The Genius Life

Max Lugavere's path into health journalism started with a personal crisis: his mother was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia, and his search for answers led him to leave a career in television and spend years researching brain health, nutrition, and longevity. That journey produced the New York Times bestselling book Genius Foods and eventually this podcast, which has grown to over 550 episodes with weekly releases. The Genius Life focuses on the intersection of brain health, nutrition, and overall physical performance. Lugavere interviews researchers, physicians, and clinicians on topics like perimenopause and fat loss, muscle preservation during aging, the science of sexual health, healthcare prevention strategies, and mental health approaches for navigating grief and major life transitions. Episodes typically run about an hour and feature in-depth conversations that go past headlines into mechanisms and practical application. Lugavere's background as a journalist rather than a doctor works in his favor. He approaches topics with genuine curiosity and asks the kinds of follow-up questions that help translate research jargon into clear explanations. He's also not afraid to tackle subjects that more cautious hosts avoid, from controversial dietary advice to the politics of nutrition research funding. The show has earned a 4.7-star rating from over 4,700 Apple reviews, with listeners frequently citing his ability to make complicated science feel personal and relevant. If you're interested in how food, movement, and lifestyle choices affect your brain as much as your body, Lugavere connects those dots consistently.