Are Humans Built for Modern Life?

Are Humans Built for Modern Life?

Are humans actually built for modern life? Felicia and Ehud Ur explore how cities, technology, social media, AI, and ultra-processed food are reshaping human biology and behavior faster than evolution can keep up. From ancient civilizations like Akrotiri and Çatalhöyük to smartphones and digital overload, this episode examines the growing mismatch between ancient human systems and modern environments. Topics include evolutionary mismatch, sedentary lifestyles, AI and cognition, modern eating habits, social media, attention, and the hidden biological costs of convenience.   Follow Dr. Ur on Substack at The Great Feast [https://substack.com/@thegreatfeast]or subscribe at DrEhudUr.com [https://www.drehudur.com]

Menopause, Survival, and the Human Story

Why do human females live decades after they stop reproducing?  We take a deep dive with Dr. Ehud Ur into the grandmother hypothesis, a theory that suggests postmenopausal women played a critical role in human survival.  In a world where child mortality was high and resources were scarce, grandmothers weren’t just helpful, they were essential.  They gathered food, shared knowledge, reduced maternal risk, and helped raise the next generation. We also unpack: * Why evolution favours survival of lineages, not just reproduction * How human babies are uniquely vulnerable and what that demanded of our species * The hidden power of intergenerational cooperation * Why menopause may be more like a biological switch than a system failure * What modern society may have lost by separating generations This episode is part science, part story and a reminder that the wisdom of those who came before us might be one of our greatest evolutionary advantages. Follow Dr. Ehud Ur, Endocrinologist Substack: @thegreatfeast [https://substack.com/@thegreatfeast] Website: DrEhudUr.com [https://www.drehudur.com]

The Story of Easter: From Fertility Rituals to Chocolate Eggs

Why do we celebrate Easter and how did we end up with bunnies, eggs, and chocolate? In this episode of Modern Bodies, we explore the history, symbolism, and human meaning behind Easter — from ancient seasonal rituals to modern traditions. Long before Christianity, people across different regions were already marking this time of year. The arrival of spring meant survival and the return of food, light, and life. Over time, these seasonal patterns were turned into shared rituals, symbols, and celebrations.

Spring Equinox: The Science, History and Meaning

What is the spring equinox and why has it mattered to humans for thousands of years? In this episode of Modern Bodies, we explore the science, history, and meaning behind the spring equinox  Why does the equinox happen? How did early humans track time long before calendars or clocks existed.  What does the equinox represent and why these seasonal turning points still matter, even in a modern world where we no longer rely on them for survival. From ancient sites like Stonehenge and Chichén Itzá to early monumental structures like Göbekli Tepe, humans have been observing and marking seasonal changes for over 10,000 years. This episode is an invitation to step outside, look up, and reconnect with the rhythms that have shaped human life for millennia. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss out on what's next!

Daylight Saving Time: Circadian Rhythms and Human Evolution

In this episode of Modern Bodies, we explore the ancient biological clock that still governs the human body. Long before electricity, cities, and digital clocks, human life was structured by light — the rising and setting of the sun, and the changing seasons across the year. Inside the brain, a tiny group of neurons track light levels and coordinates circadian rhythms that influence sleep, hormones, metabolism, mood, and immune function. Even small disruptions to this system can affect how we feel. Daylight saving time may seem like a simple clock change, but it briefly pushes millions of people out of sync with a biological system that evolved over hundreds of thousands of years. We’ll explore how humans historically lived by seasonal rhythms, why winter and spring shaped human activity in the past, and how ancient societies began marking the movement of the sun through rituals and calendars. Because before time was mechanical, it was ecological. And understanding that ancient relationship between humans, light, and the seasons helps explain why a one-hour shift in the clock can still throw our bodies off today. Don't forget to follow subscribe to make sure you never miss out on new episodes!