Advocates in Action

What if health literacy wasn’t just about what patients understand—but how we all communicate? In this compelling episode, Derek McCracken redefines health literacy as clear health communication , shifting the responsibility from patients alone to a shared, collaborative process. He invites us to see communication not as a fixed skill, but as a dynamic practice—one rooted in empathy, clarity, and...

Dissecting the Multiple Layers of Health Literacy When we talk about health literacy , what are we really saying? In this episode, Lisa Stewart unpacks the deeper layers behind the words we use in healthcare—from everyday language to professional titles—and how they shape our understanding, interactions, and biases. She challenges us to see health literacy not as a one-sided issue, but as a shared...

Centering Primary Care with Humility, Respect and Compassion Your primary care doctor isn’t just someone who treats symptoms—they can be your most consistent partner in health. In this insightful episode, Dr. Carl Earl Lambert Jr. shares why he chose family medicine: to build long-term, meaningful relationships with his patients rooted in trust, respect, and empathy. Dr. Lambert introduces his “ch...

Respect, Trust & the Human Side of Health Care: A Conversation with Beverly Rogers What if the most important part of health care isn’t found in a lab or a chart—but in the connection between people? In this heartfelt episode, Beverly Rogers—a vibrant 80-year-old breast cancer survivor, caregiver, patient advocate, and entrepreneur—shares how her lived experiences have shaped her belief in the...

Redefining Health Literacy: Breaking Barriers to Equitable Care  What if the key to better health outcomes wasn’t just access—but understanding? In this compelling episode, Christine Wilson, Vice President of Advocacy Communications and Marketing at Patient Advocate Foundation, challenges us to rethink what health literacy really means—and why it’s essential for equity in care. Christine dives int...

Financial Navigation: Bridging the Gap Between the System and the Patient For many patients, accessing quality, affordable health care isn’t just a medical journey—it’s a financial one. Behind every tough decision lies a complex web of costs, coverage, and care. In this episode, we explore how financial navigation can be a game-changer in that journey. With a career rooted in oncology and pharmacy...

Centering the Lived Experiences of Patients What if health care decisions were guided not just by data or policy—but by the lived experiences of patients themselves? In this thought-provoking episode, our host, Ashley D. Freeman sits down with Susan Perez, a trailblazer in patient-centered research and health policy. With years of experience amplifying the voices of those receiving care, Susan sha...

Caregiving with Purpose: Navigating Healthcare Gaps and Creating Change At just a teenager, Jamie Stokley stepped into the role of caregiver for her mother, determined to ensure that her mom could live a full life , despite the health challenges they faced. As she navigated the complexities of the healthcare system, Jamie quickly realized the many gaps that made it harder for families to access th...

Advancing Health Equity Through Needs Navigation Imagine making health decisions without the constant worry of financial strain or navigating the maze of healthcare access challenges. In this powerful episode, Rebecca Kirch , Executive Vice President of Policy and Programs at the National Patient Advocate Foundation , explains how social and financial needs navigation services are critical to maki...

  Fighting the System: How Patient Advocate Foundation Reduced a $175K Medical Bill Imagine facing a $175,000 medical bill during a global pandemic. For Joe Sweeny , this was his reality. But with the help of Brooke Flores , a dedicated advocate at the Patient Advocate Foundation , Joe was able to navigate and overcome this overwhelming financial burden. In this inspiring episode, Brooke, who has...

Conversations about end-of-life care can be tender and emotional—and nobody should have to navigate them alone. In this deeply moving episode, we explore how compassionate support, clear communication, and thoughtful planning can transform the experience for patients and their loved ones. James Johnson, a dedicated hospice social worker from Multicare Home Health and Hospice in Tacoma, Washington,...

What happens when one phone call opens the door to life-changing support? For more than 18 years, Jacqueline Beard has been a steady and compassionate force at the Patient Advocate Foundation, helping patients navigate some of the most overwhelming and uncertain moments of their lives. While her expertise lies in expediting disability claims, her work—and her impact—goes far beyond paperwork. In t...

In 2021, Patient Advocate Foundation proudly celebrated 25 years of serving individuals and families navigating the overwhelming challenges of serious and chronic illnesses . As part of this milestone, our CEO, Dr. Alan Balch, joins host Ashley D. Freeman on the podcast to reflect on PAF’s journey, the people we serve, and why our work is more essential than ever. For a quarter of a century, PAF h...

From a young age, Mica Saunders developed a deep respect and heartfelt connection with the elderly — a bond sparked by afternoons spent accompanying her mother to work at an assisted living home. Watching her mom care for residents with dignity and kindness planted the seeds of understanding, empathy, and purpose that would shape the course of Mica’s life. That early exposure didn’t just inspire M...

What does it take to provide care that’s not only high-quality, but deeply compassionate? In this episode, we hear from Emily Brown , whose passion for equitable, patient-centered care was sparked by a personal experience — watching a loved one struggle to navigate a complex healthcare system after being diagnosed with a serious illness. Emily shares how that experience lit a fire in her that has...

Caregiving is often described as a labor of love — but it’s also a delicate dance of boundaries, resilience, and deep emotional strength. In this episode, we speak with Crispín Goytia-Vásquez , a seasoned caregiver who has been supporting family members through illness and aging since her early 20s. With years of hands-on experience, Crispín has come to understand the profound balance required to...

Community health workers are the beating heart of compassionate, community-based care — often serving as the critical link between healthcare systems and the people who need them most. In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Denise Smith , Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers , who shares how this workforce is transforming healthcare from the ground up. Deni...

You might call it “just taking Grandma to the doctor,” but it’s so much more — it’s caregiving. In this episode, we explore what it means to be a caregiver through the lens of public service and personal experience. We’re joined by Bea Rector , a leader at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services , who shares how her team is helping people recognize their caregiving roles — of...

Janice Williams has devoted over 25 years to nursing, serving her community with compassion and expertise. Yet, despite her extensive healthcare background, nothing truly prepared her for the profound and often overwhelming journey of becoming a caregiver for her own father. As she stepped into this new role, Janice discovered that caregiving demanded much more than medical knowledge — it required...

For more than 20 years, Shonta Chambers has been the steady, compassionate caregiver for her parents—tending to her mother’s needs as she lives with multiple sclerosis and supporting her father through recovery after a stroke. But when both of her parents contracted Covid-19 within the same year, Shonta faced an unprecedented test of strength, resilience, and heart. Navigating this intense period...

At just 20 years old, Naimi Pothiwala is already making a meaningful difference in her rural hometown of Apex, North Carolina. As an undergraduate student at East Carolina University, Naimi’s dedication to service and language learning led her to become fluent in Spanish—a skill that became a bridge to a unique and vital role as a translator at a local mammography clinic. In this episode, Naimi op...

How can organizations across an entire state collaborate seamlessly to ensure that every patient, regardless of location, can access the care they need? The key lies in leveraging cutting-edge telemedicine technology combined with strong, purposeful statewide partnerships — all driven by a shared mission to achieve health equity for every individual. In this episode, Suleima Salgado, the Director...

Ed Cunicelli’s remarkable career spans over two decades, beginning with a profound project photographing life on the White Mountain Apache reservation in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Center for Indian Health. Since then, his journey has taken him far and wide—from capturing the intimate moments of Native American and rural communities to documenting the intensity and humanity on the front...

What stories lie hidden behind the numbers when patients face serious illnesses and try to access healthcare? Kate Gallagher from the Patient Advocate Foundation works to uncover these stories through detailed data collection and analysis. Her work reveals the everyday obstacles patients confront—from navigating insurance complexities to coping with the devastating financial strain known as financ...

Finding the right treatment and support for a child with a rare disease is a challenge anywhere — but in rural Alaska, those challenges are often magnified by geography, limited resources, and the sheer distance between families and specialized care. With specialists few and far between, and travel requiring long, costly plane rides over hundreds of miles, many families face an uphill battle to ge...