Stay Well with Dr. Zorba Paster
Wisconsin Public Radio
A joyful take on healthy living with family physician Dr. Zorba Paster.
"When people ask me what I hope to achieve with my podcast, I sum it up in one sentence: “To help people live a full, optimistic, vibrant, happy life—reducing suffering and developing resilience so they can say, unequivocally, ‘I’m here.’
I’ve spent 35 years hosting my nationally-syndicated public radio show, Zorba Paster On Your Health, and it’s been an incredible journey sparking thoughtful, engaging conversations about health and wellness—without the clutter, chatter, or noise.
With more than 45 years as a family physician, my experience as one of the lead physicians caring for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, my ongoing work mentoring medical students and residents at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and my humanitarian medical work with Tibetan refugees, I’ve gained a unique perspective on modern health care. I strive to blend the science of Western medicine with the balance of holistic, integrative approaches to healing. Give the podcast a listen—I think you’ll love it."
New episodes every week -- with occasional bonus episodes to respond to breaking health news. Follow the show and share it with your friends!
Location:
Madison, WI
Networks:
Wisconsin Public Radio
Description:
A joyful take on healthy living with family physician Dr. Zorba Paster. "When people ask me what I hope to achieve with my podcast, I sum it up in one sentence: “To help people live a full, optimistic, vibrant, happy life—reducing suffering and developing resilience so they can say, unequivocally, ‘I’m here.’ I’ve spent 35 years hosting my nationally-syndicated public radio show, Zorba Paster On Your Health, and it’s been an incredible journey sparking thoughtful, engaging conversations about health and wellness—without the clutter, chatter, or noise. With more than 45 years as a family physician, my experience as one of the lead physicians caring for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, my ongoing work mentoring medical students and residents at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and my humanitarian medical work with Tibetan refugees, I’ve gained a unique perspective on modern health care. I strive to blend the science of Western medicine with the balance of holistic, integrative approaches to healing. Give the podcast a listen—I think you’ll love it." New episodes every week -- with occasional bonus episodes to respond to breaking health news. Follow the show and share it with your friends!
Language:
English
Contact:
Zorba Paster on Your Health Wisconsin Public Radio 821 University Avenue Madison, WI 53706 800-462-7413
Website:
http://www.wpr.org/zorba/
Email:
zorba@wpr.org
Episodes
We're Bringing Measles Back!
2/20/2026
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Zorba's thoughts on why measles (a virus we had nearly eradicated) is making a comeback, and how you can protect yourself and loved ones.
(recorded February 19, 2026)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Stay well!
Duration:00:03:21
The Best Way To Exercise For Longevity | Menopause & Orgasms | Constant Throat Clearing | Snoring Remedies | Mom Jokes
2/18/2026
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Dr. Zorba talks about his ski trips and lays out the best way to exercise for longevity. Zorba helps out a caller whose husband can't stop clearing his throat, and he reveals if mouth tape can help with snoring. Zorba also talks about menopause and orgasms. The Grammar Cops chime in, and we hear a very well thought out Mom Joke.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:38:14
Your Next Doctor Could be AI | Boat Names! | GERD | Iron Supplements | Mom Jokes | Grammar Cops
2/11/2026
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Dr. Zorba discusses how artificial intelligence has impacted medicine, and how soon we may see AI doctors. Karl shares some boat names. Zorba helps listeners with GERD issues, and iron supplements. The Grammar Cops chime in, and we hear a Mom Joke that will leave listeners stunned.
Just Coffee Co-op
Use Promo Code ZORBA10 for 10% off your order
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Stay well!
Duration:00:33:55
How The New Dietary Guidelines May Impact School Lunches
2/6/2026
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The Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA recently unveiled new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, along with a new food pyramid. Zorba explores how these changes may impact schools and how they prepare and serve food to children.
(Recorded February 5, 2026)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:04:09
Teen Social Media use Skyrocketing | What if your Doc is rude? | Parasites in Kids | GERD | Mom Jokes
2/4/2026
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Dr. Zorba looks at a new Pew Research study that shows 1 in 5 U.S. teens are on social media "almost constantly." He helps a caller with what to do when their doctor is not nice or helpful. Zorba deciphers a viral video going around about "parasite mania" in our kids, he tackles PPI use for GERD, and fields a dental question. The Grammar Cops chime in, and we hear a Mom Joke that mall rats might enjoy.
Just Coffee Co-op
Use Promo Code ZORBA10 for 10% off your order
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Support the show
Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Stay well!
Duration:00:28:01
Guidelines on Ozempic & GLP-1 drugs | Vitamins | Zorba Laughs | Lack of Appetite | Blood Letting still a thing?
1/28/2026
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Dr. Zorba looks at new guidelines laid out by the World Health Organization regarding GLP-1 drugs. He helps a caller who has questions about which vitamins to take, and helps a emailer about how to regain their appetite. In our Quack Tales segment we hear about modern day blood letting, and we revisit the idea of prescribing Zorba's laugh for medicinal purposes.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Stay well!
Duration:00:41:15
New Vaccine Schedule: The CDC Continues To Ignore Science
1/26/2026
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Dr. Zorba's thoughts on the CDC overhauling the childhood vaccine schedule to resemble Denmark's.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:05:25
Shingles Shot may slow Dementia | Hormone Replacement Therapy | Cologuard | Mom Jokes | Rhubarb & Glucose | Cannabis Cops
1/21/2026
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Dr. Zorba looks at important new research that shows the Shingles vaccine may slow down dementia. He also helps out listeners with questions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), Cologuard, and if rhubarb affects glucose levels. We hear a Mom Joke from Karl's mom, and Zorba goes up in smoke with the Cannabis Cops.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:23:34
Cancer Linked to Food Preservatives | Vertigo | Zorba Pushes Back Against Anti-Science | Insomnia | COVID nasal spray
1/15/2026
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Dr. Zorba digs into two new studies that link food preservatives to cancer and type 2 diabetes. Zorba helps out listeners with vertigo, insomnia, and talks about the OTC nasal spray that helps with COVID. Zorba also pushes back against anti-science policies coming out of Washington, and we hear from the Italian faction of the Grammar Cops.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:46:14
Violence and Compassion: Thoughts on Recent Events in Minneapolis
1/13/2026
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Zorba shares his thoughts on recents events in Minneapolis surrounding a fatal shooting carried out by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
(recorded January 12, 2025)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:10:41
Thoughts on the new (Upside down?) Food Pyramid
1/9/2026
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Zorba's digests the good and the bad of the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Why is the AMA is supporting it...and is it living in the Upside Down?
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:05:47
Kids with Smartphones are more Obese and Depressed | Sleep Apnea | Zorba's Horse | Itching | Mom Jokes | Modern Quackery
1/7/2026
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Dr. Zorba talks about a new study that shows giving your child a smartphone before age 12 can lead to a higher risk of depression, obesity, and sleep issues. Zorba helps out a caller with itching, and helps a listener with their sleep apnea machine. We hear a Michael Douglas Mom Joke, we hear about Zorba's horse riding adventures, and Zorba digs into some medical quackery that came from a listener. Zorba also weighs in on what modern quackery we are seeing right now.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Stay well!
Duration:00:31:01
Zorba & Karl's New Year's Resolutions
12/31/2025
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Zorba and Karl share their New Year's Resolutions for 2025.
(Recorded December 16, 2025)
Music performed by Karl Christenson. Pedal steel guitar by Tyler Christenson ("Cabana Boy")
http://www.cabanaboymusic.com/
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:05:57
Drinking linked to strokes | Barrett's Esophagus | Itchy skin | Mom Jokes | Stem Cells & Hip Replacement | Dieting Glasses | Prescription Zorba Laughs
12/30/2025
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Dr. Zorba digs into new research that shows heavy drinking can lead to an increased stroke risk. Zorba helps out a caller (another Karl Christenson) with Barrett's Esophagus. The caller suggests that Zorba should bottle and prescribe his laugh as medicine. Zorba also helps a listener who has extremely itchy skin, we hear a Mom Joke, and we learn about glasses from the 1980s that were purported to help folks lose weight.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:28:56
Health Literacy in a clickbait world | Hormone Replacement Therapy | Audio sensitivity | Mom Jokes | Mammograms
12/23/2025
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Dr. Zorba talks about the importance of health literacy...especially now as health headlines get more confusing. Zorba helps out a caller with HRT questions, he helps a listener with audio sensitivity, and a listener asks why mammogram technology hasn't improved. The Grammar Cops chime in, and we hear a Midwestern mom joke.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:29:30
It's time to take civic action | FDA black box warning on Covid vaccines
12/18/2025
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Zorba talks about the FDA considering adding a black box warning to Covid vaccines. And he lays out a plan for taking civic action with your elected representatives.
Find your elected representatives here:
https://www.congress.gov/members
(Recorded December 16, 2025)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:02:52
Lead in our Food? | Zorba's Giant Challah Recipe | Acid Reflux | Covid & Taste buds | Antibiotics | Mom Jokes
12/16/2025
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Dr. Zorba and Karl look at a new study that shows how much lead we are eating in our food. Zorba helps out a caller with acid reflux, and he walks us through his recipe for Giant Challah Bread. We also talk about antibiotic ointments, and how Covid affects your taste buds The Grammar Cops chime in, we hear a classic mom joke, and a listener posits where Zorba got his name.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
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Duration:00:34:51
Zorba's Holiday Gift Guide
12/12/2025
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Zorba and Karl offer up their favorite gifts and gadgets for the holiday season.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:13:13
Catching up on sleep is good for the heart | Voice tremor | Exploding Head Syndrome | Sex Headaches | Urine Luck!
12/10/2025
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Dr. Zorba and Karl look at a new study that shows catching up on sleep may be good for the heart. Zorba helps out a caller with her weak voice, and we discuss Exploding Head Syndrome (and Sex Headaches). We also learn about "The Pee Prophet" in our Quack Tales segment.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Duration:00:18:09
Zorba's Favorite Books of the Year
12/7/2025
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Zorba talks about his favorite books he read this year. And Karl talks about some movies he enjoyed.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Stay well!
Duration:00:10:52