08/16/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S06_E07 - The Case for "Just in Case" Planning...

With Special Guest:  Dr. Anna Cox, Director of Palliative Care

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

08/30/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S06_E06 - Budget Matters...A Follow-up!

With Special Guest:  Susie Emmert, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy

Hennepin Healthcare was in the news cycle quite a bit earlier this year, and for important reasons!  The conversation around resources and how to fund one of Minnesota's most essential healthcare lifelines involved quite a bit of outside-the-box thinking that ultimately resulted in a short-term fix that keeps this essential piece of our healthcare puzzle in place for now.  But where does the legislation ultimately leave us?  What's changed and what stays the same?  And what does the future of this vital state-wide resource look like now?

On our next episode, we'll be joined again by Susie Emmert to follow up on our conversation from this spring and to walk us through the ins and outs of this bill, where things are headed from here, and things we all can keep an eye out for to help support this institution in our upcoming elections.

Although it seems like the work is never over, it is safe to say, the response from the public, lawmakers (on both sides!), healthcare experts, labor unions and faith groups was one of overwhelming support for the organization.  This bill helps a lot, but there's more work to be done to ensure this cornerstone of the state's healthcare is, in fact, Here for Good!  Join us!

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

08/16/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S06_E05 - An IVF Q&A with an OB-GYN...

With Special Guest:  Dr. Samantha Pace, OB-GYN

Starting a family isn't always as simple as we might have in our heads - and for millions of people, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has helped bridge the gap between hoping for children and having them.  But what does the process actually entail?  Who's eligible for this treatment?  And why does the process feel like an emotional rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak?

We couldn't have a better guest to walk us through all of this than an OB-GYN who has walked this road herself.  We'll be joined by fertility specialist Dr. Samantha Pace to go over the entire process and explore how this treatment has helped millions of people successfully have a child.  We'll go over the procedures, risks, outcomes and why Anne Boleyn gets an unduly bad rap.  Whether you're considering IVF yourself, supporting someone who is, or are just curious about how this science is shaping how families are built today, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.  Join us!

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

08/02/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S06_E04 - Backpacks, Books and Bugs:  It's Back-to-School 101!

With Special Guest:  Dr. Leslie King-Schultz, MD, MPH

It's back-to-school time, and you might have all of the school supplies purchased and all the first-day-of-school clothes laid out, but is your child ready for the school year from a health perspective?  From vaccination updates to sports physicals, medication lists, and helping them get on a proper schedule - there's a lot to consider when it comes time to send them back for another year of learning.

Thankfully, on this episode, we'll be joined by pediatrician (and parent!) Dr. Leslie King-Schultz to help us get the jump on how to best prepare our kids -- and ourselves -- for the upcoming school year.  We'll go over doctor visits, school forms, the importance of staying in touch with teachers and the school's medical staff, and ways to keep a helpful eye on your kiddo throughout the school year and set them up for success.  So before that first bell rings, join us!

Find out more about our upcoming Back-to-School event here!

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

07/19/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S06_E03 - Tick-Talk!  We're Talking Tick-Borne Illnesses

With Special Guest:  Dr. Diana Zychowski, MD, MPH

Ticks are usually really small, but the fear factor around them is HUGE - and for good reason!  These little menaces are responsible for Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Alpha-Gal syndrome, and other illnesses you might not have even heard of, and this can produce a lot of anxiety around going outdoors during the summer months.  But what's the truth around these little hitchhikers?  Is there really that much cause for concern?  And how would you know if that fatigue, headache, lethargy, or muscle ache isn't just from being dehydrated while toughing out another hot Summer in Minnesota?

Joining us on Episode 3 is Dr. Diana Zychowski, an infectious diseases specialist at Hennepin Healthcare, and she'll help us get wise with the basics on these bothersome bugs.  We'll talk about the current state of ticks in Minnesota, the myriad illnesses they can carry, what to do if you happen to get bitten, and most importantly, the best tips for how to still get out and enjoy a little of the outdoors this Summer.  We hope you'll join us!

Read more helpful information on ticks here: Tiny Ticks, Big Impact

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

07/05/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S06_E02 - Snack Attack!  A Primer on Peanut Allergy

With Special Guest: Dr. John Sweet, MD

Peanuts may be small, but for the millions of Americans that are allergic to them (and their parents) they can be a HUGE red flag, and something that can change how and what they eat for their entire lives.  From mild hives to severe anaphylaxis, steering clear of "Nature's Perfect Snack" actually makes perfect sense.  But who's most at risk?  Can you ever grow out of it?  And is a peanut even a nut?  (It's not!)

Peanut allergy in children has tripled since the late 1990s and for years the advice was simple: avoid peanuts entirely.  But that advice, it turns out, may have been part of the problem!  On our next show we'll be joined by Dr. John Sweet to talk all about the evolution in understanding around this all too common condition.  We'll go over the effects on the body, how the allergy is diagnosed, available treatments and the latest thinking around how to keep those affected as safe as possible.  Join us!

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

06/21/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S06_E01 - High Temps, Higher Stakes - Medications and Substances vs. The Summer Heat

With Special Guest: Brit Culp, ADCT, CPP 

Summer is finally here, and with it, the HEAT - and yes, the PARTIES!  Whether it's a bar night out, a concert, a festival, or a PRIDE event, the heat can have a big impact on how much fun we can have, and the ill effects can oftentimes be compounded by the prescription drugs, recreational drugs and alcoholic and caffeinated beverages that might be in our bodies.  But how do these substances amplify the effects of the heat?  Which ones should we be most concerned with?  And what are some of the best practices to "party smart"?

Research suggests that as temperatures rise, overdoses do, too, so on Episode 1 of Season 6, we'll be joined by Brit Culp (ADCT, CPP) to go over all of the do's and don'ts of adult summer fun.  We'll cover some of the most concerning medications and substances, how to keep the downsides to a minimum, and why the "Lower and Slower" concept is your friend.  The summer heat is no joke, and it's even less funny when it turns a would-be good night into a trip to the ED.  So join us and get wise on how to have a good time, safely - and happy Pride!

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

04/26/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S05_E14 - Hot Takes on Burns

With Special Guest:  Dr. Jon Gayken, MD

We've all been burned at some point in our lives - whether it be by the stove, by the sun or, possibly, even by our lovely Winter weather (yes, frostbite is a burn!).  For starters, they hurt; but there are all kinds of burns and there can be a lot more to them depending on the severity.  But what is a burn exactly?  What happens in the body when we get a burn?  And what are the best steps to take after you accidentally grab that hot pan?

On Episode 14, we're talking all things burn with Hennepin Healthcare's Burn Center surgeon Dr. Jon Gayken.  He'll walk us through the medical side of burns, the different types, how they're classified and the different treatments for each.  Plus we'll take a look inside the elite work being done at Hennepin Healthcare's Burn Center and how they're both helping patients and families through what are often extremely tough times.  Burns can be really scary, and they're something we don't think about until they happen, but knowing more about them can help take a bit of the sting out.  Join us!

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

04/12/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S05_E13 - Too Important to Lose

With Special Guests:  Susie Emmert and Jessica Oaxaca

What if one of Minnesota's most essential healthcare lifelines wasn't there when you needed it? We're talking about a Level I Trauma Center for both Adults & Pediatrics, the state's busiest emergency department, and a critical safety-net hospital for the most vulnerable in our state.  Most of us may know of Hennepin Healthcare for its emergency care, but there's a lot more to it.  It plays a much broader role in our state's healthcare system, and it's safe to say we'd all be at a massive loss without it. But what happens when an indispensable system like this faces a real financial cliff?

On Episode 13, we'll take a closer look at Hennepin Healthcare/HCMC and the current financial challenges it's up against.  We'll sit down with Susie Emmert and Jessica Oaxaca, two of Hennepin Healthcare's advocacy and public policy leaders, to discuss what is putting the system under pressure, why it matters far beyond Minneapolis, and why the stakes are so high this time around. We'll even share how you can help ensure that this state institution staple remains here for many generations to come (or you can click on the links below). After all, it's way too important a place to lose. Please join us!

For more: hennepinhealthcare.org/howfar

Help by contacting your state representatives.

View the current legislation that is being considered: SF 4986 / HF 4841

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.

03/29/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S05_E12 - Hyperbaric Medicine - What the Heck is That?

With Special Guest:  Dr. Thomas Masters 

Pressure makes a diamond, and as it turns out, higher atmospheric pressure can help our bodies heal, too!  Welcome to the world of hyperbaric medicine, where patients climb into a chamber, breathe pure oxygen at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure, and let their bodies do something remarkable — heal faster than they ever could at sea level. It sounds like science fiction, but it's been around since the 1600s, and today it's FDA-approved for everything from stubborn wounds, to carbon monoxide poisoning, to radiation injuries.  But how does it work?  Is it safe?  And what's it like inside that chamber?!

On Episode 12, we'll sit down with emergency medicine physician Dr. Thomas Masters, who will walk us through the basics of hyperbaric medicine, how it works, the conditions it treats, and of course, what it's like to spend time inside the chamber (bring a book...).  This is a great chance to learn about a fascinating part of medicine, that most people have never even heard of, from an expert in the field.  Join us!

Got healthcare questions or ideas for future shows?
Email - [email protected]
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)

Get a preview of upcoming shows on social media and find out more about our show at www.healthymatters.org.