Food, We Need To Talk

In this episode, we’re back with Dr. Mary Ní Lochlainn to talk all about aging—and why it might be something to actually look forward to. We dive into what she’s learned from the oldest people in her lab, from their surprisingly upbeat attitudes to the science behind why social connection is as vital as exercise. You’ll hear why loneliness is now being called “the new smoking,” how your gut health affects your future, and the surprising benefits of learning a new sport in your 70s. Plus, we swap stories about jiu-jitsu friendships, broken noses, and whether pickleball has officially taken over the world. If you’ve ever wondered what actually makes the difference between just getting older and truly thriving as you age, this episode will surprise you.To hear the rest of this episode, sign up for the Foodie Fam!For weekly notes on our episodes, sign up for the Food We Need to Talk newsletter!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG!Be friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we’re diving deep into what it really takes to age well—and why it's never too late to start. We’re joined by Dr. Mary Ní Lochlainn, a geriatrician and researcher at King’s College London, who explains why your muscle mass is basically a fountain of youth, why protein matters more as you age, and how your gut microbiome might hold the key to both physical and cognitive health. She also shares what she's learned from studying people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s—including the surprising habit they all seem to have in common. Whether you're in your 30s wondering if your best days are behind you (spoiler: they’re not) or you're helping a parent stay healthy, this episode is packed with real, practical tips. Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Dive into the world of microplastics and discover their surprising sources in our daily lives. Learn practical strategies to minimize exposure, including the benefits of advanced water filtration systems. The conversation touches on trending health supplements like metformin, resveratrol, and NAD, dissecting the science and myths around them. Personal reflections bring a relatable touch, showcasing how awareness of microplastics can shift our food storage choices while emphasizing a balanced approach to health and wellness.

In this episode, we dive deep into the science of aging with longevity expert Dr. David Barzilai. You’ve probably seen people online claiming to have reversed their biological age—but is any of that actually possible? We unpack the truth behind biological age tests, anti-aging supplements, and the wildest longevity trends (yes, even blood transfusions from your kids). Dr. Barzilai explains what really works—spoiler: it's not $2 million worth of pills—and shares simple, science-backed ways to live healthier for longer. If you want to cut through the hype and get real about living better, this episode is a must-listen.About Dr. Barzilai: Dr. David Barzilai is a physician and the CEO of Healthspan Coaching LLC. He is a founding faculty member and Trustee at the Geneva College of Longevity Science, and serves as a lecturer at Harvard Medical School. Board-certified in lifestyle medicine, Dr. Barzilai holds both an MD and a PhD in health services research.Find him on X here or connect with him here. Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Dive into the intriguing world of leaky gut with Dr. Michael Camilleri, who debunks myths linking it to chronic diseases like depression. Discover the truth behind at-home testing and why some in medicine still call it hypothetical. Unpack the science of bone broth and collagen, learning how stress impacts gut health. Examine the role of gluten and explore the surprising effects of everyday diet choices on your gut. This episode is packed with insights that challenge popular beliefs and emphasize the importance of informed food choices.

In this episode, we tackle one of the buzziest—and most confusing—topics in gut health: leaky gut. Juna’s dad has been asking about it nonstop, so we brought in one of the world’s leading experts, Dr. Michael Camilleri from the Mayo Clinic, to break it all down. What exactly is leaky gut? Is it real, how do you know if you have it, and can it actually cause brain fog or autoimmune disease? Dr. Camilleri gives us the real science on gut barriers, how food and medication affect them, and what you can do to support your gut health (spoiler: fiber wins again). If you've ever wondered whether your bloating or brain fog has anything to do with your gut—or you just want to stop your dad from sending you wellness TikToks—this episode is for you.Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Michele Joanellis all about insomnia and why so many of us are struggling with sleep—without even realizing it. We dive into what happens to our sleep as we age, why menopause and post-menopause can disrupt sleep patterns, and whether it's normal to wake up in the middle of the night (spoiler: it might be more normal than you think). Dr. Joanellis also breaks down why your Fitbit might be lying to you, how to rethink sleep “opportunity” vs. actual sleep, and why your mom's late-night TV habit might not be the worst thing ever. Plus, we get into how much sleep you really need, how to help your circadian rhythm as you get older, and what to actually do when you're wide awake at 3 a.m.To hear the rest of this episode, sign up for the Foodie Fam!For weekly notes on our episodes, sign up for the Food We Need to Talk newsletter!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG!Be friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

You probably have insomnia… and you probably don’t even know it. In this episode, we dive into one of the most relatable struggles out there: not being able to fall asleep, stay asleep, or stop stressing about sleep. We’re joined by Dr. Michelle Jonelis, a sleep medicine specialist who explains why your sleep tracker might be lying to you, why optimizing your sleep setup might backfire, and what actually works to fix your sleep (spoiler: it’s not melatonin). Dr. Jonelis breaks down the gold-standard treatment for insomnia and why so many of us are going about it the wrong way. If your brain won’t shut off at night, this one’s for you—or at least the 75% of us in the same boat.You can find Dr. Jonelis's website here!Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we are continuing last week’s Q&A!! Have you ever wondered how long you’re supposed to be sore after a workout—or better yet, how to be less sore? We’re tackling DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness): how long it should last, what’s actually happening in your muscles, and when it might be a sign of something more serious. Then we dive into insulin resistance—what it is, how it develops, and how to catch it early before it turns into something bigger. You’ll learn how to tell if your workouts are helping or hurting, and which simple habits can make a real difference in blood sugar regulation. If you’ve ever been sore for days or confused about prediabetes, this one’s for you.To hear the rest of this episode, sign up for the Foodie Fam!For weekly notes on our episodes, sign up for the Food We Need to Talk newsletter!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG!Be friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we’re back with another round of listener Q&A—our favorite kind of episode where we get to hang out and tackle your biggest health and nutrition questions! We break down whether blending, juicing, cooking, or even just chewing your food affects its nutritional value (spoiler: Eddie drops some serious anatomy knowledge on us). We also talk about how to keep your joints strong and healthy, why post-meal walks are so effective, and share some mantras that keep us motivated on our own health journeys. We can't wait for you to hear this one!Sign up for our newsletter here.For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices