Send us Fan Mail

  • S1 · E272
    July 31 · 21 min

    My Seitan Video Went Viral, Here's What 5,000+ Comments Taught Me

    My 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

  • S1 · E271
    July 24 · 34 min

    Indian Cuisine, Veganism & Finding Your Community | Mohana Holloway

    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

  • S1 · E270
    July 10 · 29 min

    The Vegas Vegan Food Scene Is Better Than You Think

    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

  • S1 · E269
    June 26 · 33 min

    Bitcoin Is Vegan? Ethan Turer Makes the Case

    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

  • S1 · E268
    June 19 · 23 min

    Do You Freeze Your Tofu?

    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

  • S1 · E253
    June 2 · 25 min

    Gaz Oakley No Longer Vegan

    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

  • S1 · E252
    May 29 · 25 min

    From Vegan Icon to Baby Back Ribs? The Lizzo & Beyond Meat Problem

    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

  • S1 · E251
    May 8 · 19 min

    Why Veganism Makes Everyone Defensive

    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

  • S1 · E249
    April 10 · 35 min

    Traveling While Vegan with Amanda Persi

    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

  • S1 · E248
    March 27 · 19 min

    The Korean Vegan Thinks About Rebranding Without the "Vegan"

    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

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