
Body Electric
Our bodies are adapting and changing to meet the demands of the Information Age. What is happening? And what can we do about it? This six-part series is an interactive investigation into the relationship between our technology and our bodies...and how we can fix it.
Latest episodes

Aug 13, 2024 • 18min
Life Kit: Don't always depend on GPS. Your sense of direction will thank you
We've got a special episode for you today from our friends at Life Kit! Do you feel like you always need to use GPS to get around? Never quite sure if it's a left or a right turn — even though you just looked at a map? Are you tired of outsourcing your own body's sense of direction to an app? It can be anxiety-inducing but in this episode, experts explain how to gain more confidence while navigating.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jul 16, 2024 • 7min
5 minute walk & talk: The low-tech gadget to make your breaks better
Guest Linda Stone, who coined 'screen apnea,' shares how using a kazoo can combat tech-induced health issues. Learn about incorporating movement breaks, a simple breathing technique, and the benefits of physiological sighs for lower blood pressure and calmness.

Jul 9, 2024 • 6min
5 minute move & talk: Taking breaks when walking isn't an option
After a series of accidents over a decade ago, listener Michelle Rozovics lost her mobility, causing her to experience pain with any weight-bearing movement. Ironically, movement is the very thing she needs to prevent her condition from worsening. So, when Michelle heard Body Electric, she felt inspired to put her own twist on movement breaks that would work for HER body. She takes a 5 minute break with Manoush to share how she's using a special tool she calls her "Shaky Shaky Machine" to get in regular movement and feel her best.We'd love to hear from you — email us at BodyElectric@npr.org.New episodes of Body Electric every Tuesday. Binge the entire series here.Sign up for our newsletter here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jul 2, 2024 • 27min
If a bot relationship FEELS real, should we care that it's not?
Thanks to advances in AI, chatbots can act as personalized therapists, companions and romantic partners. The apps offering these services have been downloaded millions of times. If these relationships relieve stress and make us feel better, does it matter that they're not "real"?On this episode, host Manoush Zomorodi talks to MIT sociologist and psychologist Sherry Turkle about her new research into what she calls "artificial intimacy" and its impact on our mental and physical health.Binge the whole Body Electric series here.Sign up for the Body Electric Challenge and our newsletter here.Talk to us on Instagram @ManoushZ, or record a voice memo and email it to us at BodyElectric@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 25, 2024 • 9min
5 minute MOVE & GROOVE! DJ JP Labrosse will get you off your screen
Join JP Labrosse, a mindful movement coach, for a guided 5 minute movement session to get your blood flowing. Experience a mindful movement session incorporating music and rhythm. Enhance your mindfulness through a guided movement experience with a focus on feeling. Take a mindful five-minute movement break with JP Labrosse, emphasizing progress in a short time.

Jun 18, 2024 • 6min
5 minute walk & talk: Manoush's journey to spend less time on her laptop
Today, Manoush takes a solo walk and shares what she does to spend less time scrolling, more time moving, including the story of forcing herself (and her kids) to take breaks. PLUS, she explains how setting aside our devices and allowing our minds to wander helps us tap into our most creative thinking. Join Manoush for this 5 minute walk and hear her (sometimes strange) internal monologue on the challenges of trying to get people moving.We'd love to hear from you! Send us a voice memo or email us at BodyElectric@npr.org.New episodes every Tuesday. Binge the entire series here.Sign up for the Body Electric Challenge here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 11, 2024 • 24min
Type, tap, scroll, BREATHE! How our tech use impacts our breath
Former Microsoft exec Linda Stone discusses 'screen apnea' from tech use, while bestselling author James Nestor explains shallow breathing impacts. They share breathing exercises to combat technology stress and improve mental and physical health.

Jun 4, 2024 • 6min
5 minute walk & talk: The professor who makes her students jog during sociology class
Professor Jennifer Lundquist incorporates movement breaks in her office and classroom. She discusses changing her wardrobe, making students jog during class, and why sitting through a long lecture isn't an option. Learn how movement can enhance engagement and cognitive function in teaching practices and daily routines.

May 28, 2024 • 5min
5 minute walk & talk: Uché Blackstock on how your neighborhood impacts your health
Dr. Uché Blackstock discusses the impact of neighborhood on health and the legacy of racism in medicine. She shares personal stories and reflections on self-care, health systems, and community impact. The importance of physical activity and self-care practices for community well-being is highlighted.

May 21, 2024 • 22min
Your earbuds and you: What all that listening is doing to us
Exposure scientist Rick Neitzel and host Manoush Zomorodi discuss the impact of daily sound exposure and listening habits on our hearing. They explore future innovations in tech. Practical tips for safe listening and protecting our ears are shared.
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