Docology Podcast

Up Next: Medicine's Defining Moments

Docology Podcast — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:05:19 GMT

Medicine’s Defining Moments

Friday, Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST

What if understanding today’s biggest medical debates meant looking backward?
Join our next Docology podcast recording when Dr. Howard Zucker will be joined by Dr. Mace Rothenberg, President and Executive Director at the Museum of Medicine. From pandemics and medical breakthroughs to public trust and missteps, we will discuss how the past has shaped how we experience health, science, and care today.
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Mace L. Rothenberg, MD, FACP, President and Executive Director, Museum of Medicine

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Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this podcast are our own, and sponsors are acknowledged. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding your health or wellness.

The Ultimate Luxury that is Priceless

Howard Zucker, MD — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:21:44 GMT

I read an interesting article this morning in The Wall Street Journal entitled, The Ultrarich Are Spending a Fortune to Live in Extreme Privacy by Arian Campo-Flores. It got me thinking. No matter how much wealth someone amasses to insulate themselves from ordinary life, when disease strikes, they too must rely on a healthcare system that serves everyone; and that is also in crisis. Yes, they may have private rooms, private nurses, and renowned physicians. But they will still be wheeled through the same corridors, lie beneath the same scanners, submit to the same needles, and entrust their bodies to the steady hands of professionals whose skill is forged by experience and not by a checkbook. Even something as basic as drawing blood is perfected through doing it every day, not through privilege.

They too will shiver in a thin hospital gown, feel the cold sterility of the operating room, and look to an anesthesiologist for relief from pain and fear. Illness strips away status. Disease is the great equalizer.

As a pediatric critical care physician, there were times when I cared for the children of the wealthy, the famous, and the powerful. Yet in every instance, regardless of status, the only thing that truly mattered was the same: that their child be well. I remember one exceptionally wealthy Wall Street investment banker who whispered to me late one night as his child lay in the ICU after major surgery:
“Dr. Zucker, I never realized how meaningless money is until I look at my child in that bed and know that you and your team hold her life in your hands. Please save my daughter.”
We did.

As Confucius said, “A healthy man wants a thousand things; a sick man only wants one.” And Gandhi reminded us, “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

Living in New York City, I understand the appeal of a life without traffic, parking hassles, or long airport lines. But I suspect we would all take those daily irritations any day over illness and disease. Perspective matters.

To the fortunate 0.1%: keep things in focus. Glamour fades quickly — we all hope that our health will not.

The Unquiet Trauma Beneath Our Flag

Howard Zucker, MD — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:46:28 GMT

As a doctor who has served as New York State health commissioner and CDC deputy director, I would diagnose America as suffering from complex trauma - a body politic that has chronic stress, manifested by the inability to calm nerves or steady the pulse. Though diseases do affect people, it is the nation that is now showing physiological signs of trauma.

When our bodies are exposed to a threat, we respond by releasing adrenaline making us feel the racing heart inside. Even after the danger passes, our brains continue to replay events in a never-ending loop. With time, we find this level of hypervigilence grinding down our immune system and clouding better judgment. The more people exposed to trauma, the more isolated we become from each other. Connectivity turns to survivability, and many ultimately suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is no different for our country. Each national tragedy is met by a momentary cringe that is eclipsed by the next crisis, which occurs all too soon thereafter. We find our children practicing lockdown drills as frequently as fire drills. Barely making eye contact in elevators, check-out lines or playgrounds, which would boost our oxytocin - a hormone that fights trauma and promotes social bonding - we succumb instead to the dopamine kick of scrolling through a smartphone. This leads to addiction and sends our sympathetic nervous system into overdrive. Instead of reflecting on a situation, we reflexively react just as if exposed to a traumatic situation.

If scientists could measure America’s stress hormone levels, they would be exorbitantly high, reflective of our lives of uncertainty and fear. As a coping mechanism we, as a nation, retreat into our ideological tribes and use digital devices to numb the pain. Trauma survivors similarly try to desensitize themselves from their angst-ridden experiences.

The numbers confirm the diagnosis. Suicide rates have escalated, with 50,000 Americans dying by their own hand in 2023. Not since World War II have we seen such statistics. If that is not concerning enough, the rates for our youngsters have risen by 50% in the past decade. One in two Americans reports a sense of loneliness and three out of four believe our moral values are in decline. These are the vital signs of a nation whose faltering heart is pumping into a bloodstream anemic of empathy. It manifests through trauma to our communities, schools, health systems and even democracy, itself.

The lessons of history show that America has previously experienced such trauma. The Civil War left a nation in shock, and the Great Depression necessitated the New Deal to heal wounds. The turmoil of the 1960s led to reconciliations and reforms and the tragedy of September 11th was healed through dialogue and a shared purpose. To nurse ourselves back to health we must first recognize the pain rather than numbing ourselves to it. After all, anesthesia wears off eventually. In fact, the prescription for national healing is no different than for individual survivors of trauma: safety, connectivity and self-discipline.

From our children to our elderly, we must have schools and community centers that provide a sense of safety. We must listen to conflicting opinions and disagree without succumbing to rage. Just as serotonin calms the anxious brain, compassion calms a fearful nation. Mentorship, volunteering and helping our neighbors are small acts that lay the foundation for national healing. Slogans and quick fixes are not treatments for national trauma. Recuperation begins with humility and patience, with honesty and trust.

As a physician, I have seen patients recover from trauma that once seemed insurmountable. The human body, as well as the American spirit, have remarkable capacity to heal when given a tincture of time and a cup of kindness. But recovery begins only when we slow down and remember that health, be it that of a person or of a people, is not just the absence of disease but by equanimitas: the presence of balance, purpose and calmness of mind.

Docology: Safeguarding Children's Health

Docology Podcast — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:30:50 GMT

This week’s guest is Dr. Susan Kressly, a nationally recognized pediatric leader and current President of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children are navigating an increasingly complex world. One shaped by social media, mental health struggles, environmental risks, and widening inequities.

Dr. Kressly shares what she’s seeing at the frontlines of pediatrics, why resilience starts with relationships, and how families and policymakers can create healthier environments for every child.

Remember as a subscriber, you can join the live recordings and ask our experts your questions live. Just subscribe below and you’ll get notifications for our next episode!

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Up Next: Safeguarding Children's Health

Docology Podcast — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 19:01:54 GMT

Safeguarding Children’s Health

Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 12, at 9:00 AM ET

From rising childhood illness rates to the pressures on pediatric care nationwide, we are in a time of rapid change. Join Dr. Zucker and Dr. Susan Kressly as they discuss how the AAP is guiding pediatricians, parents, and policymakers in shaping the future of pediatrics.

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Susan Kressly, MD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, advocate for children and pediatricians

How to Join the Live Recording

👉 Click the button above to access the landing page on our virtual event platform
➕ Add the “Safeguarding Children’s Health” episode to your watchlist and get notified when we go live
- You will need an account on letshang.live to join
- It is FREE to sign up!
⏰ At the time of the recording, click the “Join Event” button to be taken into the virtual recording room
👩‍💻 This is a virtual online podcast taping. You can join anywhere. Please join using the Google Chrome browser for an optimal viewing experience
🙋‍♀️ If you have questions about joining the live recordings, please email us at support@letshang.live

Subscriber Questions

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Docology: A Surgeon General Speaks Out

Docology Podcast — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 23:15:06 GMT

When science becomes politicized, who defends the truth?

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States. A combat-decorated medic, trauma surgeon, and public health leader who’s seen it all: the operating room, the Situation Room, and the White House Cabinet Room.

Together, we unpack the state of America’s public health system, why trust in our institutions is eroding, and how misinformation is now a national security issue. Dr. Carmona warns that “we are less safe than we were before” as science takes a backseat to ideology and evidence-based medicine is drowned out by politics and polarization.

🎧 Listen to A Surgeon General Speaks Out on Substack or YouTube, and if you’re a subscriber, join us for live episode recordings where you can ask your questions directly to our guests.

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Up Next: A Surgeon General Speaks Out

Docology Podcast — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:11:39 GMT

A Surgeon General Speaks Out

Tuesday, October 14 at 1:00 PM ET

What does leadership look like when lives are at stake? Dr. Richard Carmona has the lived experience of leading during times of crisis. Join Dr. Carmona and Dr. Howard Zucker as they discuss perspectives on public health during turbulent times.

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Dr. Richard Carmona, Physician and former United States Surgeon General

How to Join the Live Recording

👉 Click the button above to access the landing page on our virtual event platform
➕ Add the “A Surgeon General Speaks Out” episode to your watchlist and get notified when we go live
- You will need an account on letshang.live to join
- It is FREE to sign up!
⏰ At the time of the recording, click the “Join Event” button to be taken into the virtual recording room
👩‍💻 This is a virtual online podcast taping. You can join anywhere. Please join using the Google Chrome browser for an optimal viewing experience
🙋‍♀️ If you have questions about joining the live recordings, please email us at support@letshang.live

Subscriber Questions

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🙋 Have your camera on and questions ready to ask the experts
💭 Share your thoughts and questions in the chat during the recording, and get the discussion rolling
🔦 We will spotlight you to ask your question live on camera during our subscriber portion of the episode

Thanks – we hope to see you there!

Ep29: Wearables and Wellbeing

Docology Podcast — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:30:55 GMT

From fitness trackers to advanced medical sensors, wearable technology is rewriting the story of healthcare. In this episode of Docology, Dr. Eric Topol shares how wearables can track vital signs, detect disease earlier, and help us take control of our health in real time.

But there’s more to the story. Questions about privacy, accuracy, and trust loom large.

Is wearable technology the solution to bringing patients and doctors closer together?

You can check out the full episode above or on YouTube.

Check it out, and let us know what you think. Subscribers can join our episodes live and speak with me and my guests directly, just sign up for reminders at docology.life!

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Does Tylenol Cause Autism?

Docology Podcast — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 20:16:01 GMT

One of the most important parts of Docology is making space for experts who can help us navigate complex and sometimes frightening health questions.

With headlines swirling about acetaminophen and autism, it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s hype. That’s why I invited Dr. Helen Tager-Flusberg back to Docology for a special Docology Expert Interview.

Dr. Tager-Flusberg explains what the science actually says, why some studies are being misinterpreted, and what families should really know. If you’ve seen the headlines, you’ll want to hear this conversation.

To join our full episodes, make sure to subscribe for reminders on upcoming topics!

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Up Next: Wearables and Wellbeing

Docology Podcast — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:01:22 GMT

Wearables and Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 17 at 3:30 PM ET

Join me on Wednesday, September 17^th at 3:30pm ET for a conversation with Dr. Eric Topol as we dive into the world of wearable devices in medicine. These technologies promise earlier detection, better monitoring, and more personalized care, but they also raise significant questions about data and trust. Don’t miss this important discussion on the future of medicine.

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Dr. Eric Topol, Cardiologist, Founder and Director of Scripps Research Translational Institute

How to Join the Live Recording

👉 Click the button above to access the landing page on our virtual event platform
➕ Add the “Wearables and Wellbeing” episode to your watchlist and get notified when we go live
- You will need an account on letshang.live to join
- It is FREE to sign up!
⏰ At the time of the recording, click the “Join Event” button to be taken into the virtual recording room
👩‍💻 This is a virtual online podcast taping. You can join anywhere. Please join using the Google Chrome browser for an optimal viewing experience
🙋‍♀️ If you have questions about joining the live recordings, please email us at support@letshang.live

Subscriber Questions

🗣️ You will have access to talk to Dr. Zucker and our guests during the episode
🙋 Have your camera on and questions ready to ask the experts
💭 Share your thoughts and questions in the chat during the recording, and get the discussion rolling
🔦 We will spotlight you to ask your question live on camera during our subscriber portion of the episode

Thanks – we hope to see you there!

CDC Upheaval and What's at Stake

Docology Podcast — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:31:42 GMT

“A dangerous turning point for public health.”

In the wake of Susan Monarez’s dismissal, I voiced concerns about science being overshadowed by politics at the CDC. With seasoned experts resigning and politics calling the shots, America’s health is at risk.

More detail in this article. You can check it out here.

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Ep28: Weed and Kid's Health

Docology Podcast — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:01:29 GMT

We’ve probably all caught a whiff of weed while walking down the street, or outside at a baseball game, or maybe seeping through an apartment wall. It’s become common in the wake of legalized marijuana, something you kind of get used to and even laugh off.

But if you partake, or are around people who do, know this: the impact of secondhand marijuana smoke on children is no laughing matter at all. There are not only potential physical dangers to their developing respiratory systems but, there can be lasting psychological effects, including attention deficit issues and muddled cognitive ability.

Today’s guest, Dr. Karen Wilson, is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical School. She studies the impact of secondhand smoke on children, and, not to be a buzz kill – she’s got some serious warnings to share.

Please check it out, and let us know what you think. Subscribers can join our live episode tapings and speak with me and my guests directly, just sign up for reminders at docology.life!

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Up Next: Weed and Kid's Health

Docology Podcast — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:03:02 GMT

Weed and Kids Health

Wednesday, Aug 6 at 1:00 PM ET

Adults may choose to smoke, but kids don’t choose to breathe it. Join Dr. Howard Zucker and leading pediatric expert, Dr. Karen Wilson, as they pull back the curtain on cannabis exposure and children’s health.

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Dr. Karen Wilson, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical School

How to Join the Live Recording

👉 Click the button above to access the landing page on our virtual event platform
➕ Add the “Weed and Kids Health” episode to your watchlist and get notified when we go live
- You will need an account on letshang.live to join
- It is FREE to sign up!
⏰ At the time of the recording, click the “Join Event” button to be taken into the virtual recording room
👩‍💻 This is a virtual online podcast taping. You can join anywhere. Please join using the Google Chrome browser for an optimal viewing experience
🙋‍♀️ If you have questions about joining the live recordings, please email us at support@letshang.live

Subscriber Questions

🗣️ You will have access to talk to Dr. Zucker and our guests during the episode
🙋 Have your camera on and questions ready to ask the experts
💭 Share your thoughts and questions in the chat during the recording, and get the discussion rolling
🔦 We will spotlight you to ask your question live on camera during our subscriber portion of the episode

Thanks – we hope to see you there!

Ep27: Vaccine Facts vs. Fears

Docology Podcast — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:30:34 GMT

Controversy continues to swirl around the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence in their favor. So we invited one of the world’s leading vaccine scientists to join us on today’s episode. Dr. Paul Offit not only heads the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, he not only specializes in infectious diseases and the vaccines that can prevent or cure them. He ALSO invented one of the most successful vaccines ever made – one that has saved millions of children around the world who used to die from rotavirus, which causes severe, and often fatal, diarrhea. And yet, in a recent book, RFK, Jr., the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, claims that Offit’s wonder drug has actually killed or sickened many more children in the U.S. and beyond than rotavirus would have. The claims are completely unsupported – the evidence he cites in the book actually proves the safety of the vaccine – but Kennedy persists in demonizing both Offit and his work.

Paul Offit, who is a former colleague and friend, joined me for a brutally frank conversation about vaccine skeptics and the danger they pose. Please check it out, and let us know what you think.

You can check out the full episode on YouTube or listen to it here on Substack or wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribers can join our live episode tapings and speak with me and my guests directly.

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Ep26: HHS Then and Now with Secretary Tommy Thompson

Docology Podcast — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:30:47 GMT

RFK, Jr. is the most controversial Secretary of Health and Human Services in history. So we decided to invite one of the most accomplished HHS secretaries – Tommy Thompson – to get his view of whether MAHA is actually going to make America healthy again, or push us back into the dark ages. I served under Secretary Thompson as a White House Fellow during the George W. Bush Administration, We worked closely during September 11th, the anthrax attacks on the Capitol just after that, the emergence of the deadly SARS virus, and the early days of Medicare modernization. Through all that, Secretary Thompson spearheaded numerous groundbreaking public health initiatives – many of which are under threat today.

Please check it out, and let us know what you think. Subscribers can join our live episode tapings and speak with me and my guests directly!

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Ep25: Struck By A Rare Disease

Docology Podcast — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 21:30:15 GMT

Our guest today is a young doctor who has almost died four times from a rare condition called Castleman’s Disease. Patients with these kind of unusual illnesses can find themselves in a horrible predicament, with treatments either non-existent or incredibly expensive. Dr. David Fajgenbaum is now an associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He has, understandably, devoted his career to studying so-called “orphan diseases,” and on today’s episode he shares his harrowing personal experiences as well as his provocative professional insights.

Please check it out above, and let us know what you think.

Subscribers can join our live episode tapings and speak with me and my guests directly!

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Up Next: Vaccine Facts vs. Fears

Docology Podcast — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:45:32 GMT

Vaccine Facts vs. Fears

Tomorrow, July 23, at 1:00 PM ET

Vaccines have saved millions, but some skeptics are still fanning the flames of doubt. Why do people still fear vaccines? Dr. Paul Offit, a leading virologist and immunologist, joins Dr. Zucker to break down the science, skepticism, and what comes next.

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Dr. Paul Offit, Director, Vaccine Education Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Internationally recognized immunologist and immunologist

How to Join the Live Recording

👉 Click the button above to access the landing page on our virtual event platform
➕ Add the “Vaccine Facts vs. Fears” episode to your watchlist and get notified when we go live
- You will need an account on letshang.live to join
- It is FREE to sign up!
⏰ At the time of the recording, click the “Join Event” button to be taken into the virtual recording room
👩‍💻 This is a virtual online podcast taping. You can join anywhere. Please join using the Google Chrome browser for an optimal viewing experience
🙋‍♀️ If you have questions about joining the live recordings, please email us at support@letshang.live

Subscriber Questions

🗣️ You will have access to talk to Dr. Zucker and our guests during the episode
🙋 Have your camera on and questions ready to ask the experts
💭 Share your thoughts and questions in the chat during the recording, and get the discussion rolling
🔦 We will spotlight you to ask your question live on camera during our subscriber portion of the episode

Thanks – we hope to see you there!

Ep24: Medicaid Pain Points

Docology Podcast — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 12:02:20 GMT

Millions of Americans are about to lose Medicaid coverage under the new budget just passed by Congress. To get to the bottom of who would be impacted, how soon, and what they can do about it, we turned to the man who ran Medicaid and Medicare under President George W. Bush. Thomas Scully and I worked together when I was at Health and Human Services during that time, and he is considered one of the leading experts on the subject. His analysis of the controversial bill surprised me – see if you’re surprised as well.

Check out the full episode above and let us know what you think!

You can check out my takeaways from the conversation below.

Remember: Docology subscribers can join our tapings and ask their own questions of me and my expert guests. Just head to docology.life to sign up for email reminders about our upcoming episodes!

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Up Next: Health and Human Services Then & Now

Docology Podcast — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 20:55:20 GMT

Health and Human Services Then & Now

Monday, July 14, at 1:00 PM ET

Few have had a seat at the table for more major health decisions than former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson. He joins us on Monday for a wide-ranging discussion about the current landscape of public health. You do not want to miss this.

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Tommy Thompson, Former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Former Governor of Wisconsin

How to Join the Live Recording

👉 Click the button above to access the landing page on our virtual event platform
➕ Add the “Health and Human Services Then & Now” episode to your watchlist and get notified when we go live
- You will need an account on letshang.live to join
- It is FREE to sign up!
⏰ At the time of the recording, click the “Join Event” button to be taken into the virtual recording room
👩‍💻 This is a virtual online podcast taping. You can join anywhere. Please join using the Google Chrome browser for an optimal viewing experience
🙋‍♀️ If you have questions about joining the live recordings, please email us at support@letshang.live

Subscriber Questions

🗣️ You will have access to talk to Dr. Zucker and our guests during the episode
🙋 Have your camera on and questions ready to ask the experts
💭 Share your thoughts and questions in the chat during the recording, and get the discussion rolling
🔦 We will spotlight you to ask your question live on camera during our subscriber portion of the episode

Thanks – we hope to see you there!

Ep23: Biosecurity Uncovered

Docology Podcast — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:45:27 GMT

What if the next war doesn’t come with bombs or bullets — but with a virus?

In this eye-opening episode of Docology, we’re joined by Rear Admiral Ken Bernard, one of the world’s foremost experts on pandemic preparedness and biosecurity. We break down the growing overlap between biological science, global politics, and security strategy.

This conversation isn’t about panic — it’s about preparedness. Because next time, we might not get a warning shot.

Take a look and let us know what you think. You can listen to the podcast here on Substack or anywhere you get your podcasts!

If you want to watch the full episode, you can watch it here on YouTube.

And remember: Docology subscribers can join our live recordings and ask your own questions directly to me and my expert guests.

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