Arwen Nicks

Some people wake up in the morning refreshed, climb out of bed and exercise and others, well, don't. Even though science proves that exercise is beneficial to your mental and physical health, millions of Americans will never hit the gym. Here are five fitness tips for the more sedentary among us from fitness expert Dan Tripps, director of the Center for the Study of Sports and Exercise at Seattle University.

I feel extremely fortunate that I get to work on The Conversation with Ross Reynolds and David Hyde (and the interns — hi interns!) But! I've been tasked with picking a mere five conversations that are my favorite from 2012 and thus, in no particular order here are my favorites. 

1. There is a joke around here that if a book has been written about the way the brain works, I will pitch a show on it. It is funny because it is true. My very favorite interview from the year was when Ross sat down with neuroscientist Simon LeVay to talk about his book on the science of sexual orientation, "Gay, Straight and the Reasons Why."

Yesterday on The Conversation with Ross Reynolds we heard from local chefs about how to incorporate marijuana into your cooking. James Beard Award-winning local chef Maria Hines told Ross how she likes to use cannabis-infused butter.

The New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik takes food very seriously. But he thinks the Slow Food Movement is too pious. Gopnik discusses his experience with extreme locavorism, the history and meaning of restaurants, and other topics The Table Comes First: Family, France, And The Meaning Of Food.