Expanding Health with Dr. Avriel Diaz

Dr. Avriel Diaz, PhD
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Alternative Health

Expanding Health is a podcast that challenges us to rethink what it means to be healthy. Hosted by Dr. Avriel Diaz, a planetary health scientist, Expanding Health explores the connections between our bodies, our environment, and the world around us. From the air we breathe and the food we eat to our hormones, mental health, relationships, and changing climate, our health is shaped by far more than what happens inside a doctor’s office. Through engaging conversations with scientists, healthcare professionals, innovators, and changemakers, we uncover the science, stories, and perspectives that help us better understand what shapes our well-being. Together, we explore everything from environmental toxins and chronic disease to nutrition, women’s health, emerging science, and the power of community and connection. Because health doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s time to expand the way we think about it. New conversations exploring the science of healthier people and a healthier planet.

Episodes

  1. 20h ago

    The Fire Paradox: When Fire Harms—and When It Heals

    Send us Fan Mail When we think of wildfires, we think of destruction. But what if fire is also essential to keeping our forests, ecosystems, and communities healthy? In this episode of Expanding Health, Dr. Avriel Diaz sits down with Dr. Erica Smithwick, Distinguished Professor at Penn State and Director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, to explore the complex relationship between fire, our environment, and human health. From wildfire smoke traveling thousands of miles and carrying toxic chemicals into our bodies, to the hidden impacts on soil and drinking water, we uncover why the health consequences of wildfires extend far beyond the flames. But there’s another side to this story. Fire has shaped healthy ecosystems for thousands of years. We explore how Indigenous cultural burning and modern prescribed fire can restore landscapes, support biodiversity, and help reduce the risk of devastating wildfires. As climate change reshapes wildfire risk, including across the eastern United States, how do we protect human health while recognizing the essential role of fire in nature? Join us as we explore the fire paradox: how something so destructive can also be a powerful tool for healthier, more resilient ecosystems and communities. Subscribe for thought-provoking  conversations with leading experts exploring how our changing world is shaping your health. Connect with us on Instagram: @expandinghealthpodcast⁠ | @dravrieldiaz⁠ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a rating or review and share it with others. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information presented is not a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of information presented in this podcast. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or podcast.

  2. Oct 15

    We Know How to Treat Disease. But Do We Know How to Be Healthy? | Dr. Anna Stewart Ibarra

    Send us Fan Mail In a world where we can measure, diagnose, and treat more diseases than ever before, have we lost sight of what it actually means to be healthy? In this episode of Expanding Health, Dr. Avriel Diaz sits down with Dr. Anna Stewart-Ibarra to explore the connections between human health, our environment, and the relationships and communities that sustain us. From climate change and infectious diseases to kindness, connection, and the power of community, this conversation challenges us to think beyond traditional measures of health. What if building healthier societies requires more than preventing illness? What if joy, love, and our relationship with the world around us are just as important? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about expanding our understanding of health and what it truly means to thrive. Subscribe for thought-provoking  conversations with leading experts exploring how our changing world is shaping your health. Connect with us on Instagram: @expandinghealthpodcast⁠ | @dravrieldiaz⁠ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a rating or review and share it with others. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information presented is not a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of information presented in this podcast. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or podcast.

    We Know How to Treat Disease. But Do We Know How to Be Healthy? | Dr. Anna Stewart Ibarra
  • 2 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Expanding Health is a podcast that challenges us to rethink what it means to be healthy. Hosted by Dr. Avriel Diaz, a planetary health scientist, Expanding Health explores the connections between our bodies, our environment, and the world around us. From the air we breathe and the food we eat to our hormones, mental health, relationships, and changing climate, our health is shaped by far more than what happens inside a doctor’s office. Through engaging conversations with scientists, healthcare professionals, innovators, and changemakers, we uncover the science, stories, and perspectives that help us better understand what shapes our well-being. Together, we explore everything from environmental toxins and chronic disease to nutrition, women’s health, emerging science, and the power of community and connection. Because health doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s time to expand the way we think about it. New conversations exploring the science of healthier people and a healthier planet.

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