Microbiome is a mysterious medical frontier with more questions than answers. In this episode, nutrition expert Neal Barnard, MD, of George Washington University explores the connection between diet, gut microbiome and lung health. While fiber and plant-based diets have been shown to shape a healthier microbiome, this conversation sheds light on the growing evidence that what we eat may have far-reaching effects beyond the gut—including in our lungs.
Jul 22, 2025•23 min
This episode featuring clinician-scientist and expert in liquid biopsy development, Dr. Lindsey Cotton, who explores the evolving science of lung cancer biomarkers and their role in early detection. Listen in to learn more about the current landscape, benefits and challenges of both organ-specific and multi-cancer tests. The highly informative discussion aims to clarify what these tests can and cannot tell us today, along with a forecast for tomorrow.
Jun 20, 2025•38 min
Earlier this year, the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines were updated to include a new emphasis on cardiovascular disease and pulmonary hypertension in COPD, among much more. Rejoining us for an episode exploring these revisions is Gerard Criner, MD, of Temple University, a foremost COPD expert who serves on the GOLD Board of Directors and GOLD Science Committee. He spells out the improvements, from interventions like smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation ...
May 29, 2025•29 min
This special episode features 2 interviews on-site at the 2025 American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in San Francisco: Harold P. Wimmer, CEO of the American Lung Association, and Francesca Polverino, MD, PhD, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine and spokesperson for the ALA. View the latest conference coverage from this meeting here: https://www.hcplive.com/conference/ats #Lungcast #HealthNews
May 21, 2025•8 min
An internationally recognized leader in air quality, epidemiology and exposure assessment, George Thurston, ScD, of New York University headlines this important episode analyzing the Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report. With nearly half of the people living in the U.S. breathing unhealthy amounts of air pollution, Thurston delves into the acute and accumulative health impacts on communities across the country. Listen in to learn more about the report’s key learnings, from adverse e...
May 13, 2025•32 min
It has been more than a decade since lung cancer screening guidelines via low-dose CT, based on the USPSTF’s B recommendations, have been put into place. To discuss the guidelines’ ambitions and obstacles, we are joined by the University of Illinois Health System’s Mary Pasquinelli, DNP, who specializes in lung cancer, lung cancer screening and pulmonary nodule management. While a lifesaving procedure for at-risk individuals, the uptake of screening on a population-level—though increasing—has be...
Apr 22, 2025•36 min
For this hot topic, asthma and lung health expert Dr. Afif El-Hasan of Kaiser Permanente in California joins host Dr. Albert Rizzo to discuss the acute effects of wildfire smoke on air quality. The enlightening conversation also covers the massive cleanup efforts from the recent Los Angeles wildfires and how related exposures may pose health risks. Want more Lungcast? Visit us at HCPLive.com/podcasts/lungcast or www.lung.org/professional-education/lungcast...
Feb 24, 2025•15 min
In this episode, Dr. Meredith McCormack of Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Loretta Que of Duke University to discuss “race-based normal values” in medicine, particularly in regard to pulmonary function tests (PFT). The controversial practice of using a patient’s self-reported race to adjust a standard “normal” range has been shown to lead to potential misdiagnosis and healthcare disparities. Drs. McCormack and Que talk at length about their key roles in the growing movement to phase out a relia...
Jan 27, 2025•21 min
Ever since the show first launched, Lungcast has provided pulmonologists and health care providers in general a chance to take part in ongoing conversations regarding lung health between experts, patients, and patient advocates. In this recap episode, the Lungcast team reflects on these conversations by highlighting some of the many interviews featured in 2024. The following are a set of examples of this year’s interviews, though several other memorable episodes are not on this list. We hope you...
Jan 10, 2025•19 min
For a probing discussion detailing the American Lung Association’s recent 2024 “State of Lung Cancer” report, we are joined by esteemed thoracic medical oncologist Dr. Jacob Sands of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. Offering insight into actionable targeted mutations, Dr. Sands addresses how precision oncology is fundamentally changing lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. The novel immunotherapy drugs, though proven to be safe and effective with significant improvements i...
Dec 07, 2024•33 min
In this episode, multiple points of view are presented regarding Asthma Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD). Lungcast host Albert Rizzo, MD, was joined by allergist and immunologist Mitchell Grayson, MD, of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, as well as patient advocate Rhonda Nelson and her husband Wayne Nelson of The Little River Band. This discussion delves into the trials and tribulations of diagnosing—and living with—AERD, from disease misconceptions to daily management. Join the discussion ...
Nov 13, 2024•29 min
Episode Highlights 0:15 Intro 1:10 Introducing the Lung Health Cohort Research Study 3:49 The enrollment strategy 7:10 Seeking “the cholesterol of lung disease” 11:50 The role of industry support 14:09 Imaging strategies for long-term lung assessment 17:59 Recruitment challenges 23:05 Final thoughts 26:20 Outro For our 50th episode, Ravi Kalhan, MD, of Northwestern Medicine, George Washko, MD, of Harvard University, and Amy Olson, MD, Executive Director of Medical Affairs for Boehringer Ingelhei...
Oct 29, 2024•27 min
In this episode, Dr. Rachel Eddy of the University of British Columbia explores the evolving field of medical imaging technology and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence. While applications of AI have expanded beyond traditional radiology, it delves into cutting-edge techniques like 3D printing and molecular imaging that are redefining diagnostics and treatment planning. Join us as we focus specifically on the role of AI in chest imaging and uncover how these advancements are imp...
Sep 30, 2024•33 min
Episode Highlights 0:16 Intro 2:24 Asthma action plans 3:52 Asthma Peak Week 6:28 School nurse’s role 11:05 SMART inhaler strategy for kids 14:25 Addressing vaping among students 20:18 Discussing vaccines with children and parents 24:01 School air quality issues? 27:50 Final thoughts 29:42 Outro As families jump into the new school year, this episode brings together Chicago-based allergist and immunologist Dr. Juanita Mora and pediatric pulmonologist Dr. S. Christy Sadreameli of Johns Hopkins Ho...
Aug 12, 2024•30 min
Episode Highlights 0:15 Introduction 2:35 Introducing Janelle Bludorn, MS, PA-C 3:27 Common heat-related illnesses 8:43 How to screen for individual health-related risks 15:27 Respiratory consequences of heat 19:49 The interplay of medicines with heat 26:49 National Weather Service HeatRisk tool 32:58 Behavioral interventions for heat-risk patients 36:27 A FEMA system for heat emergencies? 38:10 Outro For our July episode, we are visited by Duke University’s Janelle Bludorn, PA-C, MS, for a comp...
Jul 22, 2024•39 min
Episode Highlights 0:15 Intro 3:39 Update in pre-lung cancer genome atlas research 17:06 Next steps: applying innovations in bronchoscopy 21:45 When we can anticipate results 25:05 Understanding the lung’s microbiome 29:21 Utility of fragmentomics 31:01 Outro Dr. Steven Dubinett at University of California, Los Angeles and Dr. Avrum Spira at Boston University revisit our virtual studio to provide an update on their lung cancer interception research, as currently funded by the American Lung Assoc...
Jun 24, 2024•32 min
0:16 Intro 2:29 Updated community-acquired pneumonia guidelines 5:41 Diagnostic tools for CAP following COVID-19 9:35 Procalcitonin levels as a biomarker 12:30 The CAP treatment algorithm 18:36 Best practices for antibiotic stewardship 20:40 New CAP therapies on the horizon 22:36 ACIP recommendations for vaccination 24:30 Remaining areas of CAP uncertainty 26:30 Final thoughts 27:25 Outro Featuring infectious disease expert Dr. Thomas File of Summa Health in Ohio, this episode delves into how co...
Jun 06, 2024•28 min
Episode Highlights 0:11 Intro 1:05 Introducing Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, MD, MS 2:09 Understanding asthma endotypes and phenotypes 5:03 The effect of SMART guideline updates 11:50 Are pulmonary & allergy specialists adopting it? 12:46 The value of biologics in asthma care 18:11 Could they interrupt the atopic march? 19:53 COVID-19 risks in asthma 23:24 Environmental and non-viral illness impacts on asthma 26:11 Research into asthma care inequities 31:47 HFA-containing metered dose inhalers 3...
May 07, 2024•37 min
Episode Highlights 0:16 Intro 2:17 What caused the particle pollution spike? 6:28 The health effects of fine particle pollution exposure 10:23 The new EPA particle pollution standard 14:27 Improvements to ozone pollution and the Clean Air Act 18:46 How to advocate for improvement 20:23 Air quality inequity 24:03 Reflecting on 25 years, and looking ahead 25:52 Outro Dr. John Balmes, a renowned environmental health sciences expert from the University of California, San Francisco, join Lungcast for...
Apr 24, 2024•27 min
0:16 Intro 2:28 Recent modifications to the lung allocation score 5:11 Monitoring chronic graft rejection 9:23 The rising use of ex vivo lung perfusion 16:17 The presence of post-COVID patients on the lung transplant waitlist 21:01 Impact of long Covid on transplant rehabilitation 22:51 Double lung transplant in bilateral lung cancer—what’s the future? 26:52 Effect of LAS on lung transplant survival racial disparity 31:05 What lies ahead in the practice of lung transplantation 35:00 Outro Clevel...
Apr 02, 2024•36 min
Episode Highlights 0:15 Intro 3:09 Low-dose CT screening uptake in Canada 4:45 Evolution of adjuvant, neoadjuvant therapies 7:10 Reviewing CheckMate 816 10:56 Reviewing KEYNOTE-671 12:58 The impact of neoadjuvants on operability 16:15 Treatment-specific biomarkers for lung cancer 21:13 The short-term future of lung cancer therapy 24:31 Outro Precision medicine–delivering the right drug at the right time to the right patient–is the direction in which lung cancer treatment is heading. In this epis...
Feb 12, 2024•26 min
Episode Highlights 0:15 Intro 1:48 Remembering the 1964 Surgeon General Report 3:01 The impact of the report on cardiology 6:47 The strategies and impact of anti-smoking campaigns 10:33 The modern vaping challenge 17:38 Outro In recognition of 60 years since the 1964 Surgeon General Report—a historic contribution to our understanding of the negative health impacts of cigarette smoking—host Albert Rizzo, MD, meets with preventive cardiology expert Viet Le, DMSc, PA-C to reflect on the myriad of c...
Jan 29, 2024•18 min
Episode Highlights 0:15 Introducing Sue Padernacht, EDd, PCC 1:16 The definition of burnout 3:53 The history of burnout 7:45 Differences between stress and burnout 14:34 Physical and behavioral signs of burnout 20:55 Steps the health care industry can take against burnout We are beginning 2024 with a matter that extends beyond the confines of pulmonary medicine and really has become something of a crisis in the U.S. healthcare system over the last decades. Organizational psychology expert Dr. Su...
Jan 11, 2024•31 min
Episode Highlights 0:16 Intro 1:44 How to approach stage IV lung cancer, with Dr. David Tom Cooke 4:13 The ALA Lung Health Cohort Research Study, with Dr. Ravi Kalhan 8:42 What is the atopic march, with Dr. Payel Gupta 10:53 Weight loss for asthma care, with Dr. Anne Dixon 15:11 Air Quality Index 101, with Dr. Al Rizzo 18:47 Lung Cancer Age Equity, with Dr. Carolyn Presley 21:45 The emerging treatments for long Covid, with Dr. Julia Moore Vogel 24:28 The future of pulmonary embolism care, with D...
Dec 13, 2023•40 min
For this episode fully focused on indoor air pollution, we are joined by Professor Mark Hernandez who serves as director of the Aerobiology and Disinfection Lab at the University of Colorado. Listen in to learn about the harmful impact of pollutants such as mold, toxic chemicals and asbestos on respiratory health, particularly in a school setting. Equally important, what can be done to help alleviate these effects? Episode highlights 0:16 Intro 0:50 Introducing Mark Hernandez, PhD, PE 2:15 The m...
Dec 04, 2023•25 min
Christy Fischer, a miraculous 17-year stage IV lung cancer survivor, connects with us to discuss stress, stigma and significant changes in the treatment landscape. Hear how Christy transformed a daunting diagnosis into hope for others. This educational and inspirational episode touches upon the raw emotions of what it is like to live (and thrive!) with advanced cancer. Episode Highlights 0:17 Intro 1:55 Christy's first diagnosis 3:53 Reacting to Stage IV lung cancer 5:28 Initiating treatment 7:1...
Nov 06, 2023•25 min
With cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) on the rise this fall, Dr. Barbara Taylor, professor of infectious diseases at UT Health San Antonio, joins us for this timely episode all about RSV. Importantly, she covers the unprecedented events of the 2022-2023 season that was marred by a ‘tripledemic’ of respiratory diseases. How do the lessons learned change the preventive approach to better protect against the deadly infection? Episode Highlights 0:16 Intro 0:48 The burden of RSV today 2:11...
Sep 18, 2023•38 min
Pulmonary vascular disease expert Dr. Parth Rali at Temple Lung Center helps break down what is known about massive and submassive pulmonary emboli (PE), namely blood clots. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of PE, from the complications of diagnosis to the evolution of therapeutic modalities. Episode highlights 0:16 Intro 2:34 Defining pulmonary embolism classifications 8:18 The Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index 15:47 The role of D-dimer in diagnosis 17:08 Anticoagulation strategie...
Sep 05, 2023•40 min
In this must-listen episode, Dr. Julia Moore Vogel at Scripps Research takes center stage to confer the still-emerging and always-evolving space of long COVID. As patient numbers continue to rise at an alarming rate, she makes a strong case about the critical need to better define the disease, mitigate its impact and, ultimately, break the taboo. Episode highlights 0:15 Introduction 1:27 Moore Vogel’s background in Long Covid 4:30 Lacking terminology in Long Covid 6:20 Quantifying Long Covid dis...
Jul 17, 2023•29 min
For this episode focusing on the role of medical oncology, we are joined by Dr. Carolyn Presley, thoracic oncologist and associate professor with tenure at Ohio State University. As a geriatric expert, she provides a poignant point-of-view on the need for a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, as well as advances in treatment that include targeted therapies.
Jun 15, 2023•27 min
