FORBIDDEN CONVERSATIONS is a series that takes on topics that don't always get proper attention or are more challenging to tackle in our charged society—and seeks to address them through civil discourse and nuanced exploration.
The podcast is hosted by Katherine Brodsky. As a journalist, she has served as a correspondent for VARIETY since 2011 and also written for publications like NEWSWEEK, WIRED, THE WASHINGTON POST, THE GUARDIAN, ESQUIRE, MASHABLE, VULTURE, and others.
It's time for the gut microbiome to become a more central part of our conversation about health. That's why today I’m talking with Dr. Joseph Petrosino about the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes living in the gut, and why they reach far beyond digestion: into immunity, metabolism, sleep, and even mental health. We talk about how modern diets and antibiotics have reshaped that inner “garden,” when testing is actually useful, and how close we are to more precise ways of keeping people well instead of waiting until they’re sick.We get into what actually helps it, what modern life does to it, and where the science is headed next.Dr. Joseph Petrosino is chair of Molecular Virology and Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, director of the Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research (CMMR), and Baylor’s chief scientific innovation officer.Dr. Petrosino was a principal investigator for the NIH Common Fund Human Microbiome Project, and he established the CMMR in 2011 to develop and implement advanced technologies to understand how the microbiome impacts health and disease and translate this knowledge into new therapeutics and diagnostics.
11 Aug 2026
What your tech habits are trying to tell you
Jay Vidyarthi is a designer, author, entrepreneur, and attention activist working at the intersection of technology, mindfulness, and human wellbeing. He is the founder of Still Ape, a design firm that's focused on creating more mindful and human-centered technology. Jay has contributed to more than 50 wellbeing technologies, including Muse and the Healthy Minds Program, and is the author of "Reclaim Your Mind," a guide to developing a healthier relationship with technology. His work explores how thoughtful design and mindfulness can help people reclaim their attention and live more intentionally. He's also no stranger to meditation.
27 Jul 2026
The future of aging and AI with Chia Lin Simmons
Chia Lin Simmons is a former executive at Google, Amazon/Audible, Samsung, Harman/JBL and series A to series D startups in Silicon Valley. She's the CEO of LogicMark, one of the leaders in medical alert, health communication, and personal safety technology. The tech helps empower patients and caregivers by providing better monitoring, predictive analytics, and alerts.In this episode, we discuss the future of aging and the role that technologies, including AI, are playing and can play.
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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.4 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
3.9 / 5
20 ratings
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