Death Clock

This week's guest is William Porter, author of Alcohol Explained. He joins Brent to dismantle the myths that shape our cultural relationship with drinking. Drawing from his own history with addiction and the hyper-logical framework behind his books, Porter explains what alcohol actually does to the brain and body, to its impact on sleep, to why it feels addictive in the first place. They explore the misconceptions that keep drinking on a pedestal, the emotional and social narratives that reinforce it, and how understanding the real mechanics of alcohol can empower anyone to change their relationship with it. He's a wonderful guest, hope you enjoy.

In this episode, Brent is joined by endocrinologist and longtime FDA leader Dr. G. Alexander Fleming to break down one of the most consequential diseases of modern life: type 2 diabetes. Dr. Fleming explains the real difference between type 1 and type 2, why insulin resistance is the root problem, and how biomarkers like fasting glucose, A1C, and fasting insulin work together to reveal your true metabolic health. He also discusses the promises and pitfalls of blockbuster medications like metformin and semaglutide, the public-health failures that helped fuel today's metabolic crisis, and why strength training may be one of the most important longevity tools we have. Hope you enjoy.

In this episode of Death Clock, Brent talks with Dr. Michael Fredericson, a Stanford physician and co-director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, about how to stay fit, strong, and injury-free as we age. Drawing on decades working with Olympic athletes and Stanford's track team, Dr. Fredericson breaks down the core pillars of lifelong fitness and how they change over time. He explains the science of training safely in midlife, why running isn't bad for your knees, and how exercises like squats and core work can prevent back pain and extend your "healthspan." He's a wonderful guest, hope you enjoy.

This week, Brent speaks with Sir Adrian Bird, the pioneering geneticist whose discoveries on DNA methylation reshaped our understanding of how genes are regulated. Bird explains what DNA methylation actually is and why he's skeptical of popular claims that it determines "biological age" or can be easily hacked to reverse aging. They discuss his groundbreaking work on Rett syndrome, how CRISPR gene editing is being used in clinical trials to potentially cure it, and what that might mean for other neurological diseases. He's a wonderful guest. Hope you enjoy.

In this episode of Death Clock, Brent speaks with Dr. Nazish Sayed, a Stanford cardiologist and vascular biologist, to cut through the confusion about cholesterol, heart disease, and statins. Dr. Sayed breaks down what LDL, HDL, and ApoB really mean, why high cholesterol is more about your biology than your breakfast, and how inflammation and genetics drive plaque buildup long before symptoms appear. He explains how statins work and why their benefits far outweigh the risks for most people. It's an evidence-based exploration of one of medicine's most misunderstood topics. Hope you enjoy.