Best known for his research in blue zones, Dan Buettner brings us to these communities through his new Netflix docuseries. Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones is a short and straight-to-the-point miniseries depicting the five designated blue zones around the world. Detailing differences in diet, mindsets, and activities, the series obviously advocates for a certain type of healthy living, written extensively about by the host. However, rather than the host constantly lecturing about what he learned, the show is mostly composed of moments where he interviews the residents directly. The travelog feels more like asking your elders for life advice, more so than a longevity tip info dump, or advertisement for Buettner’s other books.

A show like this, particularly a show that investigates the closest thing to eternal life, can easily alienate viewers if the show is perceived as preaching or looking down at them for bad habits. After all, series like these prescribe a certain lifestyle. Live to 100 does the same, but it feels more relaxed and curious as the lifestyles being prescribed here come from various people who have actually lived those lifestyles, for a long time. Through various interviews, the show outlines practical mindset and diet tips that individuals can do for themselves, but additionally, it also outlines certain interventions that communities should consider implementing. While clearly US-focused, with the show consistently comparing certain outcomes of blue zones with America, the docuseries keeps its focus on its investigation through a community level, not just an individual one.