Welcome to The Superhumanize Podcast.

I’m your host, Ariane Sommer—and in this episode, we explore a frontier of health that’s been quietly shaping our biology all along: the world of glycans.

My guest is Nikolina Lauc, co-founder and CEO of GlycanAge—a pioneering biotech company using glycan biomarkers to measure biological age and predict long-term health outcomes. Her work is helping to shift the paradigm of aging from something we passively endure to something we can actively understand—and even influence.

We dive into what glycans are—these complex sugar molecules that modify proteins and silently direct processes like inflammation, immunity, and aging.

Nikolina explains how they reveal a layer of biological communication most of us have never heard of… and how listening to that hidden language can help us prevent disease years before it begins.

We also explore GlycanAge’s breakthrough menopause biomarker, their personalized approach to longevity, and what it means to raise awareness around women’s health in a data-driven age.

If you’ve ever wanted to go deeper than genetics—

If you’ve sensed there’s more to your body’s story than your DNA—

This episode may open a new door for you.

Episode highlights:

-What glycans are and why they matter more than genes alone

-How chronic inflammation predicts disease up to 10 years in advance

-The science behind GlycanAge's biological age test

-Why exercise and diet affect everyone differently

-The coming revolution in menopause diagnostics

-Metformin, biohacking, and the myth of one-size-fits-all longevity

-The future of personalized health data and ethical enhancement

Resources mentioned:

Glycan Age https://glycanage.com/

Guest's social handles:

Nikolina Lauc

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolinalauc

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nikolinalauc/

Glycan Age

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glycanage/

X https://x.com/glycanage

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/glycanage/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn1OeXYKa-NmKr9AtczwN4Q

"If you spend all your time looking for the perfect person, you’ll struggle. A healthier mindset is to find someone you enjoy — and then work to build the relationship you want."

Welcome to The Superhumanize Podcast.

I’m your host, Ariane Sommer—and in this episode, we’re stepping into one of the most intimate intersections of modern life: where love meets technology.

My guest today is Dr. Liesel Sharabi, a leading researcher at Arizona State University and Director of the Relationships and Technology Lab. Her work dives deep into how digital tools—from dating apps to virtual reality—are reshaping not only how we meet, but how we connect, how we build intimacy, and how we sustain relationships in a rapidly changing world.

We explore the future of romantic connection—

How algorithms and AI companions are influencing attraction.

What happens when first dates take place in virtual reality.

And how the seemingly infinite choices on dating apps can sometimes leave us lonelier than before.

We also touch on the deeper threads:

The psychological impact of swipe culture,

The ethical tensions of love in a commodified system,

And whether technology is bringing us closer—or quietly rewriting what it means to relate.

If you’ve ever wondered how digital culture is shaping the soul of human connection…

This conversation is for you.

Episode highlights:

• Virtual reality as a new frontier for first dates and intimacy
• How AI companions are changing emotional connection
• The psychological impact of dating app culture
• Dating app burnout and how to avoid it
• The ethics and data privacy concerns of AI-driven romance
• Cross-cultural perceptions of digital dating
• The difference in satisfaction between online and offline-initiated marriages
• Future applications of VR in coaching, touch, and relationship building
• How younger generations are shaping the norms of modern connection

Resources mentioned:

Liesel's website https://www.lieselsharabi.com/

Dating In the Digital Age https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dating-in-the-digital-age

Guest's social handles:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/liesel-sharabi

X https://x.com/lieselsharabi

Welcome to The Superhumanize Podcast.

I’m your host, Ariane Sommer and today, we’re not just talking about heart health…

We’re decoding it.

My guest is Dr. Ronald Krauss, one of the most influential voices in cardiovascular research today. A professor of medicine at UCSF and a pioneer in lipidology, Dr. Krauss has reshaped how we understand cholesterol, inflammation, and the subtle particles that move through our blood and, often, determine our fate.

In this conversation, we go far beyond the standard cholesterol panel.

We explore the deeper nuances like the size and density of LDL particles, the overlooked power of ApoB and Lp(a), and how refined carbohydrates, not saturated fats, may play a much larger role in cardiovascular risk than we've been led to believe.

We also enter emerging frontiers:

How the gut microbiome shapes the heart, how our genes can guide more precise therapies, and how personalized nutrition may become one of the most powerful tools for prevention in the years to come.

This episode is not just for the curious, it’s for those who sense there’s more to the story of heart disease than numbers on a lab report.

It’s for those who believe science can be both evidence-based and visionary.

And for those of us who know the body carries not just risk, but memory, intelligence, and code.

Episode highlights:

• Why small, dense LDL particles are more dangerous than large ones
• The role of ApoB and Lp(a) as underused but powerful heart health indicators
• How metabolic syndrome and inflammation interconnect with lipid disorders
• The surprising truth about saturated fat vs. refined carbs
• The promise (and limitations) of personalized nutrition and genomics
• How physical activity and gut health shape lipid metabolism
• New frontiers in the fight against dementia linked to cardiovascular function

Resources mentioned:

Dr. Krauss' Wikipedia page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Krauss_(medical_researcher)

Dr. Krauss' professional profiles:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/ronald.krauss

https://amecenter.ucsf.edu/people/ronald-krauss-md

What if the greatest performance enhancer isn't a pill, a device, or a protocol—but the air you're breathing right now? What if the quality of that air is silently shaping your sleep, your focus, your aging… even your future?

My guest today is someone who lives at the intersection of wellness, innovation, and purpose. Helen Christoni is a health and wellness expert, educator, and a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience leading transformational brands. She’s currently the Vice President of Business Development & Partnerships at Ideal Living, the force behind AirDoctor, AquaTru, and AromaTru, where she helps connect people worldwide to wellness tech that truly matters.

At Ideal Living, the team firmly believes in Wellness Tech that serves a greater purpose, recognizing that access to pure air and clean water is a fundamental right for everyone.

At our own Gateway Clinic in Santa Monica, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of using AirDoctor, especially in the wake of California’s wildfires.

Helen’s brilliance doesn’t stop at business. She’s a passionate athlete who’s run the Boston Marathon five times, completed three 100-mile ultramarathons, and, this gave me chills: she and her husband became two of only 16,000 people on Earth to complete all six World Marathon Majors, choosing to run Tokyo, Berlin, and Chicago all in the same year after one of the hardest seasons of their lives.

This is a conversation about resilience, breath, and the unseen forces that either deplete us, or heal us.

Episode highlights:

0:00 – What if air is the greatest performance enhancer?

1:45 – Meet Helen Christi: Wellness leader, athlete, changemaker

5:20 – Helen’s health crash: Pelvis fractures, early menopause, and severe osteoporosis

8:10 – Toxic environments, beauty industry exposure, and the turning point

12:15 – Recovery, mentorship, and discovering clean air as medicine

15:40 – Running 100-mile races and all six World Marathon Majors

18:30 – Why pure air matters for endurance and inflammation

21:05 – The "get it done" mindset and leading from trust

24:45 – Clean air and water as human rights, not privileges

28:00 – Systemic inflammation, detoxing during sleep, and foundational wellness

32:20 – Surprising pollutants: Microplastics, VOCs, and how they harm the brain

36:30 – Behind the tech: What makes AirDoctor different (Ultra-HEPA, VOC filters)

41:50 – Mental health, pollution, and that "heavy" hotel room feeling

45:30 – Real-world air disasters and the urgent need for preparedness

50:10 – What Helen recommends beyond buying an air purifier

52:00 – Where to follow Helen and learn more

Resources mentioned:

Ideal Living https://idealliving.com/

Guest's social handles:

LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-christoni-5416ab5

INSTAGRAM

Helen Christoni https://www.instagram.com/helenchristoni/

AirDoctor Pro https://www.instagram.com/airdoctorpro/

AquaTru https://www.instagram.com/aquatru/

What if everything we’ve been taught about stress is wrong? What if, instead of being the enemy, stress could actually be the key to unlocking our resilience, longevity, and purpose?

Today's guest, Jeff Krasno, has built his life around reimagining wellness. As the co-founder of Commune, he’s created a global platform for transformational learning. He’s also the visionary behind Luminescence, an event that’s redefining women’s health and longevity—and one I had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand. And now, with his latest book, Good Stress: The Health Benefits of Doing Hard Things, he’s challenging everything we think we know about stress and how it shapes us.

In this conversation, we’ll dive into how discomfort can actually be a superpower, the overlooked connection between metabolic health and mental well-being, and what it really takes to build a life—and a community—that thrives. Let’s get into it.

Episode highlights:

00:25 Meet Jeff Krasnow: Reimagining Wellness

01:52 Jeff's Personal Journey and Commitments

03:58 The Concept of Good Stress

06:33 Jeff's Health Transformation

11:16 Practical Techniques for Resilience

21:22 Understanding Good vs. Bad Stress

28:31 Focus on Women's Health and Luminescence

38:20 The Future of Wellness and Longevity

45:37 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

Resources mentioned:

jeffkrasno.com

Good Stress: The Health Benefits of Doing Hard Things

Commune Podcast

Guest's social handles:

Instagram

Facebook

P.S. If you enjoy this episode and feel it helps to elevate your life, please give us a rating or review.

And if you feel others may benefit from this podcast as well, spread the word, share and help grow our tribe of Superhumans.

When we help heal One, we help heal All.

Much gratitude and love.

Yours,

Ariane

Are the foods you trust actually sabotaging your health? Today, we venture into the murky world of food labeling—a realm where "natural" and "organic" often mask hidden dangers.

Joining us is Jen Smiley, the trailblazing founder of "Wake Up and Read the Labels." With a mission to unveil the truth behind ingredient lists, Jen has empowered countless individuals to reclaim their well-being through genuine, informed choices.

In this episode, we'll dissect the deceptive tactics employed by the food industry, explore the long-term health implications of seemingly benign additives, and uncover the psychological manipulations that influence our dietary decisions. Jen will also shed light on the discrepancies between U.S. food regulations and those of other nations, offering actionable insights to navigate these complexities.

This conversation challenges the status quo of the food industry and will equip you with the knowledge to make truly nourishing choices, whether you are a seasoned biohacker or just embarking on your health journey.

Episode highlights:

00:28 Meet Jen Smiley: Unveiling Food Industry Secrets

02:43 Understanding Misleading Labels: Non-GMO and Organic

04:35 The Hidden Dangers of Food Additives

07:12 Regulatory Loopholes and Consumer Confusion

11:33 The Importance of Local and Organic Foods

17:36 Long-term Effects of Additives on Health

24:03 Practical Steps for Healthier Eating

25:55 Starting a Clean Eating Journey

26:15 Benefits of Clean Eating

27:03 Clean Eating Tips and Swaps

34:01 Psychological Manipulation in Food Marketing

41:46 Future of Food Transparency

47:58 Empowerment Through Better Choices

49:08 How to Connect with Jen

Resources mentioned:

Jen Smiley Official Website

Clean Eating Academy

Guest's social handles:

Instagram

Facebook

P.S. If you enjoy this episode and feel it helps to elevate your life, please give us a rating or review.

And if you feel others may benefit from this podcast as well, spread the word, share and help grow our tribe of Superhumans.

When we help heal One, we help heal All.

Much gratitude and love.

Yours,

Ariane

What if everything we’ve been told about addiction is wrong? What if the problem isn’t the substance or the behavior—but the pain underneath it?

Dr. Adi Jaffe knows this firsthand. Once caught in his own battle with addiction and even spending time in jail, he didn’t just rebuild his life—he reshaped the way we think about recovery. A former UCLA lecturer, TEDx speaker, and the author of The Abstinence Myth and Unhooked, Dr. Jaffe challenges the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to addiction and mental health. His company, IGNTD, is helping people break free from destructive cycles—not through shame or rigid rules, but by addressing the real reasons behind compulsive behaviors.

In this episode, we’re going deep—talking about why addiction is often misunderstood, the biggest mistakes people make in recovery, and how we can rethink not just addiction, but transformation itself.

Episode highlights:

01:38 Dr. Jaffe's Personal Journey with Addiction

03:15 Questioning Traditional Recovery Models

05:28 The Flaws in Current Addiction Treatment

08:17 Rethinking Addiction as a Syndrome

17:26 The Concept of Rock Bottom in Recovery

21:02 The Role of Psychedelics in Addiction Treatment

25:37 The Importance of Integration in Psychedelic Therapy

26:26 Personalized Care and Controlled Settings

26:53 Misconceptions About Psychedelics

29:54 Ibogaine and Its Impact on Addiction

31:33 Understanding the Root Causes of Addiction

33:11 Addressing Social Anxiety and Addiction

45:01 The Role of Authenticity in Healing

46:05 Conclusion and Resources

Resources mentioned:

Adi's Website

The Abstinence Myth

Unhooked: Free Yourself from Addiction Forever

Guest's social handles:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

P.S. If you enjoy this episode and feel it helps to elevate your life, please give us a rating or review.

And if you feel others may benefit from this podcast as well, spread the word, share and help grow our tribe of Superhumans.

When we help heal One, we help heal All.

Much gratitude and love.

Yours,

Ariane

What happens when our ancient evolutionary instincts collide with the rapid advancements of modern technology?

Today, we delve into this compelling question with Scientia Professor Rob Brooks, an evolutionary biologist at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

Professor Brooks has dedicated his career to exploring the intricate dance between sexual selection, human behavior, and cultural evolution. His acclaimed book, Sex, Genes & Rock 'n' Roll: How Evolution Has Shaped the Modern World, earned the Queensland Literary Award for Science Writing, highlighting his ability to connect evolutionary concepts to everyday life.

In his latest work, Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers, Rob examines how our deep-seated desires for connection are being transformed by artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

Join us as we explore the fascinating intersections of biology, technology, and society, and uncover what they reveal about the future of human relationships.

Episode highlights:

00:53 The Impact of Technology on Human Relationships

01:19 Welcome to the Superhumanize Podcast

02:32 Evolutionary Pressures and Modern Dating Apps

03:16 The Evolution of Mate Selection

04:40 The Role of Looks in Modern Dating

06:11 The Influence of Social Media on Mate Selection

12:46 Sexual Selection and Cultural Phenomena

18:00 Income Inequality and Social Behaviors

19:16 The Incel Phenomenon and Its Roots

32:34 Historical Solutions to the Incel Problem

37:48 AI Companions and Human Intimacy

46:52 The Future of Human Evolution with AI

54:44 Conclusion and Where to Find More

Resources mentioned:

Rob's Website

Sex, Genes & Rock 'n' Roll: How Evolution Has Shaped the Modern World

Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers

Guest's social handles:

Facebook

Instagram

P.S. If you enjoy this episode and feel it helps to elevate your life, please give us a rating or review.

And if you feel others may benefit from this podcast as well, spread the word, share and help grow our tribe of Superhumans.

When we help heal One, we help heal All.

Much gratitude and love.

Yours,

Ariane