In this special New Year’s Eve solo episode, Dr. Mark Bonta steps away from the guest format to reflect on a landmark year for Ditch the Labcoat and to share where the show is headed next.

After surpassing 50 episodes and approaching episode 100, Dr. Bonta looks back on how the podcast evolved in 2025. What started as a more traditional interview-style medical show has grown into deeper, more philosophical conversations about performance, longevity, mental health, neuroplastic symptoms, and the human side of healthcare.

Using a surprising year-end analytics insight from his recording platform, he explores why the word “athlete” became one of the most frequently used terms on the show, and what that reveals about how healthcare, high performance, parenting, and recovery intersect. He also shares a candid and self-aware resolution for 2026, including how small environmental changes can shape better habits both personally and professionally.

Looking ahead, Dr. Bonta outlines meaningful shifts for the podcast in 2026. Expect fewer episodes, greater depth, clearer thematic focus, and more intentional preparation to better honor guests and their work. He also highlights future areas of exploration, including neuroplastic and invisible illnesses, long COVID, chronic fatigue, high-performance mindsets, and the role of technology and AI in improving care.

The episode closes with a deeply personal reflection on caregiving. A simple moment at home caring for his daughter leads to a broader meditation on touch, nursing, administrative burden, burnout, and why “caring” remains the most essential and fragile element of modern healthcare.

This episode is both a thank-you to listeners and a statement of purpose for the year ahead.

Mark Bonta's Links : https://ditchthelabcoat.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-bonta-/

Episode Takeaway 

1. Healthcare as Performance: Why the Athlete Mindset Keeps Appearing — Recovery, sleep, nutrition, and training principles apply far beyond elite sports.

2. Filler Words Reveal Thinking: What “So” Says About Deep Conversation — Pauses often signal reflection, curiosity, and cognitive processing, not incompetence.

3. Behavior Change Starts at Home: Environment Shapes Outcomes — The easiest habits are the ones your surroundings make unavoidable.

4. Longevity Is Not Biohacking: It’s Consistency Over Intensity — Sustainable routines outperform extreme interventions every time.

5. Quality Over Quantity: Fewer Episodes, Deeper Impact — Better preparation and focus create more meaningful learning for listeners.

6. Invisible Illnesses Are Real: When Scans Don’t Explain Suffering — Neuroplastic symptoms demand credibility, nuance, and evidence-based care.

7. Administrative Burden Erodes Care: Documentation Steals Time From Healing — Systems often pull clinicians away from the bedside.

8. Burnout’s Red Flag: When Caring Disappears — Loss of empathy is a warning sign that support and reflection are urgently needed.

Episode Timestamps

05:08 – Why “Athlete” Became One of the Most Used Words on the Show
07:27 – The Most Commonly Used Word on Ditch the Labcoat (And Why It Matters)
09:44 – Setting Yourself Up for Success: Habits, Environment, and Behavior Change
11:39 – Longevity Lessons from Athletes and Everyday Life
14:02 – Quality Over Quantity: How the Podcast Evolves in 2026
17:25 – Neuroplastic and Invisible Illnesses: What Medicine Still Misses
19:25 – Caregiving, Touch, and the Administrative Burden of Modern Medicine
24:15 – Burnout, Red Flags, and the Importance of Never Stopping Caring

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (soundsdebatable.com) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

In this episode, Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with pediatrician and medical journalist Dr. Alok Patel to unpack what it really means to keep kids healthy in a chaotic healthcare system and a distracted digital world. Starting with a story about Mark’s nine year old getting injured at hockey, they dive into how parents can respond to injuries and illness without panicking, how to check your own emotions first, and when a situation truly belongs in the emergency department versus urgent care or a clinic visit.

Drawing on his frontline pediatric experience, Dr. Patel breaks down practical red flags for parents to watch for, like increased work of breathing or changes in mental status, and explains why ER waits feel so brutal yet often reflect deeper system issues like staffing and bed shortages. He shares behind the scenes stories from “The Pitt” and his work on the official HBO companion podcast, highlighting how accurately the show captures social determinants of health and the emotional reality of modern emergency care.

From there, the conversation moves into vaccines, flu season, and the very human fact that even doctors sometimes struggle to follow all their own advice. Mark and Alok talk candidly about phones, social media, Roblox, and why today’s kids are essentially part of a live experiment in screen exposure. They close with a focus on what actually protects kids long term: safe, nonjudgmental adults, honest conversations about mental health, limits around screens, and a home environment that values connection over perfection.

Dr. Alok Patel's https://www.alokpatelmd.com/

Episode Takeaways

1. Parent First, Patient Second: Kids borrow their reaction from you, so the first step in any injury or illness is to calm your own emotions before you decide what to do.

2. ER vs Clinic: Not every vomit, bump, or fever is life threatening, and learning when to use urgent care or outpatient clinics can spare families long, stressful ER waits.

3. Triage Reality Check: Emergency departments prioritize the sickest patients first, which means long waits for minor issues are frustrating but often a sign the system is doing its job.

4. Medicine Behind the Camera: The Pit shows how accurate medical details can sit in the background while stories focus on the real emotional chaos of patients, families, and staff.

5. Social Determinants in Real Time: Two kids with the same diagnosis can have completely different outcomes depending on housing, income, family support, and access to care.

6. Doctors Are Human Too: Even physicians miss flu shots, struggle with habits, or feel guilty, which can actually make their public health messages more relatable, not less credible.

7. Screens and Social Media: The real risk is not one device but a constant digital environment that shapes brain development, sleep, self esteem, and social skills in ways we are only starting to understand.

8. Safe Adults Save Lives: The most powerful protection for teens is a nonjudgmental adult who listens, normalizes hard conversations, and gives kids a place to bring their worst thoughts without fear.

Episode Timestamps

02:06 – Hockey Rink Medicine: How Doctors Triage Their Own Kids
04:07 – Parents First: Calming Yourself Before You React to Injury
06:50 – ER, Urgent Care, or Clinic: How to Decide Where Your Child Belongs
09:37 – Waiting Room Reality: Triage, Delays, and Why Sickest Kids Go First
12:34 – Inside “The Pit”: TV Emergency Medicine, Accuracy, and Chaos
24:50 – Flu Shots, Doctor Guilt, and Why Practice Often Lags Advice
31:06 – Kids, Phones, and Social Media: The Live Experiment on Their Brains
37:08 – Teen Mental Health Red Flags: Subtle Signs and Safe Adult Spaces

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (soundsdebatable.com) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

Psychotherapist and author Leah Marone joins Mark for a grounded conversation about why so many of us fall into the trap of overfunctioning for others. Leah, whose new book Serial Fixer explores this exact pattern, explains how emotional mirroring and urgency cycles show up in families, friendships, and clinical environments. She walks through the patterns she sees when people try to rescue or fix someone who is struggling and why that well intentioned approach often fuels more chaos rather than growth.

Leah introduces practical indicators that boundaries are slipping, including resentment and repetitive conversations where nothing changes. She breaks down what serial fixing looks like in real time, how quickly we jump into problem solving to relieve our own discomfort, and why validation is the missing skill that keeps ownership where it belongs.

She also explains her framework of support not solve, a mindset that helps clinicians, caregivers, and families shift away from codependency and toward healthier relational dynamics. Through relatable examples, Leah teaches how to use I statements, strengthen self trust, and approach hard conversations with clarity rather than guilt.

This episode gives listeners concrete tools to stop taking responsibility for what is not theirs, communicate boundaries with confidence, and build more sustainable, compassionate relationships in their personal lives and in healthcare.

Leah C Marone, LCSW Website : https://www.serial-fixer.com/

TedTalk : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVBjI4tNv3s

Episode Takeaways 

1. Self Care Is Not a Spa Day- Real self care is a series of small resets throughout the day that regulate your nervous system.
2. Fixing Others Creates More Chaos- Trying to solve someone’s problems for them often fuels dependency and resentment.
3. Resentment Signals a Boundary Problem- When irritation grows, it usually means you have taken on work that is not yours.
4. Validation Beats Problem Solving- People calm down when they feel understood, not when they receive rapid fire solutions.
5. I Statements Keep Conversations Safe- Replacing “you always” with “I feel” prevents defensiveness and keeps dialogue open.
6. Urgency Is Often Self Imposed- Feeling responsible for everyone’s comfort pushes you into overfunctioning and emotional burnout.
7. Self Trust Requires Reps- Boundaries get easier through practice, not perfection, and discomfort is part of the growth curve.
8. Micro Transitions Change Your Day- Short pauses between tasks help reset your focus and reduce the compounding stress that builds across a busy day.

Episode Timestamps

03:58 – Meeting the Inner Critic: Why We Judge Ourselves So Harshly
05:16 – Realizing People Are Not Thinking About You as Much as You Think
24:18 – Why Fixing Others Fails and How to Shift the Pattern
25:50 – Boundaries Require Reps: Getting Comfortable With Discomfort
28:28 – The Danger of “You” Statements and How They Trigger Defensiveness
32:19 – The Hidden Crisis in Medicine: Shell Culture and Silent Burnout
33:23 – What Self Care Really Means: Internal Conflict and Rigid Beliefs
35:40 – Micro Transitions: How Small Daily Moments Can Reset Your Nervous System

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (soundsdebatable.com) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

Invisible illnesses shape millions of lives, yet most patients spend years in the system without answers. Dr. David Clarke has spent his career at the intersection of internal medicine, psychology, and mind-body research. His mission is clear. Help clinicians recognize when symptoms are driven by the nervous system rather than structural disease. Help patients finally feel seen. And give the medical community a framework to reduce unnecessary testing while improving outcomes.

In this episode he explains how the brain generates real physical symptoms under stress, trauma, and emotional overload. He walks through clinical red flags that differentiate structural disease from functional conditions. He shares stories of patients who suffered for years before receiving the right diagnosis. Dr. Bonta and Dr. Clarke explore why invisible illnesses are often missed in rushed systems. They dig into tools clinicians can use to validate symptoms without over pathologizing them. They highlight communication strategies that restore trust. They also discuss prevention, early detection, and the growing evidence supporting mind-body approaches.

The conversation is practical. Evidence based. Deeply human. Dr. Clarke shows how clinicians can uncover hidden drivers of symptoms and give patients a path to recovery even when imaging and lab work are normal. This episode is designed for anyone who wants to understand the science and psychology behind medically unexplained symptoms and how to improve care for this underserved population.

David Clarke, MD's Website : https://www.symptomatic.me/

Episode Takeaway 

1. Neuroplastic Symptoms: Real physical sensations created by the brain that can improve with the right approach.
2. Invisible Illnesses: Often missed because standard training focuses on structural disease, not functional mechanisms.
3. Brain Body Pathways: Stress and trauma can activate neural circuits that generate chronic pain and gut symptoms.
4. Diagnostic Clarity: Red flags help distinguish functional illness from conditions that need imaging or procedures.
5. Validation Matters: Patients recover faster when clinicians acknowledge symptoms without dismissing them.
6. Communication Skills: Asking the right questions uncovers hidden emotional drivers behind persistent symptoms.
7. Prevention Tools: Early recognition of neuroplastic patterns reduces unnecessary testing and specialist referrals.
8. Hope in Recovery: Most patients improve once they learn how the nervous system produces their symptoms.

Episode timestamps 

02:46 – Why invisible illnesses elude standard medical training
06:13 – How the nervous system produces real physical symptoms
10:34 – Red flags that separate structural disease from functional illness
14:51 – Communication strategies that validate patient symptoms
19:30 – Trauma, stress and the hidden drivers of chronic symptoms
24:42 – Clinical cases that shifted Dr. Clarke’s diagnostic approach
30:04 – Tools clinicians can use to reduce unnecessary testing
35:57 – Preventing invisible illness through early recognition and education

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (soundsdebatable.com) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

In this deeply human episode, Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with cardiac surgeon, scientist, and writer Dr. Paul Fedak for an honest look at the hidden cost of excellence in medicine. Dr. Fedak shares the story of the injury that forced him out of the operating room and into a profound reckoning with identity, purpose, and the culture of silence that surrounds clinician suffering.

Drawing from years as Professor at the University of Calgary and Director of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, he unpacks why perfectionism is so common in medical training, how surgeons learn to mask pain behind composure, and why emotional detachment has long been mistaken for professionalism. Together they explore the unseen burden clinicians carry, the pressure to perform without pause, and the moments when the mask finally cracks.

Dr. Fedak speaks candidly about ego death, vulnerability, and rebuilding a life after losing the work that once defined him. He describes the colleagues who opened up only after he shared his own story, highlighting how connection and honesty can transform a profession built on quiet endurance.

This episode examines the human side of medicine that rarely makes it into textbooks. Identity. Injury. Recovery. Presence. What it means to care for others while trying to stay whole yourself.

A moving conversation for anyone in healthcare or anyone who has ever struggled with the weight of impossible expectations.

Paul Fedak, MD, PhD's website : paulfedak.com

Episode Takeaways

1. Surgeons are trained to push through pain, not acknowledge it.
Medical culture rewards resilience and persistence, but that same conditioning prevents clinicians from recognizing and responding to their own injuries.

2. Perfectionism is wired into medical training.
Traits like list making, obsessive task completion, and performance under observation are common in medicine and often go unexamined despite their psychological cost.

3. The mask of competence becomes automatic.
Clinicians become so skilled at hiding distress that even close colleagues fail to notice warning signs. This silence leaves suffering invisible.

4. Vulnerability creates connection and protects lives.
When Dr. Fedak shared his story, dozens of peers came forward with their own hidden experiences. Openness is not weakness. It is safety.

5. Ergonomic injuries in surgery are far more common than most people realize.
The physical demands of operating are intense, yet surgeons lack the protections that other healthcare workers receive.

6. Leadership shows the true burden physicians carry.
Once in leadership roles, clinicians see the depth of burnout, fear, and quiet endurance happening behind the scenes.

7. Losing the identity of “surgeon” creates an existential crisis.
Stepping out of the operating room forced a complete reevaluation of purpose, ego, and self worth.

8. Technical excellence is not the full measure of a doctor.
Relational skill, empathy, presence, and human connection matter just as much as procedural skill.

9. Medicine needs protected space for reflection.
Without pause and presence, clinicians lose touch with themselves and the people they care for. Healing requires time, community, and grounding.

10. System structures shape clinician wellbeing.
The fee for service model rewards quantity over recovery, creating pressures that make self care feel impossible.

11. Paying clinicians to care for themselves could change outcomes.
If mental health visits, ergonomic care, and recovery time were compensated, more clinicians would seek help early.

Episode Timestamps

07:10 How one surgeon’s work related injury forced a career pivot and a deeper conversation about wellbeing.

08:25 The secret stories colleagues shared only after Paul opened up about his own suffering.

10:30 Independent contractor status and why doctors lack the ergonomic protections nurses receive.

13:00 The unseen emotional toll behind surgical careers and what leadership reveals about clinician suffering.

16:00 Training teaches perseverance, but injury demands honesty. The conflict surgeons are never taught to navigate.

17:28 Medical trainees and perfectionism. Why obsessive traits are six times more common in medicine.

19:10 When the mask becomes permanent. How clinicians hide distress even from each other.

20:00 Two tragic losses and the lessons Paul learned about checking in with colleagues.

22:00 Vulnerability as leadership. Why sharing your story opens the door for others to heal.

28:57 Did speaking out come with professional risks. What changed when Paul stopped protecting his own ego.

31:55 Losing the identity of “surgeon.” The ego death that followed leaving the operating room.

33:40 Beyond technical mastery. Why excellence must include human connection, empathy, and presence.

34:46 How medicine can “create space” for reflection, grounding, and real conversations.

37:50 The hidden financial pressures behind surgical work and how billing shapes clinician behavior.

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

Clinical psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael joins Dr. Mark Bonta for an important and timely conversation about free speech, emotional regulation, and the psychology of open dialogue. Drawing on her clinical work and her new book, Dr. Carmichael explains how suppressing opinions affects stress, anxiety, and even physical health. She describes her own experience with media self censorship, the impact of masking policies during COVID, and how moving from New York to Florida revealed the mental health benefits of open discussion.

The episode explores how naming emotions reduces amygdala activity, how repressing thoughts can lead to acting out, and why honest conversation promotes neural coupling and lowers cortisol. Together they examine bullying, victimhood, groupthink, and how language can unintentionally shut down dialogue instead of inviting clarity and connection.

Listeners will learn practical tools for navigating political disagreements, managing emotional overload during difficult conversations, and practicing reflective listening to stay grounded and curious rather than reactive.

Dr. Carmichael’s message is simple and powerful. Dialogue matters. Open conversation strengthens emotional regulation, builds healthier relationships, and supports mental clarity. Her invitation to the audience is to have more honest disagreements and to rediscover the psychological value of speaking freely.

Dr. Chloe Carmichael Link : https://www.drchloe.com/

Episode Takeaways

1. Free Speech Supports Mental Health: Speaking openly improves emotional regulation, strengthens relationships, and reduces anxiety.
2. Suppressing Thoughts Has Consequences:Bottling emotions disrupts emotional processing and can lead to acting out, stress, and internal tension.
3. Labeling Emotions Lowers Fear Response: Simply naming what we feel reduces amygdala activation and increases clarity and control.
4. Self Censorship Takes a Psychological Toll: Avoiding truthful expression to fit social expectations erodes authenticity and increases distress.
5. Groupthink Is Dangerous: Institutions that suppress debate become vulnerable to poor decisions and intellectual stagnation.
6. Open Disagreement Is Healthy: Learning to disagree politely strengthens community bonds rather than damaging them.
7. Authoritarian Environments Harm Wellbeing: Chronic suppression of speech leads to anxiety, helplessness, and depressive patterns across populations.
8. Language Can Shut Down Dialogue: Words like bullying or victim can be used as shields, stopping rational discussion and reflection.
9. Listening Does Not Mean Agreeing: Separating listening from endorsement allows conversations to stay civil and productive.

Episode Timestamps

01:23 – Dr. Carmichael’s clinical background and early media experience
03:40 – Moving from New York to Florida over masking policies
04:38 – Mark on masking, speech development, and emotional suppression
06:32 – Why naming emotions lowers amygdala activity
07:00 – Emotional suppression and how bottling feelings leads to acting out
10:00 – Media censorship and limiting acceptable viewpoints
13:00 – Listening versus agreeing and the psychology of disagreement
17:00 – Thought replacement as a tool for staying grounded
20:00 – Why political conversations feel dangerous and how to navigate them
24:00 – Groupthink in institutions and intellectual environments
26:32 – How suppressing discussion harms innovation and clarity
27:10 – Authoritarian environments and mental health consequences
28:16 – Living with hidden thoughts and long term anxiety
30:24 – The power of labels like bullying to shut down dialogue
32:00 – Victimhood culture and the upside down bully victim dynamic
35:45 – Why shutting down dialogue creates conflict rather than reducing it
40:16 – Dr. Carmichael’s call for more open, happy disagreements
42:21 – Closing reflections and holiday dinner table dynamics
42:52 – Invitation to join discussion groups with her book purchase

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

In this powerful conversation, Matteo Esposito shares the story that shaped his mission to help others reclaim their lives from addiction and mental illness. Matteo is a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach and co-founder of Invisible Challenge, a movement focused on ending the stigma around invisible illnesses including bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and suicidality.

Mark and Matteo explore the difficult reality of dual diagnosis, the limits of our current system, and the lived experience behind manic episodes, depression, and the pull of addiction. Matteo explains how suffering, time, and honest acceptance led him to recovery, and why connection is often stronger than willpower alone.

They discuss the gaps in psychiatry, the trial and error of medications, the danger of self-medication, the unpredictable nature of relapse, and the emotional toll on families who walk beside a loved one in crisis. Matteo also opens up about rebuilding his life, repairing relationships, and using his lived experience to support others who are still trying to find their footing.

This is an honest and deeply human look at mental illness, addiction, and what it truly takes to heal.

Matteo Esposito, Certified Addiction Recovery Coach : https://invisiblechallenge.org/

Episode Takeaways 

1. Invisible illnesses are often dismissed because they do not show up on scans, yet they can be as disabling as any physical condition.
2. Dual diagnosis is complex. Treating bipolar disorder and addiction separately does not work. Both must be addressed together.
3. Self medication hides deeper problems. Many people use alcohol or cannabis to manage anxiety, insomnia, or early psychiatric symptoms.
4. Mania has clear warning signs. Loss of sleep, high energy, pressured speech, and risky decisions are red flags that should never be ignored.
5. Addiction is a brain illness. It is not a moral failure, not a weakness, and not a lack of willpower.
6. Suffering often precedes change. For many people, the turning point comes only after repeated lows and accumulated exhaustion.
7. Connection is protective. Recovery becomes possible when someone is surrounded by people who understand the journey.
8. Professional guidance matters. Matteo credits his progress to finally following recommendations from clinicians instead of relying on his own judgment.
9. Peer support accelerates healing. Helping others in recovery strengthens sobriety and reduces the risk of relapse.
10. Families carry their own burden. Loving someone with addiction or mental illness is heavy, complex, and often painful.
11. Recovery is a daily commitment. Even years later, it is maintained one decision and one day at a time.
12. Hope is a vital tool. Matteo reminds anyone struggling that change is possible, suffering is not permanent, and no one is alone in the process.

Episode Timestamps

 01:27 – Matteo describes entering the mental health system and navigating inconsistent levels of care.
02:21 – Mark breaks down substance use disorders and explains the limits of current treatments.
03:38 – Matteo discusses early experiences with psychiatrists and the difficulty of treating substance use and bipolar disorder together.
04:39 – Matteo explains when his mania first escalated and how substances intensified the symptoms.
05:49 – Matteo talks about the relationship between depression, self-medication, and worsening addiction.
06:11 – Mark explains why people self-medicate with alcohol or cannabis when their mind starts to unravel.
07:11 – Matteo shares how he gained partial stability with bipolar disorder before realizing his addiction was growing.
08:20 – Matteo describes the moment he recognized he had lost control over weed and alcohol.
09:57 – Mark explains the difference between mood disorders and personality disorders and why bipolar is often misunderstood.
10:23 – Matteo identifies the behavioral warning signs of mania, including loss of sleep, pressured speech, and risky decisions.
12:24 – Mark explains mood-stabilizing therapy and how medications level out extreme highs and lows.
12:47 – Matteo reflects on the importance of connection as the opposite of addiction.
14:30 – Matteo explains why suffering and time were the two forces that finally pushed him toward recovery.
15:54 – Mark outlines why addiction treatment has low success rates and why relapse is common.
17:24 – Matteo discusses peer support and how helping others helps him stay sober.
20:47 – Matteo describes how following professional guidance instead of his own instincts became a turning point.
23:13 – Matteo reflects on repairing relationships with family and how addiction strains loved ones.
25:08 – Matteo discusses how families struggle with the line between love and enabling.
27:29 – Matteo shares words of encouragement for people who feel hopeless in addiction or mental illness.
30:45 – Mark and Matteo discuss therapy, lived experience, and the need for ongoing self-awareness in recovery. 

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

Your voice says more than you think.

In this episode, Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with Dr. Kang Hsu, Chief Medical Officer of Canary Speech, to explore how AI and vocal biomarkers could make the human voice the next vital sign in medicine.

They unpack the science behind this breakthrough, showing how subtle shifts in tone, rhythm, and cadence can reveal early signs of depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s, or cognitive decline long before symptoms appear.

Dr. Hsu shares the origin story of Canary Speech, the research that powers its models, and how voice-based screening is already being used in healthcare, from telehealth visits to smart devices.

It is a look into a future where a 40-second voice sample could help doctors detect disease, personalize treatment, and bring empathy back into digital medicine.

Guest Link : https://canaryspeech.com/

Timestamps

00:00:00 — Welcome and opening reflections
00:00:07 — A candid start: location, context, and conversation
00:01:32 — Meet Dr. Kang Hsu, Chief Medical Officer of Canary Speech
00:02:44 — How voice became medicine: the story behind Canary Speech
00:03:29 — Why this conversation matters to clinicians and patients alike
00:04:05 — Making science accessible: breaking down complex ideas
00:05:59 — Behind the mic: how each episode comes together
00:06:59 — Keeping it real: refining, revising, and staying authentic
00:08:00 — Can your voice reveal your health? The rise of vocal biomarkers
00:12:00 — From telehealth to wearables: real-world applications
00:18:00 — The uphill climb: innovation vs. healthcare resistance
00:24:00 — The road ahead: what the future of voice in medicine could look like
00:30:00 — Closing thoughts and a glimpse into what’s next

Episode Takeaways

1. Voice as a Vital Sign
Your voice holds more data than you realize. Subtle changes in tone and rhythm can reveal early signs of depression, anxiety, or even cognitive decline.

2. Objectivity Through AI
Canary Speech uses vocal biomarkers to turn speech into measurable data, giving clinicians objective insight where surveys and self-reporting fall short.

3. New Frontiers in Telehealth
Voice analysis can run quietly in the background of virtual visits and smart devices, creating a noninvasive way to monitor mental and physical health between appointments.

4. The Challenge of Change
Healthcare moves slowly. Adoption depends on awareness, trust, and showing how accessible technology like this can ease strain on overburdened systems.

5. A Future Built on Listening
In time, voice may join heart rate and blood pressure as a standard vital sign. It can help detect disease earlier and make care more personal, not less.

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

Welcome back to Ditch the Labcoat. This week, host Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with Dr. Elliot Justin, emergency physician, innovator, and founder of FirmTech, for a conversation that’s equal parts fascinating, funny, and paradigm-shifting. Together, they explore a topic that most people find awkward to talk about—but everyone is curious about: male sexual health.

Dr. Justin shares how a personal injury and a deep curiosity about human physiology led him to develop an unexpected form of wearable technology—an erection ring that can not only enhance sexual performance but also collect valuable health data. Beneath the humor and candor lies something revolutionary: nocturnal erections, it turns out, may be one of the most powerful predictors of cardiovascular health we’ve been overlooking.

In this episode, Dr. Bonta and Dr. Justin unpack what it means when men stop getting morning erections, how this can serve as an early warning sign for heart disease, and why the term “erectile dysfunction” might need to be retired altogether. They explore the complex interplay between vascular, neurological, and psychological factors that drive sexual performance; and how rebranding “dysfunction” into erectile fitness reframes the conversation around men’s health, confidence, and relationships.

From bedside humor to hard science, Dr. Justin reveals how FirmTech’s technology has already identified hidden cardiac disease in users, improved relationships, and empowered men to take charge of their health in a completely new way. The discussion ranges from cardiovascular physiology to the social stigma surrounding male sexual health—and how technology might just be the bridge that makes it easier to talk about.

If you’ve ever wondered what your body might be trying to tell you, why sex can be one of medicine’s most underused diagnostic tools, or how innovation can transform intimacy and health alike, this episode is for you.

Let’s ditch the lab coat and get real about the science—and future—of erections.

Dr. Elliot Justin, MD, FACeP, CEO of FirmTech
https://myfirmtech.com

Episode Timestamps 

01:00 Introduction to Health Metrics
02:56 The Journey to Sexual Health Technology
05:48 Understanding Nocturnal Erections
09:13 The Role of Vascular Health
11:57 Redefining Erectile Dysfunction
14:54 The Impact of Technology on Sexual Health
17:53 The Importance of Venous Return
21:06 Patient Experiences and Relationship Dynamics
24:02 The Power of Data in Sexual Health
26:56 Safety and Usage of the Technology
29:57 Future of Sexual Health Screening
32:54 Concluding Thoughts on Sexual Health

Episode Takeaways

1. Nocturnal erections can serve as a leading indicator of cardiovascular health, offering a non-invasive way to monitor heart health.
2. The technology developed by Elliot provides a dual-purpose solution: tracking nocturnal erections and serving as an erection ring to maintain sexual performance.
3. Elliot's personal journey from emergency medicine to developing this technology highlights the importance of addressing sexual health as a vital component of overall well-being.
4. The conversation challenges the stigma around erectile dysfunction, advocating for a shift towards discussing "erectile fitness" to promote a positive and proactive approach to sexual health.
5. The data collected from the wearable technology can help differentiate between psychogenic and physiological causes of erectile issues, providing valuable insights for personalized treatment.
6. Elliot emphasizes the need for a personalized approach to health, where individuals can use data to understand their unique health needs and make informed decisions.
7. The episode underscores the potential of wearable technology to disrupt traditional medical practices by providing actionable insights and empowering individuals to take control of their health.
8. Dr. Mark Bonta and Elliot discuss the broader implications of their work, suggesting that it could lead to new standards of care for men over 45 or those with specific health conditions.
9. The conversation highlights the importance of open dialogue about sexual health, encouraging listeners to consider the benefits of integrating sexual health monitoring into their wellness routines.
10. Elliot's innovative approach to sexual health technology is positioned as a tool for enhancing relationships and improving quality of life, beyond just addressing medical concerns.

DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.  

 >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.   

 Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University.