Episodes

Nov. 10, 2024

A doctor’s life-changing realization about empathy after becoming a p…

Join us for a conversation with Fazlur Rahman, a hematology-oncology physician and author of Our Connected Lives. In this episode, we explore how Fazlur's journey from physician to patient transformed his understanding of empathy. He reflects on the...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 9, 2024

How to fix our broken health care system from the inside

We sit down with Paula Muto, a vascular surgeon, who discusses the challenges she’s faced in a health care system on the brink of collapse. From hospital closures driven by private equity to network restrictions that limit patient access, Paula...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 8, 2024

How AI could disrupt the future of health care regulations

We dive deep into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in health care with Muhamad Aly Rifai, a practicing internist and psychiatrist. We explore how AI is not only shaping clinical care but also transforming the enforcement of health care...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 7, 2024

Transforming health care communication with simple playful activities

In this episode, nurse consultant Beth Boynton joins us to discuss the transformative power of the Medical Improv Toolkit in clinical settings. We dive into how playful, experiential activities can enhance communication, reduce conflict, and foster...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 6, 2024

How journaling transforms emotional turmoil into healing for caregive…

We dive into the power of expressive writing with guest Aine M. Greaney, an accomplished writer. Aine shares her personal journey through caregiving, journaling, and emotional healing during a difficult time in her husband’s life. She reflects on...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 5, 2024

Is staying worth it? How one physician broke free from the "sunk cost…

We sit down with anesthesiologist Kolleen Dougherty as she reflects on her experience of career burnout after two decades at a Level 1 hospital. Kolleen shares the internal struggles that kept her in a job that no longer brought her joy and how fear,...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 4, 2024

How to spot safe supplements: What you need to know about Good Manufa…

We sit down with Alisa Sano, a public health auditor, to explore the world of dietary supplements and the critical role Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) play in ensuring product safety and quality. Alisa sheds light on the hidden details behind...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 3, 2024

How big business and government are shaping physician careers

We sit down with Tod Stillson, a family physician and entrepreneur, to discuss how physicians can regain control of their careers in a system designed to push them toward traditional employment. Tod shares his personal journey from being funneled into...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 2, 2024

How to protect your child from suicidal thoughts

We speak with Shivana Naidoo, a child psychiatrist, about the critical steps parents can take to prevent youth suicide. Shivana shares practical advice on recognizing early warning signs, creating a safer home environment with the GO SECURE framework,...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 1, 2024

How to engage parents in autism therapy

We sit down with Angela Nelson, a seasoned health care executive, to discuss the critical role of parent involvement in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children and teens with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Angela shares insights on how...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 31, 2024

How modern ads manipulate your health fears for profit

We dive into the controversial world of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising with health reporter Martha Rosenberg. Drawing from her extensive knowledge, Martha unpacks how DTC drug ads manipulate consumers, fuel hypochondria, and create demand for...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 30, 2024

Why parents today are more stressed than ever—and how we can help

We sit down with Marissa Caudill, a psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health, to explore the findings from the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory “Parents Under Pressure.” We discuss the skyrocketing levels of stress...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 29, 2024

A surgeon's insight into the future of health care staffing

We sit down with Maria Iliakova, a bariatric and general surgeon, to explore the exciting ways AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping clinical practice. Maria shares her experiences using AI to enhance hospital staffing, analyze patient data, and predict...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode
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...

Listen to the Episode