The Real Secret to Living Longer Ken Stern

What truly helps people live longer, healthier lives? In this episode, we talk with journalist and author Ken Stern about the science behind longevity and why social connection may matter more than diet or exercise alone. From loneliness being compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day to cultures that keep older adults engaged through work and community, we explore how purpose, relationships, and social structures shape healthy aging. Topics [0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Ken Stern [6:47] Big Cities vs Rural Living and Life Expectancy [10:22] Are We Overvaluing Diet and Exercise? [16:34] Why Loneliness Is Worse in the U.S. [23:35] The Blue Zones Debate [26:18] How to Build Stronger Social Connections [30:25] Rethinking Retirement and Purpose [40:28] Why Generational Mixing Matters [44:41] Intergenerational Communities and Empathy [53:50] Desert Island Music [58:11] Grooving Session: How to Live Your Best (and Longest) Life ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Ken The Longevity Project Healthy to 100 by Ken Stern Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community

You can listen to The Real Secret to Living Longer Ken Stern online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

The Real Secret to Living Longer Ken Stern is an episode from Behavioral Grooves Podcast by Kurt Nelson, PhD and Tim Houlihan.

This episode is 74:56 long.

This episode was published on Mar 16, 2026.

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