“The data shows that engagement in spiritual practices leads people to be healthier and live longer, happier lives," says David DeSteno, Ph.D.

David, a psychologist and professor at Northeastern University, joins us to discuss the science behind spiritual practices and how they can benefit our well-being, plus:

- How David defines spirituality (~03:07)

- The science-backed health benefits of spirituality (~06:27)

- The power of believing in something bigger than yourself (~09:54)

- Why spirituality is just as important as exercise & nutrition (~12:49)

- How organized prayer benefits your health (~14:52)

- Why organized religion is declining (~18:57)

- Why church should be more like Burning Man (~22:35)

- Are fitness classes the new faith institutions? (~25:45)

- Do fitness instructors have a greater responsibility? (~31:46)

- Where spirituality meets AI technology (~34:06)

- How to assess your spiritual health (~41:05)

- Easy ways to flex your “soul muscles” (~43:00)

- How meditation makes you nicer (~48:51)

- Exciting research on psychedelics & spirituality (~52:14)

- A spiritual lesson in grief (~55:35)

- What to say to someone who rejects spirituality (~01:01:56)

Referenced in the episode:

- David's podcast, How God Works.

- David's piece in the Wall Street Journal.

- "Church Should Be More Like Burning Man."

- mbg Podcast episode #344, with Lisa Miller, Ph.D. & her research.

- David's study on motor synchrony.

- Molly Crockett's research on Burning Man.

- Casper te Kuile's research on fitness spaces fulfilling spiritual needs.

- David's meditation & compassion study.

- David's meditation & aggression study.

- David's ongoing gratitude study.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video onYouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

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“Research shows that people who do new things are happier—even something as simple as trying new restaurants," says Gretchen Rubin.

Gretchen, a leading happiness scholar and bestselling author, joins us to discuss how to tap into your five senses—which, in turn, helps strengthen your mental health, creativity, and energy—plus:

- Why Gretchen wrote a book on the 5 senses (~00:11)

- How to make mindfulness more approachable (~05:03)

- What you need to know about the 9 senses (~09:59)

- The reason some people love rewatching TV shows (~12:30)

- The health benefits of Opposite Day (~15:45)

- How to find joy in the mundane (~19:44)

- The benefits of boredom (~25:27)

- How to become a better listener (~27:29)

- How to use music to boost your energy (~32:57)

- The interplay of smell & taste (~36:25)

- How to know if you’re an abstainer or a moderator (~43:26)

- The healing power of touch (~48:31)

- What to do when you walk into a party alone (~50:47)

- Why touch is so tied to emotion (~54:38)

- How your brain filters sensory information (~58:27)

- How the 5 senses can reduce stress & boost energy (~01:01:34)

Referenced in the episode:

- Gretchen's book, Life In The Five Senses.

- Gretchen's podcast, Happier With Gretchen Rubin.

- Gretchen's previous book, Better Than Before.

- mbg Podcast episode #350, with Gretchen.

- Listen to Gretchen on Dan Harris' podcast.

- Research on new experiences & happiness.

- A study on phones at the table & distraction.

- The Nostalgia Machine.

- Gretchen's Five Senses Quiz.

- mbg Podcast episode #272, with Gary Taubes.

- mbg Podcast episode #365, with Mark Schatzker.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

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“Respect your body where it is,” says Christine Yu.

Christine, an award-winning sports journalist and author, joins us to discuss everything women should know about starting an exercise routine, plus:

- Christine’s personal & professional background (~00:15)

- How women & men exercise differently (~02:46)

- Why women tend to have more knee injuries (~05:04)

- How to prevent injuries as you age (~13:21)

- The importance of rest & recovery for kids (~17:48)

- How to raise your kids to be good sports (~22:20)

- How early you should start strength training (~25:44)

- How to eat for hormonal balance (~30:42)

- Where women have more strength advantages over men (~34:51)

- How to enhance your mental game (~39:38)

- Why so many people get injured playing pickle ball (~44:38)

- How long you actually need to rest & recover after an injury (~48:07)

- The importance of joy in exercise (~54:43)

- The future of exercise research (~57:18)

- The woman athlete Christine admires most (~01:00:51)

Trigger warning: This podcast contains mentions of disordered eating.

Referenced in the episode:

- Christine's book, Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes.

- mbg Podcast episode #404, with Maria Shriver.

- Research on ACL tears in women.

- A study on knee differences between female dancers & soccer players.

- A study on female vs. male ultra-marathoners.

Tale 15% off methylation support+ with code SUPPORT15. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I spent the first half of my life putting people to sleep and doing surgery. I’m spending the second half of my life waking them up and preventing surgery," says Matt Cook, M.D.

Matt, a pioneering regenerative medicine expert, joins us to discuss all the biohacking tools that will transform longevity as we know it, plus:

- Matt’s personal & professional background (~00:18)

- The different types of injections in Matt’s practice (~03:51)

- The science & benefits of NAD+ therapy (~07:56)

- How early screening technology can save your life (~18:54)

- How to know if you’re biologically fit (~26:08)

- How to assess your VO2 max & why it matters (~29:16)

- What you need to know about Ozempic (~31:52)

- Can you microdose Ozempic? (~38:28)

- Who should avoid peptide injections like Ozempic? (~43:44)

- Other peptide injections for gut health, immunity & more (~49:04)

- A primer on stem cell therapy (~51:04)

- The best lifestyle habits to optimize your gut microbiome (~56:36)

- Wild meat versus grass-fed, farm-raised meat (~01:03:19)

- The future of regenerative medicine & biohacking (~01:06:36)

- Why plasma is the most underrated health topic (~01:11:55)

- How to exercise for longevity (~01:15:25)

- The best tools to regulate pain (~01:20:56)

Tale 15% off methylation support+ with code SUPPORT15. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

Referenced in the episode:

- Check out BioReset.

- Grail.

- Function.

- Prenuvo.

- mbg Podcast episodes #473, #283, #193, #45, and #22, with Mark Hyman, M.D.

- mbg Podcast episode #480, with Peter Attia, M.D.

- Listen to Peter on The Megyn Kelly Show.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

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“Disease and pain aren't our enemies. Our job is not to get rid of them but to learn from them," says Gladys McGarey, M.D.

Gladys, a 102-year-old board-certified integrative medicine doctor, joins us to discuss all of her her tried-and-true secrets for longevity, plus:

- Gladys’ personal & professional background (~02:13)

- Why longevity doesn’t have to be complicated (~07:48)

- Gladys’ six pillars of longevity (~09:29)

- The power of mindset for longevity (~14:01)

- How to overcome pain & trauma (~18:35)

- How Gladys defines health (~20:14)

- The connection between spirituality & healing (~22:35)

- How we can overcome the loneliness epidemic (~24:15)

- How lack of purpose sabotages your health (~27:52)

- How Gladys overcomes adversity (~30:11)

- What we should all do more of to live healthier lives (~31:40)

- How to find your purpose (~34:18)

- One thing everyone should do to promote longevity (~37:19)

- What advice Gladys would give her younger self (~37:59)

- What Gladys eats in a day (~38:50)

- How Gladys met Gandhi (~39:48)

- Why love is the greatest healer (~41:37)

Order a copy of my new book The Joy Of Well-Being at thejoyofwellbeing.com! 

Referenced in the episode:

- Gladys' book, The Well-Lived Life.

- Check out Gladys' website.

- mbg Podcast episode #344, with Lisa Miller, Ph.D.

- Lisa's research on spirituality & depression.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

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"Keep an eye on your muscle mass. Treat it like it is literally gold," says Juliet Starrett.

Kelly and Juliet Starrett, mobility pioneers who have spent decades working with pro-athletes, Olympians, and Navy Seals, join us to discuss the daily movement tips that can literally save your life, plus:

- Kelly & Juliet’s background and health journey (~01:59)

- What we’re still getting wrong about movement (~10:20)

- How to optimize your walk (~19:57)

- The power of small movement breaks (~25:33)

- The health benefits of fidgeting & perching (~28:23)

- How to avoid & get rid of cankles (~31:32)

- How to minimize the negative effects of sitting (~35:10)

- How to promote better mobility & range of motion (~38:52)

- How to dress up your daily walk (~45:55)

- The real reason people get injured playing pickle ball (~50:40)

- How to avoid injuries in an active lifestyle (~54:10)

- Why you should do downward facing dog every day (~57:58)

- Why jumping is the key to good health (~59:27)

- The best mobility practices by decade (~01:05:27)

Order a copy of my new book The Joy Of Well-Being at thejoyofwellbeing.com! 

Referenced in the episode:

- Kelly & Juliet's book, Built To Move.

- A study on 8,000 steps per day & longevity.

- Follow Kelly & Juliet on Instagram.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“There’s no such thing as a good or bad memory. There's a trained memory and an untrained memory," says Jim Kwik.

Jim, a leading expert in brain optimization, memory improvement, and accelerated learning, joins us to discuss how to enhance your brain power, plus:

- Jim’s powerful brain heath journey (~02:03)

- Practices that help Jim become a leader in brain optimization (~08:25)

- Why we’ve been taught to learn all wrong (~16:24)

- The 10 keys for a more focused brain (~22:06)

- How to boost your reaction time by 30% (~28:40)

- The health benefits of cleaning your space (~34:33)

- Why you should be a lifelong learner (~37:45)

- Sneaky & common habits hurting your memory (~39:48)

- Is AI helping or hurting our brain health? (~47:22)

- How to know if you have digital dementia (~48:57)

- How to improve your selective memory (~52:54)

- A trick to remember people’s names (~57:25)

- The best learning & memorization tips by decade (~01:02:43)

- The health benefits of reading (~01:04:44)

- How to identify your unique brain type (~01:07:51)

Order a copy of my new book The Joy Of Well-Being at thejoyofwellbeing.com! 

Referenced in the episode:

- Jim's book, Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life.

- Listen to Colleen & I on Jim's podcast.

- Research on a clean environment & mental clarity.

- The Nun Study & its commentary.

- Sign up for Jim's speed reading masterclass.

- Learn more about Jim's memory courses.

- Visit jimkwik.com/mindbodygreen to take a free brain archetype quiz.

- mbg Podcast episode #378 and #150, with Daniel Amen, M.D.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“If you're scared of something, make yourself do it," says Lydia Fenet.

Lydia, a globally recognized speaker and charity auctioneer, joins us to discuss how to train yourself to be more confident, plus:

- Lydia’s journey to becoming an auctioneer (~01:36)

- How Lydia built confidence in her career (~04:47)

- How to build confidence in kids (~07:09)

- Confidence vs. self-esteem (~10:48)

- Lydia’s power move when she’s feeling insecure (~14:11)

- How to measure your own confidence level (~19:00)

- The role of attractiveness in confidence (~21:38)

- How to rethink failure & avoid a victim narrative (~25:02)

- How your mindset can affect your physical health (~29:22)

- How to strengthen your confidence muscles (~32:10)

- How posture & movement habits affect confidence (~34:00)

- How to own the room with ease (~37:15)

- Why we’re so captivated by energy & enthusiasm (~42:10)

- How to know if someone’s lying to your face (~43:34)

- The difference between online & IRL confidence (~46:46)

- What makes a good & bad auctioneer (~50:42)

- The art & psychology of persuasion (~53:33)

- What advice Lydia would give her 20-year-old self (~55:38)

- 3 things to do every day to build confidence (~56:55)

Order a copy of my new book The Joy Of Well-Being at thejoyofwellbeing.com! 

Referenced in the episode:

- Lydia's book, Claim Your Confidence.

- Follow Lydia on Instagram.

- Lydia's previous book, The Most Powerful Woman In The Room Is You.

- Learn more about Lydia's auctioneering agency.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attention listeners: We have been getting so much wrong about longevity. 

After all, what's the point of living to 100 if you're not being joyful? 

In celebration of our new book, The Joy Of Well-Being, integrative medicine doctor and four-time New York Times bestselling author Sara Gottfried, M.D., interviews Colleen and I about the wellness myths we see all the time and the simple longevity tips that have changed our lives. In this special episode, we cover:

- What we've never shared about our fertility journey (~01:35) 

- Colleen’s experience with a near-catastrophic pulmonary embolism (~09:11)

- How do you know when it’s time to change your life (~14:37)

- How to separate the fundamentals & accessories of well-being (~20:16)

- Why Colleen & I decided to write a book together (~24:33)

- How to discover the “doc stars” on social media (~28:06)

- How social connection can save your life (~31:44)

- How to exercise for longevity (~34:15)

- The importance of protein & building muscle mass (~36:20)

- Why love is the best drug (~41:39)

- What you can do today for better social connections (~44:57)

- The difference between wellness & well-being (~50:22)

- How spirituality can reduce your risk for depression (~53:00)

- Why we need more nuance in the health space (~54:10)

Referenced in the episode:

- The Joy Of Well-Being.

- Cigna survey on social interactions.

- A study on isolation & mortality.

- A study on musculoskeletal health, falls & mortality.

- The Roseto study.

- Research on spirituality & depression.

- An article on anger & virality.

- Episode #344, with Lisa Miller, Ph.D.

- Episode #346, with Esther Perel.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

- Learn more about the Vitamix FoodCycler Eco 5. 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Our standard of what is healthy has declined," says Michelle Shapiro, R.D.

Michelle, a functional dietitian, joins us to discuss all of her nutrition tips to reduce anxiety, optimize hunger hormones, and improve digestion, plus:

- Michelle’s background & weight loss journey (~01:51)

- How to lose weight in a healthy way (~05:37)

- How to know if your hunger hormones are off (~07:05)

- What we’re still getting wrong about weight loss (~12:30)

- How to eat to reduce anxiety (~17:01)

- How to know if you have a gut issue (~19:36)

- The dichotomy between intuitive eating & diet culture (~24:51)

- How Ayurveda & traditional Chinese medicine influence her practice (~33:43)

- Michelle’s top tips to enhance digestion (~35:55)

- The link between hydration & hunger (~39:55)

- How to support & detox your liver (~42:12)

- Why you shouldn’t take nutrition studies at face value (~52:26)

- The middle ground between body positivity & functional nutrition (~59:11)

- How to reduce acid reflux (~01:03:10)

- Michelle’s top 5 healing foods (~01:04:43)

- How to take a personalized approach to nutrition (~01:11:29)

Trigger warning: This podcast contains mentions of disordered eating.

Referenced in the episode:

- Michelle's podacst, Quiet the Diet.

- mbg Podcast episode #466, with Don Layman, Ph.D.

- mbg Podcast episode #436, with Gabrielle Lyon, D.O.

- Listen to Michelle's episode on Gabrielle's podcast.

- A study on weight regain among Biggest Loser contestants.

- A study on dietitians & disordered eating.

- A study on fat consumption & mortality risk.

- Shop LMNT.

- Sign up for The Long Game. 

- Learn more about the Vitamix FoodCycler Eco 5.

Order a copy of my new book The Joy Of Well-Being at thejoyofwellbeing.com! 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video onYouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices