Good Morning,
The nonprofit PlantPure Communities (PPC) held a webinar this week for people wanting to learn more about the Pod Network, and what is involved in becoming a Pod leader. Their presentation included two Pod leaders sharing their experiences. It’s gratifying to see the good being done through the Pod Network, and how quickly it’s growing.
Pods are local groups that provide support to people living or considering a plant-based lifestyle. At the end of the film PlantPure Nation, we included a call to action for people to form these groups, and many people responded (and continue to respond). Today, more than 200,000 people participate in the hundreds of Pods located all over the United States and in over 20 countries around the world.
To date, most Pods have focused on providing social support and education, often around a community potluck. Kim and I have personal involvement in our local Pod, and have enjoyed the social interactions. But in one of our recent meetings, I noticed a new dynamic emerge. After our meal, someone on the team shared personal testimony of their dramatic healing through a plant-based diet, which led to a more general group discussion. We started talking about a number of issues, and then wandered to an idea two people presented about conducting a restaurant campaign in Chapel Hill. It was interesting to see this activist impulse emerge, but not surprising. Most people in the Pod Network are passionate about spreading the message of plant-based nutrition.
The team at PPC is working hard to provide toolkits and other resources to help support these kinds of initiatives, including a toolkit to support local restaurant campaigns. I think over time the Pod Network will focus more and more on activist efforts at the community level. As many of you know, I believe we cannot make transformative change without engaging people in our local communities everywhere.
I hope all of you are doing well, and encourage you to watch the webinar and join or start a Pod! Until next time,
Nelson Campbell
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