Interview: Rania Hannan

Rania - selfMost of the interviews at Weird! Why Aren’t You Vegan? are with people who are unique and different (read: not vegan). This has the normal people (read: vegans) feeling a little left out. So, to appease the masses, once in a while we feature a regular old, nothin’ special, run-of-the-mill vegan.

Today, we talk with my friend and former colleague, who has since embarked on a journey throughout the Americas in a house with wheels. Wheels!

Also, before becoming vegan ten years ago, she somehow survived on a diet of animals for 21 years. She’s magic, and we have a lot to learn from her.

Please welcome Rania Hannan! Continue reading

Interview: Lauren Cocroft

lauren cocroft

Most of the interviews at Weird! Why Aren’t You Vegan? are with people who are unique and different (read: not vegan). This has the normal people (read: vegans) feeling a little left out. So, to appease the masses, once in a while we feature a regular old, nothin’ special, run-of-the-mill vegan.

Today, we talk with a Seattle-based comedian who regales us with stories of cat custody battles, teenage feelings of grandeur, and pee-pee and poo-poo.

She’s here. Please applaud. It’s Lauren Cocroft! Continue reading

Interview: Corey Bennett

courtney byrd

It’s not often I learn about veganism from a non-vegan, but this interviewee proved to be an exception. He smartly pointed out during the course of his interview that spices are vegan so non-vegans can’t eat them. I agree and will be holding a food drive to collect all your oregano, cumin, and garlic.

I appreciated learning from and getting to know this interviewee better, and I think you’ll enjoy him very much too.

Please meet Corey Bennett! Continue reading

Interview: Courtney Byrd

courtney byrd

I found another one! This week’s interview is with someone I knew on Instagram (because I’m a stalker) before I knew her in real life (IRL, if you’re under 35). She’s funny, adorable, and she loves dogs so much that she’s kinda’ made them her coworkers. So, naturally, I assumed she’s vegan. But she isn’t! I was almost forced to eat crow when I found out. But I politely declined, of course.

Join me and let’s talk to this enigma about why she’s not vegan.

Please meet Courtney Byrd! Continue reading

Interview: Greg Sharp

greg sharp

Welcome back, broccoli butts! I’ve gotten some rest, taken my B12 supplements, and I’m thrilled to be relaunching the blog with the power of a vegan strongman (strongperson!).

Who better to showcase on my first relaunch post than one of the kindest and funniest comedians and producers I know? I hope you enjoy this delicious interview. If not, I will force you to sit at your desk and finish the whole thing. Because there are children in Africa who’d do anything to have a blog post to read.

Please meet Greg Sharp! Continue reading

Katie Bowman Eats Invisible Meat, Like in Hook

katie bowmanLate last year I was invited to join an improv team called Scoundrel. That’s how I met Katie Bowman, and I liked her right away. Not just because of her cool hair, though I admit that didn’t hurt. She was (and still is!) funny, open, interesting, and supportive. An improviser and a standup comic, Katie can be seen all over Denver, making people laugh. So, I guess I can forgive her for making pigs and chickens cry.

Meet Katie Bowman! Continue reading

Interview: Vegan Kristin Lajeunesse Will Travel For Vegan Food

KL_red_headshot_smMost of the interviews at Weird! Why Aren’t You Vegan? are with people who are unique and different (read: not vegan). This has the normal people (read: vegans) feeling a little left out. So, to appease the masses, we now – once in a while – feature a regular old, nothin’ special, run-of-the-mill vegan. Today, we meet Kristin Lajeunesse of Will Travel For Vegan Food.

Kristin quit her job and lived in a van so she could travel around the country with the goal of eating at every vegan restaurant. She documented her journey, and has now written a book about it! I have – of course – heard of Kristin’s venture, but what brought us together for this interview was a mutual friend I know from the St. Louis improv community. It’s a small world, or at least country – and Kristin has eaten vegan food in a lot of it!

Meet Kristin Lajeunesse.

Continue reading