Food, We Need To Talk

In this bonus episode, we’re back with Dr. Rachele Pojednic for one of our favorite games: Overrated vs. Underrated — wellness edition. Rachele gives brutally honest takes on cold plunges, wearables like Oura and Whoop, continuous glucose monitors, greens powders, zone 2 training, and IV drips. You’ll hear what she thinks is genuinely useful, what’s wildly overhyped, and what the science still doesn’t know yet. (Yes, she straight-up says cold plunges are overrated and greens powders are a hard no.) If you love hot takes and you want to stop wasting money on wellness nonsense, you’re going to love this one.Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rachele Pojednic, a Stanford faculty member and Chief Science Officer at Restore Hyper Wellness, to talk about the confusing gray zone between wellness fads and real science. We get into why so many health trends (like saunas, cold plunges, supplements, red light therapy, and IV drips) feel like they work… even when the research hasn’t caught up yet. Rachele breaks down how wellness companies and influencers often take small, weak studies and turn them into massive claims — and how to spot that as a consumer. We also talk about what actually looks promising in the research right now (yes, creatine comes up), and why “natural” doesn’t automatically mean “safe” or “effective.” If you’ve ever wondered what’s legit, what’s hype, and what’s just expensive placebo, this episode will make you feel so much smarter.Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we continue our conversation about how your environment might be shaping your health with Dr. Gary Miller, professor of environmental health at Columbia University. We go deeper into the exposome — including how social factors, housing, air quality, and even stress leave measurable chemical fingerprints in your body. Dr. Miller explains what doctors don’t yet test for, why personal exposure testing isn’t quite ready for prime time, and what actually helps reduce risk right now. We also get practical (and honest) about masks, gas stoves, moldy apartments, self-tanner, makeup, and heating food in plastic. If you’ve ever wondered how much control you really have over your exposures — and what’s worth changing — this bonus episode is for you.Sign up for our newsletter here!To hear the rest of this episode, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Gary Miller, a professor at Columbia University, about how the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we use every day may be shaping our health more than our genes ever could. We dive into the science of the “exposome,” why diseases like Parkinson’s and obesity are rising so fast, and what everyday chemicals might be doing inside your body. Along the way, we get practical about what actually matters — from water filters and air purifiers to plastics, perfumes, and even flowers on cakes. Dr. Miller breaks down what’s truly worth worrying about and what’s not. If you’ve ever wondered how much control you really have over your environment (and your future health), this episode will change how you look at everything around you.Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

On this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Jonathan Bonnet—this time getting very practical about behavior change. We dig into the small, underrated “hacks” that actually make habits stick, from visual cues and environment design to making healthy choices the easiest option by default. We also talk through strategies for breaking habits you don’t want—like mindless scrolling or smoking—plus realistic approaches to sleep and stress that don’t require becoming a meditation monk. If you’re great at setting goals but struggle with follow-through, this bonus episode is all about closing that gap. Think less willpower, more systems that work with your brain instead of against it.To hear the rest of this bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam!Sign up for our newsletter here!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Dr. Jonathan Bonnet, a lifestyle medicine physician with a background in exercise science, shares essential health insights. He highlights four major behaviors impacting wellness: smoking, obesity, physical activity, and diet. Discover the significance of finding your deeper 'why' for lasting change and the six pillars of lifestyle medicine. Jonathan emphasizes tiny habits over perfection, encouraging the value of connection and gradual progress. He advocates for starting today with small actions that lead to powerful health transformations.

Mark Faries, a professor specializing in behavior change and health decision psychology, delves into why people fall for fitness fads and gimmicks. He reveals the psychological tricks behind infomercials and how products like the Thighmaster exploit our hopes. Faries discusses misattribution, where people mistakenly credit diets for results that actually come from basic calorie reduction. His insights empower listeners to trust their skepticism and equip them to spot misleading health claims, ensuring their success comes from informed choices rather than shiny shortcuts.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Mark Faries, a behavioral medicine expert from Texas A&M University, delves into the psychology behind motivation. He explains why common slogans like 'just do it' often fail, emphasizing the importance of self-efficacy and confidence in behavior change. Dr. Faries shares strategic insights on setting attainable goals, using vicarious experiences to build confidence, and the significance of positive feedback. He also highlights the value of enjoyable beginnings in adopting healthy habits that stick, offering practical tools for lasting change.

In this episode, Juna and Eddie share big news, reflect on what’s made the show so special, and hint at what comes next. It’s not goodbye forever… but it is a goodbye.Best ways to connect with us:Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Dr. Eric Topol, a renowned cardiologist and digital medicine advocate, shares his insights on the truth behind wellness trends. He debunks the myth that most supplements benefit healthy individuals and calls out the hype surrounding cold plunges and saunas. While he acknowledges that certain deficiencies may require supplementation, he champions a plant-forward diet, regular exercise, and quality sleep as the real keys to longevity. Tune in for this enlightening discussion on what genuinely extends healthspan!