Sound Living

The conversation around obesity and weight management is changing faster than ever. In this season finale of the Sound Living podcast, host Mike Banna sits down with Dr. Ellen Fallows, an NHS GP and key figure in the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM), to unpack the rise of GLP-1 agonists (like Wegovy and Mounjaro). While these medications are proving to be powerful tools for turning off...

In this episode of Sound Living, host Dr. Mike Banna welcomes registered dietitian Nicola Guess to explore the complex role of carbohydrates in lifestyle medicine. Drawing from her extensive experience with type 2 diabetes, Nicola emphasizes the need for nuanced dietary guidelines, challenging common misconceptions about carbohydrate reduction's impact on glycemia. They go on to talk about the ris...

In this episode of Sound Living, Dr. Mike Banna and public health nutrition expert Jenny Rosborough dissect the complex interplay between individual diet and the broader food environment shaped by policy and industry. Jenny shares her experience from the Jamie Oliver Group and policy work, offering insights into the sugar tax, calorie labeling debates, and the pervasive influence of ultra-processe...

In this episode of Sound Living, Dr. Mike Banna speaks with Dr. Tommy Wood, an assistant professor at the University of Washington. They explore the vital role of muscle mass in health, longevity, and cognitive function, emphasizing that strength, rather than mere size, is key to well-being. Tommy highlights the Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI) as a more informative health measure than Body Mass Index (...

In this episode of Sound Living, Dr Mike Banna is joined by chartered psychologist and author Kimberley Wilson to explore the intricate connections between lifestyle, nutrition, and mental health. They discuss how this evidence-based conversation goes beyond simplistic notions of well-being, delving into the complex interplay between our dietary choices and brain function. Drawing on insights from...

In this first episode of the new season of Sound Living, host Dr. Mike Banna is joined by Dr. John Sykes and Dr. Punam Krishan to explore the foundations of lifestyle medicine. They discuss how this evidence-based approach goes beyond simplistic advice like “eat less, move more”, emphasizing the complexities of behaviour change and the importance of a person-centred, compassionate approach. John h...

Following on from our last episode on stress, this episode explores the effect of COVID-19 on our mental health with Dr Charlotte Marriott. Charlotte explains why the stages of grief may apply to how we're feeling, and suggests actions we can take to cope, manage and even thrive during this global pandemic. Helen and Charlotte also discuss the concept of post-traumatic growth, a positive pers...

This is a healthcare worker’s special on how to manage stress for both clinical and non- clinical staff working within the NHS, with Dr Anna Huette. This has been a particularity stressful year. We talk about the importance of addressing stress in healthcare workers, and share some simple ways to approach this if you are feeling overwhelmed. Dr Helen and Dr Anna share their own experiences with st...

Sleep doesn't always get the credit it deserves, but it is one of the most important components of our health. In this episode, Helen is joined by Dr Alex Maxwell who explains the science behind why we sleep and why we can struggle to get a good night's sleep. The effect of caffeine, alcohol and blue light is discussed, with practical tips on how you can improve the quality of your sleep...

This episode explores the neuroscience of habits and how we can use this to build the habits we want. Dr Sue Smith, a GP and health and wellness coach, takes Helen through the 5 steps to forming a habit that sticks. They talk about why it's so hard to change habits, and what you can do to succeed. Download the worksheet from our website to join Dr Helen in taking the first step at  https://bs...

In this episode about pregnancy, Dr Helen Lawal interviews Dr Julie Gray. Julie is an NHS GP and currently 35 weeks pregnant. Helen is bringing up a new-born baby in lockdown.  The pair share their experience as mums and explore: benefits of exercise in pregnancy and what precautions to take; how to maintain good emotional wellbeing and mental health during pregnancy; and practical tips to improve...

What is Lifestyle Medicine? In the first episode of Sound Living, Dr Helen Lawal is joined by Dr Rob Lawson. Rob is a former GP and cofounder of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. In this episode, Rob explains why he founded the BSLM and why our lifestyle is more important now than ever. He also explains what lifestyle medicine actually is, what group consultations are, and how small chang...