Voices in Health and Wellness

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Burnout thrives in the space between good intentions and leaky boundaries—and that’s exactly where we go with licensed acupuncturist and zero balancing teacher, Ben Fleisher. From early studies in Buddhism and meditation to founding Woodstock Healing Arts in upstate New York, Ben shows how grounded rituals and collaborative care can protect a clinician’s energy while improving outcomes for patients across ages and conditions.

We trace the arc from philosophy to practice: a three-step ritual that centres both practitioner and patient, a clear definition of scope that makes referrals a stre...

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Walk into a busy independent optician and you’ll feel it right away: the pace, the care, the quiet choreography that makes a complex clinic look effortless. Helena Stengel, a dispensing optician and director of a 90-year-old UK practice, takes us behind the counter to show how authentic communication and advanced technology can coexist without losing the human touch. We explore what it takes to keep patients seen and heard while running double clinics, mentoring trainees, and staying present for a team that depends on calm leadership.

We dig into the ne...

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What if healing looked less like a waiting room and more like a community hub filled with movement, mindfulness, and real-world support? That’s the vision Tim Massaquoi brings as Executive Director of a recovery centre serving families after a mass shooting in Southwest Philadelphia. His journey from the NFL to psychotherapy and leadership sets the stage for a candid look at how trauma-informed, culturally responsive care can meet people where they are—and help them move forward together.

We walk through the core elements of KHCRC’s approach: pairing clinical therap...

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What if the fix for “non-adherence” isn’t motivation, but the size of the next step? We sit down with Dr John Oberg of Precina Health to unpack a protocol that treats the whole person and then shrinks change until success is likely. Starting with medication correctness and adherence, and only then moving to lifestyle when someone is ready, John’s team has posted outcomes that stand out: a rural pilot moving average A1C from 9.6 to below the diabetes threshold with two years of stability and zero hospitalisations, and an IRB‑reviewed study shif...

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A car accident in her teens didn’t just change Dr Suzie Bergman’s life; it changed her field. After years of surgeries and a total TMJ joint replacement, Suzie turned personal pain into a mission to rebuild how we care for orofacial pain—by uniting dentistry with medicine, sleep, rehabilitation, and behavioural health. We dig into why chronic jaw pain resists quick fixes, how misdiagnosis happens, and what it takes to form a team that can see the whole person rather than isolated parts.

We walk through the mechanics of integr...

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What if healthcare could keep more people in good work, not just treat them after they fall out of it? Dr Karen Wallace, GP and Director of Clinical Partnerships at Maximus UK, takes us inside disability medicine and functional assessments, where the focus shifts from diagnosis to day‑to‑day function and real‑world capability. Across an honest, practical conversation, we unpack how post‑COVID trends have driven a rise in long‑term sickness, why younger people are staying out of the labour market longer, and what it will take to build pathways that actua...

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What if half the fracture clinic queue never needed to be there at all? We sit down with a veteran hand and upper limb surgeon whose career spans elite sport, complex wrist trauma, and a passion for redesigning care so patients get help faster, safer, and with far less hassle. From the early days of noticing waste in patient pathways to formal lean training inspired by the Virginia Mason method, you’ll hear how small, focused changes add up to a system that actually works for people.

We break down the vi...

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A single two-hour session that left more questions than answers became the catalyst for change. We sit down with The Soke founder Maryam Meddin to trace how a painful first brush with psychotherapy pushed her to redesign the entire care journey around human dignity, safety, and clarity. From the first phone call to the moment a client steps back onto the street, every touchpoint is treated as part of the therapeutic process.

Maryam shares how a trained client services team translates the maze of psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy into clear choices...

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Sleep shouldn’t demand that parents ignore their instincts. We sit down with Emma Gawne, a certified sleep coach and founder of Help Baby Sleep, to unpack a humane, evidence-based approach that respects infant biology, attachment, and the realities of family life. Emma’s personal journey through poor guidance and postnatal depression led her to build a model that moves beyond quick fixes and one-size-fits-all programmes, offering nuanced support that helps families find rest, rhythm, and confidence.

Across our conversation, Emma explains why “biological best” sleep doesn’t always mean long, uninterrup...

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The gap between fear and freedom is often smaller than it feels. We sit down with therapist and coach Jonny Baker to unpack how integrative hypnotherapy, NLP, guided meditation, and psychotherapy principles combine to help people move from spirals of anxiety into steadier, more connected lives. Johnny’s route from art school to hypnosis shaped a practice that prizes imagination, pacing, and relationship over rigid protocols, and his approach shows why creativity is not a luxury in therapy—it is a lever for change.

We dig into health anxiety and death anxi...

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Feeling flat, foggy, or unlike yourself is not a personality flaw. It can be a hormone story hiding in plain sight. We sit down with Dr Zak Zafrani, a GP with a specialist focus on men’s health, to unpack why testosterone deficiency is often missed, how stigma keeps men quiet, and what a safe, evidence-based path forward looks like when symptoms start to stack up.

We start with the realities of primary care: short appointments, rigid lab cut-offs, and the quiet discomfort men feel discussing libido, erectile changes, and loss of...

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A bigger ad budget won’t fix a leaky back door. Dr Larry Stanleigh joins us to show how sustainable growth in healthcare comes from relationships, not campaigns—and why most clinics overspend on SEO while underinvesting in trust. Larry’s path spans general dentistry, cosmetic work, periodontal care, and a deep niche in orofacial pain and TMJ, plus leadership in sports performance mouthguards that have supported Olympians to gold. That breadth shapes a clear stance: treat the person first, align care to what they value, and let results fuel referrals.

We dig...

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What if therapy could feel lighter, calmer, and more grounded—without losing depth? We sit down with psychotherapist, trainer, and author Ruthie Smith to explore a practical way of working that brings the mind, body, and subtle energy into one coherent process. Ruthie shares how a formative career in psychoanalysis evolved after one client calmed within minutes using gentle energy techniques, and why today’s trauma-informed care increasingly leans on somatic regulation, tapping, and heart-based presence.

Across our conversation, we unpack what energy psychotherapy looks like in real sessions: short balancing prac...

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A wave of teen distress has swept through otherwise loving, intact families—panic attacks, self-harm, school avoidance—without the trauma histories clinicians typically expect. Psychotherapist and parent coach Nicole Runyon traces a common thread: unbounded devices and a culture that prizes comfort over challenge. We dive into how the modern home and school environment can quietly derail development, and why the fastest path to change is helping parents reclaim calm authority, not slotting children into an overburdened system.

Nicole lays out a clear, workable framework for raising independent young people: high love...

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What does it take to build a modern allergy and immunology clinic that actually moves the needle for patients? We sit down with Dr Loren Isakson, founder of North Star Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, to unpack the choices behind a lean telemedicine launch, a thoughtful pivot to in-person care, and a day-to-day practice that treats sneezes and immune deficiencies with the same precision. From the first spark of curiosity in research labs to leading services at an Air Force base, her path reveals how a puzzle-loving clinician becomes a resilient entrepreneur without losing...

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What if “work-life balance” isn’t a tug of war at all, but a single timeline you learn to steer? That’s the lens Dr Sharon Winters brings to four decades in psychiatry, blending rigorous medicine with a deeply human, relationship-first approach that feels increasingly rare. We sit down with the board-certified psychiatrist and child fellowship clinician to unpack how 30-minute follow-ups, clear priorities, and better-tolerated medications are reshaping outcomes for people managing mood, anxiety, and complex life transitions.

Sharon takes us inside a practice where evidence meets empathy: newer psychiatric meds wit...

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What if CPAP success isn’t about willpower, but design? We sit down with nurse practitioner and founder Carissa Hankins to explore a coaching-first model that finally makes therapy tolerable, personal and effective for people living with obstructive sleep apnoea. From the first “why does this mask leak?” to the moment the data actually matches how you feel, Carissa shows how small, human-centred changes create big, sustainable wins.

We start with crystal-clear foundations—what apnoea and hypopnoea are, how CPAP works as an air splint, and why one in three midlife adults m...

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What if the real breakthrough in heart care isn’t a new drug, but a new way of listening? Cardiologist Monica Moaghan joins us from Enniskillen to unpack how modern cardiology can be both high-tech and deeply human—combining CT coronary angiography, strong GP partnerships, and practical prevention to stop cardiac events before they start.

We talk through a typical “consultant of the week” rhythm, then zoom out to the upstream moves that matter in rural communities: building trust with family doctors, bringing education into local halls, and turning simple markers—blood pres...

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A stage 3 cancer diagnosis during dental school could have ended a career before it began. For Dr Alesia Walsh, it lit a fuse that now powers four paediatric dental clinics serving mostly underserved families across Northeastern Pennsylvania—without sacrificing kindness, safety or standards. We talk about why she traded a big‑city career for her hometown, how COVID exposed a deep access gap, and the patient‑first systems that let her team treat every child the same whether they’re on Medicaid, private insurance or self‑pay.

Alesia opens the door to her mor...

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What does it take to build a cosmetic surgery practice that attracts patients from Dubai, Paris, and beyond? Dr. Ryan Diepenbrock reveals the journey behind Renewed Look becoming an international destination for facial aesthetics.

Starting as a side practice during his military career, Dr. Diepenbrock leveraged his multi-specialty training in the US Air Force to develop a unique approach to facial rejuvenation. "I was learning how to do noses from otolaryngologists, skin resurfacing from dermatologists, and blepharoplasties from oculoplastic surgeons," he explains, describing how this collaborative foundation shaped his surgical philosophy.<...

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Hair loss isn't simply a cosmetic issue—it's a legitimate medical condition that deserves proper diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Amy Vowler, Managing Director at Hair GP and experienced physician with extensive clinical background spanning neurodisability and youth health services, brings a refreshingly holistic approach to hair restoration.

"Hair just got sort of pushed to the side as more of a beauty thing rather than a medical thing, but it's very much a medical thing," Dr. Vowler explains, highlighting how the medical establishment has historically overlooked this crucial aspect of patient wellbeing. Dr...

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What happens when your greatest personal crisis becomes your professional mission? Ruth Cooper Dixon's powerful journey from experiencing workplace panic attacks to founding a consultancy that transforms corporate wellbeing cultures offers fascinating insights for leaders and individuals alike.

Ruth bridges psychology, business leadership and human performance through her work with global organizations. After beginning her career at Rolls-Royce Aerospace and progressing through project management roles in finance, everything changed in 2015 when a severe panic attack at work led to her diagnosis with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The surprising revelation...

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What happens when a health crisis leads to profound personal and professional transformation? Marina Livis' path from speech therapy student to holistic psychotherapist illuminates how conventional medicine can miss crucial connections between body imbalances and mental health symptoms.

Marina's story begins with a suspicion about her own neurodivergence while studying at Northwestern. During a period of debilitating symptoms that felt like "dementia, ADD, and depression in one," conventional psychiatry offered only medication after medication without improvement. Her breakthrough came through functional medicine, which identified mercury toxicity combined with a genetic mutation...

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How often do you think about the light surrounding you right now? Far beyond illuminating your space, that light is actively shaping your health in profound ways most of us never consider. Dr. Martin Moore-Ede, pioneering Harvard researcher who first identified the circadian clock in the human brain, reveals why your "light diet" deserves as much attention as your food diet.

Having spent decades translating cutting-edge light science into practical applications, Dr. Moore-Ede explains how our modern indoor lifestyle under "ultra-processed" LED lighting is undermining our wellbeing. The evidence is startling...

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How do we transform men's mental health in a world where vulnerability is often seen as weakness? Gavin Thorpe, co-founder of Talk Club, shares the remarkable journey of creating a mental fitness movement that's changing how men approach emotional wellbeing.

From a small gathering of five men in a Bristol pub to over 150 groups nationwide, Talk Club has evolved into something truly special. At its core is a disarmingly simple question: "How are you out of 10?" This numerical scale gives men a language to express their emotional state without immediately needing...

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Transformation—not just procedures—sits at the heart of Modern Body Clinic's approach to aesthetics and wellness. Founder Dr. Mark Carter joins us to reveal how he's built a thriving practice that balances clinical excellence with operational sustainability and practitioner wellbeing.

From his Phoenix clinic, Dr. Carter shares fascinating insights into how patient expectations have evolved dramatically in recent years. "People want results to be more natural," he explains, noting the dual shift toward both natural-looking outcomes and heightened safety awareness. This evolution requires providers to be exceptionally transparent about realistic expe...

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What if you could get the same high-quality medical imaging at half the price? Dr. Kristen Dickerson turned this question into a nationwide healthcare revolution when she founded Green Imaging after watching hospital acquisitions triple imaging prices overnight in her community.

The radiologist-entrepreneur discovered a powerful insight: most imaging centers operate at just 50% capacity, while 90% of Americans never meet their insurance deductibles and pay full price for medical care. Her solution? Lease unused scanner time directly from imaging centers, perform the interpretations herself, and pass the savings to patients and employers.<...

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What happens when mental healthcare providers themselves become targets of political attacks? How do therapists support marginalized communities while managing their own wellbeing? These questions lie at the heart of our conversation with Abby Cota-Logan, a pioneering force in LGBTQ+ affirming mental healthcare.

Abbey takes us inside Clintonville Counseling and Wellness, a practice she co-founded in Columbus, Ohio that's become a lifeline for transgender and queer clients. From offering free gender-affirming letters to accepting Medicaid despite financial challenges, their commitment to accessibility shines through every aspect of their work.

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Orthopedic care is experiencing a fundamental shift from mechanical fixes to joint preservation, and Dr. Jason Jones is at the forefront of this evolution. As founder of Nashville Knee and Shoulder, he's spent 12 years building a thriving practice focused on delivering personalized care for knee, shoulder, and musculoskeletal conditions.

Dr. Jones takes us behind the scenes of his journey from training in New York to establishing his clinic in Tennessee. He explains how orthopedic approaches have transformed over the past decade – moving away from immediate surgical interventions toward more conservative, joint-preserving tr...

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Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at a thriving cardiology practice? Eli Anyadi pulls back the curtain on the evolving world of specialty healthcare delivery with a fascinating blend of business strategy and patient-centered approaches.

As the Practice Administrator for Metropolitan Cardiovascular Consultants, Eli navigates the complex landscape of modern healthcare with a refreshing perspective. He reveals how his practice is adapting to dramatically different patient expectations—particularly from millennials who demand transparency, minimal wait times, and seamless digital experiences. The conversation explores how Metropolitan Cardiovascular has implemented innovative AI so...

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What if the narrative around cognitive decline being an inevitable part of aging isn't true? What if conditions like Alzheimer's could be prevented or even reversed? Lindsay Byrne's personal journey challenges everything we thought we knew about brain health.

When Lindsey's mother began showing signs of memory loss, she initially accepted the common belief that nothing could be done. But the pandemic's disruption of her executive coaching career created space for discovery - leading her to the Bredesen Protocol and witnessing her mother's significant improvement despite an Alzheimer's diagnosis.

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What happens when our ancient brains collide with modern technology? Dr. Mike Brooks, psychologist and author of "Tech Generation: Raising Balanced Kids in a Hyper-Connected World," delivers a profound exploration of why we're struggling in a digital world that feels normal but is anything but.

Brooks introduces the concept of "accelerating evolutionary mismatch"—the growing gap between our evolutionary heritage and our modern environment. With humans now spending 50-70% of waking hours staring at screens (compared to zero throughout most of human history), our brains are essentially "screaming monkeys" overwhelmed by st...

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The journey from burnout to vitality isn't just about "managing stress"—it's about fundamentally rewiring your nervous system and hormone balance. Dr. Ashley Kumar knows this firsthand. After hitting rock bottom with severe adrenal fatigue while raising two young children and running her physical therapy practice, she discovered that conventional medicine offered few answers for women caught in chronic stress cycles.

During our candid conversation, Dr. Kumar reveals the hidden mechanism behind many women's exhaustion: cortisol steal. When your body prioritizes survival over thriving, it diverts resources from hormones like progesterone to...

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What happens when clinical nutrition expertise meets hands-on pediatric healthcare and community education? Nathan Bracco, a certified nutrition specialist and licensed dietitian nutritionist, reveals the fascinating intersection of these worlds and the profound impact it has on children's health.

Nathan's multifaceted approach spans individual clinical care, classroom education, and community advocacy. At Bay Pediatric Center, he works with high-risk pediatric patients dealing with weight management issues, food allergies, digestive problems, and diabetes. Meanwhile, his grant-funded work through the University of Maryland takes him into elementary school classrooms, where he transforms nutrition...

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What happens when women achieve everything society told them would bring happiness, yet still feel empty inside? This provocative question lies at the heart of our conversation with Melissa Persechini, a licensed clinical therapist specializing in trauma, addiction and women's health at the Women's and Girls Empowerment Center.

Melissa's journey began with a passion for substance abuse treatment, but a graduate course in trauma therapy changed everything. She discovered that proper trauma diagnosis creates transformative healing—especially important when so many women receive misdiagnoses for anxiety, depression, or ADHD when untreated tr...

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The intersection of Eastern contemplation and Western psychology creates a powerful framework for healing, as demonstrated in this deep conversation with Swedish psychologist Dan Landgre. With over 35 years of clinical experience and 45 years of meditation practice, Dan shares his remarkable journey from Zen Buddhist meditation halls to establishing his thriving psychotherapy practice in Lund.

Dan's unique approach transcends conventional therapy models. Beginning with his own quest for inner peace in the early 1980s, he has crafted a methodology that addresses both psychological distress and spiritual awakening. Rather than limiting himself to...

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The healthcare industry stands at a pivotal crossroads where clinical expertise meets artificial intelligence, and Dr. Glenn Loomis is helping chart the path forward. In this fascinating conversation, the family physician turned healthcare innovator shares his journey from military medicine to founding Query Health, an AI-driven platform revolutionizing the patient-provider experience.

After two decades leading medical groups and health systems, Dr. Loomis identified a critical opportunity: physicians spend roughly half their patient visits simply gathering information, while simultaneously struggling with administrative burdens that limit meaningful engagement. His solution? AI that conducts...

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Ever wondered what it really takes to build a successful med spa from the ground up? Tal Reza's journey from ER nurse to award-winning med spa founder offers a refreshingly honest glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship in the aesthetic medicine world.

After nine years in orthopedic surgery where she utilized plasma treatments for joint and tissue healing, Tal recognized an opportunity to bring these regenerative techniques to aesthetics. Her Florida-based Plasma Med Spa has quickly gained recognition for its evidence-based approach and commitment to natural-looking results – winning "Best of...

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The healthcare landscape for children is changing dramatically, with families increasingly seeking solutions beyond medication for complex behavioral and developmental challenges. Melissa Smith, founder of NewView Integrative Pediatrics in Georgia, brings a revolutionary perspective as both a pediatric nurse practitioner and mental health specialist.

Melissa's journey began when she noticed alarming trends in children's health that conventional approaches weren't adequately addressing. Drawing from personal experience with her mother's cancer treatment and the power of nutrition, she developed a practice model that looks beyond symptoms to identify root causes of childhood behavioral...

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Revolutionizing behavioral health requires rethinking the entire system—not just focusing on individual behaviors. This fundamental principle drives Samantha Cliborne's innovative approach at Behavior Matters Consulting in South Carolina.

Drawing from over a decade of experience as a board-certified behaviour analyst, Samantha is transforming traditional models by putting families at the center of care. "You can't treat behaviour without treating the system around it," she explains, describing how her approach differs dramatically from the rigid, compliance-based methods of previous generations.

The spark for Behavior Matters came during Samantha's time te...