Red Radio Podcast with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Today I listened to the first podcast episode of the newly aired "Red Radio: vegan banter with a bite," hosted by Erin Red.  In the first epsidoe (11/14/11) Erin Red welcomes you to Red Radio, tells us what’s hiding inside the McRib sandwich (hint: it ain’t ribs), and speaks with special guest Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, Erin’s hero and vegan author, activist and educator (www.compassionatecooks.com).  

Listening to Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is truly inspiring and I think we can all learn from some of the tips that she gave vegan listeners:

Be careful with the word "meat":  Try not to say faux meat, alternative meat, or substitute meat.  This gives the impressions that everything is comparable to meat.  Instead say: "I don’t eat 'fake' meat, but I do eat 'grain-based' meat and 'wheat-based' meat and 'nut-based' meat.

Speak in the plural instead of singular:  So many people say, "I eat chicken" or "I eat fish." They specify it in a singular context that helps them think that what they are consuming is objectified instead of living.  Therefore if you are questioned what you eat simply say "I don't eat chickens or fishes," or if you question someone ask "Do you eat fishes and chickens?"  This will help their clear their own language interpretations.

The same question for you is a new question for them:  Yes, we get the same questions over and over again: where do you get your protein?  Why don't you eat dairy?  Can't you still at fish?  It has all gotten to the point where you just want to say, "why don't you just go and google it!"  Colleen is a very positive person and really tries to help us vegans understand that there's nothing negative to being vegan.  So her advice to eliminate our frustration and hostility towards others is to simply remember that it may the same question for us over and over again, but it's a new question for them and the answer could change their perspective forever.

Practice, practice, practice!:  Colleen says to always be ready to present yourself as vegan when you meet new people.  It is advised to really only limit it to 90 seconds so it does not become the center of attention, and you don't look like you're in a cult :S  But in that time period you need to be able to present yourself in such a way that is memorable, decisive, and of course compassionate.  This skill does not come naturally.  As you get more exposure and experience as a new vegan you will be able to speak with ease.  The following are areas to practice:

• Timing.  Be able to express yourself concisely.
• Choose your goal.  Colleen does not advise people try to make excuses or respond with "well there are alternatives to dairy and meat."  Instead tell them why you truly went vegan, it's because you wanted to practice compassion.  This is more effective.
• Language.  Utilize your vegan language that we discussed above.
• Be compassionate.  As hostile as things may get, in order to practice compassion you have to be an example of it.

Overall, Colleen focuses on the idea that vegans do not deprive themselves.  It is all about GAIN.  We gain health, we gain fulfillment, we gain the benefit of knowing that we are able to truly be ourselves, a passionate being.  Be sure to emphasize this not only when you talk to others, but also in your everyday practice as a vegan ;)