Body of Wonder

Latest Episodes:

Episode 60: Stronger Backs and Healthier Lives: Integrative Approaches to Back Pain with Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

Back pain is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—health challenges, affecting 8 out of 10 people in their lifetime. In this episode of Body of Wonder, Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil welcome Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia, a double board-certified physiatrist and integrative medicine physician, to explore why back pain is so prevalent and what we can do about it.

Dr. Lakhia shares insights from his clinical work and personal journey, highlighting the importance of posture, breath, muscle balance, and the mind-body connection. He discusses strategies for prevention, tools for recovery, and when more advanced therapies like injections, red light therapy, or minimally invasive surgery may be appropriate. Together, they address central sensitization, the power of stress reduction, and practical exercises that can help strengthen the spine and restore resilience.

If you’re managing chronic pain or looking for ways to protect your back for the long term, this discussion offers evidence-based, integrative approaches to managing back pain and maintaining mobility.

Episode #64: Integrative Oncology: Transforming Cancer Management Jul 28, 2026

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Discover how personalized approaches like adaptive therapy, fasting, and integrative medicine are transforming cancer management, especially in the event of metastatic cancer. Dr. Dawn Lemanne, a medical oncologist, and fellowship faculty at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine shares insights from her pioneering work in the field with Drs Andrew Weil and Victoria Maizes, emphasizing real-time treatment adjustments to better manage cancer. Main Topics: - The concept and practice of patient-specific, adaptive oncology - Understanding tumor behavior - The role of fasting, blood sugar control, and lifestyle in enhancing treatment efficacy - Emerging integrative therapies including hyperbaric oxygen, sauna, and high-dose IV vitamin C - The shift toward treating cancer as a chronic manageable disease

Episode #63: The Science of Canine Cognition and Connection with Evan MacLean, PhD Feb 27, 2026

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How do dogs think, and why do humans share such a powerful bond with them? In this conversation, Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil sit down with Dr. Evan MacLean, director of the Arizona Canine Cognition Center at the University of Arizona, to explore the science behind the canine mind.

From how dogs understand verbal language and read human emotions to the role of oxytocin in strengthening our connection, Dr. MacLean shares the research on canine cognition, attachment, and canine aging. The discussion also dives into the groundbreaking Dog Aging Project, which aims to uncover insights that could extend both canine and human healthspan.

Join us to hear how dogs experience the world and what they can teach us about connection.

Episode #62: Helping the Body to Heal Faster with Dr. Victoria Maizes Dec 17, 2025

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In this special episode of Body of Wonder, Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Ann Marie Chiasson turn the tables and interview their longtime colleague and co-host, Dr. Victoria Maizes, about her upcoming book Heal Faster: Unlock Your Body’s Rapid Recovery System. They explore the body’s innate capacity to heal, practical strategies for reducing anxiety, the hidden impact of environmental toxins, personalized nutrition approaches, the value of supplements, and how to prepare for and recover from surgery using integrative tools. Dr. Maizes shares compelling patient stories and actionable guidance that empowers listeners to support their own rapid recovery.

Episode #61: Understanding POTS and Long COVID with Dr. Talal Moukabary Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil sit down with Dr. Talal Moukabary, an expert in cardiac electrophysiology, for a look at POTS, long COVID, and the autonomic nervous system.

They discuss why symptoms are often misunderstood, explore how the autonomic nervous system works, how POTS overlaps with long COVID, and how simple strategies, ranging from hydration to breathing exercises can help.

Episode #59 The Microbiome Matters - What Science Says About Gut Health with Suzanne Devkota, PhD Jun 30, 2025

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What does your gut say about your health? In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Devkota, gut health researcher and microbiome expert and hosts Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes, explore how our modern lifestyles and highly processed diets impact the gut microbiome, the powerful role of microbial metabolites on health, and the real story behind antibiotics—do they ruin your gut for good? You’ll also hear practical advice about how to support and restore gut health, including nutrition tips, the use of prebiotics and probiotics, and emerging research on postbiotics and food-as-medicine approaches.

Episode #58: Stem Cells and Innate Healing with Dr. Doris Taylor May 21, 2025

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In this episode, ground-breaking regenerative medicine researcher Dr. Doris Taylor joins Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil to explore the science, promise, and pitfalls of stem cell therapy. Dr. Taylor, who bioengineered the first beating human heart, explains how stem cells work, why they often fail to regenerate heart and brain tissue, and what needs to change in clinical trials to unlock their full healing potential. Dr. Maizes and Dr. Weil ask about gender differences in stem cells and the ethics of unregulated clinics. They discuss inflammation and autoimmune disease and share their own perspectives on the body’s innate healing ability and the future of medicine.

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Episode #57: Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, and Supporting Bone Health with Dr. Olga Kromo Mar 25, 2025

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In this episode of Body of Wonder, hosts Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes are joined by integrative rheumatologist, Dr. Olga Kromo, to discuss practical strategies for enhancing bone health as well as ways to address osteopenia and osteoporosis. Dr. Kromo shares insights on the role of nutrition, exercise, and environmental factors in bone health, and emphasizes the importance of preventive care. Drs Weil, Maizes and Kromo discuss the best dietary sources of calcium, the synergy of key nutrients like vitamin D and K2, and the impact of inflammation and environmental toxins on bone density. Whether you're looking to protect your own bone health as you age or support your patients’, this episode offers cutting edge integrative approaches to maintain strong bones.

Episode #56 Sweating It Out: The Scientific Benefits of Sauna Therapy with Joy Hussain, MD, PhD Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil delve into physiological and mental health benefits of sauna therapy with Dr. Joy Hussain, MD, PhD. An expert in sauna research, Dr. Hussain reveals the unique effects of various heat therapies—from traditional Finnish saunas to infrared and steam saunas. Explore how sauna activates the body’s natural stress responses, boosting cardiovascular health, improving muscle recovery, and even mitgating perimenopausal symptoms in women. The conversation addresses common questions like, “Do saunas detox the body?” and “Which health conditions have evidence to support sauna use?”

Episode #5 David Quammen - Out of the Wild - What a Global Virus Teaches Us May 19, 2020

Show notes

The spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-COV2 is a seismic global event that has pushed healthcare systems and societies into new realities. So, how does a virus become a global pandemic? After all, the world is veiled with viruses and this isn't the first time human history has been altered by one - we need only to recall viruses like the Bubonic plague, Polio, and SARS to see evidence. Humans have a long and complex relationship with viruses. Like most living organisms, viruses co-evolved alongside humans for millions of years. The interaction between viruses and mammals has even permanently altered species' DNA through a process called horizontal gene transfer. Yet, we face this new threat today as a highly-connected global society and economy, and we can learn from these trying times to prevent another occurrence of this scale and potentially save lives. Our guest on this episode is notable wildlife journalist and author David Quammen whose award-winning books have focused prominently on the 'spillover effect' or the jumping of animal diseases into human beings and the impact. Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes speak with Quammen about the events that built-up to this crisis as well as measures individuals can take to reduce the likelihood of another global pandemic, including health choices like diet, lifestyle, and human causes of environmental disruption.

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