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

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

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

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

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 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

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.

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.