Menopause is a significant phase in a woman's life, yet it is often surrounded by misconceptions and misinformation. Join our conversation with Dr. Karen Adams, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stanford University, as she unpacks the complexities of menopause and hormone therapy. Discover the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative and how it shaped the conversation around hormone use, leading to a dramatic decline in its adoption. Dr. Adams will also address common myths, expl...
Oct 07, 2025•39 min•Ep. 113
Pediatric obesity and metabolic syndrome are rising at alarming rates, yet misconceptions and outdated approaches often leave children without timely, effective treatment. In this episode, Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford reframes obesity as a chronic brain-mediated disease, discusses the latest evidence on early intervention, GLP-1 therapies, and bariatric surgery in youth, and addresses weight bias, disparities in access, and systemic policy levers. Listeners will gain practical insights into translat...
Sep 09, 2025•31 min•Ep. 112
In an era defined by rapid innovation, the intersection of human-centered medicine and technology is more crucial than ever. Join our host, Dr. Ruth Adewuya, as she reflects on the transformative discussions from season five, where we explored the profound implications of AI, perinatal mental health, climate change, and precision therapeutics. This season has highlighted the path toward more personalized and equitable healthcare, showcasing groundbreaking science and the need for a compassionate...
Jul 15, 2025•12 min•Ep. 111
Gene editing is revolutionizing medicine, and Dr. Matthew Porteus, Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, is at the forefront of this transformation. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Porteus as he shares his insights on CRISPR technology and its potential to personalize therapies for rare genetic conditions, including sickle cell disease. Discover how this groundbreaking tool not only identifies the root causes of diseases but also paves the way for innovative trea...
Jul 01, 2025•28 min•Ep. 110
The microbiome is emerging as a key player in the effectiveness of CAR-T therapy, and today, Dr. Melody Smith, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, sheds light on this fascinating intersection. Join us as we explore how advancements in CAR T-cell therapy are reshaping patient demographics and treatment approaches. Dr. Smith will discuss the implications of genetic engineering techniques like CRISPR, the importance of a multidisciplinary treatment strategy, and the role of anti...
Jun 17, 2025•29 min•Ep. 109
Skin longevity is more than just a trend; it’s a vital aspect of overall health. Join Dr. Zakia Rahman, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University, as she shares her insights on the evolving field of dermatology. Discover the transformative role of lasers in dermatologic patient care and the importance of education in promoting equity and safety. We'll discuss the latest advancements in treating common dermatologic conditions and gain a deeper understanding of fractional lasers for...
Jun 03, 2025•31 min•Ep. 108
Perinatal mental health is often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in the well-being of families during a vulnerable time. Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Celeste Poe, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, as we delve into the hidden challenges faced by parents during the perinatal period. Explore the emotional complexities of NICU journeys, the importance of fostering attachment despite physical barrier...
May 20, 2025•31 min•Ep. 107
Virtual environments are transforming the landscape of clinical care, and Dr. Walter Greenleaf, Research & Innovations Director at the Stanford Medical Mixed Reality Center, is at the forefront of this revolution. In our engaging conversation, Dr. Greenleaf reveals how immersive technologies can enhance cognitive and emotional well-being, ultimately promoting healthier behaviors in patients. We delve into the powerful roles of gaming and storytelling in patient adherence, as well as the prom...
May 06, 2025•29 min•Ep. 106
Nutrition is fundamental to healthcare, yet it is often overlooked and surrounded by misinformation. Join us for an engaging conversation with Deedra Geniesse, MS, RDN, Director of Clinical Nutrition at Stanford Health Care, as we explore the evolving landscape of nutrition. Discover how physical examinations enhance our understanding of nutritional status. We’ll discuss the essential roles dietitians play in critical care and outpatient settings, their contributions to advanced care planning, a...
Apr 22, 2025•26 min•Ep. 105
Pediatric epilepsy is a complex condition that affects countless children, but advancements in treatment are paving the way for brighter futures. Join us as Dr. Juliet Knowles, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Stanford University, sheds light on the multifaceted nature of epilepsy in children. In this enlightening discussion, we’ll explore the critical differences between seizures and epilepsy, the profound impact of early intervention on neonatal brain development, and the exciting advanceme...
Apr 08, 2025•25 min•Ep. 104
In a world where healthcare disparities persist, innovative solutions are essential. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Oyekan, PharmD, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Stanford Healthcare and Stanford Healthcare Tri-Valley. Dr. Oyekan shares her vision for enhancing population health in underserved communities through a groundbreaking care model. Discover how she leads with a focus on education, community engagement, and mentorship, and learn about her unique framework for effect...
Mar 25, 2025•29 min•Ep. 103
In a world where effective health communication is more crucial than ever, storytelling emerges as a powerful tool. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Maya Adam, Director of Health Media Innovation and Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford School of Medicine. Dr. Adam reveals how weaving narratives into health education can transform complex messages into accessible messages. Discover how innovative storytelling is not only reshaping public health challenges but also paving the way for the f...
Mar 11, 2025•27 min•Ep. 102
Advancements in arrhythmia care are transforming patient outcomes and reshaping clinical practices. Join Dr. Sanjiv Narayan, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, and Dr. Paul Wang, Professor of Medicine and of Bioengineering at Stanford University, as they explore the evolving field of electrophysiology, highlighting the importance of early detection and best practices in the management of common electrical abnormalities. Discover how a patient-centered approach can enhance care and out...
Feb 25, 2025•34 min•Ep. 101
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death—but breakthroughs in science are rewriting the narrative. Join us as Dr. Kevin Alexander, a Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Stanford University, takes us on a journey through the frontlines of heart health innovation. Discover transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), a condition disproportionately affecting older African Americans, and learn how cutting-edge treatments are offering new hope. Through a discussion on...
Feb 11, 2025•28 min•Ep. 100
Recent advancements in maternal and fetal healthcare are leading the way to improved outcomes. Join us as Dr. Katherine Bianco, a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stanford University, sheds light on the evolving landscape of obstetric care. Explore the challenges and innovations within maternal health, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries, and learn how personalized risk management strategies can effectively address disparities faced by underrepresented population...
Jan 28, 2025•22 min•Ep. 99
Exploring the intersection of clinical expertise and leadership, this episode features Clair Kuriakose, PA-C, FACHE, Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University. Join us as Clair shares her journey from hands-on patient care to leadership roles, emphasizing the essential skills that pave the way for effective healthcare management. Discover how clinicians can ignite their passion for improvement—be it in quality enhancement or patient efficiency—while balancing the demands of clinical re...
Jan 14, 2025•28 min•Ep. 98
This episode features a peer-to-peer conversation between two Stanford University students/interns, Mary Tyler Mosley and Lydia Wong, discussing their academic backgrounds, research experiences, and perspectives on medicine and healthcare. Mary Tyler, a senior majoring in human biology with a focus on neurobiology and neuroscience, is conducting research on transcriptional changes in oligodendrocyte precursor cells at the Knowles Lab for pediatric epilepsy. Lydia, a sophomore pursuing biology an...
Dec 24, 2024•20 min•Ep. 97
In this episode Dr. Adewuya is joined by Dr. Heike Daldrup-Link, a Professor of Radiology at Stanford University. Our conversation explores the fascinating intersection of nanotechnology and clinical medicine, particularly its transformative role in medical imaging and its significance for pediatric oncology. We discuss how nanoparticles function within the body for imaging purposes, highlighting their advantages over traditional imaging agents. Our discussion covers the advancements in precisio...
Dec 10, 2024•28 min•Ep. 96
In this episode, we address pediatric care in the context of a changing climate, featuring insights from Dr. Lisa Patel, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University. Our conversation will explore the unique vulnerabilities that children face due to climate change, including the concern about emerging diseases and diagnoses. Dr. Patel will review critical policy changes she advocates for to safeguard children's health in our evolving climate. Lastly, we will discuss what giv...
Nov 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 95
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Natalie Lui, Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University, about lung cancer screening and the importance of early detection. Since lung cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages, yearly low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening is crucial, especially for heavy smokers. We discuss risk factors, screening criteria from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and the American Cancer Society, a...
Nov 12, 2024•37 min•Ep. 94
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Fauzia Riaz, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Oncology at Stanford University. We’ll discuss the common misconceptions surrounding breast cancer care and the critical role of screening and diagnosis. We will explore treatment options for early-stage and invasive cancers as well as examine how to manage breast cancer during different times in a women’s life. Additionally, we'll review personalized care plans and the importance of adhering to treatment guideline...
Oct 22, 2024•27 min•Ep. 93
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jean Bao, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. We will explore prevalent misconceptions about breast cancer encountered in clinical practice, as well as the decision-making processes involved in managing benign masses and high-risk patients. Additionally, we will discuss innovative diagnostic technologies for at-risk individuals, the pathology of dense breast tissue, and new imaging techniques. We will also examine ...
Oct 08, 2024•31 min•Ep. 92
In this episode, we explore the complexities of H5N1 Bird Flu with Dr. Abraar Karan, Postdoctoral Medical Fellow, Infectious Diseases at Stanford University. We discuss the unique characteristics of H5N1, recent detections in the US, and the implications for public health and poultry farming. We review the impact of H5N1, including transmission risks and public health preparedness, alongside a global update on outbreaks. Gain insights into diagnosing challenges, treatment options, and strategies...
Sep 24, 2024•32 min•Ep. 91
Dr. Crystal Mackall, the Ernest and Amelia Gallo Family Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Stanford University, will be joining us today to discuss childhood cancer during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Mackall will share insights into her journey in pediatric oncology, focusing on pediatric cancer research. Our conversation will delve into the disparities between advancements in adult cancer treatment versus the limited progress in pediatric cancer care. Topics will incl...
Sep 10, 2024•35 min•Ep. 90
Tune in to an episode that discusses trending clinical topics that have been in the news recently: Monkeypox and Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome. We begin our conversation with Dr. Stan Deresinki who is a Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine at Stanford. We discuss the Monkeypox virus including the signs, symptoms, cause of the upward recent spread, transmission prevention and best practices to navigate the uncertainty of this virus. The next part of the...
Sep 01, 2024•37 min•Ep. 45
In this episode, we speak with Drs. Nataly Beck, MD and Axel Valle, PsyD, founders and directors of La Clínica Latina at Stanford Medicine, who specialize in culturally sensitive care for the Hispanic and Latino communities. Both Dr. Beck and Dr. Valle are Clinical Assistant Professors in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. We will discuss the significant need for Spanish-speaking care providers, considering the substantial percentage of Latinos in the U.S. We will also explore...
Jun 25, 2024•31 min•Ep. 89
In this episode, we delve into social determinants affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities with Dr. Nicole Stern, Assistant Professor of Medical Education at California University of Science and Medicine. We explore the five key domains of social determinants of health: economic stability, education access and quality, healthcare access and quality, neighborhood and environment, and social and community context. Examples include safe housing, transportation, racism, discriminatio...
Jun 11, 2024•27 min•Ep. 88
Join us for an insightful conversation on African American maternal health with Dr. Irogue Igbinosa, a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist from Stanford University. Our discussion will delve into various aspects including causes of maternal mortality, the alarming rise in rates as evidenced by recent CDC data, with a specific lens on its impact on Black women. We explore the factors contributing to higher maternal mortality rates in the African American community, the intersection between socioec...
May 28, 2024•28 min•Ep. 87
In this episode, we speak with Joo Ha Hwang, MD, PhD who is a Professor of Medicine in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Stanford University. We'll discuss why gastric cancer often goes undiagnosed until later stages, the lack of specific guidelines for screening and treatment in Asian populations, the prevalence and primary risk factors for gastric cancer, particularly H. pylori infection, with a focus on East Asians' elevated risk. Join us as Dr. Hwang shares insights on improving detection...
May 14, 2024•27 min•Ep. 86
In the final segment of our leadership mini-series, we engage with Dr. Deborah H. Gruenfeld, a distinguished social psychologist and Joseph McDonald, Professor at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. In this episode, we explore the nuances between "power" and "influence." Our conversation includes understanding power, leveraging it effectively, and fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives contribute to identifying and solving problems within a team. Join us as we...
Apr 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 85
