The Beyond Tomorrow Podcast with Julian Issa

What if aging is not an inevitable decline but a solvable systems problem hiding in plain sight?Julian sits down with Carina Kern, a scientist working at the intersection of longevity research and medicine, for a wide ranging conversation on how aging actually works inside the body. Together, they explore why traditional medicine has struggled to address age-related decline and why treating one disease or one organ at a time may be missing the bigger picture. Carina introduces a systems level way of thinking about aging, explaining how cellular damage spreads across the body and why identifying key biological nodes could change how we prevent degeneration altogether. Julian and Carina also dive into Carina’s research on necrosis, a form of uncontrolled cell death that may sit at the core of aging and many chronic diseases. Carina explains how her team is developing a first in class anti necrotic therapy, how artificial intelligence is being used to uncover system wide interventions, and why the kidney has become a powerful model for studying accelerated aging. The conversation expands beyond Earth as well, touching on what space travel reveals about rapid aging and why protecting human biology may be essential for the future of human exploration. If you want to join the free Beyond Tomorrow Community, check the link: skool.com/beyond-tomorrow for more!  What You’ll LearnWhy aging is a multifactorial systems problem rather than a single diseaseHow traditional medicine struggles to treat age related degenerationWhat necrosis is and why it may drive aging and chronic illnessHow blocking cell death could protect multiple organs at onceThe role of AI in discovering longevity therapiesWhy longevity research needs scientific rigor over hype⏱ Timestamps00:00 Intro00:27 Linking Longevity and Medicine02:44 Witnessing a Loved One’s Health Decline05:17 Introducing the Blueprint Theory09:03 The Hidden Risks of Unintended Consequences11:52 Which Hallmarks of Aging Matter Most18:59 Why Clinical Trials Still Matter20:48 If You Believe It Works, Prove It21:47 Inside Anti Necrosis Therapy26:54 Why the Kidney Matters in Longevity28:33 Targeting the Root of Degeneration29:29 Why Necrosis Drives Degenerative Disease31:06 Building the Right Team Around You33:27 Can Artificial Intelligence Solve Aging38:11 Do Astronauts Age Faster in Space39:29 Why Longevity Is About Interventions41:16 Preventing Debilitating Health Decline42:33 Rethinking How We Treat Disease45:23 How Scalable Is Anti Necrosis Therapy47:29 Why Longevity Is More Than Wellness50:38 When Does Necrosis Really Begin52:03 Is Aging an Engineering Challenge54:01 Focusing on the End Goal That Matters55:36 A Vision for the World in 203056:17 Where the Longevity Space Is HeadedConnect with Julian 📸 Instagram: @thebeyondtomorrowpodcast 🌐 Website: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 📩 Email: bookings@beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more stories from the edge of what is possible.Follow Carina:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_carinakern  LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/carina-carla-kern YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarinaCarlaKern  X: https://x.com/CarinaCarlaKern LinkGevity: https://www.linkgevity.com/

What does it really mean to be human in a world that’s increasingly lived through screens?Julian sits down with neuroscientist and author, Baroness Susan Greenfield for a wide-ranging conversation about the brain, technology, and the future we’re quietly creating. From the way social media shapes attention, identity, and mental health to how our brains adapt to the environments we spend the most time in, Susan breaks down why today’s digital world may be changing us more deeply than we realize.Rather than framing technology as simply good or bad, the conversation explores what we might be losing along the way. They talk about why boredom and daydreaming matter, how screens can crowd out creativity, and why being “busy” or “efficient” doesn’t necessarily make us happier or more fulfilled.Julian and Susan look ahead to AI, consciousness, and what the next decade could bring. Susan shares her perspective on whether machines can ever truly be conscious, how our sense of truth is being challenged, and why the real risk isn’t technology itself, but how we choose to use it.If you want to join the free Beyond Tomorrow Community, check the link: skool.com/beyond-tomorrow for more!  What You’ll Learn​How screens are shaping attention emotion and identity​How real world interaction builds empathy and resilience​The hidden tradeoffs behind convenience and efficiency​Why constant validation can weaken a sense of self​How boredom supports creativity and deeper thinking​What brain plasticity means for younger generations​Why AI is not conscious and what that misunderstanding reveals​What a more human centered future could look like⏱ Timestamps00:00 Intro00:12 The Leading Cause of Brain Rot02:59 The Ill Effects of Long-Term Screen Exposure06:10 Mobile Devices Are Designed to be Addictive10:58 How Can You Link Screen Time to a Depressed Society?13:39 The Role of Industrial Evolution on Education15:20 Parenting in the Social Media Era19:26 What Does a Good Society Look Like?23:30 Let's Encourage Individuality  25:10 The Fear of Missing Out27:55 All Knowledge Comes From Experience28:37 How Do You Make Information Gathering Less Boring31:34 What Happens at the Onset of Cognitive Decline33:28 What Does a Brain Scan Say?34:55 What Will AI Do to People?37:52 Human Consciousness Remains a Mystery39:04 Can AI Develop Consciousness?40:59 Finding What You Like Doing and Excelling at It43:14 How Do We Define Our Identity?45:11 How Are You Going to Change the World?46:40 How to Leverage Your Voice to Make a Difference48:37 Expose Children to More Face to Face Interactions50:46 You Have to Learn How to Have a Conversation52:28 A Realistic Advancement in Treating Alzheimer's55:03 The More Anxious Generation55:46 Education Can Empower the Society56:53 The Future of Human Cognition57:41 Humanity in the Midst of AI Advancement01:00:37 Just Be Yourself and Have Fun 🎙 Hosted by Julian Issa 📸 Instagram: @thebeyondtomorrowpodcast 🌐 Website: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 📩 Email: bookings@beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more stories from the edge of what is possible.Episode Resources:Susan GreenfieldWebsite: https://www.susangreenfield.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baronessgreenfield/  LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/baroness-susan-greenfield-a96a99172Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BaronessGreenfield/

In this engaging discussion, Joshua Wöhle, AI educator and CEO of Mindstone, teams up with Georgia Lewis Anderson, an AI writer and former product designer, to explore the intricate world of AI. They reveal that mindset, not just technical skills, is crucial for effective AI adoption. The duo dives into the implications of AI on productivity, creativity, and ethical concerns, highlighting the widening gap between AI superusers and casual users. They advocate for embracing experimentation and emphasize the importance of human connection and critical thinking in an AI-driven future.

Are you living life or living in a constant state of survival without realizing it?HRV expert and nervous system educator Salim Najjar helps unravel what’s happening beneath the surface. He opens up about how early childhood loss, Lebanese cultural conditioning, and years of nonstop striving wired him to live in a constant state of alertness. Through his story, he explains how the body holds onto unprocessed emotions, how ancestral trauma can shape our sense of safety, and why heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the most revealing signals of our internal world.Salim also breaks down the science behind chronic stress and why it quietly fuels inflammation, burnout, and emotional reactivity. More importantly, he shares practical tools, from somatic awareness practices to reframing and intentionality, that helped him rebuild his own nervous system and step into what he calls “nervous system sovereignty.”If you want to join the free Beyond Tomorrow Community, check the link: skool.com/beyond-tomorrow for more!  What You’ll LearnHow the nervous system shifts between sympathetic and parasympathetic statesWhy HRV is the most honest indicator of stress and internal healthHow childhood and ancestral trauma imprint on the bodyHow somatic awareness helps release stored emotional patternsThe five pathways for HRV growth: sleep, hormetic stress, reframing, intentionality, communityHow reframing experiences can instantly shift physiological stressWhy community and co-regulation are essential for nervous system resilience⏱ Timestamps00:00 Intro01:04 What Your Body Is Really Asking For01:44 Growing Up as First-Generation Lebanese03:42 Inside Lebanese Family Culture06:20 How Healing Yourself Impacts Future Generations10:45 Why We React the Way We Do15:15 A Guided Somatic Awareness Practice17:33 Understanding Heart Rate Variability (HRV)19:13 Making Sense of Your HRV Score23:26 Chronic Stress: The Hidden Source of Inflammation29:00 What True Healing Can Look Like35:56 Two Powerful Ways to Reduce Stress40:29 How to Shift Into a Parasympathetic State42:58 The Transformative Power of Reframing45:54 The Intentionality Behind Your Actions49:06 Why Community Is Essential for Well-Being50:09 The Nervous System’s Deep Need for Safety55:01 How HRV Helped Sarah Reclaim Her Health01:12:01 A Gentle Reminder: Be Kinder to Yourself🎙 Hosted by Julian Issa 📸 Instagram: @thebeyondtomorrowpodcast 🌐 Website: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 📩 Email: bookings@beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more stories from the edge of what is possible.Episode Resources:Salim NajjarWebsite: https://thathrvguy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thathrvguy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salimm.najjar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thathrvguy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salimnajjar

What happens when the future of humanity is no longer something we wait for but something we can choose?When science gives us that kind of power, the real question becomes how wisely we’re prepared to use it. Today, Jonathan joins Julian to break down the fast-evolving world of embryo selection and what it could mean for the future of human evolution. Jonathan explains how IVF has grown from a niche medical procedure into a window into chromosomal health, genetic risk, and now polygenic traits that influence everything from disease risk to intelligence. They also revisit the history of eugenics, unpack the huge difference between past state-controlled abuses and today’s individual, non-coercive choices, and show why modern genomic tools aren’t about “playing God” but about making more informed, thoughtful decisions rooted in science.What traits should families even care about? How do we keep individuality alive when selection becomes easier? And what happens when science, politics, and markets start overlapping in ways society isn’t quite prepared for? Julian and Jonathan dig into the complexity behind intelligence, personality, mental health, and moral behavior, while also touching on industry controversies, regulation challenges, and the importance of transparency in genetic prediction.Jonathan Anomaly is a philosopher and researcher focused on the ethics of genetics, human enhancement, and emerging biotechnologies. He works at the intersection of science and philosophy, helping shape how genomic prediction and reproductive technologies are understood and responsibly used.If you want to join the free Beyond Tomorrow Community, check the link: skool.com/beyond-tomorrow for more!  What You’ll LearnWhat embryo selection is and how it differs from gene editingHow IVF evolved and gained public acceptanceWhy heredity matters for reducing disease riskHow polygenic scoring predicts health and traitsHow tech and society shape each otherThe risks and limits of gene editingWhat the future of reproductive tech may look like⏱ Timestamps00:00 Intro00:00 What embryo selection really means00:00 Why IVF and gene editing aren’t the same09:31 How understanding heredity can shape better outcomes14:42 The natural spread of human intelligence22:19 Rethinking what it means to be human26:00 The concept of iterated embryo selection30:58 How technology and society evolve together36:10 A different lens on world wars and human behavior40:07 Choosing a child’s intelligence: what that actually involves44:53 The health risks and limits of gene editing52:33 Using AI with the right intentions for humanity’s future55:43 The concerns surrounding Herasight01:03:55 How future traits can be predicted in embryos01:07:26 What the future of gene editing could look like01:10:33 Why embryo choice matters for families🎙 Hosted by Julian Issa 📸 Instagram: @thebeyondtomorrowpodcast 🌐 Website: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 📩 Email: bookings@beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more stories from the edge of what is possible.Episode Resources:Jonathan AnomalyWebsite: https://jonathan-anomaly.com/ X: https://x.com/JonathanAnomaly

What if the real secret to aging well isn’t found in a futuristic lab, but in understanding your body more honestly than you ever have before?From the very first question, this conversation challenges the assumptions most of us carry about health, longevity, and what it means to “measure” how well we’re aging. Instead of getting lost in the noise of biological clocks, trends, and high-priced diagnostics, Julian, Andrea, and Matt bring everything back to practical, evidence-backed fundamentals, the kind of markers any person can track, understand, and actually do something about. It’s a refreshing look at why knowing your sleep patterns, blood pressure, daily habits, and cognitive health may be more powerful than any shiny longevity product marketed today.Andrea Maier is a leading geriatrician focused on improving health span through practical, evidence-based approaches, and Matt Kaeberlein is a renowned longevity researcher exploring the biology of aging and interventions to extend healthy life.Their focus shifts to the future: personalized medicine, repurposed therapies, the role of AI, and the growing public demand for accessible, trustworthy health guidance. The ideas here don’t promise magic fixes or miracle pills; instead, they offer a roadmap for making better decisions, understanding your own data, and appreciating how much your daily environment shapes your long-term well-being. It’s an honest, grounded, and deeply encouraging exploration of how anyone can start improving their health span, no matter where they’re starting from.Big thanks for our sponsors of this episode Immortal Dragons. You can find out more about them here: contact@id.lifeAnd if you want to join the free Beyond Tomorrow Community, check the link: skool.com/beyond-tomorrow for more!  What You’ll LearnHow to measure your biological age accuratelyWhich lifestyle habits actually improve longevityWhy some supplements work and many don’tHow to use wearables without being misled by the dataWhat truly drives aging and how to slow it downHow advanced therapeutics fit into longevity (and where they don’t)Why a guided, evidence-based approach beats self-experimentationHow better sleep and stress management impact long-term health⏱ Timestamps00:43 Bringing Science Into the Business of Longevity02:12 Why Longevity Research Has More to Offer Than We Think03:51 Imagining the Future of Longevity Medicine05:12 How to Accurately Measure Your Biological Age08:26 Why Whatever You Measure Should Also Be Fun10:04 Making Lifestyle Interventions Appealing (and Effective)12:09 Understanding Biological Differences Across Individuals14:16 What Counts as an Advanced Therapeutic?17:15 Aging Happens Constantly — Here’s What That Means19:50 The Formula Behind a Proper Longevity Treatment Plan23:35 Why Not All Supplements Work Well Together25:48 A Guided, Smarter Approach to Testing28:30 Snake Oil: Harmful, Harmless, or Helpful?32:06 Why Good Sleep Might Be Your Strongest Health Tool34:37 The Accuracy Problem With Digital Health Monitors40:48 The Real Purpose of Wearable Health Devices45:48 What Breakthroughs Are Coming Next in Longevity47:17 Shifting Toward a Proactive Health Mindset52:00 The Challenge of Accessing High-Quality Testing53:18 How to Slow Down Aging in Practical Ways🎙 Hosted by Julian Issa 📸 Instagram: @thebeyondtomorrowpodcast 🌐 Website: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 📩 Email: bookings@beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more stories from the edge of what is possible.Episode Resources:Andrea MaierLinkedIn: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/andreamaierprof X: https://x.com/AndreaBMaier Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandreamaier Matt KaeberleinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkaeberlein X: https://x.com/mkaeberlein Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkaeberlein YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@optispan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@optispan

What if the future of longevity isn’t just about living longer but finally understanding what your hormones have been trying to tell you?Dr. Amy Killen joins us to unpack the science of longevity through the lens of women’s health and modern medicine. From hormone therapy and metabolic health to GLP-1 medications and cold plunging, Amy explains how small, evidence-based shifts can transform not just how long we live but how well we age.But beyond the science, this episode is also about empowerment. Dr. Killen reminds us that true longevity means living with awareness of our bodies, our stress, and our disconnection from nature and each other. It’s a thought-provoking deep dive into how technology, environment, and mindset all intersect to shape the future of health.Big thanks for our sponsors of this episode Immortal Dragons. You can find out more about them here: contact@id.lifeAnd if you want to join the free Beyond Tomorrow Community, check the link: skool.com/beyond-tomorrow for more! What You’ll LearnHow to Prepare Your Body for Perimenopause and MenopauseHow to Balance Estrogen, Testosterone, and Other Key HormonesHow to Understand the Truth About GLP-1 MedicationsHow to Protect Yourself from Microplastics and Environmental ToxinsHow to Strengthen Your Metabolic Health with Sleep, Movement, and SunlightHow to Use Cold and Heat Therapies Safely and EffectivelyHow to Reconnect with Nature to Improve Mental and Physical HealthHow to Empower Yourself as a Patient in the Age of AI⏱ Timestamps02:00 You can’t stop menopause03:34 Myths about estrogen and testosterone04:42 What causes hormonal imbalance05:48 How stress wrecks your hormones06:29 Should you take GLP-1s?09:30 When natural isn’t enough10:34 Chemicals that mess with your body11:23 Reducing microplastic exposure12:55 Why cold plunges work15:16 What testosterone really does17:39 The biggest shift in health19:19 The cost of poor metabolic health20:21 Sleep, sunlight, and your hormones22:43 What is perimenopause?25:32 Finding the right perimenopause doctor28:13 Know your clitoris28:56 Our disconnection from nature30:16 The women’s health research gap30:55 Disconnection is the new epidemic32:50 Why new therapies need real studies34:28 Low-intensity shockwave therapy36:28 Stem cell therapy explained36:54 Becoming an empowered patient🎙 Hosted by Julian Issa 📸 Instagram: @thebeyondtomorrowpodcast 🌐 Website: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 📩 Email: bookings@beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more stories from the edge of what is possible.Episode Resources:Website: https://www.humanauthealth.com/  Website: https://biorestoration.com/ Website: https://dramykillen.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dramybkillen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AmyBKillen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amybkillen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAmyBKillen/ 

Is measuring your “biological age” really the key to living longer or just clever marketing?In this fascinating debate, three leading voices in longevity, Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, Dr. Aubrey de Grey, and Dr. Gordan Lauc, join Julian to unpack what it really means to measure aging and whether modern “biological clocks” actually tell us anything useful to the great challenges facing longevity moving forward.Big thanks for our sponsors of this episode - Immortal Dragons. You can find out more about them here: contact@id.lifeAnd if you want to join the free Beyond Tomorrow Community, check the link: skool.com/beyond-tomorrow for more! The conversation goes beyond the hype to address the future of preventative medicine, the limits of today’s health technology, and how AI and personalized data could reshape how we measure and maintain our health. Together, they challenge the idea of “one number fits all,” arguing instead for a holistic approach that blends biomarkers, lifestyle insights, and clinical-grade precision to build a healthier, longer-lived population.What You’ll LearnWhy biological age is still more of an estimate than an exact scienceThe critical difference between chronological age and biological functionHow glycans may become the next frontier in measuring inflammation and agingThe major limitations and errors of popular epigenetic age testsWhy consumer health tools can motivate but also mislead usersHow AI and personalized data could revolutionize preventative careThe ethical and societal challenges of longevity and how fast we should really go⏱ Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:39 How do you measure biological age?04:41 The role of advanced biomarkers in health06:28 Understanding the glycan age test10:19 Raising awareness on glycan age and inflammation14:26 The science behind measuring biological age18:48 How high error rates can mislead results22:07 Should you test your biological age?23:21 The hidden risks of sample mix-ups26:46 Do we really need biological age tests?27:09 The problem with epigenetic tests and misinterpreted data30:40 What counts as a reliable health measure?34:51 The power of comprehensive health metrics38:20 Building evidence-based longevity medicine40:05 Why modern medicine is failing us41:24 The risk of oversimplifying longevity science46:50 Why the culture of medicine must change51:17 The future of longevity and aging research54:04 The unknown frontiers of longevity58:10 How bad science misuses resources01:01:16 When influencers take longevity too far01:03:00 Tools that actually help us live longer01:06:33 Taking ownership of your health01:10:20 What the future holds for healthy aging🎙 Hosted by Julian Issa 📸 Instagram: @thebeyondtomorrowpodcast 🌐 Website: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 📩 Email: bookings@beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more stories from the edge of what is possible.Episode Resources:Aubrey de Grey:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubrey-de-grey-24260b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreydegrey/ X: https://x.com/aubreydegrey Matt KaeberleinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkaeberlein X: https://x.com/mkaeberlein Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkaeberlein YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@optispan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@optispan Gordan LaucLinkedIn: https://hr.linkedin.com/in/gordanlauc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gordanlauc X: https://x.com/GordanLauc 

What if your body’s greatest healer was already inside you, waiting to be switched on?Big Announcement: Check out the NEW FREE Beyond Tomorrow Community at skool.com/beyond-tomorrow!In this episode, stem cell scientist, author and STEMREGEN® founder Christian Drapeau shares three decades of research into the idea that adult stem cells are the body’s natural repair system - not science fiction, not just IV clinics for the elite, but a daily physiological reality. We explore how stem cells circulate to repair damaged tissues, why releasing more of your own stem cells could be a powerful lever for regeneration, and where this sits in relation to invasive stem cell therapies, celebrity biohacking, and the explosion of “miracle” products in the market. Christian breaks down the science in accessible language, walks us through his global search for plant compounds that support stem cell function, and explains how fasting, meditation, nitric-oxide-rich foods and microcirculation all intersect with the body’s repair capacity—while staying grounded in caution, evidence, and ethical responsibility.This episode is for anyone curious about stem cells, skeptical of snake oil, and ready to better understand how to work with (not against) their own biology. Nothing in this episode is medical advice; always speak to a qualified clinician before making decisions about treatments or supplements.📌 What You Will LearnHow Adult Stem Cells Act as the Body’s Repair SystemThe Difference Between Invasive Stem Cell Therapies and Daily Stem Cell MobilizationHow Certain Lifestyle Practices May Support Stem Cell Function (Fasting, Meditation, Movement)The Role of Microcirculation, Inflammation, and Nutrition in Tissue RepairHow Christian Discovered Plant-Based Compounds That Influence Stem Cell ReleaseHow to Think Critically About Hype, Marketing, and “Miracle” Regenerative ClaimsWhy Inner Work, Gratitude, and a Sense of Oneness May Matter for HealingWhat a “Heart-Led” Approach to Biohacking and Human Flourishing Looks Like⏱ Timestamps00:00 Intro – Rethinking the body as a repair system03:01 Christian’s journey from neuroscience to stem cell science08:45 Discovering that adult stem cells do more than make blood13:10 From blue-green algae to global plant research18:40 How daily stem cell release works in the body23:15 Non-invasive vs invasive stem cells: safety, use cases, and nuance29:05 Foods, fasting, nitric oxide, and microcirculation34:40 Meditation, mindset, and the nervous system’s role in repair41:22 Science meets spirituality: oneness, purpose, and healing48:10 Biohacking, ego, and the problem of snake oil54:30 A practical “perfect week” to support your repair system01:00:10 Why extending healthspan must serve something bigger01:04:30 A call to build a more conscious longevity movement🎙 Hosted by Julian Issa📸 Instagram: @thebeyondtomorrowpodcast🌐 Website: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com📩 Email: bookings@beyondtomorrowpodcast.com🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more conversations from the edge of what is possible.Episode ResourcesChristian Drapeau – www.stemregen.coSTEMREGEN® – Information on Christian’s stem cell supplement work (not medical advice or endorsement) Book: Cracking the Stem Cell CodeFor more context, resources, and upcoming events on longevity and human flourishing, visit: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com#thebeyondtomorrowpodcast #julianissa #christiandrapeau #stemcells #regeneration #longevity #humanflourishing

What if optimism wasn’t just a mindset but a daily act of strength and self-belief?In this episode, psychiatrist and author Dr. Sue Varma unpacks the science and soul of practical optimism, a philosophy that blends positivity with action, helping us move from wishful thinking to real change. Drawing from her work with 9/11 survivors, her personal story of burnout, and decades in mental health, Dr. Varma reveals how optimism isn’t about ignoring pain, it’s about believing in the possibility of good while doing the work to make it happen.We explore why our brains are wired toward negativity, how to reframe pessimistic thoughts into growth, and what neuroscience says about the left and right sides of our emotional lives. Dr. Varma breaks down her eight pillars of practical optimism, from finding purpose and processing emotions to building self-compassion and practicing healthy habits and offers four daily anchors anyone can start today: movement, mindfulness, mastery, and meaningful connection.Discover how to turn hope into action and make optimism your superpower.📌 What You Will LearnHow to Practice Practical OptimismThe Real Difference Between Optimism and Practical OptimismHow to Reframe Negative ThinkingHow to Process Difficult EmotionsThe Four P’s That Keep You Stuck in PessimismThe Daily Habits That Boost Mental HealthHow to Strengthen Emotional Resilience⏱ Timestamps00:31 Creating a one-stop approach to prevention and treatment01:20 Learning from working with 9/11 survivors04:16 Understanding the difference between optimism and pessimism07:55 Recognizing the downside of too much optimism13:49 How the brain of an optimist works17:14 Knowing when pessimism becomes something more20:28 Discovering mindfulness-based stress reduction26:21 Exploring the eight pillars of practical optimism28:46 Finding joy in what you do32:58 Redefining purpose beyond grand goals37:02 Accepting that comparison is inevitable41:19 Using the four-step plan to process emotions46:31 Reframing your emotional state52:02 Practicing the four Ms of mental health59:37 Seeing the risks of overrelying on AI01:02:57 Using AI for early mental health intervention01:06:18 Reconnecting with ancient wisdom01:11:01 Nurturing yourself and focusing on growth🎙 Hosted by Julian Issa 📸 Instagram: @thebeyondtomorrowpodcast 🌐 Website: www.beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 📩 Email: bookings@beyondtomorrowpodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for more stories from the edge of what is possible.Episode Resources:Website: https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-varma-m-d-p-c-dfapa-8a48286/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorsuevarma/# X: https://x.com/doctorsuevarma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Doctorsuevarma/ Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being