My Interview with Michael Pollan

A few weeks back I got to interview one of my idols (as I mention in the first moments of the interview)--Michael Pollan. Michael, along with Alice Waters and a few thousand farmers and farmers' markets, has led a growing movement to reclaim our food from the growing danger of agribusiness. It's simple, really: eat food, not too much, mostly plants as Pollan puts it in his N.Y. Times best-selling books Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food. Cook more. Buy less processed food (food with less than five ingredients).

Even if your idea of being a foodie is, like me, putting together some organic veggie nachos, you'll dig how eloquently, warmly and straightforwardly Michael Pollan communicates to the masses. For while I, and many others, struggle to express our eco-vangelism, Pollan is (in my view, along with Malcolm Gladwell, Elizabeth Kolbert, and Bill McKibben) a consummate writer.

Without further adieu, here's part I of II:

To come: Michael Pollan discusses how we can inspire the Obama Administration to effect real change in a speech to an exclusive gathering of Natural Biz Tycoons in Boulder, Colorado.

With thanks to our sponsor Gaiam, and Naturally Boulder for hosting, Sylvia Tawse of Fresh Ideas Group for connecting Mr. Pollan and I, to Deb Fryer of Lila Films for filming at last moment and Alex King of Mito Media for his creative, stylish editing as always.

Comments

[heathermerete]

Great interview and a wonderful summary of Pollan's recent work. I'm happy to see quality, thoughtful video content like this on Huff Post!

[cyclobenzaprine9]

Awesome! I just finished reading "In Defense of Food" and it was a real eye-opener. I'm very cautious now in terms of what I eat and where I buy food. Haven't started "Omnivore's Dilemma" but that's definitely on my reading list for the next few months!

[lindseywolf]

Thanks for putting this together and sharing it with us Waylon! What I love most about Michael Pollan is exactly what you stated in how he warmly and straightforwardly communicates to the masses. It wasn't until I worked for a food company myself that it struck me how little many of us think about what we put into our bodies and where it comes from. I appreciate how Mr. Pollan is bringing to the forefront how important this is, as food involves our health, well-being, environment and so many other factors. I want to see more Walk the Talkshow videos like this!