The Health Feast
The Health Feast is a podcast about making good health feel joyous, communal, and abundant—like a feast. Hosted by Dr. Rak (short for Rakesh Jotwani), a board-certified internist and Lifestyle Medicine physician, the show dives deep into what truly supports well-being in real life. Each episode, Dr. Rak talks with physicians, chefs, athletes, artists, and changemakers who are redefining what it means to be healthy—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Conversations are rooted in science, but never lose sight of heart, culture, and lived experience. Whether you’re working to reverse chronic disease, reconnect with purpose, or simply show up for your life with more energy, The Health Feast offers practical tools, fresh perspectives, and stories that nourish. New episodes weekly. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Live well and RAK ON.
Episodes
Appointments are rushed. Costs keep rising. Clinicians are burned out. Patients are frustrated.
And the system seems to be hurting the very people it’s supposed to help.
In this episode of The Health Feast, I’m joined by Dr. Todd Otten — a board-certified family doctor and Navy veteran — who nearly left medicine after seeing how deeply the system was failing both his patients and his pe...
You’ve tried new plans, new diets, new workouts — but you’re still stuck. The truth? The real battle isn’t in your body… it’s in your head.
In this episode of The Health Feast, I sit down with strength coach Nick Smoot to explore how mindset and identity drive lasting transformation. Nick shares how he built resilience from a young age, the mental shifts that helped me lose 80 pounds, and why training li...
In this episode of The Health Feast (watch on YouTube), I’m joined by Dr. Shivani Gupta — an Ayurvedic doctor whose PhD research focused on turmeric — to explore how India’s ancient science of life can help us feel more vibrant and at ease in the modern world.
Dr. Gupta has dedicated her career to maki...
In this episode of The Health Feast, I’m joined by Dr. Colin Zhu, DO, FACLM, Chef, aka The Chef Doc — a physician, chef, and board member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine — to explore why so many people feel lost, even when they’re trying to do everything “right.”
Dr. Zhu’s unique background in both culinary arts and clinical medicine brings a fresh persp...
Dr. Rak here. When I first began to understand the connection between food and health, I was already a doctor.
I had written prescriptions, treated chronic conditions, and checked every box our system told me to check. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something essential was missing—that we were managing disease, not healing people.
And then I found doctors like Michael Klaper, who I’m so delighted to welcome to The Feast. D...
If you’ve been enjoying The Health Feast, I’d be so grateful if you left a quick review on Apple Podcasts. It helps others find the show—and keeps this Feast growing.
Dr. Robyn Tiger knows this firsthand. Years ago, she was a practicing radiologist with what looked like a perfect life on paper—two kids, a great career, a suppor...
That’s the question I explore in this episode with Richard Rosenfeld, MD, MPH, MBA. He’s a board-certified ENT, Director of Guidelines and Quality at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and one of the most published ENT researchers in the world—with nearly 400 peer-reviewed articles to his name.
But what really sets Rich apart is ...
In this episode of The Health Feast, I sit down with Dean Pohlman, founder of Man Flow Yoga and host of The Better Man Podcast. Dean’s work has helped 1000s of men build mobility, strength, and confidence—but more than that, he’s created space for something deeper: what he calls courageous authenticity.
I’ve had a tremendous personal experience with D...
In this episode of The Health Feast, Po and I sit down with Barbara Gates—a passionate educator, food activist, and founder of Healthy Kids Happy Planet. Barbara has spent the last two decades on a mission to bring joy, culture, and plant-based nutrition into schools across the country.
Her journey began with a single act of advocacy as a mom pushing back on school m...
What if the most powerful medicine for your health wasn’t found in a bottle — but under your feet, in the trees above, and in the sky stretching out before you?
Dr. Melissa Sundermann is a lifestyle medicine physician, endurance athlete, and passionate advocate for reconnecting with the natural world. In this inspiring episode of The Health Feast, we explore how nature isn’t just a backdrop to our busy lives — it’s a potent, eviden...
What if eating healthier wasn’t about restriction—but about gaining more energy, better health, and a deeper connection to food?
Rachael Brown knows this transformation firsthand. Despite believing she was eating well, she faced serious health challenges that weren’t improving. But one shift changed everything—not just for her, but for her entire family. She reversed major health concerns, helped her loved ones embrace a pl...
Hey there, Health Feast listeners! Dr. Rak here, and in this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Marsha-Gail Davis to The Feast.
You may know her as Dr. D, a board-certified physician, a leader in Lifestyle Medicine, and a fierce advocate for health equity. She’s someone who brings an incredible mix of energy, creativity, and passion to everything s...
In this week’s episode of The Health Feast, I sit down with Dinesh Chandra, co-founder of the Global Wellbeing Network and a coach for personal transformation. Dinesh has spent his life helping individuals and organizations align their values, actions, and purpose, drawing from decades of leadership experience and a deeply personal journey of transformation.
O...
On this episode of The Health Feast, Po and Dr. Rak are delighted to welcome Dr. Jessie Mahoney.
Dr. Jessie Mahoney is a physician, mindfulness coach, yoga teacher, and host of The Mindful Healers podcast. Jessie and I go way back—we worked together for years at Kaiser Permanente, where she led transformative efforts in physician wellness. In fact, she was the catalyst for my own journey into mindfulness, which completely changed m...
How do we create a healthcare system that prioritizes wellness, equity, and connection? In this episode of The Health Feast, Dr. Rak sits down with Dr. Seth Berkowitz, a leading voice in health equity, to explore the root causes of health disparities and the systemic barriers that perpetuate them. Together, they discuss actionable solutions to build a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Dr. Berkowitz shares insigh...
Join Dr. Rak and Po as they sit down with longevity expert and Ironman triathlete Scott Fulton, who offers a fresh and inspiring perspective on aging. Together, they explore how we can confront aging challenges early, adopting a proactive stance that contrasts with society’s fear-driven anti-aging narrative. Scott champions the idea of embracing aging as a rewarding phase of life, underscoring the importance of investing in physica...
What if your greatest struggle became your greatest strength? In this episode of The Health Feast, Dr. Rak and Po engage in a powerful conversation with Tim Kaufman, who shares his remarkable transformation from addiction, chronic pain, and obesity to reclaiming his life through small, purposeful changes. Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Tim once faced a grim prognosis, but his journey to health started with a si...
In this enlightening episode of The Health Feast, Dr. Rak and Po are joined by Dr. Tom Rifai, MD, FACP, a pioneering leader in lifestyle medicine and the creator of the Flex5 system. With a refreshing approach to health and wellness, Dr. Rifai shares his journey from overcoming personal struggles with binge eating to becoming a vocal advocate for truth in the wellness industry.
Together, they dive into the myths and misinformation ...
Discover the secrets to living a fulfilling life full of vitality with Bob and Fran German, a remarkable couple in their 80s who have redefined healthy aging. In this episode of The Health Feast, Dr. Rak and Po dive into Bob and Fran's inspiring journey from battling chronic illnesses to achieving vibrant health through a holistic lifestyle. They discuss how a plant-based diet, mindfulness practices, and staying activ...
Join Dr. Rak and Po on The Health Feast as they welcome Charles Inniss, a certified health and wellness coach with a doctorate in physical therapy from Boston University, for one of their most insightful and impactful episodes yet. Charles delves into the power of mindset and shares practical tips and daily mental workouts to foster optimism and transform stress into joy. The conversation explores finding meaning in work, enhancing...
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