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by 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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- 1 weeks ago37 min
Cortisol Explained — Belly Fat, Puffy Face, Coffee and Hormone Myths
Is "cortisol face" real? Does morning coffee ruin your hormones? Is low-impact exercise actually better for stress?Board-certified endocrinologist and hormone specialist Dr. Eva Cwynar breaks down the truth about cortisol, hormone balance, and social media trends. From the "90-minute coffee rule" to GLP-1 weight loss plateaus, Cushing’s syndrome, and how stress impacts fertility — learn what your body is actually doing throughout the day and how to optimize your hormones without falling for online marketing gimmicks.Timestamps:00:53 - Is "Cortisol Face" real or just social media marketing? 01:23 - The daily "dance" of cortisol: Morning spikes vs. evening drops 02:50 - How disrupted cortisol ruins sleep & triggers a domino effect 04:05 - The link between high cortisol, insulin resistance & belly fat 04:35 - Red flag symptoms vs. everyday stress: Cushing's Syndrome explained 07:37 - Pseudo-Cushing's: How lifestyle choices mimic endocrine disease 08:55 - The Morning Audit: Checking your phone, caffeine & early workouts 09:59 - Debunking the 90-minute morning coffee rule 11:03 - Soy milk, estrogen, and testosterone levels 12:24 - Why cortisol causes targeted weight gain in the midsection 14:20 - Does cortisol "steal" progesterone during perimenopause? 17:10 - GLP-1 Weight Loss Plateaus: Is cortisol stopping your progress? 20:17 - The danger of unmonitored online peptides 21:52 - Why cortisol is the most controversial & misdiagnosed hormone 25:13 - How high cortisol directly impacts fertility & implantation 30:46 - The worst time of day to spike your cortisol 31:45 - Caffeine sensitivity, liver metabolism & the MTHFR gene 34:47 - Puffy faces, Pilates vs. HIIT & testing cortisol 39:18 - Where to find Dr. Eva Cwynar & closing thoughtsKey Topics Covered:* The Cortisol Rhythm: Why cortisol is supposed to fluctuate like a "double-humped camel" throughout the day.* The 90-Minute Coffee Myth: Why drinking coffee right when you wake up won't ruin your cortisol awakening response.* Cushing’s vs. Pseudo-Cushing’s: Physical signs of true hormone excess (buffalo hump, purple stretch marks, facial changes) vs. lifestyle-induced symptoms.* GLP-1 Weight Loss Stalls: Why aggressive starvation modes trigger fight-or-flight responses and insulin resistance.* Stress & Fertility: How reducing adrenal stress directly alters the uterine implantation environment.#Cortisol #HormoneHealth #HealthAndWellness #GLP1 #CortisolFace
- 2 weeks ago44 min
Is Your Medication Causing Skin Problems?
Are GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or prescription drugs triggering sudden skin redness, dryness, or irritation? In this episode of Live + Well, Melissa Magsaysay sits down with skin health practitioner and esthetician Lashelle Ullie to to break down the hidden connection between prescription medications, chronic illness, and your skin barrier.Discover why active ingredients like retinol, tretinoin, and AHAs/BHAs might be doing more harm than good for stressed skin, what “Ozempic face” actually is, and how simplifying your skincare routine to 3–4 core steps can restore hydration and balance.Key Takeaways & What You’ll Learn• Medications & Skin: How GLP-1 drugs, alopecia treatments, and chronic illness impact skin texture and hydration. • The Truth About "Ozempic Face": What happens to your facial structure and skin barrier during rapid weight loss or medication changes. • Active Ingredient Warnings: When to pause tretinoin, glycolic acid, and heavy exfoliants. • Skin Barrier Repair: How to use ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and simple serums to rebuild compromised skin. • Less Is More: Why 3–4 targeted steps beat a complex 10-step skincare routine every time.Timestamps: 00:00 How Medications & GLP-1s Affect Your Skin 03:30 Chronic Illness & Skin Barrier Health 06:30 Rosacea, Dermatitis & Common Flare-Ups 08:20 Stop Overcomplicating Your Skincare Routine 10:30 Why a Simple Skincare Routine Works Better 11:25 Skincare Strategies for Chronic Conditions 12:00 Do You Really Need Serums? 13:00 How to Build a Routine You'll Stick To 15:00 Managing Realistic Skincare Expectations 17:00 Medication-Induced Skin Changes Explained 18:20 GLP-1s, Facial Redness & Texture Shift 19:00 Should You Stop Using Retinol? 20:00 How to Fix a Compromised Skin Barrier 24:00 The Body-Skin Health Connection 25:00 Hair Loss / Alopecia Medications & Skin Side Effects 28:00 Hyperpigmentation & Drug Side Effects 29:30 What Is "Ozempic Face"? 32:30 Best Ingredients for Sensitive & Stressed Skin 33:00 Professional Skin Treatments vs. Hydration 35:30 Why "Age Management" Replaces Anti-Aging 36:00 Ingredients to Avoid When Your Skin Barrier Is Damaged 40:30 Tretinoin: Overhyped or Worth the Hype? 42:00 Why Healthy Skin Starts with a Strong Barrier#OzempicFace #SkincareRoutine #Retinol #SensitiveSkin #GLP1
- 3 weeks ago45 min
Can a Plant Extract Trigger GLP-1 & Stop Food Noise?
Can a plant-based hops extract naturally trigger GLP-1, CCK, and PYY to curb appetite and stop food noise? Calocurb CEO Sarah Kennedy joins Melissa Magsaysay on Live + Well to break down the science of natural appetite control and perimenopause weight management.CHAPTERS:00:00 The Plant-Based Supplement Being Compared to GLP-1s01:01 How Calocurb Was Developed02:52 Why We Have Bitter Taste Receptors in the Gut05:04 How Hops Extract May Affect Appetite Hormones05:47 What the Early Clinical Research Found07:09 How and When Calocurb Is Taken08:18 How It Differs From Other Weight Loss Supplements11:16 Calocurb vs. Prescription GLP-1s (Ozempic/Wegovy)12:08 What the Weight Loss Trial Found13:42 Appetite Hormones, Fat Loss, and Muscle14:13 Why Hunger Isn’t Just About Willpower16:10 Late-Night Snacking and Food Cravings19:17 How Practitioners Are Using Calocurb20:09 What Happens When You Stop a GLP-1? (Rebound Hunger)21:04 GLP-1 Microdosing and Midlife Weight22:03 Menopause, Metabolism, and Visceral Fat23:21 Can Calocurb Help After Stopping a GLP-1?24:37 Potential Side Effects25:37 GLP-1s, Weight Loss, and Diet Culture28:12 Why GLP-1s Changed the Willpower Conversation29:49 Why People Talk About “Food Noise”32:31 Is Taking a GLP-1 a Shortcut?35:00 What “Natural” Means in the Supplement Industry37:21 The Clinical Trials on Hunger and Cravings38:17 Why Researchers Studied Women Separately41:02 Who Should Avoid Calocurb?41:28 Can You Take Calocurb With a GLP-1?43:09 Does Drinking Beer Have the Same Effect as Hops Extract?44:23 Cost and Accessibility46:15 The Connection Between Appetite and Food Noise47:16 Could It Affect Alcohol Cravings?49:46 What Calocurb Is Studying NextIN THIS EPISODE, YOU'S LEARN:• How hops-derived extract stimulates natural appetite hormones (GLP-1, CCK, PYY)• What "food noise" is and why hunger is controlled by biology, not willpower• What happens when stopping prescription GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy• How perimenopause and menopause impact metabolism, body composition, and weight• Clinical findings on Calocurb, side effects, and who should consult a doctor firstDISCLAIMER:This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any prescription medication or supplement routine.#GLP1 #Calocurb #WeightLoss #FoodNoise #NaturalGLP1
- Oct 1, 202646 min
An Eye Doctor Explains the Everyday Habits Hurting Your Eyes
Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon Dr. Dagny Zhu breaks down what screen time is really doing to your eyes — from digital eye strain and dry eyes to myopia, headaches, blue light and changes in vision after 40.In this episode of Live + Well, Dr. Zhu joins Melissa Magsaysay to separate eye health fact from hype. She explains the 20-20-20 rule for screen breaks, why she tells patients not to rub their eyes, whether blue light glasses and eye supplements actually work, and what you should know about reading glasses, LASIK and popular eye drops.She also weighs in on viral eye color change surgery and explains why some redness-relief drops can actually make red eyes worse. And one of the biggest misconceptions about eye health? Having 20/20 vision doesn't necessarily mean your eyes are healthy. Dr. Zhu explains how routine eye exams can sometimes uncover serious conditions before you notice changes in your vision.You’ll learn:* How screen time affects your eyes* Why myopia is becoming more common* The 20-20-20 rule for digital eye strain* Whether blue light glasses actually work* Why you shouldn't aggressively rub your eyes* What happens to your vision after 40* The risks of eye color change surgery* Why some eye-whitening drops can cause rebound redness* What your eyes can reveal about your overall healthBy the end of this conversation, you may think differently about what it means to have healthy eyes.In this episode: 00:00 Why Myopia Is Increasing Around the World 03:03 Why Eye Health Has Been Overlooked 05:09 Can You Prevent Nearsightedness in Kids? 07:51 How Screen Time Affects Your Eyes 09:19 What Red, Dry Eyes May Be Telling You 10:07 Why You Should Never Rub Your Eyes 11:59 Are Eye Massages Safe? 15:05 Digital Eye Strain and the 20-20-20 Rule 16:35 When Do You Actually Need Reading Glasses? 17:19 Eye Drops That Can Help You Read Up Close 19:28 Why Eye Strain Can Trigger Headaches 21:27 How Far Away Should Your Screen Be? 24:44 Screen Time Before Bed and Blue Light 25:41 Do Blue Light Glasses Actually Work? 27:58 Do Eye Supplements Work? 29:14 The Risks of Eye Color Change Surgery 34:38 Are Eye-Whitening Drops Safe? 35:37 Why Eye Doctors Hate Visine 36:23 Eye Drops That Temporarily Lift Your Eyelids 37:53 Why 20/20 Vision Doesn't Mean Your Eyes Are Healthy 38:58 Why You Still Need an Annual Eye Exam 41:03 What Your Eyes Can Reveal About Your Overall Health 42:35 Blurry Vision, Headaches and When to Get Checked 43:45 Why Sunglasses Are “SPF for Your Eyes”#EyeHealth #ScreenTime #EyeStrain #Myopia #BlueLight
- Sep 24, 202632 min
Bobbi Brown Exposes TikTok Beauty Trends That Ruin Your Face — and Products That Actually Work
Bobbi Brown, legendary makeup artist and founder of Jones Road Beauty, gets candid about aging, makeup after 40, injectables, beauty trends, foundation mistakes, TikTok beauty advice, and what the beauty industry still gets wrong about women’s faces.In this episode of Live + Well, Bobbi Brown joins Melissa Magsaysay to talk about Jones Road, her new memoir “Still Bobbi,” and the beauty philosophy that has defined her career: Makeup should make you look more like yourself… not transform you into someone else.For more than 30 years, Bobbi has challenged one of the beauty industry’s most persistent messages: that there’s something about your face that needs to be fixed. But in an era of filters, FaceTune, injectables, contouring, and endless before-and-afters, has that pressure actually gotten worse? And what happens when the pursuit of looking “better” starts making your own face feel unfamiliar?Bobbi gets candid about the beauty trends she wishes would disappear, her feelings about injectables, why she hates hearing that someone looks “good for their age,” and what women are getting wrong about foundation, concealer, and makeup after 40. And after building Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, selling the company to Estée Lauder, Bobbi launched Jones Road in her 60s — bringing with her everything she had learned about beauty, business, and what she never wanted to do again. And she has a different perspective on the idea that women who start something new later in life are “reinventing” themselves.You’ll learn:- Why Bobbi Brown believes the beauty industry has historically profited from women’s insecurities-The beauty trend she wishes would disappear-Why she thinks we should stop telling women they look “good for their age”-How to actually find the right foundation shade for your skin-The concealer mistake she sees people making on TikTokBy the end of this conversation, you may think differently about beauty, aging, and what it actually means to look good at any age. Because after decades in an industry built around transformation, Bobbi Brown’s beauty advice remains remarkably consistent.In this episode:01:00 How the Beauty Industry Profits From Insecurity02:27 Filters, FaceTune and Changing Your Face04:29 Bobbi Brown on Lasers and Cosmetic Treatments07:42 How to Find the Right Foundation Shade11:15 Creating Inclusive Foundation Shades14:34 Bobbi Brown on Aging and “Looking Good for Your Age”16:06 Why Getting Older Can Be Freeing21:15 Clean Beauty and Formulating Jones Road26:10 Writing “Still Bobbi”28:03 Bobbi Brown’s Beauty Hot Takes28:09 The Beauty Trend She Wants to Disappear28:14 Her Take on Injectables28:22 The Beauty Rule Women Over 40 Should Ignore28:32 What TikTok Gets Wrong About Makeup29:48 Bobbi’s Best Beauty AdviceCheck out Live + Well for more conversations about beauty, wellness, longevity, fitness, and what it means to live well.#BobbiBrown #JonesRoad #Makeup #Beauty #MakeupTips
- Sep 17, 202642 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 orthosomnia (sleep anxiety caused by wearable data). We also dig into new research on the Apollo Neuro wearable, magnesium and melatonin supplements, why women's sleep research has lagged behind men's, sleep divorce vs. "sleep upgrades," chronotypes (are you a lion, bear, wolf, or dolphin?), and the 5 simple habits that fix sleep for almost everyone.In this episode:00:00 – Meet Dr. Michael Breus, "The Sleep Doctor"00:18 – How sleep became a $90B wellness industry02:37 – The rise of sleep trackers and wearables03:57 – What is "sleepmaxxing"?05:03 – The truth about the Sleepy Girl Mocktail07:12 – What is orthosomnia?09:16 – How often should you actually check your sleep tracker?11:43 – Why sleep research has failed women12:50 – Menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause & sleep13:37 – Sleep apnea looks different in women14:38 – New data on the Apollo Neuro wearable20:24 – Magnesium glycinate vs. threonate — do you need it?22:54 – The melatonin backlash (and why kids shouldn't take it)26:04 – How to help kids who won't sleep28:55 – Sleep divorce vs. "sleep upgrade"33:09 – Chronotypes explained: lion, bear, wolf, or dolphin?36:52 – Blue light is a myth — here's what actually keeps you up38:31 – The 3 things your body needs to sleep41:35 – Dr. Breus's 5-step sleep reset routineAbout Dr. Michael Breus:Dr. Michael Breus is a clinical psychologist, sleep specialist, and bestselling author of The Power of When and Sleep, Drink, Breathe. He hosts the podcast Better in Bed with the Sleep Doctor and shares sleep education across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok as @thesleepdoctor🔗 https://sleepdoctor.com/ #Sleepmaxxing #Orthosomnia #SleepDoctor #SleepHygiene #SleepScience #Chronotype
- Sep 3, 202638 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 guests explain how an initial aesthetic consultation often serves as a vital gateway to essential preventative health care. CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction to Cosmetic Urology 00:36 - What is Cosmetic Urology? 01:27 - The Optimization Movement: TRT, Peptides, & Aesthetic Procedures 03:10 - Beyond Size: Shape, Scrotal Botox, & Scrotal Webbing 05:08 - The "Botox Era" for Men: Why Hyaluronic Acid Is a Game-Changer 08:05 - Tackling Body Dysmorphia & Normalizing Anatomical Expectations 10:00 - Real Numbers: Average Penile Length vs. Online Myths 11:40 - The "Brad Pitt" Standard: Do Patients Bring Celebrity References? 14:08 - Expectation vs. Reality: Symmetrical, Natural Results 15:10 - Why Urologists Double as Professional Listeners & Therapists 16:40 - Aesthetics vs. Sexual Function: Does Filler Improve Performance? 18:41 - Patient Demographics: Who Is Getting Aesthetic Penile Procedures? 20:41 - How the PhalloFill Procedure Works (Numbing, Placement, & Comfort) 22:19 - Permanent Implants vs. Reversible Hyaluronic Acid Fillers 23:37 - Why Injecting Belongs in the Hands of Trained Urologists 24:56 - Safety Protocols, Aftercare, & Reversibility Options 27:19 - How Long Do Penile Fillers Actually Last? 29:05 - The Surge in Demand & Media Stories Driving the Trend 31:16 - Risks & Choosing the Right Specialist 33:16 - Cosmetic Urology as a Gateway to Preventative Men's Health CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS: Dr. Joshua Gonzalez Website: https://joshuagonzalezmd.com/ Instagram, TikTok & YouTube: @joshuagonzalezmd Dr. David Miller Website: https://www.davidtmillermd.com/
- Aug 27, 202627 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 flame retardants—and how they contribute to night sweats, headaches, and allergies. * What terms like "natural" and "eco" actually mean, and why certifiers like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and EWG Verified matter. * How to tailor firmness levels for couples, adjust support through pregnancy, and refresh your mattress layers over time. * Practical, step-by-step advice for choosing organic sheets, temperature-regulating wool, shredded latex pillows, and low-VOC bedroom materials. Timestamps: * 00:00 – What is Clean Sleep? * 02:16 – Crude Oil & Chemicals in Conventional Beds * 03:37 – Chemical Off-Gassing vs. Natural Material Scents * 05:11 – Greenwashing, GOTS Certification & EWG * 07:28 – Are Mattress Covers Enough? * 09:40 – Temperature Regulation: Wool vs. Polyurethane Foam * 10:28 – Modular Design & Customizing Firmness for Partners * 12:12 – Can Nontoxic Mattresses Still Feel Like a Cloud? * 18:14 – Navigating Sleep & Comfort During Pregnancy * 20:35 – Combatting Allergies & Dealing with Unregulated Chemicals * 23:12 – Fighting for Safer Industry Standards * 27:03 – The Truth About Flame Retardants & Non-Toxic Flammability Testing * 30:00 – Upgrading Your Pillows, Sheets & Bedroom Air Quality Learn More: https://www.naturepedic.com #CleanSleep #OrganicMattress #NonToxicMattress #Naturepedic #SleepHygiene
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About Live & Well
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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