Today, we talk to Professor Frank Scheer from Harvard University all about one of the most important things that we do every day: sleep. For many of us, sleep may seem like a waste of time or an inconvenience. In fact, sleep is one of the most vital ways to maintain our health. Today, we learn why sleep quality is just as important as sleep quantity. What are the different phases of sleep and their functions? How do caffeine, alcohol, and sleeping pills affect our slumber? Are alarms good or bad? Should we be taking naps? If you feel tired all day, or can't seem to get a good night's rest, this is the episode for you!

Today, in honor of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we speak to Professor Bryn Austin. Our conversation covers a wide variety of topics: How the pandemic and social media have affected rates of eating disorders, how pharmaceutical companies are unethically marketing the new weight loss medications, the dangers of budget Ozempic, inequalities in the treatment and recognition of eating disorders, and how you, yes YOU, can create change by promoting public policies that protect our kids from harmful dietary supplements.

In today’s episode, we talk all things eating disorders with Dr. Evelyna Kambanis from Massachusetts General Hospital. How common are each of the eating disorders? What are some of the most common misconceptions surrounding them? What is orthorexia? How does social media affect EDs? And what are the best treatments? We cover all this and more on today’s episode in honor of the upcoming National Eating Disorders Awareness week.

This episode is dedicated to the sexiest macronutrient of the time: PROTEIN. We talk to the king of protein research himself, Professor Stu Phillips from McMaster University about all the most common questions we get about protein. How much do you need? Should you spread it out throughout the day? Do you need a protein supplement? Is animal or vegan protein better? What's the deal with collagen, and more. Find out how a higher protein diet impacts your overall health, your weight, and your metabolism. (Plus, how to not waste your money on things that don't work.)

This is an update to our last episode on alcohol. New research has been accumulating suggesting that perhaps even a glass a day of alcohol is not beneficial. For instance, the new Canadian guidelines say that zero alcohol is the safest amount of alcohol. Today, we revisit the topic with Professor Mariann Piano, Senior Associate Dean for Research, Postdoctoral Fellowship Director at Vanderbilt University.

If you’ve ever wondered what science has to tell us about being more fulfilled, feeling more joy, and living a good life, this is the episode for you. Today, we talk to happiness researcher and professor Dacher Keltner, from the University of California Berkeley and founding director of the Greater Good Science Center. How much money makes us happy? Is it harder to be happier today than it used to be? And what can we do to live a more meaningful life?

The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, and yet, many people would agree "jingle hell" may be more appropriate than "jingle bell." Delicious treats are everywhere, and yet one wonders, is there such a thing as too many cookies? Family is coming together, including that one uncle who always makes some rude comment about your weight, And a whole smorgasbord of feelings--guilt, shame, anxiety, loneliness, and more--are brought to the table along with the pies and roasts. On this episode: how to navigate all things holiday food, family, and emotions to *actually* make it the happiest season of all!

Weight stigma, or weight-based discrimination, is a form of stigma that is widely accepted and has been rising over the past few decades. People think that being mistreated because of your body shape or weight is deserved because a person's weight is "their fault." Some even think that "fat shaming" is a way to help people "change" and "become healthier." Today, we discuss the detrimental physical and mental health effects of weight stigma, health effects that are often worse than the documented effects of excess weight. Our guest is psychologist Christine Emmer.