Critique of the Wellness Industrial Complex

Ezekiel Emanuel criticizes wellness obsession, optimization culture, and self-denial trends in the longevity movement.

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For our first episode of 2026, Dr. Ezekiel “Zeke” Emanuel, oncologist, bioethicist, architect of the Affordable Care Act, and author of Eat Your Ice Cream joins us to share why he believes the longevity movement is overblown and how real health comes down to simplicity. In his new book, Zeke argues that instead of chasing expensive fads and wellness trends, we should focus on six straightforward habits that make life healthier and more enjoyable.

In this conversation with co-host Steve Kraus, he explains why complexity is one of healthcare’s biggest threats, how public frustration is reshaping policy, and why the path to better health may be far simpler than we think.

We cover:

🚫 Rejecting the wellness industrial complex

📈 Why public frustration will force major policy changes by 2032

🧩 How the ACA's success created a huge new flaw

🤖 The two biggest bottlenecks that slow down hospital AI implementation

💡 How to improve quality and empathy with specialized medical AY systems

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About our guest:

Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, is a Vice Provost and Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. An oncologist and world leader in health policy and bioethics, he was instrumental in drafting the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Dr. Emanuel regularly contributes to the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and appears on BBC, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and other media outlets. His new book, Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life, is available on January 6.

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📍 Connect with us:

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Chapters:

00:00:50 Introducing Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel

00:06:04 His path to medicine

00:09:15 Working on Obamacare - successes and regrets

00:11:19 Is healthcare too big to fail?