Sylvie Legere sits down with Dr. John Prunskis to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and pain management. This episode unpacks the role of AI in identifying and treating chronic pain, particularly through innovative therapies like spinal cord stimulation. 

Dr. Prunskis shares his expertise on how AI is not only enhancing patient care but also transforming how healthcare is delivered, with a specific focus on reducing dependency on opioids. 

Dr. Prunskis discusses the mechanism of spinal cord stimulation, a procedure leveraging AI to dynamically interact with a patient's activity, offering personalized, non-invasive pain relief. By implementing AI, patients experience improved quality of life without the irreversible changes caused by traditional surgeries. 

The conversation also touches on potential hurdles, regulatory frameworks, and the exciting future of AI in healthcare, setting the stage for broader discussions at The Policy Circle Summit on AI's role across sectors. 

Dr. John Prunskis 

Dr. John V. Prunskis, MD, FIPP, is a double-board-certified interventional pain physician internationally recognized for his leadership in pain management, regenerative medicine, and healthcare innovation. He is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Illinois Pain & Spine Institute, established in 1992, and currently serves as Director and Chair of the Medical Executive Committee at DxTx Pain and Spine, which he co-founded in 2020. Under his leadership, DxTx has expanded to more than 60 clinics across 10 states and delivered over one million patient visits. A 25-year Castle Connolly “Top Doctor” honoree as voted by his peers, Dr. Prunskis has dedicated his career to advancing evidence-based, minimally invasive treatments for chronic pain. Beyond clinical practice, he has played a pivotal role in shaping national policy, serving as a Presidential White House appointee to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pain Management Best Practices Task Force and co-authoring its landmark 2019 Final Report. He also served three consecutive four-year terms in the Lithuanian Parliament/World Lithuanian Community Commission representing 900,000 Lithuanian Americans. For his philanthropic and professional contributions, he was bestowed the Knight of the Order of Merit by the President of Lithuania. He is Vice Chair of the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division, serves on the Advisory Board of Hippocratic AI, and is the founder of The Regenerative Stem Cell Institute. With over four decades of expertise, Dr. Prunskis bridges clinical excellence, innovation, and thoughtful public policy to expand access to ethical, effective, and technology-driven healthcare. 

Check out the Illinois Pain and Spine Institute's website.

In this episode of "Trust Your Voice," hosts Sylvie Legere and Melinda Oakes take a deep look at the connections between food, body image, and mental health, and how technology might help create positive change. They’re joined by Dr. Sera Lavalle, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of Bea, an AI chatbot that offers timely support for people struggling with food-related challenges. 

Throughout the conversation, it becomes clear that while social media and cultural pressures often make body image issues worse, technology can also be used to build stronger support systems. The discussion touches on how disordered eating affects more than 60% of people and explores how innovations like AI chatbots can fill important gaps in traditional mental health care. 

Dr. Lavalle explains how Bia fits into a wider digital ecosystem, guided by strong ethical principles and a focus on prevention. As mindful eating gains more attention, this episode gives listeners practical ways to use technology responsibly to build healthier habits and greater self-awareness—key elements in the broader conversation around mental health and wellness. 

💡 About Dr. Sera Lavalle 

Dr. Sera Lavelle stumbled into hypnosis in 2007 “for fun” after a meditative detour in Southeast Asia post-volunteering in Cambodia. Hooked on the mind’s mysteries, she snagged a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University, blending science with a touch of zen. 

Founder of NY Health Hypnosis and Soho Integrative EMDR, trained Bea, an AI-powered app designed to help you foster a healthier relationship with food. Using proven psychological techniques, Bea offers step-by-step guidance to shift your mindset around eating. Unlike other apps that promote restrictive diets, Bea delivers supportive, science-backed advice to encourage mindful, positive eating habits that lead to lasting change. 

🔍 Resources and Links 

Bea Better Eating: Learn more about the AI tool discussed in the episode

In this episode of "Trust Your Voice," host Sylvie Legere engages with Stacy Scott, a key figure in pioneering blockchain solutions for election integrity and dives into how blockchain technology, specifically via the bitcoin infrastructure, can revitalize trust in America's election systems. Stacy shares her journey from education to becoming a crucial member of the election board in Scriven County, Georgia, and her innovative approach to integrating bitcoin blockchain to authenticate and secure election data. Her collaboration with Simple Proof exemplifies the transformative potential of blockchain to ensure election transparency and accountability. 

As blockchain continues to be a buzzword, this episode dives deep into its application in securing electoral processes. Key topics include the challenges of traditional election systems, vulnerabilities in vote certification, and how the bitcoin blockchain provides a verifiable and tamper-proof record of election outcomes. Stacy reveals how her local bitcoin meetup led to a partnership with Simple Proof, demonstrating that technology adoption 

GUEST BIO 

Stacy is a former educator who became Election Supervisor and Chief Registrar in a rural Georgia county in December 2023. In November 2024, with the help of Simple Proof, she led her county to become the first county in the United States to use the Bitcoin Block Chain to secure her county’s election results. 

Beyond elections, Stacy is an avid history enthusiast who participates in Revolutionary War Education. She is also a Bitcoiner who is on the leadership team of her local Bitcoin Meetup group. She is passionate about Election integrity and works to educate voters in her area about elections and their rights. 

RESOURCES 

• Simple Proof: A startup specializing in the application of the bitcoin blockchain for election certification and document verification. 

In this episode of "Trust Your Voice", host Sylvie Legere explores the transformative power of AI and smart technology with guests Patrick Bryant and Charlotte Creech. They unpack how emerging technologies are shaping the future of work and redefining growth for businesses and communities.

Charlotte opens the conversation by sharing her personal journey and underscoring why cultivating an innovative mindset is essential for leaders today. Patrick then dives into his work with Workforce Wave, where digital voice agents are transforming customer engagement.

Tune in and discover practical insights and innovative strategies at the juncture of human potential and artificial intelligence.

Patrick Bryant

Patrick Bryant is a seasoned entrepreneur and innovator with a robust history in technology and business development. As a partner at Code and Trust, a software development firm, and the CEO of Workforce Wave, Patrick is at the forefront of integrating AI into business operations, with a focus on deploying digital voice agents. His journey, which started with Macintosh desktop publishing, spans numerous successful startups, making him a thought leader in digital transformation.

Charlotte Creech

With a strategic mind for fostering innovation, Charlotte Creech has carved a niche in helping organizations harness technological advancements. Currently serving at Hire Heroes USA, Charlotte has previously worked across various sectors, focusing on driving meaningful change through technology. Her experience with startups and large corporations equips her with a unique perspective on nurturing innovation as a mindset critical for leadership.

Resources and Links

• Code and Trust
• Hire Heroes USA
• Policy Circle Leadership Summit (Oct 2025)

In this episode of Trust Your Voice, host Sylvie Légère engages in a conversation with crisis communication expert Lissa Druss. As the CEO of Strategia Consulting and a highly decorated television journalist, Lissa shares her expertise in steering through crises, a valuable skill for leaders in politics, business, and community organizations. They explore the art of crisis management and provide essential insights into identifying, addressing, and mitigating challenges that could impact one's reputation.

Lissa Druss offers an in-depth exploration of the dynamics of crisis management, beginning with the fundamental question of what constitutes a crisis and how to recognize one. She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between rumors and genuine issues by relying on gut feelings and informed decision-making. Furthermore, Lissa provides a roadmap for preparing for a crisis, stressing the need to maintain a positive public image through consistent communication and building a network of support. Her advice extends to strategies for responding effectively to media inquiries and managing the narrative to prevent others from defining one's story.

Tune in to the full episode to learn more about practical wisdom on handling crises with confidence and poise. 

Links and Resources:

Strategia Consulting - Lissa Druss's firm specializing in crisis communication. 

The Policy Circle - Organization co-founded by Sylvie Légère focused on engaging women in public policy dialogues. 

About Lissa Druss:

For more than 35 years, Lissa has established a powerful reputation– across the country – as a highly seasoned public affairs strategist, crisis management leader, nine-time Emmy award-winning television journalist, media consultant, guest lecturer, and tireless client advisor. In addition to leading the Strategia team, she counsels clients on issues at the intersection of government affairs and lobbying, crisis communications, municipal relations, media relations/training, corporate communications, internal/external communications strategy, and social media. Lissa is also the national government relations director for Riot Hospitality Group, a national hospitality management company based in Scottsdale, AZ.  

In this episode of the Trust Your Voice podcast, hosted by Sylvie Légère, the focus is on educational choice and the challenges faced by homeschooling families in Illinois due to the House Bill 2827. The show brings together Leslee Dirnberger and Aziza Butler, two leaders in the homeschooling community, to discuss the implications of this bill. Leslee and Aziza share their personal journeys in homeschooling and the benefits of individualized education for their neurodiverse children. The conversation emphasizes the flexibility, diversity, and tailored nature of homeschooling as opposed to traditional public schooling. 

The episode delves into the content of House Bill 2827, which mandates homeschooling families in Illinois to register with local school districts and submit curriculum reviews, sparking concerns about increased government oversight and limited parental choice. Utilizing SEO-focused keywords, the discussion highlights key issues such as government overreach, educational innovation, and the constitutional rights of parents. Aziza and Leslee articulate their viewpoints on how the bill might stifle educational innovation and infringe on parental rights, encouraging listeners to engage with legislators to voice opposition. 

About the Guests: 

Leslee Dirnberger is the founder of Aspire Education, a consultancy dedicated to helping families create individualized education plans for their children. As a former homeschooler of four neurodiverse children who are now thriving, Leslee combines her personal experience with her professional expertise to support parents seeking alternative educational paths. 

Aziza Butler is a homeschool mom of six and the founder of We School Academy, a flexible schedule learning community based in Chicago. A former Chicago Public Schools teacher, Aziza is committed to removing barriers for families choosing to homeschool or privately educate their children. Her diverse teaching experience and passion for educational choice make her a leading advocate in her community. 

Resources: 

• Aspire Education: Aspire Education US 

• Illinois Christian Home Educator Association (organization engaged in the bill discussion) 

• Illinois Homeschool Association (organization engaged in the bill discussion) 

• Homeschool Legal Defense Association: A national organization providing updates on homeschooling legislation.

In this episode of "Trust Your Voice," host Sylvie Légère invites Melinda Oakes, to explore a fresh approach to New Year's resolutions. Sylvie discusses her past habit of setting resolutions and words for the year, she dives into how "owning your journey" provides an empowering alternative by highlighting personal growth and success through positive acknowledgment of one's journey, as inspired by Melinda’s book. 

Sylvie and Melinda address setting clear, measurable goals and evaluating risk tolerance regarding career choices. They reflect on examples like Dolly Parton's incremental success, emphasizing the importance of perspective in career planning and life. With a nod to societal changes, they discuss adapting to the rapid pace of innovation and the evolving job market, encouraging listeners to embrace civic engagement and nurture community connections for broader personal and professional impact. 

Key Takeaways: 

Resources Mentioned: 

In this episode of the Trust Your Voice podcast, Sylvie and Melinda examine the contexts of personal achievements, leadership roles, and community involvement, advocating for positive communication and emphasizing the importance of lifting others through sincere compliments and acknowledgment. Throughout, they underscore the power of individual influence, stressing that even small actions can spearhead significant changes, thereby igniting a ripple effect of positivity and growth in various spheres of life.

Resources: 

Inspired by the Policy Circle brief on Women and Economic Freedom, this episode navigates through economic models in the intelligence revolution era and explores various dimensions of economic freedom. 

Using examples from global cities and historical contexts, the discussion touches on gender mandates, property rights, and addressing poverty, highlighting research from the Fraser Institute, Bridwell Institute, and insights from "She Rises Up," a film about women entrepreneurs. 

Sylvie and Melinda reflect on systemic challenges and opportunities, offering insights into the roles and responsibilities that individuals and communities can assume to foster a more inclusive economic environment.

Resources mentioned: 

No matter your background or the resources available to you, there are many ways to help empower voters and prepare for the next election. In this episode, host Sylvie Légère is joined by Melinda Oakes to discuss the importance of being informed about candidates and issues that allow for more meaningful decision-making that aligns with your values.  

Tune in and learn how to actively contribute to shaping the future of your community and country. 

Resources mentioned: