The Genius Life - podcast cover

The Genius Life

Max Lugaveremaxlugavere.com
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 wellness. ⁣⁣⁣  Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.
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Episodes

581: The Brutal Truth About Modern Dating and Why Everyone Has the Ick | Jared Freid

If you are easily offended, skip this episode! Jared Freid is a stand-up comedian, host of the JTrain Podcast , co-host of U Up? , and author of the new book Walking Red Flag , a hilarious and surprisingly honest look at modern dating, relationships, and why finding love has never felt more complicated. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Wildgrain slow-fermented sourdough and fresh pastries go from freezer to bakery-level perfection in under 25 minutes. Yum! Get $30 off your first box and fre...

Jun 10, 20261 hr 18 min

580: The Best Foods to Fight Weight Gain and Disease (Top Nutrition Scientist Explains!) | Ty Beal, PhD

Ty Beal, PhD , a nutrition researcher, host of the Ty Beal Show podcast, and leading expert in nutrient density, returns to reveal the healthiest foods humans can eat, the simple label trick that exposes ultra-processed junk, and why so much conventional nutrition guidance has gotten real food so wrong. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Puori PW1 protein is here to satisfy all of your protein needs! Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements (fish oil, creatine, and more...

Jun 03, 20261 hr 14 min

579: Fat Loss Gets Easier When You Understand This | Angelo Keely

Angelo Keely, protein expert & co-founder of Kion , joins Max for a deep dive into sustainable fat loss, emotional eating, protein, muscle preservation, and the simple habits that helped him lose 25 pounds. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Kion is known for their transparent and evidence-based essential amino acid (EAA) supplements which help save you calories while providing all essential amino acids for muscle growth and more. Save 20% by going to ⁠ getkion.com/geniuslife⁠ . Hollow So...

May 27, 20261 hr 1 min

578: Why Oversharing Is Actually Good For You and Your Relationships | Leslie John, PhD

Leslie John is a behavioral scientist and professor at Harvard Business School who joins Max to discuss the surprising science-backed benefits of oversharing, emotional vulnerability, self-deprecating humor and human connection. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Wildgrain slow-fermented sourdough and fresh pastries go from freezer to bakery-level perfection in under 25 minutes. Yum! Get $30 off your first box and free croissants in every box at Wildgrain.com/MAX or use code MAX at checkout. ...

May 25, 20261 hr 2 min

577: How to Stay Calm in a World Designed to Overstimulate You | Sam Yo

Buddhist monk turned Peloton instructor Sam Yo joins Max to discuss overstimulation, doomscrolling, mindfulness, movement as meditation, and his new book A Monk’s Mindset — exploring how to cultivate calm, clarity, and presence in a world designed to hijack your attention. This episode is proudly sponsored by: LMNT is my favorite delicious, sugar-free electrolyte powder to leave you feeling charged up after a sweat sesh. Get a free 8-serving sample pack at drinklmnt.com/geniuslife . Get 160+ lab...

May 20, 20261 hr 5 min

576: The Mysterious Health Benefits of Ice Cream, and Why Wellness Culture May Be Overthinking Health | Ezekiel Emanuel, MD

In this wide-ranging and occasionally provocative conversation, physician and public health expert Ezekiel J. Emanuel joins Max to discuss friendship, longevity, ultra-processed foods, protein, seed oils, red meat, and the surprisingly controversial idea that ice cream might actually have health benefits. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Puori PW1 protein is here to satisfy all of your protein needs! Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements (fish oil, creatine, and mo...

May 18, 20261 hr 7 min

575: How to Stop Overthinking, Become More Resilient, and Thrive in Chaos | Simone Stolzoff

Simone Stolzoff is a journalist, author, and workplace expert who joins Max to discuss his new book How to Not Know and why learning to tolerate uncertainty may be one of the most important skills for mental health, resilience, creativity, and success in the modern world. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - http...

May 13, 20261 hr 7 min

574: This 2-Minute Habit May Calm Anxiety Faster Than Meditation | Jessica Ortner

In this episode, Max sits down with Jessica Ortner—bestselling author of Rewired and co-creator of The Tapping Solution—to rigorously explore the science, skepticism, and real-world applications of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also known as “tapping,” and its potential effects on stress, anxiety, chronic pain, cravings, trauma, and nervous system regulation. This episode is proudly sponsored by: AG1 is my favorite multivitamin now in delicious new flavors! Enjoy a free welcome kit includi...

May 11, 20261 hr 9 min

573: How to Enhance Foot Health and Reduce Foot Pain; Walking for Longevity | Courtney Conley, DC

Dr. Courtney Conley—founder of Gait Happens and author of the new book Walk —joins Max to unpack how foot health, walking, and modern footwear impact everything from pain and balance to metabolic health, brain function, and longevity. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Hollow Socks are compression socks made of breathable alpaca fiber and provide genuinely comfortable compression. I’ve been wearing them on flights and after workouts, and for a limited time they’re doing a Buy 2, Get 2 Free sa...

May 06, 20261 hr 8 min

572: PCOS and Endometriosis – What Every Woman Needs to Know, and Most Doctors Miss | Thais Aliabadi, MD

Board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Thais Aliabadi joins Max to break down PCOS and endometriosis—why they’re so often missed, how they impact hormones, weight, and fertility, and what women can actually do to take back control of their health. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Puori PW1 protein is here to satisfy all of your protein needs! Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements (fish oil, creatine, and more). Visit ⁠⁠ Puori.com/MAX⁠⁠ and use promo code MAX to get 32% off and...

May 04, 20261 hr 8 min

571: Why Women Gain Weight in Midlife (And What Actually Works) | Cynthia Thurlow, NP

Why hunger spirals, why fat loss feels harder—especially in midlife—and the simple, science-backed ways to regain control using protein, satiety, and smarter nutrition, with Cynthia Thurlow, a functional medicine nurse practitioner and author of The Menopause Gut . This episode is proudly sponsored by: Wildgrain slow-fermented sourdough and fresh pastries go from freezer to bakery-level perfection in under 25 minutes. Yum! Get $30 off your first box and free croissants in every box at Wildgrain....

Apr 29, 20261 hr

570: GLP-1s, Food Addiction, and the Psychology of Craving | Luke Cook

A wide-ranging conversation with Luke Cook exploring GLP-1 drugs, nicotine, ultra-processed foods, and the psychology of craving—blending evidence-based insights with real-time speculation and commentary that should be taken as conversation, not prescription. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Kion is known for their transparent and evidence-based essential amino acid (EAA) supplements which help save you calories while providing all essential amino acids for muscle growth and more. Save 20% ...

Apr 26, 20261 hr 5 min

569: Why Fertility Is Declining – Inflammation, Toxins and What You Can Do | Natalie Crawford, MD

Fertility expert Natalie Crawford, author of The Fertility Formula , breaks down how inflammation, toxins, metabolic health, and modern lifestyle factors may impact your ability to conceive—and what you can do about it. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Get 160+ labs per year for only a dollar a day to OWN your health with Function Health! http://functionhealth.com/max and use gift code MAX25 for $25 off. Food waste is one of the biggest and most overlooked environmental problems—and most of...

Apr 22, 20261 hr 16 min

568: Why Dating Today Feels So Hard and How to Find Love That Lasts | Amy Chan

Dating coach Amy Chan, author of Unsingle , explains why modern dating feels broken—and the small shifts that actually lead to lasting love. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Puori PW1 protein is here to satisfy all of your protein needs! Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements (fish oil, creatine, and more). Visit ⁠⁠ Puori.com/MAX⁠⁠ and use promo code MAX to get 32% off and a welcome kit when you start a subscription. I sleep on an Avocado mattress because real organ...

Apr 20, 20261 hr 2 min

567: The Most Powerful Food You’re Not Eating (And It Takes 3 Days to Make) | Doug Evans

Doug Evans sits down with Max to explore the surprising science and real-world power of sprouts—from boosting sulforaphane and detox pathways to making ultra-nutritious food in just days on your countertop. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode is proudly sponsored by:...

Apr 15, 20261 hr 5 min

566: How Healthy Attachment Can Radically Upgrade Your Work, Love, and Friendships | Amir Levine, MD

Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine, author of Secure , explains how your daily social interactions shape your brain, energy, and health—and how to rewire them to feel more secure, resilient, and supported in every area of life. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This ep...

Apr 13, 20261 hr 11 min

565: How to Have More Complete Bowel Movements and Optimize Colon Health | Trisha Pasricha, MD

Gastroenterologist Dr. Trisha Pasricha, author of You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong , breaks down what “normal” really means for your gut—revealing the hidden causes of constipation, bloating, and incomplete poops, and how to fix them. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode...

Apr 08, 20261 hr 12 min

564: How to Preserve and Enhance Vision for Better Brain and Mental Health | Bryce Appelbaum, OD

Neuro-optometrist Dr. Bryce Appelbaum reveals how your visual system shapes your brain, focus, and performance—and shares practical tools to improve vision, reduce strain, and protect long-term cognitive health. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode is proudly sponsore...

Apr 06, 20261 hr 21 min

563: Why Your Life Feels Meaningless Even If You’re Doing Everything Right | Arthur Brooks, PhD

Harvard professor and happiness expert Arthur Brooks joins Max to unpack why so many of us can be doing everything “right” and still feel unfulfilled—and how to reconnect with real meaning, based on his new book The Meaning of Your Life. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This e...

Apr 01, 20261 hr 3 min

562: How to Build Muscle and Lose Fat Without Burning Out | Sal di Stefano

Returning guest and listener favorite Sal Di Stefano joins Max to cut through the noise to reveal what actually works for building muscle, losing fat, and staying consistent—without burning out or overcomplicating things. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode is proudl...

Mar 30, 20261 hr 3 min

561: How to Future-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp at Any Age | Tommy Wood, PhD

Neuroscientist Dr. Tommy Wood breaks down the science of preventing cognitive decline and optimizing brain performance—drawing from his new book The Stimulated Mind to reveal what actually keeps your brain sharp for life. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode is proudl...

Mar 25, 20261 hr 5 min

560: What Your Sperm and Eggs Say About Your Health and Fertility | Lucky Sekhon, MD

Fertility expert Dr. Lucky Sekhon, author of The Lucky Egg , breaks down what your sperm and eggs reveal about your health—and what you can do today to protect your fertility. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode is proudly sponsored by: Puori PW1 protein is here to s...

Mar 23, 20261 hr 9 min

559: The Hidden Psychology of Happiness and Meaning | Dave Evans

Dave Evans, Stanford life design expert, explains why success alone often fails to deliver fulfillment—and how to build a life that actually feels meaningful in the day to day. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode is proudly sponsored by: LMNT is my favorite delicious...

Mar 18, 20261 hr

558: The 5 Brain Health Habits That May Prevent Dementia, According to a Neurologist | Majid Fotuhi, MD PhD

Neurologist Dr. Majid Fotuhi, author of The Invincible Brain , joins Max to break down the most powerful lifestyle habits for protecting your brain, staying sharp as you age, and reducing your risk of dementia. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode is proudly sponsored...

Mar 16, 20261 hr 18 min

557: The Surprising Science of Pregnancy Nutrition (Protein, Choline, Omega-3s and Blood Sugar) | Jessie Inchauspé

Jessie Inchauspé—biochemist, bestselling author, and the “Glucose Goddess”—joins Max to unpack how blood sugar, protein, choline, and omega-3s during pregnancy may shape a baby’s brain, metabolism, and lifelong health. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode is proudly s...

Mar 11, 20261 hr

556: Why Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard | Ken Rideout

Endurance athlete and author Ken Rideout joins Max to discuss discipline, addiction recovery, and the relentless mindset behind his book Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard . 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film This episode is proudly sponsored by: Puori PW1 protein ...

Mar 09, 20261 hr 5 min

555: How to Stop "Food Noise," Tame Hunger, and Make Fat Loss Easy | Rachael DeVaux, RD

Registered dietitian and trainer Rachael DeVaux aka @RachaelsGoodEats joins me to share practical strategies for prioritizing protein, building balanced meals, and simplifying healthy eating—along with insights from her new cookbook The High Protein Plate. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugav...

Mar 04, 202652 min

554: How to Use AI to Improve Your Health Right Now | Nasim Afsar, MD

Physician-executive Dr. Nasim Afsar—former Chief Health Officer at Oracle and COO of billion-dollar health systems—joins Max to explain how AI, personalization, and a long-overdue mindset shift could transform today’s “sick care” model into true health care, as detailed in her new book Intelligent Health. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new doc...

Mar 02, 20261 hr 9 min

553: Should You Be "Fartmaxxing"? The Truth About Fiber, Gut Health, and Longevity | Amy Shah, MD

In this episode, Max sits down with double board-certified physician and nutrition expert Dr. Amy Shah, MD to explore how gut health influences hormones, energy, mood, and longevity, why modern life may be sabotaging our microbiome, and whether viral trends like “fartmaxxing” are helping or hurting. Grab her new book, Hormone Havoc , out now. 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://yo...

Feb 25, 20261 hr 16 min

AMA 4: Non-Negotiables for Brain Health, Top Evidence-Based Supplements, and Early Decline Warning Signs

In this brain health-focused AMA, Max answers listener questions on dementia prevention, memory loss, cognitive performance, supplements, and the lifestyle habits most strongly linked to keeping the brain sharp with age. As always, nothing here should be construed as gospel (or medical advice). 15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now! Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere Watch my new documentary Li...

Feb 23, 20261 hr 6 min
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