Inside Virginia’s Vegan Scene with The Southern Vegan

Sean A. Russell sits down with Dante, also known as The Southern Vegan, live from the Plant Based World Expo. They dive into the strength of the Virginia Vegan scene, the importance of community, and how content creators can uplift local businesses by simply documenting their experiences. Dante shares his Vegan origin story, shaped by a life-changing hospital visit, and explains how that moment sparked a commitment to conscious living. Together, they explore the role of visibility, collaboration, and local culture in building a thriving Vegan movement.

1. The Vegan Scene in Virginia

Richmond ranked among the top Vegan cities
Why the restaurant culture is stronger than people think
The rise of Vegan options in non-Vegan restaurants

2. Must-Visit Spots in Richmond

Why Blue Atlas is a standout destination
The Vegan Takeover concept
Global-inspired Vegan dishes and community connection

3. Advice for Content Creators

Start documenting with your phone
Why consistency matters more than perfection
Tagging, collaborating, and supporting local Vegan restaurants
Using quantity and visibility to grow your platform and help businesses

4. Dante’s Vegan Origin Story

A frightening hospital experience that changed his mindset
Taking control of his health through food
Gradually cutting out foods until fully Vegan

5. Adapting to the Lifestyle

Why he no longer misses non-Vegan foods
The abundance of Vegan alternatives
How expos highlight the growth of plant-based innovation

6. Advice for New Vegans

The importance of finding a local community
Running groups, meetups, and social groups as support systems
Learning from others to stay encouraged and consistent

7. Connect with The Southern Vegan

Follow his journey across Virginia and North Carolina
Instagram: @the.southern.vegan

About the Show

The Vegans Explore Podcast is on a mission to record a new episode every day until November 1, 2026, spotlighting Vegan topics, changemakers, nonprofits, and brands from around the world. Explore additional episodes.

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