Podcasts about stanford medicine

Lori Muffly MD, MS, Stanford Medicine, Stanford, CA Recorded on May 12, 2026 Lori Muffly MD, MS Professor of Medicine Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Stanford Medicine Stanford, CA In this episode, Dr. Lori Muffly from Stanford Medicine explores how hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) continues to play a central role in care, even as cellular therapies evolve. She also discusses recent advances in overall survival and graft versus host disease as well as clinical trials. We also explore barriers to access, the importance of multidisciplinary teams, and resources to support patients and healthcare professionals. Join us for this insightful episode on the important role of HSCT today, and where it's headed next. Mentioned on this episode: www.NMDP.org www.hematology.org Additional Blood Cancer United Resources: Blood Cancer United Accredited and Non-Accredited Healthcare Professional Education Blood Cancer United Resources for Patients

On this episode of The Social from Must Read Alaska, host Todd explores the powerful connection between food, health, and self-reliance with two expert guests: Kristen Rasmussen from the Culinary Institute of America and Brenda Josephson, Haines-based Culinary Institute of America-trained chef and author of MRAK's popular Foodies & Foragers column. In “Food, Health & the Future of What We Eat,” they discuss the groundbreaking Food is Life, Food is Health Summit held May 6–8, 2026, at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa, California. Co-organized with Stanford Medicine, the summit brought together chefs, physicians, dietitians, and researchers to reimagine food as the foundation of personal and planetary health. Kristen shares insights from the national perspective — including cross-disciplinary kitchens where doctors and chefs trained side-by-side, the science validating traditional food wisdom, and practical strategies for culinary therapeutics. Brenda brings the authentic Alaska voice, connecting the summit's themes to real-life practices like foraging kelp, harvesting wild salmon, using devil's club, and embracing subsistence living in Southeast Alaska. This conversation celebrates food independence as a core Alaskan value. In a time of supply chain vulnerability and rising chronic disease, it affirms that hunting, fishing, gardening, and foraging aren't just traditions — they're powerful acts of health sovereignty and resilience. Listeners will gain validation for their lifestyle and fresh inspiration for making food truly medicine in their own homes. Whether you're deeply rooted in Alaska's wild food traditions or seeking practical ways to build greater self-sufficiency, this episode bridges national momentum with frontier wisdom. Tune in for thoughtful discussion on reclaiming control over what we eat — and why it matters now more than ever.   Food is Life, Food is Health Conference: https://www.foodislifefoodishealth.org/about Kristen Rasmussen Instagram: rootedfood   MRAK Foodies and Foragers with Brenda Josephson: https://mustreadalaska.com/foodies-and-foragers-food-is-life-food-is-health/   SPONSORS: Must Read Alaska: https://mustreadalaska.com/subscriptions/ Promo Code: thesocial10 for 10% off the 'All In' or 'In For News' prepaid annual plans The Wellness Company: https://www.twc.health/alaska Promo Code: ALASKA for 10% off + free shipping on every order

Last month we saw a big shift in the federal government's approach to psychedelic medicine.Specifically, following an executive order by President Trump, the FDA announced it is fast-tracking its review of several clinical trials of psychedelic drugs for patients with mental health disorders. The executive order also directed more funds towards psychedelic research and a review of psychedelics' status as highly restricted Schedule 1 substances. To help us understand what all this means for the future of psychedelic medicine and the neuroscience of psychedelics, we're joined by Boris Heifets, an anesthesiologist at Stanford Medicine who runs a lab studying how psychedelics affect the nervous system and their impact on patients with psychiatric conditions.Learn MoreThe Heifets Lab at Stanford MedicineFDA plans ultra-fast review of three psychedelic drugs following Trump directive (Associated Press, 2026)Trump's order on psychedelics could have far-reaching science consequences (Scientific American, 2026)Psychedelics, placebo, and anesthetic dreams (From Our Neurons to Yours, 2024)Pychedelics inside out — how do LSD and psilocybin alter perception? (From Our Neurons to Yours, 2024)The power of psychedelics meets the power of placebo (From Our Neurons to Yours, 2024)Magnesium–ibogaine therapy in veterans with traumatic brain injuries (Nature, 2024)Magnesium–ibogaine therapy effects on cortical oscillations and neural complexity in veterans with traumatic brain injury (Nature Mental Health, 2025)Send us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience.We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.eduLearn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

Today's episode is about the neuroscience of hard work—or maybe more specifically, the value we place on hard work.There's something different about hiking to the top of a mountain versus taking a helicopter. The view from the top is exactly the same, but if you've done the hard slog to get there, the payoff is going to be much more rewarding. The question is, how does the brain know the difference? To answer this, we need to take a deep dive into the brain's reward system, and one of our favorite neurotransmitters, dopamine. And it turns out, the way dopamine operates is more complicated than we thought.Our guest today, Stanford Medicine psychiatrist Neir Eshel, tells us about new research that's starting to reveal exactly how the brain pushes us to work hard for the things that matter to us. Learn MoreEshel's Stanford Translational Addiction and Aggression Research (STAAR) LabWhy we value things more when they cost us more (Stanford Medicine, 2026)Cholinergic modulation of dopamine release drives effortful behaviour (Nature, 2026)Striatal dopamine integrates cost, benefit, and motivation (Neuron, 2023)Dopamine and serotonin work in opposition to shape learning (Wu Tsai Neuro, 2024)Why we do what we do (From Our Neurons to Yours, 2024)Send us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience.We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.eduLearn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

Traditionally, we think of Parkinson's as a movement disorder—defined by slowed movement, stiff muscles, and involuntary shaking. But it turns out there are other symptoms that appear years or even decades before movement problems bring patients to the clinic: sleep disturbances, chronic constipation, and loss of smell.For today's guest, these early symptoms represent an incredible opportunity to understand where Parkinson's begins and to identify patients much earlier in the disease.Kathleen Poston is a neurologist and division chief for movement disorders at Stanford Medicine. She's also a member of the steering committee for the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience at Wu Tsai Neuro, and advises the Michael J. Fox Foundation and pharmaceutical companies on Parkinson's research.We discuss why non-motor symptoms might hold the key to early diagnosis, how new biomarkers are redefining the disease, and whether Parkinson's might actually start in the gut.Learn MoreLearn about Poston's research on her lab siteLearn about the Stanford Lewy Body Dementia Research Center of ExcellenceRedefining Parkinson's Disease | Our previous conversation with Poston, in which we learned about a sea change in our understanding of Parkinson's Disease.Neuroscientists dive into the gut (Wu Tsai Neuro, 2025) | Our 2025 Symposium explored how our brains and bodies communicate—and what that means for our health and well-beingParkinson's comes in many forms. New biomarkers may explain why (Knight Initiative, 2025) | Blood and cerebrospinal fluid markers tied to inflammation and metabolism sort some patients into subgroups, a step toward predicting progression and tailoring care.A biological definition of neuronal α-synuclein disease: towards an integrated staging system for research (The Lancet - Neurology, 2024)International Working Group Proposes New Framework for Defining Parkinson Disease Based on Biology, Not Symptoms (Neurology Live article)Send us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience.We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.eduLearn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

Welcome to Ozempic Weightloss Unlocked, where we dive into the latest news on Ozempic, from medical breakthroughs to lifestyle impacts.Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, just announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI. Daily Sabah reports this collaboration will use artificial intelligence to speed up new medication development and deliver better treatments faster. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says it will accelerate scientific discovery and redefine patient care, with full integration by the end of 2026.In other big news, Apotex received the first United States Food and Drug Administration tentative approval for a generic version of Ozempic, semaglutide injection. PR Newswire and Apotex announcements highlight this milestone, developed with Orbicular, which could broaden access to affordable options once patents expire. Pearce IP Law notes it positions Apotex to launch early, following generics in India from companies like Dr Reddys and Sun Pharma.Novo Nordisk also launched a higher dose Wegovy HD at 7.2 milligrams for weight loss, approved under a priority program and now available in the United States.A new study in Genome Medicine, reported by Stanford Medicine and Science Daily, explains why Ozempic does not work for everyone. About one in ten people have genetic variants causing GLP-1 resistance, where their bodies produce more of the hormone but respond poorly, especially for blood sugar control. Lead researcher Anna Gloyn notes these variants reduce effectiveness after months of treatment. It is unclear yet if this affects weight loss at higher doses.University of Washington endocrinologist David Cummings praises GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for strong evidence in weight reduction, diabetes control, heart and kidney protection, arthritis relief, and sleep apnea improvement. Observational data suggests benefits against obesity-related cancers, substance abuse, and possibly dementia.As supply stabilizes post-shortage, compounded semaglutide remains available through certain pharmacies, but regulations tightened in 2026, per Injectco.These updates show Ozempic evolving, blending innovation with personalized health insights for better lifestyles.Thank you for tuning in, listeners. Please subscribe for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

What does it really take to build a healthcare company that lasts?In this episode of Innovate and Elevate, Sharon Kedar sits down with Amir Dan Rubin, former CEO of One Medical and Stanford Medicine, to unpack a 30-year journey of building in healthcare. From early ideas around telehealth in the 1990s to leading One Medical through its $3.9 billion acquisition by Amazon, Amir shares what most people misunderstand about innovation in human health.This conversation challenges the narrative of overnight success. Instead, it reveals that the most meaningful breakthroughs require duration, conviction, and the willingness to build long before the outcome is clear. Amir also shares how applying systems thinking from outside of healthcare shaped his leadership across multiple organizations and offers a blueprint for building companies that scale and endure.What You'll Learn from this Episode:Building in healthcare is a long game measured in decades, not quartersThe real risk is not failure, but never finding out what could have beenSystems thinking from outside industries can unlock innovation in healthcareAs this episode highlights, success in healthcare often depends on:Time horizons measured in decadesCross-industry thinking and innovationOperational excellence and consistencyThe ability to persist through uncertaintyConnect with Sharon:Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkedar/Learn more about Innovate and Elevate: https:// innovateandelevatepodcast.comSubscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWi1O9RBaPMYuCkKszPYVAJoin the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: https://innovateandelevatepodcast.com/emailConnect with Amir Dan Rubin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirdanrubinHealthier Capital: https://www.healthiercapital.com/Organizations, resources and citations referenced:One Medical: https://www.onemedical.com/Amazon Deal with One Medical: https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/amazon-buy-one-medical-35-billion-deal-2022-07-21/The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-big-leap-gay-hendricksThe Toyota Way by Jeffrey K. Liker: https://www.mheducation.com/highered/mhp/product/toyota-way-second-edition-14-management-principles-world-s-greatest-manufacturer.htmlStanford Medicine: https://med.stanford.edu/UCLA Health: https://www.uclahealth.org/The content shared in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or investment advice. Please seek guidance from your own qualified professionals before making decisions.Chapters:(00:00) What this episode reveals about building in healthcare(02:45) Early ideas around telehealth in the 1990s(05:57) Why timing and market readiness matter(07:26) Long-term thinking in healthcare innovation(10:48) Building before the outcome is clear(15:30) Lessons from industries outside healthcare(20:10) Systems thinking and operational excellence(25:45) Scaling One Medical(30:00) The real challenges of building in healthcare(34:00) What it really takes to win in human healthAbout Our Guest: Amir Dan Rubin is a healthcare executive and entrepreneur known for building and scaling innovative care delivery models. He is the former CEO of One Medical, where he led the company through rapid growth, its IPO, and its $3.9 billion acquisition by Amazon. Prior to that, he served as CEO of Stanford Health Care and held leadership roles at UCLA Health, Optum, and Stony Brook University Health System. Across his career, Amir has focused on improving access, experience, and outcomes in healthcare by applying systems thinking and technology. He is currently the founder and managing partner of Healthier Capital.About Sharon: Sharon Kedar is a co-founder and partner at Northpond Ventures, a multi-billion-dollar science-driven venture capital firm. Her extensive career includes leadership roles at Sands Capital and McKinsey & Company, and she is a published author on personal finance. As the host of the Innovate and Elevate podcast, she passionately advocates for menopause care and HRT (hormone replacement therapy), challenging the silence around human health XX (also known as women's health). She aims to help women navigate midlife and achieve longevity by aging with power. Sharon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a CFA charter holder. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Greg, their three kids, and their dog Bo.This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.

Send us Fan MailDr. Susan Hintz, Medical Director of the Fetal and Pregnancy Health Program and Robert L. Hess Family Endowed Professor at Stanford Medicine, delivers this year's Cool Topics keynote on collaboration, shared purpose, and the lessons learned building high risk infant follow-up infrastructure through the CPQCC. She challenges the neonatal community to move beyond the handoff to a pediatrician and think deliberately about true medical home design, including coordinated care teams, clearly defined roles across subspecialty and follow-up clinics, and better use of community based resources to support families long after NICU discharge. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.Enjoy!

Send us Fan MailDr. Jochen Profit, Chair and Principal Investigator at CPQCC and Wendy J. Tomlin-Hess Endowed Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford Medicine, joins the podcast to discuss what truly separates high performing NICUs from the rest. He makes the case for process metrics over mortality as quality markers, highlighting normothermia on admission, breast milk feeding at discharge, and infection rates as deceptively simple yet deeply revealing indicators of unit culture. The conversation also explores how toxic work environments and provider burnout silently undermine quality improvement efforts.Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.Enjoy!

Our memories and senses are deeply connected—like how a favorite song can recreate a whole glorious teenage summer. It turns out this relationship might extend beyond our five external senses to include our internal senses: the signals telling us what's happening inside our bodies, sometimes beyond the veil of conscious perception.New research by Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute affiliate Christoph Thaiss suggests that losing these internal signals as we age — in part due to changes in our gut microbiome — could one reason why our memories decline as we get older. Today we're talking with Thaiss about his new study in Nature that traces a surprising path from gut microbes to memory formation in the mouse brain.Learn MoreEnhancing gut-brain communication reversed cognitive decline, improved memory formation in aging mice (Stanford Medicine, 2026)Intestinal interoceptive dysfunction drives age-associated cognitive decline. (Nature, 2026)Christoph's presentation at Wu Tsai Neuro's 2025 Annual SymposiumNeuroscientists Dive into the Gut (Wu Tsai Neuro, 2025)The Thaiss Lab at the Arc InstituteThaiss Lab publicationsSend us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience.We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.eduLearn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

Zara M. Patel, MD, Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford Medicine and Director of the Stanford Initiative to Cure Smell and Taste Loss, discusses her pursuit of a cure for olfactory dysfunction, the science behind smell recovery, and the research milestones that have redefined what is possible for patients with smell and taste loss. Dr. Patel reflects on her cross-country training journey, the curiosity-driven path that led her into an underexplored corner of the specialty, and how olfactory training and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections went from novel ideas to evidence-based treatments. The conversation also covers the biology of olfactory nerve regeneration, the importance of mentorship in building an academic career, and the expanding frontier of neuro-rhinology. This episode is featured as part of celebrating WIO Day every March 8. Helpful Resources: Links for physicians and patients watching this: Stanford Initiative to Cure Smell and Taste Loss: https://med.stanford.edu/content/sm/smell.html/ Patient education page for Olfactory Training: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2782042 PRP studies:Pilot study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32337347/ Randomized Controlled Trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36507615/ Long term follow-up cohort study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39740091/ Systematic Evidence Based Review of PRP use in all fields of ENT: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38914822/ Case Report for use in Post-Traumatic Anosmia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39913151/

Epidemiologist Yvonne “Bonnie” Maldonado is an expert in vaccine research and public health. Look back centuries, and the story is always the same, she says: Death rates from viruses have plummeted, especially in children and the elderly. And yet, millions of children die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines need a return of public confidence, and that starts with better messaging and greater support of nongovernmental messengers like herself. The bottom line is that vaccines are safe, she says. Vaccines work and we have saved many lives because of them, Maldonado reminds host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering's The Future of Everything podcast. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Yvonne Maldonado Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Yvonne “Bonnie” Maldonado, a professor of pediatrics, epidemiology and population health at Stanford University. (00:03:01) Career in Vaccines Bonnie shares what led to her career in vaccine research. (00:04:53) How Vaccines Work How vaccines train the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens. (00:06:46) Why Vaccine Responses Vary The variability in immune responses and breakthrough infections. (00:09:22) Risk vs. Benefit in Vaccines How researchers evaluate side effects versus disease severity. (00:11:53) How Viruses Evolve The evolutionary dynamics that shape viral behavior. (00:13:59) Vaccine Boosters Why some vaccines last for life while others require multiple doses. (00:17:14) Herd Immunity How community protection works and why vaccination rates matter. (00:21:22) Vaccine Controversy The controversy surrounding vaccines and what led to it. (00:24:27) Global Vaccine Hesitancy How declining trust and past outbreaks influence vaccination globally. (00:27:07) The Future of Vaccines Why vaccines are essential and how outbreaks shape public response. (00:29:08) Preparing for Future Pandemics How healthcare systems prepare for new threats after COVID-19. (00:30:43) Future In a Minute Rapid-fire Q&A: hope, public trust, and the future of health. (00:32:54) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today on the show, why do some of us age faster than others? Why do some of us grow old and die before our time while others seem to simply endure? And most of us have probably wondered at one point or another, which track am I on? Turns out it might be possible to predict the whole trajectory of an animal's life at a surprisingly young age, just by looking closely at subtle patterns of behavior. That's the conclusion of a new study from researchers at the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience here at Wu Tsai Neuro, out March 12, 2026 in the journal Science. The study focused on the African turquoise killifish, a little fish that lives fast and dies young. This species has one of the shortest lifespans of any vertebrate, which makes it ideal for studying the entire arc of a life in the laboratory setting.The important point here is that even short-lived killifish are dealt different lots by the fates. Even when you control for genetics and the environment, some killifish only live a month or two, while others can live as long as a year. So the big question is, what drives this difference in longevity? To learn more, we're joined today by the study's two lead researchers, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Postdoctoral Scholars, Claire Bedbrook and Ravi Nath, who performed the research in the labs of Anne Brunet and Karl Deisseroth here at Stanford.Learn MoreTo study aging, researchers give killifish the CRISPR treatment (Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience, 2023)Study pinpoints key mechanism of brain aging (Stanford Report, 2025)Killifish project explores the genetic foundation of longevity (Stanford Medicine 2015)Multi-tissue transcriptomic agingSend us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience. We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.edu Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

In this groundbreaking episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we interview Dr. Jayakumar Rajadas, a Stanford Medicine researcher who has discovered multiple breakthrough therapeutic candidates for Lyme disease, Babesia, and Bartonella. His work includes the discovery of Disulfiram's effectiveness against Lyme and Babesia, Azlocillin's potent activity against Lyme and Bartonella, and advanced targeted drug-delivery systems designed to preserve the gut microbiome. Dr. Jay's research has been featured in TIME Magazine (Azlocillin) and Forbes (Disulfiram), and connects deeply with the work of leading Lyme researchers, including Dr. Monica Embers (Tulane), Dr. Kim Lewis (Northeastern), Dr. Kenneth Liegner, and Dr. Brian Fallon (Columbia University). This interview delivers hope, science, and unprecedented detail on what may become the next generation of Lyme disease treatments. Key Topics Covered 1. How the Stanford Tick Initiative Sparked a New Era of Drug Discovery In 2012, Stanford launched a major initiative in response to community demand for better Lyme treatments. Dr. Rajadas was selected to lead drug development, focusing specifically on persistent/chronic Lyme disease, where few researchers were working. 2. Understanding Borrelia: Active vs. Stationary Forms & Why Chronic Lyme Persists Dr. J explains the three key survival modes of Borrelia burgdorferi: Active Phase The bacteria are replicating and metabolically active. Easier to kill with standard antibiotics. Stationary Phase Bacteria reach population limits and slow down growth. Represents early persistence mechanisms. Persister Forms Triggered by stressors like antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline). Bacteria fold into round bodies, spiral forms, or compact “cement-like” protective balls. These forms: Shut down metabolic pathways Resist penetration Survive antibiotic exposure Why Doxycycline Can Fail Doxycycline can induce persisters, causing Borrelia to form impenetrable protective shells rather than die. This is why many patients initially feel better, then relapse. 3. Disulfiram (Antabuse): Lyme + Babesia Breakthrough Featured in Forbes One of the biggest scientific shocks of the last decade: Discovery Through Stanford's high-throughput screening of FDA-approved drugs, Disulfiram emerged as a top hit. Clears Borrelia (including persistent forms) Clears Babesia — a major advantage over standard antibiotics Does NOT harm the gut microbiome Is already FDA-approved and widely used for alcohol aversion therapy Highly potent but requires careful dosing due to side effects in inflamed patients. Why Some Patients Improve, and Others Suffer Chronic Lyme patients already have heightened inflammation. Disulfiram is a powerful molecule whose polymorphic forms behave differently in different people. His lab developed: Less toxic formulations Buccal & sublingual delivery systems Rectal delivery options These may reduce neuropsychiatric side effects reported by some patients. Clinical Connections Dr. Kenneth Liegner pioneered clinical use and published cases Dr. Brian Fallon conducted NIH-listed clinical trials. Many clinicians now use Liegner's protocols. Real-world example: Matt shares the story of Brooke Stoddard (Generation Lyme), who regained his life after Disulfiram treatment under Dr. Liegner. 4. Azlocillin: The Antibiotic That TIME Magazine Called a Gamechanger If Disulfiram is the Lyme and Babesia weapon, Azlocillin may be the frontline tool for Lyme and Bartonella. Why Azlocillin Is Revolutionary Eradicates both active and persister forms of Borrelia. Destroys doxycycline-induced “cement ball” persisters by drilling into their vulnerable cell-wall synthesis pathways. Proven effective against Bartonella when paired with azithromycin, based on research by Dr. Monica Embers (Tulane) . The Cell-Wall Vulnerability Breakthrough Persisters STILL must maintain minimal cell-wall synthesis to survive. Azlocillin exploits this tiny vulnerability: It penetrates the protective sphere Breaks the “cement wall” Forces the bacteria out of hibernation Kills them rapidly This discovery is one of the biggest scientific leaps in Lyme research in a decade. The Delivery System That Protects the Gut Microbiome Azlocillin is extremely hydrophilic, making absorption difficult.Dr. Jay fixed this by creating: A magnesium-lipid nanoparticle formulation Designed to release in the upper intestine Avoiding the colon (where most microbiome lives) This allows: High bloodstream absorption Minimal microbiome damage Oral availability of a drug previously only available via IV Why Azlocillin May Be Better Than Disulfiram Hits Borrelia + Bartonella Stronger anti-inflammatory effects No polymorphism issues Fewer side effects Potent against persisters A company is preparing to bring his oral formulation to clinical trials by next year. 5. Loratadine (Claritin): The First Clue from 2012 Before Disulfiram and Azlocillin, Dr. Jay's lab identified Loratadine (Claritin) as a manganese transporter inhibitor of Borrelia. Why it mattered: Borrelia uniquely relies on manganese, not iron. Blocking manganese uptake may weaken the bacteria. The discovery went viral, with many patients reporting improvement even at OTC doses—though the binding affinity was weak. This project introduced the concept of drug repurposing for Lyme to the scientific community. 6. Melittin (Bee Venom) — The Micro-Needle Patch Alternative Bee venom therapy is widely used in the Lyme community, but risks stings and allergic reactions. Dr. J is developing: Melittin micro-needle patches Delivering the active peptide without stinging Using dissolvable, painless needles A safe, controlled, pharmaceutical-grade delivery approach This could modernize bee venom therapy and make it more accessible. 7. Mechanism of Brain Fog & Fatigue in Lyme: A Major Breakthrough Dr. Jay's lab published a neuroscience paper demonstrating: Outer Surface Protein (Osp) Nanoparticles Borrelia sheds lipid-coated outer membrane particles. These form stable nano-vesicles that: Enter the bloodstream Cross into the brain Cause mitochondrial dysfunction Reduce ATP production Result: Brain Fog, Fatigue, Cognitive Dysfunction This explains why neurological Lyme can persist even after bacterial levels drop. This work ties strongly to ongoing research at Columbia University under Dr. Brian Fallon. 8. Collaborations With World Leaders in Lyme Research Dr. J's research intersects with: Dr. Kim Lewis (Northeastern University) Reproduced and validated Disulfiram findings publicly. Helped launch interest in persister-killing therapies. Dr. Monica Embers (Tulane University) Demonstrated Azlocillin + Azithromycin effectiveness against Bartonella. One of the world's foremost experts in persistent infection models. Dr. Kenneth Liegner Early clinical pioneer of Disulfiram therapy. Published stunning recovery cases. Dr. Brian A. Fallon (Columbia University) Leading psychiatrist specializing in post-treatment Lyme. Conducted planned Disulfiram clinical trials. These collaborations form a powerful network accelerating treatment development. 9. New Anti-Inflammatory Discoveries: Galangin & More Dr. Jay recently co-authored a 2025 paper on: Galangin (Thai ginger rhizome extract) Which may reverse cardiac inflammation and fibrosis His team is also exploring other nutraceutical molecules for chronic inflammation relief in Lyme patients. 10. Dr. Jay's Personal Story of Illness and Hope He reveals for the first time: He was diagnosed with Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma Lost the ability to walk Suffered unbearable pain After cutting-edge therapies and research, he is now in full remission His message to Lyme patients: “There is ALWAYS hope.”

Artificial intelligence is already changing nursing workflows, but many healthcare systems are making decisions without nursing leadership at the table. In this episode, Charlene talks with Nerissa Ambers and Carlene Lugtu, Director and Manager, respectively, of the Health Informatics Transformation Team at Stanford Medicine. They talk about why nursing leadership matters in the AI space and how nurses can help shape technology that supports patient care. Host: Charlene Platon, MS, RN, FNP-BC (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@charleneplaton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Guests: Nerissa Ambers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nerissa-ambers-0510486/) Carlene Lugtu MCiM, RN (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlene-lugtu/) About the show: ACNL in Action is a production of the Association of California Nurse Leaders, the professional organization for nurse leaders. New episodes come out on the first Friday of every month. Want to support ACNL? Consider making a donation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.acnl.org/circleofgiving⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about ACNL, including how to become a member, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠acnl.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at @acnlnurse.

This week we bounce from weddings with questionable video evidence to universal vaccines, rogue dubstep artists named after shingles shots, and a time-loop story that left us… conflicted. Let's get into it. Real Life Ben officiated a wedding. It was beautiful. It was meaningful. It was legally binding. There may or may not be video proof. Somewhere, there's a phone with 3% battery and a shaky clip of vows. Or maybe not. Either way, two people are married and that's what counts. If you're going to officiate a wedding, here's the lesson: double-check the recording situation. Memory is not a backup drive. Ben also discovered that in newer versions of iOS, you can type to Siri. This is huge for anyone who has ever whispered a text into their phone in public and immediately regretted it. We are slowly evolving into silent thumb-typers talking to machines. The future is polite and awkward. Devon talked about how he uses ChatGPT — not casually, but intentionally. He uses it for work. He uses it to rewrite drafts, fix spelling, tighten arguments. Think of it as a second-pass editor that doesn't get tired. He went deeper into why he chose to pay for it and what "professional analysis" even means in an AI context. If you're billing by the hour, clarity matters. He also raised the question: does LexisNexis have AI baked in now? (Short answer: of course they do. Long answer: it depends how you define AI, which is half the battle in 2026.) Ben uses "AI" differently — mostly for data sifting. Large piles of information. Pattern spotting. Less magic robot, more extremely fast intern. Steven admitted he uses ChatGPT to help generate episode notes and images. If you're creating consistently, tools matter. The question isn't "Is this cheating?" The question is: "Are you using the tool to think better or to think less?" Big difference. We also watched The First Minute of Demi Adejuyigbe Is Going To Do One (1) Backflip — and yes, he does the backflip. Watch the full clip on YouTube and the full special on Dropout. Demi Adejuyigbe (pronounced DEM-ee ə-DIJ-oo-EE-bay) is sharp, chaotic, and there's a killer Marge Simpson joke in the full show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kveA4wgIhI  Speaking of Marge — Marge Simpson is not dead. The French voice actress passed away. RIP. The character remains immortal yellow. Ben also plugged his ekphrastic poetry workshop — Write Poems with Me — happening Saturday 3/7 at the Beacon Art Show or online. If you've been waiting for a sign to try poetry, this is it. Show up. Make weird art. https://buttondown.com/penciledin/archive/write-poems-with-me-saturday-37-at-the-beacon-art/  Future or Now Steven brought in a wild one: a possible "universal" vaccine from researchers at Stanford Medicine. Instead of targeting a specific virus, this nasal spray supercharges the lungs' immune defenses. In mice, it reduced viral load, prevented severe illness, and even blocked allergic reactions. COVID. Flu. Pneumonia. Allergens. If this holds up in humans, that's not incremental. That's foundational. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260222092258.htm  Ben followed with research suggesting shingles vaccines might lower dementia risk. Studies around the shingles vaccines Zostavax and Shingrix have shown reduced dementia incidence in vaccinated older adults. There's also data suggesting the vaccine may slow biological aging markers, including inflammation. https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/02/could-a-vaccine-prevent-dementia-shingles-shot-data-only-getting-stronger/  This is where Steven held his jokes until the very end. Zostavax and Shingrix are dubstep artists. "Twenty Year Window" is their debut collaboration. "Dementia" is their first single. Sometimes you need the bit. But seriously — if preventing viral reactivation reduces neuroinflammation and long-term cognitive decline, that's massive. It's early. It's correlation-heavy. But it's promising. Pay attention to this space. Book Club This week: All You Zombies by Robert A. Heinlein (1958). https://lecturia.org/en/short-stories/robert-a-heinlein-all-you-zombies/19420/  Time travel. Identity loops. Paradoxes stacked on paradoxes. There are also… problems. Ben had major issues with the problematic elements. And they're not small issues. The story reflects the era it was written in, and not in a flattering way. Devon didn't love the no-stakes feeling. When a story collapses into inevitability, tension can evaporate. If everything always already happened, what are we gripping onto? Steven's take: the story is valuable as a historical artifact. It shows where science fiction was. You can see the mechanics. The ambition. The blind spots. You don't have to endorse it to learn from it. That's maturity in reading: understanding context without pretending flaws don't exist. Next week, we're reading Presence by Ken Liu, published in Uncanny Magazine. Ken Liu tends to blend emotional precision with speculative ideas, so expect something thoughtful. https://www.uncannymagazine.com/article/presence/  Read it. Come ready. Final Thought This episode circled one big theme whether we meant to or not: Tools. AI tools. Medical tools. Narrative tools. Historical tools. The question isn't whether tools change the world. They do. The question is whether we're using them deliberately. So here's your small challenge this week: Pick one tool you're already using — AI, writing software, research databases, even your phone — and ask yourself: Am I using this to sharpen my thinking? Or to avoid it? Be honest. We'll see you next week.

It's In the News.. a look at the top headlines and stories in the diabetes community. This week's top stories: big updates for stem cell and islet transplants, new pen option for Zepbound, an implantable insulin pump moves forward and more! Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here. Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Omnipod - Simplify Life All about Dexcom  T1D Screening info All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com  Episode transcription with links: Welcome! I'm your host Stacey Simms and this is an In The News episode.. where we bringing you the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. A reminder that you can find the sources and links and a transcript and more info for every story mentioned here in the show notes. Quick reminder: I'm just back from MNO DC and I'm exhausted. But it's the best kind of tired. We had an incredible time – hope you can join us in Nashville. With a reminder that we have our first Club 1921 in Nashville – that's our educational dinner series for HCPs and patient leaders. All the info is over at diabetes-connections.com events/     Okay.. our top story this week: XX An "immune system reset" eliminated Type 1, diabetes in mice in a study conducted at Stanford Medicine without immune suppressant medications. This was a combined transplant of blood stem cells and insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells from a donor whose immune profile did not match the recipient. The dual transplant approach both restored insulin production and retrained the immune system. For the full six months of the experiment, the animals did not need insulin injections or immune suppressive medications. Challenges remain using this approach to treat Type 1 diabetes. Pancreatic islets can be obtained only after death of the donor, and the blood stem cells must come from the same person as the islets. It is also unclear whether the number of islet cells typically isolated from one donor would be enough to reverse established Type 1 diabetes. But the researchers are working on solutions, which could include generating large numbers of islet cells in the laboratory from pluripotent human stem cells, or finding ways to increase the function and survival of transplanted donor islet cells. https://scitechdaily.com/stanford-scientists-cure-type-1-diabetes-in-mice-without-insulin-or-immune-suppression/ XX An electronic implant interlaced with islet cells is being looked at to treat type 1. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine worked with engineers at Harvard University to combine stem-cell biology with soft electronics. They inserted an ultrathin, flexible mesh of conductive wires — thinner than a human hair — into developing pancreatic tissue. As the cells assembled into clusters, the mesh became woven through them. The electronics can record the faint electrical signals produced by the cells that control insulin release. They can also deliver small pulses of electricity back to the cells.   After several days, the cells began to behave more like mature islets. Their internal signalling shifted, neighbouring cells started working in concert and insulin release became stronger and better timed.  Very early on here – and the transplanted cells still need to be protected from being attacked by the immune system. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/first-cyborg-pancreas-implants-type-1-diabetes-nxkv8r0fp?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqeJYYUF9TMR-GgGUG92hPyog-ISeiqGIgdyaaIKKcpvhtoftGiUaaOtQeG0NWI%3D&gaa_ts=699c50d4&gaa_sig=w-PQ0ArosZSznYDSWEzt8aQg4WC0FF5ZFRt9NedO5sSTL2FyWzupH8eSG7RCy2S8TQnlHOeKCudANWm1MNI59w%3D%3D XX Katie Beth (hand) Eledon trial – aaron kowalski post linkedin. Last fall we told you about promising results from Eledon's drug to prevent islet transplantation rejection in type 1 diabetes. The first six patients no longer had to inject or infuse insulin.. the trials continue and this month one of the patients – Katie Beth Hand – began posting about her experiences one month in, on social media, she says she's off basal insulin already and in range 99 percent of the time. She is also encouraging people to learn more about support the islet act https://lnkd.in/e8pQ7_Y7 XX This is a bill introduced last November which would change the wording on pancreatic cell transplants. The problem is that islets are classified as drugs rather than organs, making transplantations difficult for medical teams and centers to preform due to accessibility. Insurance companies are also less likely to provide reimbursements for treatment, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The official Journal of The Transplantation Society estimates the cost at about $140,000. The bill went to the senate committee of Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in early November. No other action has been taken since then. https://www.wtoc.com/2026/02/19/bluffton-family-advocates-islet-act-help-diabetic-son/ XX Big change for the obesity drug Zepbound – now available in the multi dose KwikPen. This is a month's worth of doses in a single pen.. and it's multi dose – you can adjust it. Cash-paying patients can get the multi-dose device, called KwikPen, on the company's direct-to-consumer website, LillyDirect. Prices start at $299 per month for the lowest dose level. Until now, you could only get zepbound in a single dose auto injector or a sing dose vial. In a release, Lilly said the Food and Drug Administration approved a label expansion for Zepbound to include the multi-dose device. The KwikPen is already used for other drugs, such as Lilly's popular diabetes medication, Mounjaro – which is the same medication as zepbound, they're both tirzepitide. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/23/eli-lilly-launches-zepbound-obesity-drug-pen-one-month-doses.html   XX For years, researchers have observed that people who live at high elevations,  tend to develop diabetes less often than those at sea level. Although the trend was well documented, the biological explanation behind it was unclear. Scientists now say they have identified the reason. Their research shows that in low oxygen environments, red blood cells begin absorbing large amounts of glucose from the bloodstream. Their work showed that when oxygen is limited, red blood cells use glucose to generate a molecule that helps release oxygen to tissues. This process becomes especially important when oxygen is in short supply. The researchers also found that the metabolic benefits of prolonged hypoxia lasted for weeks to months after mice were returned to normal oxygen levels. They then evaluated HypoxyStat, a drug recently developed in Jain's lab that mimics low oxygen exposure. HypoxyStat is taken as a pill and works by causing hemoglobin in red blood cells to bind oxygen more tightly, limiting the amount delivered to tissues. In mouse models of diabetes, the medication completely reversed high blood sugar and outperformed existing treatments. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260221060952.htm XX Watching this one closely – Portal Diabetes gets FDA breakthrough device designation for its implantable insulin pump system. This is a system that includes not just a device that's implanted into the abdomen, but also a new, temperature stable insulin. It will work with – quote – "modern" CGM technology with a fully closed loop - and aims to deliver a functional cure for type 1. While reports say Portal's system is the first in the US – there was an implantable pump developed and used by about 500 people worldwide, including about 100 in the US – by MiniMed. Medtronic bought the company and in 2007 they stopped that program. Portal Diabetes expects to begin clinical trials on its combination system around the fourth quarter of 2027. https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/portal-diabetes-fda-breakthrough-implantable-insulin-pump/ XX Sequel Med Tech and Senseonics (NYSE:SENS) today announced the full U.S. launch of their CGM and insulin pump integration. That's the eversense cgm and twist pump. Sequel said its full launch with Eversense 365 makes twiist available with two compatible CGMs. twiist also pairs with the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor. Eversense 365, an implantable system, rests under the skin for the duration of a year. Users can change its external, silicone-based adhesive daily with almost no skin reactions. https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/sequel-senseonics-full-launch-twiist-eversense/ XX Right back with a Dexcom update, and a look at which type of diet reduces insulin use overall.. right after this: -- Back to the news.. Dexcom is watching for expanded Medicare coverage of its continuous glucose monitors to people with Type 2 diabetes who don't take insulin. CEO Jake Leach told investors on Thursday that the company has been "sitting here waiting for a coverage decision" from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Dexcom started to see commercial coverage unlock for Type 2, non-insulin users toward the end of last year, Leach said. He expects broader Medicare coverage for that group would allow nearly 12 million people to access CGMs.     In the meantime, the American Diabetes Association updated its guidelines last year to recommend clinicians consider using CGMs for Type 2 diabetes when patients are taking glucose-lowering medications other than insulin. Leach said that real world data the company has been generating supports that decision, and that Dexcom has launched a registry for non-insulin users. https://www.medtechdive.com/news/dexcom-seeks-expanded-medicare-coverage-of-cgms-for-type-2-diabetes/812223/ XX Medtronic's separation of MiniMed is not yet complete.. but continues to move forward. The company has submitted their next pump – MiniMed Flex – to the FDA. This is a pump smaller than the 780G but uses the same reservoirs and infusion sets. It will also work with both the Simplera Sync and Instinct sensors. Medtronic also began a U.S. pivotal study for Vivera, its third-generation algorithm for automated insulin delivery. It also remains set to submit its MiniMed Fit patch pump system to the FDA by the coming fall. https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/medtronic-submits-minimed-flex-fda-q3/ XX A study modelling how genes may influence a child's body mass index over time has found that BMI at age 10 and overall growth rate between ages one and 18 might be important factors, as the two are more likely linked to diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease in later life. Nearly 66,000 BMI measurements from around 6,300 children and adolescents aged one to 18 were analysed to understand the role of genes.     "Future research is needed to help identify the most effective ages to prevent obesity or poor growth for long-term benefit." https://www.ndtv.com/health/bmi-at-age-10-growth-rate-up-to-age-18-are-important-factors-for-diabetes-heart-disease-study-11125146 XX A low-fat vegan diet—without cutting calories or carbs—may help people with type 1 diabetes significantly reduce how much insulin they need. In a new analysis published in BMC Nutrition, participants following the plant-based plan lowered their daily insulin use by 28%, while those on a portion-controlled diet saw no meaningful change. Researchers say the reduced insulin requirement likely reflects improved insulin sensitivity. The original 2024 study reported additional benefits from the vegan diet. Participants lost an average of 11 pounds and showed improvements in insulin sensitivity and glycemic control. Cholesterol levels and kidney function also improved among those following the plant-based plan. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212234212.htm XX Interesting little tidbit from the Winter Olympic Games.. the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was monitoring GLP drug use. An advisory group that makes recommendations about WADA's list of prohibited substances discussed the status of GLP-1 medications, and added semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) to its monitoring program That means patterns of use of these drugs will be tracked both in and out of competition.  The finding will be used to make recommendations about whether GLP-1 agonists should be added to the prohibited list, the spokesperson explained. While GLP-1 drug use is not currently prohibited, that could change before the next Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, he noted. https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/cultureclinic/119770 XX That's it for in the news!

How to turn complexity into connection through clear communication.Communication in high-stakes moments isn't about saying more — it's about connecting better. For Jonathan Berek and Phil Polakoff, the most effective communicators don't rely on jargon or performance. They rely on empathy, listening, and stories that resonate.Both longtime Stanford Medicine leaders, Berek and Polakoff have spent their careers translating complex, emotional, and often urgent health issues for patients, colleagues, and the public. And they've learned that the message only lands when it's delivered at the right level, with the right intention. “Know your audience,” Berek says, describing the importance of “leveling” — communicating in language that meets people where they are, without talking down or over their heads.For both Berek and Polakoff, listening is the foundation. “The two most important skills in communication are empathy and listening,” Berek explains — not as soft skills, but as the core mechanics of trust. Polakoff agrees, pushing for directness and clarity: “I like a yes or a no. I don't like ambivalence or ambiguity.” And when it comes to being memorable, he's relentless about simplicity: “Think bold, start small.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Berek and Polakoff join host Matt Abrahams to examine what great communicators actually do: prepare deeply, speak concisely, listen with intention, and use storytelling to bring others along. Because as Berek puts it, “People feel the emotion when they see a story,” and emotion — paired with clarity — is what turns information into impact.Episode Reference Links:Phil PolakoffJonathan BerekConnect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:49) - Raising Awareness For Women's Cancer (03:46) - Redefining Health Beyond Disease (05:08) - Why Storytelling is Essential (07:08) - What Makes a Story Memorable (08:45) - Advice for Better Communication (09:46) - Making Complex Ideas Accessible (10:34) - Speaking at Your Audience's Level (11:57) - Listening & Empathy (12:39) - Improving Communication with Improv (14:08) - Communication for Collective Change (16:47) - Mentorship & The Big Picture (17:58) - The Final Three Questions (21:48) - Conclusion  ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP Guest: Tara Graff, DO, MS Guest: Surbhi Sidana, MD While BCMA-directed CAR T-cell therapy has changed the treatment landscape for patients with relapsed and refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma, access remains uneven outside academic centers. In this expert-led discussion, Dr. Brian McDonough, Dr. Surbhi Sidana, and Dr. Tara Graff explore real-world barriers to referral and delivery, evolving care models, and the multidisciplinary coordination required to extend CAR T therapy into community practice. Dr. Sidana is an Associate Professor of Medicine, and she leads the Myeloma CAR T and Immunotherapy program at Stanford Medicine. Dr. Graff is the Director of Clinical Research at Mission Cancer + Blood, and she serves on the National CAR T-Cell Advisory Board for Multiple Myeloma.

Here's a question for you that may at first seem trivial, but is actually profound: Why do our minds drift? If you have ever dabbled in mindfulness or meditation, you know this mind wandering has an almost gravitational pull. In fact, researchers now think we spend as much as 50 percent of our waking time in this state, which cognitive scientists have dubbed the brain's “default mode.”Today's guest is Vinod Menon. He's a giant in the field of cognitive science who played a central role in defining the brain “default mode network” back in 2003. In our conversation, he argues our tendency to daydream may be at the core of our self-identities, our creativity – and also many of our most troubling psychiatric disorders, from Alzheimer's to ADHD.Vinod Menon is Rachel L. and Walter F. Nichols, MD., Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science at Stanford Medicine, and an affiliate of the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.Learn MoreMenon's "Stanford Cognitive & Systems Neuroscience Laboratory"Stanford Medicine study identifies distinct brain organization patterns in women and men (Stanford Medicine, 2024)Children with autism have broad memory difficulties, Stanford Medicine-led study finds (Stanford Medicine, 2023)Interactions between attention-grabbing brain networks weak in ADHD (Stanford Medicine, 2015)Send us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience. We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.edu Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Pam Simon, MSN, CPNP, CPON, Stanford Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program (SAYAC), Palo Alto, CA and H. Irene Su, MD MSCE, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA Recorded on January 20, 2026 Pam Simon, MSN, CPNP, CPON Nurse Practitioner & Program Manager Stanford Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program (SAYAC) Palo Alto, CA H. Irene Su, MD MSCE Professor Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship Director Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Co-Director, Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Innovations Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences Director, Moores Cancer Center Leadership Academy University of California San Diego San Diego, CA In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Irene Su, Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at UC San Diego, and Pam Simon, Nurse Practitioner and Program Manager of the Stanford Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program at Stanford Medicine. They discuss fertility risk across treatment types, approaches to fertility preservation and reproductive survivorship planning, insurance and access considerations, and the cultural and sociodemographic factors that shape care. They also share strategies to support shared decision-making and promote psychosocial well being for AYA patients and survivors. Tune in for practical insights to strengthen your approach to fertility care for AYAs. Mentioned on this episode: OncofertilityRisk.com The Alliance for Fertility Preservation Additional Blood Cancer United Resources: Blood Cancer United Accredited and Non-Accredited Healthcare Professional Education Blood Cancer United Resources for Patients

HEALTH NEWS   Can exercise turn back the clock on your brain? New study says yes Why leaving things unfinished messes with your mind Short-term, calorie-restrictive diet improves Crohn's disease symptoms Higher daylight exposure improves cognitive performance, study finds Breastfeeding may lower mums' later life depression/anxiety risks for up to 10 years after pregnancy     Can exercise turn back the clock on your brain? New study says yes AdventHealth Research Institute, January 13 2026 (Eurekalert) A simple, steady exercise routine may help your brain stay biologically younger, supporting clearer thinking, stronger memory, and a greater sense of whole-person well-being.   The study found that adults who followed a year-long aerobic exercise program had brains that appeared nearly a year “younger” than those who didn't change their activity levels.   Published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, the study explored whether regular aerobic exercise could slow, or even reverse “brain age,” a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based biomarker of how old your brain looks compared to your actual age. A higher brain-predicted age difference (brain-PAD), indicates an older-appearing brain and has been linked to poorer physical and cognitive function and increased risk of mortality in previous research.  In this clinical trial, 130 healthy adults aged 26–58 were randomly assigned to either a moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise group or a usual-care control group. The exercise group completed two supervised 60-minute sessions per week in a laboratory plus home-based exercise to reach about 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week, aligning with the American College of Sports Medicine's physical activity guidelines. Brain MRI and cardiorespiratory fitness, measured as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), were assessed at the beginning and end of the 12-month period.  Over 12 months, participants in the exercise group showed a measurable reduction in brain age, while the control group showed a slight increase. On average, the exercise group's brain-PAD decreased by about 0.6 years, indicating a younger-appearing brain at follow-up. In contrast, the control group's brains appeared about 0.35 years older, a change that was not statistically significant. Overall, the between-group difference in brain age was nearly one year, favoring the exercise group.     Why leaving things unfinished messes with your mind Yale University, January 12 2026 (Medical Xpress) In a new study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, Yale professor of psychology Brian Scholl and lab members explored why humans so badly want to finish what we've started—in matters great and small. It turns out the brain just doesn't like dangling threads. The researchers had a hunch that visual clues could help explain the lure of the unfinished. Why is this state of leaving things undone so salient to us? It's an interesting quirk of human nature that science has not previously addressed. Unfinishedness has been found to decrease work satisfaction, impair sleep, and fuel ruminative thinking patterns. The researchers turned to the visual system. When we see unfinished events, are they somehow prioritized in memory?" To test their hunch that visual memory plays a role in making unfinishedness feel so sticky, the researchers ran four experiments involving a total of 120 participants who viewed computer animations of simple mazes populated by moving dots or lines. In several experiments, it seemed that the brain is wired to notice and remember incomplete things better than finished ones. The findings suggest that "unfinishedness" isn't just about motivation or satisfaction. It's built into the way people see and remember the world.   Short-term, calorie-restrictive diet improves Crohn's disease symptoms     Stanford University, January 13 2026 (News-Medical)   There have been few large studies of dietary interventions for IBD, a group of disorders that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Now a Stanford Medicine-led study finds a short-term, calorie-restrictive diet significantly improved symptoms. Their national, randomized controlled clinical trial found that a short-term, calorie-restrictive diet significantly improved both physical symptoms and biological indicators of mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease. A chronic condition affecting about a million Americans, Crohn's disease causes inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to symptoms of diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain and weight loss. Steroids are the only approved therapeutic for mild Crohn's, but their use is limited due to significant side effects, particularly with long-term use. The study compared the symptoms and biological indicators of patients with mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease as they either followed a fasting mimicking diet or ate their normal diet for three consecutive months. The study enrolled 97 patients across the country, with 65 in the fasting mimicking group and 32 in the control group. Participants in the fasting mimicking group severely limited their calories for five consecutive days per month, eating between about 700 and 1,100 calories a day. Plant-based meals were provided during the fasting period. For the remainder of the month, the fasting mimicking group ate their normal diet. At the end of the study, two-thirds of the fasting mimicking group experienced improvement in their symptoms. The researchers found a significant decline in fecal calprotectin, a protein in the stool that indicates gut inflammation, in the fasting mimicking group compared with the control group. Some inflammation-promoting lipid mediators derived from fatty acids also declined in fasting mimicking group participants. Similarly, the immune cells of fasting mimicking group participants produced fewer of several types of inflammatory molecules.   Higher daylight exposure improves cognitive performance, study finds University of Manchester (UK), January 12 2026 (Medical Xpress) A real world study led by University of Manchester neuroscientists has shown that higher daytime light exposure positively influences different aspects of cognition. The first study of its kind showed that stable light exposure across a week and uninterrupted exposure during a day had similar effects. Participants in the study experienced improved subjective sleepiness, the ability to maintain focused attention and 7-10% faster reaction speeds under bright light when compared to recent dim conditions. Compared with their peers who went to bed later, participants with earlier bedtimes tended to be both more reliably wakeful under bright morning light and sleepy under dimmer evening light. Being exposed to bright, stable daytime light was linked to enhanced and more sustained attention in a visual search task in which participants were asked to find a specific target on a page. Higher daytime light exposure and fewer switches between light and dark were linked to improved cognitive performance. And higher daytime light exposure and earlier estimated bedtimes were also associated with stronger relationships between recent light exposure and subjective sleepiness. However, neither the time of day nor time awake significantly impacted cognitive performance; the effect of light was stronger than the effect of time of day.   Breastfeeding may lower mums' later life depression/anxiety risks for up to 10 years after pregnancy University College Dublin (Ireland), January 8 2026 (Eurekalert)   Breastfeeding may lower mothers' later life risks of depression and anxiety for up to 10 years after pregnancy, suggest the findings of a small observational study, published in the open access journal BMJ Open. The observed associations were apparent for any, exclusive, and cumulative (at least 12  months) breastfeeding, the study shows. The researchers tracked the breastfeeding behaviour and health of 168 second time mothers who were originally part of the ROLO Longitudinal Birth Cohort Study for 10 years.   At the check-ups, the mothers provided information on: whether they had ever breastfed or expressed milk for 1 day or more; total number of weeks of exclusive breastfeeding; total number of weeks of any breastfeeding; and cumulative periods of breastfeeding of less or more than 12 months.   The study concludes there may be a protective effect of successful breastfeeding on postpartum depression and anxiety, which in turn lowers the risk of maternal depression and anxiety in the longer term.

When neuroscientist Madeline Lancaster was a brand new postdoc, she accidentally used an expired protein gel in a lab experiment and noticed something weird. The stem cells she was trying to grow in a dish were self-assembling. The result? Madeline was the first person ever to grow what she called a “cerebral organoid,” a tiny, 3D version of a human brain the size of a peppercorn.In about a decade, these mini human brain balls were everywhere. They were revealing bombshell secrets about how our brains develop in the womb, helping treat advanced cancer patients, being implanted into animals, even playing the video game Pong. But what are they? Are these brain balls capable of sensing, feeling, learning, being? Are they tiny, trapped humans? And if they were, how would we know?Special thanks to Lynn Levy, Jason Yamada-Hanff, David Fajgenbaum, Andrew Verstein, Anne Hamilton, Christopher Mason, Madeline Mason-Mariarty, the team at the Boston Museum of Science, and Howard Fine, Stefano Cirigliano, and the team at Weill-Cornell. EPISODE CREDITS: Reported by - Latif Nasserwith help from - Mona MadgavkarProduced by - Annie McEwen, Mona Madgavkar, and Pat Walterswith mixing help from - Jeremy BloomFact-checking by - Natalie Middleton and Rebecca Randand Edited by  - Alex Neason and Pat WaltersEPISODE CITATIONS:Videos - “Growing Mini Brains to Discover What Makes Us Human,” Madeline Lancaster's TEDxCERN Talk, Nov 2015 (https://zpr.io/6WP7xfA27auR)Brain cells playing Pong (https://zpr.io/pqgSqguJeAPK)Reuters report on CL1 computer launch in March 2025 (https://zpr.io/cdMf8Yjvayyd) Articles - Madeline Lancaster: The accidental organoid – mini-brains as models for human brain development (https://zpr.io/nnwFwUwnm2p6), MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology What We Can Learn From Brain Organoids (https://zpr.io/frUfsg4pxKsb), by Carl Zimmer. NYT, November 6, 2025Ethical Issues Related to Brain Organoid Research (https://zpr.io/qyiATHEhdnSa), by Insoo Hyun et al, Brain Research, 2020 Brain organoids get cancer, too, opening a new frontier in personalized medicine (https://zpr.io/nqMCQ) STAT Profile of Howard Fine and his lab's glioblastoma research at Weill Cornell Medical Center: By re-creating neural pathway in dish, Stanford Medicine research may speed pain treatment (https://zpr.io/UnegZeQZfqn2) Stanford Medicine profile of Sergiu Pasca's research on pain in organoids A brief history of organoids (https://zpr.io/waSbUCSrL9va) by Corrò et al, American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology, Books - Carl Zimmer Life's Edge: The Search for What it Means to be Alive (https://carlzimmer.com/books/lifes-edge/)Sign up for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Signup (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today.Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org.Leadership support for Radiolab's science programming is provided by the Simons Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Pablo Tallón entrevista a Ángel Alberich-Bayarri, ingeniero biomédico experto en análisis avanzado de imágenes médicas usando inteligencia artificial y cofundador de la compañía QUIBIM. Investigadores de Stanford Medicine han presentado SleepFM, un sistema de inteligencia artificial capaz de estimar el riesgo de más de un centenar de patologías —desde cánceres y dolencias neurológicas hasta problemas cardiovasculares o complicaciones del embarazo— utilizando únicamente datos fisiológicos recogidos durante el descanso nocturno.

Greg Brady & Dr. Colin Carrie, health specialist and former Conservative MP for Oshawa - Parliamentary Secretary of Health in the Harper government, Discuss: 1 - A Lindsay Health Care Centre that has a different approach to deal with addictions 2 - Some parents will say it's just influenza, but it can affect healthy children. 3 - Stanford Medicine study shows why mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines can cause myocarditis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Humberman BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.Andrew Huberman has had a notably active period recently, particularly around major health and wellness events. Most significantly, he appeared as a keynote presenter at the Eudēmonia Summit, which concluded on November sixteenth in West Palm Beach, Florida. This sold-out three-day event attracted a record five thousand attendees and featured more than one hundred fifty world-class experts delivering science-backed health and longevity tools. Huberman shared the stage with other prominent figures including Mark Hyman, Gabby Reece, and Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry, who serves as an equity owner of Pendulum Therapeutics. The summit represented a major gathering for the wellness industry, with over two hundred seventy expert-led talks across forty venues and more than two hundred fifty on-site treatments ranging from hyperbaric oxygen to advanced recovery modalities.Beyond the summit appearance, Huberman continues to expand his media reach through his Huberman Lab podcast, which remains the number one health and fitness podcast on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify. His recent episode featuring physician-scientist David Fajgenbaum has generated significant engagement, exploring how everyday medicines influence human longevity and aging biology. This conversation centered on repurposing existing drugs to target overlooked biological pathways affecting healthspan, examining how medications like aspirin, tadalafil, lithium, and colchicine interact with inflammatory and metabolic processes central to aging. The episode underscores Huberman's ongoing commitment to translating complex neuroscience into actionable health protocols for general audiences.His digital presence remains substantial, with the Huberman Lab newsletter maintaining over eight hundred thousand subscribers receiving regular emails on neuroscience and health-related tools. The platform has announced a new book project called Protocols, described as an essential guide to improving brain function, enhancing mood and energy, and optimizing physical performance through nervous system rewiring.Regarding his professional standing, Huberman maintains his position as a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology at Stanford School of Medicine, by courtesy in psychiatry and behavioral sciences. His personal life remains largely private, though he has expressed mindfulness about protecting his family and friends from public attention's impact. Overall, Huberman's recent activities reflect his continued influence in popularizing neuroscience-based health optimization while maintaining academic credibility within the broader wellness industry.Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Teenagers are turning to AI chatbots seeking mental health support. But new research has found that can put them in harm's way. The Wall Street Journal's Georgia Wells unpacks a new report from Common Sense Media and Stanford Medicine's Brainstorm Lab for Mental Health Innovation. Plus: WSJ reporter Katie Bindley explores how small businesses are using—and benefiting from—generative AI. Katie Deighton hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’re probably heard the term “microplastics.” And you’ve probably also heard that they’re bad for you. A write up from Stanford Medicine says, quote, “they’re in the water we drink, the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the air we breathe.” But what exactly are they? A local doctor is helping us understand what exactly these particals are, and how or if we should avoid them. GUEST: Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a professor of pediatrics and adjunct professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington and the Seattle Children's Research Institute RELATED LINKS: Microplastics and our health: What the science says - Stanford Medicine Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if healing isn't just physical — but energetic?In this episode of the Conscious Fertility & Beyond Podcast, Dr. Lorne Brown sits down with Canadian radiologist and TEDx speaker Dr. Mitchell Abrams, founder of NexGenHealth Foundation, to explore how light, sound, and frequency are transforming our understanding of medicine.After surviving open-heart surgery and burnout, Dr. Abrams discovered that the heart is more than a pump — it's a transmitter of energy and emotion. He explains how coherence, a measurable state of heart–brain harmony, boosts resilience, emotional balance, and even collective wellbeing.Learn how to tap into your body's natural frequencies to reduce stress, improve health, and align with the deeper intelligence that connects us all.Key takeaways:Healing is not only physical; it's deeply emotional, energetic, and interconnected.Coherence—the synchronized rhythm between the heart and nervous system—can be trained and measured, boosting DHEA and reducing cortisol.Thoughts and emotions carry energy that radiates beyond the body, influencing others and the collective field.Collective coherence and compassion can measurably reduce conflict and increase harmony, as shown in global studies.Practicing daily heart–brain coherence builds resilience, adaptability, and community connection.Dr. Mitch Abrams Bio:Dr. Mitchell Abrams is a Canadian radiologist, educator, and founder of NexGenHealth, dedicated to advancing compassionate and holistic healthcare. A certified Applied Compassion educator from Stanford Medicine, he integrates art, music, and technology to support mental health and community wellness. After surviving open-heart surgery for a rare cardiac condition, Dr. Abrams began exploring the intersection of science, energy, and healing—shaping his mission to inspire a new paradigm in self-care and healthcare.Where To Find Dr. Mitch Abrams: NexGenHealthy Foundation: https://nexgenhealth.solutions/The Global Heart Sync: www.globalheartsync.orgTEDx Talk: “Future Medicine Is Frequency: What Did Einstein Mean?” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGxWT4EUVbs NexGenHealth's RADDical A.R.T. Initiative : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp8lRcU8ezUHealing Starts with the Heart: A Quantum Perspective on Energy & Intuition in Medicine with Dr. Mitch Abrams: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110107/episodes/17111039Dr. Mitch Presents to Goodlife Fitness Executives - Leadership in Excellence Conference 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6lsuiu2EIH.E.A.R.T Workshop: https://mitchell-abrams.mykajabi.com/HEARTforPractitioners Compassion and Altruism for Better Health and Renewed Creativity:

Imagine what it's like to lose your ability to speak. You know what you want to say, but the connection between your brain and the muscles that form words is no longer functioning. For people with conditions like ALS, or who experience a severe stroke, this is a devastating reality. Today's guest is Erin Kunz, a postdoctoral researcher in the Neural Prosthetics Translational Laboratory at Stanford, who is part of a global community of scientists working towards the vision of a brain–computer interface — or BCI — to bypass those broken circuits and restore the ability to speak to people with paralysis.We discuss how these BCIs work and the inspiring progress the tech has made in recent years, as well as the troubling question of whether a technology designed to decode what people intend to say from their brain activity could one day read out thoughts they never intended to communicate?Learn MoreStudy of promising speech-enabling interface offers hope for restoring communication (Stanford Medicine, 2025)For Some Patients, the ‘Inner Voice' May Soon Be Audible (The New York Times, 2025)These brain implants speak your mind — even when you don't want to (NPR, 2025)A mind-reading brain implant that comes with password protection(Nature, 2025)How neural prosthetics could free minds trapped by brain injury(From Our Neurons to Yours, 2024)Brain implants, software guide speech-disabled person's intended words to computer screen (Stanford Medicine, 2023)Software turns ‘mental handwriting' into on-screen words, sentences (Stanford Medicine, 2021)Send us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience. We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.edu Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

What if the key to a calmer brain wasn't meditation or medication — but microbes?In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme reveals how fermented foods and fiber may be your brain's most natural mood stabilizers. Drawing on neuroscience and Eastern medicine, she explains how your gut-brain axis uses bacteria, fiber, and fermentation to create calm, focus, and resilience against migraines.You'll discover:

In this episode, Amber Borucki, MD from Stanford Medicine, joins Host Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM, and Co-Host Zafeer Baber, MD, to discuss acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood. They focus on a significant Swedish study that dispels myths about acetaminophen's links to autism, reinforcing its safety and effectiveness. Dr. Borucki highlights its role in pain management for expectant mothers and children, while the hosts discuss alternatives to opioids, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, and stress the importance of consulting healthcare providers for proper dosing and guidance.About the GuestDr. Amber Borucki is an anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist focused on chronic pain management in children and young adults, particularly after surgery or due to chronic conditions. She earned her medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed her residency at the University of Chicago. Dr. Borucki also underwent fellowships in pediatric anesthesiology and adult/pediatric pain medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham Women's Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. After a year of private practice in Reno, Nevada, she spent five years at UCSF as a pediatric anesthesiologist and the Director of the Pediatric Anesthesia Service at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital.   

RFK Jr.'s autism claims aren't about helping anyone—they're about deciding who gets to exist in America.

Andrew Humberman BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.Andrew Huberman, a prominent neuroscientist and professor at Stanford School of Medicine, has been making waves in recent days. His podcast, the Huberman Lab, released an episode focused on the science of gratitude, highlighting effective practices that can positively impact mental and physical health. In this episode, Huberman emphasizes the importance of story-based gratitude practices over traditional methods like listing things you're grateful for.On October 22, 2025, Huberman was scheduled to appear at The Eastern in Atlanta, Georgia, alongside Casey Neistat for a public speaking event. This event is part of a larger series exploring AI, authenticity, and scale, marking a significant public appearance for Huberman in the realm of public speaking.In other news, Huberman has been involved with endorsements for AGZ, a sleep supplement from AG1, a company previously criticized for its marketing practices. While there is no confirmation on Huberman's specific role in these endorsements, it is noted that he has been a brand ambassador for AG1, reportedly receiving substantial compensation.Huberman continues to engage with his audience through his podcast and social media platforms, including Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, where he shares updates about his work and episodes from the Huberman Lab. His influence in the scientific community and public education remains significant, with his podcast frequently ranking among the top science and health podcasts globally.There are no major headlines or social media mentions indicating any significant controversies or developments beyond these in recent days. However, his ongoing public appearances and podcast episodes continue to attract attention and followers interested in neuroscience and health.Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatric Rheumatology Dr. Cristina Saez, MD, to The Baby Manual to discuss what rheumatology is and how pediatric rheumatology works. She studies and has training in autoimmune diseases, specifically ones affecting bones, muscles, joints, or multiple organ systems,  in children. Dr. Saez tells Dr. Keim that though she sees children for different things, the most common is joint pain. Juvenile arthritis is likely the most common rheumatologic diagnosis seen in her clinic. Cristina details how joint pain presents in children and the method of assessment used in diagnosis. She also treats a lot of recurrent fevers and tells Carole how fevers can present in diseases that affect the immune system, which is what she works to assess. Practical information on how to identify joint pain, what grade of fever should prompt medical intervention, and the types of medication used in treatment are all explained by Dr. Saez in this insightful episode. Dr. Cristina Saez, MD:Dr. Cristina Saez is the Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatric Rheumatology at Stanford Medicine. She graduated from Rice University with a BA in Kinesiology with a focus on Health Sciences in 2015. After graduation, she started medical school at Baylor College of Medicine. While there, she was an active member of the Pediatric Student Association and participated in the Medical Ethics Track. Outside of class, she enjoyed mentoring younger students through the Anatomy Buddies tutoring program and the Peer Resource Network program. She still kept in touch with the Kinesiology Department and even helped teach undergraduate students in the gross anatomy course. During her later years, she helped develop a protocol within the Pediatric Rheumatology department at Texas Children's Hospital to help adolescent patients prepare for the transition from pediatric to adult care.__ Resources discussed in this episode:The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on AmazonThe Baby Manual is also available on Amazon__Contact Dr. Carole Keim, MDlinktree | tiktok | Instagram Contact Dr. Cristina Saez, MDStanford Medicine Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cancer drugs cost more than ever, yet survival benefits are often modest—and in some cases, patients can't even access the care that already exists. After losing his father, Steve Jobs, to pancreatic cancer, Reed Jobs committed himself to making this the last generation that loses parents to the disease.Reed now leads Yosemite, a venture fund spun out of Emerson Collective in 2023, alongside Investor Matt Bettonville. Yosemite pairs life sciences and digital health investments with a grantmaking model to accelerate cancer research and ensure breakthroughs actually reach patients.We cover:

In this episode, Charlette Stallworth, MBA, Vice President of Business Development and Innovation at Stanford Medicine Children's Health, discusses how her team leverages AI, fosters partnerships, and balances digital innovation with patient-centered care and governance to advance the organization's mission.

Welcome to The Mental Breakdown and Psychreg Podcast! Today, Dr. Berney and Dr. Marshall discuss the concerns associated with the use of AI by children. Read the articles from Stanford Medicine here and from Futurism here. You can now follow Dr. Marshall on twitter, as well! Dr. Berney and Dr. Marshall are happy to announce the release of their new parenting e-book, Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child Part 2: Attention. You can get your copy from Amazon here. We hope that you will join us each morning so that we can help you make your day the best it can be! See you tomorrow. Become a patron and support our work at http://www.Patreon.com/thementalbreakdown. Visit Psychreg for blog posts covering a variety of topics within the fields of mental health and psychology. The Parenting Your ADHD Child course is now on YouTube! Check it out at the Paedeia YouTube Channel. The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on kindle! Get your copy today! The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on kindle and nook! Get your copy today! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube Channels, Paedeia and The Mental Breakdown. Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation!

In this episode, Charlette Stallworth, MBA, Vice President of Business Development and Innovation at Stanford Medicine Children's Health, discusses how her team leverages AI, fosters partnerships, and balances digital innovation with patient-centered care and governance to advance the organization's mission.

Imagine if you couldn't distinguish between dreams and reality. If you couldn't tell whether what you were seeing or hearing was really there in front of you. What if you discovered you couldn't trust your own perceptions? Psychosis is something three out of every a hundred people will experience at some point in their lifetimes. But what exactly is it, and is it something people can learn to live with?Today we're fortunate to have on the show Dr. Jacob Ballon, the founding co-director of Stanford Medicine's Inspire Clinic, and Shannon Pagdon, a doctoral student, peer counselor, and advocate for those living with psychosis.Learn More:Learn about the Inspire 360 Program at Stanford MedicineExplore Pagdon's Psychosis Outside the Box project and additional stories of the lived experience of psychosis from the Hearing Voices NetworkRead: "Psychosis 101: Unmasking one of the brain's most mysterious Malfunctions" (Stanford Medicine, 2024)Watch: "Demystifying Psychosis" (Stanford Medicine, 2024)Read: "Two key brain systems are central to psychosis, Stanford Medicine-led study finds" (Stanford Medicine, 2024)Watch: "Schizophrenia: Early signs and treatment options" (Stanford Center for Health Education, 2022)We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.eduSend us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience. Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Neurologist Michelle Monje studies the close relationship between cancer and the nervous system, particularly in an aggressive brain cancer that often strikes in childhood. Her research shows that the cancer cells are electrically integrated into the brain itself and these connections actually help the cancer to grow. Monje and collaborators have now developed an immunotherapy that has shown great promise in mice and early human trials. One patient had a “complete response” and is cancer-free four years after treatment, Monje tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering's The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Michelle MonjeConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Michelle Monje, a professor of pediatric neurology at Stanford University.(00:03:39) Focus on Cancer ResearchMonje's clinical observations led to exploring cancer-neuron interactions.(00:05:28) Neurons and Glial CellsThe role of neurons and glial cells in brain function and disease.(00:08:32) Gliomas in ChildrenAn overview of gliomas and their origins in glial precursor cells.(00:10:12) Rethinking Brain Cancer BehaviorHow gliomas don't just grow—they integrate with brain circuits.(00:14:49) Mechanisms of Tumor GrowthTwo primary mechanisms by which cancer exploits the nervous system.(00:16:32) Synaptic Integration of Cancer CellsThe discovery that glioma cells form synapses with neurons.(00:20:06) CAR T-Cell TherapyAdapting CAR T-cell immunotherapy to target brain tumors.(00:22:52) Targeting GD2 AntigenIdentification of a surface marker enables precision CAR T-cell therapy.(00:24:35) Immune Access to the BrainThe ability of CAR T-cells to reach the brain, despite prior understanding.(00:26:16) First Clinical Trial ResultsThe significant tumor reduction and response from CAR T-cell therapy.(00:28:21) Combined TherapiesPairing immune therapy with neural signaling blockers for better outcomes.(00:30:35) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Lisa (Elizabeth) Joyce Freeman serves as a Senior Advisor in the School of Medicine at Stanford University. She administratively supports the Stanford Medicine Center for Improvement. The goal of the Stanford Medicine Center for Improvement is to become the best at getting better Inspiring and accelerating the delivery of consistent, excellent care across Stanford Medicine measured by performance improvement in Safety, Quality, Patient Experience, and Cost Reduction (Collectively=Value) from today's baseline and ultimately developing a reputation as a national leader, to which others look for inspiration and as an educational resource. From 2001 through 2016, she was the Chief Executive Officer of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). VAPAHCS is a $900M, 800 - bed federal health care system with three inpatient divisions and seven outpatient clinics serving 90,000 Veterans in 10 counties in Northern California. It is affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine, has the second-largest research enterprise in VA ($58M), trains 1500 residents, internsand students yearly and is home to every specialized Veteran treatment modality offered in the VA system. She was responsible for all administrative and clinical aspects of VA Palo Alto, including strategy and master planning for facilities. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from Louisiana Tech University. She is a licensed professional engineer and a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives. She is the recipient of two Presidential Rank Awards, one at the meritorious level and the second at the distinguished level.Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release dateContact CEOD@bmhcc.org if you have any questions about claiming credit.

Recognizing a familiar voice is one of the brain's earliest social feats. But what are the brain circuits that let a newborn pick out mom in a crowded nursery? How do they change as kids turn toward friends and the wider world? And what are we learning about why this instinct fails to develop in the autistic brain?This week, host Nicholas Weiler joins Stanford neuroscientist Dan Abrams on the quest to understand the neural “hub” that links our brains' hearing centers to the networks that tag voices as rewarding, social, and worth our attention. The findings could reshape early-intervention strategies for kids on the spectrum.Learn MoreStanford Speech and Social Neuroscience LabParticipate in a StudyCommunity Support ResourcesPublicationsUnderconnectivity between voice-selective cortex and reward circuitry in children with autism (PNAS, 2013) Neural circuits underlying mother's voice perception predict social communication abilities in children (PNAS, 2016) Impaired voice processing in reward and salience circuits predicts social communication in children with autism (eLife, 2019)  A Neurodevelopmental Shift in Reward Circuitry from Mother's to Nonfamilial Voices in Adolescence (Journal of Neuroscience, 2022)Stanford Coverage"The teen brain tunes in less to Mom's voice, more to unfamiliar voices, study finds" (Stanford Medicine, 2022)"Brain wiring explains why autism hinders grasp of vocal emotion, says Stanford Medicine study" (Stanford Medicine, 2023)We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.eduSend us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience. Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Kaiser Permanente will stop providing gender-affirming surgeries for patients under the age of 19, as a result of President Trump's executive order targeting health centers that provide care for transgender youth. Providers across the nation have been scaling back on gender-affirming care, including Stanford Medicine and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, but Kaiser's decision has shocked many providers and patients in the Bay Area. We talk with nurses, advocates, patients and specialists about what it means for them and the future of healthcare for gender-nonconforming minors. Guests: Michelle Jurkiewicz, licensed clinical psychologist and gender specialist Sydney Simpson, nurse, Kaiser Permanente S. Baum, correspondent, "Erin in the Morning" newsletter by Erin Reed Rhaetia Hanscum, teacher and member of the Bay Area Rainbow Families Action Group Will Lohf, San Francisco public high school student and activist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Tait Shanafelt, Chief Wellness Officer at Stanford Medicine, shares his expertise on tackling physician burnout and creating a healthier work environment for clinicians. He discusses effective strategies for reducing burnout, developing comprehensive well-being initiatives, and improving the overall professional experience in healthcare. Dr. Shanafelt offers a forward-thinking perspective on fostering resilience and sustainability within the medical workforce.

Newt talks with Dr. Nolan Williams, M.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University and co-author of the Stanford Medicine study, “Magnesium-ibogaine therapy in veterans with traumatic brain injuries.” Stanford Medicine researchers have discovered that ibogaine, a plant-based psychoactive drug, combined with magnesium, can safely and effectively reduce PTSD, anxiety, and depression, while improving functioning in veterans with traumatic brain injury. Published in Nature Medicine, the study included detailed data on 30 U.S. Special Forces veterans who underwent supervised ibogaine treatments. One-month post-treatment, participants showed average reductions of 88% in PTSD symptoms, 87% in depression symptoms, and 81% in anxiety symptoms, alongside cognitive improvements. Dr. Williams discusses the potential of ibogaine for neural repair and addiction treatment, highlighting its ability to reestablish critical periods of brain plasticity and unbiased choice in addiction recovery. Despite cardiac risks, mitigated by magnesium, ibogaine offers promising results, with ongoing efforts to gain FDA approval and integrate it into veteran healthcare. The study suggests ibogaine could revolutionize treatment for PTSD, addiction, and traumatic brain injury, offering long-lasting benefits from a single dose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 6 AM hour, Larry O’Connor and Julie Gunlock discussed: THE HILL: Penn Agrees to Deal with Trump Admin on Trans Athletes, Removes Lia Thomas Records LA TIMES: Stanford Medicine Ends Surgeries for Transgender Minors Amid Pressure from Trump Administration WMAL GUEST: Syndicated Columnist Cal Thomas on the Big Beautiful Bill, Latest Musk-Trump Drama, and Alligator Alcatraz REUTERS: Trump Urges Hamas to Accept 'Final Proposal' for 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration's federal cuts that have gutted grants threaten the work of Illinois researchers. Crain's contributor Judith Crown talks with host Amy Guth about the potential long-term impacts of such funding cuts.Plus: Gov. Pritzker to announce he's running for a third term; Ronald McDonald House buys neighboring Streeterville property and eyes expansion; GE HealthCare and Stanford Medicine renew partnership to push total body scanning tech; and McDonald's and Krispy Kreme end partnership over cost issues.

Beverley Kane, MD, is Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at StanfordUniversity, Stanford, CA, USA. As Program Director for Medical Tai Chi, she teaches a wide range of subjects from critical thinking for Western medical research methodologies to Daoism to quantum theory-inspired tai chi. Her mission this lifetime is to bridge the worlds of science and spirit, making the numinous accessible to those who, like the at Stanford and Silicon Valley, are more accustomed to an intellectual approach to life.Since 2002, she has worked in the field of equine-guided psycho-spiritual development with a pastured herd of 70 horses on a 270-acre ranch in Northern California. There, she teaches Stanford Medicine and Horsemanship—communication, teamwork, leadership and self-care for medical students and Equine-imity Somatic Horsemanship Stress Reduction and Emotional Self-Regulation in the Company of Horses for Stanford employees and community members. Equine-imity uses qigong, a tai chi-like moving meditation, with and optionally on horses.Her Manual of Medicine and Horsemanship—Transforming the Doctor-PatientRelationship with Equine-Assisted Learning has been used by many other medicalcenters to replicate the Stanford Program. Her varied background (aka “checkered past”) includes a role as secretary of the San Francisco Parapsychology Research group; a sports medicine fellowship; corporate positions at Apple Health and Firness, Philips Medical Systems, and WebMD. Her interests extend to beekeeping, consciousness studies, quantum theory, and the channeled transmission of the Seth material through Jane Roberts and Robert F. Butts.Website: Horsensei Equine-Assisted Learning and Therapy (HEALTH)http://www.horsensei.comSocial Media: Somatic Horsemanship Association International (SHAINA)https://www.facebook.com/groups/188188499732560Send us a textSupport the showCan't get enough of the Journey On Podcast & it's guests? Here are two more ways to engage with them. Find exclusive educational content from previous podcast guests which include webinars, course and more: https://courses.warwickschiller.com If you want to meet your favorite podcast guest in person, you can attend our annual Journey On Podcast Summit either in person or via live stream: https://summit.warwickschiller.com Become a Patreon Member today! Get access to podcast bonus segments, ask questions to podcast guests, and even suggest future podcast guests while supporting Warwick: https://www.patreon.com/journeyonpodcastWarwick has over 900 Online Training Videos that are designed to create a relaxed, connected, and skilled equine partner. Start your horse training journey today!https://videos.warwickschiller.com/Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarwickschillerfanpageWatch hundreds of free Youtube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/warwickschillerFollow us on Instagram: @warwickschiller

The COVID-19 mRNA vaccine generates enough of an antibody response to protect against severe disease for six months. But other vaccines offer years-long — even lifelong — immunity, such as the measles or yellow fever vaccines. Is there a way for scientists to tell how long a person's immunity will last? A team at Stanford Medicine might have found a way to do just that — with the help of some of the cells found in our bone marrow. Questions about vaccines or the respiratory season? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear from you!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy