Medicine is changing - fast. Pharmacies are closing, AI is rewriting the rules, and profits often come before patients.
But one independent pharmacist has managed to stay human through it all.

In this revealing and often hilarious episode, Dr. Gail Lebovic explores the heart of modern medicine - from the realities of small-business survival to the future of AI and the billion-dollar weight-loss industry.

They discuss:

• The vanishing world of independent pharmacies

• Why pharmacists are still the most trusted, accessible healthcare professionals

• How AI could both save and complicate modern medicine

• The truth behind GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and the hype that surrounds them

• Why humor, empathy & integrity are still medicine’s greatest tools

Candid, curious & full of heart - this episode reminds us that behind every prescription is a story, and behind every counter, a human being.

Listen to The Vital Stuff with Dr. Gail Lebovic on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube.

Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with surgical oncologist & innovator Dr. Bolanle Asiyanbola, MD, whose compassion for others led her to design groundbreaking medical devices - including one aimed at protecting children during school shootings.

Together, they explore how frustration becomes fuel for innovation, what it takes to break barriers as women in surgery, and why true progress in medicine begins with empathy.

You’ll learn:
• How Dr. Bolanle Asiyanbola, MD turned heartbreak into a call to action
• Why empathy & frustration are powerful catalysts for change
• The challenges of balancing medicine, ethics & entrepreneurship
• How surgeons are reimagining care through innovation

An inspiring look at courage, creativity & the heart behind modern medicine.

Listen now on Vital Stuff with Dr. Gail Lebovic.

What if the best treatment for prostate cancer isn’t the one most men receive?

Dr. Gail Lebovic talks with leading radiation oncologist Dr. Steven Kurtzman - a pioneer in real-time prostate brachytherapy who’s treated thousands of men using innovative, minimally invasive techniques.

Together, they explore how continued learning drives innovation, why certain treatments fall behind despite better outcomes, and what every man should know about prostate health, screening, and modern care options.

You’ll learn:
• What prostate brachytherapy is - and why it’s often overlooked
• How fear, comfort zones & lifelong learning shape medical progress
• Why financial incentives sometimes steer treatment choices
• Practical insights for early detection & healthy aging

A candid look at courage, innovation & the future of men’s health.

Listen now on Vital Stuff with Dr. Gail Lebovic.

What if the secret to better health, longevity, and even brain function started with your mouth and nose?

In this episode of Vital Stuff, Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with Dr. Mariangela Verano, a dentist whose career journey led her beyond teeth into the world of sleep, breathing, and whole-body health.

Together, they uncover the surprising ways oral health, nasal breathing, and even diet shape not just our smiles - but our entire well-being.

Dr. Verano shares how the shift from ancestral diets to modern processed foods has altered our jaws, teeth, and airways, why nasal hygiene is as essential as brushing your teeth, and how inflammation in the gums can ripple through the body to impact the heart, brain, and beyond.

You’ll learn:

• How oral health impacts systemic health and inflammation

• The link between nasal breathing, nitric oxide, and immune function

• Why fluoride remains controversial, and what alternatives exist

• How diet and chewing shape facial structure and airway health

• Practical tips for healthier teeth, gums, and breathing every day

  
  

About Dr. Mariangela Verano

Dr. Verano is a UCSF-trained dentist based in Reno, Nevada, specializing in a multidisciplinary approach that integrates dentistry, sleep medicine, and breathing health.

With a passion sparked by her own family’s struggles, she advocates for individualized care that looks far beyond cavities- focusing on the root causes of oral and airway health challenges.

🎧 New episodes of Vital Stuff drop every other Thursday.
Follow Dr. Gail on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gaillebovic

What if a tiny, non-hallucinogenic dose of LSD could transform the way we treat depression?

In this episode of Vital Stuff, Dr. Gail Lebovic talks with entrepreneur and investor Justin Hanka about his pioneering work at MindBio, the first company in the world approved to run take-home clinical trials of microdosing LSD.

Justin shares how microdosing is showing remarkable results in treating depression, why New Zealand is leading the global charge, and how unexpected discoveries - like using voice recognition to detect intoxication - could open up an entirely new frontier in health innovation.

You’ll learn:

• Why antidepressants fail so many patients

• How microdosing LSD works (without hallucinations)

• The link between psychedelics, neurogenesis & brain health

• Potential applications for dementia, Alzheimer’s & longevity

• How AI voice analytics may change the way we measure health

  
  

  
  

About Justin Hanka

Justin is an Australian entrepreneur and co-founder of MindBio, a biotech company pushing the boundaries of mental health treatment through psychedelic research. With a career spanning wellness, finance, and biotech, Justin is building science-driven solutions to some of the world’s toughest health challenges.

🎧 New episodes of Vital Stuff drop every other Thursday.
Follow Dr. Gail on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gaillebovic

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Vital Stuff, Dr. Gail sits down with world-renowned herbalist and detox specialist Brett Elliott to uncover what detoxing really means - and why it matters more than ever.

What begins as a conversation about herbs quickly unfolds into a deep and personal exploration of healing, chronic inflammation, food addiction, and the rising health crises affecting millions globally.

Together, Dr. Gail and Brett share their own powerful stories, both having been told they needed spinal fusion surgeries and how their paths to alternative healing led them to challenge conventional medicine and reclaim their health.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “detox” doesn’t just mean rehab - and how it affects your energy, sleep, mood, and immune system

• What ultra-processed foods are doing to your body (and how they’re linked to cancer and heart disease)

• The role sugar plays in inflammation, hormone imbalance, and addiction

• Why clean eating and detoxing are more effective when done together - and how to start

• The surprising connection between gut health, sleep quality, and mental clarity

• What natural killer cells are, and how to support them through diet and herbs

• Practical daily tips to remove hidden toxins from your home, pantry, and routine

• Why your dog might need a detox too (!)

Dr. Gail and Brett also cover the science behind detoxification, from the immune reset that happens during fasting, to the overlooked impact of everyday exposures -like plastics, air pollution, and even scented candles.

Brett’s practical, no-nonsense 3-step guide to starting your own detox:

1. Audit your toxic load – Make a list of potential exposures in your food, home, and lifestyle

2. Find your “why” – Identify symptoms or health conditions that might be linked to inflammation or toxicity

3. Take action – Clean out your fridge and pantry, reduce processed food, and begin a gentle detox with herbs and whole foods

Guest Bio

Brett Elliott is an herbalist, author, and founder of the Ultimate Herbal Detox — a globally used program that has helped thousands of people naturally reset their health. After healing his own severe back injury without surgery, Brett began a lifelong journey of studying natural healing, gut health, and the powerful connection between detoxification and wellness.

https://www.brettelliott.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21889932864&gbraid=0AAAAAD0psruqnTYVxSwbOi5iPIPjC3V95&gclid=CjwKCAjwtrXFBhBiEiwAEKen18NqylOoVIzBmIkmA5fpI7KHSmT7HEaSsKBszjv8HLAH2_ASqFnRzBoCxOEQAvD_BwE

Vital Stuff is hosted by Dr. Gail Lebovic - award-winning surgeon, inventor, and wellness advocate - to help you feel better, live smarter, and love life. Each episode delivers empowering health tips, expert conversations, and uplifting stories you can actually use.

New episodes drop every other Thursday.

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