EPI 235: BIG GOALS - The Science Of Setting Them, Achieving Them, And Creating Your Best Life. With 9X Best Selling Author Caroline Adams Miller
Release Date: 01/20/2026
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:05) Dr. Joanna Moncrieff and the serotonin myth (2:45) How SSRIs were marketed and what the research found (8:58) What may really cause depression (13:16) Trials, placebo, and emotional numbing (19:46) Withdrawal, dependence, and long-term risks (27:50) Concerns about teens on SSRIs (29:53) Better ways to help people with depression (37:43) Final takeaway (39:42) Where to find Dr. Moncrieff Who is Dr. Joanna Moncrieff? Dr. Joanna Moncrieff is a psychiatrist, academic, and author. She is a Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:04) Dr. Naidoo’s background and why she joined nutrition psychiatry (4:27) Real patient story on anxiety, travel, and gut imbalance (9:17) Foods that harm gut and mental health (13:47) CALMS foods that support anxiety and mood (16:39) Lifestyle habits that improve mental health (26:16) Her honest view on SSRIs and safe deprescribing (31:08) The S.A.W. method for feeling better every day (35:38) Going extremely low carb (42:04) Where to find Dr. Uma (42:39) Outro Who is Dr. Uma Naidoo? Dr. Uma Naidoo is a trained psychiatrist, professional chef, and...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:15) From modeling success to discovering inner happiness (5:47) Why meditation feels hard and what it really does (8:29) Creating “spaciousness” between reaction and response (12:20) Why most people struggle to stay consistent with meditation (15:16) Different types of meditation explained simply (20:35) The tortoise approach to building lasting habits (25:01) Inside The Year You Transform and its life challenges (31:30) Examples of challenges: addiction-free, forgiveness, and more (38:09) How stress affects the brain and body (41:11) Why meditation could be the...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:19) Tim Spector and the Twins Study (3:11) Discovering the gut microbiome’s role in health (8:56) The study showing huge differences in food responses (17:37) Practical steps to improve gut health (19:12) Why eating 30 different plants a week matters (21:43) The power of fermented foods (22:41) Protein vs fiber and what most people miss (30:33) Beans, legumes, and gut health explained (34:41) Why there is no single “superfood” (45:08) How the ZOE gut health test and app work (49:55) Outro Who is Tim Spector? Tim Spector is a British epidemiologist, medical...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:39) Why Alzheimer’s is often overdiagnosed (3:25) The breakthrough discovery (8:39) 40-factor checklist (11:47) The impact of social engagement (15:52) The Five Pillars of Brain Health (18:53) What is brain training? (24:39) The best exercise for brain health (27:39) The “silent killer” of the brain (36:14) Mediterranean diet and brain inflammation (41:20) Reducing amyloid plaques (44:40) Most powerful brain foods (48:19) How to become a “Brain Super Ager.” (51:44) Outro Who is Dr. Majid Fotuhi? Dr. Majid Fotuhi is a neurologist, neuroscientist,...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:49) Meet Dr. Jeffrey Gladden (2:25) Hitting a health wall in his 50s (6:08) Discovering thyroid and genetic issues (16:01) Hormone therapy fears and facts (20:23) Why aging is exponential (32:23) “Wake up 27 every day” mindset (38:34) Boosting cellular energy and mitochondria (44:23) How to work with Gladden Longevity (47:48) Outro Who is Dr. Jeffrey Gladden? Dr. Gladden the visionary founder of Gladden Longevity and Advanced Performance Center, initially practiced as an interventional cardiologist before pivoting his focus from late-stage interventions...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:58) Dr. Jess’ journey from hospitalist to functional medicine (2:58) Conventional vs. root cause medicine (4:22) Can you change your genes? (7:14) Parasites: exposure, testing, and prevention (14:26) Environmental toxins and the Total Tox Test (18:19) Mold symptoms and home testing (31:33) Sauna, sweating, and detoxing BPA (36:59) Nervous system stress and chronic illness (40:40) Root canals and hidden health risks (45:43) Where to find Dr. Jess (46:51) Outro Who is Dr. Jess Peatross? Dr. Jessica Peatross is a previously board-certified internal medicine...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:14) What led Dr. Cole to functional medicine and early telehealth (6:13) Why many “healthy” people still feel unwell (11:15) The top 3 blood tests you should ask for (18:58) How inflammation is the real issue (28:21) The “Inflammatory Core 4” foods to cut out (35:26) Carbs, ketosis, and finding what works for your body (40:45) Surprising household toxins that may be harming your health (45:20) Practical steps to reduce exposure and feel better faster (48:48) Where to find Dr. Cole (49:58) Outro Who is Dr. Will Cole? Dr. Will Cole is a leading...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:40) From firefighter to author: Caroline’s backstory (2:25) Why society tells us to slow down after 60, and why we shouldn’t (5:09) The science: how our beliefs about aging shape how we age (12:21) The 5 pillars of healthy aging (17:15) Nature’s healing power: from tree chemicals to birdsong (23:46 The psychology of awe and how it rewires your brain (35:06) Caroline’s mom: biking into her 80s (42:00) Outdoor activities don’t have to be extreme (45:06) How to take the first step (46:58) Where to find Tough Broad and follow Caroline Paul (47:50) Outro ...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:49) Dr. Shah’s background and personal health crisis (4:55) The most important biomarkers: hs-CRP, A1C, ApoB (7:46) How to track inflammation and metabolic health (13:00) Home tools: bioimpedance scale, grip strength meter (21:09) Nutrition basics: just cut ultra-processed foods (27:09) Hidden toxins in your air, water, and skincare (34:37) Longevity circuit: sauna, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen (38:11) Therapeutic plasma exchange and next-gen biohacking (40:01) Dr. Shah’s top 3 health tips anyone can start today (41:18) Where to find Dr. Shah (42:11) Outro ...
info_outlineShow notes:
(0:00) Intro
(1:07) Caroline’s personal story of grit and recovery
(4:22) What real grit looks like (and how to build it)
(7:07) Why adults lose their sense of zest, and how to get it back
(10:01) Why SMART goals don't work
(14:03) The science behind happiness before success
(17:43) How to actually flourish (even in tough times)
(21:18) Why “do your best” leads to the worst results
(28:12) Learning goals vs. performance goals
(29:31) The six pillars of setting a “big goal”
(37:36) The jargon mismatch syndrome
(42:05) Why goal-setting advice often fails women
(43:44) “Goals Gone Wild”, what happens when you skip the learning phase
(47:12) Where to find Caroline and her resources
(48:26) Outro
Who is Caroline Adams Miller?
Caroline Adams Miller is an executive coach, bestselling author, and keynote speaker known for her work on goal setting, grit, and positive psychology. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and was part of the first graduating class in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Caroline has written several acclaimed books, including My Name is Caroline, Creating Your Best Life, Getting Grit, and Big Goals, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. Her personal journey of overcoming bulimia in her twenties has inspired countless others.
She frequently speaks at global events, teaches in executive education programs, and has been featured in major media outlets for her research-driven insights on success, resilience, and personal growth.
Connect with Caroline:
Website: https://www.carolinemiller.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineadamsmiller
IG: https://www.instagram.com/carolineadamsmiller/?hl=en
Grab a copy: https://biggoalsbook.com/
Links and Resources:
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