List: Long Reads | Curated by Robert Roy Britt

Feb 4, 2025
22 stories
Long ReadsSome of my deeper dives into health and science reporting and storytelling.
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
Our Food is Killing UsMost US food is highly processed, engineered to be addictive. Manufacturers know it’s unhealthy, a new lawsuit alleges. Now, 50,000…
Jan 13
72
Jan 13
72
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
This Easy Alternative to Exercise Boosts Health and Extends LivesNew research extols the virtues of light physical activity. It’s not exercise—it may even be better. And it can be really fun.
Nov 18, 2024
35
Nov 18, 2024
35
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
What We Really Want From Life (But Might Not Know It)I’ve asked dozens of people what they want most. The answers are not what I expected. The reality is even more surprising.
Oct 23, 2024
10
Oct 23, 2024
10
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
The 28 Best Things to Eat, According to 10 Nutrition ExpertsI asked registered dietitians and other nutrition specialists what they’d eat if they had to choose only a few foods. Here are their…
Oct 1, 2024
143
Oct 1, 2024
143
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
Humans Cause Far More Cancer Than We RealizeAlarming increases among children and younger adults, plus some ancient history, point to a slew of modifiable risk factors
Sep 23, 2024
59
Sep 23, 2024
59
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
What Women Really Think About Men’s Ability to Discuss Emotional IssuesMany men are clueless how to talk to a woman who is stressed, anxious or angry. Guys, this advice could save your relationships—with…
Sep 18, 2024
6
Sep 18, 2024
6
In
Aha! Science
by
Robert Roy Britt
When Everything SpiralsSpirals are beautiful in nature, not so much in human nature
Aug 12, 2024
11
Aug 12, 2024
11
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
A Love Letter to My WifeIn which I examine the science and magic of love and what goes into a successful romantic relationship
Feb 13, 2024
18
Feb 13, 2024
18
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
How I Learned When to Quit, the Really Hard WayLost and alone piloting a small plane, I screwed up, pondered death, and learned to reckon with failure
Jun 24, 2024
15
Jun 24, 2024
15
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
How Toxic is the Air in Your Home?Unhealthy indoor air is surprisingly common and shockingly insidious, causing asthma, heart disease, cancer, and millions of deaths a year…
May 6, 2024
16
May 6, 2024
16
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
The Science of Living Forever (or a Really, Really Long Time)The modern quest for immortality, which began 30 years ago, aims to cure aging. But are we any closer after billions of dollars of…
Feb 13, 2023
29
Feb 13, 2023
29
In
Aha! Science
by
Robert Roy Britt
What are the World’s Deadliest Animals, Really?Beyond wild guesses and unfounded fears, a Top 10 list to put reality in perspective. Here be sharks, hippos, snakes and several surprises.
Feb 15, 2024
18
Feb 15, 2024
18
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
The Problem with NeurodiversityWhether you embrace or dislike it, the increasingly popular term proves helpful to many yet remains widely misunderstood. Let’s clear…
Apr 25, 2024
27
Apr 25, 2024
27
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
Insomnia and Depression: Seriously Frustrating BedfellowsLousy sleep can fuel depression, and depression can ruin sleep. But there are remedies for both, including several that offer a positive…
Sep 18, 2023
10
Sep 18, 2023
10
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
The Great (and Risky) Melatonin Experiment on ChildrenSupplement use soars amid worries over long-term side effects on developing brains and bodies. Here’s what pediatricians and sleep experts…
Nov 13, 2023
19
Nov 13, 2023
19
In
Aha! Science
by
Robert Roy Britt
Why are Animals Shrinking Worldwide?Mammals, birds, fish, lizards and bugs are downsizing dramatically, a clear sign something’s up
Jun 17, 2024
8
Jun 17, 2024
8
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
Confronting America’s Fixable Depression CrisisDepression is highly treatable. So why are rates soaring, particularly among young people? We need to acknowledge the scope of the problem…
Sep 5, 2023
29
Sep 5, 2023
29
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
Life is Hard. Here’s How to Cope.We are more resilient than we think, science shows, and through hardship and some intention, we can face the harsh realities
May 1, 2023
23
May 1, 2023
23
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
The No-Excuses Guide to Physical ActivityDon’t let your busy schedule, age or other limitations keep you from improving sleep, mood, smarts and overall health
Sep 19, 2022
12
Sep 19, 2022
12
In
Wise & Well
by
Robert Roy Britt
Lies, Damn Lies, and Total BullshitWe all lie. But big, dehumanizing lies are destabilizing society. So why do powerful people spew such BS? And why do people believe them?
Nov 7, 2023
24
Nov 7, 2023
24