PODCAST UPDATE (Last Updated: 16 June 2025)
The podcast for this website is currently not active. While I produced around 40 episodes in 2022-2024, I can’t dedicate as much time to podcasting as I would like. Of course, you can still listen to earlier episodes, although don’t expect anything new for a while – if at all. Fortunately, the Planet Health website is still very much active, with new articles published regularly!
What is the Planet Health podcast?
What can the French teach us about losing weight? What can we learn from Japan about movement? What do the Italians do to prevent a hangover?!
The Planet Health podcast is a fun and lighthearted global exploration of positive eating, drinking and movement habits, cultures and traditions, and what they can teach us about weight loss, fitness, and healthy living.
Presented by Chris Carra, episodes feature actionable tips to improve your health and wellbeing. Chris is often joined by global experts to discuss the habits and traditions of their country.
How to listen and subscribe to the Planet Health podcast:
Tune into Planet Health using your favourite platform by following the links below. Don’t forget to subscribe for all updates!
Keep up to date with the podcast by signing up to the Chris Carra email newsletter.
Where to find the Planet Health podcast online:
Planet Health Episode List:
November 2023
Episode 36: In this episode, Chris looks at the healthy southern Italian culinary philosophy, la cucina povera. He explores the foods and dishes of this traditional style of eating, and offers some of his own personal stories of cucina povera, having been brought up by an Italian father. Bellissimo!
October 2023
Episode 35: It’s the Halloween special episode! 🎃 In it, Chris explores the topic of being scared and whether or not it’s good for you. He is joined by Welsh paranormal journalist Mark Rees, who offers some insight into the traditions of Halloween.
Episode 34: Chris takes a deeper look at one of the habits from the blue zone of Okinawa, known as hara hachi bu – the art of eating to 80% full. He explores how the philosophy can help you lose or maintain weight, and offers some tips on how to practice it for yourself. This episode also a little insight from Japanese health author, Kaki Okumura.
September 2023
Episode 33: In this episode, Chris discusses the 5 Blue Zones of the world – including Sardinia, Okinawa and Ikaria – and what we can learn from each of them. This episode was inspired by the new NetFlix series on the Blue Zones.
June 2023
Episode 32: In this delicious episode, Chris asks: Is red wine healthy? He discusses his recent trip to Bordeaux, explores the nutritional profile of red wine, and the potential health benefits of red wine for your heart and waistline.
Episode 31: Chris turns his attention to Italy, which is the world’s healthiest country in 2023! In this episode, we look at why the land of pasta and gelato is seen as the healthiest nation, and ask what we can learn from the Italians.
May 2023
Episode 30: In this episode, Chris discusses the best exercises for anxiety and depression. This includes running, dancing and yoga. He also chats about the general benefits of exercise for mental health and then looks at how to get up and moving when you are feeling low.
Episode 29: The lovely Italian after-dinner walking tradition of la passeggiata is discussed in this episode, along with the benefits of walking after meals.
Episode 28: Chris talks about the negative impacts of snacking and reveals one effective technique that shows you how to stop snacking for good. Definitely worth checking out if you have issues with compulsive snacking.
April 2023
Episode 27: In this episode, Chris talks about kiwifruits – aka the Chinese gooseberry – and looks at whether or not kiwis can improve your sleep. The episode includes Chris’s not-so-scientific experiment as well as an *actual* scientific kiwi experiment which has some positive news.
Episode 26: This episode is a new favourite! Chris discusses a lady named Edith Murway-Traina from Florida, who sealed her place in the Guinness Book of World Records with an amazing record. The lesson here is that it’s never too late in life to try strength training. The episode also includes a chat about why you should be doing resistance training as you age, whether you are 30, 50 or 90!
Episode 25: It’s the 25th episode, where Chris answers some of your questions! The topics covered include how to keep weight off after you have already lost it, as well as the world’s healthiest dish. We also touch upon fitness and eating disorders (if you are triggered by this, do avoid the episode from minute 8.20). At the end, there are a few additional questions that discuss Planet Health in general.
March 2023
Episode 24: From plantains to supergrains, Nigeria is a country with many culinary delights – and many healthy ingredients. In this episode, Chris chats with respected Nigerian chef and cookbook author Tomi Makanjuola, originally from Lagos, known as The Vegan Nigerian. The pair discuss some of Western Africa’s most famous dishes, how to cook with plantains, as well as some delicious health-boosting ingredients like fonio (acha) and their benefits.
Episode 23: In this episode, Chris tells his own weight loss story – and how it wasn’t particularly planned! He didn’t set out to get in shape, but it happened. Learn why he gained weight in the first place (it involved pasta…), how he started losing fat naturally, and what he does now to continue the process. Chris also offers some actionable tips on how to lose weight without being on a diet as well as how to seek out exercise you enjoy.
Episode 22: Spring is here! Winter can leave us feeling tired and unhealthy, so in this episode Chris offers three of his favourite things to do to boost your health and happiness, and improve your wellness this springtime. He also offers a few actionable tips on how to do these things.
Episode 21: Chris chats to Japanese health and food writer Kaki Okumura (author of new book, Wa – The Art of Balance) about Japanese traditions such as hara hachi bu and ichiju-sansai, which are two of the reasons why Japan is one of the healthiest countries on the planet. The pair also discuss how to lose weight, how to stay fit, crazy American portion sizes, and a few ‘Chris vs. food’ experiences!
February 2023
Episode 20: Chris takes a look at the global habit of salting fruits like watermelon, mango and strawberries, which is practiced in countries such as the USA, Mexico, Dominican Republic and the Philippines. After discussing this tradition, he then looks at the negatives of too much sodium and ways to reduce your salt intake for better health.
Episode 19: Chris heads to Western Europe to talk about the delicious foods of Germany, including sausages, pickles and breads. Chris talks about the problems with processed meat, the benefits of fermented foods, and whether German food is healthy for you or not.
Episode 18: Are you feeling stressed or just very busy? Whatever it is, stop pressing the pause button on your health or fitness goals! While it may feel sensible, there is a better way – as Chris discusses in this episode. This is a different way of thinking about your life and your health, and one that may keep you on track when sh*t hits the fan!
January 2023
Episode 17: Part two of our episode on silly and strange fad diets from around the world! In this episode Chris discusses the Baby Food Diet (USA), the Ear Stapling Diet (China), and Japan’s Vision Diet. It’s another fun look at the world of weight loss and the extent some people will go to as they try to lose fat.
Episode 16: Chris chats with Swedish strength coach Tobias Sjösten from Athlegan about the benefits of resistance training and some tips on how you can get into a weightlifting routine of your own. The guys also discuss the Swedish tradition of letting babies sleeping outside in freezing temperatures!
Episode 15: In this episode, Chris takes a look at three strange fad diets from around the world. We look at the Air Diet from France, the Sandwich Diet from Spain, and the popular Morning Banana Diet from Japan. Will they work for you? (Probably not…). Still, we explore, then talk some common sense about how to lose fat.
Episode 14: If the negative effects of snacking are getting you down, don’t worry! Whether you want to lose weight or reduce your sugar intake, this is the episode for you. Chris takes inspiration from China by asking how chopsticks can help us reduce unhealthy snacking while still enjoying life. The episode features plenty of inspiration and instruction, as well as a Chinese proverb!
Bonus Episode #1: In Chris’s most dramatic episode to date, he provides you with everything you need to know about losing weight in just one minute! That’s right, he sets a very tight target in which to give you all the information about habit-based weight loss. Tune in to see if he is successful!
Episode 13: Happy new year! Israel is often called the ‘Vegan Capital of the World’ with more vegans per capita than any other nation. In this episode, Chris chats with Hanita Yudovsky from Tel Aviv – part of Israel’s vegan produce labelling organization, Vegan Friendly. Discussion includes the rise of veganism in Israel and the best Israeli dishes to try. Chris also offers the benefits (and potential pitfalls) of a plant-based diet and some tips on how to go vegan.
December 2022
Episode 12: Chris takes a step away from exploring the world to look at how to set and stick to new year’s resolutions, using three effective tips he gives to his own nutrition clients to set goals. Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle or start a new hobby, these tips will help you to keep your resolutions this year and manifest your goals, no matter what time of the year.
Episode 11: In this Christmas special episode, we take an unusual turn and discuss the healthy cultures of Wales! Chris chats to Swansea-based journalist and Welsh author Mark Rees to try to determine some healthy foods and habits. The guys discuss laverbread, leeks, cawl, and walking in Yr Wyddfa (i.e., Snowdon). Mark also offers insight into the history and folklore of Wales, such as the Mari Lwyd, King Arthur, miners, druids and beard-obsessed giants!
Episode 10: In part two of this hangover-themed episode, Chris takes us through the international recovery drinks that can help both prevent and cure hangovers. These include the Russian hangover drink called kvass as well as a very peculiar hangover cure from Hungary. We also ask if ‘hair of the dog’ works and whether a Canadian hair-of-the-dog recipe!
Episode 9: BLEUGH. Hangover. Want to know how to get rid of a hangover? In the first part of this two-part episode, Chris explores the hangover foods that may be able to help ease your overindulgence. Then we take a look at whether greasy hangover foods are worth eating. Chris discusses some foods from Italy, Germany, South Korea and more, then discovers what the best course of action is for you to prevent a hangover.
November 2022
Episode 8: What’s the best way to prevent a cold? How do you cure a cold fast? In this episode, we learn which home remedies our friends around the world use to ease symptoms. We travel to countries including the Dominican Republic, Japan, Iran and Mexico to see how they get rid of colds and flus, and whether these traditions are worth following.
Episode 7: The benefits of walking cannot be overstated. But walking in cold weather… is this beneficial? If so, how do you do it effectively and safely? In this episode, Chris heads to Oslo in Norway to learn about a lovely walking tradition known as sondagstur. He then looks at some winter walking tips that may inspire and motivate you to go walking when it is cold outside this winter.
Episode 6: In this episode, Chris heads to Japan to learn why kitchen design matters if you want to start eating better, losing weight, and improving your relationship with food. You will also get two actions to do today to get you started!
Episode 5: Do you want to sleep better? It’s something many of us want to do, so in this episode, Chris discusses some unusual sleeping habits from three countries: Guatemala, Sweden, and South Korea. He also offers a couple of handy sleeping tips that will help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep when you are there!
Episode 4: Want to walk into the gym and not care what people think? Beginners to fitness may not know what to do in the gym for the first time. So in this episode, Chris takes inspiration from the ever-confident Americans and gives us 7 actionable tips on how to develop your own gym confidence.
October 2022
Episode 3: Chris virtually travels to Stockholm, Sweden where he catches up with Tobias Sjösten – a strength coach from vegan fitness community Athlegan. The guys chat about two Swedish traditions that can lead to better health, wellbeing, and weight loss: the culture of lördagsgodis (i.e., Saturday candy) and the benefits of saunas!
Episode 2: Ever wondered how the French manage to keep slim? They have mastered the habit of eating slowly, which Chris talks about in this episode. He first looks at why the French eat slowly and then the benefits of slow eating. He also offers some actionable advice on how to develop a slow eating habit of your own.
Episode 1: In this short first episode, Chris runs us through who he is, why he is searching the globe for health tips, and what he aims to achieve with Planet Health.
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