In this episode, Rusha interviews Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Natalia is a burst of energy, both professional, personal and physical. She is a historian of contemporary American politics and culture, an activist, as well as one of the most sought after fitness trainers in the country. She explains that the underlying ideology behind wellness is broadly appealing but can be claimed by conservatives and liberals alike, which makes it easy to sell. Listen as Natalia talks about how wellness is more than just the absence of illness, it encompasses a holistic approach to physical, emotional, and mental health. 

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 04:09] – Opening segment

Rush introduces Natalia Mehlman Petrzela!

She believes that wellness is more than just the absence of illness

She speaks of a holistic connection between physical, emotional, and mental health

[04:10 – 13:44] – Seeking Out Social Interaction and Human Connection with Exercise

Natalia discusses how wellness has become commercialized

Expensive products and services are becoming commonplace

Commercialization has led to wellness becoming inaccessible for many people 

Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam

Exercise is growing in popularity again

People seek out social interaction and human connection over digital alternatives

[13:45 – 34:44] – The Obsession in Modern Culture

Natalia explains that it’s more important to be deliberate about thinking about what’s going to get people out the door

The body has become a topic of obsession in modern culture

You can have control over

Morally good or bad

Fitness culture has become a way to discipline the body

[34:45 – 50:54] – The Politicizing of the Public-School Sector

Natalia argues that we have created a level of tribalism around issues such as vaccines, boosters, and quarantine that has become the central debate of the last two years

She explains how equity and social justice are not being upheld when strict regulations are put in place

She feels that public schools are essential and should be one of the first things to prioritize when it comes to keeping children healthy

[50:55 – 58:21] – Closing Segment

Natalia discusses the challenges that America is facing with regards to wellness, and how structural changes are necessary in order to move forward

She points out that wellness should be a community-based effort, and that access to healthy food, recreation, and healthcare should be available to all

Connect with Natalia at her website, get her book: Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession, Welcome To Your Fantasy Podcast, and Past Present Podcast!

CRAVING MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok.

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Tweetable Quotes:

Natalia Mehlman Petrzela – “I think people are realizing that, home fitness is great, it’s convenient, there are so many great things about it. I don’t think it’s going away; it is almost impossible to replicate what you get from being with other humans in space and moving together.”

Natalia Mehlman Petrzela – “People are finding community through fitness, and it’s not this purely individualistic project of self-improvement or physical improvement.”

Rusha Modi – “Access, opportunity, and inclusion. Those are the ways to move forward.”

In this episode, Rusha interviews Pete Bombaci, Pete is the head of a non-profit from Canada that seeks to connect people to people. His organization has been a major voice in the battle against isolation, alienation, tribalization, animosity, and the numerous other ways we all “bowl alone.” Listen as Pete talks about the social implications of mistrust and distrust of each other, and how kindness, connection, and community can rehabilitate the social fabric. 

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 03:27] – Opening segment

Rush introduces Pete Bombaci

Pete emphasizes the importance of human connection, which was highlighted in an op-ed in the New York Times

He discusses how dogs can be a way to reconnect with your neighbors

Humans have been increasingly disconnected from each other due to changes in technology and society

To reverse this trend, people need to be educated on the importance of human connection

[03:28 – 08:52] – Technology Makes It Harder To Have Authentic Conversations

Pete discusses the importance of relationships, and how technology is changing how we connect

He discusses how technology is making it harder for people to have authentic conversations

Conversation is the key to resolving political differences

[08:53 – 36:00] – The Importance of Human Connection In The Workplace

Pete discusses the American political divide

Human connection movement is aimed at encouraging this type of communication

Corporations play a role in creating social connections in the workplace

It can benefit both employees and customers

He advises businesses to advocate for policies that support human connection

[36:01 – 56:14] – Success Depends On The Strength Of The Relationships Between Employees

Pete emphasizes the need for corporations to shift their focus from consumers to the employee

In order to create a more productive and positive work environment

Success of an organization depends on the strength of its relationships between employees

Keeping happy employees is a key part of creating a successful organization

Mental health and physical health are important aspects of social health

[56:14 – 01:07:58] – Closing Segment

Pete discusses how social health is key to success in the modern era

How can people connect with general learning about its organization and get involved

How to connect with Pete Bombaci at Genwell Project

CRAVING MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok.

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Tweetable Quotes:

In this episode, Rusha interviews Pete Bombaci, Pete is the head of a non-profit from Canada that seeks to connect people to people. His organization has been a major voice in the battle against isolation, alienation, tribalization, animosity, and the numerous other ways we all “bowl alone.” Listen as Pete talks about the social implications of mistrust and distrust of each other, and how kindness, connection, and community can rehabilitate the social fabric. 

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 03:27] – Opening segment

Rush introduces Pete Bombaci

Pete emphasizes the importance of human connection, which was highlighted in an op-ed in the New York Times

He discusses how dogs can be a way to reconnect with your neighbors

Humans have been increasingly disconnected from each other due to changes in technology and society

To reverse this trend, people need to be educated on the importance of human connection

[03:28 – 08:52] – Technology Makes It Harder To Have Authentic Conversations

Pete discusses the importance of relationships, and how technology is changing how we connect

He discusses how technology is making it harder for people to have authentic conversations

Conversation is the key to resolving political differences

[08:53 – 36:00] – The Importance of Human Connection In The Workplace

Pete discusses the American political divide

Human connection movement is aimed at encouraging this type of communication

Corporations play a role in creating social connections in the workplace

It can benefit both employees and customers

He advises businesses to advocate for policies that support human connection

[36:01 – 56:14] – Success Depends On The Strength Of The Relationships Between Employees

Pete emphasizes the need for corporations to shift their focus from consumers to the employee

In order to create a more productive and positive work environment

Success of an organization depends on the strength of its relationships between employees

Keeping happy employees is a key part of creating a successful organization

Mental health and physical health are important aspects of social health

[56:14 – 01:07:58] – Closing Segment

Pete discusses how social health is key to success in the modern era

How can people connect with general learning about its organization and get involved

How to connect with Pete Bombaci at Genwell Project

CRAVING MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok.

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Tweetable Quotes:

Pete Bombaci – “I never even recognized the power of schools to bring people together until the pandemic forced them all to come home. That socialization that happens at school, and we know that leads to brain development, we know that leads to brain development, we know that that’s educational success, cultural success.”

Pete Bombaci – “Spending time with other people because it gets us out of here, when we’re not very kind to ourselves, helps us find solutions, and it helps us build resilience.”

Rusha Modi – “It seems to be that the less contact that we have, the harder it is to not only converse, but have an ability to empathize with people and I think technology is making that problem even worse.”

In this episode, Rusha interviews Jeff Garner, Jeff is a self-described Southern Gentleman, is one of the hottest fashion designers in the world. He’s dressed some of the biggest celebrities of today including Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Gisele and Kings of Leon. He believes that it will be difficult for policy makers to regulate an industry that is predominantly commercial and based on profit. He argues that there is value in sustainable fashion, in creating clothes that are made from natural materials that will last. He says that this is something that could be achieved if consumers demanded it, and elites in the industry followed suit.

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 03:35] – Opening segment

Rusha introduces Jeff Garner

Jeff discusses how man and nature are in a constant dance, and how this has led to many problems in society

Jeff believes that slower fashion is the way-to-go, and that consumers need to be educated about what true price should be for clothing

[03:36 – 20:14] – Changing The Mindset To Promote Sustainable Fashion

Jeff discusses how fast fashion and other trends are due to addiction and how to break that cycle

He discusses how gas prices relate to Ukraine and how consumers may be willing to pay more for higher quality clothing if it is recycled water or plant-based dyes

He discusses how humanity needs to get out of the mindset of wanting to buy as much as possible and instead focus on buying less expensive items that last longer

[20:15 – 31:35] – The Disconnect Between Ethical Fashion and Traditional Fashion

Jeff says that consumers want sustainable fashion, but are hesitant to change their entire wardrobe

Luxury items are often based on animal products, and it will take a celebrity to shift public perception

It will take a gradual process for people to change their habits and adopt more sustainable practices

Jeff says that there is a disconnect between ethical fashion and traditional fashion, with traditional fashion relying on unethical practices such as using animal leather and drying fabrics with heavy metals

Jeff is working to change this by showcasing sustainable clothing at events such as the Sustainable C Tour, which brings together designers from around the world to show their work

[31:35 – 50:26] – Environmental and Health Implications of Clothing Consumption

Jeff believes that if we can work together to get something out there, but everyone has a different platform

Jeff shares those designers are creating products that will fall apart sooner, leading to a “design addiction” and an increase in fast fashion

Consumers are discarding clothing quicker, leading to a decrease in quality and an increase in prices

He believes that the current focus on wellness will help to translate these concepts to the next level, as people become more aware of the environmental and health implications of clothing consumption

[50:27 – 01:01:20] – Closing Segment

        Jeff shares that fashion designers need to be more conscious about the materials they are using, and consumers need to demand more sustainable fashion

Jeff encourages listeners if they are looking for guidance on how to move forward in their careers or their lives

        How to connect with Jeff Garner at http://www.prophetik.com/ 

CRAVING MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok.

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Tweetable Quotes:

Jeff Garner – “Your intimates, your bed, sheeting, things that you spend the most time in your towels, your detergents, you make sure those are in alignment with a sustainable ethos.”

Jeff Garner – “I think if people approached it more scientifically, but the problem is people buy clothes based on first: design, second: price point, third: whether it’s a good cause or what it’s made of and that’s what we’re dealing with.”

Rusha Modi – “There has to be a wholesale shift in what consumers are willing to pay for and cultural taste regarding fashion needs to change.”

In this episode, Rusha interviews Merrick Rosenberg, who discusses the new media landscape and how we all interact wit each other. Merrick discusses the four styles of communication, which are the: Eagle, Dove, Owl, and Parrot. He explains that these styles play out in all aspects of our lives, including our relationships, work, and presidential elections. Merrick goes on to say that this framework is intuitive and similar to the Apgar score used to assess a child’s health. He discusses further the importance of having a good team and how they can help you achieve your goals.

In this episode, Rush interviews Eric Loucks PhD, Eric discusses how mindfulness can be beneficial for students in their academic and personal lives. He also discusses the difference between mindfulness and self-awareness. He shares how mindfulness can be helpful in managing these stresses and he discusses examples from his own experience teaching mindfulness to students. He shares his take on the popularity of mindfulness in the corporate world, noting that while it is good that mindfulness is being incorporated into workplaces, it would be better if more people were taught how to deliver it effectively.     

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 03:35] – Opening segment

        Rusha introduces Eric Loucks

        Eric has a deep interest in mindfulness and its potential benefits for individuals and populations

                  Mindfulness is about being present in the moment

      Paying Attention to your physical, emotional, and mental experiences and not judging yourself

Eric believes that mindfulness can be easily learned and applied in one’s life, even without social support 

[03:36 – 20:14] –  

        Eric discusses how interconnectedness is key to living a full and meaningful life, and how mindfulness can help us to be more aware of our thoughts and emotions

There is a loneliness epidemic among American teens, and it is due in part to factors like increased student debt, high housing costs, and job instability

      Mental health challenges among young adults are on the rise, and mindfulness training has been shown to be helpful in mitigating these challenges

Young adults are increasingly stressed due to body image issues, loneliness, and social isolation

      Mindfulness can help individuals manage these stresses

There is a new age stage called, “Emerging adulthood” which provides more opportunity for self-reflection and self-actualization

Mindfulness can also be helpful managing career choices and other aspects of life

[20:15 – 25:24] –  

        Eric discusses that young adults today have a higher requirement for self-awareness than in prior generations

Increased need is due to the complexity of life, which includes a greater number of opportunities and challenges

      Mindfulness can help young adults develop greater self-awareness and control over their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations

He found that the combo of the self-awareness and the attention control, comes through their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations

He discusses how career shifting is a wise choice in order to be successful

            To create different platforms and to create opportunities

[25:25 – 34:24] –  

        Eric discusses how young adults today have a higher requirement for self-awareness than in prior generations

This increased need is due to the complexity of life, which includes a greater number of opportunities and challenges

      He discusses how mindfulness can help young adults develop greater self-awareness and control over their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations

This increased demand for self-awareness has led to an increase in anxiety and depressions in college students

[34:25 – 41:23]

Eric discusses the book called, “Unwinding Anxiety”

He introduces, Dr. Jud Brewer

            He teaches mindfulness through digital platforms and has created a digital community of mindfulness practitioners

There is evidence that apps like Headspace can be beneficial, but we need more credentialed and validated resources to help everyone access mindfulness training

[41:24 – 46:31] – Closing Segment

        Eric suggests his listeners to find information about mindfulness and learn how to practice mindfulness online

        How to connect with Eric Loucks PhD at http://ericloucksphd.com/

CRAVING MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok.

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Tweetable Quotes:

Eric Loucks PhD – “Mindfulness helps us know what our thoughts are doing and what our emotions are. And there are thoughts and emotions and physical sensations are the only information we have to tell us what reality is, and then to act on it skillfully.”

Eric Loucks PhD – “I always encourage having a skilled teacher available to you, whether it’s a healthcare provider, like a psychologist, maybe for example, who has mindfulness training can be a benefit, but also to really trust our wisdom more than the words of any teacher. Our thoughts and our emotions are going to tell us the most about what we need and to really listen and trust that no matter what, someone in a position of authority, including myself is saying, to really trust our own wisdom. And that’s probably going to tell us what’s going to be the best fit to help us learn what we’re wanting to learn.”

Rusha Modi – “I think that in response to an increasingly more complex and chaotic world, is a desire to connect with practices that can give people an opportunity to respond more effectively for it.”

In this episode, Rusha interviews Merrick Rosenberg, who discusses the new media landscape and how we all interact wit each other. Merrick discusses the four styles of communication, which are the: Eagle, Dove, Owl, and Parrot. He explains that these styles play out in all aspects of our lives, including our relationships, work, and presidential elections. Merrick goes on to say that this framework is intuitive and similar to the Apgar score used to assess a child’s health. He discusses further the importance of having a good team and how they can help you achieve your goals.

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 03:35] – Opening segment

        Rusha introduces Merrick Rosenberg

        Merrick describes the four types of communication styles: Eagle, Dove, Owl, and Parrot

[03:36 – 07:41] – Identify A Person Style by their Body Language

        Merrick discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each communication style

The Eagle is a strategic thinker and confident

The Dove want people to be happy and get along

The Owl are analytical and detail-oriented while being relatively quiet

The Parrot like to be around others and are very vocal

         People can identify a person’s style by their body language and tone of voice

Different styles of communication can be difficult for people who are used to face-to-face interactions

People need to understand how these styles work and adapt their approach accordingly

[07:42 – 18:02] – The Correlation of Powerful Personalities

        The gender element of the distribution across industries for personality types

        Men are likely Eagles and Women are likely Owls

Men are perceived as Assertive

Women are perceived as Aggressive

         The progress towards gender equality

         Merrick describes the correlation between powerful personalities

                     Mark Zuckerberg

                     Warren Buffet

                     Bill Gates

[18:03 – 27:29] – How Different Personalities Shape the Political Space

        Merrick discusses how the personality of a presidential candidate

Eagles and Parrots have big personalities winning more often than Owls

         He discusses how personality has always been a factor in presidential elections

                     Social Media and Internet are more prominent

         Merrick tells how some people in the political space need to be more like Parrots or Eagles

                     In order to fit into a certain mold that leads to successful leaders

                     Owls and Doves have strengths which can be valuable in leadership roles

[27:29 – 31:38] – Personality Biases are Evident in Elections

        Merrick stresses that the leadership ability is different in owls and eagles

Owls are more policy experts while Eagles are more salespeople

         The difference is seen in different countries around the world

                     How US culture values the Eagle and the Parrot style of leadership

         Personality biases plays out in elections

         He emphasizes in political involvement and policy change

[31:39 – 38:46] – How Different Environments Affect The Children’s Values and Personality

        Merrick discusses how different children are raised in different environments and how this impacts their values and personality

        The dysfunction in the US political system due to angry personalities

Joe Biden has been successful in communicating his values through his actions

         Each style has its own strengths and weaknesses

[38:47 – 38:46] – The Chameleon’s Adaptability in Government

A leader must be able to display all four styles in order to be successful

         Merrick identifies this type as the Chameleon

Merrick describes the Chameleon as being able to display all four personality types

         He can flex all four styles at the exact right time

         Bill Clinton is an example of a Chameleon

Merrick discusses how Bill Clinton is a master in public speaking

[38:46 – 44:30] – Closing Segment

        Merrick discusses the importance of being an effective leader

        How to connect with Merrick Rosenberg at https://merrickrosenberg.com/

CRAVING MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok.

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Tweetable Quotes:

Merrick Rosenberg – “When you look at the data, there are just as many men who are Eagles as women who are Eagles. They’re just as many men who are Owls as women who are Owls, but we don’t necessarily think that. The challenge is that for a woman who was an Eagle displaying the exact same behaviors as a man who is an Eagle, they’re perceived differently, they’re perceived as aggressive, whereas, a man may just be perceived as.”

Merrick Rosenberg – “The Chameleon can display all four of them, not just the task oriented skills of being direct and making good quality decisions or the people who are in it skills of, we care about our people that’s created engaging environment where people are happy. The most successful leaders can do both of those because they can flex to all four styles at the exact right time at the right time and at the exact right moment.”

Rusha Modi – “I think that leadership is hard to describe almost elusive trait that people have, and it seems like everyone is trying to sort of pin it down. But I don’t know, aside from a couple of people such as yourself, that someone really understands that it seems to be that leadership is really about how you relate to people.”

In this episode, Rusha interviews Dr. Shenelle N. Wilson, M.D. She is a fellowship-trained urologist/urogynecologist and pelvic surgeon who specializes in urinary and sexual health issues in women and men. She also specializes in urologic care for patients with neurogenic bladder. Dr. Wilson sat down to discuss how physician diversity can improve patient care and reduce health disparities. They discuss how having a diverse physician workforce can lead to better patient care across all demographics, the importance of non-scientific knowledge in medical education, and the challenges that black and Latin physicians face in the healthcare field. This conversation is important because it touches on the topic of social determinants of health and how they play into the workforce and quality of care.

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 03:24] – Opening segment

• Rusha introduces Dr. Shenelle N. Wilson
• Shenelle talks about the importance of diversity
• The disparities between black and brown patients’ 

[03:25 – 12:49] – Minimizing disparities for a diverse physician workforce

• Shenelle stresses about the importance of having a diverse physician workforce
• The disparity for treatment for an overactive bladder for black and latin person
• Health issues affect gainful employment
• Find out what’s your patient’s social situation

[12:50 – 18:46] – The importance to have more of the minority in the workforce

• Shenelle shares a story about being the only black doctor
• Increasing minority physicians breeds trust towards the communities
• Having conversations with your patients increases trust
• Shenelle discusses how we navigate the healthcare system as a minority

[18:47 – 27:13] – The need to speak up and overcome invalidation

• Shenelle tells us the importance of speaking our mind
• Dealing with invalidation when you’ve perceived to reach the top
• She shares how it was such a toxic system while she was training in her academic medicine
• Shenelle shares her long-term goal and start a urology residency school

[27:14 – 31:02] – Closing Segment

• Shenelle and Rusha discusses the unbridled enthusiasm of healthcare workers
• Shenelle explains the need of additional passion so that we can have a well-rounded life
• Find Dr. Shenelle at her website and urologyunbound.org

CRAVING MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok. 

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! 

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Tweetable Quotes:

Dr. Shenelle N. Wilson, M.D – “It’s so important to have more minority physicians, because having us there, it will breed the extra trust when they know that, this is someone who comes from my community, who has that same generational knowledge, who also was affected by the way healthcare has been towards our communities,

Dr. Shenelle N. Wilson, M.D – “I think that all of us need to find that additional passion so that we can have a more well-rounded life because medicine and healthcare just becomes everything and we just go to sleep and we’d do it again.”

Rusha Modi – “The diversity in the workforce and clinicians that com

In this episode, Rusha interviews Dr. Gregory L. Taylor, II, MBA, MD. Gregory Taylor is the Founding Medical Director of Keck Signature Care of USC Concierge Medicine. He discusses that with the pandemic going on for around two years now, and the study of medicine has been making progress in terms of understanding the virus and developing vaccines. He shares that although the pandemic is causing a lot of deaths around the world, it’s also allowing us to look deep inside ourselves and reflect on our relationship with others. He reflects on how things are going in the pandemic and how it caused many people to distrust one another. He also points out that there are fundamental differences between how people in developed countries are handling COVID compared to those in developing countries, where there is still an understanding of traditional medicines and ways to deal with problems.

Key Highlights:

[00:45 – 04:55] – Opening segment

• Rusha introduces Dr. Gregory Taylor
• Gregory shares his story
• Our mutual beneficial relationship with microorganisms with dealing with the pandemic
• The concern you have for your neighbor who has the disease
• Making progress with vaccines on a scientific level

[04:56 – 14:40] – How capitalism plays a big part in navigating the pandemic

• Gregory stated the fundamental issues that we are not tackling that has brought us as a nation
• What capitalism means to an average person and how much you can extract from a broken person
• Staying positive to be able to negotiate and navigate the pandemic

[14:41 – 19:47] – A way to make sustainable long-term change

• Gregory talks about seeing people’s true personalities in times of crisis
• The state of the global environment in times of crisis
• Behavioral change is key to the health in general
• Achieving sustainable long-term change

[19:48 – 26:37] – Changing the healthcare system to make it better for the average person

• The youth being the hope for our future
• Streamlining the healthcare system
• The disconnect between the service, the payer, and the person who benefited from the service
• Changing the healthcare system and how to make it better for the average person

[26:38 – 34:22] – Getting over financial restraints by being a physician entrepreneur 

• Advocating for physician entrepreneurs
• The cause of burn out as a physician
• Getting over financial restraints

[34:23 – 43:18] – The fundamental difference between a small unit versus a well-seasoned legacy

• Gregory discusses the lack of control of the environment by physicians
• The business model that drives healthcare
• How big companies envision a different world
• Healthcare is ever evolving

[43:19- 47:43] – Social Economics of healthcare

• Gregory and Rusha discusses if change can occur
• How the government is the primary player in terms of healthcare
• The disconnect between people who have control of their lives
• The results in an outcome based healthcare system

[47:44 – 52:15] – Closing Segment

• Communicating in a visceral sense
• Reforming the healthcare system

CRAVING MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok. 

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! 

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Tweetable Quotes:

Dr. Gregory L. Taylor, II, MBA, MD – “We need physicians to go into leadership positions either in the corporate world or in politics and being entrepreneurs. That’s what I’m really advocating for physician entrepreneurs.”

Dr. Gregory L. Taylor, II, MBA, MD – “Behavioral change is key to the health in general. A lot of this lies in the hands of the future leaders, these young folks and giving them opportunities to understand that without their participation, things won’t get any better. “

Rusha Modi – “Unless you communicate in a core visceral sense, what the value proposition is for whatever you’re creating in a way that’s intuitive. It’s not going to fly whatever you’re trying to create, people have to get it.”

A lot of politicians talk about homelessness but few people have actual business experience in how to develop and invest in residential and commercial properties themselves. The housing crisis will not be solved by neat and clean white papers on the topic but by meeting the nitty-gritty realities of how to finance more construction of housing. Vikram Raya understands this dilemma. He is a board-certified cardiologist but also one of the topic real estate investors in the country. He has started numerous businesses, most relevantly Viking Capital, and a powerhouse real-estate investment firm that has hundreds of millions of dollars of assets under management. I wanted to talk to him because he embodies the duality of the humanistic ethos of medicine with the business savvy of real estate. You’ll find why he thinks the market is enough, what he would say to President Biden and other politicians who want to solve this problem, and his hot take on Millennial consumer habits and how that will affect the housing industry. Let’s dive in!

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 08:34 ] Opening Segment

Homeownership is no longer the “American dream” for many people

Why young generations are choosing to rent

The cost of housing has become too high for many middle-class professionals

[08:35 – 20:06] Sun Belt Cities Are Becoming the New Hotspots for Real Estate

The housing market is becoming more competitive with interest rates scheduled to go up in the near future

Dr. Vikram’s insights about college tuition

Why people don’t want any responsibility of home ownership, but they want the benefits of homeownership

[20:07 – 33:33] Hypocrisy on Housing Issues

Administrations that worked on creating opportunity zones

How left and right-leaning people are found in real estate and how they draw the line on where they will buy and vote

Tenant-friendly states are easier to work with and government programs can help support tenants in difficult situations

[33:33 – 44:11] Disruptive Innovation Could Solve Homelessness Crisis

The multiple types of innovations, and how they are democratizing or consolidating

What needs to be done to really solve the root cause of homelessness

How housing and education are about to get disrupted

[44:12 – 50:59] Closing Segment

Why a data-driven mindset can revolutionize public governance

Want to connect with Vikram Raya? Follow him on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Head to Vikram Raya, and become a master of your own mind!

Key Quotes:

Vikram Raya – “Helping as many people as you can get to where you already got to is what will really spur a whole change in our world and our economy and our people and our culture.”

Vikram Raya – “Getting to the root cause of the problem is the solution.”

Vikram Raya – “Keep emotions super low, keep logic pretty high.”

CRAVING FOR MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok. 

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! 

Share it with your friends, family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

What happens when you face a once in a hundred year pandemic at one of the major academic medical centers in the second largest urban metropolis in the country? Felipe Osorno knows. He is the executive administrator for Continuum of Care Operations and Value Improvement at Keck Medicine of USC. This episode is a masterclass on how to be a transformational leader during a time of crisis. You’ll get inside the war-room POV as critical decisions about space, staff, stuff ,and systems as the pandemic moved westward to lay siege to Los Angeles in the spring of 2020. He explains how rapid decision-making, teamwork, and more than a little personal heroism allowed the hospital to survive. He talks about the challenges of vaccine distribution, speaking truth to power, and helping to protect healthcare workers who are sacrificing themselves to serve patients. Get a play by play behind the headlines look at the operations of how a major medical system had to course correct in the middle of COVID-19, and what the future holds for major healthcare systems.

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 07:55] Opening Segment

Public health experts are concerned about the state of healthcare in the United States

The impact of the US government shutdown on people’s lives and how it created fear and uncertainty

The lack of collaboration and communication within the health care system

[07:20 – 19:01] Overcoming Challenges In The Early Days of The Pandemic

Why healthcare professionals need to be agile to respond to changes in the virus

Social determinants of health that need to be addressed to improve healthcare outcomes for patients

How the decision-making process worked during the early days of the pandemic

[19:02 – 27:28] How to Address Mental Health Crisis

Felipe’s journey in implementing a new project management protocol and remote working policy

The way Keck shifted from a linear big-box structure to a more collaborative circle structure

How the team was able to adjust accordingly during the peak of the outbreak

[27:29 – 37:03] In Crisis, Teamwork Drives Vaccine Roll Out

Why Covid-19 helps speed up decision making in healthcare and focus on patient safety rather than politics

How tensions arose during the vaccine rollout in December 2020,

It’s hard to change systems and solve problems when everyone is not solving the same problem

[37:04 – 47:10] Tackling Equity in Vaccination Decision-Making

Keck’s vaccine strategy

Hospitals need to have values-based leadership and make decisions that are in the best interest of their patients

The importance of being transparent and having good communication with the community partners

[47:11 – 59:35] There Are Structural Issues Within Our Health Care System

How hospitals have been compliant with state mandates to provide health care

How testing has been effective in preventing outbreaks, and how the hospital is preparing for future changes

The potential for a disruptive event affecting health care, such as a virus or climate change

[59:35 – 01:15:02] Hospitals Struggle to Keep Up with Rapid Changes in Health Care

Why it is vital to come to the table with clear intent, values, and fewer egos to solve a problem

Felipe’s outlook on if healthcare is a public right or a commodity

Covid-19 shows that getting sick is not the same for everyone: the equity issue

[1:08:57 – 1:15:02] Closing Segment

The other big pandemic is going to be mental health

Want to connect with Felipe? Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

Key Quotes:

Felipe Osorno – “I don’t think it’s a choice because the problems are going to be there. I’d rather be part of the solution.”

Felipe Osorno – “Whatever the challenge is, we need to come to the table with clear intent, clear values, and less egos.”

CRAVING FOR MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok. 

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! 

Share it with your friends, family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Simon Chadwick grew up in apartheid South Africa and saw the horrors of how totalitarian regimens gain power and oppress their people. His father, Bishop Graham Chadwick, was a prominent anti-apartheid activist who was exiled from the regime. Seeing clear parallels between those early experiences to what is happening in the United States, he wrote the For the People: A Citizens’ Manifesto to Shaping our Nation’s Future. He holds a Masters’s Degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University. We talk about Trump, political dialogue, and the state of American democracy. Is good governance still possible? What are the challenges facing civil society? What comes next? While this interview was conducted before the Russian incursion into Ukraine, there are some relevant takeaways.

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 11:11 ] Opening Segment

Simon’s outlook on the American democracy

An overview of the Trump phenomenon

The lack of trust and skepticism on a public scale

[11:12 – 22: 17] The Citizen’s Manifesto

The reasons why people voted for Trump and why they justies their vote

Why certain problems gain existential traction with the left versus the right

People believe there’s no need to compromise in politics

[22:18 – 32:31] Younger Generations Have The Ability To Change Direction

How to respond to the extreme amount of anxiety and fear towards the future

Simon’s top three policy proposals that could get America back on the right track

We’ve lost the idea of fellow citizens and society

[32:32 – 43:39] The Solution To The Political And Human Condition

The individual focus vs the societal focus

Why the government’s role is to do anything more than just ensure security

Simon’s insights about the issue of homelessness

[43:39 – 52:23] Closing Segment

How people get money out of politics

Want to connect with Simon? Head to www.simonchadwick.us, a citizen’s manifesto to shaping our nation’s future!

CRAVING FOR MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok. 

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! 

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree. 

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Resources Mentioned:

The Dictator’s Handbook – Bruce Bueno de Mesquita & Alastair Smith

Blue States, You’re The Problem

Key Quotes:

Simon Chadwick – “If our economy isn’t collapsing, which it isn’t, the social fabric to use your words of society is severely endangered.” 

Simon Chadwick – “We paint the other side as the enemy. We’ve lost sight that actually they’re just as American as we are, they know the same rights as we do.” 

Simon Chadwick –  “The most successful changes in society have always come from younger generations deciding that they’re going to do something about it.” 

I truly thought that at the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 would help bring us as a nation together. I was quickly disabused of that notion. More surprisingly were the attacks on the credibility of physicians and scientists themselves. Dr. Purvi Parikh knows these issues well and has been a frequent television commentator and bringer of sanity amidst the craziness of the last two years. She’s Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Allergy and Immunology at NYU Langone. She talks about the scientific method itself and the future of the medical establishment in a “post-pandemic world.” the audio cuts out a bit in the beginning. hopefully, you can help clean it up a bit.

Purvi Parikh, MD, is an allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network, the leading nonprofit patient education organization for people with allergies, asthma, and related conditions. Dr. Parikh practices in New York City at Allergy and Asthma Associates of Murray Hill and New York University School of Medicine. She sits on the Board of Directors for the advocacy council of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine Board Certified by both the American Board of Allergy & Immunology – General, 2013 and American Board of Internal Medicine – Internal Medicine, 2011. 

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 09:28] Opening Segment

An overview of the current state of the pandemic

What was once considered the end game for the pandemic may not be the case in future years

People are advocating for different ways to be more careful during flu season

[09:29 – 18:18] The Vaccine Recommendations

The reason why people need to be realistic about the normalization of 2019

The medical establishment has not done an effective job in communicating new recommendations

Vaccine hesitancy is due to myths propagated by the media

[18:19 – 27:04] The Lack of Coherent COVID-19 Strategies

Antibody tests are not the only measure of immunity

Dr. Purvi’s outlook on the lack of a coherent COVID-19 strategy and confusion about how decisions about the virus have been made

There’s a miscommunication between the administration and the medical community

[27:05 – 38:37] How The Government Has Responded To Different Crises

Why there is a lot of frustration with the government and politicians for their involvement in health care

People are concerned about other health crises that have been going on while COVID has been dominating the news

How the COVID pandemic has revealed different aspects of America

We need to be more understanding of both sides of the antiviral and vaccine controversies

[38:38 – 39:35] Closing Statement

Want to connect with Purvi Parikh? Follow her on LinkedIn, Instragram, and Twitter. If you want to learn more about her work and publications, head to https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1629212592/purvi-s-parikh

Key Quotes:

Purvi Parikh – “We’re going to have to learn to live with this virus. I don’t think it’s going to go away, but hopefully it will become more manageable so that we don’t have to go into panic as much.”

Purvi Parikh – “Science is meant to evolve, it’s meant to change, but it has to be based on data and evidence.”

CRAVING FOR MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok. 

You can connect with Dr. Rusha on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! 

Share it with your friends, family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.Keu

Dr. Stanford is nothing less than an all-star. She is the most credentialed academic physician I’ve yet to meet and that’s saying something given the people I have had the privilege to work with. She’s a world-renown expert on obesity and operates a Harvard-based clinic and teaches in Boston, Mass. She discusses the genetics and stigma surrounding weight, the macro forces pushing us to eat more, and the stakeholders in our obesogenic environment. She offers a compelling throughline on the intersection of race, COVID-19, and weight. She explains why she feels fat is not people’s fault and the biology of obesity. She answers a puzzling question I have had in my clinical experience for years: why are physicians so reluctantly prescribing obesity and weight management medications? Metabolic-related conditions are already a leading river of disease in America and her insights are valuable for anyone looking to heal others or become healthier themselves. Listen and enjoy!

Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, MBA, FAAP, FACP, FAHA, FAMWA, FTOS is an obesity medicine physician-scientist, educator, and policymaker at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She is a national and international sought-after expert in obesity medicine who bridges the intersection of medicine, public health, policy, and disparities. 

Key Highlights:

[00:01 – 12:30] – Opening Segment

Dr. Fatima’s outlook on the parallel discussion about COVID and obesity

Why obesity is a complex disease and that targeting food alone is not effective

A moonshot for obesity is necessary to address the problem comprehensively

[12:31 – 21:03] Obesity, COVID-19, And Racism

How government interventions would be beneficial for both obesity and minority communities

How a woman’s weight and minority status were factors that contributed to difficulty finding work

Why food policy and obesity policy are not the same

[21:04- 31:22] –  The Reluctance To Use Medications

There is a lack of training for providers in obesity medicine

The reason why there is a lot of fear and reluctance to use medications to treat obesity

Care delivery for obesity will move beyond the clinic walls and into digital spaces such as applications

[31:23- 38:46] – Obesity Is Not About Aesthetics

The importance of understanding the brain in order to treat obesity

Obesity is a complex condition that is not simply a result of eating too much or not exercising enough

There are different factors that contribute to obesity

[38:47 – 39:25] – Closing Segment

Want to connect with Fatima Cody Stanford? Follow her on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. If you want to learn more about her work, head to Harvard University, and Harvard Catalyst.

CRAVING MORE?

What are you waiting for? Head to Alchemy of Politics; join the conversation and start a change reaction! Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok. 

You can connect with Rusha Modi, MD on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! 

Share it with your friends, and family, and spark a conversation. Contribute, comment, and disagree.

Remember: Solutions, not shouting.

Resources Mentioned:

The Three Pandemics

Why Food Policy And Obesity Policy Are Not Synonyms 

Tweetable Quotes:

Fatima Cody Stanford – “When patients access care, they don’t know that they’re going into a trusted space, a space where they will not be blamed for their disease.”

Fatima Cody Stanford  –  “Obesity is not about aesthetics. It’s about a disease that’s controlled and regulated by the brain.”

Fatima Cody Stanford  –  “My goal is to educate the world, and make it a better place for my patients.”