L.A. Times Studios
Live & Well is your weekly catch-up with author, mother, and influencer Melissa Magsaysay and her circle of experts and icons—diving deep into the latest wellness, longevity, beauty and fitness and issues surrounding women. Melissa will take listeners into a vibrant world where beauty, fashion, and wellness intersect with cultural moments and personal transformation. Each episode features conversations with leading + buzzy dermatologists, fitness innovators, beauty founders, and celebrities alike. Listeners can expect pro tips, product recs, juicy insider stories, and empowering perspectives that go beyond surface-level self-care—because looking good is great, but feeling good is everything.
1d ago
Pilates is everywhere right now, but the practice itself is often misunderstood. In this episode of Live & Well, Liana Levi, founder of Forma Pilates, explains the fundamentals of Pilates and how and why the practice works when taught correctly. Known for its referral-based, highly personalized approach, Forma Pilates has built a following that includes Hollywood talent, fashion insiders, founders, and fitness fanatics alike. Liana breaks down the difference between reformer and mat Pilates, how often the practice should be done to see results, and why consistency matters more than intensity. Discover more from Live & Well on social. Watch this conversation on YouTube . For more stories, expert insights, and guidance on living well, visit latimes.com/live-well
Dec 11
In this episode of Live & Well, host Melissa Magsaysay speaks with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Cat Chang, whose precise technique, natural aesthetic philosophy, and high-profile clientele have positioned her as one of the leading voices in contemporary facial surgery. Dr. Chang traces her unexpected transition from transplant medicine to aesthetics, offering a rare look at why facial surgery requires both technical rigor and artistic vision. She outlines the critical questions every patient should ask before pursuing a facelift, clarifies what terms like “mini lift” and “deep plane” truly mean, and explains why thoughtfully evaluated before-and-after images provide far more insight than procedural buzzwords.
Dec 4
Elix founder Lulu Ge joins Melissa for a conversation on the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its ability to steady hormones, ease digestion, improve sleep and soften daily stress. Through personal stories and cultural wisdom, Lulu shows how an ancient approach can feel surprisingly modern, intuitive, accessible and genuinely supportive for women looking for real relief. Listen now for a grounded, benefit-rich take on feeling well from within. Discover more from Live & Well on social. Watch this conversation on YouTube . For more stories, expert insights, and guidance on living well, visit latimes.com/live-well
Nov 20
From navigating perimenopause to building muscle and boosting mood, Burn LA founder Maria Chase and longevity expert Dr. Chris Asandra are here to break down the science of hormone balancing and share simple and effective strategies to feel your best at any age. In this episode of Live and Well, host Melissa Magsaysay talks with this dynamic duo about how infrared workouts, red-light therapy, and practicing hormonal awareness can efficiently transform your energy levels and back-track aging. Discover more from Live & Well on social. Watch this conversation on YouTube . For more stories, expert insights, and wellness inspiration, visit latimes.com/live-well
Nov 13
In an era of 17-step skincare routines and endless “miracle” ingredients, Shani Darden is bringing things back to basics. Known as Hollywood’s go-to retinol expert, the celebrity esthetician and founder shares why less is more when it comes to great skin. In conversation with Live & Well host Melissa Magsaysay, Shani breaks down her “Cleanse, Treat, Protect” philosophy, explains why retinol remains the gold standard for aging well, and debunks the hype around “natural retinol” alternatives. Discover more from Live & Well on social. Watch this conversation on YouTube . For more stories, expert insights, and guidance on living well, visit latimes.com/live-well
Nov 6
In this episode of Live & Well , host Melissa Magsaysay sits down with Chriselle Lim, owner and creative director of Phlur, to explore the vision behind the fragrance brand she helped reintroduce and shape into a modern success. Chriselle shares how she approaches scent as an emotional language and how storytelling informs every stage of the creative process, from early concepts to formulation and launch. Discover more from Live & Well on social. Watch this conversation on YouTube . For more stories, expert insights, and guidance on living well, visit latimes.com/live-well
Oct 30
What does anti-aging look like in an era defined by filters, “tech neck,” and celebrity-fueled beauty trends? Host Melissa Magsaysay sits down with Dr. Jason Diamond, the Beverly Hills plastic surgeon renowned for his celebrity clientele and artistry in aesthetic medicine. Together, they explore how the philosophy around aging has evolved—from deep plane facelifts and non-surgical rejuvenation to the growing desire to enhance rather than change. He unpacks the move from celebrity photos to filtered selfies as patient inspiration—and what that evolution reveals about beauty and authenticity today. Discover more from Live & Well on social. Watch this conversation on YouTube & Spotify. For more stories, expert insights, and wellness inspiration, visit latimes.com/live-well or sign up for our newsletter.
Oct 23
What if the go-to treatment for dark spots was actually making them worse? In our first episode of Live & Well, host Melissa Magsaysay is joined by top dermatologist Dr. Nancy Samolitis to challenge our most common assumptions about pigmentation. This conversation delivers a masterclass in decoding pigmentation. Dr. Samolitis dismantles the myths and marketing claims, explaining why heat may be the enemy of melasma, and why a high-percentage Vitamin C serum isn't the silver bullet you've been sold. We get into the real science of how pigment forms and the expert-level strategies to finally get it under control.