# What Centenarians Teach Us About Living Longer | Dr. Tom Perls

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-reprogram-7585130/what-centenarians-teach-us-about-living-longer-dr-tom-perls
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-reprogram-7585130/what-centenarians-teach-us-about-living-longer-dr-tom-perls.md
Podcast: [The ReProgram](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-reprogram-7585130)
Published: 2025-11-17T17:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thereprogrampodcast/episodes/What-Centenarians-Teach-Us-About-Living-Longer--Dr--Tom-Perls-e3avgts
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/10b3944a8/podcast/play/111182204/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-10-14%2F412501364-44100-2-66940f629dfe.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-reprogram-7585130/episodes/what-centenarians-teach-us-about-living-longer-dr-tom-perls
Duration seconds: 3359

## Resource

Episode 3 In this episode of the Reprogram podcast, Dr. George Murphy hosts Dr. Tom Perls, a leading expert in human exceptional longevity. They discuss Dr. Perls' journey into gerontology, the New England Centenarian Study, and the factors contributing to exceptional longevity. The conversation covers the genetic and environmental influences on aging, the role of centenarians in understanding longevity, and practical advice for living a centenarian-like life. Keywords longevity, centenarians, aging, health, resilience, exceptional aging, gerontology, aging research, genetics, healthspan Takeaways Dr. Tom Perls shares his journey into gerontology and exceptional longevity. The New England Centenarian Study is the largest study of centenarians and their families. Centenarians often defy the expectation that older age equates to poorer health. The majority of centenarians are female, with unique resilience against age-related diseases. Genetic and environmental factors both play significant roles in longevity. The concept of 'escapers' who avoid age-related diseases is explored. Dr. Perls introduces the 'Sageing' acronym for healthy aging practices. Lifestyle choices can influence longevity and healthspan. The potential for future therapeutics to extend life is discussed. Avoid smoking and anti-aging quackery for better health. Optimism about aging can motivate healthier choices. Office Artifact On the desk: Original artwork composed of rolled magazine pages, Bali, Indonesia Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Longevity and Exceptional Aging 01:07 Dr. Perls’ Journey into Gerontology and Exceptional Longevity 05:57 Defining Exceptional Longevity 08:49 Gender Differences in Centenarians14:50 The Centenarian Boom and Population Trends 19:53 Stratifying Centenarians: Survivors, D…

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