Colleen Patrick-Goudreau on Living Compassionately
In a recent episode of the World Vegan Travel Podcast, we were thrilled to chat with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, a well-known author, speaker, and joyful advocate for animals, sustainability, and plant-based living. For nearly 30 years, Colleen has helped people understand how to live kindly and with care for the planet. She’s written eight amazing books, and her newest one, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free, shows how small changes can lead to big, positive impacts.
A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Ethical Living
In her latest book, Colleen gives readers 52 simple weekly ideas to help them live a more ethical, plant-based, and zero-waste life. Instead of overwhelming us with too many suggestions, she focuses on actions that are easy to follow and meaningful. Her book is like a kind friend walking beside you all year, cheering you on to live more gently and thoughtfully.
How Travel Can Align with Your Values
Travel isn’t just about seeing new places — it can be a way to show what you care about. Colleen talks about sustainable travel and vegan travel, and how making smart choices while on the road can help people, animals, and the planet. She encourages travelers to support responsible tourism, like choosing plant-based meals, avoiding activities that harm animals (like elephant rides), and staying in places that respect local people and nature.
Sustainability and Veganism in Tourism
Colleen shares great tips for making travel better for everyone. For example, eating plant-based while traveling not only helps animals but also reduces our impact on the environment. Using public transportation, packing light, and reducing waste are just a few ways we can make tourism more thoughtful and kind.
The Power of Small, Everyday Choices
You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Colleen believes that compassionate living is about doing what you can, when you can. Even small steps—like saying no to plastic, choosing vegan meals, or learning a few kind words in the local language—can create a ripple effect and inspire others.
Mindset Shifts for Ethical Travel
One powerful idea from the conversation is that your mindset matters. Instead of expecting things to be just like home, Colleen suggests being curious, patient, and open-hearted. By showing kindness and respect, you can connect more deeply with the places you visit and the people you meet.
Simple Ways to Advocate for Animals While Traveling
You don’t have to be loud to make a difference. Colleen encourages travelers to speak gently and share their values with love. For example, telling someone about a local animal shelter, or asking if a hotel can offer plant-based options, helps spread awareness. These small acts of advocacy matter more than you might think.
Final Thoughts: Creating a More Compassionate World
At the end of the podcast, Colleen reminds us: “Put your attention on things that create the world you want.” That means thinking about what really matters—like kindness, peace, and caring for the Earth—and making choices that match those values. Whether you’re at home or on an adventure, you have the power to make a difference.
📘 Want to Learn More?
🌱 Order A Year of Compassion by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau here: 👉 colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/order
✉️ Sign up for her newsletter: Substack
📸 Instagram: @joyfulvegan
📘 Facebook: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
✈️ Let’s Stay Connected
Follow World Vegan Travel on all your favorite platforms for more stories and tips about vegan travel, sustainable adventures, and ethical tourism:
💚 Colleen Patrick-Goudreau agrees
We’re grateful to Colleen for sharing her wisdom and for allowing us to share her voice and message in different formats!
📧 [email protected]
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- 🌱 Discover Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s newest book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free
👉 colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/order - ✈️ Explore how vegan travel and responsible tourism can align with your values
- 🐘 Learn how to avoid common animal exploitation activities while traveling
- 💚 Get practical tips for plant-based meals, zero-waste packing, and choosing ethical travel options
- 💬 Hear Colleen’s advice on overcoming language and cultural barriers with kindness and communication
- 🌍 Be inspired by real examples of compassionate living and simple advocacy on the road
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- 21 Favorite Vegan Cookbooks – High Protein to Kid-friendly (Updated 2021)
- The Best of Japan (I): Iconic Cities, Serene Temples, and Plant-Based Japanese Food with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau (2026)
- Two Huge Vegan Budget Travel Tips | Lucy Elkin | Ep 102
- Travel Tips for Eating Oil-Free | Chef AJ | Ep 70
- Vegan Travel in Chile: Naomi & Felix’s Journey and Tips
