The Dan Buettner Podcast

Harvard epidemiologist Dr. Walter Willett joins Dan Buettner to unpack over 40 years of groundbreaking research tracking 300,000 lives. Together, they shatter persistent nutritional myths surrounding the low-fat craze of the 1980s, the truth about seed oils, and why the war on carbohydrates missed the mark. Discover how daily habits, community environments, and smart food choices—including Dr. Willett's famous 72-cent lunch—impact your long-term health. Whether you want to beat the odds of type 2 diabetes, understand the reality of red meat, or learn how local communities can reverse national health trends, this episode delivers actionable science to help you live to 100.

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Retirement is being sold to us as a monolith, but MIT Age Lab founder Joe Coughlin reveals it is actually as complex—and critical—as any other phase of life. In this episode, we unpack the hidden realities of aging, longevity planning, and why the traditional blueprint for growing old is broken. Discover why the first year of retirement can trigger a dangerous mortality spike for men, the real psychological forces behind "gray divorce", and why joining a club or community can add years to your life better than any pharmaceutical hack. Plus, learn how 40-year-old mothers are shaping the future, why college towns secretly make the best anti-aging environments, and how to design your next 8,000 days for maximum happiness.

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Is almost everything you think you know about nutrition completely wrong? In this episode, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist, public health scientist, and director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, joins The Dan Buettner Podcast to dismantle decades of dietary dogma. Discover why 94% of American adults have suboptimal cardiometabolic health, why total fat and seed oils aren't the villains we made them out to be, and how ultra-processed foods are silently driving our chronic disease crisis. Plus, Dr. Mozaffarian breaks down the real science behind food as medicine, whole grains, and actionable policy solutions for a healthier future.

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Award-winning health reporter Allison Aubrey joins Dan Buettner to cut through wellness hype and reveal what actually slows down aging. From her own midlife wake-up call to the simple "Brain Care Score" quiz linked to a 50% lower risk of stroke and dementia, Aubrey shares actionable strategies to boost brain health, build functional strength, and master "The Third Turn" of life with purpose and vitality.

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What if the secret to living past 100 isn't going to the gym, but how your daily life is built? On location in Bolotana, Sardinia, Dan Buettner sits down with demographer Dr. Gianni Pes—the man who coined the term "Blue Zone". Together, they break down 25 years of unassailable data, the power of family, and why natural movement beats workout culture every time.

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Why does 10,000 steps a day barely budge your biological clock, while a high-intensity workout can actively turn back the clock on your DNA? Pioneering geneticist Dr. Steve Horvath joins Dan Buettner to expose what really drives epigenetic aging—and why expensive biohacking shortcuts often fall flat. Discover the exact VO2 max threshold required to reverse your cellular age, the truth behind popular longevity drugs like rapamycin, and simple, low-cost daily habits that protect your muscle mass and lower multi-morbidity risk. Stop guessing with your health and learn the proven, science-backed mechanisms to keep your mind and body young.

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From his breakout role as Dwight Schrute on The Office to his global journeys in search of human connection, actor Rainn Wilson reflects on fame, personal growth, and mental health. In an candid conversation on The Dan Buettner Podcast, Wilson opens up about his childhood in remote Nicaragua, his long battles with severe anxiety and panic attacks, and how he learned to reframe personal suffering. He breaks down why modern society needs "leg day for the soul," offering a fresh perspective on spiritual resilience, everyday happiness, and why true fulfillment requires looking far beyond professional success.

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In this transformative episode, author and advocate Shaka Senghor shares how spending 19 years in prison—including four and a half years in solitary confinement—became the ultimate catalyst for emotional healing, mental resilience, and personal rebirth. While extreme isolation can destroy the spirit, Shaka used his time to examine his past, process deep trauma, and master his mind through writing and self-reflection.

His journey offers a powerful masterclass for anyone looking to release chronic stress, break free from self-imposed limitations, and build unwavering inner peace. Shaka reveals how overcoming internal bitterness is vital not just for mental health, but for cellular longevity and lifelong vitality. Discover his actionable insights on the healing power of forgiveness, the necessity of emotional detoxification, and how to rewrite your personal narrative no matter where you are starting from today.

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At 96 years old, Oscar nominee June Squibb has zero plans to retire. In this candid interview, the veteran actress opens up about breaking Hollywood’s age barriers, working with star director Scarlett Johansson, and why roles for 90-year-olds are more in demand than ever. Plus, she shares her witty, no-nonsense approach to longevity—from daily newspaper crosswords and voracious reading to the golden rule that keeps her mind sharp: "never dwell".

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In a moving interview, actor William Shatner and his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, reveal their parallel battles with stage 4 cancer and how facing death together deepened their bond. The duo discuss why finding top oncologists was a matter of life and death, how their shared health crisis inspired their podcast "No Time But Now," and what Shatner’s journey to space taught him about life, family, and longevity. Plus, insights on health advocacy and staying grounded through tragedy.

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