Episodes

Oct. 28, 2024

From career to motherhood: Navigating gender inequity

We sit down with Alopi Patel, an anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician, to explore the gender-based inequities women face in their careers. Inspired by the metaphor of flamingos losing their pink during times of adversity, we delve into...

Episode page
Oct. 27, 2024

How health care workers cope with budget constraints

We sit down with Amol Shrikhande, a nephrologist, to explore the challenges faced by frontline health care workers in an overburdened system. We delve into the real-world impact of budget constraints, staffing shortages, and administrative decisions...

Episode page
Oct. 26, 2024

Why kindness is the missing link in medical education

We welcome back internal medicine physician Vijay Rajput. Two years ago, he shared his insights on the KevinMD article, "Top 10 things new interns should do." Today, he returns to discuss updates on those recommendations, with a new emphasis on...

Episode page
Oct. 25, 2024

Why are hospitals cornering doctors with this legal trap?

We sit down with Dennis Hursh, a health law attorney with decades of experience representing physicians in their interactions with hospitals. Dennis shares eye-opening stories of how hospitals use restrictive contracts and aggressive tactics to retain...

Episode page
Oct. 24, 2024

Controversies surrounding transgender athletes and competitive fairne…

We sit down with William Lynes, a urologist, to discuss the complexities surrounding the inclusion of SGID athletes in female sports. William explores the impact of biology on performance, the potential risks for female athletes, and the ethical...

Episode page
Oct. 23, 2024

How technology can support nurses and improve patient safety

We welcome Ann-Louise Puopolo, a nurse executive, to discuss the critical issue of the nursing shortage crisis and the impact of burnout and technology fatigue on health care workers. Ann-Louise shares insights from her experience at Boston’s Beth...

Episode page
Oct. 22, 2024

How financial incentives transform health care

We sit down with Taylor J. Christensen, an internal medicine physician and health policy researcher, to discuss his health care incentives framework. Taylor explains how restructuring financial incentives can encourage providers and insurers to...

Episode page
Oct. 21, 2024

How pharmacy benefit companies are making fertility treatments even h…

We sit down with Oluyemisi (Yemi) Famuyiwa, a fertility specialist and founder of Montgomery Fertility Center, to explore the hidden barriers patients face when accessing fertility medications. We delve into the complex role of pharmacy benefit...

Episode page
Oct. 20, 2024

Inside the courtroom: a doctor’s battle against a fraud investigation

We sit down with Muhamad Aly Rifai, a practicing internist and psychiatrist, to explore the complexities of health care fraud investigations and the profound impact these cases have on physicians' lives and careers. Muhamad shares his firsthand...

Episode page
Oct. 19, 2024

Near-death experiences: What doctors need to know but aren’t taught

In this episode, we delve into a fascinating yet often overlooked medical phenomenon—near-death experiences (NDEs)—with John C. Hagan III, an ophthalmologist and expert on the subject. Despite being reported by as many as one in five...

Episode page
Oct. 18, 2024

Why rural America’s health care crisis is getting worse—and what it m…

We sit down with Banu Symington, a hematology-oncology physician, to explore a looming health care crisis affecting rural America. As more retirees move to rural communities, the number of health care providers is not keeping pace. Banu sheds light on...

Episode page
Oct. 17, 2024

Why the future of depression treatment may be magnetic

We speak with Heather Luing, a psychiatrist specializing in treatment-resistant depression. As depression rates in the U.S. have tripled over the last year, we explore why traditional treatments may not work for everyone and discuss innovative...

Episode page
Oct. 16, 2024

Why collaboration is the key to solving health care burnout

We’re joined by Wael Saasouh, an anesthesiologist; Lisa Scardina, a health care executive; and Kim Downey, a physician advocate and physical therapist, to discuss the urgent need to restore human connections in health care. From tackling clinician...

Episode page
Oct. 15, 2024

Why calling nurse practitioners "doctor" undermines the nursing profe…

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Joseph Lanctot, a nurse practitioner, as he explores the significance of professional identity in healthcare. Joseph shares his personal experiences of being mislabelled as a doctor and explains why...

Episode page
Oct. 14, 2024

From patients to clients: the tragic business of mental health care e…

We sit down with Nicholas Rosenlicht, psychiatrist and author of My Brother’s Keeper: The Untold Stories Behind the Business of Mental Health―and How to Stop the Abandonment of the Mentally Ill. Dr. Rosenlicht unpacks the troubling shift from...

Episode page
Oct. 13, 2024

How food marketing to kids is harming their health and what we can do

Join Manuel Arango, the director of Health Policy & Advocacy at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. We dive into the pressing issue of food marketing to children, exploring how these strategies impact kids' health and dietary habits. Manuel...

Episode page
Oct. 12, 2024

How this pediatrician overcame cerebral palsy and discrimination in m…

We welcome Ron M. Aryel, a pediatrician who shares his powerful journey through medical school and residency as a physician with cerebral palsy. Facing discrimination, ableism, and hostility from colleagues and superiors, Ron persevered and built a...

Episode page
Oct. 11, 2024

How COVID changed doctor-patient-nurse communication forever

We sit down with Michael J. Grace, attorney and author of The Mumbo Jumbo Fix: A Survival Guide for Effective Doctor-Patient-Nurse Communication. We explore how health care communication has evolved before, during, and after COVID. From the rapid rise...

Episode page
Oct. 10, 2024

Inside the toxic reality of surgical residency

We sit down with Audra King, a surgery resident, to explore the challenges and toxic environments that medical trainees often face during their residency. From instances of disrespect and workplace bullying to the emotional toll of navigating power...

Episode page
Oct. 9, 2024

Physician wellness: stories and solutions

We bring together three passionate advocates for physician wellness: Michael Foti, an internal medicine physician; Tushar Bhagat, a research assistant professor; and Kim Downey, a physical therapist. Join us as they share their deeply personal...

Episode page
Oct. 8, 2024

From residency to leadership: the evolution of internal medicine

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Janet A. Jokela, an internal medicine and infectious disease physician. Janet reflects on her transformative residency at Boston City Hospital, where the "city savages" thrived in the face of immense...

Episode page
Oct. 7, 2024

How technology is changing dental appointments for patients with inte…

We explore the unique challenges faced by patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) during dental appointments. Our guests, Brian Jones, a health care executive, and Tina Saw, a dentist and health care leader, share insights on...

Episode page
Oct. 6, 2024

Is tech the answer to America’s growing doctor shortage?

We sit down with Patrick Hunt, a physician executive, to explore one of the most pressing challenges in U.S. health care—the growing physician shortage. With projections indicating a shortfall of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036, Patrick shares his...

Episode page
Oct. 5, 2024

How empathy and emotional intelligence transform patient care

We are joined by Paul Pender, an ophthalmologist with extensive experience in patient care. We explore the vital role emotional intelligence plays in strengthening the physician-patient bond, particularly in challenging health care environments. Paul...

Episode page