Fungi have played an important role both in culinary and medicinal traditions for thousands of years, but these magical living organisms are often overlooked - for both good and bad reasons - when it comes to the future of our health and planet. What if a new heat-loving fungus takes over? What if a fungus holds the key to an anti-cancer vaccination? We explore these questions and more with our guest on this week’s podcast.  Listen and learn: About the microbial differences between...

When I was eleven years old, my grandmother predicted the demise of the personal computer. “Staring at the screen will ruin your eyes,” she proclaimed. The same story is repeated with all new technology: initially it’s met with resistance and fear, and later becomes so important in our lives that we cannot imagine life without it. In recent years, virtual reality experienced a lackluster launch, and the metaverse is the butt of hundreds of jokes. The generally accepted belief is that VR is...

Technology is accelerating at a blistering pace with obvious innovations in the devices we have in our pockets, in our homes, and in our cars. Less visible are the changes that are happening in love, sex, and relationships that are potentially reorganizing society in subtle, and not too subtle ways. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet an anthropologist whose recent work has explored the wild and wacky world of AI boyfriends, sex dolls, and dating apps.  Listen and learn: How dating...

One of the biggest challenges that comes with aging is cognitive decline. You lose your keys, you can’t remember the neighbor’s name, and your brain seems to putter along instead of humming like it used to. From conversations with listeners over the past year, concerns over brain health are top of the list, so I’ve invited a neuroscientist onto the podcast to share his insights. Listen to learn: About the challenges of social media The connection between isolation and brain health  ...

Bob Ross was a popular PBS painting instructor in the 80s and 90s, but little did he know that decades later, he’d develop a cult following of people who simply wanted to hear his voice. Why? Because it triggers an autonomous sensory meridian response, known as ASMR. ASMR is a well-studied phenomenon that creates a pleasant tingling sensation on the skin, relieves stress and helps you sleep. My guest on this week’s podcast is an academic, author, and expert on the subject. Listen and learn: ...

Kane Tanaka of Japan died in 2022 at the age of 119. Lucile Randon of France died in 2023 at 118. Jiroemon Kimura of Japan died in 2023 at 116, the oldest male ever. What did these people have in common? Were they biohackers? Did they do CrossFit? Did they take NAD supplements or run marathons? Nope. Like almost all centenarians they lived exceptionally long lives most-likely due to genetics, combined with a moderately healthy or even average healthy lifestyle. Despite the overwhelming...

Finland has been dubbed the happiest country in the world, but in reality Finns are content, not overwhelmed with joy. They have a high GDP per capita, good healthcare, low corruption, and a decent amount of personal freedom - all great things, but not necessarily a recipe for joy and happiness. Most people claim their biggest aspiration in life is to find happiness. This is a beautiful sentiment, and while we all love positive emotions like joy, laughter, celebration, adventure, and...

If you’re struggling with chronic pain and trying to find help, you’ve probably noticed that the pain management industry is a big minefield with hardcore drugs on one end of the spectrum and questionable potions and placebos on the other. In an ideal world, pain is adaptive and part of our body’s defense mechanisms, but all too often it can become untethered to the original insult and begin to attack your quality of life.   Listen and learn: The purpose of pain in our bodies  When to...

In the 1980s, Nancy Reagan coined the term, “Just say no!” and spearheaded the social aspect of the so-called war on drugs. It didn’t work, nor have any of the dozens of public, private, and international efforts to curb the disease of despair. Things have become so much worse that today, almost every single person listening has a friend or family member affected by addiction. My guest on this week’s podcast is a recovered addict herself and uses yoga as part of an integrated 12-step program...

Injuries can derail your best healthy lifestyle plans, and if you’re not careful, they can lead to deconditioning and loss of function. But here’s what you need to understand and accept: everyone with an active life gets injured - everyone. So rather than feeling guilt or regret about your aches and pains, it’s a much smarter approach to swiftly move into healing mode and take full ownership of the process. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a career yoga teacher and physical therapist whose...

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night, and we need good sleep quality as well, which means cycling through light, deep, and REM phases. While sleeping is the most natural of all human behaviors, many of us continue to struggle for a variety of reasons, including stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, and more. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a medical doctor whose work is focused on improving sleep for kids and adults. Listen and learn: Sleep hygiene 101  deal sleeping...

In regenerative medicine and longevity, it’s difficult to separate signal from noise. The search for the fountain of youth is a story as old as humanity, and while we’re all clearly aging, there are some technologies that hold real promise, particularly when it comes to things like joints and skin. On this week’s podcast we’ll discuss stem cells, specifically how specific nutrients can boost endogenous production. Listen and learn: How adaptogenic plants can measurably boost your own stem...

If you’re interested in meditation and have downloaded an app or purchased a book, yet fail to consistently follow through, this week’s podcast is for you. We’ll discuss meditation for average people living in the real world with recurring guest, Ann Swanson. Listen and learn: Meditation practice vs. meditative practices How to manage rumination Why different meditation practices can serve you in different scenarios How to start small and link your practice to an existing habit Links ...

The quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our relationships. While most people would probably agree with that statement, they would also admit that their relationships are often troubled. From a psychological perspective, attachment theory can be a helpful frame for understanding our patterns of emotional connection and strife, and it can also provide a path forward toward balance and security. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet an author whose work is centered around...

Health education is lacking in most school systems, to the extent that most high school graduates can’t name 10 muscles in their own bodies. Anatomical learning has historically been seen as boring, complex, and difficult to make relevant. Today, things have changed, thanks to 3D software, inexpensive models, and cadaver dissections freely available around the world. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet an online educator reaching millions monthly with anatomy and physiology videos using real...

I’m an introvert. In my private life, I don’t talk much and am mostly in my head. But since the forced isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve come to re-appreciate the power of community. Every single health goal I have becomes so much easier when I’m around positive, supportive people. So once a week, I force myself to practice yoga, take a run, ride my bike, or paddle surf with other people. On one of those runs, I joined up with 120 people on the beach in Barcelona running, doing...

There is no such thing as a perfect human diet because we are all unique and have unique objectives. The bodybuilder eats to build mass, the dieter plans meals to lose weight, while others use food to manage their mental health. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a metabolic psychiatrist who takes a food-first approach in her work with clients. Listen and learn: How to determine if an extreme or moderate approach is best for you How ketosis can fuel the brain and cool inflammation Why low...

“I don’t know the meaning of life, but I know the purpose of life: to survive and procreate.” This quote was from a biologist on the podcast eight years ago, and it stuck with me because if he’s right, I’ve achieved my biological imperative and I’m now on borrowed time. While that may sound soulless and even nihilistic, it’s also a helpful frame (for me) as I attempt to make choices to optimize my life in the second half - my bonus time. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a researcher who...

You’ve got a bum knee or wonky hip. Your doctor says you’re a candidate for a joint replacement, and your insurance has approved the procedure - but you’re not sure if you’re ready for that. You know that joint replacement success rates are extremely high. But you also know this is a major surgery with long-term effects, and you’d like to dig your heels in a little longer. What about platelet rich plasma (PRP)? What about stem cells? On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a regenerative medical...

Osteoarthritis, the wear and tear inflammation of your joints, is so common that some research suggests half of us over the age of 65 will be affected. You’ve probably heard that movement is medicine, but how much movement? And while ibuprofen helps, is long-term use safe? What about all the weird and expensive treatment options? On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a Professor and rheumatology expert whose work is focused on finding solutions for this common disease. Listen and learn: ...

The top New Year's resolutions involve weight loss and fitness. In my industry, January is boom time and February is gloom time as most people have given up on their New Year energy by Valentine’s Day. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a non-dogmatic weight loss coach who takes a sustainable, forever approach to sane weight management. You’ll learn: The importance of eating high satiety foods Why cinnamon can be a great addition to your morning coffee How to navigate liquid calories ...

Alcohol is involved in 28 percent of all fatal car accidents, 37 percent of all violent crime, and is responsible for an unknown number of mental and emotional health challenges. On the flip side, it also has a rich tradition of craftsmanship and cuisine, culture and celebration. In moderation, alcohol has pro-social benefits, lowers social anxiety, and is loved by billions. If you’re one of those people who can have a drink now and then without much of a thought and certainly no problem,...

If weight loss is one of your New Year’s resolutions, you’re probably as frustrated and confused as the rest of us with all the conflicting advice and extreme approaches being touted as a forever solution. In 2023, calorie counting resurfaced as a popular approach to weight loss - and that’s just fine - but many people find that their calorie math somehow doesn’t work and are left feeling discouraged. If you can relate, this solo podcast is for you. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why calories...

Many people are worried that their favorite deodorant is going to cause them an early death, but when it comes down to it, we’re more worried that we’re going to smell like death. This conundrum perfectly articulates the juggling act between the short term benefit and long term risk with skin care products. In an ideal world, regulators would keep us from harm’s way. In the real world, long-term cancer risk, hormone disruption, and even organ damage are difficult to track and quantify so this...

Sexual health requires collaboration and alignment between partners. Many couples get stuck and the resulting conflicts commonly escalate to breakups. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a professor and psychologist focused specifically on women’s sexual health, using mindfulness as a foundation in her work. Listen and learn: What sex drive discrepancy (SDD) is and the challenges that arise How antidepressant drugs can contribute to sexual dysfunction even after discontinued use Why...