So You Think You Know What’s Good for You?

With special guest:

• Dr Norman Swan
  … in conversation with Bill Kable

Our health is such an important topic for all of us, maybe the most important.

But as our guest in today’s program Dr Norman Swan points out this sometimes leads to unnecessary worry about doing the right thing for ourselves. In fact the topic of what we should be worrying about is the one that comes up most often from his audiences. In his new book So You Think You Know What’s Good for You? Australia’s most trusted medical practitioner tells us what really is good for you and as a bonus what is bad for you.

Norman’s popularity over so many years is due to his ability to present the up to date research in a friendly non-technical manner, with even a dose of humour thrown in. All that comes out when we get to speak with him. What is more, Norman often illustrates points by drawing on his own experience which adds to the authenticity.

There are some burning questions in the Australian community right now. Norman answers the Coronavirus questions daily in his Coronacast Podcast but there are some others that we get to pose. What about the multimillion dollar vitamins industry? What about the Paleo diet, the Ketogenic diet? We hear so often about the damaging effect of stress particularly during the current pandemic. Norman says stress is normal and what we need to watch out for is distress, something different.

The main message from Norman is that health involves a lot more than just the nutrients we put into our bodies. Health, both mental and physical, derives from more than that. Public health and other government policy has a role to play.

And after Covid what is the next major health concern that we will have to face? In the meantime Norman tells us that his own approach is to keep up his exercise regime, drink coffee and soda water and not lose our sense of humour.

With our articulate guest speaking with his signature Scottish brogue you will not only learn important life lessons but also be entertained as per usual with Doctor Swan.

Dr Norman Swan

Trained in paediatrics, Dr Swan was one of the first medically qualified journalists in Australia, and now has a broadcast career spanning more than 30 years. He currently hosts Radio National’s The Health Report and co-hosts Coronacast. He also reports on 7.30 and is a guest reporter on Four Corners; appears on The Drum and is an occasional host of Radio National Breakfast. In addition to being an active journalist and health broadcaster, Dr Swan has a deep strategic knowledge of the Australian healthcare system and is committed to evidence-based approaches to help young people, which is why he sits on the board of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth. He was also the co-founder of Tonic Media Network, a health channel that plays in GPs’ waiting rooms.

Song selection by our guest: Every Time We Say Goodbye by Diana Krall

Note: This program is an encore presentation of the one aired on 20 January 2022.

Podcast (mp3)