Food for Thought with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

There’s no shortage of advice about how to live a healthier life. From protein targets and strength training to sleep tracking, supplements, and the latest wellness “hacks,” we’re constantly being told what we should be doing, what we should be avoiding, and what we should be optimizing.
But with so much information at our fingertips, is all of it actually helping us? Or is the constant stream of recommendations making it harder to know where to begin—or what really matters?
In this episode, we’re exploring the growing pressure to do everything right when it comes to our health, the appeal of tracking and optimizing our lives, and the challenges of turning information into meaningful, sustainable change.
Along the way, I’ll share some of my own experiences, the lessons I’ve learned from decades of helping people make compassionate lifestyle changes, and a different way to think about progress, consistency, and what it means to live well.
Please remember this podcast is 100% listener supported, so if it’s something you value, please join other supporters by upgrading your free subscription. You’re making this work possible. Thank you.

In this episode, we explore:
* Why having more health information doesn’t always lead to healthier habits
* The appeal—and potential pitfalls—of wellness hacks
* When tracking our health is helpful and when it becomes counterproductive
* How consuming endless health and wellness content can leave us feeling overwhelmed
* Why trying to do everything can sometimes lead to doing nothing
* The difference between consistency and perfection
* Why taking care of ourselves should enhance our lives, not consume them
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Food for Thought, celebrating 20 years of practical inspiration for living compassionately, sustainably, and healthfully.
🎥 Need more guidance, clarity, or inspiration? Let’s connect one-on-one!
Whether you’re building healthier habits, navigating menopause or another life transition, strengthening your vegan journey, improving relationships, or seeking more confidence, clarity, and joy, my personalized sessions offer an opportunity to explore what’s important to you, ask questions, and receive guidance and support.
If you make a purchase using the link below, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you—and you’ll receive exclusive discounts using the code provided.
* Complement SupplementsEverything you need, nothing you don’t. Complement makes targeted supplements for plant-based eaters, including B12, D3, DHA, and more—all from clean, trusted sources.🔗 lovecomplement.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 15% off all products!
Additional Resources
👉 Connect with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance whatever you are looking for.
👉 Read A Year of Compassion – Daily inspiration to help you live with intention, kindness, and clarity.
👉 Travel with me! I host animal-friendly, luxury, all-inclusive vegan trips around the world, specifically curated to ensure high-quality, high-touch premium experiences. Check out our upcoming trips, and let me know if you have any questions.
👉 Check out my Recipe E-Books and my library of On-Demand Cooking Classes for recipes.


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/subscribe

📖 You can also read the related article by the same title: Black Cats and Halloween: The History Behind the Superstition
Why are black cats associated with witches, bad luck, and Halloween? And how did these beautiful, mysterious animals become symbols of darkness in the first place?
With Halloween just around the corner, I’m bringing back an episode that explores the fascinating—and sometimes disturbing—history behind the superstitions surrounding black cats and other animals associated with this holiday.
From ancient civilizations that revered cats to medieval Europe, where they became associated with witchcraft and the devil, we’ll trace how cultural beliefs, religious fears, and attitudes toward women helped shape the reputation of cats—and how some of those beliefs persist today.
We’ll also look at the other animals we associate with Halloween, including bats, owls, spiders, crows, and ravens, and consider how we can replace fear and superstition with understanding and compassion.
In this episode, we explore:
* The origins of Halloween and its connections to ancient Celtic and Christian traditions
* Why black cats became associated with witches, the devil, and bad luck
* How cats were revered in ancient Egypt and other civilizations
* The historical connection between cats, women, independence, and witchcraft
* The truth behind the claim that Pope Gregory IX ordered the mass killing of cats in medieval Europe
* How centuries of superstition affected the treatment of cats
* Why bats, owls, spiders, crows, and other animals became symbols of Halloween
* What these much-maligned animals contribute to our ecosystems
* How we can challenge harmful stereotypes and help protect these animals—not just at Halloween, but all year long
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Food for Thought, celebrating 20 years of practical inspiration for living compassionately, sustainably, and healthfully.
Please remember this podcast is 100% listener supported, so if it’s something you value, please join other supporters by upgrading your free subscription. You’re making this work possible. Thank you.

If you make a purchase using the links below, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you—and you’ll receive exclusive discounts using the codes provided!
* Complement SupplementsEverything you need, nothing you don’t. Complement makes targeted supplements for plant-based eaters, including B12, D3, DHA, and more—all from clean, trusted sources.🔗 lovecomplement.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 15% off all products!
* Plaine ProductsRefillable, non-toxic, plastic-free personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash. Gentle on you, gentle on the planet.🔗 plaineproducts.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 20% off all products!
* Nama JuicerMy favorite cold-press juicer—quiet, powerful, and easy to clean. It’s become an essential part of my kitchen.🔗 namawell.com | Code: COLLEEN10 for 10% off all products!
Additional Resources
👉 Connect with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance whatever you are looking for.
👉 Read A Year of Compassion – Daily inspiration to help you live with intention, kindness, and clarity.
👉 Travel with me! I host animal-friendly, luxury, all-inclusive vegan trips around the world, specifically curated to ensure high-quality, high-touch premium experiences. Check out our upcoming trips, and let me know if you have any questions.
👉 Check out my Recipe E-Books and my library of On-Demand Cooking Classes for recipes.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/subscribe

In today’s episode of Food for Thought, I’m taking a break from our menopause and wellness series to share something deeply personal.
After my father’s death at age 94, I had the honor of writing and delivering his eulogy. What began as an effort to capture his life in just a few pages became an unexpected reflection on the stories we tell about ourselves and one another, how we remember the people we love, and what it means to live a meaningful life.
I also return to an unfinished podcast episode from years ago about writing your own eulogy, and I share the eulogy I delivered at my father’s funeral.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Food for Thought, celebrating 20 years of practical inspiration for living compassionately, sustainably, and healthfully.
Please remember this podcast is 100% listener supported, so if it’s something you value, please join other supporters by upgrading your free subscription. You’re making this work possible. Thank you.

If you make a purchase using the links below, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you—and you’ll receive exclusive discounts using the codes provided!
* Complement SupplementsEverything you need, nothing you don’t. Complement makes targeted supplements for plant-based eaters, including B12, D3, DHA, and more—all from clean, trusted sources.🔗 lovecomplement.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 15% off all products!
* Plaine ProductsRefillable, non-toxic, plastic-free personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash. Gentle on you, gentle on the planet.🔗 plaineproducts.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 20% off all products!
* Nama JuicerMy favorite cold-press juicer—quiet, powerful, and easy to clean. It’s become an essential part of my kitchen.🔗 namawell.com | Code: COLLEEN10 for 10% off all products!
Additional Resources
👉 Connect with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance whatever you are looking for.
👉 Read A Year of Compassion – Daily inspiration to help you live with intention, kindness, and clarity.
👉 Travel with me! I host animal-friendly, luxury, all-inclusive vegan trips around the world, specifically curated to ensure high-quality, high-touch premium experiences. Check out our upcoming trips, and let me know if you have any questions.
👉 Check out my Recipe E-Books and my library of On-Demand Cooking Classes for recipes.


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/subscribe

In Part 3 of our series on bone and joint health, we’re exploring a piece of the musculoskeletal puzzle we haven’t fully addressed yet: hormones, particularly estrogen and what happens when its levels decline during menopause.
We’ve talked about the nutrients our bones need and the importance of strength training, movement, and physical stimulus. But there’s another factor influencing the health of our bones, muscles, and joints—and understanding it changed the way I thought about menopause and hormone therapy.
Along the way, I’ll share some of my own experiences, what prompted me to investigate hormone therapy more seriously, and what the research tells us about protecting our bones as we age.
In this episode, we explore:
* Why menopause affects more than hot flashes and night sweats
* The connection between estrogen, inflammation, and joint health
* Why women over 50 are more susceptible to certain joint problems
* How declining estrogen affects bone density
* What decades of research reveal about hormone therapy and fracture prevention
* Why preventing osteoporosis matters even when you feel perfectly healthy
* What happens to bone protection when hormone therapy stops
* How education changed my own perspective on hormone therapy
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Food for Thought, celebrating 20 years of practical inspiration for living compassionately, sustainably, and healthfully.
Please remember this podcast is 100% listener supported, so if it’s something you value, please join other supporters by upgrading your free subscription. You’re making this work possible. Thank you.

If you make a purchase using the links below, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you—and you’ll receive exclusive discounts using the codes provided!
* Complement SupplementsEverything you need, nothing you don’t. Complement makes targeted supplements for plant-based eaters, including B12, D3, DHA, and more—all from clean, trusted sources.🔗 lovecomplement.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 15% off all products!
* Plaine ProductsRefillable, non-toxic, plastic-free personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash. Gentle on you, gentle on the planet.🔗 plaineproducts.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 20% off all products!
* Nama JuicerMy favorite cold-press juicer—quiet, powerful, and easy to clean. It’s become an essential part of my kitchen.🔗 namawell.com | Code: COLLEEN10 for 10% off all products!
Additional Resources
👉 Connect with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance whatever you are looking for.
👉 Read A Year of Compassion – Daily inspiration to help you live with intention, kindness, and clarity.
👉 Travel with me! I host animal-friendly, luxury, all-inclusive vegan trips around the world, specifically curated to ensure high-quality, high-touch premium experiences. Check out our upcoming trips, and let me know if you have any questions.
👉 Check out my Recipe E-Books and my library of On-Demand Cooking Classes for recipes.


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/subscribe

In today’s episode, we dive into Part 2 of our series on bone health (really musculoskeltal health), this time tackling the importance of movement and physical stimulus. In Part 1, we talked about how important nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, protein, and vitamin D are. But eating the right foods is only half the story; we need to give our bodies a reason to use them. Part 3 addresses the Hormone Connection and is available for your listening pleasure.
If you want to build strong, resilient bones, protect your joints, and stay vital through perimenopause, menopause, and life in general, it’s essential to create that physical stimulus.
In this episode, we explore:
* Why nutrition isn’t enough without the physical stimulus
* The truth about collagen supplements
* Those little osteocyte cells — what they are and how we wake them up
* How to use progressive overload (and why you’re already stronger than you think)
* Why “heavy” is relative to you, and how to start where you are
* The difference between weight-bearing exercises and plyometrics,
* If walking, running, and court sports create the impact our bones need
* Why the drop in estrogen impacts not just our bones, but our joints, cartilage, and tendons
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Food for Thought, celebrating 20 years of practical inspiration for living compassionately, sustainably, and healthfully.
Please remember this podcast is 100% listener supported, so if it’s something you value, please join other supporters by upgrading your free subscription. You’re making this work possible. Thank you.

If you make a purchase using the links below, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you—and you’ll receive exclusive discounts using the codes provided!
* Complement SupplementsEverything you need, nothing you don’t. Complement makes targeted supplements for plant-based eaters, including B12, D3, DHA, and more—all from clean, trusted sources.🔗 lovecomplement.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 15% off all products!
* Plaine ProductsRefillable, non-toxic, plastic-free personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash. Gentle on you, gentle on the planet.🔗 plaineproducts.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 20% off all products!
* Nama JuicerMy favorite cold-press juicer—quiet, powerful, and easy to clean. It’s become an essential part of my kitchen.🔗 namawell.com | Code: COLLEEN10 for 10% off all products!
Additional Resources
👉 Connect with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance whatever you are looking for.
👉 Read A Year of Compassion – Daily inspiration to help you live with intention, kindness, and clarity.
👉 Check out my Recipe E-Books and my library of On-Demand Cooking Classes for recipes.


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/subscribe