Growth Minds with Sean Kim

UC Davis psychology professor and relationship scientist Paul Eastwick has spent two decades running studies that challenge everything we think we know about attraction — from speed dating experiments to 4,000 blind dates — and the findings will surprise you. In this episode, we break down why the traits you think you want in a partner don't actually predict who you'll be attracted to in real life, why dating apps may be making your love life worse, and the science behind what actually builds lasting chemistry and compatibility. If you're dating, in a relationship, or just want to understand how attraction really works, this conversation will change the way you think about it.In our conversation we discuss:(1:10) Why Dating Advice Gets Attraction Wrong(2:28) The Evolutionary Reason Humans Bond(7:08) What Speed Dating Reveals About Attraction(13:03) Why Dating Apps Distort Real Chemistry(18:27) How Culture Shapes Who We Want(25:49) Why Compatibility Can’t Be Predicted(31:45) What Actually Matters Long Term(42:24) Why Modern Dating Feels Like a Market(52:58) The 3-Date Rule for Real Connection(59:54) The Questions That Build Chemistry(1:10:10) Why Passion Fades in Relationships(1:15:50) Best Advice for Finding LoveLearn more about Paul Eastwick here:Website: https://pauleastwick.com/pauleastwick"Bonded By Evolution": https://a.co/d/06WWsVs1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauleastwick?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Listen to this episode Youtube: https://youtu.be/26y86mf2P4w📸 Connect on IG: https://instagram.com/growthminds.podcast

Dr. Andrew Koutnik is a metabolic scientist and researcher who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 16 — an experience that drove him to dedicate his career to understanding and optimizing human metabolism. Despite managing a chronic disease that requires calculating insulin for every meal, every day, he has turned that challenge into a professional edge, conducting research at institutions including Harvard and Johns Hopkins on topics like ketogenic diets, blood sugar regulation, and metabolic disease prevention. He is also the co-host of the podcast In Range and an active educator who provides free resources to help people — with or without chronic disease — take control of their metabolic health.In our conversation we discuss:(0:00) – The Diabetes Epidemic Nobody Talks About(2:45) – What Is Type 1 Diabetes (And Why It's Different)(6:30) – Diagnosed at 16: His Blood Sugar Was 6x Normal(12:00) – The Moment That Changed Everything(17:20) – How He Turned a Disease Into a Superpower(23:10) – The Hidden Warning Signs You're Pre-Diabetic(30:45) – Why You Feel Tired After Every Meal(38:00) – The #1 Diet to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes(46:30) – The Truth About Keto (LDL, Risks & Who It's For)(54:15) – How Exercise Rewires Your Metabolism(1:01:00) – Sleep, Stress & the 40 Factors Destroying Insulin(1:08:20) – CGMs: The Biohacker Tool Everyone Should Use(1:14:45) – Supplements That Actually Lower Blood Sugar(1:21:30) – AI & Wearables: The Future of Metabolic Health(1:29:50) – Where to Find Dr. Koutnik's Free ResourcesLearn more about Dr. Andrew Koutnik here:Website: https://andrewkoutnik.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewkoutnikphd/Listen to the full episode on Youtube:https://youtu.be/6DGCJgjYqpg📸 Connect on IG: https://instagram.com/growthminds.podcast

Dr. William Li, physician, scientist, and president of the Angiogenesis Foundation, joins the show to explain how circulation, the gut microbiome, and inflammation shape our risk of heart disease, cancer, and brain disorders. In this conversation, he breaks down surprising discoveries about microplastics, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, stem cells, and why the health of our blood vessels may be the hidden key to longevity. Dr. Li is also the author of the bestselling book Eat to Beat Disease, where he explores how food can activate the body’s natural defense systems.In our conversation we discuss:(0:00) Introduction(1:32) Why Most People Die From Heart, Brain, or Cancer(1:54) The Real Common Denominator: Circulation(2:18) Why Blood Vessels Control Health(2:44) Young People Getting Diseases of Aging(3:24) Why Researchers Are Looking for the “Smoking Gun”(4:34) Chronic Inflammation Explained(6:04) Environmental Causes of Inflammation(8:19) Microplastics From Car Tires(9:15) Pollution, Water Contamination, and Toxins(11:09) Gut Microbiome: Your 39 Trillion Bacteria(12:15) How Gut Bacteria Control Brain, Mood, and Metabolism(13:24) The Firefighter Role of Good Bacteria(14:44) Dysbiosis and Chronic Disease(15:54) The Gut–Brain Connection(16:32) Is the Appendix Actually Important?(18:11) Why Longevity Studies Take Decades(21:24) Anti-Inflammation Insights From Drug Studies(23:40) GLP-1 Drugs and the Weight Loss Revolution(25:15) Why GLP-1 May Protect the Heart(27:18) Should Healthy People Take GLP-1 For Longevity?(29:40) Side Effects of GLP-1 Medications(32:12) The Unknown Long-Term Effects of New Drugs(34:05) Why Longevity Research Is So Hard(36:30) Stem Cells Explained (Stem Cells 101)(39:17) The 70 Million Stem Cells You’re Born With(41:24) Why Stem Cells Decline With Age(43:21) The Truth About Stem Cell Clinics(46:14) Foods That Can Mobilize Your Stem Cells(48:42) Microplastics: Easy Ways to Reduce Exposure(53:08) Water Filters and Reverse Osmosis Debate(56:03) Air Quality and Why It Matters For Health(59:03) Meal Timing, Fasting, and Energy(1:02:24) Why Not Eating Can Improve Health(1:05:42) What To Eat For Breakfast(1:09:42) The Future of Personalized Nutrition(1:13:25) Measuring Your Microbiome(1:17:52) The Next Frontier of Health Research(1:20:54) Food Potency and Superfoods(1:24:23) Longevity vs Quality of Life(1:28:09) The Philosophy of Healthy Aging(1:30:48) Where to Follow Dr. William LiLearn more about Dr. William Li here:Website: https://drwilliamli.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrWilliamLiListen to the full episode here:https://youtu.be/Z20c9JqkbTw📸 Connect on IG: https://instagram.com/growthminds.podcast

Dr. Wendy Suzuki is an American neuroscientist and a professor at the New York University Center for Neural Science. Her research centers on brain plasticity—the brain’s power to change. Renowned for revealing how memory-critical circuits create and preserve long-term memories, she now investigates how aerobic exercise boosts learning, memory, and higher cognition. She is the author of Healthy Brain, Happy Life: A Personal Program to Activate Your Brain and Do Everything Better.In our conversation we discuss:(01:27) Why the Brain Is So Complex (Neuroscience Explained)(01:56) The Most Advanced Part of the Human Brain(02:47) The Prefrontal Cortex: The Brain’s CEO(04:49) Social Media & Shrinking Attention Spans(06:14) Brain Plasticity: How Your Habits Rewire You(09:26) Why Focus Is Becoming Rare(10:16) AI & Critical Thinking: Are We Outsourcing Our Brains?(13:55) Struggle & Learning: How Neurons Grow(14:50) Why Mental Effort Strengthens the Brain(17:57) Cold Plunges, Resilience & the ACC(23:55) How to Improve Memory & Focus Naturally(27:18) Dopamine, Doomscrolling & Social Media Addiction(35:14) Stress, PTSD & How Stress Shrinks the Brain(36:42) Positive Thinking, Gratitude & Brain Health(40:47) Loneliness, Community & Mental Health(44:00) 5 Pillars of Brain Longevity(48:35) Why 8 Hours of Sleep Matters for Brain Health(52:04) Early Signs of Dementia & Memory Loss(55:15) Brain Testing, MRIs & Prevention(59:34) The 6th Brain Health Pillar: Lifelong Learning(1:01:29) AirPods, EMF & Brain Safety(1:03:19) Neuralink & The Future of Brain Implants(1:07:47) Wendy Suzuki’s Work & ResourcesLearn more about Dr. Suzuki here:Website: https://www.wendysuzuki.com/"Healthy Brain Happy Life": https://a.co/d/02R5YTTEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendy.suzuki?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Listen to the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/3XwSTvE9HqM📸 Connect on IG: https://instagram.com/heyseankim

David McWilliams is an Irish economist, author, and broadcaster known for making complex economic ideas accessible to a wide audience. He has written several bestselling books on economics and hosts “The David McWilliams Podcast,” where he discusses global finance, politics, and current affairs. McWilliams is also the founder of the Kilkenomics festival, which blends economics and comedy to explore economic issues in an engaging way.In our conversation we discuss:(00:00) Why a paper bill has value(00:41) Money’s real nature: a social technology(03:39) Money begins with cities (Sumer) + civilization “stack”(07:51) Money as collective belief (almost like religion)(08:51) Money as peace: trade vs war + early debt stories(13:38) Money, storytelling, and trust at scale(16:28) Before money: tally sticks / “Stone Age blockchain”(19:32) First money: grain, granaries, and early currencies(21:57) Coins arrive: Lydians → Greeks → rational thinking(25:25) Paper money: China first, Europe expands it(26:59) Why money history matters today(28:28) How banks create money + trust + 2008 lesson(33:01) Misconceptions: bubbles, FOMO, and human psychology(37:30) Rich vs poor: time horizons (and why)(45:18) $1,000 at birth: stake in the future + paradox of aggregation(50:24) What schools should teach: trading cards as economics(54:10) The pursuit of money: freedom, immigrants, ambition(59:07) Where to find David + festivals / TED talkLearn more about David here:"The History of Money: A Story of Humanity": https://a.co/d/0eKkoxrRDavid McWilliams Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCEmyysMARbViCw8M7RNFxcg Kilkenomics Festival: https://www.kilkenomics.com/Watch the full episode on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/cuumfI_9J-4

Dr. Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist focused on relationships and men's mental health, explores attraction, infidelity, and how relationships change over time. He discusses why expecting one partner to meet every need fails. He explains boredom, shifting desires, cheating motives, mission-first masculinity, and how men can build confidence and emotional balance.

Mark Manson is a bestselling author, blogger, and cultural commentator known for his honest, no-nonsense take on personal growth. He first gained global recognition with Models, a practical guide to dating and authenticity, followed by the international bestseller The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. His work challenges traditional self-help by emphasizing values, responsibility, and psychological realism. Mark also hosts the podcast SOLVED, where he explores life’s hardest questions through science, philosophy, and candid conversation.In our conversation we discuss:(0:34) – Reinventing identity across career stages(4:31) – Advice for releasing outdated identities(8:29) – Letting go of former selves(10:55) – Effects of quitting alcohol(16:59) – Handling social stigma when not drinking(19:08) – Developing a healthy relationship with boredom(25:59) – Subtraction versus addition in personal growth(28:33) – Balancing self-acceptance and self-improvement(30:55) – Motivation without tying worth to success(33:44) – What deserves a scarcity mindset(36:49) – When suffering gives life meaning(41:40) – Finding a meaningful purpose to pursue(44:24) – Values grounded in personal control(47:13) – Identity tied to work in future societies(52:02) – How status changes when wealth declines(53:48) – Self-help as modern secular religion(59:32) – Will religion make a comeback(1:02:05) – Law of “fuck yes or no” explained(1:04:04) – Key questions to evaluate relationships(1:06:08) – Identifying non-negotiables in partners(1:09:16) – Why attraction feels uncontrollable(1:16:23) – Ending friendships that no longer serve(1:21:00) – Personal growth focus right nowWatch full episodes on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@seankim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/heyseankim

Dr. Roger Seheult, a pulmonary and critical care physician and MedCram co-founder known for clear, evidence-based health explanations. He explores sunlight’s benefits beyond vitamin D, timing of light for cortisol and circadian health, how sleep timing affects physiology, sunscreen tradeoffs, and practical sauna, cold therapy, and supplementation considerations.

Dr. Dominic D’Agostino is a scientist and associate professor at the University of South Florida, internationally known for his research on ketosis, metabolic health, and human performance. His work explores the therapeutic and performance benefits of ketogenic diets, fasting, and metabolic therapies, including applications in cancer, neurological disorders, and extreme environments. Dr. D’Agostino has advised elite military units, NASA-affiliated research programs, and professional athletes. He is widely respected for translating cutting-edge metabolic science into practical strategies for health and resilience.In our conversation we discuss:(0:00) What is the ketogenic diet overview(2:52) How carbs versus keto affect the body(5:44) Why should someone try keto(9:45) Mental focus benefits of ketosis(14:48) Cyclical versus continuous ketogenic dieting(22:56) Keto fat intake and cardiovascular risk(32:40) Low-carb versus strict keto risks(37:35) Carnivore diet versus ketogenic diet(43:22) Ancestral eating and adding berries(48:11) Best timing for carbs on keto(52:35) How beginners should start keto(57:12) Managing keto flu and side effects(1:01:10) Ketosis effects on sleep quality(1:07:48) Melatonin use and long-term safety(1:13:02) Quality of life versus strict dieting(1:19:14) Where to learn more about keto researchWatch full episodes on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@seankim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/heyseankim

Dr. Neal Barnard is a physician, clinical researcher, and founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). He is a leading advocate for plant-based nutrition and has conducted groundbreaking studies on how diet affects diabetes, heart disease, and brain health. Dr. Barnard is the author of numerous bestselling books, including The Power Foods for the Brain and Your Body in Balance. Through his research and public education efforts, he has become one of the most influential voices in promoting evidence-based, compassionate nutrition.In our conversation we discuss:(00:00) – Misconceptions and origins of the plant-based diet(02:24) – Early exposure to heart disease and meat connection(05:11) – Discovery that plant-based diets reverse diabetes(06:07) – Portion control vs. natural body regulation(07:38) – Humans as plant-eaters, not natural carnivores(08:53) – Stone Age tools enabled unnatural meat consumption(10:22) – Returning to plant-based diets improves health(14:10) – Reversing diseases through diet changes and research(16:03) – What “plant-based” truly means and typical meals(17:33) – How fat buildup causes insulin resistance(18:53) – Three-week vegan diet and diabetes improvement(20:47) – Why omnivorous diets fail long-term(21:59) – Clarifying vegan vs. plant-based terminology(22:31) – Comparing keto and plant-based diet results(25:12) – Health risks and misconceptions of ketogenic diets(27:36) – The four pillars of a healthy diet(29:37) – Environmental and ethical impact of meat consumption(33:14) – Getting sufficient protein from plants(35:22) – Shrimp farming ethics and environmental damage(39:26) – Food production methods vs. health outcomes(41:31) – Protein intake debates and sarcopenia(45:03) – Plant protein sources and practical meal ideas(47:02) – Dining out and global vegan meal options(49:44) – Supplements: B12, D, iodine, omega-3s(54:06) – Iron sources and risks of excess iron(59:33) – Dairy, hormones, and links to cancer(1:07:06) – Compassion, evolution, and human indifference to animals(1:13:20) – Cultural and economic factors in diet choices(1:20:11) – Ethical debates about plants, pain, and life(1:23:22) – Dr. Barnard’s books and closing reflectionsWatch full episodes on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@seankim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/heyseankim