Episodes

Overview: We explore the difference between superficial and real community engagement in healthcare with guests Rebecca and Stephanie, both experienced patient advocates who share their personal stories of navigating complex health systems and channeling their experiences into advocacy work. We discuss the importance of authentic partnership, meaningful compensation for lived experience, and the nine dimensions of effective engagement outlined by the Inspire project—trust-based, asset-based, inc...

Overview: We sit down with Dr. Evans, CEO, Chief Medical Officer, and co-founder of the Wellness Equity Alliance, to explore how trust is built with historically marginalized communities in healthcare. We trace his journey from international humanitarian crises to leading vaccine distribution and street medicine initiatives in the U.S., digging into the intersections of operational efficiency, health equity, and the imperative for wellness—not just disease prevention. Together, we discuss the im...

Overview: We explore the realities of caring for people with learning disabilities through a powerful conversation with ⁠Dr. Sara Ryan,⁠ whose lived experience and research shed light on the stigma, systemic failures, and everyday barriers faced by this community. We hear about the devastating concept of "social murder," where systems knowingly allow preventable harm, and discuss why individuals with learning disabilities often receive substandard healthcare. Drawing on personal stories and rese...

What happens when three family physicians sit down and get honest about what's missing in the care we provide? In this conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Rachel Weiner and Dr. Sophia Malik to explore why so many of our patients are carrying unprocessed trauma in their bodies — and why most of us were never given the tools to address it. We talk about Somatic Experiencing® (SE™), Compassionate Inquiry®, the nervous system, and what it actually looks like to bring body-based awareness into a 15-minu...

Overview: We explore how ⁠South Park Senior Citizens⁠ transformed from an institutional, siloed resource hub into a vibrant cultural community, using food as a powerful tool for healing and connection. We dig into the intentional redesign of their dining experience, creating a welcoming space where elders from diverse backgrounds gather around beautifully set tables to share meals, stories, and traditions. Through immersive cultural programming, farm-to-table partnerships, and a dedicated team w...

Overview: We explore intersection of aging, mental health, and technology with Neelam, founder of Total Life, to explore how we can better support seniors through innovative care models and AI-powered tools. We hear how a personal family experience inspired Neelam to address the lack of mental health support in elder care, and learn about Total Life’s approach to integrating therapy into seniors’ primary care visits and reducing barriers to access, such as long wait times and lack of culturally ...

Overview: We discuss what culturally responsive care really means for underserved communities and how technology, especially AI, can create more equitable solutions in healthcare. We reflect on the challenge of finding tools that expand care teams and deepen patient trust without losing the essential personal touch of community health centers. We talk candidly about the intersection of technology, ROI, and ethics—asking what true success looks like when serving vulnerable populations. Co-design ...

Overview: We explore the intersection of rural health and culturally responsive care, highlighting how geography shapes healthcare experiences for the 65 million Americans living in rural areas. We dive into the transformative potential of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, discussing how states are listening to diverse communities—including tribal populations—to design context-specific solutions. Through conversations with policy leaders from United States of Care, we examine the...

Overview: We dive into the journey of Jomo, whose three decades in healthcare have been dedicated to improving access, with a special focus on LA County’s transformative eConsult system. We explore how this tool slashes specialist wait times from months to days for underserved populations, discuss the concept of “return on value” as a fuller measure of healthcare innovation, and reflect on the tension between profit, impact, and equity. Our conversation highlights the ways technology can lift t...

Overview: We dive into the inspiring stories of Dr. Fernandez and Dr. Gigi Magan family medicine physicians and co-founders of Alma First. We explore the challenges they observed during the pandemic with digital health disparities in underserved communities and how those moments sparked their mission to promote digital health equity. Together, we discuss the importance of digital health navigators, training pre-health students through equity-centered curricula, and practical ways they introduce ...

Overview: We explore how immigration status profoundly impacts healthcare access, from barriers to benefits and financial assistance, to the psychological toll experienced by patients and families navigating fears of deportation. We discuss mental health stigma within Spanish-speaking communities, challenges with behavioral health access, and how cultural concepts like susto and diapression intersect with chronic illness management. We share stories illustrating the power of validation, trust-bu...

Overview: We explore the powerful intersection of healthcare and the arts with our guest, Rose Cano—a Spanish medical interpreter, playwright, and cultural mediator specializing in type 2 diabetes care for Spanish-speaking patients. We dive into Rose’s journey from theater to medicine, her advocacy for narrative medicine, and her experiences working in Harborview Medical Center’s clinics serving diverse communities, including those in Pioneer Square. The conversation unpacks terminology used for...

Overview: We sit down with Jean Jacques, physician, community organizer to explore how the long and complex history of the Democratic Republic of Congo—including colonialism, resource-driven conflict, and trauma—shapes the healthcare experience of Congolese immigrants and refugees in the U.S. We talk through the diversity of Congolese identities, languages, and traditions, and examine how food, faith, and community form the backbone of cultural resilience, even as new challenges like diabetes, h...

Overview: We sit down with Dr. Lonnie Nelson, a clinical psychologist and member of the Cherokee Indians, to explore the importance of centering Native communities in healthcare research and practice. We learn about how Lonnie’s personal experiences with family health challenges shaped his professional journey, and how he reframes common clinical approaches to focus on culture, self-determination, and relational trust. We dive deep into the role of "culture as medicine," uncovering how tradition...

Overview: We explore the deeply personal and often overlooked connection between spirituality and health, especially within immigrant and refugee communities. Dr. Cat Delestrinos, a pediatrician and Filipino immigrant, shares moving stories from her own life and medical practice—particularly her son’s health journey—to illustrate how faith and spiritual practices can play a vital role in resilience, healing, and coping with fear. We discuss practical ways clinicians can better recognize and resp...

Overview: We explore the challenges and deep rewards of providing care to newly arrived refugee and immigrant families, guided by the insights of Dr. Anisa Ibrahim, an experienced pediatrician and community advocate. We unpack the art of truly welcoming families, emphasizing the power of listening to migration histories, honoring cultural backgrounds, and recognizing that parents are the experts in their children’s lives. We delve into sensitive topics like nutrition, developmental delays, menta...

Overview: We explore the complexities of trust, cultural values, and intergenerational dynamics within the Filipino community, especially in accessing mental health and healthcare services. We discuss how deep-rooted traditions like family obligation, community support, and the stigma surrounding mental health influence care-seeking behaviors across generations. Through community-driven initiatives like Little Manila Rising, we highlight how culturally rooted, trauma-informed approaches—such as ...

Overview: We explore the powerful story of Little Manila Rising, an organization founded to preserve the Filipino American legacy in Stockton, California, and uplift the South Stockton community. We hear how founders rallied local residents to prevent the destruction of historic neighborhoods and created a movement rooted in ancestral legacy, heart-centered activism, and holistic care. We learn about programs tackling health inequities, environmental justice, mental health, and youth development...

Overview: We dive into the origins, structure, and impact of Islamic Trauma Healing—a community-driven, lay-led mental health intervention designed for Muslim communities, particularly Afghans and Somalis who have experienced significant trauma. Joining us are Mohammed Haroon , an Afghan mental health counselor and research coordinator, and Jake Bentley, a clinical psychologist from the University of Washington. We explore the barriers many Muslim refugees face with Western mental health servic...

Overview: We explore the deep-rooted structural inequities that have shaped health outcomes for Pacific Islander communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we unpack how colonialism, racism, erasure, and the lack of culturally appropriate healthcare have contributed to disproportionate impacts, and we highlight the vital role of community-led solutions and culturally safe spaces in healing. We discuss the limitations of the cultural competency model, the importance of recogn...

We sit down with Julia Colson, the founder and executive director of the Seattle King County Clinic, to discuss the incredible journey of establishing a large-scale, volunteer-driven pop-up clinic providing free dental, vision, and medical services to thousands each year. She shares the clinic's origin story, spurred by a 60-minute episode that highlighted the healthcare struggles of everyday people and her realization of the parallels within her own life. Julia delves into the challenges of bui...

We explore the potential of centralized contact centers in healthcare with Patty Hayward, the general manager of healthcare and life sciences at Talkdesk. Drawing from her extensive experience and personal stories, such as her mother's medical journey, Patty illustrates the critical need for better communication and coordination within healthcare systems. We delve into how centralization, aided by AI and modern technology, could improve patient care by offering timely, personalized interactions ...

We explore the complexities of Japanese food culture and its impact on health, addressing how American influences have altered traditional diets. Jeff discusses the importance of rice in Japanese meals and his personal transition to healthier rice options. We delve into portion control within Japanese dining customs and the concept of intuitive eating. The conversation shifts to Japanese cultural nuances, including language, religion, and familial expectations, emphasizing the importance of ackn...

We delve into the fascinating journey of Japanese Americans in Washington State, welcoming guest Jeff, who shares his personal and family history. We discuss the generational terms used within the Japanese American community and how historical events like the Meiji restoration influenced immigration to the United States. Particularly moving is the narrative of Japanese internment during World War II and its significant impact on Jeff's family, highlighting the broader implications of shame and r...