Pediatrician and certified coach Jessie Mahoney discusses her article "Why physician wellness programs must evolve beyond institutions [https://kevinmd.com/2026/01/why-physician-wellness-programs-must-evolve-beyond-institutions.html]." Jessie reflects on her seventeen years leading in-house wellness initiatives and argues that while institutional programs provide legitimacy, they are ultimately insufficient for deep healing. She explains that true recovery requires stepping away from the very environments that cause distress to find spaces free from agendas and evaluation. The conversation highlights the unique power of independent, physician-led programs that prioritize mindfulness, somatic healing, and connection with nature. Jessie contends that physicians cannot transform the health care system if they are barely surviving within it, making external wellness spaces not a luxury, but a foundational necessity for sustaining the profession.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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Wellness requires safe spaces outside the medical system

Occupational medicine physician and life coach Claudine Holt discusses her article "Nervous system dysregulation vs. stress: Why 'just relaxing' doesn't work [https://kevinmd.com/2026/01/nervous-system-dysregulation-vs-stress-why-just-relaxing-doesnt-work.html]." Claudine challenges the common advice to treat burnout with self-care like massages or vacations. She explains that for many, stress is not a mindset issue but a physiological state of the nervous system. The conversation highlights how behaviors like perfectionism and people-pleasing are actually adaptive survival strategies, not character flaws. Claudine argues that when the body is stuck in a fight-or-flight state, relaxation actually feels dangerous. She advocates for "bottom-up" somatic approaches rather than willpower or cognitive therapies alone. Discover why healing requires updating the nervous system's safety cues rather than just trying to force calm.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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Why "just relaxing" fails when your nervous system is stuck in survival mode

Hematologist-oncologist Khushali Jhaveri discusses her article "What the research really says about infrared saunas [https://kevinmd.com/2025/06/what-the-research-really-says-about-infrared-saunas.html]." Khushali shares her personal journey from skepticism to advocacy after experiencing the profound physiological shifts of infrared heat therapy. The conversation dives into the science of heat shock proteins, explaining how thermal stress helps the body repair cellular damage and manage inflammation. She reviews a landmark study from Finland showing massive reductions in cardiovascular mortality among frequent sauna users. Khushali also distinguishes between traditional and infrared saunas, noting that while the latter operate at lower temperatures, they offer similar benefits through passive heat exposure. Discover how this ancient practice might be a key to healthier aging and longevity.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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Heat therapy activates proteins that repair cells and protect the heart

Intensivist Cristin Mount and business operations lead Steve Lettrich from All Levels Leadership discuss their article "A 6-step framework for new health care leaders [https://kevinmd.com/2026/01/a-6-step-framework-for-new-health-care-leaders.html]." The authors address the common challenge where clinicians step into leadership roles with little formal training. They outline a practical framework designed to help new leaders navigate complex organizational webs. The conversation details six critical steps: understanding organizational priorities, building relationships with stakeholders, defining goals through needs assessment, categorizing challenges by timeline, developing 90-day action plans, and remaining adaptable. Cristin and Steve emphasize that success relies on aligning departmental goals with the broader mission to secure necessary resources and support.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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How to master a new health care leadership role

Double board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist Erica Bove discusses her article "A clinician's guide to embryo grading in IVF [https://kevinmd.com/2025/12/a-clinicians-guide-to-embryo-grading-in-ivf.html]." Erica breaks down the complex metrics used to evaluate embryo quality, a subject often reserved for subspecialty fellowship training. The conversation guides listeners through the critical developmental milestones from fertilization to the blastocyst stage. Erica demystifies the alphanumeric grading system used by embryologists to assess viability and explains why a "perfect" grade does not always guarantee a healthy pregnancy. The discussion also weighs the nuances of genetic testing (PGT-A), clarifying when it offers a true benefit versus when it might add unnecessary risk to the embryo. Discover how to interpret these technical reports to manage expectations and make informed choices during the IVF process.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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Understanding the science behind embryo grading improves IVF decision making

Family physician and health care entrepreneur Tod Stillson discusses his article "AI in medicine: Why it won't replace doctors but will redefine them [https://kevinmd.com/2026/01/ai-in-medicine-why-it-wont-replace-doctors-but-will-redefine-them.html]." Tod argues that the binary debate between AI as a savior or a threat misses the point. The real issue is that modern medical complexity has outgrown human cognitive limits. The conversation explores how AI can reduce the "cognitive noise" that leads to burnout and error by handling data synthesis and repetitive tasks. Tod emphasizes that while AI can structure information, it cannot assume moral responsibility or build trust. Discover why the future of medicine depends on building systems that honor human limitations while leveraging machine precision.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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AI redefines the physician's role by reducing cognitive overload

Physician and health care consultant Harvey Castro discusses his article "ChatGPT Health in hospitals: 5 essential safety protocols [https://kevinmd.com/2026/01/chatgpt-health-in-hospitals-5-essential-safety-protocols.html]." Harvey outlines the immense potential of large language models to reduce administrative burdens while warning of the risks regarding misinformation and privacy breaches. The conversation details five non-negotiable protocols, including rigorous encryption, human-in-the-loop oversight, and mandatory simulated testing before going live. Harvey emphasizes that transparency is the foundation of care, arguing that patients deserve to know when AI is part of the conversation. Discover why responsible AI adoption requires long-term vigilance and continuous monitoring to ensure patient safety.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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Hospitals must establish safety guardrails before deploying AI

Psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article "Unregulated botanical products: the hidden risks of convenience store supplements [https://kevinmd.com/2025/12/unregulated-botanical-products-the-hidden-risks-of-convenience-store-supplements.html]." Muhamad explores the dangerous misconception that "natural" equals safe, revealing how consumers unknowingly ingest substances with opioid-like effects sold as wellness products. He highlights the conflict between Americans' fear of addiction and their trust in sleek, unregulated marketing that promises relief without consequences. The conversation examines the regulatory mixed signals and the critical need for clinicians to screen for these products during visits. Muhamad advocates for intellectual honesty in medicine and clearer governance to protect families from the spiral of dependence. Discover why addiction often walks through a "wellness" door and how to spot the risks before it is too late.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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Unregulated botanical products pose hidden risks in convenience stores

Internal medicine physician Shiv K. Goel discusses his article "Claude for Healthcare vs. administrative burden: a physician's review [https://kevinmd.com/2026/01/claude-for-healthcare-vs-administrative-burden-a-physicians-review.html]." Shiv contrasts the two hours he spent fighting a prior authorization with the promise of Anthropic's new "Claude for Healthcare," an AI system designed to handle claims and verify coverage in minutes. The conversation explores the race between Anthropic and OpenAI to dominate medical AI and the potential for these tools to liberate physicians from paperwork. Shiv warns, however, that without physician input, these efficiencies could simply be used to increase patient quotas rather than improve care. Discover whether the AI administrator is the solution to burnout or a new threat to the profession.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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AI could end the administrative nightmare for doctors

Professor of clinical psychiatry Michael F. Myers discusses his book Physicians With Lived Experience: How Their Stories Offer Clinical Guidance and the article "Breaking the silence: mental health and racism in medical school [https://kevinmd.com/2026/02/breaking-the-silence-mental-health-and-racism-in-medical-school.html]." The conversation highlights the journey of Dr. Chris Veal, a Black gay physician who overcame a seven year depression and the trauma of losing five family members to COVID 19. Michael explores the intersection of academic pressure and systemic racism, detailing how a phone call to his godmother saved Dr. Veal from suicide. The discussion outlines Dr. Veal's brave decision to publish his story in Academic Medicine despite warnings that it might hurt his career. Discover how authenticity and vulnerability can transform clinical practice and save the lives of others.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform [https://kevinmd.com/kevinmd-influencer-opportunities]. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story.

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Physician vulnerability and authenticity: How shared stories heal

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.