Podcast
The Dan Buettner Podcast
Hosted by Dan Buettner · EN
In his groundbreaking Blue Zones research, National Geographic explorer and bestselling author Dan Buettner uncovered the secrets to longevity and happiness from the world’s longest-lived populations. In his new podcast THE DAN BUETTNER PODCAST, Dan shares the practical habits, mindsets, and wisdom that set the stage for a thrilling, fulfilling life at any age.
Produced by Intuitive Content
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
This podcast is for general informational purposes only.
Podcast participants may have financial interests, ownership stakes or advisory or other roles in or regarding companies, products, or services mentioned or discussed in the podcast.
The opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely those of such participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast producers or their affiliates.
Any information or opinions (whether relating to physical or mental health, fitness, medical matters, financial or investment matters, or anything else) made known to you in connection with the podcast: (a) do not take into account, and are not intended to provide advice or recommendations appropriate for, your particular situation, needs, and objectives, and (b) are not intended to substitute for the advice or recommendations of any healthcare, fitness, medical, financial, investment, or other appropriate professional advisor hired by you. Any use or reliance upon any podcast provided information or opinions is at your own sole risk.
48episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Lessons Learned
3d ago00:40:59Summary ready"Instead of a backpack, I had a microphone." After 20 years on the road studying the world's original Blue Zones, longevity researcher Dan Buettner opened the aperture to look at aging well from a completely new angle. In this milestone reflection, Buettner sits down to answer a surprise list of questions from his producer, looking back at the most impactful lessons from his first season. He candidly shares the moments that challenged his beliefs, why vulnerability has become his show's core metric, and how his definition of a healthy life has evolved. Featuring profound insights this retrospective challenges viewers to reconsider the true pillars of longevity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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15 Myths & Misconceptions About Longevity
1w ago00:32:11Summary readyWe live in an era of massive "longevity washing". From expensive supplements to trendy biohacking routines, marketing machines have made the simple path to a long life feel far more complicated than it actually is. In this episode, we cut through the social media noise to reverse-engineer longevity using rigorous data. Discover the truth about Blue Zones research, why getting to age 100 has less to do with your genes than you think, and how your everyday environment—from what's in your pantry to who is in your social circle—dictates your health span . We break down why traditional plant-based peasant foods outlive "superfood" marketing and how simple daily rituals can add measurable, vibrant years to your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dan Buettner’s Unfiltered Lessons from the Blue Zones
2w ago00:19:59Summary readyDan Buettner, the explorer who identified the world's longevity hotspots, steps into the hot seat to pull back the curtain on decades of global research. In this candid conversation, he discusses the behind-the-scenes reality of his expeditions, from encountering illegal maggot-fermented cheese in Sardinia to surviving a freezing trek through the Costa Rican hinterlands. Dan also shares a rare look at his own life, admitting that while he studies health, he still struggles with a weakness for sweets and spends his late nights playing card games on his phone. From the importance of clean air to the ancient nutritional power of the "Three Sisters" diet, this episode offers a grounded perspective on what it actually takes to live a long and joyful life.
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Two Years to Become the 'Healthiest Man Alive'
3w ago01:01:02Summary readyIn this episode, Dan Buettner sits down with author AJ Jacobs to discuss how 30 years of radical life experiments have distilled into 10 essential tips for a longer, happier life. Jacobs, known for his immersive books like The Year of Living Biblically and Drop Dead Healthy, shares his unique perspective on why willpower is a losing game and why our environment dictates our success. Learn why gratitude isn't a result of happiness, but the cause of it, and discover the "Odysseus Strategy"—a method for pre-committing to healthy choices to avoid the "sirens" of junk food and internet distractions. Whether it’s thanking a thousand people for a cup of coffee or writing a book with a quill to find focus, Jacobs’ journey provides a humorous yet profound roadmap for anyone looking to overhaul their health.
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Kara Swisher Doesn't Want to Live Forever
Apr 3000:52:56Summary readyIn this episode, legendary tech journalist Kara Swisher joins Dan Buettner to pull back the curtain on the multi-billion dollar longevity industry. Fresh off her own investigative journey into the world of elite biohacking, Swisher explains why she has traded high-tech interventions like stem cell treatments and cold plunges for the simpler, evidence-based wisdom found in the Blue Zones. Together, they dismantle the "marketing bunk" of Silicon Valley’s immortality quest, discussing why the obsession with living forever often misses the point of living well. Swisher offers her signature unfiltered take on everything from the "charlatan circus" of health influencers to the profound impact of social connection and public policy on our collective lifespan. It is a candid conversation about moving past the hype to find a longevity strategy that is grounded in reality, community, and common sense.
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The GLP-1 Masterclass with Rocio Salas-Whelan
Apr 2301:04:54Summary readyIn this episode, we sit down with world-renowned endocrinologist and national bestselling author Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen to pull back the curtain on the GLP-1 revolution. As obesity rates climb toward a projected 4 billion people by 2035, Dr. Salas-Whalen explains why these medications—originally inspired by the biology of the Gila monster—are far more than a weight-loss trend. She provides a comprehensive look at how these hormones target the brain’s "food noise" and anticipatory reward systems, moving the conversation away from the stigma of willpower and toward a biological understanding of metabolic health.The discussion goes beyond the basics to address the urgent warnings every user needs to hear, including the "metabolic catastrophe" of using these drugs for cosmetic purposes and the critical risk of life-threatening muscle loss. Dr. Salas-Whalen also explores the hidden environmental factors driving the obesity epidemic, from the food industry’s influence to the presence of endocrine-disrupting plastics in our homes. Whether you are currently taking these medications or simply want to understand the future of metabolic science, this deep dive offers the essential tools to navigate the complex world of GLP-1s and find a path toward a healthier, "Weightless" life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The GLP-1 Masterclass with Rocio Salas-Whalen
Apr 2301:07:38Summary readyIn this episode, we sit down with world-renowned endocrinologist and national bestselling author Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen to pull back the curtain on the GLP-1 revolution. As obesity rates climb toward a projected 4 billion people by 2035, Dr. Salas-Whalen explains why these medications—originally inspired by the biology of the Gila monster—are far more than a weight-loss trend. She provides a comprehensive look at how these hormones target the brain’s "food noise" and anticipatory reward systems, moving the conversation away from the stigma of willpower and toward a biological understanding of metabolic health. The discussion goes beyond the basics to address the urgent warnings every user needs to hear, including the "metabolic catastrophe" of using these drugs for cosmetic purposes and the critical risk of life-threatening muscle loss. Dr. Salas-Whalen also explores the hidden environmental factors driving the obesity epidemic, from the food industry’s influence to the presence of endocrine-disrupting plastics in our homes. Whether you are currently taking these medications or simply want to understand the future of metabolic science, this deep dive offers the essential tools to navigate the complex world of GLP-1s and find a path toward a healthier, "Weightless" life.
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A Gen Z Perspective on Longevity with Samantha Feher
Apr 1601:13:29Summary readyIn this episode of The Dan Buettner Podcast, Dan sits down with Samantha Feher, a journalist, content creator, and host of the Caps Lock podcast, to explore the unique perspective Gen Z brings to the world of longevity and wellness. Often referred to as a modern-day Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha shares her journey from the high-pressure world of New York journalism and reality TV to becoming a dedicated advocate for science-backed health information. The conversation delves into how younger generations are redefining "living well" by shifting the focus from toxic performance metrics and juice cleanses toward finding a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.Samantha and Dan discuss the critical importance of surrounding oneself with the right community, noting that the people we choose to be around are often a direct reflection of our self-love. They explore the "loneliness epidemic" as the primary wellness crisis for Gen Z and highlight the value of "social wellness" through shared experiences like communal saunas or even a traditional Mediterranean glass of wine with friends. From the impact of financial barriers on health to the power of shaping your environment rather than just relying on willpower, this episode offers a fresh, relatable look at how to build a life that is both long and deeply meaningful.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Food Revolution with Neal Barnard
Apr 901:12:51Summary readyCould everything we know about carbs and chronic illness be wrong? In this eye-opening episode, Dan Buettner sits down with Dr. Neal Barnard, founding president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, to dismantle the biggest myths in modern nutrition. Dr. Barnard reveals groundbreaking clinical research suggesting that Type 2 diabetes isn’t caused by rice or bread, but by a "cellular oil slick" that prevents the body from processing sugar. He shares a radical, low-fat plant-based protocol that allows patients to eat unlimited carbohydrates while effectively reversing the disease.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Reverse Your Biological Age with Valter Longo
Apr 201:11:58Summary readyStep into the world’s leading longevity lab as Dan Buettner sits down with Dr. Valter Longo, the pioneering Director of the Longevity Institute at USC, to uncover the "best medicine" already hidden within the human body. This episode breaks down the radical science of the Fasting Mimicking Diet, a revolutionary approach that tricks your cells into a state of deep repair—shrinking and regenerating vital organs like the heart and pancreas without the extreme struggle of water-only fasting. Discover how these ancient biological programs can actually reverse your biological age by up to two and a half years in just three months, while protecting your muscle mass far more effectively than modern weight-loss drugs. Dr. Longo challenges popular health myths, explaining why your "healthy" protein intake might be shortening your life and how even a daily apple could be contributing to hidden weight gain. From the secrets of Italian centenarians to cutting-edge clinical trials, this conversation provides a definitive roadmap for harnessing your body's natural ability to heal, rejuvenate, and fight disease from the inside out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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