Manoush Zomorodi

In this episode of Design Matters, Debbie Millman interviews journalist and author Manoush Zomorodi about her new book, Body Electric, which explores the hidden health costs of our screen-filled, sedentary lives and the science-backed power of small, frequent movements to reclaim well-being. Zomorodi traces her journey from a childhood shaped by intellectual curiosity and cultural liminality to a career in journalism that evolved from breaking news in war zones to pioneering podcast storytelling. She reflects on how her early experiences—ranging from being the youngest BBC producer in Washington, D.C., to self-publishing a multimedia book during the rise of digital media—shaped her unique ability to turn personal discomfort into public inquiry. The core of the conversation centers on her groundbreaking research with Dr. Keith Diaz, which reveals that just five minutes of movement every half hour can dramatically improve blood sugar, blood pressure, focus, and mood. Zomorodi argues that our modern work culture misdefines productivity and that true well-being requires intentional design—both personal and systemic. She calls for a cultural shift that values movement, embodiment, and interoception over endless screen time and grind culture.