HLTH Forward Podcast

I’ve always been fascinated by the mystery behind our choices — why we hit snooze instead of going for a walk, why we reach for comfort food even when we know better, and why some people seem to have the willpower to make healthier decisions with ease. This week on HLTH Forward, I had the absolute privilege of diving deep into those questions with Dr. Michael Platt, a renowned neuroscientist who’s reshaping how we understand decisi...

In this episode I had the opportunity to interview a fascinating behavioral scientist and former CEO of Four Day Week Global about the concept of reduced working hours- Dr. Dale Whelehan. He explained how his interest in this field began when observing surgeons suffering from impaired decision-making and emotional regulation due to excessive working hours. What struck me most was his insight that today's workforce has fundamen...

In this episode I am in conversation with Othman Laraki, co-founder and CEO of Color. Othman shared his fascinating journey from tech to healthcare, driven by personal cancer experiences in his family. He and his mother are carriers of the BRCA2 gene mutation, which predisposes them to certain cancers.

Color began as a cancer genetics company focused on making testing more affordable and accessible. Over time, they evolved into a fu...

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jason Carter — grandson of President Jimmy Carter and a force in global health and justice in his own right. As we talk, Jason reflects on the unique balance of carrying a legacy while forging his own path. He shares how his work — from the Georgia Senate to chairing the Carter Center — is rooted in impact, not just identity. He’s thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly open as he walks us thro...

I'm diving into a fascinating topic this episode: how global tariff increases affect our wallets and social connections. With global tariff rates up 57% since 2021, households are spending 7-11% more on consumer goods, leading to a 14% decrease in social spending for every 5% increase in essential goods pricing. The health implications are significant - reduced social interaction correlates with increased depression, chronic s...

In our candid conversation leveraging Fast Company's September 2024 feature, Dr. Oliver Kharraz reveals the harsh realities of healthcare technology innovation. "When we launched ZocDoc in 2007, I watched wave after wave of self-proclaimed 'disruptors' enter the healthcare arena like lions, only to retreat like lambs," he shares, pointing out that 90% of healthtech startups have gone bust. 

The stark truth i...

In this episode I am in conversation with Jeff Jacques, CMO of Personify Health, who reveals the harsh realities of our one-size-fits-all healthcare system. We'll explore alarming metrics showing how standardized approaches contribute to the $4.3 trillion annual US healthcare expenditure (nearly 20% of GDP), while 30% of medical spending—approximately $760-$935 billion—is wasted on unnecessary treatments and inefficiencies. Je...

In this episode, I am in conversation with with the President and Co-Founder  of Komodo Health to explore how their revolutionary healthcare journey mapping is transforming patient care in ways no other company has achieved.

What sets Komodo Health apart is their proprietary Healthcare Map™ – the industry's largest and most comprehensive patient-level database that tracks nearly 330 million Americans' interactions with the...

In a groundbreaking conversation, Wei Li, President of Omada Health, outlined a transformative vision for healthcare deeply rooted in a profound belief that health is a fundamental human right. Drawing inspiration from a World Health Organization quote that "help is the core of sustainable development," Li has dedicated his entire professional career to addressing the universal health challenges people face globally. His ...

Medtronic's technological strategy represents a sophisticated convergence of AI, data analytics, and medical innovation, positioned to fundamentally reshape healthcare delivery. Under Chief Technology Officer Ken Washington's leadership, the organization is pioneering a model of technological augmentation that prioritizes human expertise while leveraging advanced computational capabilities. The core strategic approach foc...

• 95% of rare diseases do not have approved treatments, highlighting the significant unmet need in the rare disease community.
• The unpredictable symptoms and long diagnostic process for conditions like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) can lead to debilitating long-term disabilities.
• There is an urgent need for increased education, resources, and support to address the global diagnostic challenge and financial burden o...

In this episode I sit down with a good friend and mentor Rob Fried, CEO of ChromaDex, who shares his remarkable transition from Hollywood executive producer to leader of a cutting-edge nutraceutical company. Fried's journey from producing films like Rudy and Godzilla to helming a science-focused organization dedicated to extending human healthspan showcases the power of reinvention and following one's passion.

Th...

In this episode I am in conversation with Matthew Holt, a prominent figure in health technology and policy;  an uncensored discussion on the current state of healthcare. Known for his frank and often controversial opinions, Holt is expected to delve into pressing issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence on medical practices, the ongoing challenges of healthcare affordability, and the slow pace of digital transformation ...

I had the privilege of sitting down with Interwell Health's CEO, Robert Sepucha to explore the future of kidney care in America. The statistics are sobering - chronic kidney disease impacts an estimated 37 million U.S. adults, with over 500,000 relying on dialysis. As I listened to Bobby's insights, it became clear that innovative care models aren't just desirable but crucial. Interwell Health is tackling this challe...

In this episode, I am in conversation with Viz.AI CEO, Dr. Chris Mansi, a pioneer in leveraging artificial intelligence for early disease detection. Our discourse unveiled the revolutionary strides Viz.ai has made in the medical field, particularly in neurovascular and cardiology domains. Dr. Mansi elucidated how their AI-powered platform has dramatically reduced time-to-treatment for stroke patients, citing their flagship product ...

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking fusion of virtual reality and mental health with Nanea Reeves, the innovative CEO and founder of TRIPP. With nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiencing mental illness each year, and global depression rates rising by 28% since 2020, the need for novel therapeutic approaches has never been more urgent. Nanea's journey into this space isn't merely a business venture; it'...

In this episode, I am in conversation with Seema Verma, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Oracle Health & Life Sciences.

Seema shared her insights into the company's innovative approaches to transforming healthcare. Verma highlighted Oracle Health's focus on leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics to streamline healthcare delivery and...

Global aging trends show a significant shift in demographics, with approximately 10% of the world's population aged 65 and over. This proportion is expected to double by 2050, reaching about 1.5 billion people. The old-age dependency ratio, currently at about 14 elderly per 100 working-age individuals globally, is projected to increase substantially in the coming decades. Additionally, the number of centenarians worldwide, est...

The United States faces significant maternal health challenges, with a higher maternal mortality rate than many developed countries, particularly affecting women of color and those in rural areas. Against this backdrop, Maven Clinic has emerged as a leading innovator in women's and family health. As the world's largest virtual clinic in this field, Maven leverages technology to provide comprehensive, personalized care, of...