The age of 35 is often treated as a turning point in pregnancy care, but as Dr. Meena Khandelwal explains, the truth is far more nuanced. While some risks increase gradually with age, much of the anxiety around the number 35 comes from outdated medical thresholds rather than sharp biological changes.

Note: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Please take care while listening.

Dr. Khandelwal is the Division Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Jefferson Abington Hospital. She specializes in high-risk pregnancies and provides comprehensive care for both parent and baby — from preconception counseling to advanced prenatal diagnostics.

In this episode, she offers clear, compassionate guidance on fertility timelines, prenatal vitamins, when to seek help conceiving, and how age, health and preexisting conditions all factor into pregnancy. She also discusses miscarriage, genetic testing options and what expecting parents over 35 can realistically expect.

Whether you’re starting to plan, actively trying, or just curious about what the research actually says, this episode is designed to bring reassurance, clarity and actionable insight.

Additional resources:

• What To Expect in the First 24 Hours After Giving Birth
• Understanding Uterine Anomalies: Implications and Treatments
• How To Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

There is the version of running glamorized in sneaker commercials, depicting strong and resilient runners who get up early, no matter the weather, and hit the pavement to get their run in. For new runners, that version of running often isn’t their reality.

Dr. Philip Skiba knows running. In advance of the 2012 London Olympic Games, he developed a novel mathematical system to guide athlete training and performance, culminating in gold and bronze medals for the U.K. Men’s Triathlon Squad. Dr. Skiba serves on the medical boards of both USA Triathlon and USA Cycling and accompanied Team USA to the World Championships in Australia. Dr. Skiba worked on an international project to help Eliud Kipchoge run the first sub-two-hour marathon, setting a new world record. His efforts were detailed in the award-winning documentary “Breaking2,” produced by National Geographic. He has personally coached dozens of elite endurance athletes and Olympic medalists. Dr. Skiba also specializes in sports medicine and sees patients at the Jefferson Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – Walnut Street office and at Jefferson Health – Navy Yard.

In this episode, Dr. Skiba breaks down the top mistakes new runners make and offers his expert tips on how to develop a strong, healthy and consistent running routine.

Seeing blood in your stool can be stressful. Understanding the potential causes and knowing when to seek medical advice is crucial. Gastroenterologist Dr. Lucy Joo joins the podcast to explain the possible causes of bloody stool, from hemorrhoids and anal fissures to more serious conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

Dr. Joo breaks down how lifestyle habits, such as prolonged phone use in the bathroom, can impact gut health and contribute to issues like hemorrhoids. Dr. Joo also shares her expert tips for improving gut health, including the importance of fiber, hydration and stress management.

Resources:

• Bloody Stool: Is It Colon Cancer or Is It Something Else?
• Trust Your Gut: How Gut Health May Be Affecting Your Cancer Risk
• Prebiotics versus Probiotics for Gut Health: What’s the Difference?
• How Stress Is Affecting Your Gut Health—and What You Can Do to Manage It

When it comes to improving heart health, there are simple, science-backed ways to strengthen your heart right from home, according to Dr. Matthew Delfiner, a cardiologist who specializes in advanced heart failure, transplant cardiology, and pulmonary hypertension at Jefferson Health.

In this episode, learn about why being sedentary is so bad for your health, how small changes, like standing more and moving throughout the day, can make a big impact and the recommended "dose" of exercise for heart health. Plus, Dr. Delfiner discusses the number one lifestyle change that can have the greatest impact on your heart health.

Resources:

• American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8
• How Stress Affects the Heart + Why You Should Never Shovel Snow If You’re Over 45 Years Old
• Cardiologist Discusses Unassuming Warning Signals From Your Heart, Heart Disease and Preventative Medicine

In this episode of the podcast, Janine Kyrillos, the director of the Jefferson Comprehensive Weight Management Program, explains why weight loss is so complex, detailing how factors like evolution, genetics and modern lifestyle challenges contribute to the struggle many people face. She also provides a comprehensive breakdown of weight loss medications, including who qualifies for these medications, what role lifestyle changes play in achieving sustainable weight loss and how to manage potential side effects.

Resources:

• Podcast episode: Why Bariatric Surgery Might Be the Key to Long-Term Weight Loss
• Weight Loss Medications vs. Bariatric Surgery: Which Method Is Right for You?
• Intermittent Fasting Can Lead to Muscle Loss, But It Doesn’t Have to – Here’s Why

Dr. Dallal is an expert in bariatric surgery and the enterprise physician lead for bariatric surgery at Jefferson. In this episode, he shares his insights on why losing weight is so difficult for many people, the science behind obesity, and how bariatric surgery can be a life-changing option for those struggling with weight loss. Dr. Dallal explains the physiological and environmental factors that make weight management challenging and discusses how surgeries like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy help people regain control over their health and wellbeing.

Dr. Dallal also debunks common myths surrounding obesity and weight loss, sheds light on the importance of treating obesity as a disease rather than a personal failure. Tune in to learn about the different types of bariatric surgeries, recovery expectations, and how these procedures can improve quality of life, prevent serious health conditions, and even extend life expectancy.

Resources:

• ‘I Wish I Had Done This Years Ago’: Lauren’s Transformative Journey With Gastric Sleeve Surgery
• 'I Feel Like I Have My Life Back': One Patient's Journey to Reclaiming Her Health and Happiness Through Bariatric Surgery
• Weight Loss Medications vs. Bariatric Surgery: Which Method Is Right for You?

What is this type of cancer? Will I be in pain? How is that pain going to be managed? Will I need help at home? Can I still work while being treated? What is the survival rate? These are just a few of the questions most people have after being diagnosed with cancer. Getting this diagnosis is extremely difficult, for both the person with cancer and their family and friends. Staying informed and supportive through this medical journey is critical.

Where you decide to receive treatment is just as critical. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Andrew Chapman, the director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and a practicing geriatric oncologist, about comprehensive cancer centers and how advanced, multidisciplinary care leads to better patient outcomes.

We also connected with nurse practitioner Tintu George about a new program at Jefferson called Same Day/Next Day Cancer Care, which allows recently diagnosed patients to connect with oncology clinicians via telehealth in 48 hours or less. She discusses top questions/concerns newly diagnosed cancer patients typically ask and the variety of sources of support patients should consider, from financial counseling to support groups.

Resources:

• Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Same Day/Next Day Cancer Care
• Empowering through Experience: A Breast Cancer Patient’s Path from Diagnosis to Advocacy

In this episode, infectious diseases expert Dr. John Zurlo returns to the podcast to provide essential updates on the latest COVID-19 booster. As we move into the fall season, Dr. Zurlo shares crucial information about whether you should consider getting the updated COVID booster and how to time your flu shot this year for maximum protection.

Dr. Zurlo also offers a reminder on what to do if you test positive for COVID, including common symptoms and treatment options. Plus, he provides an update on long COVID, including what symptoms to look out for and how to best advocate for yourself if you think you might have it.

Listen and subscribe to the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health on your preferred players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean.