The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: The Pleasure Trap Is Getting Worse. Here's How to Escape It. | Dr. Doug Lisle

   Why does healthy eating feel so hard—even when we know exactly what to do? Dr. Doug Lisle joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room to explain the psychology behind The Pleasure Trap and why today's food environment may be even more difficult to navigate than it was two decades ago. Dr. Lisle is the co-author of The Pleasure Trap and a longtime voice in evolutionary psychology. In this conversation, he shares his perspective on why highly processed foods can be so alluring, why shame and willpower are not enough, and how people can build a more sustainable whole-food plant-based way of eating. In this episode: Why the modern food environment can feel impossible to escape The psychology of pleasure, pain avoidance, and habit Why healthy diets can fail when they feel too restrictive Dr. Lisle's "vegan Bushman" approach to calorie density and satisfaction What he thinks about GLP-1 weight-loss medications How to judge dietary progress without obsessing over daily scale changes A preview of his upcoming book, Sherlock Holmes and the Secret of Life Dr. Lisle will also be joining Chuck at the Plant Powered Party in Las Vegas, September 4–6. Chef AJ, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Brooke Goldner, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Columbus Batiste, and many more will be there, too. Can't make it to Vegas? Watch all three days live from anywhere with replay access for a full year. This is Chef AJ's last event for a long while, so don't miss it. Exam Roomies of the Week Evan Haas Lucy EverHope Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee. 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom 🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas 👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty 📕 The Pleasure Trap 👉 https://amzn.to/4xX1hes 📗 Sherlock Holmes and the Secret of Life 👉 https://bit.ly/SherlockLisleBook This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action

   September 02, 2026·1h 21min
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   Number 2: Fiber May Matter More Than Protein for Muscle and Longevity

   Can fiber be even more important than protein for athletic performance, muscle health, and healthy aging? Dr. Regan A. Stiegmann and Dr. Sharon McDowell-Larsen join "The Exam Room Podcast" to challenge some of the biggest assumptions in fitness and sports nutrition. Dr. McDowell-Larsen is an exercise physiologist, nine-time Ironman finisher, and age-group world champion who remains an elite competitor at 65. She reveals how changing her diet helped resolve debilitating breathing problems, eliminate her need for three asthma medications, and revive an athletic career she thought was over. Dr. Stiegmann is a former U.S. Air Force major and flight surgeon who helped advance lifestyle and performance medicine in the military. She explains why nutrition can influence everything from muscle recovery and cognitive performance to military readiness and long-term health. Together, they explore the emerging gut-muscle connection and explain why America's obsession with protein may be causing athletes to overlook fiber. In this episode: Why protein alone may not prevent age-related muscle loss How fiber supports muscle, bone, and metabolic health What a 65-year-old Ironman champion eats in a typical day The relationship between gut health and muscle function Why exercise cannot erase the effects of a poor diet The potential risks of extreme endurance exercise How a plant-based diet may improve recovery Why some professional athletes keep plant-based eating a secret How daily choices determine the trajectory of aging Dr. Stiegmann and Dr. McDowell-Larsen are the co-authors of "Staying in the Game," an evidence-based guide to maintaining physical, mental, and metabolic performance throughout life. The six-week online course begins Sept. 14 and features live instruction, expert Q&A, recordings, athlete-focused recipes, and practical strategies for improving energy, endurance, strength, and recovery. Chuck and professional wrestler Dan Healy, known to wrestling fans as Austin Aries, will be among the featured presenters. 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom 🎉 PCRM Sports Nutrition Course 👉 https://bit.ly/PlantBasedAthletePCRM 📕 Staying In The Game Book 👉 https://amzn.to/3UUx5T4 🚴‍♀️ Sharen McDowell-Larsen Substack 👉 https://sharonmcdowelllarsen.substack.com This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action

   September 07, 2026·1h 9min
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   Number 3: She Survived Cancer and a Heart Transplant, Then Made History | Dr. Dawn Mussallem

   Dr. Dawn Mussallem survived stage 4 cancer, received a heart transplant, and became the first person in history to complete a full marathon just one year later. Her remarkable story doesn't end there. After experiencing unimaginable loss, Dawn found new love in the produce aisle—thanks to a purple sweet potato. And after 25 years at Mayo Clinic, she is beginning another major chapter as chief medical officer at Fountain Life. Dawn joins Chuck Carroll to share her extraordinary journey and the health lessons she has learned along the way. They discuss: The difference between longevity and health span The foods associated with healthier aging Why fiber may be one of the most overlooked health tools Protein needs for active adults and people taking GLP-1 medications The surprising reason Dawn developed prediabetes How sleep can affect blood sugar Personalized nutrition and the gut microbiome Her historic marathon after receiving a heart transplant Finding new love in the produce aisle Her major career move after 25 years at Mayo Clinic Chuck and Dawn will both appear at the Plant Powered Party, September 4–6 in Las Vegas. Explore the complete speaker lineup, schedule, tickets, and current virtual-access information at the link below. 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom 🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas 👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty 🎉 Dr. Dawn Mussallem 👉 https://dr-dawn.co This episode is powered by Dr. Brooke Bussard — a lifestyle medicine health coach who believes in the power of plants to maximize wellness. 👉 https://drbrookebussard.com This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action

   August 27, 2026·1h 10min
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   Number 4: Diet Power: Olympian Gets Stronger, No Longer Eats Meat | Kendrick Farris

   Can an athlete become stronger, recover faster, and clean and jerk more than 440 pounds without eating meat? Three-time Olympian Kendrick Farris says the answer is yes. Kendrick represented the United States at the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games and was featured in the hit documentary The Game Changers. He ate a standard American diet during his first two Olympic appearances. By his third, he was completely plant-based—and he says the difference was extraordinary. Kendrick tells Chuck Carroll that he did not lose explosiveness after changing his diet. He believes he gained more, recovered faster, completed more work, and became stronger. He also opens up about growing up in poverty in Shreveport, Louisiana, where there were days when his family did not have enough food. When he asked his mother what they were eating, her answer was sometimes, "Fast and pray." That experience helped build the faith and discipline that would eventually carry him to the Olympic stage. In this episode: How much protein an Olympic weightlifter eats How his performance changed after going plant-based His experience competing nine times in one year Why recovery became his greatest advantage Why he replaced whey with plant-based protein The bloating he experienced before changing protein sources How to order plant-based food at any restaurant What The Game Changers did for plant-based athletes Why he believes strength is physical, mental, and spiritual The Physicians Committee's Plant-Powered Performance sports nutrition course begins Sept. 14 and features live instruction, expert Q&A, recordings, athlete-focused recipes, and practical strategies for improving energy, endurance, strength, and recovery. 🎉 PCRM Sports Nutrition Course 👉 https://bit.ly/PlantBasedAthletePCRM 🏋🏿‍♂️ Kendrick Farris 👉 https://blessthegymforever.com 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action

   September 09, 2026·46min
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   Number 5: How to Get Healthy When Nobody Else Is | Brenda Workman

   Brenda Workman transformed her health. Now she is working to transform an entire state. After losing 60 pounds and getting off cholesterol and blood pressure medication with a plant-based diet, Brenda became a Food for Life instructor and dedicated herself to improving health in her home state of West Virginia. She teaches cooking classes, speaks to nursing students and businesses, appears on television, and trains community organizations to bring practical nutrition education to the people they serve. In this inspiring conversation with Chuck Carroll, Brenda explains why personal stories can reach people when facts alone cannot, how to talk about healthy eating without creating defensiveness, and why you should never wait for your family to change before taking responsibility for your own health. 🧠 You'll also learn: How to eat plant-based when your family isn't plant-based Why respect is more effective than shame How to cook healthy food for one or two people Ways to make plant-based eating practical and affordable How Brenda is training others to teach healthy cooking Why delicious food is essential for lasting change Brenda's Wellness Weekend is coming to Canaan Valley Resort in West Virginia on October 9–10, 2026. Chuck will be there with Brenda, Cyrus Khambatta, and Kylie Buckner from Evolution Health for presentations, workshops, exercise, delicious plant-based food, and an unforgettable fall weekend. Exam Roomies of the Week Barbara Kurtzweil Kelly Bonnell Marjorie Lewis Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee. 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom 📘 Wellness Weekend Tickets 👉 https://bit.ly/WellnessWeekendWV This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action

   August 24, 2026·50min
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