The Health Exchange

Episode 29 of The Health Exchange Podcast tackles the myths and realities of digestive health with gastroenterologist Dr. Kumkum Patel. From irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to inflammatory bowel disease, celiac, and motility issues, Dr. Patel breaks down what’s actually going on when your gut isn’t working right—and why so many of these conditions get overlooked or misdiagnosed. She and Dr. Rutland...

Episode 28 of The Health Exchange Podcast brings together returning guest Dr. Richard Paicius and Dr. Jen Armstrong—an expert in pain and regenerative medicine, and a Real Housewives of Orange County alum known for her work in aesthetic care—to explore how innovative treatments are reshaping how we think about aging. From joint pain to facial symmetry, Dr. Rutland leads a wide-ranging conversation...

Episode 27 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the realities of launching and running a private medical practice with returning guest Dr. Jihan Ansari. Drawing from her experience founding Harbor Direct Primary Care, Dr. Ansari opens up about the fears, logistics, and personal sacrifices that come with leaving the corporate model behind. She and Dr. Rutland unpack the differences between U.S....

Episode 26 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into ADHD and teenage mental health with psychiatrist Dr. Sayeh Beheshti. The discussion explores early signs parents should watch for and how to navigate challenges like screen time and social pressure. It also covers how ADHD often gets missed—especially in girls—and why early understanding can change lives. Dr. Rutland and Dr. Beheshti unpack why...

Episode 25 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into the fast-moving world of stroke care with returning guest Cris Medina, a family nurse practitioner. He and Dr. Rutland break down the urgency behind early intervention and explain how each decision—from symptom recognition to treatment—can impact a patient’s outcome. The conversation touches on the evolving role of technology in stroke detection...

Episode 24 of The Health Exchange Podcast pulls back the curtain on often overlooked blood disorders—with guest Dr. Joomee Shim. From iron deficiency anemia to sickle cell disease, Dr. Shim explains how tiny changes in our blood can have major health consequences. She and Dr. Rutland also explore diagnostic blind spots, racial disparities in funding and treatment, and what everyday lab tests can r...

Episode 23 of The Health Exchange Podcast offers a personal, unfiltered look into what it’s really like to be married to a doctor. Guest host Dorey Rutland joins her husband, Dr. Jamie Rutland, for a candid conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Johnson-Nguyen about partnership, parenting, grief, and emotional labor. From navigating long hours and shifting roles to building a life and...

Episode 22 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the complex and deeply personal topic of depression and anxiety with guest Dr. Jihan Ansari, a family medicine physician who integrates mental health into everyday care. Dr. Rutland speaks with her about how these conditions show up differently in each patient and why early intervention can be so difficult to achieve. The conversation moves beyond...

Episode 21 of The Health Exchange Podcast takes on pediatric asthma with two leading voices in children’s lung health: Dr. Sande Okelo and Dr. Lori Livingston. Dr. Rutland and his guests dig into the science behind asthma in kids—how it develops, why it’s often misdiagnosed or under-treated, and what both doctors and parents can do to better manage it. They discuss the role of pollution, health di...

Episode 20 of The Health Exchange Podcast tackles vaccine hesitancy and public trust with Dr. Anissa Davis, City Health Officer for Long Beach. Dr. Rutland and guest co-host Cris Medina explore how public health leaders can build confidence in vaccines by addressing community concerns with transparency, science, and real-world solutions. Dr. Davis shares her boots-on-the-ground strategies during t...

Episode 19 of The Health Exchange Podcast examines the complexity of chronic pain and how it’s being approached differently in today’s medical landscape. Dr. Richard Paicius joins Dr. Rutland to reflect on the evolution of pain care, from outdated strategies to more personalized solutions that prioritize long-term outcomes. They also discuss breakthroughs in ketamine therapy for depression and the...

Episode 18 of The Health Exchange Podcast confronts health inequities head-on with guest Amanda “Mandy” Ralston, founder and CEO of NonBinary Solutions. Dr. Rutland and Amanda explore how outdated systems, implicit bias, and social determinants of health prevent many Americans—particularly autistic, LGBTQ+, and minority patients—from receiving equitable care. The conversation spans everything from...

Episode 17 of The Health Exchange Podcast shares the powerful story of Russell Redwood, a former athlete diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure in his early 20s. Joined by Dr. Danielle Belardo, Dr. Rutland explores the symptoms Russell experienced, the obstacles he faced getting properly diagnosed, and how he eventually landed in cardiogenic shock. They discuss the lifesaving role...

Episode 16 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives deep into the world of women’s sexual health with guest Dr. Kendra Segura, a practicing OB-GYN and the voice behind “Ask Dr. Kendra.” From sexual dysfunction and the mind-body connection to patient shame and communication barriers, Dr. Segura explains why open conversations about pleasure and anatomy are essential to healthcare. She and Dr. Rutland u...

Episode 15 of The Health Exchange Podcast breaks down the widespread but often misunderstood condition of sleep apnea with guest co-host Dr. Danielle Belardo, a preventive cardiologist. Together, she and Dr. Rutland explore how untreated sleep apnea is tied to heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. The episode covers the science behind sleep apnea, treatment options like CPAP, and lifesty...

Episode 14 of The Health Exchange Podcast delves into the complexities of postpartum depression, shedding light on its emotional, physical, and psychological impact on new mothers. Dr. Rutland is joined by experts who explore the signs, risk factors, and challenges of diagnosing and treating postpartum depression. They discuss the societal pressures surrounding motherhood, the importance of mental...

Episode 13 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the profound and often overlooked conversations around death, featuring insights from those who have faced mortality head-on. Dr. Rutland and Lisa Pahl, co-creator of The Death Deck, discuss the medical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of preparing for the end of life. They address common fears and highlight the importance of open discussions wit...

Episode 12 of The Health Exchange Podcast tells the remarkable story of Matison Deaton, a cystic fibrosis patient who overcame years of medical rejections to receive a double lung and kidney transplant. She shares the challenges of navigating the transplant system and how persistence ultimately saved her life. Dr. Rutland and Savannah break down the science behind cystic fibrosis and how new treat...

Episode 11 of The Health Exchange Podcast takes a deep dive into the fast-paced world of urgent care with guest Dr. Rob Drummond, an urgent care physician with years of frontline experience. The conversation explores the differences between urgent care, primary care, and emergency rooms, helping listeners understand where to go for different medical issues. Dr. Drummond shares wild patient stories...

Episode 10 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the often-overlooked emotional and mental toll of cancer with guest Nancy Lomibao, the Chief Clinical Officer at Cancer Support Community South Bay. While cancer treatment traditionally focuses on surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Nancy emphasizes the critical role of psychosocial support for both patients and their families. She shares how su...

Episode 9 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into a topic that’s near and dear to both Jamie and Savannah—Asthma. Savannah has asthma and talks about her struggle with the condition (4:40), Dr. Rutland breaks down exactly what asthma is (12:46), and he tells the story of treating a young track star on her way to becoming an Olympian (20:47). Dr. Rutland uses a party analogy to illustrate how ast...

Episode 8 of The Health Exchange Podcast tackles the under-discussed topic of menopause with special guest Andria Terrazas, a nurse practitioner and owner of Verve Health. 90% of women don’t know the signs and symptoms of menopause (2:40), Andria defines both menopause and perimenopause (6:07), and our hosts break down the long term health implications of menopause (12:29). Jamie asks Andria how m...

Episode 7 of The Health Exchange Podcast looks at the Ozempic phenomenon, Dr. Rutland begins by sharing his personal experience trying the drug (3:11), who is best suited to benefit from Ozempic in the long term? (16:36), and our hosts examine the differences between Ozempic and Wegovy (25:56). The number one concern about taking a drug like Ozempic (37:26), Jamie says that he will prescribe it to...

Episode 6 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores atrial fibrillation (AFib) alongside Dr. Brad Sutton, Chief Medical Officer at Boston Scientific. Dr. Sutton explains how the heart generates electricity (2:18), are Apple Watches good for the future of heart health? (12:08), and Jamie explains Savannah’s background as an electrophysiology nurse practitioner (26:10). Our hosts answer some listener...

Episode 5 of The Health Exchange Podcast takes on the delicate topic of losing a patient, opening with a story from Dr. Rutland about when he had to tell two young children their father had died (1:35), he reflects on the loss of his grandfather and how he’s still affected by it (11:50), and he shares his experience saving a woman in labor with Pulmonary Edema (21:06). Why don’t doctors get emotio...