Magomed Khaidakov: Aging researcher

Do we all fret too much about growing old and potentially suffering ill health? The purpose of this podcast is to highlight lifestyle interventions that could help us live longer, healthier lives. It focusses on extending health span - the number of years that we enjoy optimum health. But could it be that such aspirations are over-rated and rather pander to paranoid personalities. Dr. Magomed Khaidakov is a research assistant professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the author of A Pessimistic Guide to Anti-aging Research: Death is Immortal. The book offers a critical guide to current longevity research and anti-aging interventions. 

"It’s your personal decision whether you have a healthy lifestyle" 

In this LLAMA podcast interview with Peter Bowes, Dr Khaidakov explains his skepticism towards aging research and why he believes longevity science is dogged by “hype" and "self-promotion."

• In this interview we cover: 

• Dr. Khaidakov’s conditions for growing old.
• Holding a pessimistic or realistic view of aging?
• The “hype" and "self-promotion” surrounding aging research.
• Are study results distorted through the use of obese lab animals?
• The "sweet spot" for good health based on Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Is an extra 10 years, which is "within design limits" of the human body, worth it?
• Life span in years for humans, rats, mice, flies and worms (yes we know C. elegans only live days) versus health span.
• Why every day aging and general health issues are problems that are "almost solved."
• The longevity business “driven by greed."
• Exploring the design flaws of the human body.    
• Health aging without effort “exploited” by those who devise health regimens.     
• Lacking self-discipline and smoking. 
• “Slightly paranoid personalities” who spend too much time pondering over their longevity. 
• The practical and philosophical issues raised by death. 
• Being content with a pleasurable life. No complaints. 
• Why biology will play second fiddle to big data science in the future. 

Hawk Koch: Film producer

Hawk Koch is a former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a veteran of the entertainment business. As a producer he has worked on more than sixty major films, including the classic Chinatown, The Way We Were and Wayne’s World. He has worked with the best in the business - from Warren Beatty to Jack Nicholson, Barbra Streisand and Whoopi Goldberg. Hawk recently published his autobiography: Magic Time: My Life in Hollywood.     

In our interview we discuss the controversy over a lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominations; the threat, as he sees it, posed by streaming services to the big screen; why he changed his first name; bizarre experiences working with Phil Spector; the story behind making Gorky Park and why he went outside the Dolby Theatre and screamed before making the president’s speech at the Oscars.

LISTEN

Broadcast: BBC 5 Live's Up All Night with Rhod Sharp  - January 21, 2020

David Hauser: entrepreneur, author

There’s an old saying that money doesn’t buy happiness. But what about lifestyle hacks to optimize wellbeing and overall health?

David Hauser is a hugely successful businessman who has overcome multiple health problems and self-esteem issues - including weight gain, exhaustion and failed diets - to transform his life.  Once a slave to pseudoscience and fad diets, David says he eventually embraced real science and applied a data-driven approach to building an “unstoppable” lifestyle.  

He is best known for co-founding the Grasshopper Group, a virtual telephone service, but the Las Vegas based entrepreneur has now taken on the role of self-help guru, empowering others in their quest for better physical and mental health.  

In this LLAMA podcast interview, with Peter Bowes, David explains his “optimization mindset” and new-found zest for life.