• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian
  
  

• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian
  
  

In this episode, Brandon sits down with Dr. Michael Gold, Chief R&D Officer at Compass Pathways, to explore the art and science of running high-quality clinical trials. With nearly 30 years of experience across pharma giants like J&J and GSK, as well as small biotechs, Mike shares a masterclass on clinical operations—why the best study design means nothing without flawless execution, and how quality must always come before speed or cost. 

• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian
  
  

Brandon Li talks with Matt Leoni—former Senior VP of Global Clinical Development at Cerevel and now Chief Medical Officer at Merida Biosciences. Matt shares his journey from medical school to leading late-stage drug development in neuroscience. He discusses the unique challenges of neuro drug development, from the subjectivity of endpoints and high placebo response rates to the operational hurdles of large-scale trials. Matt offers candid insights into why promising drugs sometimes fail, the limitations of current measures, and where innovation is most needed. The conversation explores disease-modifying therapies, advances in Parkinson’s and schizophrenia research, the promise and pitfalls of psychedelics and psychoplastogens, and his vision for a more risk-tolerant industry that fosters breakthrough discoveries.

• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian
  
  

Brandon Li talks with Dr. Gerard Sanacora, Professor of Psychiatry at Yale, about his journey from molecular physiology to pioneering research on GABA, glutamate, and rapid-acting antidepressants. Gerard shares how a surprising finding in patients undergoing ECT redirected his research toward depression—and eventually to ketamine. Their conversation explores the science of neuroplasticity, the complexities behind ketamine’s mechanism of action, and how interventional psychiatry and digital tools may shape the future of mental health care.

• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian
  
  

Dina Burkitbayeva, CEO of Freedom Biosciences, shares how she launched one of the first venture funds focused on mental health innovation. After co-founding PsyMed Ventures, she partnered with Dr. John Krystal to advance a more durable version of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. She discusses the rise of interventional psychiatry, the limitations of current antidepressants, and the evolving clinical landscape for next-gen therapeutics. A powerful look at what it takes to bring meaningful change to mental health treatment.

• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian
  
  

Brandon Li talks with Joel Raskin, Chief Medical Officer at Arrivo, about his journey from training in psychiatry in Toronto to leading pharmaceutical research in his current role. Joel shares details on SP-624, an Arrivo compound showing promise in treating depression through epigenetic mechanisms. Their deep dive covers the challenges of clinical trials, and the potential for precision psychiatry to revolutionize psychiatry and neuroscience.

• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian
  
  

In this episode, Dr. Jerry Rosenbaum and Dr. Sharmin Ghaznavi offer a rare look into academia’s role in the psychedelic renaissance, tracing the origins of Mass General’s Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics. They discuss how their shared interest in rumination—and its role in treatment-resistant mental illness—led them to explore psilocybin’s effects on brain connectivity. The conversation spans everything from neuroplasticity and default mode networks to the challenges of securing funding, the limits of industry-driven research, and what’s next in training the next generation of psychiatrists. It’s an honest, far-reaching discussion about where the science stands—and where it still needs to go.

• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian
  
  

Spyros Papapetropoulos, a leading neurologist and neuroscientist, joins Power CEO, Brandon Li, to discuss his remarkable career and the transformative work at Neuphoria. Spyros delves into his transition from practicing neurologist to drug development and his decision to focus on neuropsychiatric diseases. They explore Neuphoria's innovative approach to treating social anxiety disorder with their lead program, BNC210, which has shown promising results in reducing anxiety without the side effects of current treatments. Spyros and Brandon discuss unmet needs in psychiatric treatments, the operational challenges in clinical trials, and the evolving landscape of neuroscience - including the exciting advancements in imaging, biomarkers, and precision psychiatry.

• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian
  
  

Steve Gourlay joins Power CEO, Brandon Li, to discuss Actinogen's innovative approach to Alzheimer's treatment. Steven shares his background in clinical trials and drug development, highlighting the potential of the company's lead molecule, Xanamem, a daily pill aimed at reducing brain cortisol levels. Their conversation covers the challenges in Alzheimer's & depression research and the promising early clinical data. Steven sheds insight on the strategic focus on Alzheimer's over depression due to unmet medical needs and the future direction in Alzheimer's research. Brandon and Steven also dive into the regulatory landscape, patient selection criteria, and the broader implications of Actinogen's work in transforming the treatment landscape for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
• Why Clinical Trial Speed Kills Success - And What Top Sponsors Do Instead ft. Steve Branna
• Who Really Protects Patients in Clinical Trials? With Dr. Lara Shirikjian