The Health Exchange

Episode 33 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into the realities of parenting from the perspective of both a physician and a parent, with guest Dr. Lori Livingston, a pediatrician who blends medical expertise with personal experience. She and Dr. Rutland discuss common challenges parents face—including sleep deprivation, breastfeeding struggles, and managing children’s behavior—and why empathy is just as important as clinical adv...

Episode 32 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the world of physical therapy with Dr. Tony Dang, a PT and movement specialist who’s changing how people think about pain, healing, and mobility. He joins Dr. Rutland to break down what makes good physical therapy truly effective—beyond just stretching and strength work. They talk through common misconceptions, what recovery can and should feel like, and why building trust with pat...

Episode 31 of The Health Exchange Podcast addresses the intersection of medicine and humanitarian crisis through the eyes of physicians Dr. Ahlia Kattan and Dr. Sameer Khan. Drawing on their experience in Gaza treating civilians amidst war, they talk with Dr. Rutland about the physical and psychological toll of displacement, the ethics of care during conflict, and the long road to recovery after trauma. This powerful conversation s...

Episode 30 of The Health Exchange Podcast spotlights chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that affects millions but is still widely misunderstood. Guest Mr. Tom Gill, a long time COPD patient and advocate, joins Dr. Rutland to unpack what makes this disease so complex to manage and why early diagnosis often slips through the cracks. They talk through key lifestyle changes, how pulmonary rehab actually works, an...

Episode 29 of The Health Exchange Podcast tackles the myths and realities of digestive health with gastroenterologist Dr. Kumkum Patel. From irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to inflammatory bowel disease, celiac, and motility issues, Dr. Patel breaks down what’s actually going on when your gut isn’t working right—and why so many of these conditions get overlooked or misdiagnosed. She and Dr. Rutland explore how gut health connects to...

Episode 28 of The Health Exchange Podcast brings together returning guest Dr. Richard Paicius and Dr. Jen Armstrong—an expert in pain and regenerative medicine, and a Real Housewives of Orange County alum known for her work in aesthetic care—to explore how innovative treatments are reshaping how we think about aging. From joint pain to facial symmetry, Dr. Rutland leads a wide-ranging conversation on regenerative strategies, patien...

Episode 27 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the realities of launching and running a private medical practice with returning guest Dr. Jihan Ansari. Drawing from her experience founding Harbor Direct Primary Care, Dr. Ansari opens up about the fears, logistics, and personal sacrifices that come with leaving the corporate model behind. She and Dr. Rutland unpack the differences between U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems, di...

Episode 26 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into ADHD and teenage mental health with psychiatrist Dr. Sayeh Beheshti. The discussion explores early signs parents should watch for and how to navigate challenges like screen time and social pressure. It also covers how ADHD often gets missed—especially in girls—and why early understanding can change lives. Dr. Rutland and Dr. Beheshti unpack why diagnosis doesn’t always mean medic...

Episode 25 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into the fast-moving world of stroke care with returning guest Cris Medina, a family nurse practitioner. He and Dr. Rutland break down the urgency behind early intervention and explain how each decision—from symptom recognition to treatment—can impact a patient’s outcome. The conversation touches on the evolving role of technology in stroke detection and why public education around sy...

Episode 24 of The Health Exchange Podcast pulls back the curtain on often overlooked blood disorders—with guest Dr. Joomee Shim. From iron deficiency anemia to sickle cell disease, Dr. Shim explains how tiny changes in our blood can have major health consequences. She and Dr. Rutland also explore diagnostic blind spots, racial disparities in funding and treatment, and what everyday lab tests can reveal when read correctly. This epi...

Episode 23 of The Health Exchange Podcast offers a personal, unfiltered look into what it’s really like to be married to a doctor. Guest host Dorey Rutland joins her husband, Dr. Jamie Rutland, for a candid conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Johnson-Nguyen about partnership, parenting, grief, and emotional labor. From navigating long hours and shifting roles to building a life and a business together, they reflect o...

Episode 22 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the complex and deeply personal topic of depression and anxiety with guest Dr. Jihan Ansari, a family medicine physician who integrates mental health into everyday care. Dr. Rutland speaks with her about how these conditions show up differently in each patient and why early intervention can be so difficult to achieve. The conversation moves beyond surface-level symptoms to examine ...

Episode 21 of The Health Exchange Podcast takes on pediatric asthma with two leading voices in children’s lung health: Dr. Sande Okelo and Dr. Lori Livingston. Dr. Rutland and his guests dig into the science behind asthma in kids—how it develops, why it’s often misdiagnosed or under-treated, and what both doctors and parents can do to better manage it. They discuss the role of pollution, health disparities, and parent education, wh...

Episode 20 of The Health Exchange Podcast tackles vaccine hesitancy and public trust with Dr. Anissa Davis, City Health Officer for Long Beach. Dr. Rutland and guest co-host Cris Medina explore how public health leaders can build confidence in vaccines by addressing community concerns with transparency, science, and real-world solutions. Dr. Davis shares her boots-on-the-ground strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, including doo...

Episode 19 of The Health Exchange Podcast examines the complexity of chronic pain and how it’s being approached differently in today’s medical landscape. Dr. Richard Paicius joins Dr. Rutland to reflect on the evolution of pain care, from outdated strategies to more personalized solutions that prioritize long-term outcomes. They also discuss breakthroughs in ketamine therapy for depression and the role of clinical research in movin...

Episode 18 of The Health Exchange Podcast confronts health inequities head-on with guest Amanda “Mandy” Ralston, founder and CEO of NonBinary Solutions. Dr. Rutland and Amanda explore how outdated systems, implicit bias, and social determinants of health prevent many Americans—particularly autistic, LGBTQ+, and minority patients—from receiving equitable care. The conversation spans everything from misdiagnoses in marginalized commu...

Episode 17 of The Health Exchange Podcast shares the powerful story of Russell Redwood, a former athlete diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure in his early 20s. Joined by Dr. Danielle Belardo, Dr. Rutland explores the symptoms Russell experienced, the obstacles he faced getting properly diagnosed, and how he eventually landed in cardiogenic shock. They discuss the lifesaving role of left ventricular assist devices...

Episode 16 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives deep into the world of women’s sexual health with guest Dr. Kendra Segura, a practicing OB-GYN and the voice behind “Ask Dr. Kendra.” From sexual dysfunction and the mind-body connection to patient shame and communication barriers, Dr. Segura explains why open conversations about pleasure and anatomy are essential to healthcare. She and Dr. Rutland unpack the impact of hormones, birth...

Episode 15 of The Health Exchange Podcast breaks down the widespread but often misunderstood condition of sleep apnea with guest co-host Dr. Danielle Belardo, a preventive cardiologist. Together, she and Dr. Rutland explore how untreated sleep apnea is tied to heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. The episode covers the science behind sleep apnea, treatment options like CPAP, and lifestyle changes you could consider. The ...