Death Clock

In this episode of Death Clock, Brent speaks with Dr. Diana Hill, psychologist, author, and host of the Wise Effort podcast. They explore the intersection of movement and psychological flexibility, drawing from Dr. Hill’s book, I Know I Should Exercise, But…. She explains how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help people overcome mental barriers to exercise, shifting the focus from rigid workout routines to a broader view of movement as a way to align with personal values. Dr. Hill shares her personal journey with eating disorders and perfectionism, illustrating how movement, when approached with self-compassion and intention, can be a tool for healing rather than punishment. Whether you’re struggling to start a fitness routine or looking to redefine your relationship with movement, this episode offers a fresh, empowering perspective. Hope you enjoy.

This week, Brent sits down with Nikki Mark, author of Tommy’s Field: A Story of Love, Loss, and Transformation. Nikki shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 12-year-old son, Tommy, who went to sleep one night and did not wake up. She reflects on life before this tragedy, her close bond with Tommy, and how this unimaginable loss reshaped her world. As Nikki recounts her path forward, she describes the journey of creating Tommy’s Field, a community soccer field in Los Angeles, as a tribute to her son’s spirit. Through this project, Nikki found a way to honor Tommy’s love for play while offering a place for other children to enjoy and celebrate life.    If you would like to donate to or learn more about the Tommy’s Field initiative, you can visit tm23foundation.org. Thank you for listening.

In this episode, Brent sits down with Dr. Richard Maurer, a naturopathic doctor and author of The Blood Code, a book about metabolic health. They discuss markers like A1C, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and how these impact risks for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Dr. Maurer shares his personal journey of reversing prediabetes and provides actionable insights on diet, exercise, and maintaining a balance between endurance and weight training to optimize health. The conversation then shifts to Dr. Maurer’s approach to his Parkinson’s diagnosis. With a focus on information, community, and proactive measures, he details how he has adapted his lifestyle to slow the progression of this neurodegenerative disease. Hope you enjoy.

This week on Death Clock, Brent speaks with journalist and author Nicole Karlis about the connection between altruism and longevity. Nicole, author of Your Brain on Altruism, shares research-backed insights into how acts of kindness, generosity, and volunteering can positively impact both mental and physical health. They discuss how altruism isn’t just about helping others – it also fosters a sense of purpose, strengthens community ties, and can even contribute to a longer, healthier life. Brent and Nicole explore the science behind these benefits, including studies showing that people who regularly give back experience lower stress levels, improved well-being, and even reduced risk of chronic diseases. Whether you’re looking for a new perspective on well-being or simply interested in the science of giving, this episode offers compelling reasons to integrate more acts of kindness into daily life. Hope you enjoy.

Join Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes, a leading clinical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, as she shares her insights on cancer prevention and early detection. They explore groundbreaking topics like full-body scans and blood tests for early diagnosis. Dr. Reidy-Lagunes highlights the crucial role of lifestyle factors in combating cancer, including diet and exercise, while discussing the alarming rise in colon cancer rates. The conversation emphasizes empowering health choices over relying solely on technology for cancer prevention.

In this episode of Death Clock, Brent talks with Dr. Thomas Seyfried, an impassioned biologist and leading voice in the metabolic theory of cancer. Seyfried argues that the origins of cancer lie not in mutations, but in dysfunctional mitochondria, and that treating cancer as a metabolic disease opens the door to radically different therapies. They explore the promise and pitfalls of ketogenic diets, fasting, and metabolic interventions, and challenge conventional thinking on everything from chemo to cancer screening. Hope you enjoy.

After a routine heart scan reveals a potentially life-threatening anomaly, host Brent Franson speaks with return guest Dr. Todd Dorfman and his cardiologist Dr. Jamie Doucet to unpack what it means and what to do next. Their conversation broadens to the topics of anomalous coronary arteries, the role of advanced heart scans in preventative care and the gray areas of modern cardiology. They unpack the promise and pitfalls of early detection, the tradeoffs between lifestyle and surgery and how to navigate scary data with humility, evidence and expert guidance. It’s a fascinating episode, hope you enjoy. 

In this episode, Brant converses with Dr. Todd Dorfman, a Boulder-based concierge physician, to explore the future of preventative health care. They discuss the differences between concierge and traditional primary care, including why structural and economic constraints prevent most doctors from practicing truly individualized medicine. Dr. Dorfman breaks down powerful diagnostic tools like CT coronary angiography and full-body MRI, explaining the benefits and limitations of early screening for heart disease and cancer. They also cover emerging longevity treatments like metformin and GLP-1 agonists, and how Dr. Dorfman tailors these for patients long before they’re in crisis. It’s a compelling look at what personalized medicine can really do when it’s practiced on your own terms. Hope you enjoy.

In this episode of Death Clock, Brent speaks with Dr. Steve Messier, a leading expert on osteoarthritis and biomechanics, about the myths and realities of joint health. They explore how weight, injury, gender, and exercise all factor into knee pain and degradation, and why “wear and tear” is an oversimplified diagnosis. Dr. Messier shares practical, research-backed advice on how to care for your joints. He also highlights surprising findings about the benefits of strength training, the limits of supplements, and how lifestyle may be the most powerful intervention of all. Hope you enjoy.

In this episode of Death Clock, Brent speaks with Dr. Connie Weaver, a leading nutrition and bone health researcher, to explore how our bones grow, weaken, and can be protected throughout life. From calcium-rich diets and weight-bearing exercise in childhood to the overlooked risks of osteoporosis in men, Dr. Weaver shares scientific findings and public health insights that challenge the way we think about aging, hormones, and prevention. She’s a great guest, hope you enjoy.