Raw Talk Podcast

Skin disease does not always begin and end at the skin. Inflammatory and autoimmune processes can shape conditions ranging from psoriasis and eczema to systemic diseases with important dermatologic manifestations. In this episode of Raw Talk, we speak with dermatologist and researcher Dr. Anastasiya Muntyanu about the relationship between the immune system, inflammation and skin disease. We explore how these conditions develop, the role of environmental and biological factors, and how research is changing our understanding of inflammatory and autoimmune dermatology. Dr. Muntyanu also takes us inside the intersection of clinical dermatology and research, and discusses why studying the skin can provide important insights into processes occurring throughout the body. 

Executive Producer: Areej Mir

Acne is incredibly common, but there is no shortage of conflicting advice about what causes it and how it should be treated. In this episode of Raw Talk, we speak with Dr. Sam Hanna and Dr. Angela Duan about the science behind acne and how it is approached in clinical practice. We explore why acne develops, how treatment can differ from person to person, common misconceptions surrounding skincare and breakouts, and what patients should know when seeking care. We also discuss the broader impact acne can have beyond the skin and how our understanding and treatment of the condition continues to evolve. Whether you have experienced acne yourself or simply want to understand one of dermatology's most common conditions, this episode takes a closer look at what is really happening beneath the surface.

Executive Producer: Areej Mir.

Show Hosts: Areej Mir and Raeesah Mohammed. 

Skin disease does not always begin and end at the skin. Inflammatory and autoimmune processes can shape conditions ranging from psoriasis and eczema to systemic diseases with important dermatologic manifestations. In this episode of Raw Talk, we speak with dermatologist and researcher Dr. Anastasiya Muntyanu about the relationship between the immune system, inflammation and skin disease. We explore how these conditions develop, the role of environmental and biological factors, and how research is changing our understanding of inflammatory and autoimmune dermatology. Dr. Muntyanu also takes us inside the intersection of clinical dermatology and research, and discusses why studying the skin can provide important insights into processes occurring throughout the body. 

Skin disease does not always begin and end at the skin. Inflammatory and autoimmune processes can shape conditions ranging from psoriasis and eczema to systemic diseases with important dermatologic manifestations. In this episode of Raw Talk, we speak with dermatologist and researcher Dr. Anastasiya Muntyanu about the relationship between the immune system, inflammation and skin disease. We explore how these conditions develop, the role of environmental and biological factors, and how research is changing our understanding of inflammatory and autoimmune dermatology. Dr. Muntyanu also takes us inside the intersection of clinical dermatology and research, and discusses why studying the skin can provide important insights into processes occurring throughout the body.

Acne is incredibly common, but there is no shortage of conflicting advice about what causes it and how it should be treated. In this episode of Raw Talk, we speak with Dr. Sam Hanna and Dr. Angela Duan about the science behind acne and how it is approached in clinical practice. We explore why acne develops, how treatment can differ from person to person, common misconceptions surrounding skincare and breakouts, and what patients should know when seeking care. We also discuss the broader impact acne can have beyond the skin and how our understanding and treatment of the condition continues to evolve. Whether you have experienced acne yourself or simply want to understand one of dermatology's most common conditions, this episode takes a closer look at what is really happening beneath the surface.

For patients facing life-threatening illness, distress can involve fear, grief, uncertainty, and questions of meaning. In Episode 136 Part 2, we speak with Dr. Emma Hapke from the Psychedelic Psychotherapy Research Group at UHN about psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for end-of-life distress in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.

We also hear from Daryna Skybina, who shares her perspective as a patient and reflects on the human side of navigating serious illness. Together, these conversations highlight both the promise and complexity of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Thank you to our production team: Avni Bhargava and Swapna Mylabathula (Show Hosts), Bellinda Yi (Content Creator), Tiffany Chien (Science Writer), Victoria Li (Audio Editing), Dana Huang (Graphic design and Promotions), and Nicole Chu (Executive Producer).

Once dismissed as relics of counterculture, psychedelics are now being studied for their potential role in mental health care. In Part 1 of episode 136, Avni and Swapna speak with Dr. Jarrett Rose and Dr. Rotem Petranker about the history, science, and evolving clinical landscape of psychedelics, from the early research boom of the 1960s to today’s renewed interest in psilocybin- and LSD-assisted therapy.

Together, they unpack how these compounds may affect the brain, why they are being studied for conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders, and why scientific rigour, regulation, and patient safety remain essential as the field moves from prohibition to protocol.

Thank you to our production team: Avni Bhargava and Swapna Mylabathula (Show Hosts), Bellinda Yi (Content Creator), Tiffany Chien (Science Writer), Victoria Li (Audio Editing), Dana Huang (Graphic design and Promotions), and Nicole Chu (Executive Producer).

When cancer treatment puts a patient’s reproductive future at risk, fertility preservation offers options, but only if people are informed early enough and can access care equitably. In this episode, Sonika and Julia investigate the science and realities of fertility preservation with Dr. Jenna Michaeli, an oncofertility specialist and clinician-scientist at Mount Sinai Fertility. She introduces the different preservation options available, including egg and embryo freezing, sperm banking, and a newer technique called ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC). Dr. Michaeli discusses some of the innovative models of care required for equitable access to OTC, such as transporting ovarian tissue to centralized cryobanks to expand access for patients in remote communities. Beyond the science, Dr. Michaeli emphasizes the emotional and ethical complexity of fertility preservation decisions, particularly for young patients and their families, and the importance of culturally sensitive counselling. She also addresses key barriers, including limited awareness, time-sensitive referrals, and gaps in funding for newer procedures like OTC. Tune in for an informative conversation about how fertility preservation needs to be better integrated into cancer treatment, and why equitable access remains a critical challenge.

Thank you to our production team: Sonika Kumari and Julia Wong (Show Hosts), Tesam Ahmed (Content Creator), Emily Forster (Science Writer), Nicole Chu (Audio Editing), Saleena Zedan (Graphic design and Promotions), and Nicole Chu (Executive Producer).

Deciding if and when to have children can be a major challenge and is even more difficult when facing the unrelenting pace of medical training. Long hours, rigid schedules, financial strain, and unspoken expectations often push family planning to the sidelines. In this episode, Sonika and Julia explore the realities of family planning and fertility preservation for medical trainees at different career stages. For an early career perspective, Sonika and Julia talk with Dr. Lauren Pickel, a first-year urology resident, who reflects on how little formal education she received around fertility and family planning while in medical school. She discusses how this education gap can significantly shape both personal and professional decisions. Looking at a later career medical professional, Sonika and Julia interview Dr. Niro Sivachandra, a retinal surgeon and clinician-scientist, who shares her experience regarding having children during residency, and how supportive leadership can help improve quality of life for many physicians and their families. Together, our guests unpack their hidden barriers, from fears about burdening colleagues to discouragement from following certain medical specialties. They emphasize the importance of workplace culture and policies which are supportive to both career and family development. Tune in for a frank and thought-provoking conversation about why family planning needs a place in medical education.

Thank you to our production team: Sonika Kumari and Julia Wong (Show Hosts), Tesam Ahmed (Content Creator), Emily Forster (Science Writer), Angela Dela Cruz (Audio Editing), Saleena Zedan (Graphic design and Promotions), and Nicole Chu (Executive Producer).

Thank you to the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto for the support in this episode production. 

In this episode, we follow the story of Mr. Patel, who underwent life-changing surgery after an oral cancer diagnosis that affected his tongue. Mr. Patel offers an unfiltered look at his recovery and reflects on how stigma shaped his experience with diagnosis and healing. Alongside him, we hear from Dr. Christopher Yao, a head and neck reconstructive surgeon advancing innovations in cancer care and reconstruction, and Dr. Rosemary Martino, a speech-language pathologist and researcher leading new approaches to swallowing recovery and rehabilitation for patients like Mr. Patel.

Thank you to our production team: Vicky Li (Audio Engineer), Areej Mir (Social Media), and Noor Al Kaabi (Show Host and Executive Producer)

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network

UHN Otolaryngology Instagram

Swallowing Lab