The Podcast by KevinMD

Kevin Pho, MD
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Oct 10, 2025 • 19min

How functional medicine helps where conventional care falls short

Internal medicine physician Sally Daganzo discusses her article "How functional medicine fills the gaps left by conventional care." Sally explains how a systems-based, evidence-informed approach can uncover root causes of complex conditions like fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, digestive issues, and eating disorders, especially when standard lab tests and specialist visits fail to provide answers. She highlights how functional medicine complements conventional care by considering factors such as nutrition, sleep, inflammation, microbiome health, and environmental stressors. Listeners will gain practical insights into how functional medicine reconnects doctors with clinical reasoning, expands treatment tools, and helps patients find healing when traditional approaches leave them feeling dismissed or "treatment-resistant." Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
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Oct 9, 2025 • 15min

How therapy helps uncover hidden patterns that shape our lives

Anesthesiologist and clinical mental health counselor Maire Daugharty discusses her article "How therapy helps uncover hidden patterns." Maire explains how psychotherapy leverages the brain's pattern-seeking nature to reveal implicit beliefs formed in early life, often outside conscious awareness. She describes how therapy provides a unique relational space for exploring assumptions, processing emotions, and reframing expectations—leading to profound shifts in self-reliance, resilience, and meaning-making. Drawing on depth psychology and Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial growth, Maire illustrates how uncovering hidden narratives can transform relationships, ease life transitions, and help individuals face aging and mortality with integrity. Listeners will learn how therapy can dismantle limiting beliefs, foster autonomy, and cultivate deeper well-being across the lifespan. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
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Oct 8, 2025 • 18min

Why more doctors are seeking therapy to sustain their careers and lives

Clinical psychologist Annia Raja discusses her article "Why more physicians are quietly starting therapy." Annia explains how growing numbers of physicians are turning to therapy—not because they are failing, but because they are recognizing they cannot carry the weight of medicine alone. She outlines cultural shifts that are breaking down the "invincible doctor" myth, from generational openness to the impact of the pandemic, and highlights what doctors are really seeking in therapy: depth, safety, and understanding. Annia also emphasizes why quiet participation still matters, how therapy can be an investment in career longevity, and how these changes benefit both physicians and patients. Listeners will take away insights into how therapy is reshaping medical culture and why healing the healers is essential for the future of care. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
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Oct 7, 2025 • 23min

Why shifting from wellness to well-being matters for physicians and patients

Physical therapist and physician advocate Kim Downey, mental health counselor Nikolai Blinow, and family physician and physician coach Tonya Caylor discuss their article "Focusing on well-being versus wellness: What it means for physicians (and their patients)." Together, Kim, Nikolai, and Tonya examine why the language of "wellness" often feels performative and unattainable, while "well-being" reflects a dynamic, values-based, and relational practice that supports both physicians and patients. They highlight how well-being fosters flexibility, belonging, and system-level change, while empowering individual clinicians to reconnect with purpose and presence. Listeners will gain insights into how embracing well-being can transform physician culture, reduce burnout, and model healthier approaches to care. Mentioned on the show: Well-Being Toolkit of On-Demand Resources: https://caws.dukehealth.org/toolkit-on-demand/ Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
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Oct 6, 2025 • 18min

Why physicians should embrace the role of performance coaches in health care

Orthopedic surgeon Michael Day discusses his article "Why it's time for doctors to become performance coaches." Michael explains why public trust in U.S. health care is declining and how patients are increasingly turning to high performers and influencers outside medicine for health inspiration. He argues that physicians must expand their role beyond disease treatment to become performance coaches—providing accountability, context, and specialized knowledge to help patients pursue fitness, resilience, and longevity. Michael emphasizes the lessons learned from elite athletes, the power of exercise in preventing chronic disease, and the importance of patient ownership in a tech-enabled health future. Listeners will gain insights into how physicians can bridge the gap between treatment and performance while rebuilding trust with their patients. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
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Oct 5, 2025 • 17min

Why physicians with ADHD are struggling with burnout despite success

Certified coach Michael Carlini discusses his article "Why physicians with ADHD are burning out." Michael explains how high-IQ physicians often mask their ADHD symptoms through hyper-organization, perfectionism, and hyperfocus, which allows them to succeed professionally but takes an immense internal toll. He outlines how misdiagnosis, overcompensation, and lack of accommodations contribute to severe burnout, strained relationships, and declining well-being. Michael also highlights solutions, including increasing awareness of ADHD's diverse presentations, encouraging comprehensive assessments, and building supportive, neurodiversity-affirming environments. Listeners will take away strategies to recognize hidden ADHD in high-achieving physicians and insights on fostering resilience in the medical profession. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
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Oct 4, 2025 • 16min

How AI is transforming health care with real-world data insights

Health care executive Sujay Jadhav discusses his article "How AI is revolutionizing health care through real-world data." Sujay explains how artificial intelligence tools like machine learning and natural language processing are turning unstructured electronic health record data into actionable insights that accelerate clinical research, drug development, and patient care. He highlights how AI can expand research cohorts, improve trial efficiency, and drive personalized medicine while stressing the importance of high-quality data curation, oversight, and multidisciplinary collaboration to avoid bias and ensure accuracy. Listeners will take away practical perspectives on how real-world data is reshaping diagnostics, treatment plans, and the future of health care. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
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Oct 3, 2025 • 19min

Living with the uncertainty of surviving stage 4 cancer

Pediatrician Kelly Curtin-Hallinan discusses her article "My improbable survival of stage 4 cancer." Kelly shares her year-long journey of facing a dire diagnosis, enduring rounds of tests, managing the anxiety of waiting for results, and ultimately experiencing an unexpected recovery with immunotherapy. She reflects on the skepticism she once held about miracle stories, the emotional toll of uncertainty, and the balance between fear and hope that defines living with cancer. Kelly also describes the strain of protecting her daughters from the harshest realities while carrying her own doubts about survival. Listeners will gain insight into the fragility of medical certainty, the emotional reality of stage 4 cancer, and the strength it takes to live fully even when the future is unclear. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
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Oct 2, 2025 • 23min

Why the "Cap'n Crunch" approach to medicine puts patients at risk

Patient advocate Timothy Thomas discusses his article "The Cap'n Crunch philosophy of medicine." Timothy shares his personal experiences with gaps in primary care, from learning of his diabetes diagnosis at a Walmart pharmacy instead of through his clinic, to promised tests never being ordered, to medication changes delivered without clear communication. He uses the metaphor of Cap'n Crunch, a title without true rank, to highlight how many clinics assign responsibility by availability rather than expertise, leaving patients vulnerable to rushed care and dangerous oversights. Timothy calls for greater regulation, stronger accountability, and clear communication standards to ensure patients receive safe, reliable care, especially in communities where clinics are often the only access point. Listeners will gain insight into the risks of understaffed systems, the urgent need for higher standards, and the role of advocacy in making health care more accountable. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
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Oct 1, 2025 • 14min

Why imposter syndrome is a systemic issue, not a personal flaw

Physician Jessie Mahoney discusses her article "Imposter syndrome is not a personal failing." Jessie explains how self-doubt among physicians is less about individual weakness and more about a conditioned mindset reinforced by medical culture. She describes how hypervigilance, relentless preparation, and constant comparison are framed as excellence but instead fuel overwork, burnout, and compliance with unreasonable demands. Jessie emphasizes that imposter syndrome may benefit productivity in the health care system but comes at a profound cost to physician well-being, sustainability, and patient care. She reframes self-doubt as evidence of growth rather than inadequacy and calls for a cultural shift that stops normalizing imposter syndrome as inevitable in medicine. Listeners will learn how recognizing systemic patterns and reframing self-perceptions can empower clinicians to thrive without sacrificing their health or authenticity. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

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