As we enter the peak of cold and flu season, staying updated on recommended vaccinations has never been more critical. This year, flu shots and the latest COVID-19 boosters are top of mind – but what should we know about each? We spoke with Vin Gupta, MD, chief medical officer at Amazon, medical correspondent, and practicing pulmonologist, about the best timing to receive these vaccines, how long to wait if you’ve recently had an infection, common side effects to expect, and realistic...

Ovarian cancer is often called the “silent killer” for a reason: its early symptoms can be subtle, making it easy to mistake for other conditions. But being proactive about our health starts with awareness. What are the warning signs? Who’s at risk? We spoke with Susanne Menon, NP, a nurse practitioner at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, to answer these essential questions. She shares key insights on how we can recognize the symptoms, discuss our concerns with healthcare providers, and helps us...

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, making early screening crucial for those at risk. But how do we know who is at risk? When should we screen? And what steps can we take to protect ourselves and our loved ones? In this episode, we spoke with Jeremy Pettus, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist specializing in treating diabetes and host of the Taking Control of Your Diabetes podcast, about diagnostic methods, such as blood sugar and A1C tests, the crucial role of early detection,...

Skincare has become a major trend among tweens and teens, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram full of routines, products, and glowing skin hacks. But are these trends actually beneficial for youthful skin? How is tween skin different from adult skin, and which ingredients are helpful versus harmful? We spoke with Randal Antle, MMSc, PA-C, a dermatology physician assistant in Atlanta, GA, about what parents should know when selecting skincare products for their children, which ingredients...

In last week’s episode, we learned how ultra-processed foods hijack our brains, leaving us with addictive food cravings that don’t always serve us. How can we cut down on our consumption of ultra-processed foods without being overly hard on ourselves or too restrictive? In this two-part series, Barry Smith, PhD, sensory expert, founding director of the Center for the Study of Senses, and a scientist that has worked with food companies and learned how they hijack our food cravings, returned to...

Have you ever wondered why the foods you crave don’t always leave you feeling your best after eating them? What if you knew these foods are designed to be addictive and play with our dopamine levels? This is what happens in ultra-processed foods. But what do we mean when we say ultra-processed food? How do they impact our health and how we experience eating? In this two-part series, we speak with Barry Smith, PhD, sensory expert, founding director of the Center for the Study of Senses, and a...

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is often thought of as a childhood illness, but it poses a significant threat to older adults as well. According to the CDC, RSV infected approximately 65 million people globally last year, leading to an estimated 160,000 hospitalizations among adults aged 60 and older. What does RSV look like in adults, and what symptoms should you be vigilant about? In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, a renowned vaccinologist and assistant...

When we think of medicine, we usually picture pills, injections, or other treatments, but what if the most powerful medicine was on our plate? How can the right diet truly transform our health? We spoke with Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, PhD, cardiologist, and Director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, about what defines a healthy diet, integrating food into healthcare, and how important policy changes are needed to prioritize food and nutrition in addressing public health.

When you hear "hospice" or "palliative care," what comes to mind? How do these services focus on enhancing quality of life? And when is the right time to research and engage them for our loved ones? In this episode, we break down the myths and realities of hospice and palliative care. We spoke with Neha Shah, MD, infectious disease and palliative care doctor, about the collaborative nature of palliative care teams, the essential role of caregivers, and what really happens in end-of-life care...

Most of us are aware of the risks of air pollution, but what about the pollutants we encounter inside our homes every day? In 2024, the American Lung Association reported that over 131 million people in the U.S. are exposed to unhealthy levels of pollution, but the dangers don’t stop at the front door. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of pollution with Philip J. Landrigan, MD, MSc, FAAP, a leading expert in global public health. Dr. Landrigan helps us identify different sources...

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually, yet the abundance of conflicting advice can make it challenging to find effective solutions. No one has to live with untreated acne. In this episode, we provide a clear, step-by-step guide to understanding and managing acne. Join us as we debunk common myths and reveal the facts about acne with Randal Antle, MMSc, PA-C, a certified dermatology physician assistant. Learn about the different types of...

As the world faces record-breaking temperatures and increasing climate challenges, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis. But what if the solution starts with small, meaningful actions we can all take in our daily lives? In this episode, we explore how climate change directly impacts our health and what we can do about it. We spoke with Sweta Chakraborty, PhD, a leading expert on global risks and behavioral science, about how each of us can turn concern into action. Learn...

In 2023, the opioid crisis claimed over 81,000 lives -- a staggering number, yet many of these deaths could have been prevented. While prescription opioids can be essential for managing pain, they come with significant risks that are often overlooked. In this episode, we dive deep into the hidden dangers of opioid prescriptions and explore the crucial questions you should ask before accepting these medications. Ellen Eaton, MD, a leading expert in opioid treatment from the University of...

As we spend more time outside, it’s important to remember to protect our skin from the sun’s rays. While we know sunscreen is needed, it’s also important to know how to select the right sunscreen. Which chemicals in sunscreens should we avoid? How are manufacturers ensuring their products are safe and effective? And what ingredients provide the best protection against overexposure to the sun? We spoke to David Andrews, PhD, deputy director of investigations and a senior scientist at...

When we think of receiving health care, often what comes to mind may be sitting in an exam room, being in a hospital, or visiting a pharmacy. But what about when we receive healthcare virtually? How do telehealth appointments, wearable devices, and health apps impact our access to care and shift how healthcare is provided in this day and age? In this episode, we spoke to Aditi U. Joshi, MD, digital health strategist and emergency medicine physician, and João Bocas, CEO at Digital Salutem,...

In today's dating culture, we often hear the word "ghosting" thrown into the mix. Ghosting, the practice of ending a relationship abruptly, usually leaves us feeling lost, anxious, and confused. Why does ghosting happen? Do we really need closure? How can those struggling with goodbyes learn the tools for a healthy goodbye? And what are some ways we can manage our emotions during a breakup or significant life change? We spoke with Lia Love Avellino, licensed clinical social worker, modern...

It’s no secret that working on our physical, mental, and emotional health can drastically change the quality of our lives. But how exactly can working on your emotional health with a supportive community be a transformative experience? And how can working on your physical health improve your self-esteem, relationships, and professional life? We spoke with Nate Checketts, Co-Founder & CEO of Rhone, a premium performance lifestyle company, about the importance of developing a mental health...

In 2023, there were over 56,000 wildfires in the United States, which burned over 2.6 million acres. While we may be familiar with the environmental and structural effects of wildfires, the health impacts of climate change are wide-ranging. From extreme heat to massive wildfires resulting in long range plumes of wildfire smoke, what are the acute and chronic health issues we may experience? How does heat play a role in the worsening of wildfires? And how do these exposures impact the largest...

About 53 million U.S. adults are diagnosed with arthritis. How is arthritis diagnosed? Why and when does it usually arise? And what are the options available? We spoke with Robert McLean, MD, rheumatologist and member of the clinical faculty of the Yale School of Medicine, about the common types and symptoms of arthritis, from rheumatoid to psoriatic, various treatment options available, and the recommended lifestyle interventions to ease arthritis pain.

While menopause is a stage of life that most women will go through, it can still be shrouded in mystery, with perimenopause symptoms often flying under the radar. Misdiagnosis can be rampant, with symptoms often being attributed to other things. In this special episode, we pull together three powerful interviews we’ve had on everything menopause and perimenopause. From Sharon Malone, MD’s, overview on perimenopause, Gayatri Devi, MD’s, connection on menopause and brain fog, to the hosts of...

8.7 million people in the United States have ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), and for such a common diagnosis, it tends to have many misconceptions. While the most notable characteristics are difficulty maintaining attention or focus with periods of hyperactivity, there are also positive characteristics of ADHD that we often ignore. What if we looked at ADHD from a strengths-based perspective? To explore this topic, we spoke with Ned Hallowell, MD, psychiatrist and founder of...

There is a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, and their symptoms, severity, and types are often misunderstood. From bloating to chronic diarrhea, how do we know when to seek medical advice for something more serious? What are the various diagnoses? What are red flags to look out for? We spoke with Lin Chang, MD, gastroenterologist and vice-chief of the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA, about the steps to looking at symptoms – and when to seek help, the...

When we think of common health and wellness advice, it is often centered around physical and mental health, with advice ranging from exercising regularly to going to therapy. But what if we also looked at social health as a part of our overall wellness? In 2023, the World Health Organization reported that loneliness is a global health threat. Studies have shown that maintaining strong social ties can lead to a longer life span. We spoke with Kasley Killam, MPH, author of The Art and Science...

According to the latest statistics, more than 6.9 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia today. And with an aging global population, 152 million people will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by 2050. What does this mean for our future as caregivers and a global community? We spoke with Sanjay Gupta, MD, neurosurgeon and multiple Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent for CNN and host of the CNN podcast Chasing Life, about how much of Alzheimer’s is preventable, risks for...