Nina’s Notes Podcast

Nina Patrick

A weekly, non-technical podcast on health, longevity & psychedelics. www.ninasnotes.xyz

  1. #167: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | Why Preventative Healthcare Is Only for the Rich (And How to Change That) with Emilian Popa, Founder of Expand Health

    FEB 4

    #167: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | Why Preventative Healthcare Is Only for the Rich (And How to Change That) with Emilian Popa, Founder of Expand Health

    Preventative healthcare isn’t just for the wealthy few, it can be accessible to everyone who needs it most. In this episode, Nina sits down with Emilian Popa, founder of Expand Health, for a candid conversation about democratizing longevity and preventative care. From his early days as an entrepreneur in Romania to working in venture capital and finally building his own healthcare company, Emilian reveals the critical gaps in our current healthcare system and how technology can bridge them. This isn’t about boutique longevity clinics charging $10,000 for annual memberships. It’s about making evidence-based preventative care accessible and affordable for the middle class, the people who need it most but are currently priced out of the market. Emilian explains why behavior change is the hardest part of healthcare transformation, how AI is revolutionizing patient experience and cost structures, and why the fundamentals of nutrition, movement, and sleep remain non-negotiable. You’ll discover what’s actually stopping people from accessing preventative care, how healthcare will evolve over the next decade, and why brain health deserves more attention in the longevity conversation. Timestamps: 00:00 Emilian’s Entrepreneurial Journey 05:47 Building Expand Health: A New Approach to Healthcare 12:11 Behavior Change and Health Span 20:24 Innovations in Preventative Care 25:43 Scaling Preventative Health Across Continents 30:57 The Cost of Healthcare and Access to Testing 32:31 Democratizing Healthcare: Bridging the Gap 34:59 Behavior Change: The Key to Health 37:16 The Future of Work: Balancing Productivity and Health 41:05 Foundational Health: Nutrition, Movement, and Sleep 43:33 Emerging Technologies in Health and Longevity 48:15 Advice for Individuals in the Longevity Space 52:58 The Importance of Brain Health and Future Innovations Where to find Emilian Popa: * Expand Health * LinkedIn Where to find Nina Patrick, PhD: * Newsletter * LinkedIn * Website Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    52 min
  2. #166: 🤖 We Expect Perfection out of AI and Not of Humans, Why? | READ ALOUD

    JAN 28

    #166: 🤖 We Expect Perfection out of AI and Not of Humans, Why? | READ ALOUD

    In this conversation, I explore a fascinating paradox in our relationship with artificial intelligence. Why do we demand absolute perfection from AI while accepting human error as inevitable? When an LLM hallucinates or cites fake sources, I get frustrated. But when a colleague misspeaks or misremembers, I give them grace. Why the double standard? I walk through the reality of human error across industries: * Diagnostic mistakes happen in 5-20% of doctor visits * 80% of aviation accidents trace back to human error * 20% of Big Four audits have significant deficiencies * Even elite professionals only achieve 90-95% accuracy. The thread tying all of this together is simple but uncomfortable: our imperfections are what make us human and interesting. AI-generated content feels soulless. You can sense it. It lacks emotion, depth, playfulness, and personality. I believe we’re heading toward an age where we’ll pay a premium for human-generated content, art, and music. We think we can scale the human experience with AI, but what we’ll find instead is an overly perfect, emotionless dark age of art and culture. The choice isn’t between perfect AI or imperfect humans. It’s about deciding which imperfections we’re willing to live with. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Hello from Australia! 01:16 We Expect Perfection out of AI and Not in Humans, Why? 06:41 The Paradox of Perfection in AI and Humanity 07:05 Mentoring Opportunities 07:26 The Book of the Week 08:34 Grab My Guidebooks 08:51 Check this out Links https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/patient-safety https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666691X23000246 https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/news/audit-deficiency-rate-drops-in-2024-in-sign-of-improvement/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/1907590_Thinking_is_Bad_Implications_of_Human_Error_Research_for_Spreadsheet_Research_and_Practice CONNECT WITH ME Newsletter: https://www.ninasnotes.xyz Longevity.Technology Unlocked Podcast: https://longevity.technology/unlocked/ Longevity Guidebooks: https://ninapatrick.xyz/guidebooks Mentoring: https://ninapatrick.xyz/startup-mentor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: https://www.ninapatrick.xyz Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    10 min
  3. #165: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | Training Your Brain with Neurofeedback Pioneer Ariel Garten on Focus, Sleep & Brain Optimization

    JAN 21

    #165: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | Training Your Brain with Neurofeedback Pioneer Ariel Garten on Focus, Sleep & Brain Optimization

    What if you could actually see your brain activity in real-time and learn to control it like adjusting a thermostat? In this episode, Nina sits down with Ariel Garten, neuroscientist and founder of Muse, for a deep dive into how neurofeedback technology is revolutionizing the way we train our brains. From her early work making buildings light up with brainwaves at the 2010 Winter Olympics to creating a headband used by half a million people worldwide, Ariel reveals how accessible brain training has become. This isn’t science fiction, it’s neuroscience made practical. Ariel explains how three to five minutes of daily brain training can improve focus, enhance sleep quality by 20%, and even help you fall asleep 55% faster. You’ll discover what your brain really looks like during sleep, why most of us aren’t getting “textbook” sleep, and how emerging technologies like deep sleep stimulation could change how we age. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Muse and Neuroscience 01:50 The Journey of Muse: From Concept to Reality 04:29 User Experience: Feedback and Interaction with Muse 06:54 Training the Brain: Techniques and Processes 09:44 Understanding Calmness: EEG Insights and Metacognition 12:12 Evolution of Use Cases: Meditation to Sleep Optimization 14:52 The Muse S: Enhancing Sleep Quality 17:35 The Complexity of Sleep: Insights from EEG Studies 22:10 Transforming Sleep Through Mindfulness 24:33 Understanding Calmness and Anxiety 26:06 Enhancing Focus and Productivity 27:52 The Role of Muse in Daily Life 29:19 Exploring ADHD and Focus 31:30 The Future of Brain Diagnostics 34:01 Innovations in Brain Measurement 36:34 The Limits of Brain Training 39:30 Best Practices for Brain Training CONNECT WITH ARIEL GARTEN Website: https://choosemuse.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielgarten/ Twitter: @choosemuse Instagram: @choosemuse CONNECT WITH NINA’S NOTES Newsletter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: https://www.ninapatrick.xyz Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    44 min
  4. #163: 🌈 Are Psychedelics The Fountain of Youth? | READ ALOUD

    12/17/2025

    #163: 🌈 Are Psychedelics The Fountain of Youth? | READ ALOUD

    In this conversation, I cover the emerging science on psychedelics. Not the hype, but the data. How these compounds interact with the brain, reopen windows of neuroplasticity, and appear to influence aging, neurodegenerative disease, mental health, trauma, and resilience in ways we’re only beginning to understand. I walk through studies looking at psychedelics in neurodegenerative disease, stroke recovery, and end-of-life care, specifically improvements in Parkinson’s, life extension in cells and mice, and cancer patients losing their fear of death. The thread tying all of this together is simple but uncomfortable: longevity isn’t just about adding years to the body. It’s about tending to the nervous system, the mind, and the stories we carry. If we want to live longer and better, we may need to stop treating biology and psychology as separate systems, and start designing a more integrated, humane approach to aging. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Epigenetics and Longevity 02:42 The Intersection of Psychedelics and Longevity 05:36 Understanding the Hallmarks of Aging 08:51 Mental Health, Neuroplasticity, and Aging 11:45 Psychedelics and Neurodegenerative Diseases 14:46 Psychedelics in Stroke Recovery 17:33 Psychedelics and Trauma Healing 20:30 Psychedelics in End-of-Life Care 23:41 The Future of Longevity and Psychedelics CONNECT WITH NINA’S NOTES Newsletter: https://www.ninasnotes.xyz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: https://www.ninapatrick.xyz Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    27 min
  5. 12/10/2025

    #162: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | Routine Over Motivation with Fitness Legend Jaime Brenkus on Movement, Aging & Longevity

    What if the secret to aging well isn’t about crushing yourself in the gym, but about simple, consistent movement that you can sustain for life? In this episode, Nina sits down with Jaime Brenkus, the fitness pioneer behind 8 Minute Abs, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what actually matters for longevity and health. Jamie challenges conventional fitness wisdom and reveals why routine beats motivation, why resistance training becomes non-negotiable as we age, and how the choices we make today directly impact how we’ll feel decades from now. This isn’t about achieving the perfect body, it’s about building sustainable habits that let you wake up with energy, move with confidence, and age with vitality. Timestamps: 00:00 Introducing Jaime Brenkus 02:21 Changing The Way You Age 02:36 What’s The Real Cost Of Aging? 03:35 People Don’t Die Of Old Age, They Die Of Inactivity 03:41 If You Don’t Make Time For Your Wellness, You’re Going To Make Time For Your Illness 05:26 The Science Of Powerful Workouts 07:41 Move Every Hour On The Hour (Ehoh) 08:16 Jaime’s Daily Routine 09:20 The Power Of Routine Over Motivation 11:44 Resistance Training Is The Key To Build Muscle 18:15 The Impact Of Aging On Fitness 19:31 Your Diet Is Just As Important As Your Fitness 20:27 You Have To Think Like A Lean Person 23:35 Don’t Compare Yourself To Others 24:49 If Exercise Is King, Nutrition Is Queen 26:34 Jaime’s Principles To Eat Healthy - Lean, Green & Clean 27:21 Nutrition: The Key To Longevity 30:16 Portion Control Tips 31:36 Your Waistline Is Your Lifeline 36:28 Refuel Your Body, Don’t Fool Your Body 36:47 The Importance Of Resistance Training 41:59 Wake Up With A Grin Or A Groan In The Morning 43:35 Consistency Beats Intensity 44:31 Routine Over Motivation 45:55 Lessons From Jack LaLanne 50:11 First Steps To Fitness Transformation 51:03 Don’t Forget The Resistance Training CONNECT WITH JAIME BRENKUS Website: https://jaimebrenkusfitness.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-brenkus-3494422/ Online Coaching: https://www.subscribepage.com/meetjaime CONNECT WITH NINA’S NOTES Newsletter: https://www.ninasnotes.xyz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website:https://www.ninapatrick.xyz Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    53 min
  6. #161: 🫩 The Power of Boredom | READ ALOUD

    12/03/2025

    #161: 🫩 The Power of Boredom | READ ALOUD

    What if the key to creativity, meaning, and happiness isn’t doing more, but doing less? When I realized I was spending 10 hours a week on Instagram, I knew something had to change. But instead of replacing it with more productivity hacks, I discovered something counterintuitive: my brain needs boredom. In this episode, I explore why eliminating boredom from our lives might be the root cause of modern depression and anxiety, and how embracing those uncomfortable moments of “doing nothing” can unlock creativity, meaning, and happiness. What You’ll Learn: * Why humans prefer electric shocks over being alone with their thoughts * The Default Mode Network and what happens when your brain has nothing to do * Why eliminating boredom might be causing our epidemic of depression * How Agatha Christie, Neil Gaiman, and Kate Nash used boredom to fuel their creative breakthroughs * Practical challenges to reclaim boredom in your life Timestamps: 0:00 - My 10-hour Instagram problem 2:15 - What happens when you’re bored 4:30 - The electric shock experiment 6:45 - Why we’ve engineered boredom out of our lives 9:20 - The boredom challenge 11:40 - How to get bored more often 14:15 - Famous creators who credit boredom for their success 17:30 - Book of the Week: Unreasonable Hospitality 21:45 - Check This Out: 10-minute endometriosis test breakthrough Links ☀️ Are You Wasting Your Dopamine Budget Before Breakfast? - https://www.ninasnotes.xyz/p/153-are-you-wasting-your-dopamine 48-Hour Phone Detox - https://www.ninasnotes.xyz/p/128-48-hours-unplugged CONNECT WITH ME Newsletter: https://www.ninasnotes.xyz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: https://www.ninapatrick.xyz Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    15 min
  7. 11/26/2025

    #160: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | Prediction Is All You Need with Michael Geer, Co-Founder of Humanity

    What if healthcare could predict your future instead of just treating your present? In this episode, I’m joined by Michael Geer, co-founder of Humanity, to explore how AI is transforming healthcare from reactive treatment to predictive prevention. Michael and I discuss how large biological models, similar to large language models like ChatGPT, are making it possible to predict future health outcomes with unprecedented accuracy. We explore biological age versus chronological age, why personalized health recommendations will replace one-size-fits-all advice, and how AI literally saved Michael from permanent nerve damage. This conversation gets into the weeds of transformers, attention mechanisms, and the future of medicine, but don’t worry, we keep it accessible and practical. Key topics: biological age, large biological models, AI in healthcare, predictive medicine, personalized health, digital twins, preventive care, longevity science About the guest: Michael Geer is co-founder of Humanity, a company building tools to measure and reverse biological aging. Before Humanity, he helped grow Badoo to over 300 million users. Connect with Michael at mg@humanity.email or learn more at humanity.health Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Predictive Healthcare 02:28 The Motivation Behind Humanity 05:39 The Shift from Reactive to Predictive Healthcare 08:05 Understanding Biological Data and Predictions 12:00 The Importance of Context in Health Predictions 16:35 The Role of Doctors in a Predictive Framework 21:42 Open Source Biological Models and Their Impact 24:25 Digital Twins and Future of Treatment Predictions 26:16 The Impact of Health Data on Treatment Predictions 27:58 Exploring Longevity and Biological Age Predictions 31:06 Modeling Interventions and Supplements for Health 35:07 The Role of AI in Personalized Medicine 39:06 The Future of Healthcare with Predictive Models Links #80: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | Your Rate of Aging with Michael Geer, Co-Founder of Humanity CONNECT WITH ME Newsletter: https://www.ninasnotes.xyz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: https://www.ninapatrick.xyz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ninas-Notes Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    48 min
5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A weekly, non-technical podcast on health, longevity & psychedelics. www.ninasnotes.xyz