Health Discovered

Many of us can relate to feeling triggered or having our buttons pushed in our closest relationships, but what can we do about it? Is there an effective way to identify and communicate healthy boundaries? Can we create and sustain healthier connections even in the midst of conflict? We spoke with Whitney Goodman, LMFT, psychotherapist behind the hugely popular Instagram account @SitWithWhit, author of Toxic Positivity, host of the Calling Home podcast, and owner of the Collaborative Counseling Center, about how to communicate our wants, needs, and boundaries, as well as dynamics of enmeshment, estrangement and loving detachment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s commonly said that we are what we eat. A great deal of research has been done to find a correlation between healthy diets and brain function, but misinformation persists. Figuring out how certain foods impact our physical, mental, and emotional health while also balancing our busy lives can become a frustrating exercise. So, how does food impact the brain exactly? To find out, we spoke to Uma Naidoo, MD, director of Nutritional and Metabolic Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & director of Nutritional & Lifestyle Psychiatry at MGH Academy, and author of the forthcoming book Calm Your Mind with Food. We explored the gut and brain connection, the benefits of spices and adaptogens, helpful food pairings to boost bioavailability and realistic solutions for supporting our mental and emotional health with food.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all heard of seasonal affective disorder, but did you know that it's more than just the winter blues? The cooler temperatures, seasonal changes, and limited daylight hours of the winter months can stir up a certain cozy feeling, but they can also bring a sense of lethargy, persistent sadness, and a loss of interest in activities that once brought joy. So, what exactly is seasonal affective disorder? What are the symptoms? Are there effective treatments available? We spoke with Michael Terman, PhD, founder and president of the Center for Environmental Therapeutics, about the science behind what causes seasonal affective disorder, the significant role that your chronotype plays, where and how to accurately assess mood changes during seasonal transitions, and the therapies available that alleviate symptoms associated with seasonal affective disorder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when vaccine hesitancy and medical misinformation evolve into an anti-science aggression? While navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, we found ourselves facing daily monumental decisions regarding our health. As the pandemic continued, many of us became well-informed about viral loads, the effectiveness of masks in preventing transmission, and the critical question of whether the vaccine would benefit or potentially harm us. The introduction of the COVID vaccine brought these decisions to the forefront of our lives along with a debate about politics, identity, and privacy. We spoke with Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, scientist, pediatrician, and the author of The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science: A Scientist's Warning, about the origins of vaccine skepticism, the impact of community outreach and patient education, and lessons learned in countering the spread of medical misinformation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forty years ago, the idea that HIV would shift from a terminal illness to a chronic manageable disease was almost unthinkable. In recent years, another health crisis, COVID-19, much like HIV, was wrought with fear, stigma, and misinformation. In honor of World AIDS Day, we'll discuss key terminology, misconceptions, and advancements in HIV, including U=U undetectable equals untransmittable, the life-changing impact of current treatments and medical breakthroughs, and how science has prepared us with tools to navigate future pandemics. Joining us in this conversation is Michael Saag, MD, physician and prominent HIV/AIDS researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and author of Positive: One Doctor's Personal Encounters with Death, Life, and the US Healthcare System. This episode is dedicated to people living with and affected by HIV and those who lost their lives to AIDS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever been in a stressful situation where it feels as if you are losing control of your body? Activation of the sympathetic nervous system may cause our chest to tighten, our thoughts to race, and our breathing to become shallow. What are our options in these moments? What can we rely on to bring us back to center when we experience dysregulation? Breathwork, belly breathing, or paced respiration is an intentional manipulation of how we breathe to achieve specific mental, emotional, or physical benefits. We spoke to Ana Lilia, a certified breathwork teacher, about various breathwork techniques, from breath of fire to box breathing, and the powerful advantages of breathwork, including relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Through this discussion, we learn how consciously incorporating our breath is a pathway for transformation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023 alone, an estimated 64,050 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, accounting for 3% of all cancers in the U.S. and 7% of all cancer deaths. The most concerning thing about pancreatic cancer is that detection often occurs in later stages when it has spread beyond the pancreas. For this reason, pancreatic cancer is often referred to as the "silent killer." To explore the myths and facts of pancreatic cancer, we spoke with Malini D. Sur, MD, FACS, a board-certified surgical oncologist. Dr. Sur explains the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, current treatment options available, and the best way for patients to advocate for themselves while navigating this diagnosis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States. An estimated 238,340 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023, and 64% of lung cancers are diagnosed at stage III or IV. With all of these facts, it’s surprising that lung cancer screening, a tool that could save lives, is rarely used. Why is that? Who does that impact the most? And what changes can be made? We spoke with Jeff Yang, MD, a thoracic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and founder of the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, about symptoms, recommended lung cancer screenings, and available treatment options. We then spoke with Narjust Florez, MD, associate director of the Cancer Care Equity Program and a thoracic medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about the stigma and lung cancer patients experience and how patients can better advocate for themselves. Read WebMD Centerpiece: Catching A KillerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the myths and facts of type 1 diabetes, including the challenges faced and breakthroughs in treatment and technology. Hear from a medical expert and a medical student living with type 1 diabetes. Discover the importance of early screening and support resources for managing this condition. Gain insights on continuous glucose monitoring and find advice on managing mental health and finding support.

Sexual health is crucial to our well-being. Despite its impact on our lives, it’s still not something we commonly discuss with our doctors. This is particularly true for cancer survivors, both during treatment and in the post-treatment phase. What are some of the challenges that cancer survivors have when it comes to sexual wellness? How do the mental, physical, emotional, and financial burdens of cancer impact connection and intimacy? How can doctors, patients, and caregivers foster a better conversation surrounding this topic? We spoke with Sage Bolte, PhD, LCSW, CST, Chief Philanthropy Officer and President of the Inova Health Foundation, certified sex therapist, and respected leader in the field of oncology social work. Our conversation with Dr. Bolte explored ways to navigate sex and body image changes in cancer survivorship, inclusive conversations surrounding sexual wellness and intimacy, how to communicate wants, needs, and fears with your partner, and the sexual wellness resources available to cancer survivors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.