Ben delves into the multifaceted experience of pain, beginning with a literary reference from Margaret Atwood. He shares personal anecdotes about blood draws, the insertion of a chemotherapy port, and the challenges of effectively communicating pain levels to healthcare professionals. Ben reflects on his nearly forty years’ experience living with Crohn's disease, exploring different ways to describe pain, and examines various strategies for pain management, including medications like acetaminophen and oxycodone, and the antidepressant duloxetine. The episode also highlights historical and cultural contexts of pain and invites listeners to contribute to a virtual medicine cabinet of motivational and entertaining resources.

00:00 Introduction and Literary Preface

01:34 Personal Anecdotes and Blood Tests

02:08 Chemotherapy Port Installation

05:31 Experiencing and Describing Pain

13:38 Pain Management Strategies

18:25 Upcoming Chemotherapy and Final Thoughts

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/pain

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In this episode of A Shot in the Arm podcast, host Ben Plumley discusses the Kigali International AIDS Society Conference with guests Solange Baptiste from ITPC and Rosemary Mburu from WACI Health. They explore the importance of community voices in global health innovations, the challenges of funding cuts, and the significance of long-acting antiretroviral therapies. Additionally, they touch upon the roles of UNAIDS and the Global Fund, advanced HIV disease, and the critical need for prioritizing global health and HIV funding.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:16 Kigali International AIDS Society Conference Overview

00:40 Community Involvement and Clinical Trials

00:51 Introducing the Guests: Solange Baptiste and Rosemary Mburu

02:13 Discussion on the Kigali AIDS Conference

04:48 Challenges and Strategies in Global Health Funding

11:32 Community Leadership and Global Health Architecture

14:54 UNAIDS and Global Fund Presence at the Conference

26:00 Scientific Innovations and Long-Acting Treatments

31:59 Integration and Efficiency in Global Health

35:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this special episode of the podcast, host Yvette Raphael and a panel of young female advocates take over the discussion at the IAS 2025 held in Kigali, Rwanda. The episode features insightful conversations with Sinehlanhla Gogela, Sihle Magwentshu, Siviwe Gaika, who are active members of the Young Women's HIV Prevention Council and ground forces with the organization APA. The panel discusses the impact of recent funding cuts on HIV prevention efforts, their experiences in promoting HIV awareness, and the importance of community engagement. They also highlight promising developments in HIV prevention, including the introduction of the long-lasting injectable Lenacapavir and the dual prevention pill (DPP). The advocates express their hopes for the future and the need for continued support and funding to sustain their vital work.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:27 Meet the Guests

01:44 Impact of Funding Cuts

05:50 Conference Highlights and Key Takeaways

09:57 Future of HIV Prevention

16:30 The Role of Ground Forces

20:42 Closing Remarks and Celebrations

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In this episode of A Shot in the Arm Podcast, host Ben Plumley welcomes Dr. mike Reid, Associate Director of Global Health Delivery and Economics at UCSF. The discussion centers on Reid's analysis of the 'seven dead ideas' in global health, criticizing outdated approaches such as the overreliance on donor directives and vertical programs. Reid emphasizes the need for context-sensitive solutions informed by rigorous implementation science and local realities. The conversation also touches on how health, intrinsically political, demands both donor and recipient nations to prioritize equitable solutions. Additional insights include the inefficiencies in current funding models, the dangers of overly technical approaches, and the underutilized role of faith communities and AI in future health strategies. The episode concludes with a call for integrated efforts and sustainable practices as the path forward.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:43 Guest Introduction: Dr. mike Reid

01:23 State of Global Health: Key Issues

02:17 Seven Dead Ideas in Global Health

03:42 Dead Idea #1: We Know What Works

07:19 Dead Idea #2: Health is a Technical Problem

11:27 Dead Idea #3: Donors Know Best

13:07 Dead Idea #4: More Money Means More Impact

15:35 Dead Idea #5: Vertical Programs are Efficient

20:35 Dead Idea #6: Measurement Equals Progress

24:44 Dead Idea #7: We Are on Track to Achieve SDG Goal 3

27:10 The Role of Faith Communities in Global Health

30:18 Artificial Intelligence in Global Health

33:57 Conclusion and Farewell

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In this episode of A Shot in the Arm podcast, host Ben Plumley is joined by Professor Heidi Larson, co-founder of the Global Listening Project, and Dr. Nduku Kilonzo, managing director of Yemaya Health Advisory. Recorded in during IAS 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda, the discussion centers on the essential contributions of faith leaders to global health, particularly in engaging communities and influencing public health decisions. The episode explores findings from the Global Listening Project's studies in Kenya and Nigeria, highlighting the deep trust communities place in faith leaders and the necessity of including them in health initiatives. The conversation emphasizes the need for health professionals to rethink their engagement strategies with faith communities, the role of digital technologies, and the importance of co-creating health solutions with faith leaders.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:17 Meet the Guests: Professor Heidi Larson and Dr. Nduku Kilonzo

00:35 The Role of Faith Leaders in Global Health

02:20 Insights from the Global Listening Project

03:54 Challenges and Opportunities in Engaging Faith Leaders

05:17 Deep Listening Techniques and Findings

07:49 Faith Leaders' Perspectives on Health Issues

09:53 The Importance of Trust and Engagement

19:11 Digital Technologies and Faith Communities

24:27 Future Directions and Final Thoughts

28:30 Closing Remarks and Thanks

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In this episode, host Ben Plumley, along with co-host Yvette Raphael, reports from the International AIDS Society Scientific Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. They discuss significant advancements in HIV prevention, particularly the recent FDA approval of Lenacapavir, with Dr. Alex Kintu from Gilead Sciences. The conversation covers the clinical journey and delivery mechanisms of Lenacapavir, its impact on young people and pregnant women, and the urgency of making this innovation widely accessible amidst funding challenges. The episode also highlights the critical role of community engagement and accountability boards in informing and driving HIV prevention strategies. Tune in for an in-depth look at the latest scientific and policy developments in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:37 Yvette's Stage Takeover Experience

01:33 Discussion on Gilead Sciences and HIV Prevention

02:15 Dr. Alex Kintu's Background and Role

03:33 FDA Approval and Next Steps for Lenacapavir

04:08 Global Access and Regulatory Processes

11:04 Understanding Lena Kavir and Its Importance

17:36 Challenges and Future of HIV Prevention

27:23 Community Engagement and Youth Involvement

34:33 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

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In this episode of A Shot in the Arm Podcast, host Ben Plumley is joined by Dr. Judy Auerbach, Dr. Jirair Ratevosian, and Dr. Mumbi Chola to discuss the 2025 Kigali Call to Action, a call to action for the global HIV response. The conversation highlights the need for meaningful partnerships, sustained research, prioritization of prevention, protection of human rights, and rejection of science politicization. The guests emphasize the importance of local leadership and community involvement in redesigning and rethinking the HIV response. The episode also addresses the challenges posed by reduced U.S. funding and the shifting roles of northern and southern countries in tackling the epidemic.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:06 HIV Science Conference and Guest Introductions

01:12 Introduction of Guests

04:24 Challenges and Common Purpose in HIV Response

05:23 Call to Action and Building Signatories

06:56 Core Principles for HIV Response

11:32 Emphasizing Prevention and Human Rights

12:23 The Importance of Prevention and Treatment

14:12 Scientific Research and Interdisciplinary Approaches

23:56 National and Regional Leadership in HIV Response

24:03 National and Regional Leadership in HIV Response

25:02 The Role of CEOs and Elected Officials

28:29 African-Led HIV Control Initiatives

39:04 Community Involvement in HIV Research

41:34 Call to Action and Global Collaboration

45:36 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

47:01 Conclusion and Farewell

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The sudden termination of US overseas funding jolted AIDS programs in countries hardest hit by the epidemic. Yet the leaders of national AIDS programs had already been preparing for the day when donor funding ended. The HIV Leadership Forum, a community of practice of Directors General of National AIDS Councils from around the world has

Ben is joined by Dr Nduku Kilonzo, Chair of the UNAIDS Global HIV Prevention Coalition, and Dr. Thembisile Xulu, CEO of the South African National AIDS Council, to explore the strategies and challenges in the post-donor era for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Key topics include the importance of sustainability, integrating HIV programs into broader health systems, and rethinking donor-country partnerships. Both experts

00:00 Introduction

01:11 Meet Dr. Nduku

01:38 Key Findings

03:09 The HIV

05:11 Challenges and

17:42 Interview with

21:16 South Africa's

32:03 The Future of

47:49 Concluding

53:07 Closing Remarks

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Ben Plumley is joined by Professor Heidi Larson, Co-founder and Chair of the Global Listening Project (GLP), and Susie Barnes, Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs for the Vaccines Division at GSK to discuss the importance of building trust and motivating awareness about new technologies in global health. The conversation covers the collaboration between the GLP and GSK, insights from their research on trust during COVID-19, and how community engagement and innovative communication strategies play a crucial role in vaccine confidence and public health. They emphasize the need for holistic approaches to prevention and the challenges of addressing vaccine hesitancy in an evolving technological landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:45 Episode Topic: Building Trust in New Technologies

01:09 Meet the Guests: Professor Heidi Larson and Susie Barnes

02:31 The Global Listening Project and GSK Partnership

03:44 Impact of COVID-19 on Trust and Vaccine Confidence

07:22 The Role of General Practitioners and Community Health Workers

14:41 Advancements in Vaccine Technology and Prevention

19:16 Communication Strategies in the 21st Century

28:04 AI and the Need for Multiple Listening Strands

28:42 Engaging Communities in Healthcare

29:21 The Future of Therapeutic Relationships

30:58 Challenges in Vaccine Access and Trust

33:27 Communicating Science Effectively

36:06 Global Listening Project Insights

37:38 Understanding Measles and Immune Amnesia

39:39 Balancing Individual Rights and Societal Responsibilities

42:11 Next Steps for the Global Listening Project

46:43 GSK's Commitment to Prevention and Partnership

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A quick trip to the surgeon reveals that all is not as it seems, and Ben’s colon cancer journey takes a sharp turn almost as immediately as it starts. Multiple tumors during a surgery initially meant to remove a single cancerous mass lead to a diagnosis of metastasized colorectal cancer. And the expensive nuclear diagnosis machine shorts – in much the same way Ben’s Father’s brand new (at the time) Vauxhall Victor broke down on a Sunday afternoon drive. A potential podcast subject that Ben dismissed years ago as not being interesting enough (Italian data on a barrage of combination chemotherapy) reappears as the best first-line treatment option for Ben in 2025. The episode concludes with insights from Ben’s oncologist and preparation for the rigorous chemotherapy regimen ahead: Chemotherapy – it’s a full-time job.

00:00 Introduction: The Vauxhall Victor Story

02:11 Unexpected Medical News

04:12 Understanding the Diagnosis

06:45 The PET Scan Incident

11:04 Meeting the Oncologist

15:15 Preparing for Chemotherapy

16:58 Conclusion: The Journey Ahead

https://www.mycrohnsandcolitisteam.com/

https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html