The Science of Willpower: How to Make Healthy Habits Stick | Dr. Gemma Newman
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Release Date: 09/17/2026
Gut Health Hype: What Actually Works? | Christopher Gardner, PhD
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Before you buy another gut-health product, hear what the human research actually found. Stanford nutrition scientist Christopher Gardner, PhD, explains the evidence on fiber, fermented foods, and inflammation. When you're trying to feel better, a promise of billions of beneficial bacteria can sound convincing. But what do those numbers really tell you about the product you're buying? Gardner joins on The Exam Room Podcast to unpack a human trial that surprised his own research team. The fermented-food group increased gut microbial diversity and had lower levels of several inflammatory...
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5 Ways to Reduce Bloating | Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
You’re eating healthier, but the bloating won’t quit. By afternoon, your stomach feels tight, your clothes feel uncomfortable, and you’re wondering which food to give up next. Before you cut out another healthy food, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz wants you to consider something surprising: You can poop every day and still be constipated. The gastroenterologist joins Chuck Carroll to explain five approaches to reducing bloating and why simply eating more fiber isn’t always the answer. DR. B’S FIVE TIPS FOR REDUCING BLOATING Address constipation. Going every day doesn’t necessarily mean...
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Kidney Disease: Silent Signals and Best Foods | Dr. Sean Hashmi
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Kidney disease can develop quietly. What should you ask when your blood work is labeled “normal” but your numbers are changing? Kidney and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Sean Hashmi joins Chuck Carroll to discuss foamy urine, the role of urine testing, and why he pays close attention to trends in kidney function. Then the conversation becomes deeply personal. Dr. Hashmi explains why he tells patients struggling with obesity that it isn’t their fault, how food can become a source of comfort through trauma, and why he wants to understand someone’s “why” before prescribing another...
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Health Benefits of Pink Foods: The Science Behind Their Color | Dr. Neal Barnard
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
When breast cancer touches your life, everyday choices can take on a new urgency. What should you eat? Does exercise matter? And what should you make of products wrapped in pink for breast cancer awareness? Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll to explore the science behind pink and red plant foods as part of the Physicians Committee’s Let’s Beat Breast Cancer campaign. The conversation goes inside strawberries, watermelon, tomatoes, and beets to explain why similar colors can come from very different compounds—and why an overall eating pattern matters more than chasing one superfood....
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Breast Cancer Beyond Genetics: Better Outcomes | Dr. Kristi Funk
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
An abnormal mammogram. No ride to the next appointment. No one to watch the kids. And a paycheck that won’t stretch far enough to cover both groceries and medical care. Breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk explains how those everyday challenges can become barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment—and why helping women overcome them can change lives. She joins Chuck Carroll to examine a troubling finding: Black women have a lower overall incidence of breast cancer than white women, yet a higher death rate. Dr. Funk explains why differences in age, cancer subtype, and stage at diagnosis...
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Dairy vs. Plant-Based Yogurt: What Matters for Gut Health? | Dr. Alan Desmond
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Is yogurt really good for your gut? What about dairy kefir—and are plant-based yogurts a better choice? Gastroenterologist joins to examine the human research behind some of the biggest claims in the yogurt aisle. They discuss why live cultures do not automatically mean lasting health benefits, where fermented dairy can help people with lactose intolerance, what to look for in a plant-based yogurt, and why your overall eating pattern matters more than one product. Dr. Desmond also talks about his new book, , and the chapter that has drawn more pushback than any other. In this...
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Healthy Ideas For Busy People: Quickies with PlantYou’s Carleigh Bodrug
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Too tired to cook, but still want a meal you feel good about? PlantYou creator and bestselling cookbook author Carleigh Bodrug joins Chuck Carroll live on The Exam Room to talk about quick, easy plant-based meals for busy people. Carleigh’s new cookbook, PlantYou Quickies, is packed with approachable recipes and ideas for the nights when your time and energy are limited. Chuck and Carleigh explore pantry staples, convenient shortcuts, flexible meals, low-effort dinners, and ways to make plant-based cooking feel doable in real life. What would you make with fifteen minutes...
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Best Iron Sources for a Plant-Based Diet: What to Eat, What to Avoid | Dr. Neal Barnard
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Nearly one-third of American adults may have some form of iron deficiency. Does that mean we should be eating more meat—or could that advice create an entirely different set of health problems? Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll to examine a Washington Post article recommending meat, poultry, and seafood as sources of highly absorbable heme iron. They also explore the counterargument from Dr. Jim Loomis of Barnard Medical Center, who says beans and greens are the healthier choice. You’ll learn how to meet your iron needs while eating a plant-based diet, including the best...
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Food Companies Control Your Cravings. How To Fight Back | David Fenton
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Why can a fast-food commercial still trigger a craving 16 years after someone stopped eating it? And how can a health movement compete with the enormous marketing power of Big Food? Communications pioneer David Fenton joins Chuck Carroll, who lost nearly 300 pounds, to reveal how advertising, repetition, emotion, and social media shape what people believe—and ultimately what they eat. David has spent more than 50 years helping activists, artists, nonprofits, and social movements make their voices heard. Often called the “Robin Hood of Public Relations,” he explains why facts alone rarely...
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The Science of Willpower: How to Make Healthy Habits Stick | Dr. Gemma Newman
The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Why do some healthy habits become part of your life while others disappear after a few days or weeks? Dr. Gemma Newman joins Chuck Carroll to explore the psychology behind lasting lifestyle change — and why willpower alone may not be enough. They discuss research suggesting that sustainable change is often connected to identity, purpose, personal values, and finding a deeper “why.” Dr. Newman also shares her BLEND IT framework for helping patients, friends, and family make healthier choices without lecturing, judging, or telling them what to do. Plus, discover how whole-food plant-based...
info_outlineWhy do some healthy habits become part of your life while others disappear after a few days or weeks?
Dr. Gemma Newman joins Chuck Carroll to explore the psychology behind lasting lifestyle change — and why willpower alone may not be enough.
They discuss research suggesting that sustainable change is often connected to identity, purpose, personal values, and finding a deeper “why.” Dr. Newman also shares her BLEND IT framework for helping patients, friends, and family make healthier choices without lecturing, judging, or telling them what to do.
Plus, discover how whole-food plant-based diets may support weight management without constant calorie counting, why high-fiber lower-calorie-density foods can help with hunger, the role of volume eating, and how healthy eating can become something you genuinely enjoy.
You'll also hear a deeply personal discussion about compassion, self-worth, motivation, and why major life transitions can sometimes become powerful opportunities for change.
Dr. Newman is also the author of Get Well, Stay Well.
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🙏 Dr. Gemma Newman
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This episode is fueled by Dr. Brooke Bussard
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
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