The Dokkcast

Show notes

In 1950, fewer than 1% of the UK population were obese. Today it’s more than 30%. So what changed?

In this episode we’re joined by Professor John Deanfield CBE, Professor of Cardiology at University College London. He is one of the world’s leading cardiometabolic specialists, a steering committee member for the landmark SELECT trial, the UK government’s first champion for personalised prevention, and a trustee of Our Future Health.

This is the first in a series of conversations. Here we look at how obesity became the biggest driver of ill health in the population, and why it’s a medical issue, not a cosmetic one or a failure of willpower.

In this episode:

• What BMI measures, and where “overweight” ends and “obese” begins
• Why the UK and US have done worse than countries like France and Japan
• How changes in food, work, cities and lifestyle have driven a population-wide shift
• The health cost: diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer and dementia, and how obesity lowers the chance of reaching 70
• Childhood obesity, “the elephant in the room”, and the WHO prediction that half of children born today will be overweight or obese adults
• Why Jamie Oliver’s school meals campaign showed there’s no single fix
• “Investing in your arteries”: why prevention works like saving for retirement
• Our Future Health, the UK’s largest health research programme, and how it builds on UK Biobank
• The future of the NHS, social care and living longer in good health

Key takeaway: Managing your weight is about more than how you look. It shapes how well you live and how long you live. It’s an investment in your long-term health.

Find out more: ourfuturehealth.org.uk

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:20 Welcome, and Professor Deanfield's work
• 4:57 How did we get here?
• 5:47 How big is the problem?
• 6:38 What is obesity?
• 7:55 What has changed since 1950
• 9:47 Why some countries have done better
• 12:53 Why it matters for our health
• 16:31 Childhood obesity
• 18:56 Protecting the next generation
• 20:26 Raising awareness
• 21:33 Investing in our arteries
• 25:38 Our Future Health
• 29:15 The role of the NHS
• 32:35 Longevity: living well, not just longer
• 36:21 Take-home message

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Alexander Lyon is a consultant cardiologist and clinical lead for the cardio-oncology service, based at Royal Brompton Hospital.

https://www.rbht.nhs.uk/specialists/dr-alexander-lyon

Some cancer treatments can affect the heart during treatment or even years later. In this episode of The Dokkcast, Dr Nara Daubeney speaks with Dr Alexander Lyon, consultant cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, about the rapidly developing field of cardio-oncology.

They explore how chemotherapy, targeted therapies, hormone treatments, radiotherapy and immunotherapy can affect cardiovascular health, and how personalised risk assessments are helping patients receive effective cancer treatment more safely. Dr Lyon also explains the warning signs, the value of monitoring and why exercise, diet and other healthy choices can make a meaningful difference.

This episode offers practical guidance for anyone undergoing cancer treatment, cancer survivors and those supporting a loved one through treatment.

00:00 - Introducing Dr Alexander Lyon and cardio-oncology

04:18 - Protecting the heart during cancer treatment

08:49 - What is heart failure?

12:30 - Balancing cancer treatment with cardiac risk

15:31 - Why cancer drugs can affect the heart

18:29 - The growing cardiovascular impact of cancer medicines

21:14 - Chemotherapy and long-term heart damage

25:06 - Targeted therapies, blood pressure and heart health

31:15 - Hormone therapies for breast and prostate cancer

35:29 - Radiotherapy and its long-term effects on the heart

39:58 - Assessing personal cardiovascular risk

41:46 - Exercise, diet and healthier cancer outcomes

45:02 - Making specialist cardio-oncology care widely available

49:58 - Guidelines, technology and the Onco Card

53:49 - The future of cancer immunotherapy

58:08 - Reverse cardio-oncology: can heart disease drive cancer?

01:01:38 - Practical advice for patients and cancer survivors

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Dokkcast, host Nara sits down with Professor Piers Daubeney, a world-renowned Consultant Paediatric and Fetal Cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College London. Together, they untangle the complexities of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)—a frequently misunderstood condition that primarily affects teenagers and young adults.

Prof. Daubeney breaks down the underlying physiology of POTS, explaining why the heart races when standing and how gravity affects circulation. He highlights the crucial differences between pediatric and adult POTS, details the standard diagnostic toolkit (including ECGs, Holter monitors, and tilt table tests), and outlines a structured ladder of treatment. From simple lifestyle shifts like increased salt intake and targeted hydration to advanced pharmaceutical interventions like Midodrine and Ivabradine, this episode provides a comprehensive roadmap for patients, parents, and healthcare providers. Prof. Daubeney also shares a powerful message of hope, reassuring families that the long-term prognosis for pediatric patients is exceptionally bright.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:44 - What is POTS?

00:01:59 - Who gets POTS?

00:02:29 - Adults vs teenagers

00:03:45 - Symptoms overview

00:05:03 - How circulation fails

00:07:55 - Why symptoms vary

00:09:09 - Diagnosing POTS

00:10:13 - Ruling out other causes

00:11:41 - Key tests: ECG, echo, Holter

00:12:58 - The tilt table test

00:13:57 - Diagnostic criteria

00:16:11 - POTS vs orthostatic intolerance

00:18:12 - Life after diagnosis

00:19:06 - Fluids and salt intake

00:20:29 - Periods, iron and teenage girls

00:21:13 - Compression and movement

00:22:46 - Staying active

00:24:19 - POTS vs anxiety

00:25:02 - Prognosis and outlook

00:25:52 - Treatment: sodium tablets

00:26:21 - Medication options

00:27:11 - Slowing a racing heart

00:28:14 - Achieving good outcomes

00:29:02 - Referral pathways

00:30:31 - Reliable resources

00:31:09 - Adult vs paediatric POTS

00:33:13 - Autonomic dysregulation

00:35:21 - COVID-19 and POTS

00:37:30 - Myths and coexisting conditions

00:38:56 - The Netflix documentary

00:41:04 - Final advice

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What actually happens when we speak, sing, or lose our voice entirely? In this episode of the Dokkcast, host Nara is joined by Mr. Declan Costello—one of the UK’s leading ENT surgeons, laryngologists, and a classical singer himself.

Declan demystifies the complex anatomy of the vocal folds, explaining how a simple "buzzing" sound is modulated into the rich timbres of speech and song. Drawing from his unique dual background as a Cambridge choral scholar and a specialist surgeon, he shares vital insights into vocal pathology, the profound impact of emotion on speech, and why the aging voice is a "use it or lose it" muscle. Whether you are a professional performer or someone who simply relies on your voice for everyday communication, this episode is an essential masterclass in vocal care, debunking common myths (like gargling salt water) and highlighting when a hoarse voice is actually a sign to see a specialist.

Chapters

00:00 Intro — meet Declan Costello, ENT voice surgeon

00:43 What is the voice and how is it produced?

02:04 Vocal folds vs "vocal cords" — the real anatomy

03:42 Harmonics, overtones and vocal timbre explained

07:23 Vibrato — what it is and how singers control it

08:44 Singing in different languages

10:23 Declan's path from music at Cambridge to ENT surgery

13:38 What shows up on a singer's vocal cords

15:34 Stroboscopy — seeing the vocal cords in slow motion

16:16 Voice frequency and how voice is assessed (GRBAS scale)

18:18 Singers vs non-singers — why pathology differs

19:53 Vocal cord polyps — the Harry Kane example

21:31 Laryngeal papillomatosis — vocal cord warts

23:04 Hoarseness — when it could be something serious

24:21 Key takeaway: persistent hoarseness needs checking out

25:09 Emotional trauma and voice loss (aphonia)

27:17 Why getting checked early matters

28:24 Speech and language therapy — "physiotherapy for the voice"

29:34 Chronic throat clearing and the persistent cough cycle

30:50 Reflux, PPIs and throat symptoms

32:26 Hydration and vocal health

33:34 Steam inhalation for voice care

34:10 The "singer's formant" explained

35:58 Tonsillectomy considerations for singers

38:01 Globus pharyngeus — that "lump in the throat" feeling

39:54 How the voice changes with age

41:38 Retirement, muscle tone and "use it or lose it"

43:41 When should you actually see someone?

45:18 Common voice myths — gargling, aspirin, voice rest

46:13 Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Dokkcast, host Nara is joined by Stacey Zimmels, a highly specialized pediatric speech and language therapist and lactation consultant. Together, they dive deep into the often confusing, advice-heavy world of infant feeding. From untangling the coordination of "suck, swallow, breathe" to busting the biggest myths around breastfeeding pain, tongue-ties, and baby-led weaning, this conversation provides a grounded, evidence-based roadmap for parents. They also tackle recent social media trends around mouth breathing, explaining the real science behind nasal breathing, large adenoids, and pediatric sleep. Whether you are navigating the early days of nursing, preparing to introduce solids, or wondering if your child's tongue-tie actually needs dividing, this episode offers compassionate, expert guidance without the guilt.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Stacey's background (SLT + lactation consultant)

01:09 What speech and language therapists actually do

05:07 Becoming a lactation consultant

07:16 How breastfeeding problems present in clinic

09:47 Suck-swallow-breathe coordination & what's "normal"

14:29 What breast milk is (colostrum, foremilk/hindmilk, immunology)

19:08 When to seek help & the WHO breastfeeding guidelines

20:30 Breastfeeding myths (pain, hindmilk, "natural = easy")

27:38 Tongue ties: what they are & how they're assessed

44:09 Weaning: developmental readiness signs

46:50 Weaning myths (sleep, hunger, early starting)

51:43 Baby-led weaning vs. spoon-feeding vs. combination

55:48 Choking risk & food safety

60:00 Mouth breathing, nasal cycle & the "mouth taping" trend

69:30 Wrap-up

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenny Halpern-Prince built a PR agency from her kitchen table into a WPP-backed business — then co-founded Lady Garden, the charity breaking the silence around gynaecological cancers.

In episode 9 of Dokkcast, Jenny joins us to talk about her career, her own health journey, and why 60 women being diagnosed and 21 dying every day in the UK from gynaecological cancers isn't talked about nearly enough.

00:00 Introduction

00:00:51 Early career: choosing Joseph over university

00:02:24 Lessons from a tough fashion retail culture

00:02:50 Setting up her own PR & comms agency at 23

00:06:59 Selling the business and growing with WPP

00:08:56 The charitable thread: Women's Aid, Great Ormond Street

00:10:12 Founding Access Aspiration (2012)

00:12:26 Lady Garden: the name and the mission

00:15:07 The origin story: Tamara Beckwith's mother

00:15:55 The numbers: 60 diagnosed, 21 deaths a day

00:17:36 Chelsea Flower Show: the gold-winning "Silent No More" garden

00:21:20 Male allyship and designer Darren Hawkes

00:23:27 Jenny's own health journey

00:25:46 The fertility journey begins

00:27:03 Twelve IVF rounds and twin daughters via surrogacy

00:27:35 A second surrogacy journey: son Marcus

00:28:02 Breaking the silence on pregnancy loss

00:30:13 The ambassador programme and the HPV vaccine gap

00:32:23 Celebrating ambassadors at the House of Commons

00:33:42 Access Aspiration's networking impact

00:37:41 How organisations can get involved

00:38:32 Emily Blaine's story and the Chelsea garden's inspiration

00:39:15 Gynae cancer symptoms to watch for

00:40:56 Lady Garden's NHS-backed chatbot

00:42:06 Launching the Lady Garden Tea Party

00:42:30 The T-shirt: names for the vulva, and losing the fear factor

00:43:41 Closing thoughts and what's next with Udokk

Jenny Halpern-Prince is the co-founder of Lady Garden, a charity dedicated to raising awareness of gynaecological cancers, and founder of Access Aspiration, an education charity supporting social mobility through work placements.

🎧 Subscribe to Dokkcast for more conversations on health, wellbeing, and the people driving change.

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Losing weight can be tricky. We explore the risk of significant muscle loss during dieting and regaining fat, potentially leading to sarcopenic obesity (a condition characterized by the concurrent presence of excess body fat (obesity) and a low mass, quality, and function of skeletal muscle (sarcopenia). It creates a vicious cycle: muscle loss reduces mobility and energy expenditure, which promotes further fat gain.) Learn the hidden dangers and what to watch out for.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 and Women's Health
12:15 Nutritional Impacts of GLP-1
22:51 Protein Needs and Muscle Preservation
34:11 Long-term Considerations and Self-Image

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perimenopause Nutrition: Why Weight Changes in Your 40s (Protein, Fiber, and Metabolism)

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:25 Marcella’s Career Journey
02:30 Focus on Women in Their 40s
03:33 Menopause and Perimenopause Explained
05:54 Hormone Fluctuations and Symptoms
08:38 Weight Gain Complaints and Causes
10:56 Aging vs Menopause Metabolism
12:56 Visceral Fat and Heart Risk
16:22 Diet Patterns Protein and Fiber
19:57 Food Diaries and Evening Pitfalls
21:35 Balance Meals Early
22:01 Realistic Planning Tips
22:21 Protein Basics Explained
23:54 Plant vs Animal Protein
26:17 Vegetarian Protein Combos
27:25 Protein Needs in Menopause
28:33 Fiber 101 and Sources
30:33 Why Fiber Matters
32:09 Build Better Plates Fast
34:09 Sleep Stress and HRT
36:40 DIY Food Diary Method
38:49 Myth Bust Eat Less Move More
42:38 Reset Expectations and Wrap

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most women expect menopause to mean hot flushes and the end of their periods. The reality is far more complex — and far more consequential — than that.

In this episode, Professor Nara Daubeney is joined by Dr Laura Wood, specialist GP at Muse Medical and menopause expert, for a comprehensive and myth-busting conversation about what menopause actually is, what it does to your body, and what you can do about it.

They cover the difference between perimenopause and menopause, why symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep and weight gain are often missed or misattributed, why blood tests alone aren't reliable for diagnosis, and what a proper holistic workup actually looks like.

Dr Laura also explains the real risks and benefits of HRT — including why a 25-year-old study still shapes how millions of women think about it today, the truth about breast cancer risk in context, and why women are 30 times more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than breast cancer. Plus: vaginal estrogen, testosterone, bone health, cardiovascular risk, and why there are no prizes for suffering in silence.

• (00:00) - Dokkcast - Dr Laura Wood
• (00:26) - Meet Dr Laura Wood
• (01:26) - Menopause Defined
• (04:24) - Eggs Ovulation Changes
• (05:51) - Hormones And Testing
• (10:18) - Symptoms And Workup
• (15:04) - Vaginal Health Talk
• (21:18) - HRT Options Explained
• (27:11) - Vaginal Estrogen How To
• (28:15) - Bone Health After Menopause
• (29:00) - Estrogen and Bone Loss
• (29:41) - Hip Fracture Reality Check
• (30:29) - Strength Training for Bones
• (31:30) - Menopause and Heart Risk
• (34:15) - HRT Window for Prevention
• (37:48) - Bone Scans and Screening Gaps
• (38:51) - HRT Risks and WHI Study
• (41:28) - Breast Cancer Risk in Context
• (44:19) - Non Hormonal Options
• (47:19) - Testosterone for Women
• (51:35) - Best Menopause Care Spending
• (54:04) - Menopause at Work Rights
• (56:49) - How Long to Stay on HRT
• (58:12) - Final Takeaways and Goodbye

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Sophie Ladbrooke joins Dokkcast to break down everything you need to know about health screening — from the free tests you might be skipping to the private add-ons that can genuinely change outcomes.

Bowel cancer. Breast density. Prostate MRI. Ovarian cancer. The future of blood-based cancer detection. It's all here.

Find more verified health voices at udokk.com or on the Udokk app — Apple App Store and Google Play.

• (00:00) - Meet Dr Sophie
• (01:34) - Why Screening Matters
• (03:06) - What Screening Includes
• (05:23) - NHS Screening Schedule
• (07:26) - Heart Health Add-Ons
• (13:03) - Womens Cancer Risks
• (17:20) - Prostate Screening Options
• (19:33) - Why Tests Aren't Routine
• (22:21) - Whole Body MRI Pros Cons
• (24:37) - Future Blood Test Screening
• (27:43) - Longevity Basics Supplements
• (30:12) - Supplements and Basics
• (31:04) - Simple Diet Template
• (31:51) - Strength and Cardio Mix
• (32:41) - Family History Red Flags
• (34:05) - Best Paid Screening Picks
• (34:49) - Ovarian Cancer Screening
• (37:37) - Prostate and Lung Scans
• (40:05) - Most Underused Free Tests
• (41:54) - Final Takeaways and Signposting
• (44:32) - How to Do FIT Test
• (47:51) - Colonoscopy Next Steps
• (51:08) - Young Bowel Cancer Warning Signs
• (52:44) - Start Screening Earlier
• (53:49) - Closing Thanks

Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever.

Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.