Podcast
Thrive on Plants
Hosted by Dr. Daphne Bascom · EN
The Thrive on Plants podcast, hosted by Dr. Daphne, empowers women to navigate menopause and midlife with confidence through expert insights on plant-based nutrition, weight loss, hormones, and mindset. Each episode blends education, inspiration, and real-life success stories to help listeners thrive on a plant-based lifestyle.
https://www.youtube.com/@drdaphnebascom
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#55 - How to Live Longer Without Spending a Fortune
2w ago01:23:46Tap to summarizeJulie Gibson Clark is not a billionaire with a team of longevity doctors. She is a full-time recruiter, a former structural engineer, a single mom from Phoenix -- and she has outperformed most of the world's highest-spending biohackers on the most rigorous biological aging leaderboard.Her DunedinPACE score of 0.665 indicates she was aging at a rate of 65 days per 100 days. She got there with a pound of vegetables a day, weights four times a week, a $20 gym membership, and a very clear reason why she refuses to age faster than she has to.In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Julie shares what she has learned over the years. She did not just tell me what works. She told me what went wrong, including the time she added one too many supplements, developed a fibroid, cut her HRT in half, stopped sleeping, and watched her pace of aging jump from 0.665 back up to 0.77. What we cover:What biological aging pace actually measures, and why it matters more than a static "biological age" numberHow she accidentally slowed her aging faster than Bryan Johnson, and why she is not surprised he has since surpassed herThe quercetin experiment gone wrong: a new fibroid, disrupted HRT, and a DunedinPACE score that climbed back up -- and what it taught her about adding supplements without understanding your own geneticsWhy she stopped eating 100 grams of protein every day and what she does instead This is not a story about biohacking. It is a story about what happens when you pursue healthspan with consistency and intention.Resources:Julie Gibson Clark's website: https://www.juliegibsonclark.comJulie's YouTube channel (Longevity Kitchen -- From Paper to Plate): youtube.com/@JulieGibsonClarkJulie's Instagram: @juliegibsonclarkAdditional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
Transcribe →#54 - Why "Eat Less, Move More" Stops Working After 40 (And What Actually Does)
May 601:04:48Tap to summarizeForty percent of women are not being heard by their doctors when they report menopause symptoms. Andrea Donsky was one of them.She is a nutritionist with 26 years of experience. She had studied health and wellness her entire career. And she still spent 14 years in perimenopause without knowing it.When she finally understood what had been happening to her body, she did not keep it to herself. She spent two years researching, surveyed over 5,200 women, published her findings, and wrote the book she wished she had been handed at 35. That book is Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best. In this episode, we cover:Why perimenopause likely starts earlier than you think, and why most women miss itHow one night of poor sleep disrupts insulin, increases cravings, and contributes to weight gainThe REST Protocol for better sleep: Routine, Environment, Support, and TechnologyWhy "eat less, exercise more" stops working in perimenopause, and what to do insteadThe 17 reasons you may be gaining weight, and most of them are not your faultHow your gut microbiome and estrobolome affect hormone clearanceThe blood tests every woman in midlife should be asking her doctor forAndrea's simple protein formula, built directly from the researchWhy most electrolyte supplements are formulated for male athletes, not perimenopausal womenHow mindset shapes your menopause experience more than most people realizeAndrea's research found that 50 to 90 percent of the top 10 most common menopause symptoms are brain and mental health relatedGet Nourishing Menopause (available now): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668061546Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Nourishing-Menopause-Audiobook/B0FXHRZX63 Book website: nourishingmenopausebook.com (a great download is available on this site)Learn more about Andrea and her research: https://wearemorphus.comFollow Andrea Donsky: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemorphus TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andreadonsky YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemorphusAdditional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
Transcribe →#53 - Triple Negative Breast Cancer: How She Caught It Early and Came Back Stronger
Apr 1501:07:19Tap to summarizeLori Baum is a medical assistant who has spent over two decades working in oncology. She knows cancer. She knows screenings. She eats well, stays active, and has been proactive about her health for years.And still, in November 2022, she found the words "invasive carcinoma" on her phone screen at lunch.In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Lori shares her full story: a heavy family history of cancer, a negative BRCA test, a breast MRI that changed everything, and a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis that her mammogram earlier that same year had completely missed.What follows is one of the most honest conversations we have had on this podcast. Lori talks about what it actually feels like to go through 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 15 rounds of radiation, how she stayed active and kept eating well when treatment was taking everything from her, what the healthcare system gets right and gets wrong during survivorship, and how she found her way back to herself on the other side.Lori is now 58 years old, fully plant-based, strength training, running half marathons, and training for an Ironman relay. She says she is in the best shape of her life.Topics covered:Why family history and dense breasts may require more than a standard mammogramTriple negative breast cancer: what it is and what treatment involvesHow Lori stayed active and ate well through chemotherapy and radiationThe emotional weight of survivorship and what comes after treatment endsHow plant-based eating and strength training transformed her recoveryWhy self-advocacy is the most important tool you have in your healthcare journeyConnect with Lori: loriabaum@yahoo.comAdditional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
Transcribe →#52 - Why Women Have to Fight for Their Hormones
Apr 101:10:24Tap to summarizeContent Warning: This episode includes an honest, courageous conversation about the mental health toll of hormone deficiency, including a moment of profound hopelessness. Sarah speaks to this with full self-awareness and strong support in place. If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.What happens when a nurse practitioner who specializes in women's hormonal health spends an entire year fighting to get her own hormones covered by insurance?That is exactly what happened to Sarah Katkhouda, FNP-C.Sarah is a women's health nurse practitioner and a provider at MIDI Health. In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on one of the most frustrating and overlooked realities in women's healthcare: the gap between what women need and what the system is actually willing to provide.After undergoing a hysterectomy and oophorectomy for pelvic congestion syndrome, Sarah was plunged into surgical menopause overnight. What followed was a year of insurance denials, medication shortages, dose trials, canceled appointments, and a slow but deliberate fight to reclaim her health, her strength, and her sense of self.In this episode, we cover:What pelvic congestion syndrome is, why it is underdiagnosed, and what women need to know before pursuing surgical interventionThe critical differences between surgical menopause and natural menopause, and why treating them identically is doing women a serious disserviceHow to optimize estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and why the sequence and method of delivery matterThe role of muscle in hormonal health, metabolic resilience, and longevity, and what happens to musculoskeletal integrity when hormones are out of rangeHow to self-advocate when you feel dismissed or worn down by a system that was not built with women in mindSarah does not sugarcoat what this year has cost her. She also does not stop there. She shares what she has learned, what she wishes she had known, and why she is committed to making sure other women do not have to fight as hard or as long as she did.Connect with Sarah Katkhouda, FNP-C:Sarah is a provider at MIDI Health, a telehealth organization focused on women's midlife health. MIDI accepts insurance and is available in all 50 states.MIDI Health: https://www.joinmidi.comDisclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your individual health needs.#MenopauseHealth #HormoneReplacement #SurgicalMenopause #WomensHealth #HRTAwareness #TestosteroneForWomen #PelvicPain #PelvicCongestionSyndrome #MenopauseSupport #HormoneOptimization #MidlifeWomen #WomensHealthAdvocacy #ThriveonPlants #DrDaphneBascom #PerimenopausalHealth #MuscleAndHormones #MentalHealthAndMenopauseAdditional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
Transcribe →#51 - The Hidden Muscle Group Every Woman Should Train
Mar 1801:14:31Tap to summarizeMost of us were never taught about the pelvic floor. And yet it affects everything from bladder control and bowel health to sex, exercise, and how we age through menopause. In this episode, Dr. Daphne sits down with Dr. Sara Reardon, board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist and author of Floored, to have the conversation most of us never got from our doctors or our mothers.In this episode we discuss:What the pelvic floor actually is and why it affects everything from peeing and pooping to sex, exercise, and menopauseThe three reasons women have been kept in the dark about pelvic health (and why this is a medical system failure, not a personal one)Why Kegels are not the whole answer and why some women actually need to relax, not strengthenHow perimenopause and declining estrogen quietly change your pelvic floor, even if you've never had childrenTopical vaginal estrogen, prolapse, hysterectomy, orgasms, running incontinence, and moreResources:Book: Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage by Dr. Sara Reardon: https://thevagwhisperer.com/floored/Dr. Sara Reardon's website and The V-Hive app (your pocket pelvic floor therapist): https://www.thevagwhisperer.com/Find a pelvic floor PT near you (Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy): https://pelvicrehab.comFollow Dr. Sara Reardon on Instagram: @the.vagina.whisperer | YouTube: @thevaginawhisperer | App: @the.vhiveIf this episode helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a woman in your life who needs to hear this. Your pelvic floor has to last you a lifetime. Start caring for it today.Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
Transcribe →#50 - Closing the Health Gap in Black Communities
Mar 401:15:09Tap to summarizeDescription:268 million years. That is how much collective life the Black community in America is on track to lose to preventable chronic disease. Kwame Terra, a plant-based public health strategist, walked over 2 million steps in 30 days to launch bEHR Health, a platform designed to recapture that time. This conversation will change how you think about health, community, and what real prevention looks like.In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Kwame Terra, MPH, the founder and CEO of bEHR Health Systems (Black Electronic Health Record) to talk about the life expectancy gap facing Black Americans, why 80-90% of health outcomes are determined outside the clinic, how a 55-year-old physician lost 20 pounds and stopped taking blood pressure medication after a community walking challenge, and why Kwame believes "the desire to live" is the true root of longevity.Kwame has been plant-based for over a decade, studied public health at Xavier University of Louisiana and Columbia University, worked on organic farms, and built a health platform that is producing measurable, real-time improvements in community health scores. He is also the person behind the bEHRathon, a virtual walking challenge launching April 1, 2026 with the goal of collectively walking to the moon (239,000 miles) in 30 days.Whether you are plant-based, plant-curious, or simply believe that your zip code should not determine your lifespan, this episode is for you.JOIN THE bEHRATHON (April 1-30, 2026)The bEHRathon is a virtual walk/run challenge on the bEHR Health app. The mission: unite 2,500+ participants and collectively walk 239,000 miles to the moon in 30 days. All you need is 7,000 steps a day. Learn more here: https://luma.com/fpz4hxmvThe app is free for the first 30 days. Download now so you are ready for April 1:https://behrhs.com/How to get involved:- Download the bEHR Health app (free 30-day trial)- Commit to 7,000 steps a day in April- Invite your friends, your run club, your family, your community- Share this episode with someone who needs to hear itCONNECT WITH KWAME TERRA + bEHR HEALTHWebsite: https://behrhs.com/Social: @behrhealth (all platforms) | @kwameterra#PlantBased #HealthEquity #BlackHealth #bEHRHealth #bEHRathon #WalkingChallenge #LifestyleMedicine #ThriveOnPlants #Longevity #PlantBasedDiet #FoodIsMedicine #WholeFoodPlantBased #PublicHealth #PreventiveMedicine #WalkToTheMoonAdditional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
Transcribe →#49 - The Health Conversations Women Were Never Taught to Have
Feb 1801:09:39Tap to summarize"Why wasn't I taught this?" If you've ever felt this way about your health, this conversation is for you.In this episode of the Thrive on Plants podcast, Dr. Daphne Bascom is joined by award-winning health journalist Meghan Rabbitt, author of "The New Rules of Women's Health: Your Guide to Thriving at Every Age." They dive into the health conversations women desperately need but were never taught to have, from advocating for yourself in the doctor's office to understanding your heart and brain health in midlife.Main Topics Covered:✅ Why medical research has left women behind (and how that's finally changing) ✅ How to prepare for doctor's appointments so your voice is heard ✅ The connection between your gynecologic history and heart disease risk✅ Why Alzheimer's starts in midlife (and what you can do now) ✅ Breaking free from diet culture and nourishing your body instead ✅ The new rule: suffering is not an option ✅ How to become an empowered patient in a system that wasn't built for youAbout Meghan Rabbitt: Meghan Rabbitt is an award-winning journalist and author of The New Rules of Women's Health: Your Guide to Thriving at Every Age. She spent over three years interviewing more than 100 female health experts to create a comprehensive, evidence-based resource for women at every stage of life. Her work has appeared in Women's Health, Oprah Daily, Prevention, Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper, and more.Connect with MeghanBook Website: https://www.newrulesofwomenshealth.com Resources MentionedWISDOM Breast Cancer Study (UCSF): https://www.thewisdomstudy.org/Tyrer-Cuzick Lifetime Breast Cancer Risk Assessment: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/tyrer-cuzick-model/#MeghanRabbitt #NewRulesOfWomensHealth #WomensHealth #Menopause #HeartHealth #BrainHealth #MidlifeHealth #EmpoweredPatient #HealthAdvocacy #WomensWellness #Perimenopause #LifestyleMedicine #PlantBased #ThriveOnPlants Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding any medical questions or conditions.Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
Transcribe →#48 - Who You Think You Are Might Be Holding You Back
Feb 400:51:06Tap to summarizeWhat if the biggest obstacle to your health and fitness goals isn't discipline, it's who you believe you are?Who you believe you are shapes everything from your habits to your health to the risks you are willing to take. In this conversation, recorded at the annual Vegan Superhero Retreat, Dr. Daphne Bascom is joined by Coach Arman and Vegan Superheroes Toosdhi and Kaitie to explore identity and how it evolves along a health and personal growth journey.Together, they unpack how labels like “not athletic,” “too old,” “strong,” or “disciplined” can either limit growth or unlock new potential. Through honest reflection, real-life examples, and deeply personal stories, this episode reveals how physical challenges, mindset shifts, and community support can expose where we are growing and where we may be hiding.This conversation is a reminder that identity is not fixed. It is built through action, challenged through discomfort, and reshaped when we are willing to let go of what no longer serves us.In this episode, we explore:▹ How identity influences consistency, confidence, and self-trust▹ Why physical goals can sometimes distract from deeper growth▹ What it means to let go of an identity that no longer serves you▹ The role of discomfort in identity expansion▹ Using identity as a tool rather than a limitationIf you have ever felt stuck, uncertain, or hesitant to step into a new version of yourself, this episode will encourage you to rethink who you are becoming and remind you that your potential is far from finished.— The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health and wellness plan. #plantbasedsnacks #veganfitness #identityshift #mindset #veganathlete #thriveonplants #vegansuperheroacademy #thriveonplantsAdditional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
Transcribe →#47 - Conquering the Invisible Illnesses: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain
Jan 2801:07:32Tap to summarizeChronic pain is real, and there is hope.In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Dr. Michael Lenz, a Med-Peds physician board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, clinical lipidology, and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Lenz specializes in what he calls "invisible illnesses" including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, migraines, IBS, and other nociplastic pain syndromes that often leave patients feeling dismissed and unheard.In this conversation, you'll learn:▹ What nociplastic pain actually is (and why it's different from other types of pain)▹ The powerful connection between neurodivergence (ADHD, autism) and chronic pain conditions▹ Why fibromyalgia has been ranked at the bottom of "prestigious" diagnoses for 30 years and what that means for patient care▹ How narrative medicine and understanding your full story from childhood to present can unlock answers▹ The research on plant-based nutrition for fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pain (including the Plants for Joints trial)▹ Why the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can overlap with or unmask fibromyalgia▹ Early warning signs to watch for in children (including infantile colic as a potential predictor)▹ Dr. Lenz's personal cardiovascular health journey that led him to plant-based eating at age 40About Dr. Michael Lenz:Dr. Lenz is the author of Conquering Your Fibromyalgia and host of the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia podcast. He practices in southeastern Wisconsin and is passionate about helping patients who have been told to "just live with it" find real answers and hope.Connect with Dr. Lenz:Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast: https://www.conqueringyourfibromyalgia.com/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cqrfibromyalgiaWebsite: https://www.conqueringyourfibromyalgia.com/Book: Conquering Your FibromyalgiaAdditional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
Transcribe →#46 - Weight Loss vs Weight Maintenance: Lessons from 10,000 People Who Kept It Off
Jan 1401:21:43Tap to summarizeWeight loss and weight maintenance are not the same skill set, and treating them as if they are is one of the biggest reasons so many people lose weight only to regain it. In this episode of the Thrive on Plants Podcast, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Dr. Holly Wyatt and Dr. James Hill to unpack what actually changes in your body, brain, and environment when you lose weight, why maintenance is harder, and how to build a plant‑powered life that supports long‑term success at any age.IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:Why GLP‑1 medications (like semaglutide and similar drugs) work so well for weight loss, and why stopping them often triggers rapid regain if you do not have a maintenance plan in place.The difference between weight loss and weight maintenance, including how metabolic adaptation, set point, and muscle loss can work against you, especially in midlife.The 3 pillars of long‑term success: food (resetting appetite naturally on a whole‑food, plant‑based pattern), movement (how much and what kind protects weight loss and muscle), and mindstate (the daily mental “state” that separates short‑term success from sustainable change).How perimenopause and menopause change metabolism, body composition, and appetite signals, and what midlife women can do to protect lean mass and metabolic health with or without GLP‑1s.The three maintenance profiles (food seeker, sedentary sitter, setback cycler) and how to tailor your strategy based on where you see yourself.If you want to learn how to stop weight-loss meds without regaining, this conversation offers evidence‑based, compassionate guidance you can put into practice today.ResourcesDr. Holly Wyatt & Dr. James HillBook, “Losing the Weight Loss Meds”: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637747802?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_titleWebsite: https://www.weightlossand.com/Website: https://www.weightwisdom.com/“Weight Loss and…” podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-loss-and/id1723878862Key research referenced:SURMOUNT‑4 trial on stopping meds and cardiometabolic health: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2841273Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click hereScroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
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