Tales from the Heart

Host Lisa Salberg is joined by Minnesota State Senator Carla Nelson to discuss her personal journey with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and how that experience shaped her advocacy for cardiac screening and education. They explore the role of legislation, family heart health history, and public awareness in helping identify HCM earlier and protecting future generations.

This conversation was recorded Feb. 2, 2026

Host Lisa Salberg is joined by Dr. Milind Desai of Cleveland Clinic to discuss new research challenging how hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients define “asymptomatic.” They break down what long-term data and stress testing reveal about hidden symptoms, why follow-up matters even when you feel well, and how new therapies are reshaping care during a rapidly evolving era in HCM treatment.

This conversation was recorded Jan. 30, 2026.

In this expert conversation, Tales From the Heart Host Lisa Salberg is joined by Dr. Alex de Feria to help patients think clearly about managing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy year by year. They break down testing, symptoms that hide in plain sight, new therapies, and how patients can advocate for consistent, proactive care. Practical, timely guidance as Heart Month approaches.

This conversation was recorded Jan. 22, 2026

In this special edition of Tales From the Heart, guest Debra Rafson takes the host seat and turns the tables on Lisa Salberg. The conversation pulls back the curtain on Lisa’s personal journey, the moments that shaped her advocacy, and how lived experience continues to drive the mission and direction of the HCMA.

This conversation was recorded Jan. 16, 2026.

In Part 2 of Deconstructing Health Care, host Lisa Salberg is joined by physician, health policy expert, and HCM patient Dr. Jan Berger to trace how U.S. health care evolved after World War II. Together, they break down the laws, economic choices, and unintended consequences that shaped employer-based insurance, Medicare, HMOs, and modern coverage gaps—and why understanding that history matters now.

This conversation was recorded Jan. 16, 2026.

In this Share Your Story special of Tales From the Heart, host Lisa Salberg talks with Ella Morrissey and her mom, Feda, about a childhood HCM diagnosis that evolved into shocks, heart failure, and a lifesaving transplant. They share what it felt like to live through it as a teen and as a parent, and how Ella turned the journey into a book meant to help other families feel less alone.

This conversation was recorded Jan. 15, 2026

Host Lisa Salberg sits down with HCMA Ambassador Maier Bianchi for a candid “Share Your Story” conversation about his diagnosis, open heart surgery, and the mindset shift that pushed him into advocacy. He explains how he built Hearts of Commerce to spark screening and awareness in the e-commerce world, and why talking about family heart history can save lives.

This conversation was recorded Jan. 9, 2026.

Host Lisa Salberg opens 2026 with Dr. Marty Maron for a practical, patient-first roadmap for the year ahead. They cover what to schedule annually, how screening works for kids and adults, and what new and emerging therapies and trials could mean for obstructive and non-obstructive HCM.

This conversation was recorded Jan. 9, 2026

In this special Tales From the Heart series opener, host Lisa Salberg takes a hard, human-centered look at America’s health care system. Drawing on lived experience and decades of advocacy, she unpacks how health care became so complex, why access still fails too many people, and what it will take to rebuild a system focused on wellness, not just money.

Host Lisa Salberg sits down with Mayo Clinic cardiologist Dr. Steve Ommen to reflect on a pivotal year in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy care. They discuss emerging therapies, clinical trial lessons, genetics, AI in medicine, and practical guidance for patients and families as the HCM landscape continues to evolve.

This conversation was recorded Dec. 19, 2025.