The Dan Buettner Podcast

Retirement is being sold to us as a monolith, but MIT Age Lab founder Joe Coughlin reveals it is actually as complex—and critical—as any other phase of life. In this episode, we unpack the hidden realities of aging, longevity planning, and why the traditional blueprint for growing old is broken. Discover why the first year of retirement can trigger a dangerous mortality spike for men, the real psychological forces behind "gray divorce", and why joining a club or community can add years to your life better than any pharmaceutical hack. Plus, learn how 40-year-old mothers are shaping the future, why college towns secretly make the best anti-aging environments, and how to design your next 8,000 days for maximum happiness.
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Is almost everything you think you know about nutrition completely wrong? In this episode, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist, public health scientist, and director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, joins The Dan Buettner Podcast to dismantle decades of dietary dogma. Discover why 94% of American adults have suboptimal cardiometabolic health, why total fat and seed oils aren't the villains we made them out to be, and how ultra-processed foods are silently driving our chronic disease crisis. Plus, Dr. Mozaffarian breaks down the real science behind food as medicine, whole grains, and actionable policy solutions for a healthier future.
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Award-winning health reporter Allison Aubrey joins Dan Buettner to cut through wellness hype and reveal what actually slows down aging. From her own midlife wake-up call to the simple "Brain Care Score" quiz linked to a 50% lower risk of stroke and dementia, Aubrey shares actionable strategies to boost brain health, build functional strength, and master "The Third Turn" of life with purpose and vitality.
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What if the secret to living past 100 isn't going to the gym, but how your daily life is built? On location in Bolotana, Sardinia, Dan Buettner sits down with demographer Dr. Gianni Pes—the man who coined the term "Blue Zone". Together, they break down 25 years of unassailable data, the power of family, and why natural movement beats workout culture every time.
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Why does 10,000 steps a day barely budge your biological clock, while a high-intensity workout can actively turn back the clock on your DNA? Pioneering geneticist Dr. Steve Horvath joins Dan Buettner to expose what really drives epigenetic aging—and why expensive biohacking shortcuts often fall flat. Discover the exact VO2 max threshold required to reverse your cellular age, the truth behind popular longevity drugs like rapamycin, and simple, low-cost daily habits that protect your muscle mass and lower multi-morbidity risk. Stop guessing with your health and learn the proven, science-backed mechanisms to keep your mind and body young.
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