Cal finds himself looking down different highways and byways in the wide arc of healthcare and begins to wonder about the ways to make the biggest impact. Then he awakens one night at 3 a.m. with an urge to relisten to the first podcast he did on the subject. It was with Navy surgeon and dermatologist Reagan Anderson before COVID. It resonates now more than ever.

Cal looks for a way to bring people together during the acrimony following the Supreme Court decision reversing Roe vs. Wade and setting the stage for the prohibition of  abortion in certain states. So he made an unusual decision to publish an episode that he was planning for September – during Prostate Cancer Awareness month. The idea behind it is for people of different sexes and opinions to share knowledge in a kind way – in this case about an often-misunderstood male organ. Dr. Neil Baum, a urologist from New Orleans, gives the primer. The hope is that we all become more curious and understanding of each other’s health needs and opinions.  Because if we can’t come together as a nation over healthcare, what can we come together over?

On average, every American eats 100 bowls of cereal a year. Most are filled with highly-sugared, highly-processed carbohydrates fronted by wonderful animations of characters that lure kids in to thinking they're breakfast pals. Cal used to be one of those kids, and he loved those sweet, crunchy cereals. Now, Cal wonders how much healthier America would be if it were eating cereals that taste great but contain virtually no sugar made by Magic Spoon. His conversation with company founder Gabi Lewis takes us all to new places. A healthy Birthday Cake cereal???

Cal meets two guys who’ve created an App that does not let you forget anything -- and creates a memory archive. That made Cal feel sharper and healthier in an instant. Not only is the Twos App free. But the founders gave Cal a two-dollar bill as a promotional gesture just to try it out. Cal did, and has been using the Twos App ever since. Founders Parker Klein and Joe Steilberg got so excited to come on Big Questions, they offered to Venmo $2 to anybody who tries the Twos App. Cal’s sure this will delight listeners . . . but he hopes it doesn’t bankrupt Parker and Joe.

Ryan Chen, co-founder of Neuro, shares his inspiring journey of overcoming a snowboarding accident, addiction to pain killers, and creating products like Neuro mints and chewing gum that bring calm, clarity, focus, and energy. The podcast also explores the significance of breath mints, addresses mental health, discusses the creation of functional confectionery, compares the effects of substances on college students, and emphasizes spreading a message of hope and health.

Cal catches up with a friend he met while speaking at an event at Kaiser Permanente just before COVID. Eddie Garcia had had a heart attack. His heart was in trouble, and Eddie was waiting for a transplant. Eddie did receive a new heart and a second chance at life during COVID. What Cal didn’t know was that Eddie had been wanting to write a letter of thanks to the family of the donor – but was gripped by writer’s block. It was understandable, because such a letter can bring pain to the family of the donor. Some families in that situation simply want to move forward. Eddie’s new heart was calling out to write the letter, though, and at the end of this podcast you’re going to hear it and see how clear communication can break through writer’s block in any situation.

Cal reached out to the Chief Medical Officer to the President to find out what Dr. Anthony Fauci learned since the start of the COVID pandemic. Cal’s surprised by Dr. Fauci’s answer, though maybe he shouldn’t have been.

Cal had no idea that as we age there is a risk that receiving CPR could give you brain damage. Knowing that, would you want to be resuscitated? There are many medical situations that can leave you unable to communicate. Have you left behind decisions on how you’d like to be treated? Or who you’d like to be making decisions on your behalf? Dr. Tatiana Fofanova of Koda Health takes Cal through the interview process that allows us to make legally-binding decisions in an emergency should we be unable to communicate. Healthcare providers are willing to pay for this information, because they want to know how to treat you. Live in peace.

Millions of people are impacted by IBS. But few talk about their troubles on the toilet – whether they be about constipation, diarrhea, bloating or excess gas. Most suffer in silence. The conversation you’re about to hear is a game changer. Because IBS picked on the wrong guy when it came after a data scientist at Uber – Asaf Kraus. Asaf used artificial intelligence and photos to track down the foods and habits that were causing his problems and created a company called Dieta Health that can potentially help millions of people solve their intestinal problems. And it all started on a date. If you’re not impacted by IBS, you definitely know someone who is. Please pass this episode to anyone you know with IBS. They’ll be deeply grateful.

Cal comes across an interesting situation when an 18-year-old college freshman develops back pain after donating blood. A campus doctor fears it could be a deadly pulmonary embolism and directs Ashton Marshall to the local Emergency Room. This could lead to many tests and high bills. Ashton’s father, the author of Never Pay The First Bill, offers his son a strategy to keep the charges reasonable. Listen to Marshall Allen, and you’ll have that same strategy.