Be Well AGE WELL: A Science-Based Path to Optimal Ageing & Functional Longevity
Be Well Age Well is an 8-part health and wellbeing podcast that asks a simple but powerful question: It’s not just about how long you live — but how well you live and age. Hosted by an inspiring father–daughter doctor duo, this series brings together credible science, lived experience, and practical wisdom to help listeners optimise their health, function, and quality of life at every age. Your hosts are: Associate Professor Dr John Ward, 81-year-old Physician Geriatrician, and NSW Senior Australian of the Year 2024, and Dr Susannah Ward, 44-year-old Specialist Physician of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chair of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Member Health & Wellbeing Committee, author, speaker, yoga and mindfulness teacher, and Founder of Ataraxia Collective. With warmth, humour, and a touch of generational banter, John and Susannah translate complex, evidence-based medicine into clear, practical steps that listeners can actually use — whether they’re health professionals, patients, mid-life optimisers, or simply curious humans wanting to live well. Across eight expertly curated episodes, Be Well Age Well explores the science of ageing and the six core pillars of functional longevity: Exercise for life and independence Nutrition for long-term health Sleep and recovery Social connection Living with meaning & purpose Reducing toxins Flexible growth, purpose, and adaptive change Episodes: 1: The Science of Ageing 2: 1st Pillar: Exercise 3: 2nd Pillar: Nutrition 4: 3rd Pillar: Sleep 5: 4th Pillar: Social connections 6: 5th Pillar: Living a life with meaning and purpose 7: 6th Pillar: Avoiding toxins 8: Making changes and building healthy habits Each episode features leading national experts and finishes with key takeaways and suggested actions, making the series ideal for both personal growth and professional development. Why listen? Because this isn’t wellness fluff or fear-based anti-ageing hype trying to sell you stuff and take your money. Age Well Be Well is a reliable source of credible, engaging, and refreshingly human advice — a thoughtful, evidence-based guide to ageing well, hosted by two generations of doctors who truly walk the talk together. Useful. Succinct. Entertaining. Evidence-based. Join us and discover how to live your best life — no matter your age or stage. Reach out to Dr Susannah Ward here www.ataraxiacollective.com.au
Episodes
Why is it that even when we know exactly what to do, doing it can feel almost impossible? And once we've built a good habit — or broken a bad one — what actually makes it stick?
In our final fabulous episode of Be Well Age Well, hosts Dr Susannah Ward and Dr John Ward turn to the psychology of behaviour change with clinical and health psychologist Professor Ben Britton. You now know what do to but doing it may be ...
Pillar 6: Avoiding Toxins for Ageing Well – Protecting Health in a Modern World With Julian Cribb AM
We live in a world impacted by toxins — from the food we eat and the water we drink to the air we breathe and the products we use every day. But what does the science really say about environmental toxins, and how much control do individuals actually have?
In Episode 7 of Be Well Age Well, hosts Dr Susannah Ward and Dr John Ward explore the evidence, risks, and practical realities of toxin exposure and healthy ...
What gives life meaning as we age? Is purpose something we’re born with — or something we can cultivate at any stage of life? And does it really matter for health and longevity?
In Episode 6 of Be Well Age Well, hosts Dr Susannah Ward and Dr John Ward explore the science and lived experience of meaning, purpose, and lifelong growth with one of Australia’s most respected leaders in healthy ageing,&nb...
Humans are wired for connection. Yet loneliness and social isolation are increasingly common — and increasingly recognised as powerful risk factors for poor health, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life as we age.
In Episode 5 of Be Well Age Well, hosts Dr Susannah Ward and Dr John Ward explore the science of social connectionand its profound impact on ageing, brain health, and longevity with leading cognit...
Sleep is one of the most talked-about — and most misunderstood — pillars of ageing well. How much sleep do we really need as we get older? Are night-time awakenings normal? And what actually helps improve sleep quality in real life?
In Episode 4 of Be Well Age Well, hosts Dr Susannah Ward and Dr John Ward explore the science of sleep, ageing, and circadian rhythms with one of Australia’s foremost sl...
What does good nutrition really look like as we age — beyond trends, rules, and conflicting advice? And how can food support health, function, and quality of life at every stage, even in the presence of illness?
In Episode 3 of Be Well Age Well, hosts Dr Susannah Ward and Dr John Ward explore the science and lived reality of nutrition for optimal ageing and functional longevity with one of Australia’s mos...
If there were one intervention with the strongest evidence for ageing well, maintaining independence, and improving quality of life — it would be exercise. But what type of exercise matters most? How much is enough? And is it ever too late to start?
In Episode 2 of Be Well Age Well, hosts Dr John Ward and Dr Susannah Ward tackle these questions head-on with two of Australia’s leading experts in physi...
What does the science of ageing really tell us about how — and why — we age? And more importantly, what can we actually do about it?
In the opening episode of Be Well Age Well, hosts Dr John Ward and Dr Susannah Ward lay the foundation for the entire series by diving into the biology, complexity, and misconceptions of ageing with one of Australia’s most respected leaders in Geriatric Medic...
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