UCLA LiveWell

In our latest LiveWell podcast episode, we sit down with Lonnie Ali, a dedicated advocate for Parkinson’s research, a champion of compassion, and widow to Muhammad Ali.Lonnie shares her personal journey from growing up across the street from the legendary boxer in Louisville to becoming his "rock" and care partner throughout his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Chair and co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, Lonnie details the importance of the Ali Compassion Index, the Center’s impressive measuring tool for compassion in cities across the U.S. With Lonnie’s help, we reframe compassion not just a soft sentiment, but a measurable "muscle" that can be flexed to bridge divides and foster civic engagement in our communities.In this episode, we discuss:The Five Layers of Compassion, from self-compassion to the nation on a whole. Stories of Muhammad’s instinctive kindness, from talking a man off a ledge to bringing a family in need into his home. The Compassion Index: Why cities like Seattle, Louisville, and Atlanta are leading the way in civic engagement and volunteerism. Overcoming the guilt of prioritizing one's own health to avoid burnout. How small, daily acts, like letting someone in during traffic, can catalyze global change.This episode offers actionable tools and powerful stories to help you flex your compassion muscle and live a fuller, more connected life. Resources:Book: Soul of a Butterfly by Hana Ali Website: AliIndex.org Website: Ali Compassion ReportListen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being.Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.We also have links in the show notes on our website: healthy.ucla.edu/livewellpodcastIf you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu. To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @LiveWell_UCLA!Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

Our latest LiveWell podcast episode features an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation with Angus Fletcher, Professor of English at Ohio State University and a core member of Project Narrative.Angus shares his personal journey from working in a neurophysiology lab studying live brain cells to pursuing a PhD in literature at Yale to understand the mechanics of story.Drawing from his work with the US Army Special Forces and his latest book, Primal Intelligence, Angus explores how the human brain evolved to be smart in uncertainty—a capacity he fears we are losing in an age of computational logic.He highlights the flaw in modern education that treats intelligence as a pattern-matching game and offers practical, hopeful pathways forward through the four pillars of primal intelligence.In this episode, we discuss:● Why AI is "lobotomizing" the human brain by ignoring narrative thinking● The four pillars of Primal Intelligence: Intuition, Imagination, Emotion, and Common Sense● How to train pediatric residents to trust their "feelings" as medical data● Lessons from Shakespeare on starting stories in the middle to spark wonder● The critical difference between being a manager and being a leader● How to reform education to support early-career scholars and innovative thinkersWhether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or anyone searching for a sense of purpose in a digital world, this episode offers actionable tools, uplifting stories, and a powerful vision for a more human future.Resources:Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740110/primal-intelligence-by-angus-fletcher/Website: https://www.angusfletcher.co/Listen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being.Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center.It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform.Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.We also have links in the show notes on our website at healthy.ucla.edu/livewellpodcast.If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu.To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @LiveWell_UCLA!Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

Our latest LiveWell podcast episode features an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation with Diana Winston, the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC). Diana shares her personal journey from being a young seeker traveling through Asia to spending a year as a Buddhist nun, a period that fundamentally shaped her understanding of the human mind. Drawing from her decades of teaching and her work at MARC, Diana explores how mindfulness is a practical, evidence-based tool that anyone can use to lower stress and enhance well-being. She highlights the growing crisis of "continuous partial attention" in our digital age and offers practical, hopeful pathways forward through the art of "natural awareness."In this episode, we discuss:● The difference between concentrated meditation and natural awareness● How mindfulness can physically rewire the brain for better focus● Techniques for "micro-moments" of peace during a hectic workday● The role of mindfulness in promoting equity and social justice● Overcoming common myths about meditation● How students can use presence to combat academic burnoutWhether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or anyone searching for a sense of calm in a chaotic world, this episode offers actionable tools, uplifting stories, and a powerful vision for a more mindful society.Resources:Book: The Little Book of BeingWebsite:https://www.dianawinston.com/Listen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being.Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

Our latest LiveWell podcast episode features an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation with Kasley Killam, a leading expert in social health and author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier Lives. Kasley shares her personal journey from being a curious psychology student to becoming a nationally recognized voice on the power of human connection. Drawing from her work with Social Health Labs, global field research, and her own experiences as an empath and introvert, Kasley explores why social health is emerging as a critical pillar of well-being alongside physical and mental health.Her insights are grounded in both research and lived experience—from her transformative “108 Days of Kindness” project to her work with cities like Barcelona and Paris to strengthen community connection. Throughout the episode, Kasley highlights the urgent need to rebuild social ties in a time of widespread loneliness, and she offers practical, hopeful pathways forward.In this episode, we discuss:How Kasley discovered “social health” and why it is becoming a global movementHer four strategies for strengthening our “social muscles” The 5-3-1 guideline for building meaningful and sustainable relationshipsThe influence of built environments—from LA to Bhutan—on our ability to connectHow students and communities can create a culture of belonging The role of AI in modern connection, and why diversity of social ties mattersThe power of intentionality, kindness, and community-led initiatives in creating a thriving societyWhether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or anyone searching for ways to strengthen your connections and improve well-being, this episode offers actionable tools, uplifting stories, and a powerful vision for a more connected world.Resources:Book: https://www.kasleykillam.com/social-health-bookWebsite: https://www.kasleykillam.com/Listen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being.Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

“It is possible to believe that all the past is but the beginning of a beginning… the twilight of the dawn.” – H.G. WellsBut how do we shape what comes next—and prepare for futures we can’t yet see?Join us for a compelling episode of the UCLA LiveWell podcast featuring Dr. Andy Hines — futurist, professor at the University of Houston, and expert in strategic foresight.Andy guides us through:🔭 How to scan for signals and build stories about the future.🧠 Why vision is the antidote to chaos and uncertainty.🐸 The role of “frogs”—those who bridge foresight and organizational reality.🧩 How stealth strategies can embed future thinking in resistant cultures.Whether you're navigating change or dreaming big, this episode will help you think ahead with clarity and purpose.🎧 Tune in and explore how strategic foresight can help you live—and lead—with intentionDr. Andy Hines' WebsiteImagining After Capitalism University of Houston Foresight ProgramToday’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

Dr. Dan Wildcat, Haskell Indian Nations University professor and author who blends Indigenous wisdom with ecology and climate science. He explores eco-kinship versus anthropocentrism. He reflects on Vine Deloria Jr.’s influence and the writing of Red Alert. He discusses humility, storytelling, generosity, and reframing technology to strengthen community and resilience.

Original air date: March 1st, 2023Why is controversy a good thing? What does it mean to have five eyes? Why is there no such thing as spectatorship? This is what we set out to uncover in Part 2 of our Special Series with Peter Sellars, world-renowned theater and opera director. Join us as we discuss imagining new and revolutionary solutions to issues and injustices by centering art and community care. Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, provide feedback, or invite Wendy to be a guest on your podcast! Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

Original release date: February 16, 2023. Why were snakes at the original Olympics? How are the arts and sports intimately connected? How did the Greek tragedy come to be? We cover all of these questions in Part 1 of our Special 2 Part Interview  with Peter Sellars. Peter, with his gift of storytelling, takes us on a journey to the Olympics in ancient Greece, where health, theater, and the arts were of equal importance in this celebration of togetherness. Fast forward to today, we look at how arts and sports are both lifelong commitments to navigating struggle in thrilling, liberating, and uniting ways.Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, provide feedback, or invite Wendy to be a guest on your podcast! Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

Our latest episode of LiveWell features a powerful conversation with Dr. Eraka Bath, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA and a triple board-certified expert in child, adolescent, adult, and forensic psychiatry. Dr. Bath’s work profoundly impacts youth in the foster care and juvenile legal system, addressing critical issues of racial justice, structural vulnerability, and the path to system transformation.We discuss:Her early exposure to social conditions and structural marginalization through her travels with her mother as a childWhy she was drawn to psychiatry and how this field can be used to address root causes of socioeconomic injusticesIdentifying problems in clinical spaces and finding solutions that extend beyond the doctor-patient relationship to impact structures and policiesHer vision for the future of psychiatry, including the integration of Neuroaesthetics and the Arts into health to enhance well-beingWhether you’re a healthcare professional, an advocate for youth, or anyone interested in the intersection of health, justice, and community, this episode offers profound insights into building a legacy of system transformation.Listen now and subscribe for more stories that elevate purpose-driven leadership.Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, offer feedback, or invite Wendy to be a guest on your podcast!Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

Our latest episode of LiveWell is a conversation with Dr. Angela Fentiman. An educator and executive communications leader at UCLA, where we explore how an early introduction to communication in service and civic duties, then roles in energy and education shaped her approach to communication and leadership. From writing speeches for her father, a small-town mayor in Oregon, to managing narratives during utility and infrastructure outages, Dr. Fentiman shares the moments that defined her voice, and the lessons she shares with students and colleagues.We discuss:Her early exposure to public service and speechwritingWhat it means to lead with curiosity, empathy and clarityApproaches to crisis management and what’s at the core of every situationHer dissertation on women in executive political rolesWhy foundational skills like emotional intelligence and interpersonal communication are essential for today's leadersThe connection between living well and leading wellWhether you're a professional communicator, an aspiring leader or simply someone who values thoughtful conversation, this episode will leave you inspired to speak—and live—with intention.Listen now and subscribe for more stories that elevate purpose-driven leadership.Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, offer feedback, or invite Wendy to be a guest on your podcast! Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla