Speak Up For Your Health

About 1 in 8 adults is currently taking a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro for weight loss — but what happens when those medications aren't enough? In this episode, 68-year-old Dana Bichler – currently a Protodeacon and former power lifter – talks about battling obesity for years. Dana tried multiple medications including Ozempic and Mounjaro. These GLP-1 drugs helped but only temporar...

What does universal healthcare actually look like when you need it most? James Yersh lives in Ottawa, Canada — covered by the national health system his entire life. But when hip arthritis progressed to the point where he needed a total hip replacement, he found himself waiting for so long that he paid $25,000 out of pocket for surgery in another province. In this episode, James shares what it too...

What does ADHD actually look like in a high-functioning adult woman? Not hyperactivity — more often, it looks like exhaustion. The kind that comes from working twice as hard just to keep up. Athena Hays was 34 when she was finally diagnosed. As a successful entrepreneur and founder of her own photography business, nothing about her life looked like the textbook picture of ADHD. But behind the scen...

For over 20 years, Aneela Idnani hid a condition affecting 1 in 20 people—trichotillomania, a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) driven by the brain, not choice. After her husband discovered her secret, she turned that moment into a mission—building a device to help others interrupt these behaviors and reclaim control. Then came a breast cancer diagnosis, and a powerful shift: learning to lis...

Have you ever wondered if you drink too much? Regardless of your answer, just asking yourself that question deserves a pause because nearly 30 million Americans have alcohol use disorder — and many are “high-functioning” – succeeding professionally while quietly struggling. In this episode, former healthcare executive Noel Rihm shares her 25-year battle with alcoholism and the realization that cha...

Choosing a hospital for cardiac surgery is one of the most important decisions a patient can make — and most of us do it wrong. Health policy analyst Paul Keckley, PhD has spent 45 years studying the U.S. healthcare system. Then he became a patient. When he was diagnosed with a 95% coronary artery blockage, he made a decision that shocked everyone around him: he chose to have his quadruple bypass...

He spent his career teaching people how to be healthy—until a skiing accident forced him to live it. Dr. Seth Serxner, a leading expert in health literacy and workplace wellness, went from running six miles a day to fighting his way back from a devastating crash and life-threatening injuries. In this episode of Speak Up For Your Health, Seth and I talk about what happens when a wellness expert bec...

Why do so many moms struggle with breast pumping? In this episode, researcher and mom Ashley Mooneyham shares her breastfeeding journey, explains the science behind milk supply and pumping, and discusses how new innovations — including her company Momease — aim to make breastfeeding and pumping easier for nursing and working moms. Key Takeaways Breastfeeding has benefits — but the decision belongs...

What happens when it takes 20 years to get the right diagnosis — and along the way, doctors (and even your family) don’t always believe you? In this episode, we explore Eva Minkoff’s delayed diagnosis, the reality of invisible illness, and the emotional toll of not being seen in the healthcare system. Eva shares her journey to being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disord...

A physician-daughter shares what it was like to be in the room when her father chose Medical Aid in Dying. This episode offers a clear, first-person look at how MAID works and what families experience in those final moments. In this deeply personal and illuminating episode, physician and gastroenterologist Dr. Mandy Powell shares her family’s experience with Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)—also known...

What happens when a parent refuses to accept “there’s nothing we can do” for a child with a rare disease? In this episode of Speak Up For Your Health, Archelle Georgiou speaks with Amber Olsen and filmmaker Patrick O’Connor about their new documentary, The Zebra and the Bear—and a mother’s seven-year fight to advance gene therapy for a rare disease. Amber’s daughter, Willow, was diagnosed at age t...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women—yet women’s symptoms are still too often dismissed, minimized, or misunderstood. In this episode, Archelle talks to Nina Goodheart, a medical device executive who leads work in heart valve disease. Despite her own expertise, Nina’s own mother had her symptoms brushed off by a physician—simply because they didn’t look “typical.” That experience b...

Egg freezing has traditionally been an option reserved for women with significant financial means. At the same time, the high cost and transactional nature of traditional egg donation create major barriers for many individuals and couples who want to become parents. Lauren Makler, founder and CEO of Cofertility, set out to change both sides of that equation. In this episode, Lauren shares her own...

Would you rather pay $1000 for your prescription - or $5? In this conversation, Miriam Paramore, CEO of RxUtility, talks about her personal experiences with healthcare costs and the challenges of medication affordability. She explains how to figure out whether using insurance, combining insurance with a manufacturer copay coupon, or simply paying cash will give you the lowest price for your prescr...

After serving as a counter-intelligence agent in Bosnia, veteran Bryan Fuller returned home with invisible wounds—PTSD that upended his life. Then, he discovered rowing. In this episode, Bryan shares how the rhythm of rowing—and rowing across the Atlantic—helped him heal, find purpose, and give back to fellow veterans. Key Takeaways PTSD doesn't only affect people on the battlefield. Trauma can co...

Sexual harassment and abuse can happen in any sport — even youth athletics. In this episode, Carrie Kehring shares her experience after her teenage daughter was sexually abused by her coach. She opens up about the broader issue of grooming and power dynamics in sports and offers practical insight on how to recognize red flags, set healthy boundaries, and navigate the emotional and legal aftermath...

I’ve always had a strong bias against chiropractic care. But when I met Dr. Scott Salita, a chiropractor who was willing to have a real, evidence-based, and open-minded conversation, I decided to challenge my own assumptions. We sat down for an honest discussion about where chiropractic care truly helps, where it crosses the line, and how patients can make smart, safe choices. Key Takeaways: Consi...

What causes autism? Why do some children thrive while others don't? What's the most effective treatment? Diane Cross, CEO of Fraser, Minnesota's largest provider of autism and mental health services answers these questions and more. Key Takeaways: Parents: If you think something isn’t quite right with your child, don’t wait. Build a relationship with a pediatrician, talk with other parents, get a...

Homelessness can happen to anyone—and its impact on health is profound. In this sobering conversation, Union Gospel Mission CEO Pam Stegora-Axberg talks about the realities of homelessness, the health consequences we don’t see, and the simple ways we can all offer hope. Key Takeaways Mental health and substance abuse are often root causes. These struggles can destabilize jobs, housing, and relatio...

Back pain is one of the most common health problems adults face—but what happens when the patient is also a doctor? In this episode, gastroenterologist Dr. Robert (Bob) Ganz shares his 20-year journey with back pain – from subtle early symptoms to spine surgery. In this conversation, Bob and I were chatting as if we at a cocktail party, and he candidly reflects on his posture, physical therapy, an...

Not your usual Blue Zones recap. In this candid conversation, National Geographic explorer and longevity researcher Dan Buettner shares what he’s learned since first uncovering the world’s longevity hot spots, how his perspective has evolved, what he REALLY thinks about today’s booming “longevity industry,” and how much of the Blue Zones lifestyle he personally follows. This is a fun one! Key Take...

When 11-year-old Alana Kendall was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, her life changed—but not in the way you might expect. Now 17, Alana speaks with remarkable wisdom, humor, and optimism about how living with a chronic condition has not only shaped her—but strengthened her. In this inspiring conversation, Alana shares how she learned to manage her diabetes independently, how technology has helped h...

When my daughter Zoe was 11, what seemed like a simple ankle injury became a seven-year journey marked by pain, misdiagnoses, and uncertainty. Despite having two physician parents who did their best to advocate for her, we trusted what we were told and waited far too long to seek a second opinion. In this episode, Zoe shares her story—from the emotional toll of being sidelined as a teenager to the...

Dr. Susan MacDonald—a 42-year-old urologist, professor, and mother of two—found a lump in her breast and just two weeks later she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. The diagnosis was rare and devastating, with cancer in both breasts and metastases to her bones. In this episode, Susan speaks candidly about the emotional toll of facing a limited future: the grief, the impact on her career, an...

In this solo episode, Dr. Archelle Georgiou distills what she learned from her first 40 guests on the podcast. She identifies 7 key themes and then shares her insights as well as things you can do to "speak up for your health." The topics include: Being the CEO of your own care Knowing "what you don’t know” is a key to effective advocacy Overcoming the hidden burden of stigma Feeling dismissed by...