The 2025 New York Times Well Festival
A Defining Moment for the Future of Wellness
I had the pleasure of being invited to cover the 2025 New York Times Well Festival on behalf of Workup and my Substack publication, Longevity Today. What unfolded was a day rich in wisdom, science-backed insights and deeply personal storytelling from some of the most influential voices in health and wellness.
In fact, the Well Festival wasn’t just an event, it was a resounding cultural statement. Hosted by one of the most trusted and legacy-rich media institutions, the festival brought together luminaries across wellness, mental health, relationships, science and sports to celebrate a future where personal health is prioritized and public conversations are finally catching up to what so many of us have felt for years: health is the foundation of a meaningful life.
This wasn’t your average wellness summit. The curation of speakers, from deeply respected academics to public figures who lead with both vulnerability and influence, made it clear: we are entering a golden era for preventative health, emotional wellbeing and evidence-based self-care.
A Festival of Moments That Mattered
Robert Waldinger: The Science of a Happy Life
A towering figure in wellness science, Dr. Robert Waldinger’s keynote was nothing short of revelatory. Drawing from his 86-year longitudinal Harvard Study of Adult Development, Waldinger echoed what many in the audience perhaps suspected but never fully grasped: warmth in human connection is a better predictor of longevity than cholesterol levels or fitness habits. It’s not that caring for your body doesn’t matter (it does!), but relationships, especially close ones, literally buffer the biological effects of stress.
“Relationships aren’t just a nice-to-have,” Waldinger said. “They’re life-extending medicine.”
As a parent of two young children, I resonated strongly with Dr. Waldinger’s own suggestion that couples make a non-negotiable commitment to bring in a babysitter once a week and “just go out together”. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a fancy dinner out or a casual walk in the woods, the point is that being intentional with each other is key.
As someone who has long followed Dr. Waldinger’s work, it was powerful to see the data visualized through storytelling and everyday examples: a reminder that in our quantified age, the most vital human metrics are often unmeasurable.
Getting Real About Relationships: Terry Real’s Take
World-renowned family therapist Terry Real delivered a compelling masterclass in relational health. His concept of “losing strategies”—passive-aggression, silence and criticism hit home for many. He laid out a three-step formula for connection that could improve not just marriages but friendships, workplace dynamics and parent-child relationships:
1. Lean in with love, not confrontation.
2. Teach through your needs, not complaints.
3. Reward effort, even imperfect ones.
His guidance was deeply practical yet emotionally rich, anchored in the idea that connection takes courage, honesty and forgiveness. As he put it, “When you stop dealing with each other, passion dies.”
Food as Connection: Dacher Keltner and Sameen Rushdie
Dacher Keltner, host of the Science of Happiness podcast, joined author Samin Nosrat to explore how food is more than fuel, it’s culture, story, emotion. Samin spoke of her search for meaning and how she found it through awe—in the power of simple meals, and shared rituals.
“Food becomes joy when it’s about connection, not perfection.”
The science of awe, as explained by Keltner, links directly to lowered inflammation and greater emotional regulation. Whether through a nourishing meal or a quiet walk at dawn, the panel reminded us that awe and nourishment often sit at the same table.
Spotlight on Familiar Voices & Inspiring Advocates
As someone who has long admired many of the voices featured, I was especially moved by appearances from:
• 🧠 Peter Attia, whose precision medicine expertise continues to shape how we think about metabolic health and preventative care. Dr. Attia’s work now extends to his role as co-founder of the advanced preventative health and diagnostics clinic, Biograph and I had the pleasure of interviewing their Executive Medical Director, Dr. Michael Doney.
• 🏋️ Robin Arzón, who reminded us that movement is empowerment and who brings energy and authenticity to everything she touches. Her analogy on being CEOs of our health and wellness resonated strongly with me and so many in the audience. When we treat our health like we do our organizations, we become more organized, methodical and ultimately more successful in achieving our goals.
• ✍️ Dani Blum and Jancee Dunn, whose NYT work reflects a rare blend of scientific literacy and cultural intuition.
• ❤️ Dwyane Wade, who offered a powerful example of how to be both an icon and a present father and partner. His honesty about prioritizing health and family above fame was a moving reminder that true strength lies in presence, not performance.
My Takeaway: Wellness is No Longer Niche, It’s Central
The NYT Well Festival proved something many of us in the wellness and health-tech worlds have felt for years: wellness is no longer a trend, it’s a pillar.
The festival was powerful because it paired scientific integrity with soul. It wasn’t about hacks or superficial habits. It was about understanding ourselves deeply - physically, emotionally, socially - and committing to daily choices that build resilience, connection and meaning.
That The New York Times, a journalistic institution of the highest order, is putting its weight behind this kind of event signals something bigger: the next decade of culture will be shaped by how well we care for ourselves and each other.
