Workplace well-being consultant and instructional designer Crystal Rowland talks about burnout, emotional carryover, mindfulness, and the role employers can play in creating healthier workplace cultures. Drawing from her own experience with burnout in a high-pressure corporate environment, Crystal explains how simple, in-the-moment practices such as 90-second mindfulness resets can help employees regulate emotions, reduce stress, and improve performance. The conversation explores the connections between personal well-being and organizational success, including employee retention, psychological safety, leadership support, and workplace culture. Crystal shares practical strategies for healthcare and other high-stress industries, emphasizing self-awareness, intentional pauses, emotional regulation, journaling, and team-based approaches to workplace wellness that support both employee flourishing and organizational outcomes. Learn more at https://path2serenity.info/about/

Dr. Diana Sorrentino, a social psychologist, behavioral analyst, author, and nationally recognized expert on gender diversity and transgender identities joins the podcast. Drawing on more than four decades of research and lived experience, Dr. Sarentino explores the science, psychology, and clinical approaches surrounding gender incongruence, addressing common misconceptions, the role of counseling and healthcare professionals, youth and adult experiences, and the importance of evidence-based care. The conversation also examines the challenges families face, the evolving standards of gender-affirming healthcare, the impact of social and political discourse, and the critical need for education, compassion, and credible information in supporting gender-diverse individuals. Read more about Dr. Sorrentino here: https://paradoxesofgender.com/

Birth injury attorney Gina Mundy joins the podcast to explore the realities of modern childbirth, patient advocacy, and maternal healthcare. Drawing from more than two decades of experience reviewing birth injury cases, Gina discusses the widespread use of labor inductions, the role of Pitocin and other interventions, common factors seen in birth-related litigation, and the importance of informed decision-making during labor and delivery. The conversation also examines the growing influence of doulas and midwives, trends in home births, challenges facing maternity care systems, and why empowering families with knowledge may be one of the most effective ways to improve birth outcomes. This episode offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals, expectant parents, and anyone interested in the intersection of medicine, patient advocacy, and childbirth safety.

Read more about Gina and her book here: https://ginamundy.com/

Michael Nader is a behavioral neuropharmacologist with research interest in the areas of drug abuse, impulsivity, brain dopamine receptor function and nonhuman primate models of human disease. He has been working with catheterized nonhuman primate models for nearly 35 years and with brain imaging (PET and MRI) for over 25 years. His research examines individual differences in drug effects, highlighting sex differences, social rank and drug history as important organismal variables that influence outcome. Read more about Dr. Nader's work at https://school.wakehealth.edu/research/labs/michael-nader-lab

Dr. Corey Helton, founder of Aeternitas Health, shares insights on the emerging field of physician-led longevity medicine. The conversation explores how longevity care differs from traditional healthcare by emphasizing prevention, healthspan, personalized risk assessment, and long-term patient partnerships rather than reactive disease treatment. Dr. Helton discusses the limitations of conventional medical models, the role of lifestyle factors such as exercise, nutrition, sleep, and mental health, and the challenges of balancing evidence-based medicine with the rapidly evolving world of wellness, biohacking, and consumer health technologies. Learn how data-driven decision-making, patient accountability, and a multidisciplinary care approach can help individuals take a more proactive role in optimizing their long-term health and quality of life. Find out more at: https://aeternitas.health/

Pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Alan R. Cohen reflects on four decades of treating childhood brain tumors, revealing how cutting-edge technology—from advanced imaging to AI—has transformed outcomes while underscoring a deeper truth: healing extends far beyond the tools. Through stories of young patients and their families, he highlights the essential role of empathy, compassion, humor, and hope in the healing process, emphasizing that while technology can treat disease, it is human connection that truly heals. Blending science with storytelling, this episode explores the delicate balance between innovation and humanity in medicine, offering a compelling perspective on how the art of healing must evolve alongside advances in care.

More about Dr. Cohen here: https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/alan-r-cohen/2702500

Comfort Always: Healing in the Age of Technology on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0duKomTa

Sia Beasley shares how simple, consistent movement— and meaningful social connection — can transform healthspan and quality of life, especially as we age. From evidence-based fall prevention and the power of tai chi to the critical role of strength, mobility, and community belonging, the conversation highlights practical ways to stay independent and thrive across the lifespan. The episode also shines a light on persistent rural health challenges, including limited access to care and resources, while emphasizing the resilience and creativity of rural communities in overcoming these barriers. Sia shares insights on how small, intentional lifestyle choices can build strength, prevent decline, and support a longer, more fulfilling life.

Read more about Sia here: https://phes.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/sia-beasley

Michelle Curtin is a clinician educator in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at Advocate Health Wake Forest Baptist and an Associate Professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She shares her latest insights in approaches to treatment and advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Find out more about Dr. Curtin at: https://www.wakehealth.edu/providers/c/michelle-curtin

This episode is part of the Podcast CE Learning Series. Earn 1 hour CE Credit for listening to this episode. Find out more here: https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/podcastce

Joshua Resnikoff, co‑founder and CEO of Sunstone Health, joins the podcast to talk about the “diagnostic odyssey” faced by families navigating complex and rare conditions. Drawing from both professional expertise in biotech and deeply personal experience as a parent, Joshua unpacks why diagnosis can take years, how system inefficiencies—not a lack of science—drive delays, and how AI and genomics can radically shorten the path to answers. The conversation explores Sunstone Health’s employer‑based, outcomes‑driven model, the role of health insurance incentives, and why combining large‑scale data analysis with clinicians “in the loop” is key to delivering truly personalized care—while easing the burden on families and frontline providers alike.

Find out more about Joshua and Sunstone Health at: https://www.sunstonehealth.com/

Peter Basica - founder of 360 Smarter Care - joins the podcast to talk about why the U.S. healthcare system struggles with trust, adherence, and rising costs—and what can be done about it. The conversation explores how personalized digital therapies, micro‑learning, and actionable data can improve patient behavior and outcomes, while preserving the essential human connection in care. Together, they examine how AI, remote monitoring, and a reimagined primary care model could transform healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

See more at https://360smartercare.com/