Why the Oldest People Are the Happiest (and What They Do Differently)

In this episode, we’re back with Dr. Mary Ní Lochlainn to talk all about aging—and why it might be something to actually look forward to. We dive into what she’s learned from the oldest people in her lab, from their surprisingly upbeat attitudes to the science behind why social connection is as vital as exercise. You’ll hear why loneliness is now being called “the new smoking,” how your gut health affects your future, and the surprising benefits of learning a new sport in your 70s. Plus, we swap stories about jiu-jitsu friendships, broken noses, and whether pickleball has officially taken over the world. If you’ve ever wondered what actually makes the difference between just getting older and truly thriving as you age, this episode will surprise you. To hear the rest of this episode, sign up for the Foodie Fam! For weekly notes on our episodes, sign up for the Food We Need to Talk newsletter ! Check out our book ! Chat with us on IG ! Be friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok ! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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Why the Oldest People Are the Happiest (and What They Do Differently) is an episode from Food, We Need To Talk by Juna Gjata.

This episode is 05:05 long.

This episode was published on Jun 23, 2025.

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