

The Genius Life
Max Lugavere
Science-first wellness podcast that is equal parts rigorous, rebellious, and ridiculously useful. Hosted by Max Lugavere, health and science journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and one of the most trusted voices in nutrition and longevity.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.
Episodes
Mentioned books

29 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 1h 7min
547: How to Become the CEO of Your Own Biology, and Stop Outsourcing Your Health | Darshan Shah, MD
Dr. Darshan Shah, board-certified surgeon and founder/CEO of NextHealth, focuses on personalized preventive medicine and longevity. He argues for taking control of your biology with mindset shifts and early data. Short conversations cover key biomarkers, cheap home monitoring tools, when to use CGMs, and practical stacks and triage for prioritizing therapies.

47 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 10min
546: Why Muscle Is the Real Organ of Longevity (Do This To Age Better!) | Gabrielle Lyon, DO
Gabrielle Lyon, DO, physician leading the muscle-centric medicine movement and author of The Forever Strong Playbook. She explains why muscle drives metabolism and aging. Short takes on protein needs and meal targets. Practical advice on using carbs per meal, training for muscle quality, and measuring muscle health.

25 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 2h 3min
545: America’s Top Divorce Lawyer on the Real Reason Couples Fall Apart | James Sexton
James Sexton, a divorce lawyer and bestselling author who counsels high-profile clients, shares hard-won lessons from his practice. He explores how tiny daily disconnections undo relationships. He highlights learnable communication habits, weekly check-ins, the danger of micro-criticisms, and designing environments that foster lasting connection.

107 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 2h 1min
544: The #1 Science-Backed Confidence Hack Nobody Teaches | Shadé Zahrai, PhD
Dr. Shadeh Zahrai is a leadership strategist and behavioral science expert, author of Big Trust. In this engaging conversation, she reveals that confidence is rooted in trust and follows action, not feelings. Shadeh discusses practical tools like the worry list to manage anxiety, the impact of emotional contagion on confidence, and how others’ beliefs shape our performance. She emphasizes the importance of reframing self-doubt and provides exercises to combat imposter syndrome. Shadeh's insights are a refreshing take on building genuine confidence and self-trust.

48 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 1h 5min
543: The New Rules of Men’s Health, Aging, and Performance | Josh Duhamel
In this engaging conversation, actor and entrepreneur Josh Duhamel delves into men’s health, sharing his journey from vanity-driven wellness to a deeper appreciation for longevity. He talks about the importance of personalized healthcare and the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, dispelling misconceptions along the way. Duhamel shares practical insights on nutrition, his flexible eating approach, and the life-changing role of peptides for recovery. Finally, he reflects on aging's surprising shifts in priorities and the value of authentic relationships.

Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 6min
542: The Science of Navigating Change, Grief, and Uncertainty | Maya Shankar, PhD
Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar, host of A Slight Change of Plans and author of The Other Side of Change, dives into the challenges of navigating change and uncertainty. She explains why uncertainty can feel more distressing than bad news and shares her personal experience with loss, emphasizing the need to relinquish the illusion of control. Maya advocates for defining identity by core purpose and introduces self-affirmation strategies to help regain perspective. Her insights reveal that change can lead to growth and meaningful revisions of self-identity.

50 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 6min
541: Can a Pill Help You Live Longer? The Science Behind NAD and Longevity | Robert Fried
In this discussion, Robert Fried, CEO of Tru Niagen and a longevity entrepreneur with a diverse background, dives into the fascinating world of NAD and its role in cellular energy and aging. He explains how boosting NAD supports DNA repair and mitochondrial health, linking it to conditions like Parkinson's. Fried offers insights on the effectiveness of nicotinamide riboside (NR) as a supplement, discusses environmental toxins' impact on mitochondrial function, and shares his journey from Hollywood to the forefront of longevity science.

23 snips
Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 8min
540: What Keeps Chronic Inflammation Turned On, and How to Turn It Off | Josh Redd, NMD
Dr. Josh Redd, a naturopathic physician and author of The Inflammatory Reset, dives into the nuances of chronic inflammation and its role in various diseases. He discusses how inflammation manifests through common symptoms like joint pain and brain fog. Redd highlights diet as a critical factor, pinpointing gluten, dairy, and sugar as major triggers. He also shares innovative vagus nerve stimulation techniques to enhance digestion. Additionally, Redd emphasizes the importance of stabilizing blood sugar and explores the potential of stem cell therapies in treating injuries.

56 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 16min
539: The One Gut Mistake Fueling Inflammation and Wrecking Your Digestion | Will Bulsiewicz, MD
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, known as 'Dr. Will,' is a gastroenterologist and gut-health expert, author of 'Plant Powered Plus.' In this conversation, he delves into chronic inflammation's roots in gut health, linking it to over 130 health conditions. Dr. Will explains why the modern diet and lifestyle undermine gut integrity and emphasizes fiber's vital role in promoting longevity. He also reveals practical steps for gut healing, highlights the perils of ultra-processed foods, and even shares insights on proper pooping positions for better digestion.

34 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 19min
538: Ultra-Processed Foods, Inflammation and the Hidden Risk to Your Brain | Max Lugavere and Tim Gray
Max Lugavere, a health journalist and brain health advocate, dives into the impacts of ultra-processed foods on cognitive function. He shares his personal journey driven by his mother's dementia diagnosis, highlighting how diet and lifestyle modifications can significantly influence brain health. Discussing the dangers of chronic inflammation and the benefits of nutrients such as creatine, he emphasizes the importance of prevention. Max also insists on balancing meat with plant-based foods for overall cognitive longevity, while advocating for fermented foods to boost gut health.


