The Science of Motivation: Why It’s So Hard to Stick to Your Goals

n this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mark Faries, a behavioral medicine expert, to unpack why New Year’s resolutions fail—and why “just do it” doesn’t actually work when it comes to motivation, habits, and behavior change. We talk about confidence, self-discipline, and the real science behind why it’s so hard to stick to goals like exercising more, eating better, or finally following through on the habits you set every January. Dr. Faries shares practical, research-backed strategies to close the gap between intention and action, including how to set goals that actually stick and how to get back on track after falling off. If you’re searching for answers to why motivation disappears, how to build better habits, or how to make this year different, this conversation will hit home. You’ll walk away with a totally new way to think about goal-setting—and tools that make real, sustainable change feel possible.Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, Juna and Eddie share big news, reflect on what’s made the show so special, and hint at what comes next. It’s not goodbye forever… but it is a goodbye.Best ways to connect with us:Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Eric Topol, diving into the truth behind supplements, saunas, cold plunges, and other so-called “longevity hacks.” He explains why most supplements don’t do anything for healthy people, why fads like cold plunges are a farce, and what actually matters if you want to extend your healthspan. We also cover the exceptions—like documented deficiencies—and whether Omega-3s have a place. Dr. Topol makes it clear that the real “hacks” aren’t hacks at all.To hear the rest of this bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam!If you want more, check out our book!Chat with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Eric Topol—one of the most cited scientists in the world and author of SuperAges—to explore what the science actually says about living longer and healthier. We talk about what aging really is, why trying to reverse it can backfire, and the surprising role lifestyle factors play in slowing down the biological clock. Dr. Topol also explains how exercise, sleep, and diet can add up to an extra decade of healthy years, why ultra-processed foods may be the cigarettes of our generation, and how new tools like AI and gut-based medicines could transform prevention. This conversation is both eye-opening and practical, giving you the tools to make changes today that could add years to your life. If you’ve ever wondered what’s hype and what’s real in the world of longevity, you’ll want to hear this one.Check out Dr. Topol's incredible book Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity. If you like research,  you will LOVE this book. Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Mauro Serafini all about the connection between food, inflammation, and long-term health. We dig into how obesity and metabolic syndrome fuel chronic inflammation, why even people who aren’t overweight can still be at risk, and why not all calories are created equal. Mauro explains how losing fat (not just weight) lowers inflammation, and he shares his perspective on the role of olive oil, fresh markets, and the eating habits of centenarians. We also explore his philosophy of nutritional kindness, a simple, compassionate approach to eating that makes healthy habits sustainable for the long run.To hear the rest of this bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam!If you want more, check out our book!Chat with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Mauro Serafini, one of the world’s leading experts on nutrition, to unpack all those health buzzwords you hear everywhere: antioxidants, free radicals, oxidative stress, and yes—superfoods. We dig into the science behind whether kale, blueberries, or even chocolate really deserve their “super” status, and what’s actually happening inside your body when you eat them. Professor Serafini shares fascinating research on how timing your meals can affect inflammation, aging, and even longevity, plus why adding fruits and veggies to every meal is more powerful than you think. You’ll hear surprising truths about supplements, chocolate’s role as a genuine superfood, and how everyday food choices can lower your risk for chronic disease. If you’ve ever wondered whether “superfoods” are just hype or real science, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode we continue our conversation with Tera Fazzino all about how to rewire your brain and taste buds to break free from the grip of hyper-palatable foods. We get into the science of how these foods can literally change your brain’s reward circuitry—much like addictive substances—and why they can make you want them more even as you enjoy them less. Tera shares practical tips for spotting these foods at the store, simple swaps that make a difference, and how to retrain your palate to genuinely crave whole, natural foods.To hear the rest of this bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam!If you want more, check out our book!Chat with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we dive into one of the most shocking truths about our modern food supply with Dr. Tera Fazzino, associate director at the KU Center for Addiction Research. What if we told you that the same tobacco companies that engineered cigarettes to be addictive also helped shape the foods you crave the most? From hyper-palatable snacks to sugary drinks, we unpack how these foods hijack your brain’s reward system—and why it’s so hard to stop eating them. Dr. Fazzino reveals the documented connection between Big Tobacco and Big Food, and why our current food environment might be more manipulated than we think. If you've ever felt like certain foods are literally irresistible, this episode will change the way you see your pantry.Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Alex DiFeliceantonio about how to actually make healthy eating more appealing to your brain. We dive into the science of flavor, anticipation, and food reward—and why roasted veggies with butter are totally fair game. Alex shares her 80/20 approach to feeding her family, what’s in her emergency grocery cart, and why she avoids artificial sweeteners for her kid. We also talk about the sneaky ways food companies use health labels to trick you. To hear the rest of this episode, sign up for the Foodie Fam!For weekly notes on our episodes, sign up for the Food We Need to Talk newsletter!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG!Be friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, we dive into the mind-blowing science of why we eat what we eat—with neuroscientist Dr. Alexandra DiFeliceantonio. She joins us to explore how ultra-processed foods hijack your brain’s reward systems, how your environment influences your food choices more than you realize, and whether you’re actually choosing that brownie… or if your brain decided for you. We talk about the powerful effects of food cues, how early exposure to certain foods shapes lifelong habits, and what new research says about the link between processed food and addiction. This conversation will change the way you think about cravings, willpower, and what it really means to “eat healthy.” If you've ever blacked out halfway through a bag of chips, this one's for you.Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices