The mindbodygreen Podcast

Latest Episodes:

516: How to become a happier person & find your meaning in life | Social scientist Arthur Brooks, Ph.D. Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

“Most people are happier at 70 than they were at 30," says Arthur Brooks, Ph.D.

Arthur, a social scientist and professor at Harvard, joins us to discuss how to maintain deep friendships, find your purpose, and strengthen your joy muscles, plus:

- The biggest myths about happiness (~00:10)

- How Arthur defines happiness (~03:23)

- Enjoyment vs. pleasure (~05:24)

- The problem with extreme thinking (~11:43)

- What we’re getting wrong about satisfaction (~13:43)

- How to find your life’s meaning (~16:56)

- How happiness changes as you age (~22:25)

- How to balance true happiness with achievement (~25:59)

- How to maintain deep friendships (~28:17)

- Do introverts make better friends? (~31:15)

- The power of gratitude for happiness (~34:36)

- Easy wins for lifelong happiness (~36:37)

- Why you should try “emotional caffeine” (~41:39)

- How Arthur strengthens his own happiness muscles (~44:21)

- How to make those around you feel happier (~47:13)

Take 20% off clean coffee+ by visiting shop.mindbodygreen.com/coffee20. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes.

Referenced in the episode:

- Arthur's book, Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier.

- Arthur's website.

- mbg Podcast episode #388, with Arthur.

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

- mbg Podcast episode #435, #213 and #166, with Ryan Holiday.

- Check out Arthur's words in The Atlantic.

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: podcast@mindbodygreen.com.

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

515: How to supercharge your senses | Polysynesthete Maureen Seaberg Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

“We're at the dawn of a sensory renaissance,” says Maureen Seaberg.

Maureen, a polysynesthete and author, joins us to discuss how we may be able to “smell” our way to optimal health, plus:

- How to tap into your sensory superpowers (~00:14)

- How Maureen discovered her synesthesia (~05:19)

- How many people have synesthesia (~07:47)

- Can synesthesia be taught? (~09:47)

- The power of remote sensing (~13:22)

- What sensory superpowers tell us about consciousness (~20:07)

- What we know about the smell of fear (~24:14)

- How to supercharge your senses (~26:47)

- The power of comfort sounds & smells (~30:37)

- Maureen’s daily meditation practice (~32:32)

- How our modern world weakens our senses (~36:49)

- How scent can potentially unlock early disease (~38:43)

- Why everyone is a superhuman (~43:26)

Take 20% off clean coffee+ by visiting shop.mindbodygreen.com/coffee20. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes.

Referenced in the episode:

- Maureen's book, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: The Astonishing New Science of the Senses

- The Gift Of Fear.

- EPA report stating we spend 90% of our lives indoors.

- Laboratories for Fundamental Research.

- mbg Podcast episodes #493 and #350, with Gretchen Rubin.

- Sign up for The Long Game.

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

514: What we’re still getting wrong about women’s health | Exercise physiologist Stacy Sims, Ph.D. Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

“The conversation about Zone 2 is all based on male physiology and male data," says Stacy Sims, Ph.D.

Stacy, an exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist who aims to revolutionize exercise nutrition and performance for women, discusses what women need to know about today’s buzziest longevity topics, plus:

- Women are not small men (~00:12)

- Stacy’s dream research study (~01:54)

- How your menstrual cycle can inform your workouts (~02:25)

- Stacy’s POV on birth control pills (~04:39)

- How women should exercise during perimenopause (~09:20)

- How women should exercise during menopause (~11:00)

- What women need to know about Zone 2 training (~17:21)

- How right cold plunge temperature for women (~20:42)

- How women should build & maintain lean muscle (~23:52)

- Protein needs for women & the best time to consume it (~26:09)

- Common vitamin deficiencies for women (~28:06)

- What women need to know about time-restricted eating (~30:05)

- The most effective weight loss strategy for women (~33:56)

- How women are physically superior to men (~40:02)

- Supplements that aren’t worth your time (~45:31)

Take 25% off vitamin D3 potency+ with code D3POD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

Referenced in the episode:

- Stacy's website.

- Check out Stacy's books.

- A study on birth control & emotional regulation.

- A study on protein intake & body composition.

- A study on female ACL tears.

- A study documenting sex differences in the shiver response.

- Read Stacy's post on Zone 2 training.

- A study on vitamin D & PMS.

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

- mbg Podcast episodes #436 and #505, with Gabrielle Lyon, D.O.

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

513: The most underrated marker for metabolic health | Richard Johnson, M.D. Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

"When uric acid is high, it predicts the development of kidney disease, high blood pressure, and obesity," says Richard Johnson, M.D.

Richard, a board-certified internal medicine doctor who has researched obesity and diabetes for 20+ years, joins us to discuss the more complex, controversial areas of kidney health, plus:

- The role of oxalates & dairy in kidney health (~00:14)

- How to assess your kidney health (~07:33)

- High-purine foods to avoid (~14:43)

- Richard’s viral findings on obesity (~19:17)

- Why not all fructose is created equal (~30:12)

- How to rank your fruits (~32:44)

- The impact of fast vs. slow sugar (~42:31)

- How Johnson views alternative sweeteners (~43:58)

- The optimal diet for a healthy weight (~48:55)

- What actually makes seed oils inflammatory (~52:27)

Referenced in the episode:

- Richard's book, Nature Wants Us To Be Fat.

- mbg Podcast episode #498, with Richard.

- A study on dairy & gout.

- A study on creatinine & longevity.

- Richard's paper on obesity.

- Richard's study on apple juice & fructose.

- Richard's study on carb intake in lab mice.

- Sign up for The Long Game.

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

512: How to reduce anxiety & negative self-talk | Performance psychologist Michael Gervais, Ph.D. Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

“Fear of other people's opinions might be one of the great constrictors for human potential," says Michael Gervais, Ph.D.

Michael, one of the world’s top high-performance psychologists, joins us for a master class on reducing anxiety, boosting self confidence, and overcoming FOPO— the fear of other people’s opinions—plus:

- What is FOPO & why is it detrimental? (~00:18)

- How to know if you suffer from FOPO (~07:55)

- When comparison can be a motivator (~09:27)

- The recipe for long-lasting happiness (~12:57)

- How to actually measure self-worth (~15:12)

- How to raise genuinely happy kids (~18:46)

- How to build confidence (~25:35)

- How to reduce performance anxiety (~29:33)

- How to limit negative self-talk (~34:47)

- How to stop prioritizing other people’s opinions (~38:41)

- The power of the Barry Manilow effect (~43:20)

- How to become a better friend (~48:42)

- Who Michael wants to work with next (~51:34)

- Standout people Michael has worked with (~53:27)

- How to invest in your own psychology (~57:12)

Take 25% off vitamin D3 potency+ with code D3POD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

Referenced in the episode:

- Michael's book, The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying about What People Think of You.

- "The Good Life" Harvard study.

- The Barry Manilow study.

- Sign up for The Long Game.

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

511: How to strength train your brain | Memory expert Jim Kwik Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

“Our memory is like a muscle. We use it or we lose it," says Jim Kwik.

Jim, one of the top memory coaches in the country and a leading expert in brain optimization, joins us to discuss the best mental exercises you can do every day, plus:

- Less obvious habits that harm brain health (~00:02)

- Do you have digital dementia? (02:20)

- How to rely less on your devices (~11:45)

- How to get your brain firing (~18:53)

- Daily mental exercises that don’t take much time (~25:17)

- How to watch TV more productively (~30:17)

- How to overcome the afternoon slump (~38:03)

- The brain benefits of black coffee (~45:20)

- How to identify your brain type (~47:26)

- How to optimize your focus (~53:17)

Referenced in the episode:

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

- mbg Podcast episode #488, with Jim.

- A study on London taxi drivers' brains.

- A study on lion's mane mushrooms & BDNF.

- mybrainanimal.com quiz.

Take 20% off focus+ with code FOCUSPOD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

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

510: The secret to lifelong happiness | Bestselling author Morgan Housel Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

“What really matters for your happiness is not your circumstances It's the gap between your circumstances and your expectations," says Morgan Housel.

Morgan, a bestselling author and former columnist for the Wall Street Journal and Motley Fool, joins us to discuss how to optimize your happiness in a world that’s so fragile to chance, plus:

- Morgan’s powerful personal story (~00:09)

- How to balance uncertainty & control (~09:01)

- How Morgan worked though survivor’s guilt (~13:09)

- Why happiness depends on expectations (~16:10)

- How to realistically measure your happiness (~20:46)

- The delicate relationship between money & happiness (~26:26)

- How to incentivize people to live healthier (~31:42)

- How to find joy in the mundane (~38:41)

- How to balance optimism & pessimism (~44:13)

- What changes Morgan has made to his own life (~48:05)

- What Morgan feels grateful for today (~49:44)

Referenced in the episode:

- Morgan's book, Same As Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes.

- Morgan's previous bestseller, The Psychology Of Money.

- Morgan's website.

- Start your 30-day free trial with WHOOP.

- Sign up for The Long Game.

We hope you enjoy this episode sponsored by WHOOP, 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: podcast@mindbodygreen.com.

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

509: How to prevent seasonal depression | Psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal, M.D. Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

"Five percent of the U.S. adult population suffers from full-blown seasonal affective disorder (SAD),” says Norman Rosenthal, M.D.

Norman, a world-renowned psychiatrist, joins us to discuss his must-have tips to combat the winter blues (and prevent them before they even become an issue), plus:

- How SAD can happen in the summer (~00:18)

- The main drivers of SAD (~03:01)

- How SAD affects women vs. men (~07:05)

- How the holidays play a role in SAD (~09:04)

- The role of anticipation in seasonal depression (~13:53)

- How to prepare for the winter blues (~16:32)

- How much sunlight do you need to thrive? (~20:26)

- How to adapt to daylight savings time (~23:22)

- The power of routines for combating SAD (~27:07)

- How climate change impacts seasonal depression (~30:37)

- How social media & technology pay a role in SAD (~37:13)

- The future of SAD research (~39:37)

- The best exercises for mental health (~41:34)

- Why it’s so important to talk about SAD (~43:06)

Trigger warning: This episode includes mentions of suicidal ideation and sexual assault. You’re never alone. If you or someone you know are struggling, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline for confidential support.

Referenced in the episode:

- 5% of U.S. population suffers from SAD.

- Read Norman's Washington Post feature.

- Norman's website.

- Norman's books.

- A study on natural light & circadian rhythm.

- mbg Podcast episode #389, with Jennifer Heisz, Ph.D.

- Start your 30-day free trial with WHOOP.

- Sign up for The Long Game.

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

508: Underrated health metrics you shouldn’t ignore | Will Ahmed, founder of WHOOP Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

“If you eat within three hours of bedtime, that will negatively impact your sleep and recovery data," says Will Ahmed.

Will, the founder and CEO of WHOOP, joins us to discuss all things recovery and performance (including HRV, sleep, alcohol, and more), plus:

- Why HRV is critical for your health (~00:49)

- How to measure resting heart rate by decade (~03:20)

- Why respiratory rate is key (~08:26)

- The importance of blood oxygen levels (~10:53)

- How to assess skin temperature (~12:18)

- How to increase your HRV (~13:35)

- How meal timing impacts your HRV (~16:39)

- How THC affects your recovery (~20:03)

- Zone 2 training & how to exercise for weight management (~23:21)

- The health perks of pickleball (~30:23)

- How to optimize your sleep (~32:24)

- How to actually measure sleep quality (~35:49)

- How sharing a bed can impact recovery (~39:15)

- What we can learn from the highest performing athletes (~41:18)

- How to compare your data to the general health population (~46:45)

- The future of health metrics for women (~48:32)

Referenced in the episode:

- Start your 30-day free trial with WHOOP.

- Check out the WHOOP Journal.

- Shop blue light glasses.

- Learn more about WHOOP Coach.

- Sign up for The Long Game.

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

507: How to heal generational trauma | Thomas Hübl, Ph.D. Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

“At the root of loneliness is trauma. At the root of numbness and isolation is a defense mechanism that protects us from pain," says Thomas Hübl, Ph.D.

Thomas, a collective trauma expert, renowned teacher, and author, joins us to discuss how to recognize your trauma symptoms and even heal ancestral wounds, plus:

- The “explosion” of trauma (~00:25)

- Are we over-diagnosing trauma? (~03:35)

- The link between trauma & mindset (~07:15)

- How to become more emotionally resilient (~09:19)

- Telltale signs someone is dealing with trauma (~13:59)

- Where traditional therapy misses the mark (~21:00)

- How to know if your therapist has experience in trauma work (~24:05)

- How trauma gets stored in the body (~30:05)

- The link between social connection and well-being (~36:04)

- How generational trauma can show up in your life (~42:12)

- How to unlock generational trauma (~50:50)

- How to find a trauma therapist skilled in generational work (~53:44)

- The role of psychedelics in trauma work (~56:29)

- Three things everyone should do to become more attuned (~01:00:37)

- The science of changing your genes (~01:07:08)

Referenced in the episode:

- Thomas' book, Attuned.

- Generational trauma study in mice.

- Check out Thomas' online courses.

- Sign up for The Long Game.

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected