Health Chatter

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Kathleen McJunkin, former veterinarian, about pet health and caring for our animal companions throughout their lives.

Dr. McJunkin brings a unique blend of scientific and veterinary expertise to the conversation. She spent roughly twenty years working as a clinical laboratory scientist at the University of Minnesota, including ten years in chemistry and another ten years in molecular diagnostics. She later pursued veterinary school and went on to practice small animal veterinary medicine for 22 years, caring for pets and supporting the health of the families who love...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Connor Lonning, Bubba’s uncle, coach, & youth development advocate, and Tony Ayala about Bubba’s Fund and its mission to turn unimaginable loss into a powerful legacy of life-saving tools, joyful play, and lasting impact for children.

Bubba’s Fund is a donor-advised fund of the La Crosse Area Community Foundation, created in memory of Charlie Lonning Weber (“Bubba”). After his sudden passing, his family and community turned their grief into action by launching an initiative to ensure every state-licensed childcare center in La Crosse is equipped with an AE...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Tory Schafer, Senior Director of Yoga at Life Time and nationally recognized meditation, yoga, and sound healing practitioner, about yoga and health.

Tory Schafer brings a rich, multidisciplinary perspective shaped by years of teaching and leadership across North America. With specialties in Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Nidra, pranayama, and vibrational therapy, his work blends yogic wisdom, somatic awareness, and trauma-informed practice. Drawing from a background in music and performance, Tory creates immersive experiences that emphasize presence, intention, and attunement—helping individuals reconnect with their inner harmony through embodied pr...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Robin Austin, Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, about menopause and the often-overlooked realities of midlife women’s health.

Dr. Austin brings more than 20 years of clinical experience spanning pain management, women’s health, and integrative health. With both a DNP and PhD in Nursing Informatics—and dual training as a chiropractor and nurse—her work blends clinical insight with data science to address whole-person needs. Her research focuses on chronic pain and menopause, and she is a Research Mentee with the The Meno...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Julie Brock, owner of Julie Brock Consulting, about community engagement.

Julie is a strategist who helps individuals, teams, and organizations move from ideas to measurable action through human-centered systems. Her work draws on co-design, CliftonStrengths®, Results Based Accountability, and stress management and resiliency—grounded in deep listening, connection-making, and a willingness to disrupt the status quo so people can lead with confidence and purpose. Julie brings experience across K–12 education, workforce development, community-based organizations, business, and higher education, and holds degrees in English and Human Development.

Lea...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Mary Gray, Director of Rehabilitation at HealthPartners, about falls and fall prevention.

Mary oversees rehabilitation services across HealthPartners’ community-based hospitals and clinics, including cardiac rehabilitation. A licensed physical therapist with 27 years of experience, she brings deep expertise and passion for geriatrics—particularly fall prevention, dementia and age-friendly care, osteoporosis management, and frailty. Beyond her professional work, Mary is also a caregiver to her 95-year-old father living with dementia, giving her both clinical and personal insight into the realities of aging and safety.

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Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Steve Kopecky, Professor of Medicine and Preventive Cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, about blood pressure and the updated guidelines.

Dr. Kopecky is a consultant and chair of education in the Division of Preventive Cardiology within the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He also serves as director of the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Clinic, Statin Intolerance Clinic, and the Cardiovascular Emergency Department Consult Service. A nationally and internationally recognized leader in cardiovascular disease prevention, Dr. Kopecky’s work focuses on the role of lifestyle in he...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Ellie Wilson, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Minnesota, about Autism Spectrum Disorder and the evolving landscape of support across the lifespan.

Ellie Wilson brings two decades of experience supporting children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum. With a background in public health administration and policy, Ellie has completed advanced fellowships through Minnesota LEND (Leadership and Education in Neuro-Developmental Disabilities) and the National Institute of Educational Leadership. Her work spans recreation programs, K–12 and post-secondary education, emergency response systems, clinical and therapeutic settings, and community li...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Ronda Marie Chakolis-Hassan, President of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, and Dr. Ai-Ja Jackson, licensed pharmacist, about Medication Management—and explore the central question: “Should we just medicate?”

Dr. Ronda Marie Chakolis-Hassan, PharmD, MPH, exemplifies the intersection of clinical expertise and public health advocacy in pharmacy practice. An alum of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, her diverse career spans 15 years in Pharmacy Benefit Management and over 5 years as a Medication Therapy Management pharmacist in community practice. Her commitment to health...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Susan Mau Larson, Chief Administrative Officer at LifeSource, and Sarah Sonn, Director of Communications at LifeSource, about life saving organ donation.

Susan Mau Larson has spent her career leading strategic and policy efforts to strengthen organ donation systems nationwide and support donor families through the process. She has held leadership roles across national donation advocacy and public education organizations.

Sarah Sonn leads communications at LifeSource and focuses on public education, storytelling, and community partnerships to increase donor registration and address misinformation.

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Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat about retirement and health.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at https://www.huemanpartnershipalliance.org/

Stan, Clarence, and the Health Chatter team chat about the profound role friendships play in our overall health and well-being.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at https://www.huemanpartnershipalliance.org/

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. David Alter, psychologist, author, teacher, and explorer, about mindfulness, meditation and health.

Dr. Alter has more than 35 years of experience as a clinician, educator, trainer, and researcher. His career spans clinical practice, international teaching, and authorship of books and peer-reviewed articles. Beyond psychology, he is also an adventurer and photographer, using his lens to explore humanity’s shared heritage and our deep connections to nature. At the heart of his work is a passion for understanding relationships—within our biological systems, between brain, mind, body, and envi...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team tackle a deceptively simple question: How do you manage your health?

In this episode, the team reflects on the many factors - big and small - that shape personal health management, from daily habits and self-care to navigating healthcare systems and making lifestyle choices.

Tune in for a lively discussion that will leave you thinking about your own approach to health and how small changes can make a big difference.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Mitchell Elliott Bender, Clinical Professor of Dermatology and longtime leader in the field, about common and complex dermatologic conditions.

Dr. Bender was born and raised in the Bronx, NYC, and earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He went on to graduate from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and completed his residency in dermatology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Bender founded Dermatology Specialists PA in Edina, Minnesota, which has grown into a 15-member practice...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Sam Simmons about men’s stories and experiences related to health and healthcare.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at https://www.huemanpartnershipalliance.org/

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Ida Fonkoue, Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Division at the University of Minnesota, about the connections between trauma, stress, and PTSD in young women.

Dr. Fonkoue serves as the director of the Neurobiology of Emotion, Sleep and Trauma (NEST) lab, where she and her team investigate how trauma affects neurocirculatory and hormonal systems, particularly as they relate to cardiovascular disease risk in women.

Join us for an enlightening discussion about how trauma shapes women’s cardiovascular health.

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Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Diana Sabreen, founder of The Big Dream, about how our dreams - both big and everyday - shape our health, creativity, and sense of purpose.

Diana brings a refreshingly unconventional path to her work - opting for sunlit cliffs and cross-continental adventures instead of fluorescent lights and cubicles. Her life has been guided by curiosity, creativity, and a belief that joy and self-expression are essential to wellness. As a longtime artist, activist, and coach, she helps people break free from societal “shoulds” and reconnect with the boldest vers...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter Team chat about how to address health in anxious times, and explore how uncertainty, stress, and societal challenges shape our public health infrastructure.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at https://www.huemanpartnershipalliance.org/

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. John R. Finnegan, former dean of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, about the role of public health in today’s changing landscape.

Dr. Finnegan, who holds an MA and PhD in Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota, has contributed decades of experience to public health education, research, and service. His work includes leadership roles with organizations such as Children’s HeartLink, HealthEast, and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, as well as involvement in initiatives focused on sexual assault prev...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Patty Takawira, who leads the Aging and Healthy Communities Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health, about Alzheimer’s.

Patty works alongside a passionate team to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, promote early detection, and support the health and wellbeing of both caregivers and individuals living with dementia. Her work is rooted in advancing health equity and ensuring that all Minnesotans have the opportunity to age with dignity, connection, and care.

Listen along as Patty Takawira shares their expertise about Alzheimer’s and...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Jennifer Lundblad, President and CEO of Stratis Health, about quality assurance and quality improvement in healthcare.

Dr. Lundblad leads Stratis Health, an independent non-profit based in Bloomington, Minnesota, focused on collaboration and innovation in health care improvement. With a strong foundation in leadership, organizational development, and program management, she brings deep experience from both the nonprofit and healthcare sectors.

Listen along as Dr. Lundblad shares how quality assurance and improvement are critical to improve health outcomes.

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Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Abigail Houts, Internist and Geriatrician, about healthcare as we age.

Dr. Houts brings a wealth of experience in geriatric medicine, having served in diverse clinical and leadership roles across the country. From her early work with PACE programs in Chicago to launching a physician house call service for underserved seniors at Hennepin County Medical Center, she has long been an advocate for accessible, community-based elder care. Currently, she leads as Medical Director for Ambulatory Services at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and continues to provide...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Kumi Smith, Associate Professor in the Division of Epidemiology & Community Health at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, about the opioid crisis.

Dr. Smith's research focuses on health disparities at the intersection of infectious diseases, substance use, and unstable housing. She develops structural interventions to support clinical workers in delivering culturally specific and trauma-informed care for marginalized patients. Her expertise spans HIV, STIs, infectious disease dynamics, intervention science, sexual health, and healthcare stigma.

Join us for an insightful discussion on the opioid...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Steven Fu, Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota and Director of the VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research (CCDOR), about Veteran Health.

Dr. Fu's research focuses on smoking cessation and tobacco-related health disparities, particularly among diverse and disadvantaged populations. His work aims to improve the delivery and utilization of tobacco dependence treatments, ensuring better health outcomes for those who have served. With an extensive background in medicine and public health, Dr. Fu brings valuable insights into the challenges and advancements in Veteran...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Thomas E. Kottke, Kathleen Anderson, & Thea Williams about firearm storage and safety.

Dr. Thomas E. Kottke is the medical director for well-being at HealthPartners, a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, and a health services researcher at the HealthPartners Institute. With a background in internal medicine, cardiology, and public health, his work focuses on preventive care and community well-being.

Kathleen Anderson is a clinical social worker, mother of three, and a volunteer educator with Be SMART, a national campaign dedicated to promoting...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Andrew Litchy, N.D., about naturopathic medicine and its role in modern healthcare.

Dr. Litchy is a naturopathic doctor who treats people of all ages, focusing on digestive and cardiovascular health, chronic illnesses, and overall wellness. He is also a faculty member, meditation teacher, and collaborator with research programs aimed at integrating naturopathic approaches and mindfulness practices into broader healthcare solutions.

Join us for an enlightening discussion about the principles and applications of naturopathic medicine, and stay tuned to gain fresh perspectives on holistic health.<...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat about Health Insurance.

Listen along as the team attempts to make sense of a variety of health insurance complexities. This episode is merely an introduction with more detailed episodes to come.

Join the conversation at healthchatterpodcast.com

Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at huemanpartnership.org.

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter Team chat with Dr. Chrystian Pereira, an accomplished leader in pharmaceutical care and health systems, to discuss the pressing issue of pharmacy deserts and their impact on community health.

Dr. Chrystian Pereira, Pharm.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in the department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Systems. As the Director for Interprofessional Education, Dr. Pereira spearheads initiatives that enhance collaborative care across health professions. In addition to his role at the College of Pharmacy, he practices as a clinical pharmacist and trains...

Stan, Clarence, & Barry chat with Dr. Kathleen Garland to better understand pediatric blood disorders.

Dr. Kathleen (Kate) Garland is a pediatric hematologist at Children's Minnesota, specializing in hemostasis and thrombosis with a passion for advancing care through clinical trials and research. With training from East Tennessee State University, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, and Oregon Health & Science University, she excels in delivering evidence-based, technology-driven care and mentoring the next generation of hematology specialists.

Listen along as Dr. Garland shares her expertise on pediatric blood disorders and their impact on children and families.

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Stan and Clarence chat with three incredible leaders in public health and policy: Dr. Tom Kottke, Dr. Amy Lansky, and Dr. Alison Cuellar.

Dr. Tom Kottke is the Medical Director for Well-Being at HealthPartners and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. With a career dedicated to cardiovascular health and preventive medicine, Dr. Kottke brings a wealth of experience in evidence-based practice and public health leadership. A member of the inaugural U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, he has contributed to federal guidelines on tobacco treatment and co-chaired the National Quality Forum’s Cardiovascular Standing Co...

Stan, Clarence, & Barry revisit vaccinations with Nurse Practioner, Shirlynn LaChapelle

Shirlynn LaChapelle, President of Nursing is the Answer and a nurse consultant at Shirlynn LaChapelle & Associates, brings decades of expertise as a former surgical ICU nurse, nurse practitioner, and past president of the Minnesota Black Nurses’ Association. A member of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Drug Pricing Task Force, she joins Health Chatter to share her insights on the critical role of vaccinations in promoting public health.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Heal...

Stan, Clarence, & Barry chat with Dr. Christi Patten about their research in developing novel, theory-based behavioral interventions for tobacco cessation.

Listen along as Dr. Patten details the complexities and challenges of tobacco cessation.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at http://huemanpartnership.org/

Stan, Clarence, and Barry chat with Pam Mink - Director of Health Services at the Minnesota Department of Health - about a newly released report on telehealth expansion.

Check out the new report here

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at http://huemanpartnership.org/

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team discuss the impacts labels, stereotypes, and identities can have on health.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at http://huemanpartnership.org/

Stan and Clarence chat with two incredible leaders in Indigenous health and public policy: Ravyn Gibbs and Kris Rhodes.

Ravyn Gibbs serves as the Tribal Liaison at the Minnesota Department of Health. Ravyn works to uplift Native communities, focusing on Indigenous rights and reducing health disparities. With a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of Minnesota Duluth and dual Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health from the University of Minnesota, Ravyn is also pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Drawing on previous work in federal Native and Tribal affa...

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team reflect on over 2 years of Health Chatter episodes in this 100th episode special.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at http://huemanpartnership.org/

Stan, Clarence, and the Health Chatter team chat about the effects of traveling on health.

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Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at http://huemanpartnership.org/

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat about the impacts of safety on health.

Join the conversation at healthchatterpodcast.com

Brought to you in support of Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships.

More about their work can be found at http://huemanpartnership.org/

Stan, Clarence, Barry, and the Health Chatter team chat with Dr. Mike Osterholm about infectious diseases.

Dr. Osterholm - a Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health, and the Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota - has an extensive and distinguished career in infectious disease. Dr. Osterholm has also held numerous positions throughout state and local governments serving as the Science Envoy for Health Security on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, Special Advisor to the then Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson...