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53 episodes

The Critical Decades: How Daily Habits in Midlife Can Actively Delay Cognitive Decline
16/07/2026 | 1h 5 mins.
Long before the first signs of forgetfulness or confusion appear, the cellular ""seeds of dementia"" may already be taking root in the brain. Leading neurologists warn that cognitive decline isn't a sudden onset of old age, but a slow process that can begin up to 30 years before a clinical diagnosis.

In this episode of the podcast, Dan dives into the hard science of prevention with Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, exploring how a groundbreaking new blood test is helping doctors track early neurological damage long before symptoms show. We also break down the concept of genetic "penetrance"—revealing why carrying a dementia gene does not mean you are destined to get the disease, and how specific lifestyle factors can fundamentally change your brain's trajectory.

From the plant-predominant dietary shifts reshaping modern neurology to the daily digital distractions eroding our focus, find out what you can do in your 40s and 50s to protect your mind for the future.
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Stacking the Deck for a Longer Life: Small Happiness Habits with Massive Long-Term Payoffs
09/07/2026 | 1h 5 mins.
Can you train yourself to be happier? Best-selling author Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project) joins The Dan Buettner Podcast to break down the usable, evidence-based habits that can help upgrade your baseline level of joy.

In this episode, Rubin shares how she walked away from a prestigious career clerking for the Supreme Court to study the psychology of human connection, routine, and fulfillment. She and Buettner unpack the simple "low-hanging fruit" of daily life—from getting morning light to the profound impact of greeting your family like a dog greets its owner. Plus, they dive into a fascinating, counterintuitive look at why you actually should go to bed angry, and introduce Rubin’s famous "Four Tendencies" personality framework.

Whether you’re a natural morning person or a night owl, learn how to stop looking for a cookie-cutter template and start stacking the deck in favor of your own happiness.
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The Radical Power of Extreme Discipline for Longevity with Ken Rideout
02/07/2026 | 57 mins.
From trauma and a 10-year opioid addiction to becoming the world's fastest marathoner over 50, Ken Rideout’s story is a masterclass in human resilience. In this gripping episode, Ken joins Dan Buettner to unpack a life of extreme highs and devastating lows—from the high-stakes world of Wall Street to the grueling turning point of cold-turkey detox. To survive the agony of withdrawal, Ken started running. Today, his pathway to health is fueled by intense, extreme discipline. It looks vastly different from Dan’s typical longevity framework—and that’s exactly the point. While their methods diverge, Ken’s radical approach proves there are multiple ways to conquer adversity, redefine aging, and turn life's heaviest challenges into your greatest blessings.
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The Trillion-Dollar Trap with Marion Nestle
25/06/2026 | 1h 2 mins.
In this episode, longevity expert Dan Buettner sits down with renowned academic and food politics expert Dr. Marion Nestle to unpack how the American food system became dominated by ultra-processed foods and skyrocketing obesity rates. Nestle breaks down the historical and political shifts—from the Nixon-era agricultural policies of the 1970s to the corporate deregulation of the 1980s—that prioritized commodity crops like corn and soybeans over public health. They discuss why food corporations are structurally incentivized to maximize shareholder profit rather than consumer well-being, leaving everyday shoppers to fight a trillion-dollar industry entirely on their own.
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Season Highlights
04/06/2026 | 48 mins.
In this special reflective episode, we take a deep dive into the archives of the Dan Buettner Podcast, looking back at where we’ve been and the invaluable lessons shared by previous guests. From world-renowned researchers to the quiet wisdom of centenarians, we synthesize what we’ve learned about the journey to a long, happy life and where this exploration is taking us next.
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About The Dan Buettner Podcast

In his groundbreaking Blue Zones research, National Geographic explorer and bestselling author Dan Buettner uncovered the secrets to longevity and happiness from the world’s longest-lived populations. In his new podcast THE DAN BUETTNER PODCAST, Dan shares the practical habits, mindsets, and wisdom that set the stage for a thrilling, fulfilling life at any age. Produced by Intuitive Content Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/ This podcast is for general informational purposes only. Podcast participants may have financial interests, ownership stakes or advisory or other roles in or regarding companies, products, or services mentioned or discussed in the podcast. The opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely those of such participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast producers or their affiliates. Any information or opinions (whether relating to physical or mental health, fitness, medical matters, financial or investment matters, or anything else) made known to you in connection with the podcast: (a) do not take into account, and are not intended to provide advice or recommendations appropriate for, your particular situation, needs, and objectives, and (b) are not intended to substitute for the advice or recommendations of any healthcare, fitness, medical, financial, investment, or other appropriate professional advisor hired by you. Any use or reliance upon any podcast provided information or opinions is at your own sole risk.

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