The Podcast by KevinMD

The Podcast by KevinMD

Social media's leading physician voice, Kevin Pho, MD, shares the stories of the many who intersect with our health care system but are rarely heard from. 15 minutes a day. 7 days a week. Welcome to The Podcast by KevinMD.

Recent Episodes

Oct. 3, 2025

Living with the uncertainty of surviving stage 4 cancer

Pediatrician Kelly Curtin-Hallinan discusses her article "." Kelly shares her year-long journey of facing a dire diagnosis, enduring rounds of tests, managing the anxiety of waiting for results, and ultimately experiencing an unexpected recovery with...

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Oct. 2, 2025

Why the "Cap'n Crunch" approach to medicine puts patients at risk

Patient advocate Timothy Thomas discusses his article "." Timothy shares his personal experiences with gaps in primary care, from learning of his diabetes diagnosis at a Walmart pharmacy instead of through his clinic, to promised tests never being...

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Oct. 1, 2025

Why imposter syndrome is a systemic issue, not a personal flaw

Physician Jessie Mahoney discusses her article "." Jessie explains how self-doubt among physicians is less about individual weakness and more about a conditioned mindset reinforced by medical culture. She describes how hypervigilance, relentless...

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Sept. 30, 2025

A psychiatrist reflects on two decades of treating depression with ketamine

Psychiatrist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article "." Aly recounts his first encounters with ketamine at the National Institute of Mental Health, where its rapid impact on despair reshaped his understanding of depression treatment. He explains the...

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Sept. 28, 2025

When a pediatrician becomes the parent navigating childhood obesity

Internal medicine-pediatric physician Chrissie Ott discusses her article "." Chrissie shares the deeply personal story of her own child's struggles with weight, the bullying and shame that compounded them, and the tension she felt balancing her...

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Sept. 27, 2025

How humor helps build trust and connection in pediatric oncology

Physician-scientist Diego R. Hijano discusses his article "." Diego shares how personal loss and his own cultural and linguistic experiences shaped his approach to care, teaching him that laughter can be a bridge in even the darkest hospital rooms....

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Sept. 26, 2025

How one physician redesigned her practice to find joy in primary care again

Primary care physician Jerina Gani discusses her article "." Jerina shares her deeply personal story of nearly walking away from medicine after burnout, exhaustion, and endless administrative burdens drained the joy from her work. She explains how a...

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Sept. 25, 2025

Why nurse-initiated sepsis protocols are transforming patient care and hospital efficiency

Chief nursing officer Rhonda Collins discusses her article "." Rhonda explains why sepsis, the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals and a $62 billion annual burden, demands the same urgency as stroke and STEMI. She highlights the power of...

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Sept. 24, 2025

How collective action is shaping physician empowerment and patient care

Physician leader Janet A. Jokela discusses its article "." The piece reflects on the evolution of physician unions since the 1980s, beginning with housestaff associations focused on scut work and duty hours, through the Libby Zion case that...

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Sept. 22, 2025

Why U.S. health care pricing confusion demands bold solutions

Health care executive Ashish Mandavia discusses his article "." Ashish explains how systemic misaligned incentives, opaque insurance practices, and weak enforcement drive up patient costs and mistrust in the health care system. He outlines the...

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Sept. 22, 2025

When recurrent UTIs mask the warning signs of bladder cancer

Urologist Fara Bellows discusses her article "." Fara shares the story of a 91-year-old patient whose recurrent urinary infections masked an underlying bladder cancer diagnosis, illustrating how easily symptoms can be misattributed. She explains risk...

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Sept. 21, 2025

Why physicians struggle to embrace pride and why it matters for leadership

Pediatrician and certified coach Jessie Mahoney discusses her article "." Jessie explains how medical training conditions doctors to downplay success, deflect compliments, and equate pride with arrogance. She shares her own journey of learning to name...

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Sept. 20, 2025

Why kratom addiction is emerging as a hidden public health crisis

Psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article "." Muhamad explains how kratom, a botanical imported from Southeast Asia, has rapidly spread across the U.S., marketed as a natural remedy for pain and...

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Sept. 19, 2025

How physicians can turn criticism into collaboration for better teamwork

Licensed counselor and certified coach Mary Remón discusses her article "." Mary explains why physicians often react defensively to suggestions from colleagues, citing hierarchy, malpractice fears, time pressures, and challenges to expertise. She...

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Sept. 18, 2025

How to transform your mindset by rewiring your brain with positive language

Clinical psychologist Faust Ruggiero discusses his article "." Faust explains how the words we use internally shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and why negative self-talk can reinforce cycles of anger and dissatisfaction. He introduces a...

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Sept. 17, 2025

Affordable postpartum hemorrhage solutions every OB/GYN can use worldwide

Maternal-fetal medicine fellow Frank I. Jackson discusses his article "." Frank explains how postpartum hemorrhage remains a leading cause of maternal mortality, especially in low-resource settings where advanced devices like the JADA® System are...

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Sept. 16, 2025

How trust and communication power successful dyad leadership in health care

Family physician Amir Atabeygi discusses his article "." Amir explains why trust is the foundation of successful dyads, highlighting how implicit follow-through and consistent communication turn a partnership into a cohesive leadership unit. He shares...

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Sept. 15, 2025

Healing from medical training by learning to trust your body again

Physician Jessie Mahoney discusses her article "," exploring how the culture of medicine conditions physicians to ignore their basic bodily needs in the pursuit of excellence. Jessie explains how this disconnection erodes trust in self, contributes to...

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Sept. 14, 2025

Why U.S. universities should adopt a standard pre-med major

Medical student Devin Behjatnia discusses his article "." Devin outlines why he believes a unified pre-medical studies major would better prepare students for the rigor of medical school while also providing a valuable degree for those who choose...

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Sept. 13, 2025

How robotics are transforming the next generation of vascular care

Health care executive David Fischel discusses his article "" David explains how robotic-assisted systems are overcoming long-standing challenges in endovascular care by improving precision, reducing variability, and easing the physical strain on...

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Sept. 12, 2025

Why AI in health care needs stronger testing before clinical use

Health care executive Max Rollwage discusses his article "." Max highlights the risks of relying on AI systems that are evaluated through artificial scenarios or even other AI models, emphasizing the dangers of circular validation in high-stakes...

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Sept. 11, 2025

How doctors can think like CEOs

Cardiologist Stanley Liu discusses his article "." Stanley explains why the habits of being a "good soldier" during residency—such as accepting excessive workloads, never questioning compensation, and suppressing dissatisfaction—can harm...

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Sept. 10, 2025

Why doctors struggle with family caregiving and how to find grace

Physician Jessie Mahoney discusses her article "," reflecting on the unique challenges doctors face when caring for aging parents and ill family members. Jessie explains how medical training, far from easing the role, can intensify stress through...

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Sept. 9, 2025

From nurse practitioner to leader in quality improvement

Board-certified nurse practitioner Shabeena Hirani discusses her article "," sharing her journey from clinical care to driving systemic change. Shabeena explains how her experiences in internal medicine, pulmonology, and sleep medicine revealed gaps...

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