TODD & JODY BOYMAN

In this inspiring episode, Naomi Hallum chats with siblings Todd and Jody Boyman, founders of Hungry Planet, a brand revolutionizing the plant-based meat industry. Todd and Jody share their journey from launching a passion-driven business to creating nutritious, eco-friendly, and delicious plant-based alternatives that empower people to make compassionate food choices.

They discuss the hurdles of entering the plant-based market, the rise and fall of industry trends, and the importance of raising children with values rooted in health, sustainability, and compassion.

Naomi, Todd, and Jody explore the cultural shift toward plant-based eating, the impact of the Standard American Diet (SAD), and how food choices shape the planet and our future generations.

The Boymans leave listeners with a powerful reminder: the choices we make with food are a form of activism, shaping the world for the better.

From Passion to Purpose:

• Todd highlights the challenges of the food industry, emphasizing the need for a strong, mission-driven team.
• Jody, an activist at heart, explains how their passion for providing a gateway to healthy,
• sustainable eating fuels Hungry Planet’s mission.

Challenges in the Plant-Based Industry:

• Early plant-based products often lacked nutrition or taste, but Hungry Planet set out to change that by creating alternatives with no saturated fats that are both healthy and flavorful.
• Todd notes how some rushed products hurt the plant-based category, but Hungry Planet’s long-term vision ensured a high-quality offering.

The Meaning Behind “Hungry Planet”:

• The name reflects the mission to feed the world with sustainable, nutritious food, addressing hunger while minimizing harm to animals and the environment.Cultural Shifts and Plant-Based Diets:
• Jody shares how most traditional cultures emphasize plant-forward meals and how the Standard American Diet (SAD) has shifted toward meat-heavy eating.
• Todd and Jody discuss the importance of questioning the origins of food and fostering a connection between what’s on our plates and where it comes from.

Raising Vegan Children:

• Jody raised her children vegan, ensuring they never felt ostracized by allowing them to enjoy plant-based "junk food" for inclusion.
• Todd shares how his children, raised on health and sustainability values, naturally embraced veganism.

Empowering Kids Through Food Choices:

• Naomi discusses how raising kids to think critically about food and its impact on the planet fosters confidence and compassion.
• Jody highlights the role of language in shaping perceptions, pointing out how terms like "burger" and "pork" disconnect consumers from the animals behind the food.

Food as Activism:

• Jody sees food as a powerful tool for activism, reflecting her passion for animals and the environment.

Resources Mentioned

• Hungry Planet Foods

Time-Stamps & Key Topics

[01:25] Introduction to Todd and Jody Boyman: Revolutionizing Plant-Based Eating
[02:29] The Inspiration Behind Hungry Planet: Passion Meets Purpose
[06:30] Overcoming Challenges: Starting a Plant-Based Meat Company
[08:23] Redefining Plant-Based Food: Healthy, Nutritious, and Delicious
[10:02] The Mission of Hungry Planet: Sustainability and Compassion
[11:46] The Standard American Diet (SAD) and Its Impact on Health
[12:43] “Who Did This Used to Be?”: Questioning the Origin of Food
[13:55] Providing Foods That Don’t Ostracize Children
[15:49] Normalizing Healthy Eating for Future Generations
[18:00] Todd’s Vegan Journey: A Personal Transformation
[21:42] Exploring New Foods: Expanding Palates Through Veganism
[24:13] Raising Vegan Children: Compassion and Inclusion
[31:06] Were the Boyman Kids Happy Growing Up Vegan?
[33:40] Cognitive Dissonance: Aligning Food Choices with Values
[36:01] How Jody’s Kids Feel About Her Passion for Veganism
[39:14] How Todd’s Kids Describe Him and His Thoughts on Jody