Sober Curious? Shift Your Relationship To Alcohol With Mindful Drinking

Weight management is something that many people struggle with. And sometimes, it can feel impossible. But what happens when we shift our focus beyond the scale? How would incorporating sleep management tools, social support and connection, and other pillars of lifestyle medicine positively impact our experience with weight management? To guide us through this topic, we spoke to Mahima Gulati, MD, a triple board-certified physician specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, metabolism, and lifestyle medicine, and associate professor of Medical Sciences at the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University, about how GLP-1 agonists work for obesity management and how the six key pillars of lifestyle medicine can assist with weight loss and weight management from incorporating a plant-based diet to sustainable physical activity and more.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States alone, with one person dying from heart disease every 33 seconds. February, in addition to American Heart Month, is Black History Month. Black Americans are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white Americans. What risk factors contribute to heart disease impacting Black Americans at higher and more fatal rates? Are there lifestyle changes we can implement to shift health outcomes? We spoke to Anekwe Onwuanyi, MD, board-certified cardiologist and professor of medicine who serves as chief of cardiology at Morehouse School of Medicine, medical director of the heart failure program at Grady Memorial Hospital, and president of the Association of Black Cardiologists, about barriers in healthcare, the impact of stress and socioeconomic factors on cardiovascular issues, preventative measures, and necessary policy initiatives to create sustainable change in the Black community.

Between the extreme opposites of toxic positivity and pessimism lies a healthy middle ground that we often overlook: practical optimism. What does it mean to move through the world with optimism? And even if we often feel pessimistic or hypervigilant, how can we practice optimism on a daily basis to develop this emotional muscle? To explore this topic, we spoke with Sue Varma, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and author of the new book Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being, about the importance of cultivating everyday mental wellness and developing emotional resilience to help us navigate inevitable moments of crisis and triumph. This discussion of practical optimism is a powerful reminder that the glass is neither half full nor half empty - the glass is simply refillable.

Over the past century in the U.S., there's been a societal transformation in what we expect from our romantic relationships. It's not just about love anymore; there's a growing belief that our partners will fulfill many roles, including being instrumental in our personal growth. But what do these expectations mean in romantic partnerships? Are they realistic, or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment? We spoke with Lia Love Avellino, LCSW, a modern love therapist and founder of Spoke Circles, a group support hub in Brooklyn, about the primary concerns couples face communicating our wants and needs, creating balance in a relationship, and cultivating supportive bonds without trying to facilitate one another's self-actualization.

When we think of racism, we often think of overt acts of prejudice and discrimination, but what about subtle microaggressions, bias, and systemic barriers? February is Black History Month, and we are looking at the ways trauma and stress due to racism can impact the Black community physically, mentally, and emotionally. We'll discuss covert racism, explore the psychological impact of working twice as hard to attain what others might take for granted, and unpack the ways hypervigilance takes a toll on mental health. We spoke with Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, LCP, clinical psychologist and Fellow at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University, about the intergenerational impact of racism, tools for Black families to discuss this with the next generation, and how the brain responds to racial trauma.

In January, many people choose to refrain from alcohol, or what is known as a “dry January,” after potential excess during the holiday season. But what about those who want to refrain longer or explore their relationship with alcohol? What does it mean to be sober curious, or practice mindful drinking? How would shifting our drinking habits impact our health? We spoke to Amanda E. White, licensed professional counselor and the owner of Therapy for Women Center, author of Not Drinking Tonight, and creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwomen, about mindful drinking, how to practice boundaries when refraining from alcohol, and helpful tips for listeners who are sober curious to begin changing their relationship with alcohol.

Do you know the difference between a pap smear and a pelvic exam? Do you know where the cervix is located and what it does? Most importantly, what about the connection between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer? According to some experts, almost 100% of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lifetime and more than 14,000 women in the US are diagnosed with HPV related invasive cervical cancer every year. For cervical cancer awareness month, we spoke with Staci Tanouye, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN to answer common questions about cervical health. We discuss the difference between pelvic exams and pap smears, how often to schedule them, common facts and misconceptions about HPV, and why regular cervical cancer screenings are so important throughout the lifespan.

A 2023 survey by Cleveland Clinic found that 44% of men do not get an annual physical exam. How should men take control of their health? What are the top health concerns for men after the age of 40? What health screenings are essential? And why do we often overlook mental health when having these discussions? Neha Pathak, MD, and John Whyte, MD, discuss the importance of checking blood pressure and cholesterol, maintaining heart health, cancer risk and screening, and how wearable devices and apps can inform and empower men to approach their health and wellness proactively.

In the first episode of the new year, Dr. Pathak takes a different approach to traditional New Year's resolutions. Rather than overwhelming you with the pressure of becoming a "new you," this episode encourages listeners to appreciate and love the "you" that exists right now. With a focus on embracing and accepting the current version of ourselves, we explore the transformative power of self-compassion. Guiding us through this topic is our guest, Kristin Neff, PhD, a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and author of the books Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, and Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power and Thrive. Dr. Neff explores mindfulness, empathy, fierce self-compassion, and helpful practices we can incorporate into our daily lives to show up with an open heart and mind.