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Live & Well

L.A. Times Studios

Live & Well is your weekly catch-up with author, mother, and influencer Melissa Magsaysay and her circle of experts and icons—diving deep into the latest wellness, longevity, beauty and fitness and issues surrounding women. Melissa will take listeners into a vibrant world where beauty, fashion, and wellness intersect with cultural moments and personal transformation.

Each episode features conversations with leading + buzzy dermatologists, fitness innovators, beauty founders, and celebrities alike. Listeners can expect pro tips, product recs, juicy insider stories, and empowering perspectives that go beyond surface-level self-care—because looking good is great, but feeling good is everything.

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24 episodes
weekly
Avg 36 min
English

Episodes 24

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#39
Thursday · 45 min
Sleepmaxxing, Orthosomnia & the Truth About Sleep Trackers | Dr. Michael Breus (The Sleep Doctor)
Is "sleepmaxxing" actually wrecking your sleep? Clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Dr. Michael Breus, aka "The Sleep Doctor” breaks down the biggest sleep trends taking over social media and why most of them are overcomplicating something your body already knows how to do. In this episode, Dr. Breus explains why sleep became a $90 billion industry, what's actually going on with viral trends like the Sleepy Girl Mocktail and mouth taping, and how obsessive tracker-checking can trigger or
#38
September 3 · 38 min
More Men Are Getting Penis Filler and Urologists Say Demand Is Surging
Are penile fillers and cosmetic urology becoming the new Botox for men? In this episode, host Melissa Magsaysay sits down with board-certified urologists Dr. David Miller and Dr. Joshua Gonzalez to clear up the myths around non-surgical girth enhancement, PhalloFill, and hyaluronic acid fillers. From scrotal Botox and procedural safety to tackling body dysmorphia and setting realistic anatomical expectations, we break down what is driving today's men's aesthetic optimization movement. Plus, our
#37
August 27 · 27 min
What’s Really Inside Your Mattress?
Are you sleeping on 20 gallons of crude oil? In this episode we peel back the covers on the "clean sleep" movement to reveal what's hiding inside many conventional mattresses. Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer at Naturepedic explains how conventional bedding affects your health, how to spot greenwashing, and how hand-crafted, organic materials can transform your sleep quality. In this episode, we discuss: * Why conventional mattresses are loaded with crude oil, off-gassing chemicals, and fla
#36
August 20 · 40 min
Is the Burden of Infertility on the Wrong Partner?
Did you know that male factor fertility contributes to up to 50% of conception challenges and miscarriages? In this episode of the Live + Well podcast, we sit down with Ronit Menashe (Co-Founder of WeNatal) and Dr. James Weinberger (Reproductive Urologist) to break down the critical, yet often overlooked, role sperm health plays in family planning. We dive deep into Trimester Zero — the crucial 70 to 90-day window where sperm regenerates. Learn how targeted lifestyle shifts, antioxidant supplem
#35
August 13 · 35 min
Trauma & Stress Get Trapped in Your Fascia
Garry Lineham, co-founder of Human Garage reveals how physical and emotional trauma get trapped in your fascia, and how simple counter-rotation maneuvers can reset your nervous system in minutes. In this episode, we explore the fascinating science of fascia: the bioelectric, intelligent connective tissue that holds your entire body together. Garry shares his personal journey from decades of chronic pain to discovering self-healing fascia maneuvers that unlock deep physical tension and calm emot
#34
August 6 · 45 min
Why Your Diet Could Be Failing (Try This First)
This is a sponsored episode, paid for by BIOptimzers, and does not involve the L.A. Times Newsroom. Are you doing "everything right" with your diet, but still struggling with low energy, sluggish digestion, brain fog, or poor recovery? Head to https://bioptimizers.com/livewell and use code LIVEWELL for 15% off your order. You'll also unlock exclusive discounts, surprise bonuses, and special offers available to listeners. Plus, every order is backed by a 365-day money-back guarantee. In this e
#33
July 30 · 29 min
Kids' Skincare Isn't What Most Parents Think
Is kid's skincare actually necessary or is it a social media trend that should be ignored? In this episode of Live & Well, we sit down with Esther Song, fashion veteran and co-founder of Rini (alongside Shay Mitchell), to discuss the real science behind children's skin health. Esther shares her journey from fashion executive to CPG founder after searching for clean, effective solutions for her daughter’s severe eczema. We dive deep into Korean bathhouse culture, why children's skin barriers ar
#32
July 23 · 42 min
Peptides Explained | BPC-157, Tesamorelin & What Works
What are peptides, and why is everyone talking about them? From fitness influencers and biohackers to Beverly Hills clinics and Hollywood anti-aging routines, peptide therapy has taken the wellness world by storm. In this episode of ‘Live & Well’, board-certified family physician and longevity medicine specialist Dr. Daniel Ghiyam breaks down what peptides actually are, how they signal the body, and where the evidence really stands on BPC-157, Tesamorelin, GLP-1s, GHK-Cu, MOTS-c. We cut throu
#31
July 16 · 44 min
Menopause & Intimate Wellness Boom: From Taboo to Big Business
Vaginal dryness, bladder leaks, painful sex, and postpartum recovery — for decades, these everyday realities were ignored by mainstream medicine and dismissed as “just part of aging.” Today, they represent one of the fastest-growing sectors in healthcare, wellness, and venture capital. In this episode, we sit down with two trailblazing CEOs approaching the women’s intimate wellness boom from two distinct angles: Colette Courtion (Founder & CEO of Joylux) and Dawn Halkuff (CEO of LiviWell). T
#29
May 21 · 34 min
Train for Life, Not Just the Gym: Mobility, Stability & Moving for Longevity
From carrying groceries to checking your blind spot while driving, life happens in motion — and your workouts should reflect that. Pvolve's Dani Coleman joins Live & Well to share why multidimensional training helps build strength that extends beyond the gym. We talk about mobility as the missing link in fitness, training for longevity, and how small, intentional movement patterns can help you feel stronger, more resilient, and more connected to your body every day.
#28
May 14 · 47 min
Recovery Isn’t An Afterthought: Moving Through Life with Less Pain and More Ease
Most people think recovery happens after the workout. According to Dr. Jason Wersland, that’s the biggest mistake we make. On this episode of Live & Well, the Therabody founder & recovery expert explains why recovery should happen before, during, and after movement — not just when you’re already sore. From activating the nervous system before exercise to reducing burnout and speeding up rebound between sets, Dr. J breaks down how elite athletes use recovery as part of performance itself. He also
#27
May 7 · 36 min
Commit to Less, Show Up More: Joyful Movement & Fitness for Every Life Stage
What if the secret to getting stronger wasn’t doing more—but doing less, consistently? In this episode of Live and Well, Melissa Magsaysay sits down with Sculpt Society founder Megan Roup to unpack a refreshing, sustainable approach to fitness that actually works. From her early struggles with body image and the pressures of the dance world to building a global fitness platform, Megan shares how she redefined movement as something joyful, inclusive, and empowering—not punishing. The conversation
#26
April 30 · 32 min
The Future of Facial Rejuvenation: Fillers or Fat Transfer?
What if the future of facial rejuvenation isn’t synthetic—but your own biology? In this episode of Live and Well, we sit down with renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Nassif to break down the rising shift from traditional fillers to micro fat transfer. Known for his precision work and complex revision cases (and as a star of Botched), Dr. Nassif explains why more experts are rethinking long-term use of fillers—from migration to hidden scar tissue—and how these trends are shaping the next er
#25
April 23 · 40 min
The Hair Growth Breakthrough: Inside the Peptide Revolution
Hair loss, thinning, breakage—what’s really going on beneath the surface? In this episode of Live and Well, host Melissa Magsaysay sits down with OMI founder Naomi Whittel to unpack the science of hair health and why peptides are emerging as a game-changing solution. From the biology of hair follicles to the role of stress, hormones, and aging, Naomi shares how a patented keratin peptide is helping women retain more hair, grow it longer, and rethink beauty from the inside out. They dive into th
#24
April 16 · 31 min
Dr. Pimple Popper on Blackheads, Breakouts & What Your Skin Is Really Telling You
Everything your body is going through shows up on your skin first. Most of us just don't know how to read it. Dr. Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, breaks down what is actually happening inside a blackhead, why hormones are the real driver behind most breakouts and what your skin is trying to tell you at every stage of life. We get into hyperpigmentation versus scarring, the ingredients dermatologists actually trust, why perimenopause changes your skin in ways nobody talks about, and why a pimp
#23
April 9 · 35 min
How Your Cooking Methods Are Aging You (And What to Do Instead)
You've spent years thinking about what you eat. How you cook it might be a bigger part of the picture than you'd expect. Nutrition scientist and registered dietitian Dr. Michelle Davenport breaks down what actually happens to your food under high heat and why it shows up in your body long after the meal is over. We get into AGEs, inflammation, metabolic health, and why the chemistry of cooking is one of the most underrated conversations in longevity. This is the kind of conversation that quietly
#22
April 2 · 31 min
The Science Behind Sensitive Skin, Your Barrier and What Your Routine Is Getting Wrong
Sensitive skin is one of the most misunderstood topics in beauty. Most of us have been told we have it. Very few of us actually know what it means. In this episode, Tower 28 Founder and CEO Amy Liu joins Melissa Magsaysay to get to the bottom of what sensitive skin really is, why it's almost always a barrier problem, and what inflammation is doing beneath the surface to flare it. We talk about greenwashing, unregulated claims, the ingredients worth avoiding, and why simplifying your routine is a
#21
March 26 · 37 min
What a Celebrity Trainer Actually Wants You to Know About Diet and Fitness
If fitness and nutrition feel more confusing than ever, you're not imagining it. Most of what's out there is louder than it is useful. Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak has worked with some of the most recognizable bodies in the world. His take on what actually moves the needle is simpler than you'd expect and more honest than most of what's in your feed. In this episode, he breaks down the biggest myths around strength training, calorie counting, and popular diets. He will also explain why you
#20
March 19 · 39 min
Puberty is Starting Earlier: Here’s What Every Parent Needs to Know
Puberty is arriving earlier than ever, and most parents aren’t prepared for it. Pediatrician Dr. Cara Natterson explains why kids are entering puberty years sooner than previous generations and what that means for their health, brain development, and emotional lives. From environmental exposures and chronic stress to the neuroscience of adolescence, Dr. Natterson gives parents the science they need to understand what their kids are actually going through. She also addresses the support gap betwe
#19
March 12 · 36 min
It's all in the Ritual: How to Navigate the Overwhelming Supplement Aisle
Most supplements on the market have never been studied on women. In this episode, Ritual founder Kat Schneider explains why supplement research has historically focused on men, how terms like “clinically studied” are often misunderstood, and what real scientific validation should look like. The conversation explores ingredient traceability, how supplement formulations are actually tested, and why sourcing and dosage matter as much as the ingredient itself. Schneider also explains how contaminant

Showing 1–20 of 24 episodes