UCLA LiveWell

Dr. Wendy Slusser
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Dr. Wendy Slusser of UCLA's Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center interviews leading experts about new perspectives on health and wellbeing. LiveWell champions an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach to health equity-- from food and climate, to social justice and emotional wellbeing. With guests like Evan Kleiman, Peter Sellars, and Bob Thurman, we've set out to explore the many facets of what it means to live well. Stop by our website to offer feedback or guest ideas, plus more to explore: https://www.healthy.ucla.edu/media/livewellpodcast/

  1. 94: Do Animals Hold the Key to Healing? Ellie Laks on the Gentle Barn and Reciprocal Healing

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    94: Do Animals Hold the Key to Healing? Ellie Laks on the Gentle Barn and Reciprocal Healing

    What if the key to healing our own trauma was held by a rescued cow or a rehabilitated horse?  On this episode of the LiveWell podcast, we speak with Ellie Laks, the visionary founder of The Gentle Barn. Ellie shares on her lifelong journey of connecting with animals, from a seven-year-old with a dream to an international leader on the power of animal sanctuaries. We dive deep into 'Cow Hug Therapy,' interspecies empathy, and how creating a haven for animals creates a parallel sanctuary for humans who may have forgotten what it feels like to be safe. In this episode we discuss: ·      The Origins of the Gentle Barn: Ellie’s childhood surrounded by animals and their companionship and how her upbringing birthed the dream of the Gentle Barn.  ·      The Potency of Non-Verbal Connection: Animals offer a unique form of therapy different from traditional talk therapy; they can mirror our emotions and provide a grounding presence. ·      Mutual Healing: The trauma these animals have experienced followed by rehabilitation at the Gentle Barn allows them to accept human visitors who may arrive with trauma of their own.  ·      Lessons Learned: How different species living at the Gentle Barn have taught Ellie different lasting life lessons.  The episode gives a glimpse into how the animals are rehabilitated, how the Gentle Barn is structured, and the different therapy modalities they offer to the public.  Resources: Books: Cow Hug Therapy: How the Animals at The Gentle Barn Taught Me about Life, Death, and Everything in Between and My Gentle Barn: Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to HopeWebsite: https://www.gentlebarn.org/Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.  We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/  If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu   To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

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  2. 93: The Reflex of Kindness: Lonnie Ali on Scaling Compassion and Sustaining a Legacy

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    93: The Reflex of Kindness: Lonnie Ali on Scaling Compassion and Sustaining a Legacy

    In our latest LiveWell podcast episode, we sit down with Lonnie Ali, a dedicated advocate for Parkinson’s research, a champion of compassion, and widow to Muhammad Ali. Lonnie shares her personal journey from growing up across the street from the legendary boxer in Louisville to becoming his "rock" and care partner throughout his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Chair and co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, Lonnie details the importance of the Ali Compassion Index, the Center’s impressive measuring tool for compassion in cities across the U.S. With Lonnie’s help, we reframe compassion not just a soft sentiment, but a measurable "muscle" that can be flexed to bridge divides and foster civic engagement in our communities. In this episode, we discuss: The Five Layers of Compassion, from self-compassion to the nation on a whole. Stories of Muhammad’s instinctive kindness, from talking a man off a ledge to bringing a family in need into his home. The Compassion Index: Why cities like Seattle, Louisville, and Atlanta are leading the way in civic engagement and volunteerism. Overcoming the guilt of prioritizing one's own health to avoid burnout. How small, daily acts, like letting someone in during traffic, can catalyze global change.This episode offers actionable tools and powerful stories to help you flex your compassion muscle and live a fuller, more connected life.  Resources: Book: Soul of a Butterfly by Hana Ali Website: AliIndex.org Website: Ali Compassion ReportListen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being. Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: healthy.ucla.edu/livewellpodcast If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu.  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @LiveWell_UCLA! Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.  We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/  If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu   To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

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  3. 92: Primal Intelligence: From Special Ops to Shakespeare

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    92: Primal Intelligence: From Special Ops to Shakespeare

    Our latest LiveWell podcast episode features an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation with Angus Fletcher, Professor of English at Ohio State University and a core member of Project Narrative. Angus shares his personal journey from working in a neurophysiology lab studying live brain cells to pursuing a PhD in literature at Yale to understand the mechanics of story. Drawing from his work with the US Army Special Forces and his latest book, Primal Intelligence, Angus explores how the human brain evolved to be smart in uncertainty—a capacity he fears we are losing in an age of computational logic. He highlights the flaw in modern education that treats intelligence as a pattern-matching game and offers practical, hopeful pathways forward through the four pillars of primal intelligence. In this episode, we discuss: ● Why AI is "lobotomizing" the human brain by ignoring narrative thinking ● The four pillars of Primal Intelligence: Intuition, Imagination, Emotion, and Common Sense ● How to train pediatric residents to trust their "feelings" as medical data ● Lessons from Shakespeare on starting stories in the middle to spark wonder ● The critical difference between being a manager and being a leader ● How to reform education to support early-career scholars and innovative thinkers Whether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or anyone searching for a sense of purpose in a digital world, this episode offers actionable tools, uplifting stories, and a powerful vision for a more human future. Resources: Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740110/primal-intelligence-by-angus-fletcher/ Website: https://www.angusfletcher.co/ Listen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being. Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website at healthy.ucla.edu/livewellpodcast. If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu. To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @LiveWell_UCLA! Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.  We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/  If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu   To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

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  4. 91: The Power of Presence: Navigating Modern Stress with Mindfulness

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    91: The Power of Presence: Navigating Modern Stress with Mindfulness

    Our latest LiveWell podcast episode features an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation with Diana Winston, the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC). Diana shares her personal journey from being a young seeker traveling through Asia to spending a year as a Buddhist nun, a period that fundamentally shaped her understanding of the human mind. Drawing from her decades of teaching and her work at MARC, Diana explores how mindfulness is a practical, evidence-based tool that anyone can use to lower stress and enhance well-being. She highlights the growing crisis of "continuous partial attention" in our digital age and offers practical, hopeful pathways forward through the art of "natural awareness." In this episode, we discuss: ● The difference between concentrated meditation and natural awareness ● How mindfulness can physically rewire the brain for better focus ● Techniques for "micro-moments" of peace during a hectic workday ● The role of mindfulness in promoting equity and social justice ● Overcoming common myths about meditation ● How students can use presence to combat academic burnout Whether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or anyone searching for a sense of calm in a chaotic world, this episode offers actionable tools, uplifting stories, and a powerful vision for a more mindful society. Resources: Book: The Little Book of Being Website: https://www.dianawinston.com/ Listen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being. Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.  We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/  If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu   To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

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  5. 90: Rebuilding Belonging: The Power of Strengthening Our Social Muscles

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    90: Rebuilding Belonging: The Power of Strengthening Our Social Muscles

    Our latest LiveWell podcast episode features an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation with Kasley Killam, a leading expert in social health and author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier Lives. Kasley shares her personal journey from being a curious psychology student to becoming a nationally recognized voice on the power of human connection. Drawing from her work with Social Health Labs, global field research, and her own experiences as an empath and introvert, Kasley explores why social health is emerging as a critical pillar of well-being alongside physical and mental health. Her insights are grounded in both research and lived experience—from her transformative “108 Days of Kindness” project to her work with cities like Barcelona and Paris to strengthen community connection. Throughout the episode, Kasley highlights the urgent need to rebuild social ties in a time of widespread loneliness, and she offers practical, hopeful pathways forward. In this episode, we discuss: How Kasley discovered “social health” and why it is becoming a global movementHer four strategies for strengthening our “social muscles” The 5-3-1 guideline for building meaningful and sustainable relationshipsThe influence of built environments—from LA to Bhutan—on our ability to connectHow students and communities can create a culture of belonging The role of AI in modern connection, and why diversity of social ties mattersThe power of intentionality, kindness, and community-led initiatives in creating a thriving societyWhether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or anyone searching for ways to strengthen your connections and improve well-being, this episode offers actionable tools, uplifting stories, and a powerful vision for a more connected world. Resources: Book: https://www.kasleykillam.com/social-health-book Website: https://www.kasleykillam.com/ Listen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being. Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.  We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/  If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu   To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

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    Everyone’s a Futurist: Structuring Tomorrow’s Thinking

    “It is possible to believe that all the past is but the beginning of a beginning… the twilight of the dawn.” – H.G. Wells But how do we shape what comes next—and prepare for futures we can’t yet see? Join us for a compelling episode of the UCLA LiveWell podcast featuring Dr. Andy Hines — futurist, professor at the University of Houston, and expert in strategic foresight. Andy guides us through: 🔭 How to scan for signals and build stories about the future.🧠 Why vision is the antidote to chaos and uncertainty.🐸 The role of “frogs”—those who bridge foresight and organizational reality.🧩 How stealth strategies can embed future thinking in resistant cultures.Whether you're navigating change or dreaming big, this episode will help you think ahead with clarity and purpose. 🎧 Tune in and explore how strategic foresight can help you live—and lead—with intention Dr. Andy Hines' Website Imagining After Capitalism  University of Houston Foresight Program Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.  We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/  If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu   To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

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  7. 88: The Story of a Wildcat: Community Resilience and Cultural Connection

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    88: The Story of a Wildcat: Community Resilience and Cultural Connection

    Our latest LiveWell podcast episode features an enlightening conversation with Dr. Dan Wildcat, a professor at Haskell Indian Nations University and a profound thinker on Indigenous perspectives of ecology, technology, and community. Dr. Wildcat shares his transformative journey from Sociology to Environmental studies, deeply influenced by his mentor, Vine Deloria Jr.   In his book co-authored with Vine Deloria Jr., Power and Place (2001), covers the challenges that Native American students experience throughout educational systems and professions. Additionally, in his most recent book, Red Alert! Saving the Planet with Indigenous Knowledge (2009), Dr. Wildcat uses Native American wisdom and a perspective that is centered in nature for modern solutions to global warming.    In this episode, we discuss: ·       His unique approach to understanding the relationship between nature and culture through an Indigenous lens ·       The concept of eco-kinship and moving beyond anthropocentric thinking ·       His experience writing "Red Alert" and finding hope in the face of climate change challenges ·       The power of storytelling, gratitude, and generosity in creating resilient communities ·       The importance of reframing technology to enhance life for all living beings, not just human convenience Whether you're an environmentalist, educator, or anyone interested in Indigenous wisdom and sustainable living, this episode offers profound insights into reimagining our relationship with the natural world.  Listen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being. Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.  We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/  If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu   To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

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  8. #77 (Re-Release), Part 2: A Culture of Care Peter Sellars

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    #77 (Re-Release), Part 2: A Culture of Care Peter Sellars

    Original air date: March 1st, 2023 Why is controversy a good thing? What does it mean to have five eyes? Why is there no such thing as spectatorship?  This is what we set out to uncover in Part 2 of our Special Series with Peter Sellars, world-renowned theater and opera director. Join us as we discuss imagining new and revolutionary solutions to issues and injustices by centering art and community care.  Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, provide feedback, or invite Wendy to be a guest on your podcast!  Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.  We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/  If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu   To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla

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Dr. Wendy Slusser of UCLA's Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center interviews leading experts about new perspectives on health and wellbeing. LiveWell champions an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach to health equity-- from food and climate, to social justice and emotional wellbeing. With guests like Evan Kleiman, Peter Sellars, and Bob Thurman, we've set out to explore the many facets of what it means to live well. Stop by our website to offer feedback or guest ideas, plus more to explore: https://www.healthy.ucla.edu/media/livewellpodcast/

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Dr. Wendy Slusser
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠١٩ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
    ٩٩
  • التقييم
    ملائم
  • حقوق النشر
    © 2026 UCLA LiveWell
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    UCLA LiveWell

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