Only 200 mountain gorillas were left in the wild in 1985. Today, their numbers are growing thanks to ecotourism and conservation efforts. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, author and founder of Joyful Vegan Trips, joins Cheryl to talk about practical ways to live more compassionately, whether at home or while traveling. They discuss how restaurants, travel companies, and individuals can make plant-based choices easier and more appealing to everyone, not just vegans.
Food Labels That Help or Hurt
Colleen explains why the word “vegan” on menus can be a turn-off for non-vegans. It is often misunderstood and can make plant-based food seem exclusive. She recommends focusing on
ingredients and making meals sound appealing to everyone. Many restaurants already serve plant-based dishes, they just do not label them that way. The goal is not to create a special menu, but to show how existing meals already work for plant-based eaters. She urges advocates to be strategic. Instead of pushing for a separate vegan section, encourage restaurants to recognize dishes they already serve that happen to be vegan. This approach helps normalize plant-based eating without making it seem unusual or extreme.
She also points out that restaurant owners and chefs are often more willing to accommodate when they understand that good plant-based dishes can appeal to all diners, not just a small group. The label “vegan” should not be a barrier to trying a dish. Describing food by flavor and texture instead of by dietary label can open more minds and mouths.
Traveling Without Settling for Less
Colleen started Joyful Vegan Trips after years of frustrating travel experiences where plant-based options were an afterthought. She shares how she wanted something better, not just for herself but for anyone looking to travel without compromising their values or enjoyment. On her trips, plant-based meals are thoughtfully prepared, rooted in local cuisine, and satisfying. This is not about getting by, it is about experiencing the best a culture has to offer without animal products.
She and her team work directly with chefs and restaurants in each country to create menus that reflect regional dishes made entirely plant-based. From France to Japan to Vietnam, the meals are crafted with care, not made as an afterthought. These trips also include cultural experiences and time in nature, but food is a key part of why people come back. Colleen mentions a 95 percent return rate, which speaks volumes about the impact these trips have.
Some guests are not vegan when they sign up, but leave more open to making changes. The trips give people a low-pressure environment to explore compassionate living. The food is good. The community is welcoming. And people leave with a clearer idea of how enjoyable this lifestyle can be.
Real Sanctuaries, Not Selfies
Colleen emphasizes the importance of supporting real animal sanctuaries when traveling. Her trips include visits to refuges that put animals first. These are not petting zoos or staged photo ops. A clear sign of an unethical operation is any place that allows photos with wild animals. True sanctuaries prioritize the well-being of the animals, not the entertainment of visitors.
She shares stories from Elephant Haven in France and a gorilla conservation trek in Rwanda. In both cases, supporting these sanctuaries helps fund protection efforts and uplifts local communities. Ecotourism, when done right, can be a powerful force for good.
A Year of Compassion
Colleen’s latest book, A Year of Compassion, breaks down compassionate living into weekly actions. It is not about being perfect. It is about looking at the small ways we can reduce harm, consume less, and think more critically about our daily choices. Topics include reducing food waste, avoiding exploitative entertainment, native gardening, and simplifying what we eat.
She wants readers to understand that being vegan is not the end goal. Compassion is. Veganism is just one way to express that value. There is always more to learn, more to do, and more ways to grow.
Colleen’s message is clear. Whether you are in a restaurant, on a trip, or making dinner at home, there is a better way forward. It starts by asking questions, being willing to change, and looking for choices that do less harm and bring more joy.
About Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, known as the Joyful Vegan, is a prominent voice in the global movement for compassionate and ethical living. Born and raised in suburban New Jersey, her early years were a mix of joy and cognitive dissonance. Her father’s ownership of ice cream stores brought an endless supply of treats into her home, creating what seemed like a blissful childhood. Yet, as she reflects now, much of that joy was tied to a lack of understanding about the origins of the food she consumed.
From a young age, Colleen was surrounded by imagery that celebrated animals, stuffed toys, illustrated books, and even the wallpaper in her room. These depictions fostered an emotional
connection to animals, while stories and fables taught her foundational values of kindness, respect, and empathy. Simultaneously, she was consuming animal products, a contradiction that created a quiet yet pervasive internal conflict.
As Colleen grew older, this dissonance reached a tipping point when she began to explore the realities of industrialized animal farming and the cultural norms that perpetuate it. A pivotal moment came when she read Diet for a New America by John Robbins, igniting a shift in her perspective and paving the way for her transformation into a passionate advocate for veganism and compassionate living.
Today, Colleen is a bestselling author of seven influential books, including The Joyful Vegan and Color Me Vegan, which have inspired countless individuals to examine their relationship with food, animals, and the environment. Her Food for Thought podcast, running for over 17 years, continues to provide a platform for education and empowerment. Through her Joyful Vegan Trips, she combines her love for travel with her mission, offering immersive experiences that showcase the abundance and joy of a plant-based lifestyle.
In addition to her work as an author and speaker, Colleen is a celebrated educator and guide for those seeking to align their actions with their values. Her message transcends dietary choices, encouraging individuals to embrace compassion in all aspects of life. Her upcoming book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free, further cements her reputation as a thought leader in sustainability and ethical living.
With over two decades of advocacy, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau remains a powerful force in the movement for a kinder, healthier, and more sustainable world. Her ability to inspire change through empathy, education, and empowerment has earned her a place among the most influential figures in the plant-based and animal advocacy communities.
More: www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com
About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and 
animal welfare leaders. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, she is dedicated to ending factory farming and is working to raise $100,000 for Mercy For Animals to support underrepresented sanctuaries.
Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she promotes plant-based living through her books, Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig, which inspire young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates, and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
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