Episodes

  • 260 From Self Doubt to Self Trust: Reframing Midlife through Biology, Beauty and Brain Science with Natalya Borakowski

    260 From Self Doubt to Self Trust: Reframing Midlife through Biology, Beauty and Brain Science with Natalya Borakowski
    Mar 23 2026
    In this conversation with Dr. Gillian Lockitch, Dr. Natalya Borakowski explains the neurological remodeling and hormonal shifts that occur during perimenopause and menopause — and why these changes can trigger identity disruption and appearance anxiety. You'll learn how understanding the biology behind midlife can restore self-trust, reduce fear, and support aging youthfully. Midlife often arrives with an unexpected sense of instability. Women describe feeling anxious, self-critical, emotionally reactive, or disconnected from their reflection — even when medical tests show nothing "wrong." Estrogen and progesterone influence neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, and hormonal shifts temporarily alter emotional regulation, stress response, and self-perception This experience is not psychological weakness or hysteria. It is a biological and neurological transition that most women are never prepared for. If we misinterpret midlife symptoms as personal failure, we amplify stress and self-judgment — two drivers of accelerated aging. For women committed to healthy longevity and extending healthspan, understanding the hormonal remodeling of the brain is essential. When we understand what is happening, fear lessens. And when fear lessens, physiology follows. Natalya Borakowski is a naturopathic physician and founder of Desert Bloom Skincare. Her upcoming book, Emotional Esthetics: The Story of Aging, The Biology of Beauty, and the Art of Self-Trust, reframes midlife distress as a natural neurological transition rather than a cosmetic crisis. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Opening question: Is midlife distress biological, not psychological? 03:45 — Natalya's journey into medicine and skin health 07:30 — Cultural pressures, appearance & identity 13:15 — The "identity perception split" explained 18:40 — Hormones, neurotransmitters & brain remodeling 23:50 — Wellness vs performance and self-surveillance 26:30 — Personal stories: health crises & device tracking 31:10 — Nervous system safety and the vagus nerve 32:10 — The essential mindset shift: aging as transformation 34:10 — Closing reflections and resources Connect with Natalya Borakowski We are happy to offer a complimentary download The Aging Out Loud Starter kit https://free-gift.unveilyou.life/ Instagram accounts @unveilyou.life @natalyaborakowski LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/natalyaborakowski Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch Download your guide toBuild Back a Better Body: Strengthen Bones, Muscles, Joint and Fascia Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com to request a phone conversation or zoom call Join the Growing Older Living Younger Facebook Community here Share the Growing Older Living Younger podcast link for anyone you care about and invite them to subscribe
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    36 mins
  • 105 Dr. Vera Tarman: Food Addiction- A Silent Killer.

    105 Dr. Vera Tarman: Food Addiction- A Silent Killer.
    Mar 20 2026

    THIS Flashback Friday EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on food addiction, in particular addiction to sugar and refined carbohydrates.
    Today's Featured Expert is Dr. Vera Tarman, author of Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction, cohost of the popular Food Junkies Podcast and founder of the Facebook group called "I'm Sweet Enough: Sugar-Free for Life."
    We discuss the reality and the pathophysiology of sugar addiction, how to know whether you have an addiction and the impact that corporate sponsorship of research and disease-focused organizations have on the common narrative.

    Episode Timeline
    0:11 Introduction to today's episode.

    2:58 The difference between pleasure seeking and addiction.

    7:45 How to decide if you have a true sugar addiction?

    12:29 Dopamine re-uptake.

    17:08 Are there genetic predispositions to addiction?

    21:28 The connection between diabetes and sugar addiction.

    25:27 You are what you eat

    31:41 Why sponsorship of research by corporations is problematic.

    37:52 Training yourself to say no to sugar addiction.

    Speaker Bio:
    Dr, Vera Tarman. MD, MSc, FCFP, ABAM, is a specialist in addiction medicine, Medical Director of Renascent and a senior staff physician at Salvation Army. she is author of Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction and cohosts the Food Junkies Podcast

    Learn more about Dr. Tarman's work, and sugar addiction at the links in the show notes. Facebook: www.fb.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife

    Website: veratarmanMD.com and addictionsunplugged.com;

    You tube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VeraTarmanMD

    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drveratarman/

    Change Your Aging Masterplan: Seven Keys to Reversing Aging to Live Younger Longer - with Dr. Gillian Lockitch, starts May 30th. For more information Email Dr. Gill at askdrgill@gmail.com or book a free Discovery Call with me.
    To get your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably click here

    And if you have not already done so, follow, rate and review the show.
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    40 mins
  • 259 Food, Metabolism, Weight Gain: Why Calorie Counts, Willpower and Diets Keep Failing Us as We Age

    259 Food, Metabolism, Weight Gain: Why Calorie Counts, Willpower and Diets Keep Failing Us as We Age
    Mar 16 2026
    Why does weight loss feel harder with age—even when we "do everything right"? In this episode, award-winning health journalist Julia Belluz challenges the calorie-centric narrative of weight control and explains how metabolism, hormones, food environments, and ultra-processed foods shape how—and why—we eat. This conversation reframes weight, aging, and health through evidence rather than diet dogma.For decades, we've been told that weight control is simply a matter of discipline: eat less, move more, and the scale will comply. Yet for many people—especially as they age—this advice fails repeatedly, leading to frustration, guilt, and confusion. Midlife and beyond bring hormonal shifts, metabolic adaptation, and increasing exposure to highly engineered food environments. Understanding why our bodies resist weight loss—and how our environment pushes us toward overeating—is essential for protecting healthspan rather than blaming ourselves for biology. My guest, Julia Belluz, is an award-winning health and science journalist, New York Times opinion contributor, and co-author of Food Intelligence, written with metabolic researcher Kevin Hall. Together, they unpack decades of misunderstood nutrition science and explain what actually drives hunger, metabolism, and eating behavior.Listeners will learn why metabolism slows as a response—not a cause—of weight loss, what The Biggest Loser study revealed about long-term metabolic adaptation, how hormones interact with ultra-processed foods, and why environment often overrides conscious food choices. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Why weight loss feels harder with age 03:50 — Julia's path into nutrition journalism 07:45 — The Biggest Loser metabolism findings 11:10 — "It's not metabolism, stupid" 15:55 — Hormones, hunger, and eating behavior 22:15 — Food environments and ultra-processed foods 27:30 — Nutrition studies: signal vs noise 30:40 — Supplements, misinformation, and risks 32:55 — What is hopeful moving forward ? Connect with Julia Belluz https://www.juliabelluz.com/ Find the Book "Food Intelligence" by Julia Belluz and Kevin Hall PhD. Call to Action: Order the book Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably (North America only ) or find it on kindle Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show. Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community Website: https://www.askdrgill.com/
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    37 mins
  • 093 Bob Schafer: Train Your Brain while Playing Games

    093 Bob Schafer: Train Your Brain while Playing Games
    Mar 13 2026

    Flashback Friday re-post of most popular episodes

    THIS EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on improving your cognitive functioning through playing computer brain training games.
    Today's Featured Expert discussing the neuroscience of cognitive training and the Lumosity brain training program, is Bob Schafer, President of Lumos Labs Medical, and Chief Science Officer at Lumos Labs (Lumosity)
    We discuss the neuroscience of cognition and Lumos Labs Human Cognition Project, how the Lumosity platform is built around training cognitive skills through engaging digital games, what you, the consumer, can learn from regularly training on Lumosity, and how Lumos Labs is working in the new frontier of digital medicine.
    Episode Timeline:
    0:11 Introduction to this episode
    5:16 Introduction to the Human Cognition Project
    12:48 The Lumosity database
    16:23 What percentage of users stick with the program?
    21:03 The importance of engagement in brain training.
    26:54 How to assess your performance
    35:14 Are there mental barriers to progress?
    Speaker Bio:
    Bob earned his PhD in neuroscience from Stanford University and was a postdoctoral fellow at MIT. He has published original research in top journals including Science and Neuron. Prior to joining Lumos Labs, he was founder and CEO of a YCombinator-funded startup company that used neuroscience and predictive analytics to improve hiring decisions and team development.
    In 2015, Bob and his startup team joined Lumos Labs. Here, Bob has served in a number of roles leading research, product, and business initiatives, including the formation of the company's Lumos Labs Medical division. Over 100 million people in the Lumosity community have combined to play more than 7 billion cognitive gameplays across more than 15 years, providing, along with the Lumos Labs "Human Cognition Project,", unique insights into the brain and mind.
    Learn more about Lumosity at these links
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-schafer-4171554/

    Schedule a free Discovery Call with me to discover how to Reset Your Aging Blueprint or kickstart your wellness, beauty and healthy aging business.

    email: askdrgill@gmail.com


    Order your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably click here - North America only . Otherwise available on Kindle
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    46 mins
  • 258 Backpain, Aging and Mobility: Prevention, Treatment or Surgery with Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo

    258 Backpain, Aging and Mobility: Prevention, Treatment or Surgery with Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo
    Mar 9 2026
    Back pain is one of the most common causes of reduced mobility and loss of independence as we age. In this episode, spine surgeon Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo explains the causes of back and neck pain, when conservative treatment is appropriate, and when spine surgery may become the best option for restoring mobility and quality of life. Chronic back and neck often trigger fear. Many people assume pain is inevitable, that surgery always leads to long downtime, or that recovery means permanent limitation. In this episode, we explore modern advances in spine care, recovery, and how the right mindset and preparation can help people reclaim movement, confidence, and independence at any age. Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo is a board-certified, fellowship-trained spinal and orthopedic surgeon and founder of the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices across New York and New Jersey. A graduate of Brown University and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, he completed his orthopedic residency at Washington University in St. Louis and a spine fellowship at UPMC. He is also the creator of the 360 Dynamized Core system for spine-safe core strengthening. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — A personal story: emergency spine surgery and recovery 05:40 — Why spine pain becomes more common with age 09:10 — Imaging vs symptoms: understanding the disconnect 12:55 — How surgeons decide who needs surgery 18:20 — Mindset, movement, and recovery outcomes 22:10 — Minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques 26:40 — Core strength, prevention, and daily habits 32:50 — A practical action for people in pain today Connect with Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo www.nynjspine.com 360coreboard.com Call to Action: Find "Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably" (North America only) or on Kindle. Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show. Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch email: askdrgill@gmail.com
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    36 mins
  • 147 John Nolan PhD. Nutrients for Your Eyes and Brain: The Magic of Marigolds

    147 John Nolan PhD. Nutrients for Your Eyes and Brain: The Magic of Marigolds
    Mar 6 2026

    EPISODE 147 OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on protecting eye, brain and overall health with the antioxidant carotenoid pigments, especially lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin, as determined in the Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Clinical Trials (CREST).

    Download my free Guide to the Colourful Antioxidants in Your Food that explains the wellness benefits and food sources of these protective nutrients.

    To tell us how key nutrients can protect our eyes from macular degeneration, and help preserve memory and mental acuity, I talk with today's Featured Expert, Professor John Nolan. He is a Fulbright Scholar, and a full professor at the South East Technological University (SETU), Waterford, Ireland, where he holds a Howard Chair in Human Nutrition, He is the Director of the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI). This research centre studies the role of nutrition for vision, cognitive function and prevention of age-related diseases. In 2011, Prof Nolan won a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) research grant to study the impact of nutritional supplementation on visual function via two Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Clinical Trials), and has published 117 peer-reviewed scientific papers.

    Episode Timeline:

    0:11 Why targeted nutrition for Eye Health

    5:17 Nutrition and eye health with a focus on carotenoids.

    10:02 Measuring macular pigment in the eye and its changes with supplements.

    16:04 The importance of macula pigments in eye health.

    21:07 Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.in eye health.

    28: 07 Sources of antioxidants, micronutrient supplements, and their overall effects on health of the body.

    31:53 Eye health and antioxidants.

    37:41 Antioxidants and healthy aging

    Learn more about Prof John Nolan and the Carotenoid research:

    http://www.profjohnnolan.com/

    http://www.bonconference.org/

    https://ie.linkedin.com/in/johnmnolan

    https://www.instagram.com/profjohnnolan

    Get to know Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch

    Download Your free Guide to the Colourful Antioxidants in Your Food

    Download the Growing Older Living Younger app for your smartphone or tablet

    Schedule a free Discovery Call with Dr. Gill at askdrgill@gmail.com

    website: https://www.askdrgill.com/


    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gillian.lockitch/rlivingyounger

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    X: https://twitter.com/GilliansReviews

    And if you have not already done so, follow, rate and review this Growing Older Living Younger podcast.
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    44 mins
  • 257 Integrating Western Biometrics and Traditional Chinese Medicine to Rethink Preventive Aging Care with Ryan Yuen

    257 Integrating Western Biometrics and Traditional Chinese Medicine to Rethink Preventive Aging Care with Ryan Yuen
    Mar 2 2026
    Modern medicine excels at treating disease, less so at prevention. In this episode, we explore how wearable technology powered by artificial intelligence is bringing together Western physiology biometrics and Traditional Chinese Medicine to support true preventive health. Ryan Yuen shares how continuous monitoring of subtle body signals can help identify imbalance long before symptoms appear—and what this means for healthy longevity. Aging well is not about acccepting decline—it's about identifying early warning signs and supporting body balance before disease is established. Traditional Chinese Medicine has emphasized this philosophy for thousands of years,. Modern wearable technology now allows us to monitor the body continuously, shifting how we approach healthspan extension ato live younger longer.Ryan Yuen, Digital Business Lead at Link2Care, is helping bridge ancient medical wisdom with modern data science. The Watch2Care Vital smartwatch integrates 38 Western physiological metrics with 18 Traditional Chinese Medicine functional indicators across five organ systems—using AI to translate data into actionable daily insights read in the Fitvibe app. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Prevention versus diagnosis and treatment in modern healthcare 03:10 — The aging population crisis and why healthcare systems need to change 07:45 — Integrating Western metrics with TCM philosophy using AI 12:30 — Understanding the five TCM organ systems 18:50 — Interpreting health scores and early warning signs 22:30 — Practical lifestyle actions based on daily data 26:30 — What preventive health could look like in the future Connect with Ryan Yuen and Watch2Care Vital* Official Website and Shop: www.link2care.asia LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/link2careglobal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584628198577 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/link2care_global *To show our appreciation for your community, we would like to offer your listeners an exclusive, limited-time promotion. When listeners use the discount code on our official website, they will receive 30% off the Watch2Care Vital and can add two additional wristbands to their cart for free. Discount Code: GOLY30 Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com to request a phone conversation or zoom call Join the Growing Older Living Younger Facebook Community here Share the Growing Older Living Younger podcast link for anyone you care about and invite them to subscribe https://www.facebook.com/groups/growingolderlivingyoungercommunity
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    31 mins
  • 098 Kathleen Nadeau, PhD. Still Distracted? Could ADHD in our Elders be Mistaken for Dementia?

    098 Kathleen Nadeau, PhD. Still Distracted? Could ADHD in our Elders be Mistaken for Dementia?
    Feb 27 2026

    THIS EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in older adults.

    Today's Featured Expert is Kathleen Nadeau, PhD.

    We discuss how unrecognized ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) may impact healthy aging and perhaps be confused with dementia in an older person; and whether there are alternative strategies to medication

    Speaker Bio
    Dr. Kathleen Nadeau is an internationally recognized authority on ADHD across the lifespan and is the author of 15 books related to ADHD. Her most recent book, Still Distracted After All These Years, is the very first book ever written for, and about older adults with ADHD. She is the founder and clinical director of the largest private ADHD specialty clinic in the US, The Chesapeake Center for ADHD in Bethesda, MD. She is known for her supportive, encouraging and practical approach to helping people with ADHD at every age.

    Episode Timeline
     0:11 Introduction to this episode
    3:11 What led Dr.Nadeau into this field of mental health?
    7:12 Stereotypes about ADHD in adults.
    10:29 ADHD or dysregulated attentional system.
    15:12 What is ADHD and what does it mean?
    19:21 Why ADHD is important for healthy aging?
    22:51 What is the cost of undiagnosed ADHD?
    26:54 The medicalization of ADHD
    35:39 Are there clusters of disorders that contribute to ADHD?

    Learn more about Dr. Nadeau's work at these links
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087748066711

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stilldistracted/

    Website - http://www.still-distracted.com/

    Bit.ly link - bit.ly/still-distracted

    Links to: https://chesapeakeadd.com/whats-new/

    To discover how to Reset Your Aging Blueprint or build your wellness, beauty and healthy aging business, schedule a free Discovery Call with me.
    To get your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably click here

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    39 mins