
Advertise on podcast: The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Rating
4.9from
This podcast has
796 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Physicians CommitteeExplicit
No
Date created
2017/11/13
Latest episode
2026/09/28
Average duration
54 min.
Release period
4 days
Description
Dive into the science of your diet! Learn how a humble blueberry can fight cancer or what the longest living cultures in the world are eating. Every episode is packed with facts that will raise your health IQ and boost your nutrition knowledge. "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll is joined by Dr. Neal Barnard, founder of The Physicians Committee, and other leading doctors and dietitians. Unlock the secrets to living longer and healthier life and how to fight diseases with every meal.
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Healthy Ideas For Busy People: Quickies with PlantYou's Carleigh Bodrug
2026/09/28
Too tired to cook, but still want a meal you feel good about? PlantYou creator and bestselling cookbook author Carleigh Bodrug joins Chuck Carroll live on The Exam Room to talk about quick, easy plant-based meals for busy people.
Carleigh's new cookbook, PlantYou Quickies, is packed with approachable recipes and ideas for the nights when your time and energy are limited. Chuck and Carleigh explore pantry staples, convenient shortcuts, flexible meals, low-effort dinners, and ways to make plant-based cooking feel doable in real life.
What would you make with fifteen minutes and the ingredients already in your kitchen? Bring your questions to the live chat and join the conversation.
📕 PlantYou Quickies Book
👉 https://link.amazon/B0bZyi4fT
📱 PlantYou Videos
👉 https://www.instagram.com/plantyou
Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee. All gifts of $20 or more receive a mention on the show. Gifts of $100 or more receive an exclusive Exam Room Podcast tote!
Exam Roomie of the Week
- Lorraine Smith
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.
Best Iron Sources for a Plant-Based Diet: What to Eat, What to Avoid | Dr. Neal Barnard
2026/09/24
Nearly one-third of American adults may have some form of iron deficiency. Does that mean we should be eating more meat—or could that advice create an entirely different set of health problems?
Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll to examine a Washington Post article recommending meat, poultry, and seafood as sources of highly absorbable heme iron. They also explore the counterargument from Dr. Jim Loomis of Barnard Medical Center, who says beans and greens are the healthier choice.
You'll learn how to meet your iron needs while eating a plant-based diet, including the best foods, the importance of vitamin C, and common mistakes that can interfere with absorption.
Dr. Barnard also examines the complete nutritional package that comes with each source of iron. How do beans compare with beef when calories, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, and protein are considered? And what could the choice mean for LDL cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, blood pressure, weight, and other metabolic markers?
Plus, discover the potential concerns surrounding heme iron, including its associations with colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress, and type 2 diabetes.
Topics discussed include:
Heme iron vs. non-heme iron The best plant-based sources of iron Beans, lentils, tofu, seeds, whole grains, and leafy greens How vitamin C improves iron absorption Ferritin, hemoglobin, and transferrin saturation When an iron supplement may be necessary The potential risks of taking iron without medical supervision Calories, saturated fat, cholesterol, and fiber in iron-rich foods Heme iron and the risks of cancer and heart disease
🥩 Iron in Meat Linked to Heart Disease
👉 https://bit.ly/meat-iron-risk
This episode of The Exam Room Podcast is sponsored by the Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund. Our sincere thanks to Alysoun Mahoney and everyone at the fund for their generous support of the Physicians Committee and The Exam Room Podcast.
🙂 Gregery Reiter Fund
👉 https://gregoryreiterfund.org
Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
Food Companies Control Your Cravings. How To Fight Back | David Fenton
2026/09/21
Why can a fast-food commercial still trigger a craving 16 years after someone stopped eating it? And how can a health movement compete with the enormous marketing power of Big Food?
Communications pioneer David Fenton joins Chuck Carroll, who lost nearly 300 pounds, to reveal how advertising, repetition, emotion, and social media shape what people believe—and ultimately what they eat.
David has spent more than 50 years helping activists, artists, nonprofits, and social movements make their voices heard. Often called the "Robin Hood of Public Relations," he explains why facts alone rarely change minds, why the most effective messages reach the heart as well as the head, and how one person with a phone can build an extraordinary movement.
Chuck also shares his experience weighing 420 pounds, consuming as many as 10,000 calories a day, and battling a severe fast-food addiction. Even after 16 years without fast food, some advertisements can still awaken old cravings.
In this episode:
How food companies program cravings through repetition Why simple messages are easier to remember and share How small nonprofits can compete with enormous marketing budgets Why stories can persuade people when statistics cannot How one person can mobilize hundreds of thousands of followers Billie Eilish, Support + Feed, and the one-meal plant-based pledge The role of artists and influencers in social change Why hope should lead—and fear should play a smaller role David's largely plant-based journey beginning in a 1970s commune How ordinary people can begin making a difference today 📕 Get David Fenton's Book
👉 https://link.amazon/B0iZiSRlS
🎧 David's Podcast
👉 https://apple.co/3SPi70f
- Exam Roomie of the Week -
Angela Lugenbeel Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
The Science of Willpower: How to Make Healthy Habits Stick | Dr. Gemma Newman
2026/09/17
Why do some healthy habits become part of your life while others disappear after a few days or weeks?
Dr. Gemma Newman joins Chuck Carroll to explore the psychology behind lasting lifestyle change — and why willpower alone may not be enough.
They discuss research suggesting that sustainable change is often connected to identity, purpose, personal values, and finding a deeper "why." Dr. Newman also shares her BLEND IT framework for helping patients, friends, and family make healthier choices without lecturing, judging, or telling them what to do.
Plus, discover how whole-food plant-based diets may support weight management without constant calorie counting, why high-fiber lower-calorie-density foods can help with hunger, the role of volume eating, and how healthy eating can become something you genuinely enjoy.
You'll also hear a deeply personal discussion about compassion, self-worth, motivation, and why major life transitions can sometimes become powerful opportunities for change.
Dr. Newman is also the author of Get Well, Stay Well.
Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
🙏 Dr. Gemma Newman
👉 https://gemmanewman.com
📗 Get Well, Stay Well
👉 https://amzn.to/4r9xHAu
This episode is fueled by Dr. Brooke Bussard
👉 https://drbrookebussard.com
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
Can Chocolate Protect Your Heart? A 21,000-Person Study Found Out | Dr. Howard Sesso
2026/09/14
Can chocolate actually protect your heart or are we giving candy a health halo it doesn't deserve?
Dr. Howard Sesso from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School joins Chuck Carroll to reveal what the landmark COSMOS trial discovered about cocoa extract, cardiovascular disease and cognition.
The randomized clinical trial included more than 21,000 participants. One secondary outcome showed a 27% reduction in cardiovascular disease death among participants assigned to cocoa extract. However, the primary cardiovascular outcome did not reach statistical significance. Dr. Sesso explains what both findings mean and why the distinction matters.
You'll also learn:
Whether dark or bitter chocolate is automatically healthier The difference between cocoa, cacao and cocoa flavanols Why cocoa powder and cacao nibs may be better choices Cocoa's effects on inflammation and cognition Flavan-3-ols sources and why they matter Why the findings still need to be replicated Exam Roomie of the Week
Charles Shryock Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee. All gifts of $20 or more receive a mention on the show. Gifts of $100 or more receive an exclusive Exam Room Podcast tote!
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
🍫 COSMOS Trial
👉 https://cosmostrial.org
📗 Howard Sesso Additional Research
👉 https://bit.ly/sesso-research
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
Diet Power: Olympian Gets Stronger, No Longer Eats Meat | Kendrick Farris
2026/09/09
Can an athlete become stronger, recover faster, and clean and jerk more than 440 pounds without eating meat?
Three-time Olympian Kendrick Farris says the answer is yes.
Kendrick represented the United States at the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games and was featured in the hit documentary The Game Changers. He ate a standard American diet during his first two Olympic appearances. By his third, he was completely plant-based—and he says the difference was extraordinary.
Kendrick tells Chuck Carroll that he did not lose explosiveness after changing his diet. He believes he gained more, recovered faster, completed more work, and became stronger.
He also opens up about growing up in poverty in Shreveport, Louisiana, where there were days when his family did not have enough food. When he asked his mother what they were eating, her answer was sometimes, "Fast and pray." That experience helped build the faith and discipline that would eventually carry him to the Olympic stage.
In this episode:
How much protein an Olympic weightlifter eats How his performance changed after going plant-based His experience competing nine times in one year Why recovery became his greatest advantage Why he replaced whey with plant-based protein The bloating he experienced before changing protein sources How to order plant-based food at any restaurant What The Game Changers did for plant-based athletes Why he believes strength is physical, mental, and spiritual The Physicians Committee's Plant-Powered Performance sports nutrition course begins Sept. 14 and features live instruction, expert Q&A, recordings, athlete-focused recipes, and practical strategies for improving energy, endurance, strength, and recovery.
🎉 PCRM Sports Nutrition Course
👉 https://bit.ly/PlantBasedAthletePCRM
🏋🏿♂️ Kendrick Farris
👉 https://blessthegymforever.com
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
Fiber May Matter More Than Protein for Muscle and Longevity
2026/09/07
Can fiber be even more important than protein for athletic performance, muscle health, and healthy aging?
Dr. Regan A. Stiegmann and Dr. Sharon McDowell-Larsen join "The Exam Room Podcast" to challenge some of the biggest assumptions in fitness and sports nutrition.
Dr. McDowell-Larsen is an exercise physiologist, nine-time Ironman finisher, and age-group world champion who remains an elite competitor at 65. She reveals how changing her diet helped resolve debilitating breathing problems, eliminate her need for three asthma medications, and revive an athletic career she thought was over.
Dr. Stiegmann is a former U.S. Air Force major and flight surgeon who helped advance lifestyle and performance medicine in the military. She explains why nutrition can influence everything from muscle recovery and cognitive performance to military readiness and long-term health.
Together, they explore the emerging gut-muscle connection and explain why America's obsession with protein may be causing athletes to overlook fiber.
In this episode:
Why protein alone may not prevent age-related muscle loss How fiber supports muscle, bone, and metabolic health What a 65-year-old Ironman champion eats in a typical day The relationship between gut health and muscle function Why exercise cannot erase the effects of a poor diet The potential risks of extreme endurance exercise How a plant-based diet may improve recovery Why some professional athletes keep plant-based eating a secret How daily choices determine the trajectory of aging Dr. Stiegmann and Dr. McDowell-Larsen are the co-authors of "Staying in the Game," an evidence-based guide to maintaining physical, mental, and metabolic performance throughout life.
The six-week online course begins Sept. 14 and features live instruction, expert Q&A, recordings, athlete-focused recipes, and practical strategies for improving energy, endurance, strength, and recovery.
Chuck and professional wrestler Dan Healy, known to wrestling fans as Austin Aries, will be among the featured presenters.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
🎉 PCRM Sports Nutrition Course
👉 https://bit.ly/PlantBasedAthletePCRM
📕 Staying In The Game Book
👉 https://amzn.to/3UUx5T4
🚴♀️ Sharen McDowell-Larsen Substack
👉 https://sharonmcdowelllarsen.substack.com
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
The Pleasure Trap Is Getting Worse. Here's How to Escape It. | Dr. Doug Lisle
2026/09/02
Why does healthy eating feel so hard—even when we know exactly what to do?
Dr. Doug Lisle joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room to explain the psychology behind The Pleasure Trap and why today's food environment may be even more difficult to navigate than it was two decades ago.
Dr. Lisle is the co-author of The Pleasure Trap and a longtime voice in evolutionary psychology. In this conversation, he shares his perspective on why highly processed foods can be so alluring, why shame and willpower are not enough, and how people can build a more sustainable whole-food plant-based way of eating.
In this episode:
Why the modern food environment can feel impossible to escape The psychology of pleasure, pain avoidance, and habit Why healthy diets can fail when they feel too restrictive Dr. Lisle's "vegan Bushman" approach to calorie density and satisfaction What he thinks about GLP-1 weight-loss medications How to judge dietary progress without obsessing over daily scale changes A preview of his upcoming book, Sherlock Holmes and the Secret of Life
Dr. Lisle will also be joining Chuck at the Plant Powered Party in Las Vegas, September 4–6. Chef AJ, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Brooke Goldner, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Columbus Batiste, and many more will be there, too.
Can't make it to Vegas? Watch all three days live from anywhere with replay access for a full year. This is Chef AJ's last event for a long while, so don't miss it.
Exam Roomies of the Week
Evan Haas Lucy EverHope
Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas
👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty
📕 The Pleasure Trap
👉 https://amzn.to/4xX1hes
📗 Sherlock Holmes and the Secret of Life
👉 https://bit.ly/SherlockLisleBook
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
Food Is Medicine? Meet the Doctor Growing It
2026/08/31
Can food really be medicine? Dr. Ron Weiss is a physician who believes the answer starts long before a meal reaches your plate—it starts in the soil.
In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Chuck Carroll visits with Dr. Weiss about his unique model of care at Ethos Farm in New Jersey, where regenerative farming and lifestyle-based primary care come together. They explore why soil health matters, what "living soil" means, and how whole plant foods can become a practical, powerful part of a healthier life.
Dr. Weiss also shares how he helps patients make lasting changes without turning healthy eating into an impossible all-or-nothing assignment. From the first plant-based meal to a more intentional plate, this is a conversation about making better health feel more approachable.
You'll learn:
Why Dr. Weiss says the first priority is to eat more whole plants What regenerative farming and healthy soil have to do with the food we eat How minimally processed plant foods differ from heavily processed options Why a healthy lifestyle should be practical, personal, and sustainable What patients can expect from Dr. Weiss's farm-based model of care How coaching, lab work, and lifestyle changes can fit into a long-term health plan Why community support can make healthy change easier to maintain How to take your first realistic step toward eating more plant-based foods Dr. Weiss will also be joining Chuck, Chef AJ, Carleigh Bodrug from PlantYou, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and others at the Plant Powered Party in Las Vegas, September 4–6, 2026. It's a full weekend of inspiring speakers, practical presentations, delicious plant-based food, and community. Join in person or watch online from anywhere.
Exam Roomies of the Week
Meng Tee Andrea Bonnett Carolyn Doyle Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas
👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty
🩺 Ethos Primary Care
👉 https://ethosprimarycare.com
🥕 Ethos Farm
👉 https://ethosfarmtohealth.org
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
She Survived Cancer and a Heart Transplant, Then Made History | Dr. Dawn Mussallem
2026/08/27
Dr. Dawn Mussallem survived stage 4 cancer, received a heart transplant, and became the first person in history to complete a full marathon just one year later.
Her remarkable story doesn't end there.
After experiencing unimaginable loss, Dawn found new love in the produce aisle—thanks to a purple sweet potato. And after 25 years at Mayo Clinic, she is beginning another major chapter as chief medical officer at Fountain Life.
Dawn joins Chuck Carroll to share her extraordinary journey and the health lessons she has learned along the way.
They discuss:
The difference between longevity and health span The foods associated with healthier aging Why fiber may be one of the most overlooked health tools Protein needs for active adults and people taking GLP-1 medications The surprising reason Dawn developed prediabetes How sleep can affect blood sugar Personalized nutrition and the gut microbiome Her historic marathon after receiving a heart transplant Finding new love in the produce aisle Her major career move after 25 years at Mayo Clinic Chuck and Dawn will both appear at the Plant Powered Party, September 4–6 in Las Vegas. Explore the complete speaker lineup, schedule, tickets, and current virtual-access information at the link below.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas
👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty
🎉 Dr. Dawn Mussallem
👉 https://dr-dawn.co
This episode is powered by Dr. Brooke Bussard — a lifestyle medicine health coach who believes in the power of plants to maximize wellness.
👉 https://drbrookebussard.com
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
How to Get Healthy When Nobody Else Is | Brenda Workman
2026/08/24
Brenda Workman transformed her health. Now she is working to transform an entire state.
After losing 60 pounds and getting off cholesterol and blood pressure medication with a plant-based diet, Brenda became a Food for Life instructor and dedicated herself to improving health in her home state of West Virginia.
She teaches cooking classes, speaks to nursing students and businesses, appears on television, and trains community organizations to bring practical nutrition education to the people they serve.
In this inspiring conversation with Chuck Carroll, Brenda explains why personal stories can reach people when facts alone cannot, how to talk about healthy eating without creating defensiveness, and why you should never wait for your family to change before taking responsibility for your own health.
🧠 You'll also learn:
How to eat plant-based when your family isn't plant-based Why respect is more effective than shame How to cook healthy food for one or two people Ways to make plant-based eating practical and affordable How Brenda is training others to teach healthy cooking Why delicious food is essential for lasting change
Brenda's Wellness Weekend is coming to Canaan Valley Resort in West Virginia on October 9–10, 2026. Chuck will be there with Brenda, Cyrus Khambatta, and Kylie Buckner from Evolution Health for presentations, workshops, exercise, delicious plant-based food, and an unforgettable fall weekend.
Exam Roomies of the Week
Barbara Kurtzweil Kelly Bonnell Marjorie Lewis Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
📘 Wellness Weekend Tickets
👉 https://bit.ly/WellnessWeekendWV
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
How to Keep One Bad Meal From Ruining Your Diet | Alan Stein Jr. & Dr. Hana Kahleova
2026/08/20
What happens when you know exactly what you should do for your health but you still don't do it?
Motivation may not be the answer.
Best-selling author and performance expert Alan Stein Jr. joins Dr. Hana Kahleova and Chuck Carroll to reveal the "next play" mindset that can help you bounce back from bad decisions, stop self-sabotage, and become more consistent with your health.
Before becoming a keynote speaker, Alan spent 20 years in basketball performance and had the opportunity to observe some of the greatest athletes in the world, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.
What separates elite performers isn't perfection. They miss shots. They have bad days. They make mistakes.
The difference is what they do next.
In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, you'll learn how to stop one unhealthy meal from becoming an unhealthy week, why emotions should inform your decisions rather than control them, how to build discipline when motivation disappears, and why your environment may matter more than willpower.
Chuck also opens up about weighing 420 pounds and eating as many as 10,000 calories of fast food a day — and why he is learning to have compassion for the person he used to be instead of continuing to punish himself for the past.
Plus, Alan shares the daily routines that help him protect his mindset and explains why small wins eventually become enormous changes.
Your last play is over.
What will you do next?
Exam Roomies of the Week
Yvonne Brinson Ilaria Ottino Ken Swartz Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
📘 Next Play by Alan Stein Jr.
👉 https://amzn.to/4quiIkk
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
Chef AJ: How to Keep Going When Life Gets Hard
2026/08/17
Chef AJ has been through one of the hardest chapters of her life. But she is still laughing. Still exercising. Still showing up. Still making plans. And most importantly, still finding reasons to enjoy life.
In this deeply personal and often hilarious conversation, Chef AJ joins Chuck Carroll to talk about continuing to move forward despite health challenges, treatment and unexpected obstacles. She shares why improv comedy and exercise remained priorities even during some of her most difficult days—and why doing the things that make you feel better can matter most when you least feel like doing them.
Chuck and AJ also open up about the friendship they've developed while both navigating their own health challenges and the messages of encouragement they've exchanged along the way.
Plus, Chef AJ talks about laughter, improv, overcoming fear, taking chances, creating your own luck and why sometimes the first step forward is the hardest—and most important—one.
And there is plenty of fun ahead!
Chef AJ is hosting the Plant Powered Party in Las Vegas September 4–6, where Chuck will also be appearing along with an incredible lineup of plant-based doctors, chefs and experts. Can't make it to Las Vegas? You can join the party virtually from anywhere in the world and watch online. Use the link in the episode notes to learn more.
This is a conversation about friendship, resilience and finding joy even when life doesn't go according to plan.
Never stop moving forward.
Exam Roomies of the Week
Hemma Werner Gail Sears Anette Cathrine Nedreli Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas
👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty
📕 Chef AJ Books
👉 https://amzn.to/3U4HTxB
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action
Meat Causes Erectile Dysfunction: How and Why | Dr. Neal Barnard
2026/08/13
Is meat really masculine or could it be causing erectile dysfunction?
Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll to examine the connection between meat, blood flow, heart health, testosterone, muscle, fertility, prostate health, and ED.
Dr. Barnard explains why erectile dysfunction may sometimes appear before more obvious signs of cardiovascular disease. He also discusses whether meat actually improves testosterone or muscle growth, how a high-fat meal may affect athletic performance, and why strong muscles on the outside do not always mean healthy arteries on the inside.
You'll also learn:
How quickly circulation may begin to improve after changing your diet Why plant foods can provide the protein needed to build muscle The possible connection between dairy, fertility, and prostate health What a practical day of eating for men's health could look like Why tomatoes, beans, whole grains, and other plant foods deserve a place on the menu Plus, Chuck and Dr. Barnard preview the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine, happening August 13–15 in Washington, D.C.
🎉 ICNM - Washington DC - 8/13-15
👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm
Use code EXAMROOM100 to save $100 on tickets
Exam Roomies of the Week
Teri Lynn Yunus, NP Kathy D'Ambrosio Joanne Pinner, MSN Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.
Lower Cholesterol With Food: The Portfolio Diet Explained | Dr. David Jenkins
2026/08/10
Can you lower LDL cholesterol by changing the foods you eat?
Dr. David Jenkins, the pioneering nutrition researcher behind the Portfolio Diet, joins Chuck Carroll to explain how a carefully selected combination of foods may help bring cholesterol under control.
Dr. Jenkins reveals why oats and barley may be particularly effective for lowering cholesterol, how their sticky soluble fiber interacts with bile acids, and why simply telling someone to "eat more fiber" may not be specific enough.
You'll also learn:
The difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol Whether dietary cholesterol is necessary for good health How the Portfolio Diet was developed Why soy may lower LDL while replacing less healthy proteins The difference between fats from plants and animals Why nuts can be beneficial despite being high in fat and calories What extra-virgin olive oil may offer beyond unsaturated fat How plant-based eating can benefit human and planetary health Why partial dietary changes can still be meaningful How diet may be used alongside cholesterol-lowering medication
Dr. Jenkins is a professor of medicine and nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto and one of the world's leading researchers on diet, cholesterol, diabetes, plant protein, and soluble fiber.
Hear more from Dr. Jenkins at the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine, Aug. 13–15, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
🎉 ICNM - Washington DC - 8/13-15
👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm
Use code EXAMROOM100 to save $100 on tickets
Exam Roomies of the Week
Michelle Walker Steven Alongi Todd Lindley
Support The Exam Room Podcast and Physicians Committee and hear your name mentioned on the show!
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.
Podcast reviews
Read The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee podcast reviews
Runa722 2026/09/21
Ugh
I don’t want to hear about anybody’s political views while I’m listening to a podcast about health and wellness
k234985723 2026/09/19
Top!
Great content. Chuck Carrol is a good host. Really enjoyed the last episode with Dr. Gemma Newman.
JuliePharmD 2026/09/09
Evidence-Based, Inspiring, and Always Worth Listening To
After listening for a couple of years, I’m finally leaving a review because today’s episode with Dr. Doug Lisle was exactly what I needed to hear and ...
srblakely 2026/09/07
Thank you!
I have enjoyed many of your podcasts, but I shared the one on fiber (Sept 7 2026) with my husband. He’s always so concerned about protein. I’m already...
Elphilipe 2026/09/07
Quality Degrading
The 9/7/26 show has put me off the show. Thanks for all the great episodes over the years.
PumpkinFlowers 2026/09/01
So Grateful
Grateful for Ethos Farm in Long Valley NJ. A vibrant, nourishing and healing place in our community. Thank you Chuck for inviting Dr Ron Weiss to shar...
And 360 2026/08/18
Fast Food Addiction
- We University of Michigan.
Program about Fast Food & its impacts on our brain
Netflix documentary about fast food chicken
thank you for all ...
opedwriter 2026/08/02
Wrong podcast for guest?
The guest is very insightful, but does she understand PCRM? She keeps mentioning chicken!
Devonvnoved 2026/05/20
(Love the podcast!) More female based research is needed
In the recent episode with Dr. Fuhrman he speaks of women in mid-life and older cutting calories down to 1300 or less, to lose weight, without mention...
Linandrea 2026/05/13
Best Health Podcast
I am loving this podcast and I listen to every episode. The host, Chuck, is fantastic, genuine, entertaining, educational. This show is absolutely the...
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