This week, Kristen and I go full sci-fi (but, like, the real kind) with the one and only Dr. Eric Topol—cardiologist, author, and guy who’s been yelling for years that the way we do medicine is… less than ideal. We talk about how AI could transform healthcare, whether doctors are finally ready to embrace empathy, and why the average hospital still runs on fax machines and vibes. Oh—and don’t worry, I made sure to ask him if AI is going to come for my job. (Spoiler: probably.) It's a hopeful, sometimes uncomfortable, but deeply fascinating look at what medicine could be—if we don't screw it up.

Takeaways:

Why Dr. Topol believes the biggest failure in medicine isn’t technology—it’s the loss of empathy.

How large language models (like ChatGPT) are already reshaping diagnostics and documentation.

Why we should worry less about AI replacing doctors—and more about bad doctors using AI.

The shocking inefficiencies still plaguing hospitals (hello, fax machines).

What med schools might look like in the near future—and why humility should be part of the curriculum.

—

Want more Dr. Eric Topol?

X: @EricTopol

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

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It’s just me this week, and I’m cracking open the homeopathy bottle (spoiler: it’s mostly water). From viral pseudoscience to dry eye remedies that make me blink twice, I’m taking a solo stroll through the wild world of medical misinformation. We’ll also talk about the dangers of diluted science, why TikTok is not a medical degree, and the real risks behind popular “natural” treatments. No guests, no filter—just a Snape impression and some good old-fashioned eye-rolling.

Takeaways:

Why your favorite “natural” remedy might just be fancy water.

How misinformation gets dressed up in a lab coat and calls itself medicine.

The connection between dry eyes and the internet’s favorite non-treatments.

What I learned from a box of homeopathic eye drops.

The Snape quote that might be more honest than some real-world “doctors.”

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

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This week, Kristin and I dig into the alphabet soup of hospital emergency codes, and I break down what those cryptic overhead announcements really mean. We also talk about the latest round of proposed Medicaid cuts and why they’re more than just numbers on a budget line. Expect the usual tangents too!

Takeaways:

Ever wonder what “Code Brown” actually means? We’ve got you.

Medicaid is on the chopping block what could it mean for hospitals and patients?

When your ER is “on diversion,” here’s what’s really going on behind the scenes.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

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We’re marking 100 episodes by getting real about a moment that I've feared all my life. The moment where they asked if there was a doctor onboard this plane!

Also: we talk about Dr. Elisabeth Potter, a breast cancer surgeon who stood up to UnitedHealthcare after they told her how to do her job—and then punished her for it. It’s infuriating. But it’s also revealing.

Takeaways:

There was a medical emergency onboard my latest flight.

Dr. Elisabeth Potter tried to do what was best for her patient. UnitedHealthcare had other ideas.

There’s a quiet war happening between doctors and insurers—and it’s not just about money.

Reaching Episode 100 made us reflect on where we’ve been, and the messy, human parts of medicine we still need to talk about.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

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Intern year. It’s the chaotic rite of passage where sleep goes to die, mistakes get made in real time, and everyone’s faking confidence until they figure it out, or break. This week, I’m sharing the moments that defined mine: the terrifying first night on call, what it’s like to be handed a pager when you still don’t know where the bathrooms are, and how that year almost broke me… but also built me. Whether you're a med student bracing for the leap or just love a good disaster story with a heartbeat, this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

That first on-call moment where “doctor” suddenly becomes real.

Why every intern has a “panic page” story—and mine might top the list.

The hidden emotional toll no one warns you about.

Intern year is both terrifying and formative… and yes, it gets better.

Tips for surviving (or at least laughing about) the chaos.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

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It’s a wild week in healthcare policy and student debt. The so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" just passed, and I have thoughts. Spoiler: most of them involve eye twitching. From massive Medicaid cuts to a hard cap on federal loans for grad students, I’m unpacking what this means for future doctors, patients, and anyone who likes affordable healthcare (so… everyone?). I also take you through a retinal rollercoaster from my clinic and, yes, I share my own six-figure loan horror story—because nothing says fun like debt-induced nostalgia.

Takeaways:

Why a $200K loan cap might not actually help medical students.

How tuition inflation is steamrolling over future physicians.

The link between wealth and med school admission nobody wants to admit.

What I saw in clinic that looked like a “blood and thunder” disaster.

My own student loan journey, including the terrifying final bill.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

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Ever wonder what happens when people with zero medical training start buying up hospitals and clinics? This week, we're joined by journalist Megan Greenwell, who’s spent years investigating the chilling spread of private equity in healthcare. We talk about what it means when medicine becomes a business, the moments that made her jaw drop during reporting, and why she thinks doctors and patients are both trapped in a system that no longer works for either of them. This one hits hard.

Takeaways:

How private equity is quietly reshaping American healthcare.

What it’s like to investigate medicine from the outside.

The subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways profit motives impact care.

Why many doctors are afraid to speak out—and who’s filling that silence.

What Megan Greenwell uncovered that even shocked physicians.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Human Content

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This week, I'm diving into the juiciest part of the eyeball—literally and historically. From ancient couching techniques that involved jabbing your eye with a sharp stick (yes, really) to modern lenses inspired by World War II cockpit glass, we’re going deep into cataract surgery's wild evolution. Also: a peek at what fireworks do to your eyeballs, my questionable thoughts on ASMR medicine, and why the human lens is the peanut M&M of the ocular world. You’ll never look at your eyeballs—or your sparklers—the same way again.

Takeaways:

Fireworks and Roman candles are an ophthalmologist’s recurring July nightmare.

The earliest cataract surgeries involved pushing your lens into your vitreous chamber—on purpose.

The eye’s limbus is basically the Achilles’ heel of your vision.

British pilots with plastic in their eyeballs helped invent modern lens implants.

Want to learn better? Try laughing about Gaucher’s disease.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Human Content

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This week, we dig into the surprising shift among voters who once supported private equity in healthcare—and may now be rethinking it. Kristin and I talk through what’s behind that change, plus a major headline about the first-ever eye transplant. And just when things start to feel a little too serious, we lighten it up with a chaotic game that puts our anatomy knowledge (and humility) to the test. Trust me, you’ll want to play along.

Takeaways:

Some voters are finally reconsidering their stance on private equity’s role in healthcare—what changed?

A groundbreaking eye transplant sparks conversation about what’s medically possible… and what still isn’t.

The line between actual anatomy and total nonsense is thinner than you think—especially when you're being timed.

Kristin has strong thoughts about “buzzword healthcare policy.”

We all need a reminder that it’s okay to laugh at ourselves—even when we’re supposed to know this stuff.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Human Content

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You ever have someone call you an optometrist when you're, say, very much not? Yeah… that happened again. So in this episode, I’m laying out the not-so-subtle (and sometimes very contentious) differences between optometrists and ophthalmologists—education, lasers, the whole thing. We also dive into the thin but mighty conjunctiva, the raging war against red eyes, and yes, my completely unsolicited but deeply held thoughts on AI in healthcare. Spoiler: I don’t hate it, but I am watching it like it might try to prescribe eyedrops.

Takeaways:

There’s a reason you never see an ophthalmologist use the puff machine—and it’s not snobbery.

AI in healthcare? Will’s got opinions. Cautiously optimistic, mostly side-eye.

Optometrists and ophthalmologists mostly play nice—until lasers get involved.

If you're itchy, red, and goopy, there’s a good chance your eyeballs are trying to tell you something very specific.

Someone invented ointment and basically saved ophthalmology. We owe them a smooch.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

Today’s episode is brought to you by DAX Copilot from Microsoft. DAX Copilot is your AI assistant for automating clinical documentation and workflows helping you be more efficient and reduce the administrative burdens that cause us to feel overwhelmed and burnt out.

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