Wellness Grifters and the Real Science Behind Longevity with Dr. Eric Topol
From On with Kara Swisher by Vox Media
April 9, 2026 · 1h 3m
About this episode
Dr. Eric Topol discusses the realities of the longevity business and the science behind extending health span rather than lifespan.
Dr. Eric Topol, the founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, joins Kara to discuss reality versus the hype in the booming longevity business ahead of her new CNN series "Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever." Dr. Topol has written several books, including his latest, "Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity," which explores the science behind anti-aging and longevity. He explains why the biggest breakthroughs in aging science focus not on extending lifespan, but on extending health span and preventing the chronic diseases that affect most Americans over 65. And Topol takes aim at the “longevity lifespan circus” of pricey supplements and peptides sold by wellness grifters. Kara and Dr. Topol also talk about how inequality, poverty and the lack of universal healthcare in the US impact health span, and what can be done about it. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Kara Swisher
Guest: Dr. Eric Topol
Topics covered
- longevity
- health span
- anti-aging
- wellness industry
- inequality in healthcare
- chronic diseases
Keywords
- longevity
- health span
- anti-aging
- wellness grifters
- chronic diseases
- inequality
- healthcare
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Scripps Research Translational Institute, CNN, Vox Media
Books & works: Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity
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