
Hosted by Wisconsin Public Radio · EN
A joyful take on healthy living with family physician Dr. Zorba Paster.
"When people ask me what I hope to achieve with my podcast, I sum it up in one sentence: “To help people live a full, optimistic, vibrant, happy life—reducing suffering and developing resilience so they can say, unequivocally, ‘I’m here.’
I’ve spent 35 years hosting my nationally-syndicated public radio show, Zorba Paster On Your Health, and it’s been an incredible journey sparking thoughtful, engaging conversations about health and wellness—without the clutter, chatter, or noise.
With more than 45 years as a family physician, my experience as one of the lead physicians caring for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, my ongoing work mentoring medical students and residents at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and my humanitarian medical work with Tibetan refugees, I’ve gained a unique perspective on modern health care. I strive to blend the science of Western medicine with the balance of holistic, integrative approaches to healing. Give the podcast a listen—I think you’ll love it."
New episodes every week -- with occasional bonus episodes to respond to breaking health news. Follow the show and share it with your friends!

Send Zorba a message!Zorba shares his wisdom and well wishes for realizing a happy, healthy Thanksgiving. Plus some wise words from Ralph Waldo Emerson.(Recorded November 25, 2025)Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!

Send Zorba a message!Dr. Zorba and Karl look at a new study showing Americans spend less time reading for fun and more time on screens. Zorba talks about using acupuncture for balance issues. We learn about the OG snake oil salesman, and Zorba talks about alcohol use and back pain. Zorba also discusses a potential liver risk with using CBD products, and Karl shares his family road trip stories from Yellowstone (including a bizarre bee sting remedy).Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!

Send Zorba a message!Dr. Zorba and Karl look at new research linking social media use to lower cognitive performance in preteens. Zorba helps a caller with breathing and sleep issues, helps a listener with sinusitis, and talks about black crust pizza and jet lag after a trip to India. Zorba talks about the importance of self care, illuminates us on when babies develop sight and start seeing in color, and we check in with our favorite ultra-processed snack cake buddy, Little Debbie!Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!

Send Zorba a message!ProPublica (an independent, non-profit news organization) recently reported on the FDA’s handling of potential safety issues concerning generic drugs we get from overseas manufacturers. Some of their findings include:· For decades, the FDA has blacked out the names of generic drugs on inspection reports for foreign factories that were found to have safety and quality violations. · This has prevented patients, doctors, and pharmacists from knowing whether manufacturing failures have made medications ineffective or unsafe. You can find the ProPublica article here(Recorded Nov 10, 2025)Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!

Send Zorba a message!Dr. Zorba and Karl look at new research about how beta blockers may raise a heart risk for women (we also hear from Robert Downey Jr.). Zorba helps a caller with sciatica, and talks about how our sugar habits need to change as we age. Zorba walks us through his tried and true method for preparing and storing corn so it stays tasty all winter long.Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!

Send Zorba a message!Dr. Zorba Paster's thoughts on a new study that links long-term use of the popular sleep aid melatonin, to heart failure. Is it good science...or clickbait?(Recorded November 7, 2025)Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!

Send Zorba a message!Dr. Zorba and Karl look at two new studies that show cannabis products can help with back pain. Zorba takes a call about a special turmeric drink, and helps listeners with insomnia, gut health issues, and advice on shingles. They also hear a mom joke and get a visit from the newly badged Grammar Cops.Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!

Send Zorba a message!Dr. Zorba Paster on the RSV outbreak and what you need to know about the different vaccines available.(Recorded November 2, 2025)Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!

Send Zorba a message!Dr. Zorba and Karl look at new research about the brain mechanism that help us overcome fear. Zorba gives a caller advice about dealing with swimmer's itch. Zorba tries out Karl's acupressure mat (on the show). They talk about how parents used to calm their children back in the day (booze and opium). And Zorba shares his favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!

Send Zorba a message!A listener asks Dr. Zorba if mushroom coffee improves memory, he offers up tips for combating Seasonal Affective Disorder, and he reveals why vaccines are so expensive. Zorba and Karl talk about the 1904 Olympics and why some coaches were giving their runners rat poison, and Zorba reveals his #1 tip for making your dinner party a smashing success.Support the showProduction, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!