Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition

Latest Episodes:

Red Light Therapy, Lasers and What Actually Works For Your Skin | Dr Michael Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

This week's Live Well Be Well Moment with Dr Michael, board-certified dermatologist and skin cancer specialist.

We delve into red light therapy, photobiomodulation, cosmetic lasers and what the science actually says about which treatments are worth your time and money — and which ones aren't.

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

This episode is sponsored by:
NOWATCH: The compassionate health tracker Connecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today. 👉 15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/

PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm
👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANN

More from me: The Great British Veg Out How to support your gut by eating more, not less https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/t…
Reset Your Health If your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout, this is where to start! https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/r...
Free 5-recipe PDF for busy weeks https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahma...
Join thousands reading The Compassionate Cure → https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Let's be friends! 📷 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin 📹 Subscribe https://youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah?si=UbuuWvMjAcTkELPN 📱 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-96iOW29jTRm

The Burnout Curve: Why High Performers Burn Out Even When They Feel Fine | Performance Coach Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

This week I'm joined by Rob Rea, human potential coach and breathwork practitioner, and someone who has dedicated his career to helping people access a state of calm, clarity and performance through one of the most powerful tools we all carry with us, our breath.

We explore breathwork, the nervous system, stress regulation and what happens in the body and mind when you finally learn to breathe properly.

Rob Rea is an internationally trained breathwork practitioner and human potential coach with extensive experience across EMEA and APAC. He has been featured in Tatler, The Times and Vogue, and works with business leaders, elite athletes and high performers to help them unlock their potential through breathwork, somatic practices and neuroscience. His RR Method combines functional and transformative breathwork with affective neuroscience, philosophy and physical health to bring clarity, purpose and alignment.

What we explore together:

Why trying to switch off your thoughts is making things worse — and what to do instead
How breathwork creates the conditions for genuine rest and recovery
What SDR is and why it is one of the most powerful tools for stress regulation
Why rest and stillness are the hardest things for high performers to accept
How breathwork changes your body's response to stress at a physiological level

Love, Sarah Ann 💛

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

This episode is sponsored by:NOWATCH: The compassionate health tracker Connecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today👉 15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/

PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANN

The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more, not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/t…

Reset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout, this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/r...

👉 Practical beats perfect. Here's a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes

👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who read The Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Let's be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Chapters00:00 Introduction03:00 Why trying to switch off your thoughts makes things worse06:09 What breathwork actually does to your nervous system09:00 The SDR method explained12:06 How breathwork changes your stress response14:54 Rob's personal breathwork practice day to day17:52 Breathing patterns and what yours is telling you21:04 What happens in the body during a breathwork session23:51 Allostatic load and what it means for your health26:56 Why rest feels so hard for high achievers29:57 The difference between relaxation and recovery33:00 Sarah's breathwork experience35:47 How breathwork changes things internally even when nothing changes externally38:59 Music, sound and breathwork42:03 What different people experience during breathwork44:55 Why breathwork is not one size fits all48:09 How to know when to push and when to rest51:08 Why business leaders are the hardest to work with54:02 Moving forward with awareness56:53 How to give yourself permission to do less60:16 What Sarah noticed holding in her body62:55 Learning to sit with stillness66:12 Reframing what rest actually means68:59 What it feels like to let go71:59 Building a breathwork practice that lasts75:08 Physical sensations during breathwork and what they mean77:51 Finding your own capacity80:55 Final reflections on living well and being well

What Depression Really Is And Why Grief Changes Your Brain | Professor Sophie Scott Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

This week's Live Well Be Well Moment with Professor Sophie Scott, neuroscientist and Fellow of the Royal Society.

We delve into what depression actually is at a neurological level, what grief does to your social network in the brain, and why laughter and connection are so much more powerful for healing than most people realise.

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm
👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANN

The Truth About Longevity, Cancer and What We're Getting Wrong | Dr Jack Kreindler Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

This week's Live Well Be Well Moment with Dr Jack Kreindler, physician and founder of WellFounded Health.

We delve into the science of longevity, what NAD and inflammation are really doing to your body as you age, the truth about cancer risk and what the information overload around fiber, supplements and biohacking is getting wrong.

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm
👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANN

What Is It Like to Be a Sociopath? “I Don’t Feel Guilt, Jealousy or Remorse" | Patric Gagne Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

This week I'm joined by Patric Gagne, author, self-identified sociopath and one of the most disarmingly honest voices on what it actually means to live with a personality most people fear and misunderstand.

We explore sociopathy, empathy, emotion and what understanding the sociopathic mind can teach all of us about how we think, feel and make decisions.

Patric Gagne is the author of Sociopath, a candid and surprisingly warm account of what life looks like from the inside of a personality disorder that pop culture has defined almost entirely through its most dangerous extremes. Unlike the sociopaths you see in crime dramas, Patric is self-aware, articulate and genuinely interested in changing the narrative around what sociopathy actually is and who it actually affects.

What we explore together:

What sociopathy actually is and why the pop culture version is almost entirely wrong
Why not all sociopaths are dangerous and what the spectrum really looks like
The difference between inherent emotions and social emotions and why it matters
Why Patric doesn't need guilt or shame to know right from wrong
How sociopaths experience relationships, love and connection differently
What the sociopathic mind can teach neurotypical people about emotional regulation
What it means to live well as someone whose brain works fundamentally differently

Love, Sarah Ann 💛

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANN

The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more, not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/t…

Reset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout, this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/r...

👉 Practical beats perfect. Here's a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes

👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who read The Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Let's be friends!

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/

📹 Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah

🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin

📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast

💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction02:55 What sociopathy actually is and what it isn't05:54 Why sociopaths don't need guilt to know right from wrong09:07 The difference between inherent and social emotions12:00 How Patric learned to understand empathy15:04 What relationships look like for a sociopath18:00 Love, connection and what Patric actually feels21:02 How Patric masks and why24:08 The sociopathy spectrum and where most people fall27:04 What the most dangerous sociopaths have in common30:05 Can sociopathy be treated or changed33:02 What neurotypical people can learn from sociopaths36:00 Decision making without emotional interference39:07 Patric's childhood and when she first noticed she was different42:00 How Patric manages relationships long term45:08 What sociopathy looks like in the workplace48:00 The ethics of sociopathy51:07 Fear, risk and how Patric experiences danger54:06 What Patric actually wants from life57:07 What living well means to a sociopath60:00 Final thoughts on understanding ourselves better

What Extreme Environments Teach Us About Human Performance | Dr Jack Kreindler Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

This week's Live Well Be Well Moment with Dr Jack Kreindler, physician and founder of WellFounded Health.

We delve into what studying people in extreme environments like the South Pole reveals about human performance, why the biggest predictor of success wasn't physiology but psychology, and what the Enhanced Games is really telling us about the future of human potential.

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm
👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANN

Is Sunscreen Toxic? Dermatologist Explains Chemical vs Mineral SPF, UV Damage & Skin Cancer Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

This week I'm joined by Dr Michael, dermatologist and skin cancer specialist, and someone who has dedicated his career to changing the way we understand sun, skin and one of the most preventable yet misunderstood cancers in the world.We explore sunscreen, UV exposure, vitamin D, skin cancer and what you actually need to know to protect yourself and the people you love.Dr Michael is a board-certified dermatologist specialising in skin cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. He is on a mission to reframe how we think about sun exposure and sunscreen, cutting through the noise to give people genuinely actionable, evidence-based guidance. He sees the consequences of sun damage and late stage skin cancer diagnoses every day and believes that with the right information, most of it is preventable.What we explore together:•The truth about sunscreen — is it actually good for you or are we getting it wrong•Why most people are applying sunscreen incorrectly and what the right amount actually looks like•The sunscreen and vitamin D debate and what the science really says•Why darker skin tones are more at risk of vitamin D deficiency and what to do about it•When you should be getting skin checks and what to look for yourself•How quickly skin cancer can progress and what the warning signs are•What the latest research says about sunscreen chemicals and whether they are harmfulLove, Sarah Ann 💛My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5This episode is sponsored by:NOWATCH: The compassionate health tracker Connecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today👉 15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANNThe Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more, not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/t…Reset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout, this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/r...👉 Practical beats perfect. Here's a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who read The Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/Let's be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction03:01 Why sleep and sunlight are the foundation of skin health05:58 How UV actually works and what it does to your skin08:59 Why younger skin responds differently to sun damage11:58 Why the sunscreen data is more complicated than we think15:07 How much sunscreen you actually need to apply17:54 Sunscreen, vitamin D and darker skin tones21:13 The mission to reframe how we think about sun exposure23:49 Sunscreen chemicals and whether they are harmful27:08 What harmful actually means in the context of the data29:54 Xeroderma Pigmentosum and what it tells us about UV33:13 When to get a skin check and what to look for35:53 How to check your own skin properly38:54 How quickly skin cancer can progress42:03 Sarah's own skin cancer screening experience44:53 Breast cancer screening and what we learned48:02 Red light therapy and photobiomodulation50:56 Cosmetic dermatology and what actually works54:12 Lasers, treatments and what to consider57:05 What good skin really looks like and how to get there60:14 The radiation oncology study that changed everything63:03 Getting sunscreen right and making it a habit66:02 Melanoma rates and what the numbers are telling us

From "I" To "Us" — How Fat Tony Finally Found Happiness | Fat Tony Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

This week's Live Well Be Well Moment with Fat Tony, iconic DJ and author of I Don't Take Requests.

We delve into the final chapter of Tony's story — marriage, what it meant to go from living for himself to living for someone else, his husband reading the book, and what it actually feels like to be genuinely happy after everything he has been through.

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm
👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANN

The Therapy Breakthrough That Changed Everything | Fat Tony Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

This week's Live Well Be Well Moment with Fat Tony, iconic DJ and author of I Don't Take Requests.

We delve into the therapy sessions that uncovered Tony's relationship patterns, the blond hair moment that changed how he saw himself, what his husband felt reading his book and what real happiness actually feels like when you finally find it.

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm
👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANN

Why Laughter Is a Human Superpower | Stress, Love, Loneliness & Your Brain | Prof Sophie Scott Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

This week I'm joined by Professor Sophie Scott, neuroscientist, stand-up comedian and Deputy Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, and someone who has dedicated her career to one of the most underrated forces in human life, laughter.

We explore the science of laughter, why it matters more than we think, and what it is actually doing to our brains, our bodies and our relationships.

Professor Sophie Scott is a Fellow of the Royal Society and one of the UK's leading voices on the neuroscience of laughter and communication. She has been named among the UK's top 100 scientists and is known for making complex science accessible and joyful including through her own stand-up comedy. She has spent decades studying why humans laugh, when we laugh and what happens in the brain when we do.

What we explore together:

-Why laughter is a social behaviour first and a response to humour second

-What rats, chimpanzees and cows can teach us about why we laugh

-What laughter actually does to the brain and body and why it is so good for us

-Why we are 30 times more likely to laugh with other people than alone

-The difference between fake laughter and real laughter and how your brain knows the difference

-Why laughter is one of the most powerful tools we have for connection and resilience

-What stand-up comedy taught a neuroscientist about human behaviour

Love, Sarah Ann 💛

My book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Shouldnt-Be-This-Hard-ebook/dp/B0G1DHNRV5

This episode is sponsored by:

NOWATCH: The compassionate health tracker Connecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today

👉 15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/

PULSETTO: Vagus nerve stimulation for stress, sleep and calm 👉 Use code SARAHANN at https://pulsetto.sjv.io/SARAHANN

The Great British Veg Out How to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more, not less. 👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/t…

Reset Your Health If your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout, this is where to start. 👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/r...

👉 Practical beats perfect. Here's a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks. https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes

👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who read The Compassionate Cure each week. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Let's be friends!

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/ 📹 Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah

🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin

📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast 💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:55 What is laughter, emotion or something else entirely

05:54 Why rats laugh and what that tells us about humans

09:07 The social function of laughter across species

12:00 What happens in the brain when we laugh

15:04 Why we are 30 times more likely to laugh with others

18:00 Real laughter vs fake laughter and how we tell the difference

21:02 What laughter does to your body physically

24:08 The link between laughter and pain relief

27:04 Why comedians are often the most serious people in the room

30:05 How Sophie became a stand-up scientist

33:02 What comedy taught her about the science of laughter

36:00 Laughter and resilience through difficult times

39:07 Can you train yourself to laugh more

42:00 The dark side of laughter and when it goes wrong

45:08 Laughter and embarrassment

48:00 Why we laugh at inappropriate moments

51:07 The neuroscience of humour

54:06 Gender differences in laughter and comedy

57:07 Laughter in relationships and what it signals

60:00 How laughter changes as we age

63:02 The link between laughter and memory

66:04 Can laughter actually make you healthier

69:08 Laughter and mental health

72:00 The science behind laughing gas

75:02 Final thoughts, every day is all there is

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