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Colleen Patrick-Goudreau has been a guiding voice in the world of compassionate living for nearly three decades. She’s an award-winning author of eight books, a powerful speaker, longtime podcaster, and someone who’s helped shift the way we think about animals, food, and our role on this planet.
Her latest book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free, is not a checklist or a challenge. It’s a perspective shift. A reminder that living compassionately isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing better.
In this conversation, we go beyond the weekly actions and talk about what it really means to live with awareness, intention, and joy—especially when the world can feel overwhelming. We explore connection, decluttering (physically and emotionally), the power of non-attachment, and how to keep showing up with hope that’s rooted in joy—not outrage.

• Colleen writes that compassion is connection—not separation. For someone who feels profoundly disconnected right now—maybe from others, the planet, or even themselves—what would she gently offer as a starting point to reconnect?
• “We don’t get to decide whether we make a difference, only what kind of difference we make.” That’s such a powerful shift in agency. How did internalising that change the way Colleen lives her everyday life?
• In A Year of Compassion, Colleen emphasise that it’s not about doing more—it’s about doing better. How does she suggest we approach this—both from a mindset perspective, and in terms of practical time and energy?
• Colleen has spent decades as a voice for animals. What beliefs have softened for her over time, and what has grown more unshakable?
• Colleen’s go-to definition of waste: Any item for which its owner has stopped taking responsibility.
• “Decluttering feels good” – agreed, what’s an easy place to start?
• How does Colleen think emotional clutter—old beliefs, guilt, resentment—parallels physical clutter? Has she ‘decluttered’ any internal beliefs recently?
• The Taoist idea of having without possessing feels especially potent in a culture obsessed with ownership. How has that idea reshaped how Colleen relates to her work, influence, or even the animals she advocates for?
• Colleen writes: My intention has always been to raise awareness and offer a different perspective to allow people to find their own answers. I strive to have no attachment to what people do with the information I provide. Have there been times when holding that non-attachment was difficult?
• Colleen writes that her hope is rooted in joy—not in outrage. What does it look like, practically, to stay awake to the world’s pain without drowning in it?

It was such a pleasure to finally connect with someone I’d admired from afar for so long.
Colleen’s passion and clarity speak for themselves. If you want more, beyond her books and substact I also highly recommend her solo podcast Food for Thought—it’s been running even longer than Healthification.
Of so many takeaways, I love the reframe, that so many problems also, equals so many opportunities. The step I’ve reached for first is ensuring I’m not just “wish-cycling.” It’s a small start. however it is something I will build on.

What’s one step you can take this week to live with more intention, compassion, or clarity? Pick it, commit—and let it be enough for today.

Colleen’s website: https://colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/
Buy, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free:
Connect with Colleen via Substact:
Colleen’s podcast: Food For Thought: Check out her Joyful and Abundant vegan trips around the world:
Connect with Colleen across the socials: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube

I have hope because I dwell on what I can solve rather than on what I can’t. @JoyfulVegan Share on X Zero waste is a philosophy, a perspective, an orientation that shapes the way we see the world, our place in it, and our relationship to it. @JoyfulVegan Share on X

That’s it for this week in Healthification.

Plant Positive Journal Version 2 (printed and fillable PDF)
This journal and daily planner follows a twelve month format however is not dated so it is perfect to use at ANY time of the year.

Connect with Kate across the socials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

With love and gratitude plant friends.

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