It Didn’t Go the Way I Planned…and That Was the Point

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to be a guest on the PlantStrong Podcast with Rip Esselstyn—though it won’t air until May.

Many of you know his father, ​Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn Jr.​, author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. I first met Rip back in 2018 at one of his PlantStock events in Black Mountain, North Carolina, so it felt like a full-circle moment to sit down for this conversation.

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous going in—I had no idea what he might ask. I was especially hoping we’d spend some time talking about the transition I’ve been walking through this past year, moving from simply sharing recipes and plant-based nutrition to also sharing the faith and daily reflections God has placed on my heart.

Months before the interview, I even mentioned that to his team. But as the conversation unfolded, we spent our time talking about ​my health journey​, discovering a plant-based lifestyle, the career shift, and the growth of EatPlant-Based. Rip had clearly done his homework—asking about recipes, ​tofu​, cooking methods, and more. It really was a great conversation, and he’s such a gracious host.

But if I’m being honest, when it ended, I felt a little disappointed. We hadn’t gotten to the part that matters most to me.

After the recording stopped, they asked me to stay on for a few minutes. That’s when his program manager asked if I had anything coming up that I’d like to highlight when the episode airs. I shared about my cookbook—still in the process of finding the right publisher—and mentioned that we’ve already received one offer.

Then Rip asked a simple question: “So what makes your book different?” And just like that…the door opened.

I was able to share that this won’t just be a cookbook. It will be a full-color, hardback collection of over 100 plant-based recipes woven together with the everyday, faith-based stories God has given me to write. A book that not only nourishes the body, but also the heart and spirit.

That seemed to really catch his attention. And before we wrapped up, he told me to let them know when the book is about to be published, because they’d love to have me back on to talk about it.

As I walked away and called my sister to tell her how it all went, I mentioned my initial disappointment. In true sister fashion, she lovingly told me I needed to get over it because God knows what He’s doing. And you know what? She was right.

Because this was such a gentle reminder, this was never about me. I don’t get to control how things unfold. I don’t get to see the full picture or know what someone on the other side of that podcast needs to hear. Only God does.

Maybe someone listening needed the health story this time. Maybe the deeper message will come later. But what I do know is this—God opened the door, and He’s already opening the next one.

And when the time comes, there will be no missing the message He’s placed on my heart, because it will be woven into every page of that book.

So for now, I’m choosing to trust His timing because His plans are always better than mine.

And to all of you prayer warriors—I would be so grateful if you’d continue praying that this book lands in the hands of the right publisher. I truly believe God has a plan for it, and I can’t wait to see how He brings it all together.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

March 27, 2026 Morning Brew

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