After Hours with Dr Vincent

The Health Halo Effect

This week on After Hours, we unpacked something that quietly shapes almost every decision you make in the supermarket: the health halo effect. It’s the idea that a single “good” word on packaging, like plant-based, natural, or added vitamins, creates a perception that the entire product is healthy. In reality, that same product could still be high in sugar, salt, or heavily processed. As I shared, this isn’t accidental. Brands understand how our brains work. We’re busy, we’re time-poor, and we rely on shortcuts. So instead of reading the back label, we trust the front. And that’s where the disconnect happens. The takeaway isn’t to become paranoid, but to become a little more aware. Most people genuinely want to be healthier, but the system doesn’t always make that easy. Between marketing, pricing strategies, and limited time, even the best intentions can be misled. My advice is simple: be a little more skeptical, focus less on the claims and more on the substance, and understand that “healthy” is not a label, it’s a composition. When you know better, you can choose better. And that’s really the goal, not perfection, but progress. After Hours is where science gets personal. Hosted by Dr Vincent, your friendly neighbourhood scientist and Stephen!This podcast is part of the Ask Dr Vincent on Substack. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode📩 Weekly newsletter every Sunday at AskDrVincent.com 📺 Full video episodes every Thursday after 5pm Let’s be mates! [https://linktr.ee/AskDrVincent] Get full access to Ask Dr Vincent at www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe [https://www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Winter Is Coming

Winter is coming — and I have to say, I find it a little cheeky that I came up with that title while sitting at my desk in 30-degree Sydney heat on a Saturday. By Sunday it was 12 degrees overnight, so perhaps the universe agreed with me. In this episode, Stephen and I get into the real biology of why we fall sick when the temperature drops. It is not just about germs — it is about how our behaviour changes, how we stop drinking enough water without even realising it, how our gut health suffers, and how the dry air that comes with cold weather quietly inflames our airways. We also talk about skin as your first line of immune defence (something most of us only think about when it comes to vanity, myself included), the 33% drop in daily steps our community experiences every winter, and why what you do in summer genuinely determines how well you hold up in the cold months. We also go somewhere I always love going — scuba diving, eating seasonally, the magic of yuzu, and somehow, Neanderthals. Stephen keeps me mostly on track. Mostly. Stay well this winter. Your body is worth looking after before it needs it. Thank you to everyone who tuned into our live video! Join us for my next live video in the app. Please also check out my Daily Dose daily podcast [https://www.askdrvincent.com/s/daily-dose]: Simple science, real news, no hype. *** Daily Dose is your daily hit of health, wellness & tech news; made simple. Hosted by Dr Vincent, your friendly neighbourhood scientist. Part of the Ask Dr Vincent universe on Substack. Let’s be mates! [https://linktr.ee/AskDrVincent] Get full access to Ask Dr Vincent at www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe [https://www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Entrepeneurship: Day one vs One Day

I said something on the podcast this week that I think more founders need to admit. I don’t actually enjoy social media, but I show up anyway. Not for attention, but because I feel a responsibility. There’s too much noise in health and wellness, and if people who understand the science don’t speak up, we don’t get to complain about the misinformation. That idea of responsibility is what really sits at the heart of entrepreneurship. It’s not just about passion. It’s about solving a real problem, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it feels like work, because it always is. We also spoke about something simple, but powerful. The difference between “one day” and “day one.” Most people wait for the perfect time, more certainty, less risk. But the truth is, you only figure it out by starting. Ask for help, test your idea, stay open to pivoting, and do one thing today that moves you forward. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t start, nothing happens. Whether it’s your business, your health, or your life, now is as good a time as any to begin. Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. Get full access to Ask Dr Vincent at www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe [https://www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

"Skinny Jab": Hype, Cost and the Real Trade-Offs

I have been so hesitant to discuss this topic. But Stephen and I agreed that if After Hours is where science gets personal, then we have to be open to have a discussion on sensitive topics, like weight and weight loss. GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are having a moment right now. And I get it. As a scientist, it’s fascinating. You’re essentially altering how the body perceives energy, dialing down appetite by shifting hormonal signals around glucose. But what most people don’t realise is that this isn’t just a “shortcut,” it’s a long-term biological commitment. It’s expensive, it requires injections, and it fundamentally changes how your body interacts with food. For someone with Type 2 diabetes or severe obesity, this can be life-changing, even life-saving. In those cases, it’s not about aesthetics, it’s about survival. But when we start using the same tool to lose the last five kilos, that’s where I pause. Because now we’re not solving a medical problem, we’re outsourcing discipline. And the trade-offs are real: nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, that hollowed “Ozempic face,” and often the weight comes back the moment you stop. What I always come back to is this: your body isn’t broken, it’s responding. If you can walk consistently, eat real food, and build habits that your biology recognises, you’re not just losing weight, you’re building a system that lasts. Skinny is easy. Healthy is earned. Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. Secret link: https://tr.ee/djefey Get full access to Ask Dr Vincent at www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe [https://www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Long Story Short: Expo West 2026

G’day, Dr Vincent here! I am so sorry that we took a 3 week hiatus from our regular After Hours show. It was for a good reason, though! I went to the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California! And what an adventure it was. From crossing path unexpectedly with some of the most revered people in the industry, being on the keynote stage with Gary Vee, the wild after-parties to learning so much from fellow founders who are building their empires in this $350 billion industry. It’s good to be back and I am so excited to share this experience with you all. P.S. I also had a bone to pick with Stephen who sent me on a wild goose chase for a certain brand of vodka. We are so grateful for your support, so we’d like to offer you a special Renovatio deal [https://renovatio.com.au/pages/dr-vincent]: PS: This session was recorded LIVE, thank you to everyone who tuned in! Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. Get full access to Ask Dr Vincent at www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe [https://www.askdrvincent.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]