<p>Most people use moderation as a reason to keep doing what they are doing. Dr. Columbus Batiste says that is exactly the mindset that can have lasting health implications.</p><p> </p><p>In this episode of NHA Today, Dr. Stephan Esser sits down with Dr. Columbus Batiste, board-certified interventional cardiologist, author, and co-founder of Healthy Heart Nation. Known as the Healthy Heart Doc, Dr. Batiste has spent his career doing what most cardiologists do not: asking patients not just what they eat, but what they eat for their health - and then building a plan around what they actually want.</p><p> </p><p>His personal story is the backbone of this conversation. His father was health-conscious, ran a health food store, and juiced long before it was fashionable - but also loved sodas</p><p>and sweets in moderation. He died from the effects of diabetes. Reading Caldwell Esselstyn's chapter titled Moderation Kills changed the course of Dr. Batiste's career.</p><p> </p><p>In this conversation you will learn:</p><p>• Why moderation is a justification we only apply to things we know we should not be doing</p><p>• The three most heart-protective food groups and why they work at the cellular level</p><p>• How to talk to patients (or yourself) about food in a way that actually creates change</p><p>• The SELFISH acronym: seven pillars of heart health from spirituality to humor</p><p>• Why 80% of health outcomes happen outside the doctor's office</p><p>• The role of stress, presence, and relationships in cardiovascular disease</p><p>• Dr. Batiste's take on AI in medicine and what an elderly patient said that stopped him cold</p><p>• What he is bringing to the NHA Annual Conference this June</p><p> </p><p>---</p><p>ABOUT DR. COLUMBUS BATISTE</p><p>---</p><p>Columbus Batiste, MD is a board-certified interventional cardiologist, co-founder of Healthy Heart Nation, and author of Selfish: A Cardiologist's Guide to Curing a Stressed and Broken Heart. He is the Regional Chief of Cardiology for Southern California Permanente Medical Group and a celebrity media contributor featured in documentaries, articles, and podcasts worldwide. He will be speaking at the NHA Annual Conference, June 25 to 28, 2026.</p><p> </p><p>---</p><p>LINKS AND RESOURCES</p><p>---</p><p>Full episode and show notes:</p><p>Subscribe: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.healthscience.org/podcast/" target="_blank">https://www.healthscience.org/podcast/</a></p><p>NHA Annual Conference (June 25 to 28, 2026): <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://checkout.healthscience.org/2026-nha-conference" target="_blank">https://checkout.healthscience.org/2026-nha-conference</a></p><p>Dr. Batiste's website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://drbatiste.com" target="_blank">https://drbatiste.com</a></p><p>Follow Dr. Batiste on Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/healthyheartdoc/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/healthyheartdoc/</a></p><p>Dr. Batiste on LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbatiste/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbatiste/</a></p><p>Book - Selfish: A Cardiologist's Guide: [add purchase link]</p><p>Follow Dr. Esser on Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/esserhealth/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/esserhealth/</a></p>