Podcast
Stay Well with Dr. Zorba Paster
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 lead physicians caring for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, my ongoing work mentoring medical students and residents at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and my humanitarian medical work with Tibetan refugees, I’ve gained a unique perspective on modern health care. I strive to blend the science of Western medicine with the balance of holistic, integrative approaches to healing. Give the podcast a listen—I think you’ll love it."
New episodes every week -- with occasional bonus episodes to respond to breaking health news. Follow the show and share it with your friends!
- Nutrition chart
- #181
- Episodes
- 108
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 30 min
- On air since
- 2025
- Latest episode
- 4 days ago
Episodes
108 episodes, newest first
-
3 min
The Milwaukee Brewers Won The World Series! (for your health) Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
Zorba's thoughts on how sports can bring folks together, and how that is healthy and good for longevity.
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!
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42 min
Use your brain to fight memory loss | Household cats carry Giardia | Zorba's Guacamole Recipe | Skin tags | Coffee health benefits
Season 1, Episode 57
Show notes
Zorba talks about staying socially and mentally engaged to help fight dementia and memory loss. He digs into a new study that found 1 in 15 household cats carry Giardia (also called "Beaver Fever"). We learn how it's spread and how to prevent getting it. We get Zorba's secret recipe for guacamole, he helps out a caller about skin tags, answers listener emails, and talks about the many health benefits of drinking coffee.
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!
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3 min
Good news for statin users! (bad news for statin haters) Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
Zorba digs into the recent STAREE study. Results showed a 30% drop in major cardiovascular events for patients who took the statin (atorvastatin). These findings address a long-standing evidence gap around starting statins for primary prevention in older adults, who have been underrepresented in previous cardiovascular outcome trials.
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!
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22 min
Kids & Energy Drinks | RECIPE: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili | Mediterranean Diet | Magnesium for Sleep | Mom Jokes
Season 1, Episode 56
Show notes
Doctors are warning parents about the risks energy drinks pose to kids. Zorba answers emails about how to tweak the Mediterranean Diet to suit your needs, and how magnesium can help with sleep. We hear a Mom Joke for all you bridge lovers, and Zorba shares his favorite recipe for Turkey Chili.
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!
-
5 min
Trump officials are delaying Covid vaccines for children in some states Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
The Trump administration is holding back Covid vaccines for all children in at least 11 states and one US territory.
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!
-
25 min
The Flu is different this season | Wrist pain | Lactose in meds | Kegel exercises
Season 1, Episode 55
Show notes
Zorba explains why influenza will be different this year. He helps a caller whose longtime work on boat motors has caused wrist and hand pain. Emails about lactose in medications, and incontinence, and we get some listener feedback.
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!
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4 min
Weight Watchers Diet vs. Mediterranean Diet (with a Southern twist) Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
Zorba weighs in on the DELISH study -- a comparison of the Weight Watchers Diet vs. The Mediterranean Diet with a southern food twist.
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!
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36 min
Working from home may hurt mental health | Too many meds causing fatigue | How much sodium? | Constructive Criticism | Compassion during dark times
Season 1, Episode 54
Show notes
Zorba digs in to a study that suggests working from home may be detrimental to our mental health. What are the pros and cons, and what is the best solution? He helps a caller who may be on too many medications. A listener asks about how much daily sodium is healthy, a listener chimes in with constructive criticism for Zorba, and he talks about the role of compassion and resilience during trying times.
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!
-
5 min
Why are Federal officials underreporting measles deaths in Pennsylvania? Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
Zorba discusses the discrepancy between state and federal officials regarding measles deaths reported in Pennsylvania. Why is the current federal administration questioning and underreporting measles fatalities?
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!
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33 min
New OTC pain medication | Vitamins for memory | Acid reflux | Prostate health | Pavlov's hair | Zorba's disastrous first date
Season 1, Episode 53
Show notes
The FDA has approved a new over-the-counter pain medication that combines acetaminophen with naproxen. Zorba weighs in on why now, and what this could be useful for. He helps out a caller with questions about vitamins to help with memory. He fields emails about GERD and prostate medications, we hear a Pavlovian Mom Joke, and Zorba reminisces about a horrible first date he had when he was 16 at a restaurant in Chicago.
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!
-
4 min
New study suggests eating eggs may lower Alzheimer's risk Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
Eggs! They're good for us again! Zorba digs into the complicated history of eating eggs; and he looks at new research that suggests egg consumption may lower the risk for Alzheimer's disease.
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!
-
31 min
Diet is linked to male infertility | Preserving hair during chemo | Zorba's father's gumball machine for dogs | Nuts & cholesterol | Eye drops to correct vision
Season 1, Episode 52
Show notes
Zorba looks at new research about how one's diet affects men's sperm count. He helps a caller who has questions about using a cooling treatment to help preserve her air during chemotherapy. Zorba talks about his father's entrepreneurial endeavor developing and selling the "Yuppy Puppy" -- a gumball machine for dogs. He answers emails about eating nuts to help control cholesterol, and new prescription eye drops to help with near-sightedness.
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!
-
6 min
Thoughts on SNAP Benefit bans for soda and junk food Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
Dr. Zorba's thoughts on more states restricting soda, candy, and energy drinks from the list of approved items that retailers can accept payments for through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP). He also discusses the requirement to stock perishable food items.
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!
-
26 min
Another Major Cancer Breakthrough | Marathoner's Hypertension | Vitamin K Foods | Mom Jokes
Season 1, Episode 51
Show notes
Zorba discusses the newly-approved drug for treating pancreatic cancer. He talks to a marathon runner about how his blood pressure meds are affecting his ability to run long distances. He digs deep into the Vitamin K hole, and we hear a Mom Joke sent in from a listener named Sue
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!
-
3 min
Promising breakthrough for kidney transplant patients Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
Zorba discusses exciting news for folks looking for a kidney transplant. A patient was successfully kept alive with a pig kidney for 271 Days until he could receive a human kidney.
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!
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44 min
Football & Concussions | Kids & Viruses | AMA calls out Zorba | Mom Jokes | Zorba in Nepal
Season 1, Episode 50
Show notes
On our 50th episode: Zorba looks at new research showing 1 in 4 NFL players have CTE, a progressive, degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive head trauma. He also talks about how this plays into youth sports. The American Heart Association calls out Zorba for something he said on the podcast. We hear a Mom Joke and Zorba talks about his recent time in Nepal, and how folks can help with the relief efforts following the recent disasters in the area.
Link to support Nepal disaster relief
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!
-
6 min
The President's executive order on vaccines for children is far from the "Gold Standard" Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
Zorba's thoughts on the President's new executive order that reduces the recommendations for childhood vaccinations.
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!
-
30 min
Traffic fatalities spike when new music is released | Doctor advice vs. treatment | HRT | Grief & resilience | Baez Remorse | Zorba gets stumped!
Season 1, Episode 49
Show notes
Zorba looks a study about distracted driving, and how traffic fatalities surge on days when popular artists release new albums. He helps a caller whose health insurance soared after getting "advice" from his doc. Zorba helps a listener with HRT questions, talks about grief and human resiliency, Karl's mom shares a Mom Joke, and Zorba gets stumped on a boozy question.
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!
-
4 min
New cancer vaccine should be celebrated Bonus
Season 1
Show notes
Zorba's thoughts on the groundbreaking mRNA therapeutic vaccine to combat melanoma.
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!
-
35 min
First mRNA flu shot approved | Zorba on compassion and visiting the Dalai Lama | Lettuce update | Mom Jokes | Corn Report
Season 1, Episode 48
Show notes
Zorba discusses the FDA's approval of the first mRNA flu vaccine, and how leadership in Washington DC will likely respond. He also talks about his recent humanitarian trip to India, and his visit (and his longtime friendship) with the Dalai Lama. A listener asks if Zorba is eating lettuce right now. We hear a mom joke and we deliver our first ever "corn report."
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!
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