Alternatively Speaking

Alternatively Speaking


Jamie Justice, Redefining Longevity & Aging

September 03, 2024

Welcome to Alternatively Speaking, a KCSA Podcast Labs production. In our debut season, we’re diving into a revolutionary concept in health span, longevity, and healthcare.


Today, we welcome our first-ever guest, Jamie Justice, Executive Vice President of the Health Domain at XPRIZE Foundation and Adjunct Professor in Internal Medicine Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, and Sticht Center on Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention at Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM).


Jamie is dedicated to Geroscience research that advances the hypothesis that by targeting the basic biology of aging the incidence of multiple age-related diseases can be delayed or prevented. Her training background at University of Colorado Boulder and WFUSM allowed her to lead translational research and clinical trials networks to test the Geroscience hypothesis in humans. At WFUSM, Jamie was director of the Biogerontology Lab, and co-leader of the Integrative Biology Core (IBC) of the WF Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) and was a Principal Investigator of the National Institute of Aging-supported Geroscience Education and Training Network, an engaged member of the Translational Geroscience Network, Gerontological Society of America’s ESPO scientific section officer and executive committee member from 2018-2021.


Jamie is the recipient of the Jarrahi Research Scholars Fund in Geroscience Innovation, the 2022 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star in Aging Research, and the 2022 NIA Nathan W Shock Awardee. In her new role as EVP of Health Domain she will lead international networks to drive innovative solutions to improve human health and aging that is affordable and accessible to all.


Podcast Highlights:



  1. Introduction & XPRIZE Foundation Origins (00:00 – 02:29): Overview of the longevity industry, the impact of the Ansari XPRIZE on private space travel, and XPRIZE’s influence on companies like SpaceX.
  2. Jamie Justice’s Background & Passion for Research (02:30 – 06:14): Jamie’s journey into gerontology, early research experiences with older adults, and her focus on empathy and the human aspect of aging.

    Exploring Aging & Longevity (06:15 – 10:21): Discussion on the fundamental questions of aging, how different interventions (lifestyle, supplements, drugs) impact human health and longevity.
  3. Translating Aging Research into Practice (10:22 – 13:10): Jamie’s work at Wake Forest, ongoing efforts to apply aging research in real-world settings, and the philosophical aspects of aging—living fully versus focusing on death.
  4. Healthspan vs. Lifespan & Longevity Goals (13:11 – 20:43): Exploring the concept of the ‘longevity dividend,’ aligning biological health with extended life, and the strategies to improve healthspan by optimizing current biology.
  5. XPRIZE HealthSPAN Award & Future of Aging Research (20:44 – 28:28): Introduction to the XPRIZE HealthSPAN Award program, the bold scientific goals it supports, challenges in aging research, and the collaborative efforts to advance the field.

Social Media:



Other Links/Mentions:



Show Credits:


This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe of KCSA Strategic Communications.

Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas.


You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing AltSpeaking@kcsa.com. You can also connect with us via our social channels:


X: @KCSAPodcastLabs

Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/