Behavior Change Architect

Kerry Evers, Ph.D.
Behavior Change Architect

Changing Behavior. Some believe that the adoption of positive behaviors by individuals and communities “just happens”. But the truth is, there is a science behind how to encourage and design for change. The Behavior Change Architect Podcast is a conversation about innovative and evidence-based behavior change strategies to increase wellbeing. Listen in to discussions with thought leaders, industry experts, and innovative scientists, on hot-button topics around specific behaviors like vaping, resilience, and financial well-being, as well as research and design issues including engagement, technology, and communication strategies. We will go beyond published works to discuss behind-the-scenes topics and cutting-edge findings. Tune in as your host Dr. Kerry Evers takes you on a journey to change the discussion, change perspectives, and ultimately, help you change behavior for your clients, populations, and perhaps even yourself!

  1. Food As Medicine Episode 1 With Dr. Dexter Shurney

    EPISODE 1

    Food As Medicine Episode 1 With Dr. Dexter Shurney

    Welcome to the third series of The Behavior Change Architect Podcast, hosted by Kerry E. Evers, Ph.D. In this series, we will be focusing on something we can all relate to… food.    So much of our lives revolve around food, whether it's for celebrations, comfort, socializing, or fuel. But can the food we eat be thought of as more than just nutrition? Over the course of the three podcasts in this series, we will be focusing on food as medicine, including discussions on the experience of food and how that affects our wellbeing. Throughout the series, our guest will be Dr. Dexter. Shurney. Dr. Shurney is the president of the Blue Zones Wellbeing Institute, which is sponsoring this series. He is a frequent speaker often recognized for his thought leadership on health disparities research and innovative healthcare business models, and the immediate past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.   Today’s episode will focus on Dr. Shurney’s journey from practicing general surgery to becoming a preventive medicine physician, and his aim to empower people to take better care of themselves. Be sure to listen to this first in the series on Food as Medicine.    IN THIS EPISODE:    [03:25] How Dr Shurney got interested in the topic of food, specifically as medicine. [08:00] What factors assist nutrients to be absorbed in the body? [08:50] What is the difference between whole foods and taking supplements for nutrition? [12:20] The foundation of good health is using food as medicine. [18:30] How to save time by buying bulk and repurposing food.    KEY TAKEAWAYS:    The food we eat has a huge effect on our health and wellbeing. Eating whole foods are a lot more beneficial than only taking vitamins. Other factors, such as who we socialize with when eating food, also make an impact on our health and wellbeing. Along with providing access to healthier foods, it is important to show people to integrate these foods into their diets.   RESOURCE LINKS   Blue Zone Wellbeing Institute   American College of Lifestyle Medicine Website   Dr. Shurney on LinkedIn    BIO:    Blue Zones Well-Being Institute President  Dexter Shurney, MD, MBA, MPH, FACLM, DipABLM Dr. Shurney leads the work of the Blue Zones Well-Being Institute as a “living lab” to create and codify best practices that can be replicated across regions to improve the health and wellness of communities. He ensures the capitalization of local opportunities and enhances the strength of the Blue Zones portfolio to serve communities of greatest need. A frequent speaker often recognized for his thought leadership on health disparities research and innovative healthcare business models, Dr. Shurney is immediate past-president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and continues as one of its representatives to the AMA House of Delegates and Executive Board Committee. He also serves on numerous other boards, including the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), National Association of Managed Care Physicians (NAMCP), and Population Health Alliance (PHA).

    21 min
  2. Food As Medicine Episode 2 With Dr. Dexter Shurney

    EPISODE 2

    Food As Medicine Episode 2 With Dr. Dexter Shurney

    The Behavior Change Architect Podcast, hosted by Kerry E. Evers, Ph.D., discusses innovative and evidence-based behavior change strategies designed to increase wellbeing.    The third series focuses on food as medicine and is sponsored by The Blue Zones Wellbeing Institute. In the first episode of the series, we introduced our listeners to this topic with the help of our guest, Dr. Dexter Shurney.   In today’s episode, the second in the series, we are welcoming back Dr. Shurney as we delve deep into the state of the research and the topic of misinformation.   Dr. Dexter Shurney is the president of the Blue Zones Wellbeing Institute. He is a frequent speaker often recognized for his thought leadership on health disparities research and innovative healthcare business models, Dr. Shurney is immediate past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.   Join us in this exciting episode as we discuss the current state of research on how food is medicine.     IN THIS EPISODE:    [2:25] What is the Blue Zones Institute? [05:00] One of the core elements in the Blue Zones is how we eat, especially related to increased consumption of whole foods.  [08:50] The diet that was healthy for us 50 years ago, is, for the most part, healthy for us today. [10:30] Understanding the gut microbiome. [11:45] Diet determines our gut microbiome, which assists in maintaining a healthy weight. [14:00] Description of calories in processed foods versus wholefoods.    KEY TAKEAWAYS:    Blue Zone communities consume a whole food diet and tend to be healthier and live longer. Eating whole foods has many health benefits including supporting the gut microbiome and maintaining a healthy weight. Choosing whole foods to eat can boost our immunity and assist in preventing disease.    RESOURCE LINKS   How Not To Die by Dr. Mike Greger   How Not to Die Cookbook by Dr. Mike Greger and Gene Stone   The True Health Initiative Dr David Katz   American College of Lifestyle Medicine Website   Blue Zone Wellbeing Institute   Dr. Shurney on LinkedIn   BIO:     Blue Zones Well-Being Institute President  Dexter Shurney, MD, MBA, MPH, FACLM, DipABLM Dr. Shurney leads the work of the Blue Zones Well-Being Institute as a “living lab” to create and codify best practices that can be replicated across regions to improve the health and wellness of communities. He ensures the capitalization of local opportunities and enhances the strength of the Blue Zones portfolio to serve communities of greatest need. A frequent speaker often recognized for his thought leadership on health disparities research and innovative healthcare business models, Dr. Shurney is immediate past-president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and continues as one of its representatives to the AMA House of Delegates and Executive Board Committee. He also serves on numerous other boards, including the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), National Association of Managed Care Physicians (NAMCP), and Population Health Alliance (PHA).

    26 min
  3. Food As Medicine Episode 3 With Dr. Dexter Shurney

    EPISODE 3

    Food As Medicine Episode 3 With Dr. Dexter Shurney

    Welcome to the third episode in the Food as Medicine series of the Behavior Change Architect Podcast. In today’s episode, we are welcoming back Dr. Shurney to discuss how this all impacts our clients, our populations, and ourselves. What can we do to turn our knowledge of food as medicine into better health and wellbeing?    We welcome back Dr. Dexter Shurney, the president of the Blue Zones Wellbeing Institute, our sponsor for this series. As a thought leader in this field, he brings us practical resources for how food as medicine can be incorporated into our programs and our lives.    IN THIS EPISODE:    [02:00] Understanding the challenges and barriers with addressing food choices. [04:00] Convenience of fast food and expenses when choosing the food we eat. [09:00] Hibiscus tea as an alternative to water, to assist in lowering hypertension. [13:00] Ensuring to eat a wide variety of whole foods to receive as many nutrients as possible. [16:00] Food as medicine doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods.    KEY TAKEAWAYS:    Food as medicine means eating wholefoods, but also adding natural foods to your current favorite foods or changing the meal to a healthier version. The next decade of research in this area will be focused on the gut microbiome. Food as medicine is not only taking vitamins as a substitute but including a wide variety of wholefoods into your diet.    RESOURCE LINKS   Blue Zone Wellbeing Institute   NutritionFacts.Org   How Not To Die by Dr. Mike Greger   How Not to Die Cookbook by Dr. Mike Greger and Gene Stone   The True Health Initiative Dr David Katz   American College of Lifestyle Medicine Website   Dr. Shurney on LinkedIn   BIO:  Blue Zones Well-Being Institute President  Dexter Shurney, MD, MBA, MPH, FACLM, DipABLM Dr. Shurney leads the work of the Blue Zones Well-Being Institute as a “living lab” to create and codify best practices that can be replicated across regions to improve the health and wellness of communities. He ensures the capitalization of local opportunities and enhances the strength of the Blue Zones portfolio to serve communities of greatest need. A frequent speaker often recognized for his thought leadership on health disparities research and innovative healthcare business models, Dr. Shurney is immediate past-president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and continues as one of its representatives to the AMA House of Delegates and Executive Board Committee. He also serves on numerous other boards, including the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), National Association of Managed Care Physicians (NAMCP), and Population Health Alliance (PHA).

    23 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Changing Behavior. Some believe that the adoption of positive behaviors by individuals and communities “just happens”. But the truth is, there is a science behind how to encourage and design for change. The Behavior Change Architect Podcast is a conversation about innovative and evidence-based behavior change strategies to increase wellbeing. Listen in to discussions with thought leaders, industry experts, and innovative scientists, on hot-button topics around specific behaviors like vaping, resilience, and financial well-being, as well as research and design issues including engagement, technology, and communication strategies. We will go beyond published works to discuss behind-the-scenes topics and cutting-edge findings. Tune in as your host Dr. Kerry Evers takes you on a journey to change the discussion, change perspectives, and ultimately, help you change behavior for your clients, populations, and perhaps even yourself!

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada