

Let's Talk ID
Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
Let's Talk ID is a podcast by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, featuring discussions with experts on a range of topics related to infectious diseases including antimicrobial resistance, ID diagnostics and outbreaks such as COVID-19, Ebola and measles. Episodes on IDSA’s guidelines are also available.*The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 13, 2025 • 16min
Charting a Path in ID Critical Care
Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, sits down with infectious disease and critical care physician, Matthew Brigmon, MD, of the University of Texas at San Antonio, to explore his unique path as a double-boarded physician. They discuss the challenges and rewards of combining the two specialties and share guidance for trainees interested in forging a career in ID Critical Care.This holiday season, you can help strengthen the infectious diseases workforce and support the people who advance patient care and public health every day. All donations to the IDSA Foundation through December 31 are matched up to $50,000. Learn more and double your impact at idsafoundation.org.

Nov 22, 2025 • 46min
From Darkness to Opportunity: Reimagining the Future of Public Health
Host Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, and former CDC director Demetre Daskalakis MD, MPH, explore the current state of public health. They discuss how political pressures and weakened infrastructure have left the system vulnerable, and how this moment could spark a public health “renaissance."This holiday season, you can help strengthen the infectious diseases workforce and support the people who advance patient care and public health every day. All donations to the IDSA Foundation through December 31 are matched up to $50,000. Learn more and double your impact at idsafoundation.org.

Nov 8, 2025 • 27min
Live from IDWeek 2025: Infectious Diseases Hot Takes
Live from IDWeek 2025, the discussion dives into the controversial dismantling of the CDC and its political repercussions. The hosts reflect on pandemic response mistakes and emphasize the need for humility. They explore new treatment breakthroughs for staph aureus bacteremia and debate vaccine strategies that build trust in communities. Highlights include a new COVID antiviral that cuts household transmission and lighthearted personal stories that foster bonding. The episode balances serious public health topics with moments of camaraderie.

Sep 27, 2025 • 18min
Blending Art, Medicine and Charity
Ana Velez, MD, FACP, joins Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, to share how her passion for art fuels her work in infectious diseases, from teaching through medical illustrations to using her art to give back to the ID community. Dr. Velez reveals the inspirations behind her work and how creativity brings new meaning to medicine. She also discusses her latest series of paintings that she is donating to the IDSA Foundation's Art Auction.Bid now to own one of Dr. Velez's paintings: https://givebutter.com/c/pclXSb/auctionThis holiday season, you can help strengthen the infectious diseases workforce and support the people who advance patient care and public health every day. All donations to the IDSA Foundation through December 31 are matched up to $50,000. Learn more and double your impact at idsafoundation.org.

Aug 21, 2025 • 24min
Let's Talk HIV: Street Medicine
Anna Person, MD, FIDSA, discusses the role of street medicine in improving access to HIV services and opportunities to support SM programs under Medicaid with Nathan Nolan, MD, MPH, MPHE, Founder of Street Medicine STL and Chris Menschner, Director, Complex Care Programs at the Center for Health Care Strategies.This holiday season, you can help strengthen the infectious diseases workforce and support the people who advance patient care and public health every day. All donations to the IDSA Foundation through December 31 are matched up to $50,000. Learn more and double your impact at idsafoundation.org.

Aug 16, 2025 • 31min
Safeguarding Public Health with the Vaccine Integrity Project
Bruce Gellin, MD, MPH, FIDSA, ID physician and senior advisor at the Georgetown University Global Health Institute, joins Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, to discuss the Vaccine Integrity Project and the importance of ensuring vaccine policy remains grounded in evidence. The two explore strategies for countering misinformation, building public trust, and empowering health care professionals to engage in constructive conversations about immunization.This holiday season, you can help strengthen the infectious diseases workforce and support the people who advance patient care and public health every day. All donations to the IDSA Foundation through December 31 are matched up to $50,000. Learn more and double your impact at idsafoundation.org.

Jun 14, 2025 • 18min
The Cost of Cutting Public Health (Pt. 2)
Judy Guzman-Cottrill, DO, Professor of Pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University, and John Brooks, MD, former CDC medical officer, rejoin Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, to discuss the impact of federal funding cuts, including the return of preventable diseases, the loss of mental health resources, and what can be done to protect the progress made toward health equity.This holiday season, you can help strengthen the infectious diseases workforce and support the people who advance patient care and public health every day. All donations to the IDSA Foundation through December 31 are matched up to $50,000. Learn more and double your impact at idsafoundation.org.

Jun 2, 2025 • 25min
The Cost of Cutting Public Health (Pt. 1)
In this two-part series, Judy Guzman-Cottrill, DO, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases at Oregon Health and Science University, and John Brooks, MD, former CDC medical officer and epidemiologist, join Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, to discuss the real-time consequences of federal funding cuts on public health. From dismantled community partnerships to stalled clinical trials, the three examine how these decisions are reshaping pandemic preparedness, and what we risk losing next.This holiday season, you can help strengthen the infectious diseases workforce and support the people who advance patient care and public health every day. All donations to the IDSA Foundation through December 31 are matched up to $50,000. Learn more and double your impact at idsafoundation.org.

May 17, 2025 • 28min
Gaslighting in ID and the Push for Fair Compensation
ID physicians Priya Nori, MD, FSHEA, FIDSA, and Gonzalo Bearman, MD, MPH, FACP, FSHEA, FIDSA, join Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, to discuss challenges often faced by ID specialists, including gaslighting and uncompensated labor. The three discuss how physicians can advocate for themselves, set boundaries, and push for meaningful change within their institutions.Are We Being Gaslit? A Primer for Recognizing Corporate Jargon to Overcome Gaslighting for the Infectious Disease Workforce: https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaf097/8056053Minimizing Low-Value, Uncompensated Work in Academic Infectious Diseases: A 6-Step Program: https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/78/6/1656/7610959This holiday season, you can help strengthen the infectious diseases workforce and support the people who advance patient care and public health every day. All donations to the IDSA Foundation through December 31 are matched up to $50,000. Learn more and double your impact at idsafoundation.org.

Apr 26, 2025 • 26min
Changing Course: A Doctor’s Journey from Family Medicine to Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases fellow Sam Peterson, MD, shares her unique journey to ID with Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS. The two explore the power of mentorship, the value of storytelling, and what it takes to inspire the next generation of ID specialists. This holiday season, you can help strengthen the infectious diseases workforce and support the people who advance patient care and public health every day. All donations to the IDSA Foundation through December 31 are matched up to $50,000. Learn more and double your impact at idsafoundation.org.


