The mindbodygreen Podcast

Latest Episodes:

595: Expert insights on strength training for women May 15, 2025

Show notes

“The stimulus we need for longevity and power is to lift heavier,” explains Vonda Wright, M.D.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the science, mindset, and cultural shift around strength training for women—and why building muscle is one of the most powerful things you can do for your long-term health.

You’ll hear from:

Gabrielle Lyon, D.O., functional medicine physician and founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine, on why is building muscle so essential for women’s health
Vonda Wright, M.D., a double-board-certified orthopedic surgeon, on what it really means to be “toned”
Bill Campbell, Ph.D., a leading researcher in exercise science and muscle hypertrophy, on how often you need to be lifting each week to see results
Don Layman, Ph.D., professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, on how much protein you really need daily
Jaime Seeman, M.D., board-certified OB/GYN and athlete, on how to truly improve your body composition, why recovery timing matters, and how motivation is built through consistency
Bonnie Tsui, award-winning author and athlete, on how lifting heavy is changing norms around female strength

We’ll cover:

- Muscle is more than just aesthetics (~1:35)

- Muscle as a metabolic currency (~7:30)

- Why hypertrophy training matters (~8:30)

- Don’t wait to get started (~9:15)

- Want to be toned? Eat! (~9:48)

- It’s time to lift heavy (~12:00)

- How to build the most effective workout (~13:30)

- How often & how much should you be lifting? (~15:26)

- How much protein do you need (~20:00)

- How to optimize muscle protein synthesis (~22:15)

- How much leucine do you need? (~25:00)

- How to actually improve your body composition (~27:40)

- When to cold plunge (~29:30)

- How to become truly motivated (~30:50)

-Lifting heavy is changing cultural norms (~31:55)

- Why strength training is for every woman (~33:33)

Listen to the full episodes here:

- How to build lean muscle & eat the right amount of protein | Functional medicine doctor Gabrielle Lyon, D.O.

- Why women should lift heavier & eat more | Vonda Wright, MD, MS

- How to lose fat & build muscle at the same time | Exercise & nutrition scientist Bill Campbell, Ph.D.

- The ultimate protein episode | Nutrition scientist Don Layman, Ph.D.

- Muscle, metabolism, & mindset for women | Jamie Seeman, M.D.

- The deeper meaning of muscle for women | Bonnie Tsui

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594: The vagus nerve could revolutionize how you heal your body & mind | Kevin Tracey, M.D. May 11, 2025

Show notes

“Vagus nerve health is a gateway to understanding inflammation,” explains Kevin Tracey, M.D.

Kevin Tracey, M.D., neurosurgeon, scientist, and entrepreneur, explains everything you need to know about the vagus nerve, including:

- What is the vagus nerve (~1:15)

- Assessing vagus nerve health (~3:50)

- The relationship with heart rate (~4:55)

- Vagus nerve & inflammation (~10:30)

- The power of electricity (~16:30)

- Improving vagal nerve tone (~21:40)

- Vagus nerve implant (~24:00)

- Ear-brain-body connection (~30:15)

- Cold plunges (~39:50)

- The future of vagus nerve therapy (~45:15)

Referenced in the episode:

- Learn more about Tracey (https://feinstein.northwell.edu/institutes-researchers/our-researchers/kevin-j-tracey-md)

- Pick up his book (The Great Nerve)

- Check out his research (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Tracey%20K%5BAuthor%5D)

- Research on rheumatoid arthritis (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04539964) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32873554/)

- Research on pediatric Crohn's disease (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37849000/)

- Research on lower resting heart rate & longevity (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3591616/)

- Research on the vagal nerve implant (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27382171/)

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.

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593: Expert insights on thriving in perimenopause & menopause May 08, 2025

Show notes

“Menopause is inevitable. But suffering through it is not,” explains Mary Claire Haver, M.D.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into perimenopause and menopause—what the science really says and how to take control of your health and well-being during this transition.

You’ll hear from:

Mary Claire Haver, M.D., board-certified OBGYN and Certified Menopause Practitioner from The Menopause Society, on the biological changes during this transition and lifestyle strategies for supporting your body in midlife
Stacy Sims, Ph.D.,leading researcher in exercise physiology, on how to adapt training as you enter menopause and postmenopause
Jessica Shepherd, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN and pioneer in women’s health, on common menopause misconceptions and how to fuel your body during this time
Lisa Mosconi, Ph.D., neuroscientist, nutritionist, and author of The Menopause Brain, on how hormones and nutrition influence the female brain

We’ll cover:

- How the reproductive system changes with age (~1:35)

- Body composition during menopause (~5:45)

- Every woman should be doing these things (~6:30)

- How to train during menopause & perimenopause (~9:45)

- Lift heavy & prioritize protein (~12:48)

- The fundamental menopause misunderstanding (~16:35)

- Fueling for menopause (~18:10)

- 3 factors impacting quality of life of women (~19:50)

- How hormones impact the brain (~21:05)

- Closing words (~23:20)

Listen to the full episodes here:

- What we’re still getting wrong about menopause | Mary Claire Haver, M.D., board-certified OBGYN

- What we’re still getting wrong about women’s health | Exercise physiologist Stacy Sims, Ph.D.

- What women need to know about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | Jessica Shepherd, M.D.

- The best brain health tips for women | Lisa Mosconi, Ph.D., neuroscientist & certified nutritionist

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592: Easy ways to detox your home & protect your health | Aly Cohen, M.D. May 04, 2025

Show notes

“There is no perfection, but you can do the best you can,” explains Aly Cohen, M.D.

Cohen, board-certified rheumatologist, integrative medicine specialist, and one of the country’s leading experts on environmental health, provides a practical, science-backed roadmap for reducing your exposure to harmful toxins, including:

- How to reduce your exposure to toxins (~2:20)

- Assessing toxic load (~3:50)

- Creating a non-toxic home (~8:00)

- Reverse osmosis water filters (~8:45)

- Shower & sink filtration (~16:00)

- Choosing healthier sofas & rugs (~16:50)

- Improving indoor air quality (~20:25)

- Adding plants to your home (~25:30)

- How to reduce mold (~27:00)

- Lower chemical materials for your home (~31:00)

- Light & EMFs (~35:00)

- Be mindful of synthetic turf (~40:00)

- Closing thoughts (~46:15)

Referenced in the episode:

- Follow her Cohen Instagram (@thesmarthuman)

- Check out her podcast, The Smart Human

- Pick up her book, Detoxify

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Expert insights on preventing & reversing cognitive decline May 01, 2025

Show notes

“Unequivocally, you can reverse cognitive decline,” explains Dale Bredesen, M.D.

In this compilation episode, we highlight the best insights from some of our most popular conversations on brain health and Alzheimer’s prevention. You’ll hear from:

Dale Bredesen, M.D., neurologist and the Chief Science Officer at Apollo Health, on his protocol for reversing cognitive decline
Lisa Mosconi, Ph.D., neuroscientist, nutritionist, and author of The Menopause Brain, on how hormones and nutrition influence the female brain
Charles Piller, investigative journalist at Science, on how scientific misconduct has slowed Alzheimer’s progress

Tune in to learn about how you can shape your brain health, plus:

- Why Alzheimer’s isn’t inevitable (~1:45)

- How to determine your cognitive health (~4:00)

- The 4 phases of cognitive decline (~5:40)

- The lies we’ve been told about Alzheimer’s (~8:12)

- Where the research went wrong for Alzheimer’s (~11:20)

- Promising areas of brain health research (~14:35)

- How menopause impacts cognitive function (~17:50)

- Menopause symptoms & the brain (~20:20)

- How the female brain changes (~23:00)

- Your genes are not your destiny (~25:03)

- Your guide to better brain health (~28:45)

- The 7 basics to protect yourself from Alzheimer’s (~31:00)

Listen to the full episodes here:

- How to prevent & reverse cognitive decline | Neurologist Dale Bredesen, M.D.

- Fraud, failure, & new frontiers in Alzheimer's research | Journalist Charles Piller

- The best brain health tips for women | Lisa Mosconi, Ph.D., neuroscientist & certified nutritionist

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590: The science of dopamine, oxytocin, & serotonin | Neuroscientist Tj Power Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

“ If you can fix your relationship with your phone and food, big shifts happen with your mental health,” explains Tj Power.

Power, lead neuroscientist, author, and founder of the DOSE Lab, joins us today to explore the vital role neurotransmitters play in our health, how to naturally boost dopamine, and how to build routines that set you up for long-term success. Plus:

- Neurotransmitters 101(~2:25)

- Dopamine levels (~3:20)

- How to naturally support dopamine levels (~4:00)

- Boredom & the impact on the brain (~5:30)

- Health implications for low dopamine (~6:55)

- Routines to set yourself up for success (~7:55)

- Dopamine & technology (~10:55)

- What is oxytocin (~15:15)

- How to increase oxytocin (~16:20)

- Serotonin & the gut (~22:18)

- Endorphines & destressing (~26:10)

- Exercise as an elixir (~28:55)

- The importance of play (~32:00)

- Time alone (~33:45)

- Reward systems & dopamine (~36:00)

- The importance of sleep (~43:00)

Referenced in the episode:

- Follow Tj on Instagram (@tjpower)

- Learn more about his research (https://thedoselab.com/lab)

- Pick up his book, The Dose Effect

- What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan

- Research on texting vs calling on hormones (PMCID: PMC3277914)

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589: The deeper meaning of muscle for women | Bonnie Tsui Apr 20, 2025

Show notes

“Women should be strong—really strong—and lift heavy,” says Bonnie Tsui.

Tsui, bestselling author, life-long swimmer, and journalist, joins us today to talk about all things muscle, from the cultural perspectives to the health benefits and so much more.

- Her book, On Muscle (~2:10)

- The history of muscle for women (~8:15)

- Muscle is adaptable (~9:25)

- A love letter to muscle (~11:00)

- The beauty of shoulders (~13:10)

- The first female weightlifters (~16:10)

- Being strong & feminine (~21:07)

- Health benefits of muscle (~26:10)

- Age-related loss of muscle (~29:50)

- Metaphors & muscles (~32:50)

- What all women should know (~36:05)

- Favorite muscles (~37:50)

- Grace & athleticism (~40:30)

Referenced in the episode:

- Follow her on Instagram (@bonnietsui8)

- Pick up her book, On Muscle

- Learn more about her (https://www.bonnietsui.com)

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588: You may have high-functioning depression & not even know it | Judith Joseph, M.D., M.B.A. Apr 13, 2025

Show notes

“Let's not wait for people to break down. Let's give them the tools to prevent a breakdown,” explains Judith Joseph, M.D., M.B.A.

Joseph, board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and author, joins us today to discuss the subtle signs of high-functioning depression, the 5 tools to truly thrive, plus so much more:

- What is high-functioning depression (~1:55)

- The subtle signs of depression (~5:25)

- The hedonic treadmill (~7:15)

- Unprocessed trauma (~12:30)

- People pleasing & pathological productiveness (~15:00)

- Price tags vs priceless (~19:10)

- Joseph’s personal story (~21:30)

- How to reset (~23:45)

- Joy & childhood (~27:35)

- The 5 V’s to thriving (~29:30)

Referenced in the episode:

- Follow Joseph on Instagram (@drjudithjoseph)

- Learn more about her (https://drjudithjoseph.com/)

- Pick up her book High Functioning

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587: The benefits & risks of psychedelic medicine | Nick Brüss, EdD, LMFT Apr 06, 2025

Show notes

“Psychedelic medicine can be rocket fuel for healing,” explains Nick Brüss, EdD, LMFT.

Brüss, licensed psychotherapist in Los Angeles specializing in integrative, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and Internal Family Systems, joins us today to discuss the healing power of psychedelic medicine, the therapeutic uses, plus:

- What is psychedelic therapy (~2:03)

- Use cases for psychedelic therapy (~7:15)

- MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine (~9:12)

- Set & setting (~12:08)

- MDMA (~15:35)

- Ketamine (~21:33)

- Psilocybin (~27:40)

- Opening up to the experience (~29:20)

- Exclusion criteria (~32:10)

- Age & brain development (~33:50)

- Choosing a practitioner (~37:17)

- Non-psychadelic modalities (~41:22)

- Where is the science headed (~47:40)

- What Brüss is most excited about (~49:55)

- Closing thoughts (~52:50)

Referenced in the episode:

- Check out his website (https://apracticeoffreedom.com/)

- Follow him on Instagram (@drnickbruss)

- Research by MAPS on MDMA (https://maps.org/mdma/ptsd/phase3/)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

‡ For occasional sleeplessness.

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586: The ultimate infrared sauna episode | Connie Zack Mar 30, 2025

Show notes

“Infrared saunas are one tool that helps with 50% of the hallmarks of aging,” explains Connie Zack.

Zack, Co-Founder of Sunlighten, joins us to explain the science of infrared saunas—how it works, why it’s different from traditional saunas, the profound benefits, plus:

- Connie’s story (~2:25)

- Mercury poisoning (~6:00)

- What is infrared (~7:50)

- The difference from traditional saunas (~9:15)

- Heat delivery of saunas (~11:10)

- Detoxification (~13:30)

- Cardiovascular benefits (~16:20)

- More benefits (~17:10)

- Cellular health (~21:20)

- Gender differences (~24:35)

- The impact on women’s heart health (~27:50)

- Duration, frequency, & temperature (~30:18)