Stay Well with Dr. Zorba Paster
By: Dr. Zorba Paster
Language: en-us
Categories: Health, Fitness, Nutrition, Medicine
A joyful take on healthy living with family physician Dr. Zorba Paster."When people ask me what I hope to achieve with my podcast, I sum it up in one sentence: “To help people live a full, optimistic, vibrant, happy life—reducing suffering and developing resilience so they can say, unequivocally, ‘I’m here.’I’ve spent 35 years hosting my nationally-syndicated public radio show, Zorba Paster On Your Health, and it’s been an incredible journey sparking thoughtful, engaging conversations about health and wellness—without the clutter, chatter, or noise.With more than 45 years as a family physician, my experience as one of the le...
Episodes
Thoughts on the new (Upside down?) Food Pyramid
Jan 09, 2026Send Zorba a message!
Zorba's digests the good and the bad of the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Why is the AMA is supporting it...and is it living in the Upside Down?
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!
Duration: 00:05:47Kids with Smartphones are more Obese and Depressed | Sleep Apnea | Zorba's Horse | Itching | Mom Jokes | Modern Quackery
Jan 07, 2026Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba talks about a new study that shows giving your child a smartphone before age 12 can lead to a higher risk of depression, obesity, and sleep issues. Zorba helps out a caller with itching, and helps a listener with their sleep apnea machine. We hear a Michael Douglas Mom Joke, we hear about Zorba's horse riding adventures, and Zorba digs into some medical quackery that came from a listener. Zorba also weighs in on what modern quackery we are seeing right now.
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Duration: 00:31:01Zorba & Karl's New Year's Resolutions
Dec 31, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Zorba and Karl share their New Year's Resolutions for 2025.
(Recorded December 16, 2025)
Music performed by Karl Christenson. Pedal steel guitar by Tyler Christenson ("Cabana Boy")
http://www.cabanaboymusic.com/
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!
Duration: 00:05:57Drinking linked to strokes | Barrett's Esophagus | Itchy skin | Mom Jokes | Stem Cells & Hip Replacement | Dieting Glasses | Prescription Zorba Laughs
Dec 30, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba digs into new research that shows heavy drinking can lead to an increased stroke risk. Zorba helps out a caller (another Karl Christenson) with Barrett's Esophagus. The caller suggests that Zorba should bottle and prescribe his laugh as medicine. Zorba also helps a listener who has extremely itchy skin, we hear a Mom Joke, and we learn about glasses from the 1980s that were purported to help folks lose weight.
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Duration: 00:28:56Health Literacy in a clickbait world | Hormone Replacement Therapy | Audio sensitivity | Mom Jokes | Mammograms
Dec 23, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba talks about the importance of health literacy...especially now as health headlines get more confusing. Zorba helps out a caller with HRT questions, he helps a listener with audio sensitivity, and a listener asks why mammogram technology hasn't improved. The Grammar Cops chime in, and we hear a Midwestern mom joke.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www... Duration: 00:29:30It's time to take civic action | FDA black box warning on Covid vaccines
Dec 18, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Zorba talks about the FDA considering adding a black box warning to Covid vaccines. And he lays out a plan for taking civic action with your elected representatives.
Find your elected representatives here:
https://www.congress.gov/members
(Recorded December 16, 2025)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!<...
Duration: 00:02:52Lead in our Food? | Zorba's Giant Challah Recipe | Acid Reflux | Covid & Taste buds | Antibiotics | Mom Jokes
Dec 16, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl look at a new study that shows how much lead we are eating in our food. Zorba helps out a caller with acid reflux, and he walks us through his recipe for Giant Challah Bread. We also talk about antibiotic ointments, and how Covid affects your taste buds The Grammar Cops chime in, we hear a classic mom joke, and a listener posits where Zorba got his name.
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Duration: 00:34:51Zorba's Holiday Gift Guide
Dec 12, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Zorba and Karl offer up their favorite gifts and gadgets for the holiday season.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!
Duration: 00:13:13Catching up on sleep is good for the heart | Voice tremor | Exploding Head Syndrome | Sex Headaches | Urine Luck!
Dec 10, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl look at a new study that shows catching up on sleep may be good for the heart. Zorba helps out a caller with her weak voice, and we discuss Exploding Head Syndrome (and Sex Headaches). We also learn about "The Pee Prophet" in our Quack Tales segment.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org <... Duration: 00:18:09Zorba's Favorite Books of the Year
Dec 07, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Zorba talks about his favorite books he read this year. And Karl talks about some movies he enjoyed.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!
Duration: 00:10:52Thoughts on the CDC's claim that Covid vaccines are causing deaths
Dec 05, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Zorba's thoughts on recent claims by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that COVID-19 vaccines caused the deaths of ten children.
(Recorded Dec 1, 2025)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!
Duration: 00:04:44Breakthrough Study on Peanut Allergies | Fosamax & Osteoporosis | Mom Jokes | Which Statin to take? | Morton’s Neuroma | Grammar Cops
Dec 03, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl look at an important new study about peanut allergies, and how we've been looking at this the wrong way. Zorba helps a caller out with osteoporosis, and he digs into which statin is best to take. We learn about Morton’s Neuroma, we hear a joke from Karl's mom, and the Grammar Cops take issue with Zorba's nut pronunciation.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Phone: 608-4... Duration: 00:27:01Politicians are damaging public trust in science and immunizations
Dec 01, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Zorba's thoughts on recent efforts by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to link autism to common immunizations.
Zorba mentions a Dutch study that found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Here is that study:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1124634/
(Recorded Nov 30 2025)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):<...
Duration: 00:03:10Health, Happiness, and Gratitude on Thanksgiving
Nov 27, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Zorba shares his wisdom and well wishes for realizing a happy, healthy Thanksgiving. Plus some wise words from Ralph Waldo Emerson.
(Recorded November 25, 2025)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!
Duration: 00:03:29Screen time vs. Book reading | Acupuncture | The Original Snake Oil Salesman | Alcohol & back pain | CBD risks | Karl's Yellowstone trip
Nov 25, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl look at a new study showing Americans spend less time reading for fun and more time on screens. Zorba talks about using acupuncture for balance issues. We learn about the OG snake oil salesman, and Zorba talks about alcohol use and back pain. Zorba also discusses a potential liver risk with using CBD products, and Karl shares his family road trip stories from Yellowstone (including a bizarre bee sting remedy).
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Duration: 00:19:00Is Social Media making us dumber? | Sinus & sleep woes | Little Debbie returns! | When do babies see color? | Pizza, Jet lag & Self care
Nov 19, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl look at new research linking social media use to lower cognitive performance in preteens. Zorba helps a caller with breathing and sleep issues, helps a listener with sinusitis, and talks about black crust pizza and jet lag after a trip to India. Zorba talks about the importance of self care, illuminates us on when babies develop sight and start seeing in color, and we check in with our favorite ultra-processed snack cake buddy, Little Debbie!
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Duration: 00:25:03Bonus Episode: Pharma Police - Generic drugs and what the FDA is hiding
Nov 14, 2025Send Zorba a message!
ProPublica (an independent, non-profit news organization) recently reported on the FDA’s handling of potential safety issues concerning generic drugs we get from overseas manufacturers. Some of their findings include:
· For decades, the FDA has blacked out the names of generic drugs on inspection reports for foreign factories that were found to have safety and quality violations.
· This has prevented patients, doctors, and pharmacists from knowing whether manufacturing failures have made medications ineffective or unsafe.
You can find the ProPublica article here
(Recorded Nov 10, 2025)
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Duration: 00:04:03Beta Blockers (the good & bad) | Sciatica relief | Sugar & Aging | Zorba gets corny!
Nov 12, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl look at new research about how beta blockers may raise a heart risk for women (we also hear from Robert Downey Jr.). Zorba helps a caller with sciatica, and talks about how our sugar habits need to change as we age. Zorba walks us through his tried and true method for preparing and storing corn so it stays tasty all winter long.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):<...
Duration: 00:17:52Bonus Episode: Is Melatonin use linked to heart failure?
Nov 07, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba Paster's thoughts on a new study that links long-term use of the popular sleep aid melatonin, to heart failure. Is it good science...or clickbait?
(Recorded November 7, 2025)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!
Duration: 00:03:56Can cannabis reduce back pain? | Gut health | Turmeric benefits | Insomnia | Shingles | Grammar Cops & Mom Jokes
Nov 05, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl look at two new studies that show cannabis products can help with back pain. Zorba takes a call about a special turmeric drink, and helps listeners with insomnia, gut health issues, and advice on shingles. They also hear a mom joke and get a visit from the newly badged Grammar Cops.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com... Duration: 00:28:04Bonus Episode: RSV - What you need to know
Nov 03, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba Paster on the RSV outbreak and what you need to know about the different vaccines available.
(Recorded November 2, 2025)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!
Duration: 00:04:22Overcoming Fear | Swimmer's itch | Acupressure | Quackery | Chocolate chip cookies!
Oct 29, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl look at new research about the brain mechanism that help us overcome fear. Zorba gives a caller advice about dealing with swimmer's itch. Zorba tries out Karl's acupressure mat (on the show). They talk about how parents used to calm their children back in the day (booze and opium). And Zorba shares his favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
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Phone: 608-492... Duration: 00:19:40Are Doctors overusing AI? | Varicose vein help | Dealing with a difficult doctor | Mom Jokes
Oct 22, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl discuss if doctors are relying too much on artificial intelligence for screenings. Zorba gives a caller advice about dealing with her varicose veins. Zorba helps a listener with how to deal with her new doctor who is being difficult. Karl shares a mom joke...from his mom. And Zorba takes a Grammatical Sabbatical.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba... Duration: 00:23:05Zorba's Update from Tibet - Acts of Gratitude | New computers for Tibetan children
Oct 17, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba Paster gives an update about his ongoing work providing new computers for children at the Tibetan Children's Villages in Dharamshala, India. He also talks about how acts of gratitude can be good for our health.
(Recorded October 14, 2025)
Zero TB in Tibetan Kids project (Zorba is an advisor)
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www... Duration: 00:04:11Does mushroom coffee improve memory? | Seasonal Affective Disorder | Vaccines | Rat poison for runners | Zorba's dinner party tip
Oct 15, 2025Send Zorba a message!
A listener asks Dr. Zorba if mushroom coffee improves memory, he offers up tips for combating Seasonal Affective Disorder, and he reveals why vaccines are so expensive. Zorba and Karl talk about the 1904 Olympics and why some coaches were giving their runners rat poison, and Zorba reveals his #1 tip for making your dinner party a smashing success.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@g... Duration: 00:16:01Bonus Episode: Covid-19 & MMR Vaccines - CDC Committee's New Recommendations (Dr. Zorba's Rapid Response)
Oct 09, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba Paster responds to the CDC committee's (The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) new recommendations regarding MMR and Covid-19 vaccines.
(Recorded October 9, 2025)
WATCH: Dr. Paster on CNN Newsroom with Paula Newton talking about doctors navigating partisan divides, and the politicization of healthcare.
Support the show
Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org...
Duration: 00:08:14Importance of Eye Contact | Prilosec and your teeth | Smelly Feet remedy | Should you take Collagen?
Oct 08, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba and Karl discuss research about the importance of eye contact between parents and babies, as well as adults. They take a listener phone call about a dentist suggesting Prilosec. Zorba answers voicemails about smelly feet and if collagen is good to take. Karl shares a mom joke...from his mom. And Zorba goes on a Grammatical Sabbatical.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime... Duration: 00:25:55Bonus Episode: Tylenol & Autism Link (Dr. Zorba's Rapid Response)
Oct 02, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba Paster responds to The White House press release with links to scientific studies claiming that the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol), during pregnancy causes autism.
(Recorded October 2, 2025)
Dr. Paster on CNN Newsroom with Paula Newton talking about doctors navigating partisan divides, and the politicization of healthcare.
Watch interview: https://youtu.be/8OxtG5X9UJs
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (c... Duration: 00:06:00Acupuncture for pain relief | Best Vitamin D to take | Medical Quackery | Fake Viagra | Zorba's Dinner Party Paella
Oct 01, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Dr. Zorba takes a listener phone call about using acupuncture for pain relief (due to a Tilt-a-Whirl accident), he tells us what kind of Vitamin D to take, and he debunks some medical quackery. He also talks about his recent dinner party where he made his famous Paella, and warns us about fake Viagra.
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Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web... Duration: 00:17:59Welcome to Stay Well with Dr. Zorba Paster - (Trailer)
Sep 26, 2025Send Zorba a message!
Support the show
Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson
Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!):
Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.orgStay well!
Duration: 00:01:49