Beyond the Wheeze

In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Meraj Khan , co-founder and CEO of Digi Bios, to answer a practical question: is AI actually ready for real-world asthma care? We talk about why the biggest barrier is no longer the technology itself. The real gap is translation into care. Many AI tools struggle with workflow integration, real-world validation, and reimbursement models. If it does not fit inside...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , I sit down with Jenna Reynolds, Vice President of Mission, Advocacy, and Research at Asthma Canada, to talk about the real gaps in asthma care across the country and what meaningful progress could look like. From diagnosis challenges to medication access, education, and environmental impacts, this conversation explores how systems, policy, and lived experienc...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze, I’m joined by Jeremy Saunders, Canadian actor, podcaster, and public speaker, to explore what it truly means to live with cystic fibrosis and how he has used storytelling, humor, and vulnerability to break health stigma. Jeremy shares what day-to-day life with CF looks like, including managing complex treatments, navigating travel, and balancing physical and m...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , I sit down with Eric Closs, Founder and CEO of Daily Breath, to explore the powerful (and often overlooked) relationship between outdoor air quality, environmental exposure, and respiratory health — especially asthma. Eric explains how environmental conditions like air pollution, pollen, wildfire smoke, temperature shifts, and weather patterns can quietly inc...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , I’m joined by Annelise Bauer , founder of In-Bodied , to explore how conscious breathing and mindful movement can support people living with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Drawing from her own experience with asthma, Annelise shares how Buteyko breathing , nervous system regulation, and breath awareness can help reduce symptoms, manage anxiety, and...

Season 2 of Beyond the Wheeze is here. Join host Josh Rheaume , The Asthma Runner , for real stories and expert insights on asthma, fitness, and lung health. This season explores how mindset, movement, and community help people live and breathe beyond their limits. Hear from patients, doctors, and advocates making a difference in respiratory care. Episode 1 drops on Tuesday, October 28th. Connect...

Season 1 of Beyond the Wheeze has been filled with powerful conversations, lived experiences, and expert insights, all centered around asthma, lung health, and the people who are pushing for better care. In this special highlight episode, we revisit some of the most memorable moments from the season. You’ll hear from patient advocates, leading clinicians, researchers, and innovators who are transf...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , we explore the world of pediatric asthma education with Dr. Mark Schnellinger, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s Minnesota and the author of The Medicine Stars , an adventure novel that helps middle schoolers understand asthma through storytelling. We explore: The challenges families face during pediatric asthma crises, from medication ac...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , we delve into the evolving world of digital health and mobile apps for respiratory care with Dr. Shirley Quach , a leading researcher in mHealth for asthma and COPD. We explore: The promises and pitfalls of mobile health apps for chronic respiratory conditions How to evaluate app quality, reliability, and privacy Ways digital tools can support, but never repl...

In this episode, I sit down with Glenn Kitchener, a passionate COPD advocate who opens up about his journey from smoking-related lung disease to finding new ways to live well with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Glenn was diagnosed in 2010 shortly after quitting smoking. He shares the struggles he faced in the beginning and how education, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes at W...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Neil Maharaj, a respirologist with over 20 years of experience and the Medical Director at Niagara Pulmonary Medicine and Diagnostics. We talked about his journey in respiratory medicine, the importance of pulmonary function testing, and how technology and AI are starting to reshape patient care. Dr. Maharaj shared what...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , I’m joined by Dr. Teresa To , a senior scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children and one of Canada’s leading voices in pediatric asthma and population health research. Dr. To shares her insights on how early life exposures like air pollution, secondhand smoke, and socioeconomic factors can shape a child’s risk of developing asthma. We explore how early inte...

In this emotionally charged episode, we welcome Christine Fader, a caregiver advocate, author, and cancer widow. Christine shares her profound journey following her husband Michael's diagnosis and battle with two separate cancers. With moving honesty, she reflects on personal loss, the challenges of navigating trauma-informed cancer care, and her mission to improve support for caregivers. Thi...

In this episode, I’m joined by Fahreen Walimohamed , a health informatics professional and Implementation Manager at OnCall Health. We dig into her career journey, her passion for using health tech to improve care, and how she’s working to empower patients in a system that can be tough to navigate. Fahreen shares stories from projects she’s proud of — like improving home oxygen care — and we talk...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , I’m joined by Dr. Meraj Khan, a clinical research scientist and CEO of DigiBiomics. We dive into how AI is changing the landscape of respiratory health and what it could mean for people living with asthma. Dr. Khan walks me through his career journey, the story behind DigiBiomics, and how their AI-driven diagnostics — including a tool called LungSense — are h...

Rumi and Prince lost their son, Rudhro, to a severe asthma attack at just eight years old. Since that devastating day, they’ve turned their grief into advocacy, building a movement to raise awareness about the seriousness of asthma and improve education and resources for families like theirs. Through the Rudhro Prince Hope Foundation , they are keeping their son’s memory alive and working to ensur...

This episode of Beyond the Wheeze is a special one for me. I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Paolo Pianosi, a retired pediatric pulmonologist whose work has made a lasting impact in respiratory care. As a child growing up with severe asthma, I was actually one of Dr. Pianosi’s patients at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. Having the opportunity to reconnect with him years later — this time beh...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Alan Kaplan — a family doctor who specializes in respiratory medicine and has spent years working to improve asthma care in Canada. Dr. Kaplan is the chair of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada and works closely with Asthma Canada. Together, we unpack what it takes to manage asthma well, the role regular physical activity plays in lung health, and how p...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , I sit down with Liz Radinovic, a personal trainer, health coach, and asthma athlete from Columbus, Ohio. Liz opens up about what it was like living with severe asthma for 15 years, how a breakthrough with biologic medication changed everything, and how she found her way back to long-distance running — including finishing a half marathon. We get into her advoc...

In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Buckley, president and CEO of the Lung Health Foundation. We talk about where lung health stands in Canada right now and why it deserves far more attention, funding, and advocacy than it’s getting. Jessica shares her perspective on issues like youth vaping, COPD, lung cancer, and how air quality affects our health. We also dive into why early diagnosis, bol...

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze , I dive into the inspiring journey of Adrienne Lam —an asthma advocate, runner, researcher, and educator. Adrienne shares her personal experiences growing up with poorly controlled asthma, from sitting out of school activities to frequent ER visits. Through resilience and determination, she’s transformed her life—becoming a half marathon runner and a powerful...

In this special episode of 'Beyond the Wheeze,' host Josh swaps roles and becomes the guest, interviewed by his friend and healthcare professional, Joël Lachance-Artindale. They delve into Josh's personal journey with asthma, highlighting how he transformed his life from struggling to run 100 meters to completing marathons. Josh discusses the importance of bridging gaps between asth...

In this episode, we are joined by Stetson Childress, a collegiate runner and coach, who shares his journey from Bethel University to pursuing an MBA and competing at Northern Kentucky University. Stetson discusses overcoming asthma, motivating athletes, and his coaching philosophy centered around enjoying the sport and achieving personal records. He also highlights his impressive achievements and...

In this episode, we explore the multifaceted world of asthma care with Dr. Mika Nonoyama, a leading researcher and clinician specializing in cardio respiratory health. Dr. Nonoyama, an Associate Professor at Ontario Tech University and a registered respiratory therapist, discusses her career dedicated to improving care for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions. The conversation delves in...

In this episode, the host interviews Mia Fritsch-Anderson, a multi-talented advocate for asthma awareness. Mia, an accomplished social media influencer, dancer, athlete, mechanical engineering student, and former Miss Illinois Teen 2022, uses her platforms on Instagram and TikTok to bring engaging and educational content about asthma. Mia shares her journey, starting from her diagnosis at a young...