Best MD MPP Podcasts (2025)

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Healing Those Who Served: Dr. David Shulkin on the VA’s Legacy and the Future of American Health Care. 47:48

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4d ago47:48

47:48

A nation’s promise to those who served becomes a lesson in how health care can truly heal. In this special Veterans Day episode, Dr. David Shulkin, the ninth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the Trump Administration and VA’s Under Secretary of Health in the Obama Administration, talks about the mission, history, and transform…

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Information Sickness: How Our Media Environment Is Harming Public Health with Joshua Sharfstein & Joanne Kenen 38:40

11d ago38:40

38:40

Our information environment has become a social determinant of health. In this episode, Joshua Sharfstein, a public health leader and professor at Johns Hopkins, and Joanne Kenen, journalist in residence at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, discuss how the collapse of local journalism, the design of social media algorithms, and p…

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From Patient to Advocate: Rosie Bartel on Transforming Pain into Change 37:20

18d ago37:20

37:20

“I just went there for a routine knee replacement, or so I thought.” In this inspiring episode, Rosie Bartel, a patient partner and advocate, educator, and survivor, shares her journey from a devastating MRSA infection acquired during a routine knee replacement to becoming a global voice for patient safety and health care reform. After surviving 58…

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Upstream Medicine: Healing Through Trust, Dignity, and Context - with Dr. Sandeep Kapoor 48:24

25d ago48:24

48:24

The healers we need now don’t stop at the exam room; they go upstream to the causes of suffering and make safety, dignity, and trust part of the clinical job. In this episode, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, a physician and academic leader, calls for a broader, more human-centered definition of health care, one that addresses substance use, firearm injuries, p…

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Regulation, consternation, Food and Drug Administration - with Robert Califf 53:36

1M ago53:36

53:36

The integrity of evidence-based policy is under threat when political agendas override scientific rigor. In this episode, Dr. Robert Califf, former FDA Commissioner and cardiologist, reflects on his experience leading the FDA and the agency’s critical role in protecting public health through rigorous, science-based regulation across multiple sector…

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The chronic impact of health care corporatization on clinicians and patients - with Peter Grinspoon 48:04

1M ago48:04

48:04

The corporatization of health care is driving a mass exodus from primary care, creating a crisis that affects both physicians and patients alike. In this episode, Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a physician and advocate, discusses the worsening state of American primary care, shaped by burnout, poor pay, and a loss of autonomy, while sharing how his recovery …

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The economics of medication - with Vinay Patel 46:06

2M ago46:06

46:06

One of the biggest drivers of high drug prices in America is the opaque rebate system between pharmaceutical companies and insurance providers, where savings rarely reach the patient. In this episode, Vinay Patel explains how drug prices are formed, from R&D and manufacturing to complex negotiations involving insurers and pharmacy benefit managers.…

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The story of the NHS and what we can learn from it - with Bob Klaber 46:02

2M ago46:02

46:02

While universal health care offers immense equity and access, it still faces real challenges around fragmentation, funding, and integration. In this episode, Dr. Bob Klaber reflects on the values and challenges of the UK’s NHS, contrasting its universal care model with the U.S. system and advocating for whole-person care over over-medicalization. H…

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Housing, homelessness, and health - with Rosanne Haggerty 40:29

2M ago40:29

40:29

The key to ending homelessness is not just more housing, but better systems of collaboration, urgency, and coordination at the community level. In this episode, Rosanne Haggerty, president and CEO of Community Solutions, discusses how the rising homelessness crisis in the U.S. reflects deeper systemic issues, from healthcare gaps to housing afforda…

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Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Optimism, Concern, and the Future of Health Care with Don Berwick & Kedar Mate 48:41

2M ago48:41

48:41

Celebrating 100 episodes is no small feat! In this episode, co-hosts Kedar Mate and Don Berwick look back on their podcast journey, highlighting powerful stories and themes like moral injury, health inequities, and the promise of AI in health care. They reflect on moving moments of resilience and leadership while balancing short-term concerns with …

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Safety x AI - with Jason Adelman 37:08

2M ago37:08

37:08

Human error in health care is inevitable, but system-level solutions offer real hope for reducing harm. In this episode, Dr. Jason Adelman, a leading patient safety expert, shares how a critical medication error propelled his transition from hospitalist to patient safety researcher, leading to innovations like the “retract-and-reorder” method for d…

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Madd love: Reducing recidivism rates in young adults - with Gregg Croteau 37:13

3M ago37:13

37:13

The criminal justice system in the U.S. is, at its core, a healthcare issue, one that demands healing, not punishment. In this episode, Gregg Croteau, CEO of UTEC, shares how his organization helps justice-involved young adults escape cycles of violence and incarceration through education, employment, and unwavering support. Founded by young people…

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It shouldn't take a crisis to make us talk about public health - with Howard Koh 42:22

3M ago42:22

42:22

Public health is invisible when it works and only noticed when it fails. In this episode, Dr. Howard Koh reflects on the chronic underfunding, political challenges, and cultural barriers weakening America’s public health system, drawing from his leadership experience during crises like 9/11, anthrax, H1N1, and the ACA rollout. He underscores the un…

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Inequities, inequalities, and truth to power - with Steven Woolf 41:10

3M ago41:10

41:10

A 20- to 30-year life expectancy gap between neighborhoods just miles apart reveals the brutal reality of health inequity in the United States. In this episode, Dr. Steven Woolf, physician and public health expert, explains how U.S. health disparities are driven more by social determinants, like education, income, housing, and systemic racism, than…

1
Graduate medical education and social contracts - with Tom Nasca 44:32

3M ago44:32

44:32

The survival of professional trust in medicine depends not only on individual doctors but on the systems and institutions that shape their behavior. In this episode, Dr. Thomas Nasca discusses the evolution of physician training, the role of accreditation and certification in ensuring national standards, and the need for institutional professionali…

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Home-based care to tackle maternal health inequities and improve outcomes - with Rebekah Gee 43:15

4M ago43:15

43:15

The U.S. ranks worst among developed nations for maternal and child health outcomes, highlighting a systemic failure that demands urgent attention. In this episode, Rebekah Gee examines the crisis of maternal mortality in the U.S. and how structural inequities and lack of home-based care continue to harm vulnerable families, drawing on her own life…

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Humans in health care - with Tom Fisher 45:32

4M ago45:32

45:32

Health care fundamentally lacks accountability to the humanity of its patients due to systemic profit-driven motives. In this episode, Dr. Thomas Fisher, an emergency room physician, discusses his journey through emergency medicine and public policy, illustrating how health care reflects systemic societal challenges, especially during the COVID-19 …

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The story of palliative care, on the big screen - with Jessica Zitter 37:35

4M ago37:35

37:35

One of the most overlooked but transformative tools in health care is the courage to face hard truths, especially at the end of life. In this episode, Dr. Jessica Zitter shares how burnout and a pivotal confrontation early in her ICU career led her to embrace the palliative care movement and shift toward more human-centered healing. Through her fil…

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Kindness and what matters to you - with Maureen Bisognano 44:28

5M ago44:28

44:28

The most powerful antidote to a fragmented health care system may be something deceptively simple: listening. In this episode, Maureen Bisognano shares how compassion, curiosity, and relational care can transform health care by improving communication, trust, and outcomes for patients and providers alike. Through personal stories and global initiat…

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The human impact of today's politics on the oldest public hospital in America - with Eric Wei 41:17

5M ago41:17

41:17

What if the hospitals serving society’s most vulnerable were actually delivering some of the most essential care in the country? In this episode, Dr. Eric Wei explores the vital role of public hospitals in serving vulnerable populations and dispelling the myth that they provide second-tier care. He discusses system improvements through Lean strateg…

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The connection between meaning and purpose to reduce staff burnout - with Steve Swensen 40:13

5M ago40:13

40:13

Burnout among health care professionals isn't just a staffing issue; it’s a crisis rooted in systems, culture, and misaligned values. In this episode, Dr. Steve Swensen explores the growing crisis of burnout and moral injury among health care workers, highlighting its roots in emotional exhaustion, misaligned values, and lack of agency, and how it …

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Health Care AI at Speed – Recorded at IHI Leadership Alliance Spring Meeting 2025 with Brett Moran, Charles Binkley & Lucas Zier 37:56

5M ago37:56

37:56

AI in health care is advancing rapidly, with promising uses in imaging and admin tasks, but its diagnostic and patient-facing roles demand careful, human-centered oversight to ensure safety and equity. In this episode, experts Brett Moran, Charles Binkley, and Lucas Zier discuss the evolving role of AI in health care, from established tools like im…

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Upstream and downstream determinants of health and the water we drink - with Cydian Kauffman 29:13

5M ago29:13

29:13

Consumers must understand the crucial difference between legally permissible contaminant levels and true health-based goals for drinking water. In this episode, Cydian Kauffman, CEO of Pure Water Northwest, shares how his experience in property management led him to focus on water quality. He explains the EPA’s standards /MCL versus MCLG) and why m…

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Join the patient revolution - with Victor M. Montori 43:26

6M ago43:26

43:26

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights The current health care system often prioriti…

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Imagine a public health system built on mutual aid, participation, and dignity with Eric Reinhart 46:19

6M ago46:19

46:19

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights What if the path to better health and stronge…

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Has healthcare fully realized the potential of AI? with Eric Horvitz 51:50

6M ago51:50

51:50

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights What happens when the power of large language…

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Democratizing Expertise with Sanjeev Arora 50:24

6M ago50:24

50:24

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights Democratizing knowledge is critical to bridgi…

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Keeping Patients over Profits with Dhruv Khullar 42:07

7M ago42:07

42:07

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights The erosion of government-funded science infr…

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Demystifying Dental Health with Melissa Burroughs 38:26

7M ago38:26

38:26

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights The separation of oral and physical health ha…

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187. Exciting News and Updates 29:18

7M ago29:18

29:18

In this heartfelt episode of The Empowered Brain, I'm sharing some very exciting news. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How healing generational trauma and reconnecting with your ancestors can be transformative How to redefine success so it's aligned with your core values and purpose The neuroscience behind fulfillment and why serotonin, not dopamine…

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Catholic Health Care with Patricia Gabow 46:55

7M ago46:55

46:55

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights What happens when one of America’s largest he…

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Movement Building and Large Scale Change with Joe McCannon 43:53

7M ago43:53

43:53

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights How do we scale proven solutions in health ca…

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Rational Public Policy with Mike Chernew 44:15

8M ago44:15

44:15

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights Curious about how we can fix the inefficienci…

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The Evolution of Palliative Care with Christine Cassel 38:56

8M ago38:56

38:56

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights Palliative care aims to treat symptoms and im…

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Think Tanks and Their Role in Health Care Policy with Andrea Ducas 40:18

8M ago40:18

40:18

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights The U.S. health care system is complex, costl…

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Anyone Can Choose Leadership with Dennis Wagner and John Scanlon 44:11

8M ago44:11

44:11

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights Anyone can choose leadership, and it requires…

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The Economics and Ills of U.S. Health Care and Health Insurance with Zack Cooper 48:01

9M ago48:01

48:01

The structure of the U.S. health care system, particularly employer-sponsored insurance, is significantly impacting the economic well-being of most Americans. In this episode, Zack Cooper, Associate Professor of Public Health and Economics for Yale University, examines the drivers of rising health care costs and their impact on individuals and the …

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Continuous Learning for Better Care with Daniel Hyman and Peter Margolis 46:44

9M ago46:44

46:44

Learning health networks offer a powerful, cost-effective approach to improving health care outcomes by fostering collaboration. In this episode, Dr. Peter Margolis, Co-Director Emeritus of the James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and Dr. Daniel Hyman, Principal and Founder of Frontline Quality S…

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Approaching Systems Change with Dan Heath 48:44

9M ago48:44

48:44

The key to improving broken systems lies in identifying leverage points and strategically restacking existing resources. In this episode, Dan Heath, a New York Times bestselling author, discusses how to apply behavioral and systems thinking principles to health care. He emphasizes that health care, despite its challenges, can improve by focusing on…

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The Past, Present, and Future of Health Plan Innovation with Liz Fowler 45:10

9M ago45:10

45:10

How well is the U.S. health care system working, and what is being done to address its biggest challenges? In this episode, Dr. Liz Fowler, former Deputy Administrator and Director of the Innovation Center at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, discusses the progress and challenges of U.S. healthcare reform, emphasizing the impact of the …

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Turn off the lights with Jeff Thompson at the IHI Forum 33:46

9M ago33:46

33:46

Health care institutions can significantly reduce their environmental impact while also saving money and improving community health. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Thompson, former CEO of Gundersen Health System and advisor, discusses his pioneering work at Gundersen Health System in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He explains that by focusing on was…

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There is no quality without equity with Thea James and Bisola Ojikutu 53:42

10M ago53:42

53:42

How can we tackle deep-rooted health inequities and ensure sustainable change in our communities? In this episode, Dr. Thea James, Vice President of Mission and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Boston Medical Center, and Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and the Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, talk about…

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Building an Age Friendly Movement with Terry Fulmer and Faith Mitchell 43:24

10M ago43:24

43:24

Despite decades of progress in geriatric care, too many older adults still struggle to receive the reliable, evidence-based care they deserve. In this episode, Dr. Terry Fulmer, President of the John A. Hartford Foundation, and Faith Mitchell, an Institute Fellow at the Urban Institute, discuss the development of age-friendly health systems and the…

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Is medical education stuck in the past? with Abraham Nussbaum 43:52

10M ago43:52

43:52

Is medical education stuck in the past, or can innovative approaches reshape the future of health care? In this episode, Dr. Abraham Nussbaum, Chief Education Officer at Denver Health, discusses the evolution and challenges of medical education, emphasizing the limitations of the traditional "textbook of the body" approach rooted in the Flexner Rep…

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186. How to Feel Less Guilt today and in the New Year 20:18

11M ago20:18

20:18

In this episode, I'm diving into the pervasive and often misunderstood emotion of guilt. Whether it's guilt for setting boundaries, guilt tied to cultural or religious conditioning, or simply guilt for not meeting self-imposed standards, it's something most of us face. Together, we'll explore practical ways to identify, process, and release guilt s…

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The importance of the "hand-off" in health care with Christopher Landrigan 43:15

11M ago43:15

43:15

Did you know that sleep-deprived doctors are more likely to make critical errors or that poor communication during patient handoffs can jeopardize care? In this episode, Dr. Christopher Landrigan, Chief of General Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital and co-founder of the I-PASS Patient Safety Institute, emphasizes the importance of systemic ch…

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185. Creating your Identity on Purpose 29:47

11M ago29:47

29:47

In this transformative episode, I share actionable insights on creating your identity intentionally, especially as we prepare for a new year. We explore why crafting your identity matters, the obstacles that often hold us back, and a step-by-step guide to aligning your actions with your desired self. This process is about living authentically, redu…

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Workforce planning, workforce wellbeing, and workforce retention with Navina Evans 39:43

11M ago39:43

39:43

How can healthcare systems worldwide overcome workforce challenges while adapting to shifting demographics, advancing technologies, and evolving patient expectations? In this episode, Dr. Navina Evans, the Chief Workforce, Training, and Education Officer at the new NHS England, discusses the challenges and evolution of workforce planning in the Nat…

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184. The Joy Deficit: Why You Don't Make Time for Joy and How to Get it Back 24:34

11M ago24:34

24:34

In today's episode, we're diving into joy. We're tackling why so many of us struggle to make time for joy, the science behind why joy is so good for us, and practical steps to bring it back into our lives. If you have been feeling like you're ready to uplevel your life, or like something is missing, this one is for you. What You'll Learn in This Ep…

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Cutting through the misinformation with Celine Gounder 41:29

11M ago41:29

41:29

In a world where misinformation often outpaces facts, clear public health communication and preparedness are more crucial than ever. In this episode, Dr. Celine Gounder, Senior Fellow & Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF Health News, shares her journey from clinician to a media figure focused on public health, highlighting her roles during th…