Raw Talk Podcast

For patients facing life-threatening illness, distress can involve fear, grief, uncertainty, and questions of meaning. In Episode 136 Part 2, we speak with Dr. Emma Hapke from the Psychedelic Psychotherapy Research Group at UHN about psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for end-of-life distress in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. We also hear from Daryna Skybina, who shares her per...

Once dismissed as relics of counterculture, psychedelics are now being studied for their potential role in mental health care. In Part 1 of episode 136, Avni and Swapna speak with Dr. Jarrett Rose and Dr. Rotem Petranker about the history, science, and evolving clinical landscape of psychedelics, from the early research boom of the 1960s to today’s renewed interest in psilocybin- and LSD-assisted...

When cancer treatment puts a patient’s reproductive future at risk, fertility preservation offers options, but only if people are informed early enough and can access care equitably. In this episode, Sonika and Julia investigate the science and realities of fertility preservation with Dr. Jenna Michaeli, an oncofertility specialist and clinician-scientist at Mount Sinai Fertility. She introduces t...

Deciding if and when to have children can be a major challenge and is even more difficult when facing the unrelenting pace of medical training. Long hours, rigid schedules, financial strain, and unspoken expectations often push family planning to the sidelines. In this episode, Sonika and Julia explore the realities of family planning and fertility preservation for medical trainees at different ca...

In this episode, we follow the story of Mr. Patel, who underwent life-changing surgery after an oral cancer diagnosis that affected his tongue. Mr. Patel offers an unfiltered look at his recovery and reflects on how stigma shaped his experience with diagnosis and healing. Alongside him, we hear from Dr. Christopher Yao, a head and neck reconstructive surgeon advancing innovations in cancer care an...

In this episode, Noor sits down with Dr. Tony Eskander, head and neck surgeon and scientist at the University of Toronto, to unpack the evolving landscape of head and neck cancers. Once primarily associated with smoking and alcohol, these cancers are increasingly linked to HPV, particularly in younger patients, a shift that’s reshaping how we think about risk, equity, and prevention. Dr. Eskander...

The idea of a vaccine against cancer may seem like science fiction, but in the case of HPV vaccines, it is a reality that has existed for over a decade. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common type of sexually transmitted infection and can cause 6 different types of cancer, affecting people of all genders. HPV vaccination programs have been implemented in many countries worldwide in an effor...

The human microbiome has been a hot topic of discourse – but what do we really know about it? This diverse ecosystem of microbes can be thought of as its own organ, interacting and influencing many physiological processes. Understanding what contributes to its strong formation is a multi-disciplinary and growing field of research. To learn more about the human gut microbiome in its earliest stages...

Are plant-based diets really healthier—or just another social media trend? Between #WhatIEatInADay videos and influencers pushing “miracle” supplements, it’s hard to separate the science from the marketing. In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we sit down with three experts to cut through the hype. Dr. Zahra Kassam, a radiation oncologist and co-founder of Plant-Based Canada, reveals how plant-bas...

In the words of Robert Mckee, our appetite for story is a reflection of the profound human need to grasp the patterns of living, not merely as an intellectual exercise, but within a very personal, emotional experience. Storytelling and narrative play a huge role in medicine. Many physicians are also artists, writers, actors, and musicians, and use their talents to advance healthcare. So how do the...

Male contraceptives are on the horizon, promising to revolutionize reproductive health, expand contraceptive options beyond condoms and vasectomies, and shift the burden of birth control. In this episode, we explore the current landscape and science behind male contraception, the challenges of bringing new methods to market, and what the future holds for reproductive responsibility. To guide us, w...

Physiotherapy plays a vital role in healthcare, blending science, movement, and patient-centered care. In this episode, we explore the journey of becoming a physiotherapist, the importance of evidence-based practice, and the evolving challenges within the field. To guide us, we spoke with Melanie MacKinnon, a physiotherapist, educator in the MScPT program at the University of Toronto, and a PhD ca...

In this episode, we dive into the world of surgical innovation—think lungs on ice, robots in the operating room, and AI transforming the way surgeries are performed. We hear from Dr. Aadil Ali, who shares his groundbreaking work in lung transplantation, highlighting challenges like organ preservation and the innovative solutions his team developed, including a life-changing preservation method now...

Welcome to the Raw Talk Reunion mini series where we touch base with past team members! In the previous episode (#124), we spoke with our Co-Founders to hear all about how the podcast came about. In this episode (#125), we catch up with more Raw Talk Podcast alum who were integral members of the podcast during past seasons. We explore how their involvement with the podcast influenced their persona...

Welcome to the Raw Talk Reunion mini series where we touch base with past team members! In this first episode (#124), we sit down with our Co-Founders, Richie Jeremian and Jabir Mohamed, to delve into their founding visions for the podcast. They share insights into the evolution of the podcast and reflect on how the team and structure of Raw Talk has expanded over the past eight seasons. Keep an e...

Conversations around generational differences in the workplace are becoming increasingly common. Contentious issues around working expectations and treatment are happening across many fields, including healthcare. Nurses, in particular, have faced many challenges in recent years, particularly as a result of the pandemic and widespread employee shortages, and the field has become a hotbed for conve...

Trauma-related injuries are severe and can often lead to long-lasting adverse patient outcomes such as physical damage, mental health struggles, diminished quality of life, and even death. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of death both nationwide and globally. In this episode, we sit down with three experts in trauma care: Dr. Homer Tien (Trauma Surgeon at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre...

What do you think when you hear the words “Bill 60”?  For years, public versus private healthcare has been a topic of debate. But how much do we really know? Tune in to hear Dr. Allin, Director of the North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, and Dr. Danyaal Raza, health reformer and founding advisor of Progress Toronto answer our questions about healthcare privatization. In this...

In an era where medications like Ozempic are gaining popularity for their off-label use as weight loss drugs, the dialogue on societal perceptions of weight and health is increasingly relevant. Listen in on our thought-provoking discussions featuring Ali Eberhardt (registered dietician at the Provincial Adult Tertiary Specialized Eating Disorders Program) and Dr. Catherine Sabiston, (Canada Resear...

Canadians in rural areas make up one-fifth of the population yet are served by only 8% of the physician population. With limited access to primary care, mental health care, and specialist care, rural Canadians experience worse health outcomes compared to the rest of the population. In this episode of Raw Talk Podcast, we dive into the current state of rural health care in Canada. Our featured gues...

In this two-part episode, we discuss two very important topics related to Women’s Health; Endometriosis and Cervical Cancer. Please listen to Part 1 if you haven't already!   Cervical cancer is a very common cancer among young women. Early detection, primarily done via cervical screening (also known as a pap smear), greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and survival. In Part 2, we h...

In this two-part episode, we discuss two very important topics related to Women’s Health; Endometriosis and Cervical Cancer.    Everyone wants to be seen and heard, especially in the context of their health and well-being. Unfortunately, this hasn’t always been the case for individuals with endometriosis. In Part 1, we take a deep dive into understanding endometriosis and gain some valuable insigh...

Medical imaging, from the familiar X-rays to advanced MRI and CT scans, has revolutionized healthcare. These techniques allow us to glimpse inside, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions. At the heart of these processes are radiologists, the medical detectives who decipher these images and translate them into diagnoses guiding patient care. Looking ahead, artificial intelligen...

When 911 is called for medical assistance, paramedics are the personnel that are dispatched to provide transport and emergency medical care. Paramedics are generally known to play an essential role in our healthcare systems and are often regarded as the first-line of medical services in the community before reaching the hospital setting. However, paramedicine is more than just ambulatory and emerg...

The sports and fitness spaces play an important role in fostering communities – we can challenge our physical and mental capabilities, form ever-lasting bonds with teammates, find an avenue to relieve stress and find a sense of connectedness with other people. Our very own Braeden and Swapna sit down to talk about their love for sports and their journeys in this space. We hope their conversation i...