# In Defense of Sunlight

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-next-big-idea-daily-5988609/in-defense-of-sunlight
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-next-big-idea-daily-5988609/in-defense-of-sunlight.md
Podcast: [The Next Big Idea Daily](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-next-big-idea-daily-5988609)
Published: 2026-07-01T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/YAP9839377493.mp3
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/YAP9839377493.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-next-big-idea-daily-5988609/episodes/in-defense-of-sunlight
Duration seconds: 1499

## Resource

We've been told for decades to slather on sunscreen and stay in the shade. But what if the real health risk is avoiding the sun? Rowan Jacobsen, award-winning science writer, spent nine years diving into the research — and what he found will surprise you. In In Defense of Sunlight, he reveals that people who get regular sun exposure have lower rates of heart disease, many cancers, diabetes, and dementia — conditions that kill hundreds of times more people than skin cancer. Plus, endocrinologist Dr. Saira Hameed joins us to share big ideas from her new book Signals, exploring the body's hidden chemical messaging system ⁠The takeaway from both books: your body knows what it needs — are you listening? 🎁 Save 20% on a Next Big Idea Club membership when you used code PODCAST at⁠ ⁠nextbigideaclub.com⁠⁠ ✉️ Get big ideas in your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe at⁠ ⁠bookoftheday.nextbigideaclub.com⁠⁠ Sponsored By: Homeserve — Go to ⁠homeserve.com/nbid⁠ to find the plan that's right for you FODZYME. — Finally, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the pain. Go to ⁠icaneatagain.com/daily

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## Transcript

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