Sunlight Matters
Sunlight Matters explores the profound impact of sunlight on health, well-being, and daily life. Host Dave Wallace interviews experts in science, health, design, and outdoor recreation to uncover how the sun influences vitamin D production, mental health, architecture, and sustainability. The podcast aims to illuminate the sun's role as a vital force shaping our world.
Episodes
Sunlight, health and the skin cancer debate
What if sunlight deserves a place in the health conversation alongside sleep, exercise, and nutrition? And how do we weigh its potential benefits against the very real risks of too much exposure?In this episode, Norwegian GP and author Torkil Færø joins Dave and Georg to discuss The Sun Cure, his latest book on sunlight, circadian rhythms and health. Torkil describes how his views changed after ye
Beyond the Floor Plan: How Redfin Is Bringing Sunlight into Property Search with Ariel Dos Santos
What makes a house feel like home? It is not simply the number of bedrooms, the size of the kitchen or the asking price. It is also the light that comes through the windows, the way the rooms feel throughout the day and whether the morning sun reaches the places where we live, work and wake up.In this episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave Wallace and Georg Molzer are joined by Ariel Dos Santos, Chief
The Light Effect: Sunlight, Depression, Mental Health and Jet Lag
In this episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave speaks with Professor Sean Cain, a leading researcher in circadian rhythms, light and mental health. His research points to a striking pattern: brighter days are associated with a lower risk of depression, while greater exposure to light at night is associated with a higher risk.Drawing on data from nearly 89,000 people, Sean explains why the timing of lig
Sunlight, Mental Health and the Magic of Morning with Kristen Gilbert
What if sunlight is one of the most overlooked influences on our mental health?In this episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave speaks with Kristen, a registered occupational therapist, trauma practitioner and quantum biology health coach. Drawing on her clinical work in mental health and her own experience of improving her sleep and energy, Kristen explains why morning light, daytime outdoor exposure an
Built for the Sun
What if better health begins not with another device, supplement or complicated routine, but with something far more fundamental: reconnecting with nature?In this episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave Wallace speaks with Nathan Siles, a biophysics specialist focused on foundational health. Nathan’s interest in the subject is deeply personal. Legally blind following retinoblastoma as a baby, he later f
Sunrise Challenge
Hunting the Sunrise: What Happens When You Live by the Sun?Most of us instinctively believe we know the difference between indoors and outdoors. But while a typical indoor space might provide 300 lux of light, even an overcast sky can expose us to around 10,000 lux. On a bright summer’s day, that figure can rise to 100,000 lux.Our eyes adapt so effectively that the difference may not feel dramatic
Shooting the Sun: Andrew McCarthy on Astrophotography, Icarus and the Artemis Moonde
If you've ever seen a photo of the Sun that stopped you in your tracks, there's a very good chance Andrew McCarthy took it. His image of our star is the first thing you see when you open the Shadowmap story, and it's the artwork behind Sunlight Matters itself. So this one is personal.Andrew is the Arizona-based astrophotographer behind some of the most iconic space images of recent
In Defense of Sunlight with Rowan Jacobsen
What if sunlight isn't the enemy we've been told it is? In this episode of Sunlight Matters, science writer Rowan Jacobsen discusses his new book, In Defence of Sunlight, and explores the growing body of research linking natural light exposure to improved health, longevity, sleep, and well-being. From heliotherapy and vitamin D to infrared light, circadian rhythms, green light therapy, a
Real Estate & Why Sunlight Matters in Property Search
In this episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave is joined by product leader Dave Masters, former product executive at Realtor.com, to explore the future of real estate search, consumer behavior, and why sunlight data could become an essential part of buying a home.From AI-powered property discovery to the overlooked importance of natural light, shade, and home orientation, this conversation dives into h
Editing the Sun — How Indoor Light Lost Touch With Biology
In this fascinating and deeply thought-provoking episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave Wallace sits down with four leading thinkers from radically different disciplines to explore a provocative new scientific theory.The discussion centres on a groundbreaking new paper, Editing the Sun: How Indoor Light Lost Touch with Biology, which explores how changes in modern lighting — particularly the shift away
The Sun Has a Score — Introducing Sunscore from Shadowmap
Sunlight Matters PodcastEpisode: In this special episode of Sunlight Matters, David Wallace sits down with Shadowmap founder and CEO Georg Molzer to reflect on the journey behind Shadowmap, humanity’s relationship with the Sun, and the launch of a genuine world first: Sunscore — the first property-specific sunlight metric, now live on Redfin.Together, they explore:Why sunlight profoundly shapes he
Sensing Light with Lys Technologies
In this episode, our guest is Christina Friis Blach, co-founder of Lys Technologies, about how light shapes our health, performance, and daily lives.They explore how sunlight exposure and circadian rhythms influence sleep, hormones, and energy—and why modern indoor environments often disrupt this balance.Christina shares how her company is helping bridge the gap between science and real life throu
Sunlight, Health & Rethinking Modern Medicine
In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Jonathan Jarecki, a 20-year-old pre-med student exploring the frontier of light biology, mitochondrial function, and the hidden impact of our modern indoor lifestyle.What begins as a conversation about holistic health quickly evolves into a powerful exploration of how sunlight exposure, artificial lighting, and our disconnection from nature may b
Sunlight Matters LIVE from Alicante: Light, Life & the Power of Solar Exposure
In this special in-person episode of Sunlight Matters, recorded on a sun-drenched rooftop terrace in Alicante, Dave and Georg are joined by daylight expert Paul Rogers to explore the profound relationship between sunlight, architecture, and human wellbeing.From the emotional impact of dark living spaces to the life-changing benefits of solar exposure, the conversation blends personal stories with
How Light, Nutrition & Circadian Health Transformed a Pro Fighter
From Fight Camp to Sunlight: In this episode of Sunlight Matters, guest host George Alexander speaks with professional kickboxer and osteopath Nathan, currently ranked #1 heavyweight in the UK for Muay Thai and #2 for K-1 kickboxing.Nathan shares how working with previous podcast guest, health practitioner Teresa Bug, completely reshaped his approach to performance — moving beyond traditional calo
Lightspiracy: The Hidden Politics of Modern Lighting with Anna Levin
Was the global ban on incandescent light bulbs really a climate breakthrough — or did we rush into a lighting revolution without fully understanding the biological and environmental consequences?In this episode, Dave speaks with journalist and author Anna about her book Incandescent and her unexpected journey into the politics and science of modern lighting. What began as a personal health reactio
Light, Life Energy & Breatharianism – Rethinking Science with P.A. Straubinger
What if the human body isn’t powered by calories alone?In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Austrian filmmaker P.A. Straubinger, creator of the groundbreaking documentary In the Beginning There Was Light, to explore one of the most controversial and fascinating questions in modern science:👉 What is life energy?We dive into breatharianism, fasting, biophotons, mitochondria, the fourt
Is glass in our windows making us sick with Joe Menchefski
Glass, Sunlight & Human HealthIn the first episode of Series 2, we’re joined by daylighting expert and chemical engineer Joe Menchefski to explore a critical but often overlooked topic in modern building design: glass.While low-E glass and LED lighting have dramatically improved energy efficiency, emerging research suggests they may also filter out parts of the light spectrum essential for hum
How LED Lighting Is Harming Humans With Professor Glen Jeffery
In this insightful podcast discussion, friend of the podcast, Professor Glen Jeffery, sheds light on his recent study published in Nature (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-35389-6)IntroductionIn a world dominated by LED lighting, we often overlook its potential health consequences. Professor Glen Jeffery's groundbreaking study highlights the significant effects of artificial lightin
Cities of Light, Cities of Shadow
In this episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave sits down with the brilliant Paula Longato—architect, daylight consultant, and lighting designer—to explore why daylight access and sunlight analysis are critical yet often overlooked elements in urban design and architecture.🎙️ What You'll Learn:Why modern cities like New York and Dubai are "dark daylight cities" 🌆The role of shadow mapping
💡 Light, Health & the Built Environment: Ulysse Dormoy on the Real Cost of Indoor Living
Dave sits down with Ulysse Dormoy, CEO of Atrium Ltd, to explore a subject hiding in plain sight: the light we live under every day — and how it’s quietly impacting our health, performance, and wellbeing 🌞🏙️What starts as a conversation about lighting design quickly reveals a much bigger story. From LED flicker and infrared deprivation, to the shocking parallels between ultra-processed food and ul
The Sun
What if everything you thought you knew about sunlight was just scratching the surface? ☀️🔬In this illuminating episode of Sunlight Matters, hosts Dave and Georg sit down with world-renowned astrophysicist Dr. Bob Fosbury — a former senior scientist with the European Space Agency, key contributor to both the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes 🔭, and a trailblazer at the intersection of astrono
Surviving Winter with Sunlight – A Conversation on Light, Health, and Infrared Science with Glen Jeffery, Bob Fosbury and Scott Zimmerman
In this companion episode to the Roger Seheult episode, Dave is joined by three experts—Prof. Glen Jeffery, Scott Zimmerman, and Dr. Bob Fosbury—to explore how sunlight and infrared light influence human health, particularly in the darker months when Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) becomes more prevalent.Dave opens up about his own experience with SAD, leading to a wide-ranging discussion of how
Surviving Winter. You don't need to be SAD with Dr Roger Seheult
As winter approaches in the North, the days get shorter, the skies darker, and for many of us, our energy, mood, and health start to dip. In Part 1 of a 2-part special of Sunlight Matters, Dr Roger Seheult joins Dave and Georg to share science-backed tips to help you stay healthy, energized, and resilient through the long winter nights.From understanding the hidden power of infrared light to simpl
Light, Rights & Urban Fights: Daylight in a Densifying World
In this thought-provoking episode of Sunlight Matters, we travel across Europe to explore how daylight access, sunlight rights, and urban densification intersect—and often clash.Joining us are three brilliant minds working at the forefront of daylight analysis and sunlight legislation:🌞 Mina Gaarder – A Civil Engineer based in Norway who recently completed a master’s thesis on daylight in dense ur
Fitness, the Sun and Winter Protocols
In this episode, we are joined by David Herrera, better known online as The Solar Athlete, who brings a unique blend of engineering, biology, and real-world coaching to the conversation. From his backyard in high-altitude Wyoming, David shares the incredible journey that took him from world-class powerlifter and oilfield technician to a leading voice on circadian biology, light hygiene, and solar
Sunlit Computers with Peter Veto and Liliana Lettier of Pixun
What if your computer screen could heal you instead of harming you?In this episode of Sunlight Matters, we’re joined by Dr Peter Veto and Liliana Lettieri, the visionary team behind Pixun — a company pioneering solar-powered, full-spectrum displays that use real sunlight instead of artificial backlighting.Peter and Liliana share their personal journeys with light sensitivity, screen-induced insomn
From Riot Police to Sunlight Healer: Theresa Bug on Trauma, Circadian Health & Natural Living.. Alles Wird Gut!
In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Dave speaks with Theresa Bug, a former German police officer turned online health coach, holistic nutritionist, and advocate for natural light, grounding, and mitochondrial health.🌿 Theresa shares her inspiring journey from a high-stress career in law enforcement—across Paris, London, Israel, and Africa—to deep healing through sunlight exposure, circadian
Designing with Sunlight: Viktoria Neumueller on Energy-Efficient Homes and Solar-Oriented Planningsode
In this illuminating episode, we're joined by Austrian engineer Viktoria Neumueller, a passionate advocate for sunlight-optimized architecture and energy-efficient building design. With a background in planning heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, Viktoria brings rare insight into how thoughtful building orientation and solar exposure can dramatically reduce heating costs, enhance comfo
The Light Prescription: Sunlight, Infrared, Mitochondria, and Your Health with Prof Glen Jeffery
In this episode, Dave chats with Professor Glen Jeffery, a neuroscientist at University College London’s Institute of Ophthalmology, whose research investigates how light, particularly long-wavelength red and infrared, influences human health, metabolism, and ageing. Glen Jeffery is recognised as one of the world's leading researchers in exploring how light interacts with our bodies. Glen exp
The Life-Changing Power of Sunlight: Light as Nutrition, Near-Infrared Science & Human Health
Dave speaks with Dr. Nicholas Witton, a sleep medicine and light researcher, about the critical role of natural light, especially near-infrared (NIR) light, in human health.Nicholas explains how we've shifted from living outdoors to spending over 90% of our time indoors under artificial light, particularly LEDs, which emit mainly blue light and lack the full spectrum, including the NIR wavele
Built to Thrive: Light, Health & the Future of Architecture
What if your home or office is silently shaping your health, your mood, and even your future? In this eye-opening episode, Dave sits down with Dr. Mandana Khanie, Lecturer in Health and Wellbeing in Sustainable Buildings at UCL and Deputy Director of the Light and Lighting MSc Program. Together, they explore how the architecture of our indoor lives, where we now spend 90% of our time, profoundly i
People, Buildings and Light
In this illuminating episode of Sunlight Matters, David Wallace is joined by Niko Gentile and Agnieszka Czachura from Lund University’s Energy and Building Design group. Together, they explore the science, perception, and policy around sunlight and daylight, and why we need to care more than ever.From the overlooked distinction between daylight and sunlight to the historical biases in building reg
Buildings and Light with Paul Rogers
In this episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave welcomes daylight and lighting expert Paul Rogers of ACC Glass and Facade Consultants. Broadcasting from Stockholm and the UK, they explore the profound impact of sunlight and daylight on architecture, urban planning, and human well-being. From the technical distinctions between daylight and direct sunlight to the emotional resonance of a well-lit home, Pa
Sunlight and health in our modern lives with Arne Lowden
In this episode of Sunlight Matters, hosts Dave and Georg welcome Swedish sleep and light researcher Arne Lowden for a fascinating conversation about the science of light, circadian rhythms, and how our bodies and minds are profoundly shaped by solar exposure.Dr. Lowden, author of the book Survive the Winter, shares powerful insights into how lack of natural light affects sleep, mood, and long-ter
Masterkey with Giulio Colleluori
Welcome to the second episode of Sunlight Matters. In this episode, we explore the fascinating connection between real estate, artificial intelligence, and the importance of sunlight with Giulio, the founder of Masterkey. Masterkey is revolutionizing the home buying experience by giving buyers the tools to make more informed decisions through AI-powered property analysis.One of the most exciting f
Shadowmap with Georg Molzer
In this episode of Sunlight Matters, host David Wallace interviews Georg, the founder and CEO of Shadowmap, a platform designed to visualize sunlight and its effects on various environments. Georg shares his personal journey, the technological innovations behind Shadowmap, and its applications in real estate and health. The conversation emphasizes the importance of sunlight for well-being and how
