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Join Dr. Sandra Cammarata and Dr. Giovanni Campanile as they speak with Mark D’Esposito, Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, practicing neurologist at the Northern California VA Health Care System, and adjunct professor of neurology at UCSF.

Dr. D’Esposito is internationally recognized for his pioneering research on working memory, cognitive control, and frontal lobe function—the neural systems that allow us to focus, plan, reason, and adapt our behavior. Trained as both a physician and neuroscientist, his work integrates functional MRI, transcranial magnetic stimulation, pharmacological approaches, and behavioral studies in healthy individuals and patients with neurological disorders.

In this episode, Dr. D’Esposito discusses:

• What working memory is and why it is central to human cognition

• How the frontal lobes regulate attention, decision-making, and goal-directed behavior

• Why cognitive control breaks down in neurological and psychiatric disorders

• What brain imaging and stimulation studies reveal about how the mind holds information

• How neuroscience reshapes our understanding of focus, effort, and mental flexibility

Former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Dr. D’Esposito has authored over 400 scientific publications and seven books and has served as president of both the Society for Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology and the Organization for Human Brain Mapping. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Norman Geschwind Prize in Behavioral Neurology and election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Neurological Association.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how the brain supports thought, attention, and self-control—and why these systems are fundamental to both everyday function and neurological health.

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Join Dr. Sandra Cammarata and Dr. Giovanni Campanile as they speak with Dr. Valter Longo, Professor of Gerontology and Biological Sciences and Director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology—one of the world’s leading centers for research on aging and age-related disease.

Dr. Longo is internationally recognized for his pioneering research on the biology of aging, fasting, and longevity. Trained in biochemistry at UCLA under calorie-restriction pioneer Roy Walford, MD, and mentored by longevity expert Caleb Finch, PhD, his work bridges basic science with real-world clinical applications aimed at preventing disease and extending healthy lifespan.

In this episode, Dr. Longo discusses:

• The science behind fasting and the fasting-mimicking diet
• How nutrition influences aging, cancer, and chronic disease risk
• Why periodic fasting can promote cellular protection and regeneration
• The role of stem cells, metabolism, and nutrient sensing in longevity
• How dietary interventions can be both effective and accessible

Dr. Longo’s research has helped redefine how we think about aging—not as an inevitable decline, but as a biological process that can be influenced by lifestyle and nutrition. He is the author of the bestselling book The Longevity Diet and donates all book proceeds to research and public health initiatives through his foundations in the U.S. and Europe.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how fasting-based strategies and longevity science can be applied thoughtfully and safely to support long-term health and disease prevention.

Find more of Dr. Valter Longo here:

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Websites:
https://siciliansecret.com/
coraeon.com
functionalheart.com
Our Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-4-color-trade/dp/189969496X/
Our Supplements: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWZLCM6H
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siciliansecretdiet
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A Harvard professor explains why Mediterranean lifestyle principles—nutrition, sleep, and culture—may be our most powerful tools for preventing chronic disease, especially in high-stress professions.

Join Dr. Sandra Cammarata and Dr. Giovanni Campanile as they speak with Dr. Stefanos N. Kales, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Professor and Director of the Occupational Medicine Residency at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Kales is also Chief of Occupational Medicine and Medical Director for Employee Health at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard-affiliated hospital system.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Kales explores how Mediterranean lifestyle principles—nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and social connection—can be powerful tools for disease prevention, particularly in high-stress and safety-sensitive professions. Drawing on decades of research and real-world intervention work, he explains why lifestyle medicine is not abstract theory, but a practical, scalable solution for improving health outcomes in workplaces, hospitals, and communities.

Dr. Kales shares insights from his leadership of landmark Mediterranean diet conferences, as well as his ongoing “Survival Mediterranean Style” initiative, which brings evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies to firefighters, first responders, and other high-risk occupational groups. He also reflects on how cultural traditions, family food practices, and lived experience shape long-term health more powerfully than short-term interventions.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how Mediterranean living can move beyond the kitchen—into schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems—as a sustainable model for chronic disease prevention and healthier lives.

Find more of Dr. Kales here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanos-kales-500739a0/

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Websites:
https://siciliansecret.com/
coraeon.com
functionalheart.com
Our Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-4-color-trade/dp/189969496X/
Our Supplements: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWZLCM6H
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siciliansecretdiet
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sicilian-secret-diet/id1566575032

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Join Dr. Sandra Cammarata and Dr. Giovanni Campanile as they speak with Dr. Sharon J. Parish, a nationally recognized leader in women’s sexual health, menopause care, and the integration of emotional and physical well-being. Dr. Parish is a Professor of Clinical Medicine and Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine and has played a key role in shaping clinical practice guidelines and expanding awareness around women’s sexual health across the lifespan.

An internal medicine physician by training, she is a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) and a North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP). Her internal medicine practice focuses on sexual medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, where she integrates mind–body approaches to care. Dr. Parish has designed numerous educational programs on female sexual health and communication skills for medical learners at every level, authored key publications on sexual dysfunction and menopause management, and held multiple leadership positions within ISSWSH and the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM).

In this episode, Dr. Parish discusses:

• How hormonal and emotional shifts in midlife influence sexual function and desire
• Why sexual health is an essential part of overall well-being—not a luxury
• The importance of communication and relational context in shaping intimacy
• How clinicians and partners can better support women through transitional stages
• Practical approaches to fostering connection, meaning, and fulfillment in midlife

See more of Dr. Parish here: https://weillcornell.org/sjparish

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Websites:
https://siciliansecret.com/
coraeon.com
functionalheart.com
Our Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-4-color-trade/dp/189969496X/
Our Supplements: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWZLCM6H
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siciliansecretdiet
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sicilian-secret-diet/id1566575032

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Join Dr. Sandra Cammarata and Dr. Giovanni Campanile as they interview Dr. William Li, a pioneering physician-scientist, bestselling author, and global leader in the “food as medicine” movement. Dr. Li is the President and Medical Director of the Angiogenesis Foundation, where his groundbreaking work has redefined how we understand food’s impact on health, disease prevention, and longevity.

Trained in internal medicine, Dr. Li has dedicated his career to exploring how everyday foods can activate the body’s natural health defense systems—including angiogenesis, regeneration, the microbiome, DNA protection, and immunity. His bestselling books Eat to Beat Disease and Eat to Beat Your Diet have inspired millions to see nutrition not just as fuel, but as a powerful form of medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Li shares insights from his extensive research on how food contributes to both physical and mental health, emphasizing the joy and connection that come from eating well. He discusses how the science of eating for health can enhance vitality, protect the brain, and improve well-being at every stage of life.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how to “love your food to love your health,” as Dr. Li blends cutting-edge research with practical wisdom on using food to live well—deliciously.

(Website: drwilliamli.com)

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Websites:
https://siciliansecret.com/
coraeon.com
functionalheart.com
Our Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-4-color-trade/dp/189969496X/
Our Supplements: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWZLCM6H
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siciliansecretdiet
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-106204798725447
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sicilian-secret-diet/id1566575032

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Join Dr. Sandra Cammarata and Dr. Giovanni Campanile as they interview Dr. Mark Mattson, one of the world’s leading neuroscientists and a pioneer in the study of aging, brain health, and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Mattson is Chief of the Laboratory of Neurosciences at the National Institute on Aging and Professor of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. With over 340 research articles and decades of groundbreaking work, he is widely recognized for his contributions to understanding neuronal plasticity, Alzheimer’s disease, and the powerful role of lifestyle in brain health.

In this episode, Dr. Mattson shares insights from his pioneering research on intermittent fasting and its neuroprotective effects, explaining how metabolic switching influences brain function, resilience, and longevity. He also discusses the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity and aging, highlighting how dietary and lifestyle interventions can prevent or delay neurodegenerative disorders.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how fasting, exercise, and stress adaptation shape brain health across the lifespan. Dr. Mattson’s expertise bridges cutting-edge science with practical strategies, offering a hopeful vision for preventing cognitive decline and supporting healthy aging.

Dr. Mark Mattson isn't on social media but encourages reaching out for any questions directly to his email which is:

mmattso2@jhmi.edu

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Websites:
https://siciliansecret.com/
coraeon.com
functionalheart.com
Our Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-4-color-trade/dp/189969496X/
Our Supplements: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWZLCM6H
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siciliansecretdiet
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sicilian-secret-diet/id1566575032

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Join Dr. Sandra Cammarata and Dr. Giovanni Campanile as they interview Dr. Yanina Pepino, a renowned professor of Ingestive Behavior at the University of Illinois. With a background in medicine and a research trajectory that spans Washington University’s Center for Human Nutrition to her current work in sensory biology, Dr. Pepino brings a unique perspective to the science of taste, nutrition, and metabolism.

In this conversation, Dr. Pepino explores how genetics, health status, and cultural influences shape the way we perceive taste and make food choices. She discusses her research into how conditions like obesity and diabetes alter sensory responses and brain reward mechanisms related to sweet taste and artificial sweeteners.

Through her groundbreaking work, Dr. Pepino sheds light on the complexities of eating behavior and the potential for personalized nutrition strategies. Her research offers valuable insights into how our senses and metabolic health are intimately connected—and how understanding those links could help us design better dietary interventions for chronic disease prevention.

Find more of Dr. Pepino here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanina-pepino-88a4351a3/

Find more of us here:

Websites:
https://siciliansecret.com/
coraeon.com
functionalheart.com
Our Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-4-color-trade/dp/189969496X/
Our Supplements: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWZLCM6H
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siciliansecretdiet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siciliansecretdiet/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-106204798725447
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sicilian-secret-diet/id1566575032

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Join Dr. Sandra Cammarata and Dr. Giovanni Campanile as they speak with Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, Associate Professor at the University of South Florida and research scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). Renowned for his work on metabolic therapies, Dr. D’Agostino has led pioneering research into how nutritional ketosis, fasting, and oxygen physiology can enhance human resilience—particularly in extreme environments like deep-sea diving and spaceflight.

With a unique focus on translational research, Dr. D’Agostino has studied the therapeutic potential of ketogenic diets and exogenous ketones in treating neurological diseases, cancer, and metabolic disorders. His work spans the lab to the real world, including collaborations with NASA, the Department of Defense, and elite military groups. This episode explores the science behind metabolic flexibility, resilience under stress, and how a shift in cellular fuel can unlock profound therapeutic benefits.

Find more of Dr. D'Agostino here:

https://drdominicdagostino.com/profile/

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Websites:
https://siciliansecret.com/
coraeon.com
functionalheart.com
Our Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-4-color-trade/dp/189969496X/
Our Supplements: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWZLCM6H
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@siciliansecretdiet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siciliansecretdiet/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sicilian-Secret-Diet-106204798725447
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@siciliansecretdiet
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sicilian-secret-diet/id1566575032