The Jesse Chappus Show 378: Marta Zaraska - Growing Young Through Friendship, Optimism & Kindness
Marta Zaraska (IG: @mzaraska) is a Polish-Canadian science journalist published in the Washington Post, Scientific American, New Scientist, the Atlantic, and Discover.
Her first book, "Meathooked: The History and Science of Our 2.5-Million Year Obsession with Meat" was chosen by the journal Nature as one of "the best science picks" in 2016.
Her second book, "Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100" is a Globe and Mail bestseller. It's a research-driven case for why optimism, kindness, and strong social networks will keep us living longer than any fitness tracker or superfood.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Marta's father influenced her interest in diet and exercise
- The transition from Poland to Canada as a freelance science journalist
- Friendship, kindness, and optimism are free
- The culture in France makes it easier for children to eat properly
- The strength of community
- The most important thing you can do for your longevity
- Men benefit more from a happy marriage than women do
- What defines a happy marriage?
- Friendships are extremely important for health & longevity
- How many friends does one person need?
- Facebook friends don't replace real friends
- What is phubbing?
- Turning off your phone improves relationships
- Scheduling time for friends
- What it means to be conscientious
- Being neurotic/narcissistic is negative for your health
- You can improve your personality traits
- Would you pay to hug a stranger?
- A boost of oxytocin makes you feel more connected
- Our gut microbiome is impacting our brain
- What is the vagus nerve?
- A healthy way to exercise the vagus nerve
- What is heart rate variability (HRV)?
- The Roseto effect
- A snapshot of Marta's diet
- Marta's 1-day superfood experiment
- Combining exercise and an act of kindness
- The caregiving network
- The benefits of changing your perspective
- The random acts of kindness "experiment"
- Are telomeres impacting your behaviour?
- Doing new things together as a couple boosts your connection
Show sponsors:
Perfect Keto <== 20% off all Perfect Keto products (free shipping in the US)
Organifi <== 20% off all Organifi products
BLUblox <== 15% off the world's most advanced blue light glasses
Related links:
Marta Zaraska - Growing Young (book)
Follow Marta Zaraska on Instagram and Twitter
Marta Zaraska - Meathooked (book)
Robin Dunbar - How Many Friends Does One Person Need (book)
My Random Kindness "Experiment" Cortisol Results
Related episodes:
365: Dr. Uma Naidoo – This Is Your Brain On Food
346: Leon Logothetis – The Kindness Diaries, Finding Inner Peace, Go Be Kind
144: Dr. Sara Gottfried – How To Look And Feel Younger
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