Best Dan & Rachael Podcasts (2025)

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The Food Pyramid is a Scam (And What to Do Instead) 18:41

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11h ago18:41

18:41

Are you following a "healthy" diet that was actually designed by marketing experts instead of food experts and medical researchers? In this episode, I expose the ugly truth about the Food Guide Pyramid and how this "pyramid-shaped lie" was built on marketing and sponsorships rather than actual science. We’ve been told for decades to build our meals…

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Designing for Truth in an Era of AI Hallucinations / Inside Service Design / Episode #08 1:01:47

3d ago1:01:47

1:01:47

We need to talk about the "intern" sitting on your desktop... Come on, you know the one. Sure, they are fast, very eager to please, and can process data at lightning speeds. But they also have a bad habit of hallucinating facts and making things up just to make you happy. Of course, I’m talking about AI. It is fair to say that we are past the initi…

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Why Detox Fads Fail and What Sustainable Detox Looks Like with Sinclair Kennally 53:24

5d ago53:24

53:24

Why do detox cleanses often make you feel worse instead of better? Also, what simple daily habits can support detox without extreme cleanses? In this episode, my guest and I break down why detox fads are failing women over 40 and what detox actually means at a physiological level. I’m joined by Sinclair Kennally to explain how the liver, gut, bile …

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115. John Jacobs, JE Dunn - The 10-Year Foundation: How JE Dunn Built a Data Blueprint for the AI Era 52:58

8d ago52:58

52:58

John walks us through the story on both the ‘Why’ and the ‘How’ a 101 year old general contractor built a single common data environment underneath every business unit (a foundation that has been laid for over a decade now!), shares the cultural alignment required to execute a technology strategy like that, outlines how that common data environment…

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Stress and Poor Sleep Are Blocking Your Weight Loss Goals 25:53

3d ago25:53

25:53

How do stress and sleep disruption stop fat loss? And what can you do to get your body working with you, not against you? I hear it all the time: you’re eating right, lifting weights, and doing cardio, yet the weight scale won’t budge. In this episode, I break down how chronic stress and poor sleep quietly sabotage fat loss by disrupting cortisol, …

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Fighting the "Enshittification" of Experience / Dan Saffer / Ep. #243 1:13:25

8d ago1:13:25

1:13:25

Sure, design might be going through a tough period... But as the saying goes, "never waste a good crisis." So this moment of uncertainty, where everyone is wondering if (or rather when) AI will take over their job, might actually be our biggest opportunity to rise up. It is a unique chance to reclaim our core focus of designing services that genuin…

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Lose the Weight Loss Meds with Dr. James Hill 51:04

8d ago51:04

51:04

When coming off weight loss medications, how can you prevent your appetite from surging? Also, how can you keep the weight off? In this episode, I explore with Dr. James Hill what really keeps weight off for good. We break down why the strategies that help you lose weight are not the same strategies that help you maintain it, especially in the era …

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Foods I Eat EVERY DAY As a Nutrition Expert 36:59

11d ago36:59

36:59

How can the foods you choose each day shape your long-term health and vitality? Also, what simple nutrition principles do I rely on that can help you feel stronger and more energized? In this episode, I break down the exact foods I eat every day, and why the old ideas of “good days,” “bad days,” or “cheating” set you up for failure. I walk you thro…

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How To Stay "Stubbornly Human" in an AI World / Inside Service Design / Ep. #07 1:01:50

16d ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Here is a hot take, empathy is becoming "theater"... I mean, it's that feeling you get when you receive a "hyper-personalized" yet clearly automated email saying "We are so deeply sorry to see you go". To me, it just feels insincere. Actually, it even feels manipulative. Instead of a genuine connection, it’s a performance designed to "manage" me, n…

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Why Heart Disease Is the Number One Killer of Women with Dr. Jayne Morgan 1:12:53

20d ago1:12:53

1:12:53

Are you overlooking early symptoms of heart disease because they don’t look “typical”? In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jayne Morgan—one of the world’s leading voices in women’s cardiology—about the number one killer of women: heart disease. She explains how pregnancy complications, hormonal transitions, and overlooked symptoms silently raise risk …

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114. Joe Foster, Holman Robotics - Launching an End-to-End Robotics Solution Within a 100 Year Old Global Automotive Services Leader 43:43

22d ago43:43

43:43

Joe shares the why, who, and how Holman Robotics was launched within a 100+ year old global automotive services business, what it takes to scale robotic automation solutions from pilots to scaled deployments, how Holman succeeded internally with their own robotic automation deployments before launching Holman Robotics externally, and finally how Ho…

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Is Olive Oil Making You Gain Fat? 19:28

17d ago19:28

19:28

Should you toss out your extra virgin olive oil and ditch the Mediterranean diet? In this episode, I break down the new study that sparked headlines claiming olive oil makes you gain fat—and explain what the science actually found. I walk you through the difference between healthy extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and the high-oleic industrial seed oil…

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Designing for the Long Game: Self-Care as Professional Rigor / Rachael Dietkus / Ep. #242 1:09:04

23d ago1:09:04

1:09:04

We often hear the "mantra" to move fast and break things... But what happens when the thing that breaks is you? For many service design professionals, this is the reality of their calendar: back-to-back meetings, a rush to deliver, and very little space to actually think. In many organizations, there is a culture that views this busyness as a badge…

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The Truth About Leakage, Prolapse, and Pelvic Floor Muscle Care with Dr. Sara Reardon 46:02

27d ago46:02

46:02

How can you tell whether your pelvic floor is tight, weak, or both? In this episode, I speak with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Sara Reardon about the confusion so many women feel around leakage, prolapse, painful sex, constipation, and “mystery” pelvic symptoms. Sara shares simple habits, movement tips, and muscle-care strategies that can dr…

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Your Ultimate Healthy Holiday Guide for Powerful Aging 25:09

24d ago25:09

25:09

Which wellness tools will help you sleep better, recover faster, and feel stronger through the holidays? And which ones are suitable for giving as gifts to family, friends, and loved ones? This holiday season, I've pulled together my absolute favorite health and wellness tools that I use and trust, which are perfect for gifting or treating yourself…

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How Vertical Storytelling Helps Translate Empathy into Business Value / Journey Management Playbook / Ep. #08 1:08:33

1M ago1:08:33

1:08:33

Okay, we are pretty good storytellers... but are we telling the right story? As service design professionals, we nail it when it comes to what I call "Horizontal Storytelling". We can walk anyone through the customer journey, step-by-step, building empathy for the user's pain and frustration over time. But here is the somewhat inconvenient truth: A…

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The Phosphatidylcholine Fix: A Game-Changer for Liver Health, Detox, and Hormone Balance 53:35

1M ago53:35

53:35

How would your energy levels change if your cells could actually repair themselves? In this episode, I discuss with Jessica Berman why phosphatidylcholine (PC) might be one of the most overlooked—but most essential—nutrients for women over 40. Jessica grew up in a family of scientists intensely focused on cellular health, and she breaks down the sc…

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How a Weighted Vest Can Help Keep the Weight Off After You Lose It 17:08

1M ago17:08

17:08

Weighted vests seem to be the next fitness gimmick, but do they actually work? In this episode, I break down the science behind weighted vests and why they can be a powerful tool for women over 40 looking to boost fat loss, metabolism, and everyday calorie burn. I also dive into what the research really says about how adding just 5–10% of your body…

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The Missing Link Between Service Design and Business Goals / Mark Howell / Ep. #241 1:09:04

1M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

Service design, so what... That's a question still many people around us (rightfully) ask. And let's be honest, they'll probably keep asking it for the foreseeable future. It will take a very long time before our field becomes a household name, which I doubt it ever will. Now, it’s easy to get frustrated about this, to roll our eyes every time some…

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Pelvic Floor Myths and Real Sexual Health Fixes with Dr. Rena Malik 35:27

1M ago35:27

35:27

How can you tell whether your pelvic floor is tight, weak, or simply not functioning properly? In this episode, Dr. Rena Malik and I break down the misunderstood world of pelvic floor dysfunction, from tightness and weakness to bladder issues, constipation, sexual pain, and the enormous impact of hormone changes after 40. You’ll hear practical, dai…

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113. Alice Leung, Brick & Mortar Ventures - Building Out the Future of Construction Tech 44:48

1M ago44:48

44:48

Alice shares why the firm launched the first AEC-focused accelerator, Formwork Labs, and what the ecosystem gap was it wanted to fill for founders, how her construction operating experience informs her outlook as an AEC investor and what she looks for in founders (hint, industry experience can be a “double edged sword”), details a then and now look…

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FULL PLAN to Lose 10 lbs of Fat and Maintain Muscle for Women 40+ 35:46

1M ago35:46

35:46

What’s the most effective way for women over 40 to lose fat without losing muscle? In this episode, I’m walking you through my complete plan for losing 10 pounds of fat while maintaining—or even building—muscle for women over 40. As our hormones shift, the old “eat less and do more cardio” advice just doesn’t work anymore. I share exactly how to tr…

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How to Win In-House: Don't Take Your True Superpowers For Granted / Inside Service Design / Ep. #06 1:02:21

2M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Have you ever thought about... What a therapist, a grandma, and an organ donor teach you about service design? I know, this might sound like the start of a strange joke, but it gets to the heart of a big truth about our work. We invest a lot of time perfecting our journey maps, blueprints, and personas. But as we know, the challenges we work on won…

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The New How Podcast – Real Estate, Wellness, and the Power of Adaptability with Jason Abrams 1:21:34

2M ago1:21:34

1:21:34

Keywords real estate, family business, COVID-19, Stretch Zone, entrepreneurship, shopping centers, health and wellness, flexibility, injury prevention, commercial real estate, corporate packages, mobile operations, expansion plans, franchise growth, staffing challenges, unique culture, work-life balance, daily routines, personal connections, delega…

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Turning Back Time on Joint Degeneration with Dr. Elizabeth Yurth 1:02:50

2M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

What if joint pain wasn’t “wear and tear” but a reversible inflammatory process? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Elizabeth Yurth about the groundbreaking science behind inflammation, healing, and how to prevent joint degeneration—long before surgery ever becomes necessary. From peptides and hormone optimization to red light therapy, ketones, and …

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Putting It All Together: Your Metabolism Makeover Game Plan 20:45

2M ago20:45

20:45

How can you connect all the pieces of your health plan into something that actually works? In this episode, I bring together everything we’ve covered about breaking through weight loss resistance and building a strong, resilient metabolism after 40. I walk you through the exact plan I follow—and teach—to help you eat, move, and recover in ways that…

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This Is Your Competitive Advantage As A Design Leader / Jose Coronado / Ep. #240 1:06:24

2M ago1:06:24

1:06:24

We've got a serious problem... The "higher" you climb on the career ladder, the further removed you get from the actual discipline of design. Unfortunately, it's a story I hear surprisingly often. A design professionals finally gets that hard-earned seat at the table, and almost immediately, the pressure to conform kicks in. They start to feel like…

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Toxins, Parasites and Infections: Why Your Hormones Are Out of Whack with Dr. Jaban Moore 59:57

2M ago59:57

59:57

What are the most common chronic infections that women may be struggling with, and what can be done about them? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jaban Moore. We dig into how parasites, mold, and heavy metals silently disrupt your hormones, energy, and brain health—and what real detoxing actually looks like. You’ll learn why annual testing isn’t e…

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112. Mark Hawkins, Venture/Operating Partner - Industrial Innovation Through a CFO's Lens 59:34

2M ago59:34

59:34

Mark shares both his career journey across some of the world’s premier technology companies and how his roots growing up in a Midwest industrial town + degree in operations management gave him a unique vantage point/passion for optimizing some of the world’s premier supply chains for those technology companies, details his lessons learned on what i…

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Recharge and Reset: Recovery, Hormones, and Advanced Fat-Loss Hacks 26:23

2M ago26:23

26:23

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your metabolism by skipping recovery or getting poor sleep? In this episode, I take you beyond diet and exercise to reveal the real fat-loss accelerators—sleep, recovery, hormones, and mindset. I share the science behind why stress and poor sleep stall your metabolism, how to align your hormones through smart movement…

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How to Integrate Journey Management with Your Existing Workflows / Journey Management Playbook #7 1:03:07

2M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Here's the big problem with journey maps... It's often like you've composed a masterpiece, but no one is there to actually play it. This is what I feel when I see a carefully crafted map (our version of "music on paper"), which ultimately fails to make an impact. Sure, we do the research, map the insights, and identify opportunities, but on Monday …

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How to Rewire Your Brain for Lasting Health with John Assaraf 55:21

2M ago55:21

55:21

How can neuroscience and self-talk help you break old habits and form empowering ones? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and mindset expert John Assaraf to explore the neuroscience of transformation—how self-talk, visualization, and consistency literally rewire your brain. John shares how he healed from ulcerative colitis, built m…

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Move to Boost: Exercise Strategies to Ignite Your Metabolism 18:41

2M ago18:41

18:41

How can you exercise smarter after 40 to burn fat, build muscle, and keep your metabolism strong? In this episode, I break down how to exercise smarter—not harder—so you can ignite your metabolism after 40. I share the three pillars of metabolic fitness: moving more throughout your day, lifting weights to build muscle, and adding short bursts of hi…

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Why We Should Reframe Culture as a Design Challenge / Dan Szuc / Episode #239 1:06:45

2M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

What is the thing biggest stopping you from doing meaningful work... When I listen to the service design professionals around me, it's often not the tools or methods they have access to. Rather, and you might recognize this, its often the organizational culture that's the biggest roadblock. Culture isn't the set of company values that are displayed…

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How Exercise Can Transform Mental Health and Depression with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano 53:13

2M ago53:13

53:13

What if the most powerful antidepressant isn’t in a pill, but in your sneakers? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano about the science behind why movement can be as effective as antidepressants. We also explore the social and psychological benefits of staying active and how even small steps can spark powerful change. You’ll also hear …

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Food as Fuel: Eating to Reignite Your Metabolism 24:01

2M ago24:01

24:01

If you’ve been unintentionally slowing down your metabolism by eating the wrong foods, what can you do about it? In this episode, I’ll show you how to use food as fuel to reignite your metabolism—especially during midlife. You’ll learn why protein is your metabolism’s best friend, how carbs and fats can either work for or against you, and how gut h…

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The Truth About Perimenopause and Metabolic Health with Dr. Mariza Snyder 49:20

3M ago49:20

49:20

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and powerhouse advocate for women’s health, Dr. Mariza Snyder, to talk about her latest book, The Perimenopause Revolution, and more. Dr. Mariza and I dive into the chaos, confusion, and opportunity that midlife brings—and why perimenopause is so much more than “just aging.” Together, we explore how to reb…

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The New How Podcast – Transforming Communities with Dan Borkson 49:19

3M ago49:19

49:19

Keywords real estate, entrepreneurship, development, success, life lessons, community building, personal growth, investment, business journey, Philadelphia Summary In this episode, Dan Borkson shares his transformative journey from working in a restaurant to becoming a successful real estate developer in Philadelphia. He reflects on the pivotal mom…

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Muscle-First Metabolism: The Key to Midlife Weight Loss for Women 40+ 17:55

3M ago17:55

17:55

Join me, JJ Virgin, in this 5-part series where each episode tackles the real reasons weight loss stalls in midlife, from muscle loss and food choices to exercise, hormones, stress, and recovery. This series is about reclaiming your metabolism, building muscle, balancing hormones, healing your gut, and breaking free from weight-loss frustration. Re…

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How to Escape the 'Stuck Middle' of Design Maturity / Giles Colborne / Ep. #238 1:10:11

3M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

I recently started playing Padel... And like with all my new hobbies, I enjoy getting good gear. So after some research, I treated myself to a racket from the higher end of the market. Now, when I'm on the court playing and lose, I could (might) complain that my racket sucks. That it was "false advertising" because all the specs indicate that this …

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The Untold Longevity Secrets of GLP-1s and Thyroid Health with McCall McPherson 52:32

3M ago52:32

52:32

By JJ Virgin

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What Your Plate Should Look Like for Fat Loss 34:25

3M ago34:25

34:25

By JJ Virgin

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111. Rachael Ferrera, Zachry Construction - Breaking Ground: The Future of Horizontal Construction 38:09

3M ago38:09

38:09

Rachael digs into the history behind Zachry’s now >100 years (!) of construction operation, shares a then & now look back on how she has seen Zachry evolve technology and innovation during her nearly 2 decades of service, details why an Ideation and Investments function was stood up, outlines that nuance between ‘horizontal’ and ‘vertical’ construc…

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Learn the 2 key building blocks that turn your journey insights into action / JM Playbook / Ep #6 1:11:19

3M ago1:11:19

1:11:19

Do you ever wonder about the "so what?" of your journey maps... To this day, I often see that journey mapping is treated as a "documentation" exercise. Basically as a way to visualize our customers experiences. And while having that visual overview is useful, it's just the beginning. As you probably know, the real challenge is turning that understa…

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Lose Your Mind to Reclaim Your Health with Josh Pais 46:27

3M ago46:27

46:27

How can you transform stress and anxiety into creative energy? In this episode, JJ Virgin talks with actor, teacher, and author Josh Pais to explore the surprising connections between emotions, health, and creativity. Josh shares how his struggles with anxiety led him to discover a new way of understanding feelings as vibrations rather than problem…

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Animal vs. Plant Protein 20:03

3M ago20:03

20:03

It’s not tofu versus steak. It’s both. There’s a battle raging in the health world over plant vs. animal protein—but the truth is, this isn’t an either/or game. It’s about combining the best of both to fuel muscle, metabolism, and longevity. In this episode, JJ Virgin breaks down the science of protein for women over 40 and shows how to use both pl…

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What if You Could Prove Your Impact With Just One Goal? / Stacey Barr / Ep. #237 1:09:07

3M ago1:09:07

1:09:07

The things service design professionals have to deal with... Okay, so your boss tells you drive to a place with “a great view,” hands a full tank of gas, and wished good luck. Oh and by the way, we need to be there in 30-days, no compass, no map. Now take a guess, how likely is it that after a month you'll have arrived at exactly the location they …

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Ancestral Health for Women: Hunter-Gatherer Lessons with Eric Edmeades 1:12:34

3M ago1:12:34

1:12:34

"I struggled to complete the fifth pushup, and I was horrified because it used to be 50 on my knuckles per set. What happened to me?" - Eric Edmeades I've been fascinated by ancestral nutrition since my early days studying with Dr. Loren Cordain, but nothing prepared me for what I learned from Eric Edmeades, who has spent 15 years living with the H…

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The Ultimate Creatine Guide for Women Over 40 28:38

3M ago28:38

28:38

Download my Ultimate Creatine Guide for Women before listening so you can read along and get the most out of the episode. You know that feeling when you discover something that completely changes your perspective on health? That's exactly what happened to me with creatine. For years, I avoided this supplement because of outdated misconceptions, but…

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Here's How To Break Free From the "Prove It Again" Cycle / Inside Service Design / Ep. #05 1:05:42

3M ago1:05:42

1:05:42

Are you tired of proving the value of service design… over and over again? Well, I'm happy to share that you're not alone. It's one of the most common frustrations I hear from professionals in our field. You work hard, you get a win, you move the needle... and then the next project starts, and it feels like you're right back at square one, making t…