The Visible Voices

Front Lines to Policy Lines: Cedric Dark on Gun Violence Prevention

In this episode I speak with Cedric Dark MD MPH, an emergency medicine physician and healthcare policy expert, about gun violence in America. June is Gun Violence Awareness month. Our conversation focuses on prevention, advocacy, and content from his book Under the Gun: An ER Doctor's Cure for America's Gun EpidemicCedric is an Associate Professor in the Henry J. N. Taub Department of Emergency Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. He currently is on the Board of Trustees for Semester at Sea and is the Medical Editor-in-Chief for the monthly publication ACEP Now. From 2019 to 2024 he served on the Board of Directors for Doctors for America.Cedric argues that gun violence is a public health issue that healthcare workers are uniquely positioned to address. He explains how mental health factors into gun violence discussions and why access to firearms increases suicide risk. The conversation touches on how advocacy work can help healthcare workers deal with burnout and how organizations like Doctors for America approach health policy change. If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

Rhode Island Reimagined: Tiara Mack A Senator who Envisions People Centered Politics

In this episode I share a profound conversation with Rhode Island State Senator Tiara Mack. Senator Mack shares her experiences running for office, finding her voice in politics, and the significance of human-centered design in legislation. Tiara is Democratic member of the Rhode Island State Senate. She represents district six comprised of 20,000 constituents. She studied public health at Brown University. We discuss the power of social media, legislative goals, and the importance of self-care and resilience in leadership. We explore themes of joy in advocacy, the journey to politics, the importance of community and education, navigating identity, and the role of sex education in personal growth. Finally, we reflect on the role of books as a framework for envisioning a better world.Episode highlights:—Education can bridge gaps in access and opportunity.—Community involvement is crucial for civic engagement.—Human-centered design should guide legislation.Self-care practices are important for effective leadership.WebsiteInstagramIf you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

The Legal Lifeline: How Gita Pensa Coaches Physicians Through Malpractice and Litigation Stress

In this minicast (short + focused podcast) episode on coaches, emergency medicine physician and coach  Dr. Gita Pensa shares insights from coaching physicians facing malpractice litigation and from her 12-year legal battle. She discusses how fear pervades these experiences and offers practical approaches to managing anxiety while working to change medicine's culture of shame.Gita is based in Rhode Island. She is the CEO and founder of DoctorsAndLitigation.com, where she coaches clinicians facing litigation stress. Dr. Pensa is also the creator and host of Doctors and Litigation: The L Word podcast and has pioneered work in physician litigation stress.Key Take-awaysFear is the dominant emotion among physicians facing litigationMany malpractice cases are eventually dropped, but the anxiety persistsThe culture of shame in medicine surrounding litigation needs transformationCommunication resolution programs can heal patient-doctor relationships after adverse eventsDocumentary: A World of HurtBook a consultation session with GitaWebsite: DoctorsAndLitigation.comYouTube: @DoctorsandLitigationIf you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

Reversing Chronic Disease: Terry Wahls on her Innovative Food Protocol and Lifestyle Change

In this episode I speak with Dr. Terry Wahls, an internal medicine physician,  multiple sclerosis patient, researcher, and advocate.  Her TedTalk Minding your Mitochondria has over 4.1 million views. Terry Wahls MD is a clinical professor of medicine who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000. After conventional treatments failed to halt her disease progression, leaving her wheelchair-dependent, she developed the The Wahls Protocol, a nutrient-rich dietary approach that helped her regain mobility. She authored a book The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles book.We cover how nutrition choices can transform health outcomes, the critical role of family support in sustaining health changes, and the emerging science behind using biosensors to identify personal health triggers. Some takeaways: Terry Walls developed the Wahls Protocol after personal success reversing her MS symptomsDietary changes can lead to significant health improvements beyond medication aloneFamily support creates the foundation for sustainable behavior changeThe Wahls Protocol emphasizes nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foodsLong COVID patients show promising responses to improved nutrition approachesFood choices can serve as both prevention and treatment for chronic diseasesWebsite Instagram  If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

The Power of Choice in Financial Health: Paula Pant on Affording Anything not Everything

In this episode I speak with Paula Pant, founder of the Afford Anything media platform. Paula is an expert in personal finance and economics. We discuss the philosophy of intentional living, the importance of resilience in career transitions, and the shift from a financial scarcity mindset to one of abundance. Paula shares her journey from working for a newspaper to building the successful media platform Afford Anything, emphasizing the significance of personal development and understanding human behavior in financial decision-making.We explore financial flexibility, particularly for doctors facing burnout and financial challenges. We delve into productivity habits and the significance of having a voice in personal finance discussions, ultimately highlighting how financial health provides choices in life.A few highlights Voluntary career transitions can lead to tremendous growth despite initial uncertaintyTaking action is the greatest affirmation of progress and successDoctors face unique financial challenges due to late starts and high student debtAggressive contributions are crucial for late starters in retirement planningFinancial education should be prioritized in schools Website: https://affordanything.com/Podcast: Afford Anything on AppleYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@affordanythingIf you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

When We’re In Charge Amanda Litman and the Run for Something Revolution

In this episode of The Visible Voices Podcast, Resa speaks with  Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something and author of When We're in Charge: The Next Generation's Guide to Leadership. The dynamic discussion explores how millennials and Gen Z are reshaping American politics through grassroots engagement and local office candidacy.Amanda shares her journey building a mission-driven organization that empowers young, diverse candidates to run for local offices—from school boards to library committees—where critical community decisions happen. She offers practical insights on effective leadership, including:Why doctors are well equipped for public officeThe benefits of a four-day workweek for organizational productivityStrategic approaches to email communication and team onboardingThe conversation highlights the unique perspective healthcare professionals bring to public office and why their expertise is desperately needed in local governance. Amanda makes a compelling case for civic engagement as essential infrastructure for a healthy democracy.Website: Run for SomethingInstagram: Amanda LitmanIf you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website and forward to a friend today!

The Coaching Cure: Rob Orman on Recalibrating Careers and Confronting Incivility in Healthcare

In this minicast (short + focused podcast) episode on coaches, I speak with Dr. Rob Orman, emergency physician turned physician coach, about the urgent challenges many clinicians face—including burnout, incivility, and a lack of sustainability in traditional healthcare roles. Rob is the creator and host of The Stimulus Podcast and leads Orman Physician Coaching. He holds extensive expertise as a medical educator, is a multiple award-winning speaker with a deep background in communication. He served as chief editor of EM:RAP, created the Stimulus and ERcast podcasts, and for nearly a decade hosted Essentials of Emergency Medicine, the largest single-track emergency medicine conference in the world. The discussion touches on the structure of physician jobs, how coaching can shift individual mindsets and institutional culture, and how moving from rumination to action can be transformative. Recommended readings and tangible strategies round out this thoughtful episode for anyone rethinking their path in medicine.Key takeaways:—Recalibration is essential for physicians confronting burnout and stress.—Incivility in healthcare environments undermines physician well-being.—Coaching offers sustainable solutions for personal and professional growth.—Coaching can improve not just individual outcomes but also hospital culture.—The traditional structure of medical roles often overlooks clinician health.For further reading:—What Got You Here Won't Get you There Marshall Goldsmith—A Guide to the Good Life William Irvine—The Advice Trap Robert Bungay StanierBook a  Coaching Discovery Session with RobIf you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website and forward to a friend today!

Beyond the Cafeteria: Dr. Jen Cadenhead on Nutrition Security and Public Health

In this episode  of the Visible Voices podcast, I speak with nutrition expert Dr. Jen Cadenhead about the critical distinction between food security and nutrition security. The discussion centers on the transformative approaches New York City has implemented in their school lunch programs and why school meals often provide the healthiest options for many children. Jen Cadenhead PhD is Research Assistant Professor and Executive Director, Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Columbia University. She is a leading researcher in nutrition science, with particular expertise in how dietary patterns affect health outcomes among cancer survivors. Her advocacy work focuses on improving nutrition education and food quality in public institutions, especially schools.Jen shares insights from her research on diet's impact on health outcomes, particularly among cancer survivors, and makes a passionate case for policy changes and educational initiatives that can create healthier food environments in schools and communities.Key takeawaysNutrition security extends beyond mere access to food, focusing on nutritional quality and health outcomesNew York City's school lunch program stands as a model for innovation, including the elimination of fried foodsFor many children, school meals represent the most nutritionally balanced options they receiveThe food system heavily influences individual choices, highlighting the need for structural changesRevival of home economics education could provide essential cooking skills for healthier lifestylesResearch links ultra-processed food consumption to increased mortality risksDemographic factors significantly impact dietary patterns and related health outcomesEffective nutrition education serves as a powerful preventive tool against chronic diseasesSystemic policy changes are essential to create environments that support healthier eating habitsIf you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

Liberal Arts Meet Business: Danny Warshay on the Nelson Center’s Innovative Approach to Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the Visible Voices podcast, we speak with Danny Warshay, the executive director of the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship at Brown University. We explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and communication, emphasizing the importance of a liberal arts education in fostering innovative problem-solving skills. Danny shares insights on the significance of the Nelson Center, the process of scaling entrepreneurial ventures, and the value of wild card ideas in breaking mental constraints. The discussion also touches on the role of yoga and non-attachment in enhancing creativity, as well as the transformative experience of writing a book and finding one's voice in the entrepreneurial landscape.Some highlights:Writing is crucial for effective communication.Public speaking is a vital skill for everyone.Teaching entrepreneurship can be viewed as a liberal art.Scaling requires a structured approach to problem-solving.Wild card ideas encourage expansive thinking.Non-attachment fosters creativity and innovation.If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!

Everyday Food and Gut Health: Desiree Nielsen on the Microbiome and Nutrition

In this episode of the Visible Voices Podcast, Desiree Nielsen — author, podcaster, cook, and registered dietitian — shares her journey into the world of gut health and the importance of nutrition. We highlight the roles of fiber, movement, and how to improve the nutrient quality of what you eat.Desiree advocates for physicians and nutritionists working together and we explore the implications of gut health in the context of long COVID.  Learn all about the health advantages of black coffee, avocado, salmon, plant milks, walnuts, cinnamon and other spices for health. We delve into the Mediterranean diet, the gut microbiome, and practical tips for incorporating fruits and vegetables into meals. If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a 👍🏻 on YouTube. Subscribe via the Website. Forward to a friend today!