#14 - Living with Intent Featuring Author and Vegan Hot for Food Host Lauren Toyota
Introduction
Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve incredible feats, goals, and milestones — and a chance to geek out on the psychology behind human behavior.
So, what is this podcast specifically about? I examine the mental and emotional narratives and processes that have steered writers, filmmakers, psychologists, and industry icons down their paths in life. Each episode is also a glimpse into the trends and patterns of human behavior and the underlying influences that guide us in different directions. Whether we focus primarily on nutrition or the unconscious, guests share insights, thought-provoking lessons, the nuances of creativity, and the elements of being… us.
I’m excited to share today’s episode with you. From YouTube to Twitter to Instagram, Lauren Toyota has hundreds of thousands of combined followers, fans, and subscribers. She seamlessly transitioned from close to 10 years as a television host and producer to an independent, self-made content producer.
Every Wednesday, you can find Lauren sharing gourmet vegan comfort food recipes on the “hot for food” YouTube channel that now boasts nearly 473,000 subscribers and over 36 million channel views since launching in February of 2015. Her debut cookbook, Vegan Comfort Classics: 101 Recipes To Feed Your Face (Ten Speed Press/Penguin Random House) became a best seller and is available now wherever books are sold. Her second cookbook is set for release in February 2021.
Among other accolades, Lauren Toyota was also named Canada's Most Influential Vegan by IMPACT magazine in 2017 and one of the Powerhouse Canadian Women Killing it in 2018 by Refinery29.
In our interview, we covered everything from the mindset of a host to living with intent. Here’s what we specifically discussed:
-The evolution of Lauren’s vegan philosophy, her cookbook, and “Hot for Food” YouTube channel
-Managing personal and professional criticisms
The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody featuring Hot for Food Host Lauren Toyota
-How Lauren maintains her genuine connection with the art and science of cooking while serving the professional need to produce weekly
-The challenges of managing the line between being genuine and sharing too much of your personal self
-Being mindful of a growing audience without succumbing to the pressures of "It's never big enough”
-Rising above failure
-Checking in with your intuition and living with intent
To learn more about Lauren Toyota, visit https://www.hotforfoodblog.com. You may also subscribe to her “Lauren in Real Life” and “Hot for Food” YouTube channels as well as Instagram (@hotforfood), Facebook (hot for food), and Twitter (@hotforfood). You can find her cookbook, Vegan Comfort Classics: 101 Recipes To Feed Your Face wherever fine books are sold!
The Element of Being Podcast with Michael Moody featuring Hot for Food Host Lauren Toyota
About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant
Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.
Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.
If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!
