Death Clock

This week, clinical psychologist and CBT expert Dr. Seth Gillihan returns to the show for a third time to have a conversation about how our thoughts, behaviors, and physical health are deeply intertwined. Drawing on examples from everyday life, Dr. Gillihan explains how cognitive behavioral therapy helps people build a healthier relationship with their thoughts and make real, sustainable behavior change. The episode explores when therapy is most useful, when fundamental habits like sleep and exercise may matter more, and how CBT tools can bridge the gap between knowing what's good for us and actually doing it. You can find his book, Your Daily Reset, here and his podcast, Think Act Be, here. Hope you enjoy.

This week, Brent is joined by Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, a physician-researcher known for some of the most comprehensive work on long COVID and its long-term impact on the body. Dr. Al-Aly explains what the latest data shows about lingering symptoms, who's most at risk, and how COVID increases the chances of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline long after infection. They discuss what we now understand about reinfections, vaccines, viral persistence, and the mechanisms driving long COVID, along with the practical steps people can take to lower risk and protect their long-term health. He's a great guest, hope you enjoy.

In this solo episode, Brent takes a step back and explores the mission of Death Clock, reflecting on the journey of the company thus far. He then pulls together the biggest lessons from prior episodes and lays out the core principles experts agree matter most for living longer and staying healthy. He walks through the fundamentals and explains how science has changed his own approach to day-to-day health. It's a straightforward, practical recap of what actually makes a difference and the steps anyone can start taking now. Hope you enjoy.

This week's guest is William Porter, author of Alcohol Explained. He joins Brent to dismantle the myths that shape our cultural relationship with drinking. Drawing from his own history with addiction and the hyper-logical framework behind his books, Porter explains what alcohol actually does to the brain and body, to its impact on sleep, to why it feels addictive in the first place. They explore the misconceptions that keep drinking on a pedestal, the emotional and social narratives that reinforce it, and how understanding the real mechanics of alcohol can empower anyone to change their relationship with it. He's a wonderful guest, hope you enjoy.

In this episode, Brent is joined by endocrinologist and longtime FDA leader Dr. G. Alexander Fleming to break down one of the most consequential diseases of modern life: type 2 diabetes. Dr. Fleming explains the real difference between type 1 and type 2, why insulin resistance is the root problem, and how biomarkers like fasting glucose, A1C, and fasting insulin work together to reveal your true metabolic health. He also discusses the promises and pitfalls of blockbuster medications like metformin and semaglutide, the public-health failures that helped fuel today's metabolic crisis, and why strength training may be one of the most important longevity tools we have. Hope you enjoy.

In this episode of Death Clock, Brent talks with Dr. Michael Fredericson, a Stanford physician and co-director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, about how to stay fit, strong, and injury-free as we age. Drawing on decades working with Olympic athletes and Stanford's track team, Dr. Fredericson breaks down the core pillars of lifelong fitness and how they change over time. He explains the science of training safely in midlife, why running isn't bad for your knees, and how exercises like squats and core work can prevent back pain and extend your "healthspan." He's a wonderful guest, hope you enjoy.

This week, Brent speaks with Sir Adrian Bird, the pioneering geneticist whose discoveries on DNA methylation reshaped our understanding of how genes are regulated. Bird explains what DNA methylation actually is and why he's skeptical of popular claims that it determines "biological age" or can be easily hacked to reverse aging. They discuss his groundbreaking work on Rett syndrome, how CRISPR gene editing is being used in clinical trials to potentially cure it, and what that might mean for other neurological diseases. He's a wonderful guest. Hope you enjoy.

In this episode of Death Clock, Brent speaks with Dr. Nazish Sayed, a Stanford cardiologist and vascular biologist, to cut through the confusion about cholesterol, heart disease, and statins. Dr. Sayed breaks down what LDL, HDL, and ApoB really mean, why high cholesterol is more about your biology than your breakfast, and how inflammation and genetics drive plaque buildup long before symptoms appear. He explains how statins work and why their benefits far outweigh the risks for most people. It's an evidence-based exploration of one of medicine's most misunderstood topics. Hope you enjoy.

Brent chats with Dr. John Buse, a leading endocrinologist at UNC, known for his expertise in diabetes and GLP-1s. They explore the science behind GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic, highlighting their effectiveness in weight loss, diabetes management, and cardiovascular health. Dr. Buse shares his personal weight-loss journey with these drugs and stresses the importance of protein intake to preserve muscle. The conversation also dives into the ethics of pharma, the risks of stopping GLP-1s, and the need for better preventive care in medicine.

In this episode of Death Clock, Brent speaks with Dr. Matthew Taylor, the director of the Brain Nutrition Lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center, to break down everything you need to know about the ketogenic diet. They talk about what it is, how it works, and what science actually says about its benefits. Dr. Taylor explains how shifting the body's fuel source from glucose to ketones can improve metabolic health, sharpen cognitive function, and even show promise in slowing diseases like Alzheimer's. They cover the basics of entering ketosis, the truth about "keto flu," the role of fasting, and why the diet's effects on cholesterol and heart health are more nuanced than most headlines suggest. Hope you enjoy.