Age Less / Live More

Is it the chicken or the egg? Did your chemical imbalance lead to weight gain, or did weight changes trigger a hormonal shift? Did depression cause neurotransmitter imbalances, or did the imbalance spark depression—or both? This week, we speak with a psychiatrist who specializes in the physiological effects of mental health, and take a deep dive into trauma.

Listen and learn:

• The clinical definition of trauma
• What really happens when we "get over" past trauma
• The role of social support in healing
• Why physical exercise might be the most powerful mental health intervention of all time

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When you search online for ways to live a healthy life, you're bombarded by charismatic speakers, some with medical degrees or PhDs, promising miracle cures. From cancer treatments to fat-burning morning rituals and an endless array of supplements claiming to unlock the fountain of youth, the noise is overwhelming.

Some of these claims contain a grain of truth; others are pure fiction. But in nearly every case, they distract from what truly matters—focusing on minor details that won't meaningfully impact your health tomorrow, next year, or even a decade from now. The fundamentals of health, fitness, and longevity may not be flashy, but they are essential. In this week's podcast, we hear from a PhD researcher and educator whose work focuses on healthspan and longevity.

Listen and learn:

• Why the science community often lacks the communication and marketing skills for their ideas
• How quickly simply-sounding health data can be misinterpreted
• The real risk of sarcopenia (muscle loss) and what to do about it
• Why your health in later life is often the compounding of small behaviors over years or decades

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Have you ever struggled to support a close friend or family member dealing with a mental health condition? How do you know when you're truly helping rather than enabling? When should you push, simply show up, or even step away? If these questions resonate with you, you're not alone—at least 20% and possibly up to 40% of people will face this reality at some point in their lives. On this week's podcast, you'll meet a psychologist who shares her research and clinical experiences.

Listen and learn:

• How to differentiate between supporting and enabling a loved one
• Key questions to ask yourself if you're in a caregiving role
• The impact of online support groups and AI on mental health care
• Strategies for handling difficult or unpleasant caregiving situations
• How to find affordable mental health resources locally and nationally
• Common challenges of caring for aging family members and how to cope

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Chronic pain affects as many as 1 in 5 people worldwide and can lead to a huge reduction in quality of life, drug addiction, and very desperate outcomes. Today's guest helps people use tools like mindfulness and therapy - among others - to manage and even reverse pain naturally.

Listen and Learn:

• Why pain isn't always physical. Chronic pain often comes from the brain, not the body.
• Non-opioid treatment approaches to chronic pain
• How mindfulness techniques like pain reprocessing can cut chronic pain by 50%.

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