The Lucas Rockwood Show

Bob Ross was a popular PBS painting instructor in the 80s and 90s, but little did he know that decades later, he’d develop a cult following of people who simply wanted to hear his voice. Why? Because it triggers an autonomous sensory meridian response, known as ASMR. ASMR is a well-studied phenomenon that creates a pleasant tingling sensation on the skin, relieves stress and helps you sleep. My guest on this week’s podcast is an academic, author, and expert on the subject. Listen and learn: Links ASMR University Calm History ABOUT OUR GUEST Craig Richard, PhD, is a leading expert in Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), a phenomenon characterized by tingling sensations in the brain and scalp. His research focuses on the neurological mechanisms behind ASMR. He’s the author of the book, Brain Tingles. Like the Show? YouTube channel

Kane Tanaka of Japan died in 2022 at the age of 119. Lucile Randon of France died in 2023 at 118. Jiroemon Kimura of Japan died in 2023 at 116, the oldest male ever. What did these people have in common? Were they biohackers? Did they do CrossFit? Did they take NAD supplements or run marathons? Nope. Like almost all centenarians they lived exceptionally long lives most-likely due to genetics, combined with a moderately healthy or even average healthy lifestyle. Despite the overwhelming abundance of evidence that we’re all going die sooner rather than later, the quest for longevity never stops. My guest on this week’s podcast has developed a unique way to measure biological age and his work is playing a key role in longevity research and biohacker communities. Listen and learn: Links Steve on X ABOUT OUR GUEST Steve Horvath is a German-American researcher, geneticist, and biostatistician. He is a professor at UCLA and the principal investigator at Altos Labs, specializing in epigenetic biomarkers of aging, genomics, and comparative biology. Like the Show? YouTube channel

Finland has been dubbed the happiest country in the world, but in reality Finns are content, not overwhelmed with joy. They have a high GDP per capita, good healthcare, low corruption, and a decent amount of personal freedom - all great things, but not necessarily a recipe for joy and happiness. Most people claim their biggest aspiration in life is to find happiness. This is a beautiful sentiment, and while we all love positive emotions like joy, laughter, celebration, adventure, and curiosity; these only exist because they are juxtaposed with negative and challenging experiences. My guest on this week’s podcast suggests that rather than look toward happiness for a more fulfilled life, we should focus more on wonder. Listen and learn: Links Monica’s site ABOUT OUR GUESTS Monica Parker is a speaker, writer, and authority on the future of work. She is the author of the book, The Power of Wonder, and founder of HATCH, an organization that helps companies with culture change and workplace strategy. Like the Show? YouTube channel

If you’re struggling with chronic pain and trying to find help, you’ve probably noticed that the pain management industry is a big minefield with hardcore drugs on one end of the spectrum and questionable potions and placebos on the other. In an ideal world, pain is adaptive and part of our body’s defense mechanisms, but all too often it can become untethered to the original insult and begin to attack your quality of life. Listen and learn: Links Amy’s Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Amy Baxter is a medical doctor and entrepreneur known for her research on pain. She is the inventor of Buzzy, a simple device to help kids get injections. Like the Show? YouTube channel

In the 1980s, Nancy Reagan coined the term, “Just say no!” and spearheaded the social aspect of the so-called war on drugs. It didn’t work, nor have any of the dozens of public, private, and international efforts to curb the disease of despair. Things have become so much worse that today, almost every single person listening has a friend or family member affected by addiction. My guest on this week’s podcast is a recovered addict herself and uses yoga as part of an integrated 12-step program to support others. Listen and learn: Links Y12 ABOUT OUR GUEST Nikki is the founder of Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR). Her approach is based on her personal journey through addiction and recovery, leading her to blend the somatic aspect of yoga with the cognitive approach of 12-step programs. Like the Show? YouTube channel

Injuries can derail your best healthy lifestyle plans, and if you’re not careful, they can lead to deconditioning and loss of function. But here’s what you need to understand and accept: everyone with an active life gets injured - everyone. So rather than feeling guilt or regret about your aches and pains, it’s a much smarter approach to swiftly move into healing mode and take full ownership of the process. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a career yoga teacher and physical therapist whose work focuses on overcoming injuries. Listen and learn: Links Ariele’s Anatomy Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Ariele Foster is a physical therapist and yoga teacher with over two decades experience helping people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and rehab from surgeries. Like the Show? YouTube channel

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night, and we need good sleep quality as well, which means cycling through light, deep, and REM phases. While sleeping is the most natural of all human behaviors, many of us continue to struggle for a variety of reasons, including stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, and more. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a medical doctor whose work is focused on improving sleep for kids and adults. Listen and learn: Links That Sleep Doc (Instagram) ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Sujay Kansagra specializes in sleep medicine. He is Director of Duke University's Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program and author of a number of books, including My Child Won't Sleep: A Quick Guide for the Sleep-Deprived Parent. Like the Show? YouTube channel

In regenerative medicine and longevity, it’s difficult to separate signal from noise. The search for the fountain of youth is a story as old as humanity, and while we’re all clearly aging, there are some technologies that hold real promise, particularly when it comes to things like joints and skin. On this week’s podcast we’ll discuss stem cells, specifically how specific nutrients can boost endogenous production. Listen and learn: Links Christian’s Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Christian Drapeau is a stem cell biologist and a pioneer in the study of plant-based stem cell enhancement therapies. He is also the author of Cracking the Stem Cell Code. Like the Show? YouTube channel

If you’re interested in meditation and have downloaded an app or purchased a book, yet fail to consistently follow through, this week’s podcast is for you. We’ll discuss meditation for average people living in the real world with recurring guest, Ann Swanson. Listen and learn: Links Meditation for the Real WorldGet your bonus here ABOUT OUR GUEST Ann Swanson is a certified yoga therapist and author of the best-selling book, Science of Yoga. She specializes in helping people manage stress, pain and arthritis. Her new book is called, Meditation for the Real World: Finding Peace in Everyday Life. Like the Show? YouTube channel

The quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our relationships. While most people would probably agree with that statement, they would also admit that their relationships are often troubled. From a psychological perspective, attachment theory can be a helpful frame for understanding our patterns of emotional connection and strife, and it can also provide a path forward toward balance and security. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet an author whose work is centered around understanding yourself to create space for healthier relationships. Listen and learn: Links Thais Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Thais Gibson is an author, counselor, speaker, and founder of The Personal Development School. She has a background in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), underscoring her deep commitment to understanding and teaching the principles of psychological wellbeing and personal growth​. She’s the author of Attachment Theory: A Guide to Strengthening the Relationships in Your Life. Like the Show? YouTube channel

Health education is lacking in most school systems, to the extent that most high school graduates can’t name 10 muscles in their own bodies. Anatomical learning has historically been seen as boring, complex, and difficult to make relevant. Today, things have changed, thanks to 3D software, inexpensive models, and cadaver dissections freely available around the world. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet an online educator reaching millions monthly with anatomy and physiology videos using real human cadavers. You'll learn: Links Institute of Human Anatomy Dissection Room on Youtube Substack ABOUT OUR GUEST Justin Cottle is the Lab Director at the Institute of Human Anatomy, a private human cadaver lab located in Salt Lake City, Utah. He and his IOHA team reach millions each month through educational social media videos, often using real human cadavers. He is also the creator of The Dissection Room on Substack and YouTube. Like the Show? YouTube channel

I’m an introvert. In my private life, I don’t talk much and am mostly in my head. But since the forced isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve come to re-appreciate the power of community. Every single health goal I have becomes so much easier when I’m around positive, supportive people. So once a week, I force myself to practice yoga, take a run, ride my bike, or paddle surf with other people. On one of those runs, I joined up with 120 people on the beach in Barcelona running, doing burpees, and dancing to pop songs. The group is called Midnight Runners, and it turns out it’s a long-standing event that happens all over the world. On this week’s show, you’ll meet the founder to learn about the power of fitness and community. Links: Midnightrunners.com @gregexplores ABOUT OUR GUEST Greg Drach is the co-founder of Midnight Runners with a mission to make fitness more engaging and fun. Drach is an avid traveler and adventurer having visited 65 countries across five continents. Like the Show? YouTube channel

There is no such thing as a perfect human diet because we are all unique and have unique objectives. The bodybuilder eats to build mass, the dieter plans meals to lose weight, while others use food to manage their mental health. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a metabolic psychiatrist who takes a food-first approach in her work with clients. Listen and learn: Links Dr. Ede’s site ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Georgia Ede is a nutrition and metabolic psychiatrist. She has done extensive research on ketogenic diets, and is the author of the book, Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind. Like the Show? YouTube channel

“I don’t know the meaning of life, but I know the purpose of life: to survive and procreate.” This quote was from a biologist on the podcast eight years ago, and it stuck with me because if he’s right, I’ve achieved my biological imperative and I’m now on borrowed time. While that may sound soulless and even nihilistic, it’s also a helpful frame (for me) as I attempt to make choices to optimize my life in the second half - my bonus time. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a researcher who debunks many pop longevity myths and also shares some compelling research around the supplement nicotinamide riboside. Will it make you live forever? No, but it might help you live better for the time you are here. Listen and learn: Links Brennerlab.net ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Charles Brenner, the Alfred E. Mann Family Foundation Chair in Diabetes and Cancer Metabolism at City of Hope National Medical Center, discovered nicotinamide riboside (NR) as a crucial precursor to NAD+ in 2004 and a second NR-to-NAD+ conversion pathway in 2007, enhancing yeast cell lifespan. Currently, Dr. Brenner leads groundbreaking clinical trials on NR, focusing on its maternal and neonatal effects and translating animal model findings into safe, evidence-based clinical practices for human metabolic stress conditions. Like the Show? YouTube channelwww.yogabody.com

You’ve got a bum knee or wonky hip. Your doctor says you’re a candidate for a joint replacement, and your insurance has approved the procedure - but you’re not sure if you’re ready for that. You know that joint replacement success rates are extremely high. But you also know this is a major surgery with long-term effects, and you’d like to dig your heels in a little longer. What about platelet rich plasma (PRP)? What about stem cells? On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a regenerative medical doctor whose work is focused on healing ailing joints. You’ll learn: Links Dr Gross Site About our guest Dr. Jeffrey Gross specializes in regenerative stem cell medicine and anti-aging. He has an extensive background in treating athletic injuries across many areas such as hips, knees, shoulders, and spine. Like the Show? YouTube channelwww.yogabody.com

Osteoarthritis, the wear and tear inflammation of your joints, is so common that some research suggests half of us over the age of 65 will be affected. You’ve probably heard that movement is medicine, but how much movement? And while ibuprofen helps, is long-term use safe? What about all the weird and expensive treatment options? On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a Professor and rheumatology expert whose work is focused on finding solutions for this common disease. Listen and learn: ABOUT OUR GUEST Tonia Vincent, a Professor of Musculoskeletal Biology at the University of Oxford specializing in Rheumatology. She focuses on understanding osteoarthritis. Like the Show? YouTube channelwww.yogabody.com

The top New Year's resolutions involve weight loss and fitness. In my industry, January is boom time and February is gloom time as most people have given up on their New Year energy by Valentine’s Day. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a non-dogmatic weight loss coach who takes a sustainable, forever approach to sane weight management. You’ll learn: Links Nagina’s Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Nagina Abdullah is a weight loss coach who incorporates natural, wholesome foods and practical lifestyle changes, and mindfulness to help clients achieve sustained results. Like the Show? YouTube channelwww.yogabody.com

Alcohol is involved in 28 percent of all fatal car accidents, 37 percent of all violent crime, and is responsible for an unknown number of mental and emotional health challenges. On the flip side, it also has a rich tradition of craftsmanship and cuisine, culture and celebration. In moderation, alcohol has pro-social benefits, lowers social anxiety, and is loved by billions. If you’re one of those people who can have a drink now and then without much of a thought and certainly no problem, this podcast is not for you. If drinking is causing you to gain weight, struggle the next morning, or is creating big problems in your life and you want to stop, my guest on this week’s show can help. Listen to learn Links Rachel’s site ABOUT OUR GUEST Rachel Hechman has a troubled history with alcohol, and after three years sober, now helps support other people on their journey to healthier living. Like the Show? YouTube channelwww.yogabody.com

If weight loss is one of your New Year’s resolutions, you’re probably as frustrated and confused as the rest of us with all the conflicting advice and extreme approaches being touted as a forever solution. In 2023, calorie counting resurfaced as a popular approach to weight loss - and that’s just fine - but many people find that their calorie math somehow doesn’t work and are left feeling discouraged. If you can relate, this solo podcast is for you. Here’s what you’ll learn: Like the Show? YouTube channelwww.yogabody.com

Many people are worried that their favorite deodorant is going to cause them an early death, but when it comes down to it, we’re more worried that we’re going to smell like death. This conundrum perfectly articulates the juggling act between the short term benefit and long term risk with skin care products. In an ideal world, regulators would keep us from harm’s way. In the real world, long-term cancer risk, hormone disruption, and even organ damage are difficult to track and quantify so this is an evolving discussion. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet the CEO of a testing company focused on safety and efficacy for manufacturers. Listen and learn: Links dermatest.com ABOUT OUR GUEST Marcel Voss is the CEO of Dermatest GmbH, a company that specializes in skin testing and analysis. Like the Show? YouTube channelwww.yogabody.com