In this episode, Matt sits down with Thomas Seager, an associate professor at Arizona State University (ASU), to explore the challenges and future directions of healthcare. Drawing from his background in environmental engineering and public health, Thomas discusses the pressing health issues affecting longevity in Americans and a potential shift from a reactive healthcare model to one that emphasizes proactive health management. Together, Matt and Thomas examine the complexities of early disease detection, the promise and limitations of AI in analyzing biomarkers, and the difficulties of separating reliable information from misinformation in today’s digital landscape. Thomas shares his personal experiences with biomarkers and resilience practices, such as cold exposure therapy, while he and Matt discuss the biases in medical research and differing approaches to health.

Thomas is an Associate Professor at ASU in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. His research focuses on sustainable engineering and resilience, addressing topics such as infrastructure resilience, sustainable energy systems, and environmental ethics. He is also the co-founder of Morozko Forge, a company that promotes cold immersion therapy as a means of supporting metabolic resilience.

0:00 Introduction

2:34 Environmental engineering and public health

6:29 Major health crises affecting longevity

10:30 Public’s evolving views on modern healthcare

11:45 “Repair Shop” mentality in medicine

12:59 Two key questions: Advancing proactive medicine and filtering out misinformation

16:00 Understanding biomarkers

18:35 Weighing the risks and rewards of early detection

25:10 Japan’s 1991 Cold Stimulation Study

31:10 Bias and skepticism in medical research—different perspectives

39:12 The positivist approach to hypothesis-driven work

Producers: Tara Mei, Nicholas Arapis

Video Editor: Jacob Keliikoa

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on the Optispan podcast is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.

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