Live & Well is your weekly catch-up with author, mother, and influencer Melissa Magsaysay and her circle of experts and icons—diving deep into the latest wellness, longevity, beauty and fitness and issues surrounding women. Melissa will take listeners into a vibrant world where beauty, fashion, and wellness intersect with cultural moments and personal transformation. Each episode features conversations with leading + buzzy dermatologists, fitness innovators, beauty founders, and celebrities alike. Listeners can expect pro tips, product recs, juicy insider stories, and empowering perspectives that go beyond surface-level self-care—because looking good is great, but feeling good is everything.
Is kid's skincare actually necessary or is it a social media trend that should be ignored? In this episode of Live & Well, we sit down with Esther Song, fashion veteran and co-founder of Rini (alongside Shay Mitchell), to discuss the real science behind children's skin health. Esther shares her journey from fashion executive to CPG founder after searching for clean, effective solutions for her daughter’s severe eczema. We dive deep into Korean bathhouse culture, why children's skin barriers are thinner than adults, the crucial difference between "unscented" and "fragrance-free," and how Rini is bringing K-beauty innovation into daily care and bath time for kids. IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: • The truth about kids skincare vs. adult skincare routines • How growing up in Korea influenced Esther’s approach to skin health • Why a child's skin barrier is 30% thinner and more vulnerable • Fragrance-Free vs. Unscented: What parents must look for on product labels • Rini’s clinical testing standard: Pediatrician-tested vs. dermatologist-tested • How to address eczema, dry skin, and post-pool skin protection TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction: Kids Skincare vs. Bath Time 00:58 - Esther Song’s Journey & Founding Rini with Shay Mitchell 02:54 - Growing Up in Korea & K-Beauty Bathhouse Culture 04:15 - What K-Beauty Really Means: Skin Barrier Protection 06:06 - The 3 Stages of a Child's Skin Barrier Development 08:18 - Replenishing Lost Amino Acids in Kids' Skin 08:50 - Fragrance-Free vs. Unscented: What Parents Need to Know 11:05 - Addressing the "Sephora Kids" Trend & Internet Backlash 12:28 - Fun Meets Function: Clean Face Crayons & Hydrogel Masks 16:07 - Navigating Eczema, Cortisone, and Barrier Creams 17:29 - Rini's Testing Process: Pediatricians, Toxicologists & Raw Ingredients 22:01 - Making Bath Time Fun & Stress-Free for Parents 24:20 - Customer Hacks: Using Hydrogel Masks for Fevers & Sunburns 27:45 - Why K-Beauty Innovation is More Accessible & Affordable 29:29 - Where the Name "Rini" Comes From #KBeauty #ShayMitchell #Parenting #KidsSkincare #SkinBarrier #Skincare
What are peptides, and why is everyone talking about them? From fitness influencers and biohackers to Beverly Hills clinics and Hollywood anti-aging routines, peptide therapy has taken the wellness world by storm. In this episode of ‘Live & Well’, board-certified family physician and longevity medicine specialist Dr. Daniel Ghiyam breaks down what peptides actually are, how they signal the body, and where the evidence really stands on BPC-157, Tesamorelin, GLP-1s, GHK-Cu, MOTS-c. We cut through the noise to discuss: • The "text message" analogy for understanding peptide cellular signaling • The truth about BPC-157 for tendon, gut, and tissue recovery • Tesamorelin and Growth Hormone secretagogues for fat loss and muscle • Why GLP-1 weight loss drugs sparked today's massive peptide craze • The serious dangers of buying "research use only" peptides online CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS 01:14 - What Is a Peptide? (The Text Message Analogy) 03:54 - How Aging Affects Body Signaling & Cellular Repair 04:40 - The Danger of DIY Injections & Unmonitored Biohacking 07:00 - Understanding FDA Approvals vs Off-Label Peptides 11:20 - Did GLP-1s Spark Today's Peptide Craze? 12:50 - Preserving Muscle Engine During Weight Loss 15:28 - BPC-157 Deep Dive - Evidence & Stomach Acid Origins 18:50 - GHK-Cu Copper Peptides for Skin, Collagen & Hair Growth 22:50 - PT-141 & Tanning Peptides - The Story Behind Melanotan 25:12 - Dr. Ghiyam’s 3 Pillars of Health & Longevity 26:25 - Tesamorelin & Growth Hormone Secretagogues Explained 33:20 - Regulatory Gray Market & Compounding Pharmacies 38:55 - The Risks of Buying Online Peptides (Impurity & Fake Batches) 41:25 - MOTS-c - The Exercise Mimetic Peptide KEY TOPICS COVERED • Peptides 101 - Short amino acid chains (under 50) that act as direct chemical signaling messengers between organs and cells. • Tesamorelin & Growth Hormone Secretagogues - How FDA-approved Tesamorelin stimulates natural pituitary output to reduce visceral fat while preserving lean muscle mass. • Human Clinical Data vs. Mouse Data - Why rodent studies on popular repair compounds like BPC-157 do not immediately guarantee human outcomes. • The Gray Market Danger - Risks of ordering unverified "research chemicals" online using cryptocurrency, including sterile contamination, improper storage, degradation, or placebo sugar pills. • Comprehensive Longevity - Why peptide protocols must be layered on top of sleep hygiene, stress management, and resistance training. GUEST INFORMATION Dr. Daniel Ghiyam is a board-certified family physician with over 25 years of clinical experience. He is the co-founder and Medical Director of MedPodLA, a concierge longevity and performance medicine practice based in Beverly Hills, California. https://medpodla.com/ ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information provided in this video is strictly for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any peptide therapy, supplement regimen, or longevity protocol. #Peptides #BPC157 #Tesamorelin #GLP1 #Longevity #Biohacking #AntiAging
Vaginal dryness, bladder leaks, painful sex, and postpartum recovery — for decades, these everyday realities were ignored by mainstream medicine and dismissed as “just part of aging.” Today, they represent one of the fastest-growing sectors in healthcare, wellness, and venture capital. In this episode, we sit down with two trailblazing CEOs approaching the women’s intimate wellness boom from two distinct angles: Colette Courtion (Founder & CEO of Joylux) and Dawn Halkuff (CEO of LiviWell). Together, they break down how they transitioned from personal and professional frustrations into building category-defining businesses, how the “menopause movement” is shifting consumer behavior, and the massive opportunities ahead for founders and investors in Femtech. 💡 KEY TOPICS COVERED: • The Taboo Tax: Why women’s pelvic and intimate health was historically ignored by capital and medicine. • Consumer vs. Medical Innovation: How Joylux’s vFit PLUS (red-light therapy) & LiviWell’s FDA-cleared Livi device (post-intercourse fluid absorption) tackle unmet needs. • The Halle Berry Partnership: How Joylux teamed up with Halle Berry’s wellness platform, Respin, to normalize midlife intimate health. • The Regulatory Path: What FDA clearance means for safety, consumer trust, and commercial scaling. • The Future of Femtech: What must catch up, from insurance coverage to provider education, for the intimate wellness market to reach its multi-billion-dollar potential. #WomensHealth #Menopause #IntimateWellness #SexualHealth #Femtech 00:00 Introduction: The women's intimate health boom 01:28 The personal catalysts: Behind the scenes of postpartum and industry gaps 12:20 Why now? The convergence of capital, culture, and consumer demand 16:09 The Viagra disparity: Why men's health got a pill and women got silenced 22:00 How it works: Red-light therapy and vaginal rejuvenation (Joylux vFit PLUS) 24:48 Halle Berry partnership with Respin 28:53 Clinical validation: Introducing Livi, the first FDA-cleared post-sex vaginal care device 33:53 Combatting the "wellness trend" stigma with hard science 38:28 Guest-to-guest Q&A and final takeaways
From carrying groceries to checking your blind spot while driving, life happens in motion — and your workouts should reflect that. Pvolve's Dani Coleman joins Live & Well to share why multidimensional training helps build strength that extends beyond the gym. We talk about mobility as the missing link in fitness, training for longevity, and how small, intentional movement patterns can help you feel stronger, more resilient, and more connected to your body every day.
Most people think recovery happens after the workout. According to Dr. Jason Wersland, that’s the biggest mistake we make. On this episode of Live & Well , the Therabody founder & recovery expert explains why recovery should happen before, during, and after movement — not just when you’re already sore. From activating the nervous system before exercise to reducing burnout and speeding up rebound between sets, Dr. J breaks down how elite athletes use recovery as part of performance itself. He also shares the science behind pain relief, nervous system regulation, blood flow, and why staying ahead of soreness can help prevent injuries, improve mobility, and keep your body performing at its best. Whether you’re training hard or just trying to move without pain, this episode will change the way you think about recovery.
What if the secret to getting stronger wasn’t doing more—but doing less, consistently? In this episode of Live and Well , Melissa Magsaysay sits down with Sculpt Society founder Megan Roup to unpack a refreshing, sustainable approach to fitness that actually works. From her early struggles with body image and the pressures of the dance world to building a global fitness platform, Megan shares how she redefined movement as something joyful, inclusive, and empowering—not punishing. The conversation dives into why extreme workouts and “all-or-nothing” mindsets often backfire, and how shorter, well-programmed workouts can be more effective for long-term results. They also explore how fitness needs evolve across life stages—from your 20s to pregnancy, postpartum, and midlife—and why the industry is finally starting to acknowledge conversations around perimenopause, hormones, and women’s health. Megan breaks down common misconceptions around strength training, low-impact workouts, and the idea that you have to be drenched in sweat for a workout to “count.” If you’ve ever struggled to stay motivated, felt intimidated by fitness trends, or wondered how to create a routine that actually sticks—this episode is your permission slip to simplify.
What if the future of facial rejuvenation isn’t synthetic—but your own biology? In this episode of Live and Well , we sit down with renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Nassif to break down the rising shift from traditional fillers to micro fat transfer. Known for his precision work and complex revision cases (and as a star of Botched), Dr. Nassif explains why more experts are rethinking long-term use of fillers—from migration to hidden scar tissue—and how these trends are shaping the next era of aesthetics. Dr. Nassif also unpacks the nuances between micro fat and nano fat, where and how fat is placed in the face, and what really happens as your body ages, loses volume, or changes with weight fluctuations. Whether you’re filler-curious, considering facial rejuvenation, or just want to understand what’s actually happening beneath the skin, this episode delivers a clear, expert-led look at where beauty—and science—are headed next.
Hair loss, thinning, breakage—what’s really going on beneath the surface? In this episode of Live and Well , host Melissa Magsaysay sits down with OMI founder Naomi Whittel to unpack the science of hair health and why peptides are emerging as a game-changing solution. From the biology of hair follicles to the role of stress, hormones, and aging, Naomi shares how a patented keratin peptide is helping women retain more hair, grow it longer, and rethink beauty from the inside out. They dive into the difference between supplements, pharmaceuticals, and peptide technology, the truth about topical treatments, and why hair is one of the clearest signals of overall health. Plus, a candid conversation on women’s health, hormone shifts, and why the future of wellness is deeply personal—and data-driven. If you’ve ever wondered why your hair won’t grow past a certain length or how to actually support it at the root, this episode is your new starting point.
Everything your body is going through shows up on your skin first. Most of us just don't know how to read it. Dr. Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, breaks down what is actually happening inside a blackhead, why hormones are the real driver behind most breakouts and what your skin is trying to tell you at every stage of life. We get into hyperpigmentation versus scarring, the ingredients dermatologists actually trust, why perimenopause changes your skin in ways nobody talks about, and why a pimple might actually be something to celebrate. This is the kind of conversation that quietly shifts how you think about your skin. Not what to buy or add in, but what is actually happening beneath the surface every time something shows up on your face.
You've spent years thinking about what you eat. How you cook it might be a bigger part of the picture than you'd expect. Nutrition scientist and registered dietitian Dr. Michelle Davenport breaks down what actually happens to your food under high heat and why it shows up in your body long after the meal is over. We get into AGEs, inflammation, metabolic health, and why the chemistry of cooking is one of the most underrated conversations in longevity. This is the kind of conversation that quietly shifts how you think about food. Not what to cut out or add in, but what's actually happening at a cellular level every time you turn on the stove.
Sensitive skin is one of the most misunderstood topics in beauty. Most of us have been told we have it. Very few of us actually know what it means. In this episode, Tower 28 Founder and CEO Amy Liu joins Melissa Magsaysay to get to the bottom of what sensitive skin really is, why it's almost always a barrier problem, and what inflammation is doing beneath the surface to flare it. We talk about greenwashing, unregulated claims, the ingredients worth avoiding, and why simplifying your routine is almost always the right call. Plus, we discuss the science behind hypochlorous acid, what the National Eczema Association actually looks for in a product, and why the beauty industry's testing standards are not what you think they are.
If fitness and nutrition feel more confusing than ever, you're not imagining it. Most of what's out there is louder than it is useful. Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak has worked with some of the most recognizable bodies in the world. His take on what actually moves the needle is simpler than you'd expect and more honest than most of what's in your feed. In this episode, he breaks down the biggest myths around strength training, calorie counting, and popular diets. He will also explain why you don’t need an hour in the gym, what's actually driving weight gain, and why restrictive diets almost always get misinterpreted. What comes out of it is a more sustainable, less complicated way to think about your health and the kind of advice that sticks because it's actually doable.
Puberty is arriving earlier than ever, and most parents aren’t prepared for it. Pediatrician Dr. Cara Natterson explains why kids are entering puberty years sooner than previous generations and what that means for their health, brain development, and emotional lives. From environmental exposures and chronic stress to the neuroscience of adolescence, Dr. Natterson gives parents the science they need to understand what their kids are actually going through. She also addresses the support gap between boys and girls, the limits of school sex education, and how to talk to your kids in ways that actually land.
Most supplements on the market have never been studied on women. In this episode, Ritual founder Kat Schneider explains why supplement research has historically focused on men, how terms like “clinically studied” are often misunderstood, and what real scientific validation should look like. The conversation explores ingredient traceability, how supplement formulations are actually tested, and why sourcing and dosage matter as much as the ingredient itself. Schneider also explains how contaminants like heavy metals can enter protein powders and other supplements, and why greater transparency across the industry is becoming essential. For anyone navigating the supplement aisle, this episode breaks down how to evaluate safety, efficacy, and the science behind what you're taking.
How worried should we really be about toxic chemicals in our homes? Environmental advocate and author Lindsay Dahl breaks down what actually matters when it comes to reducing everyday exposure. From greenwashing and “clean” product marketing to microplastics and household dust, she explains the science in a practical way that won’t leave you feeling overwhelmed. Dahl also shares the simple habits that can make the biggest difference in your home environment. If you’ve ever wondered how to create a healthier home without obsessing over every ingredient label, this conversation offers a realistic place to start. For more on this story: https://www.latimes.com/live-well/longevity/story/microplastics-in-human-body-reduce-exposure
Fascia is one of the most overlooked systems in the body, yet it plays a critical role in how we move, recover, and support cellular health. In this episode, fascia expert Ashley Black explains what fascia actually is, why it has historically been misunderstood, and how connective tissue influences everything from mobility to circulation. From her personal health journey to the science behind tissue regeneration, this conversation reframes how we think about the body’s foundation and why fascia may be more important than we realize.
Skincare does not need to be complicated to work. In this episode of Live & Well , Colette Laxton, co-founder of The Inkey List, breaks down what actually makes a product effective and why overdoing it might be the very thing hurting your skin. The conversation explores the rise of instant-gratification beauty, the overuse of exfoliating acids, what is really happening when the skin barrier is compromised, and why hydration remains the foundation of healthy skin. Colette explains how The Inkey List builds formulas without fillers or fragrance, why packaging is designed for clarity over aesthetics, and which ingredients truly support long-term skin health. If your routine feels overwhelming, this episode is a reset.
Noninvasive facelifts are everywhere, but what is actually happening beneath the skin? On this episode of Live and Well, celebrity esthetician Melissa Imperial shares her approach to lymphatic sculpting, fascia release, and microcurrent therapy. Her method focuses on strengthening facial muscles, releasing built up tension, and supporting circulation to influence lift, clarity, and long term skin resilience. The conversation explores how structure impacts the face over time, why there is no single quick fix, and what an intentional aging plan can look like. She details the natural ingredients she relies on, how they support inflammation and circulation, and the daily rituals she uses to maintain clarity and resilience across different stages of skin.
Kosas founder Sheena Zadeh shares how clean beauty makeup is actually developed and tested, along with the cosmetic treatments and routines that shape her approach to skin. In this episode of Live + Well , Sheena reflects on building Kosas from the ground up, the discipline behind high-performance clean makeup, and how product development, skin health, and in-office treatments all inform the way she thinks about beauty today.
Staying consistent with wellness can feel overwhelming, especially when routines are rigid, expensive, or hard to maintain. Amanda Kloots knows this firsthand. In this episode of Live and Well, the actress, fitness entrepreneur, and founder of Proper talks about why she built her supplement company around flexibility rather than perfection. She shares the idea of the “supplement graveyard,” explains why taste and affordability matter more than people think, and discusses how wellness needs can change day to day. Kloots also reflects on her background in fitness, how she approaches movement as a daily practice, and why removing guilt from wellness routines can make healthy habits more sustainable over time. This conversation offers a more realistic, forgiving way to think about supplements and self-care. Discover more from Live & Well on social. Watch this conversation on YouTube . For more stories, expert insights, and guidance on living well, visit latimes.com/live-well
