The Smartest Doctor in the Room

Today’s conversation steps a little outside the usual hardcore medical lane, but it may be just as important. Dr. Dean Mitchell explores medical intuition and the big question many listeners are already asking: is it believable, or is it BS? His guest is Catherine Carrigan, a professional health intuitive and holistic healer, and she explains what a medical intuitive actually is and how she approa...

Are cancer detecting blood tests finally ready for real world use? Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Eric Klein, a distinguished scientist at GRAIL and former Cleveland Clinic chair, to walk through the promise and the limits of the Galleri multi cancer early detection blood test. They break down how the test looks for cancer related DNA using methylation patterns, why it can often predict wher...

Join Dr. Dean Mitchell on The Smartest Doctor In The Room as he sits down with chronic Lyme expert Dr. Richard Horowitz to explore why Lyme disease can be so difficult to diagnose and treat. Dr. Horowitz shares the history of Lyme disease, explains why standard antibiotic treatments often fall short, and breaks down the science behind biofilms, persistent infections, and chronic inflammation. The...

Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms patients experience, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room , Dr. Dean Mitchell is joined by neurologist and dizziness specialist Dr. Amir Kheradmand to explain what dizziness really means, why it is so difficult to diagnose, and when it may signal a more serious condition. The conversation break...

Join Dr. Dean Mitchell on The Smartest Doctor In The Room as he reflects on more than 25 years in medical practice and explores how medicine has evolved and what should never be lost along the way. From handwritten charts and prescription pads to electronic records, telehealth, and AI driven information, Dr. Mitchell shares firsthand insights into how technology has transformed the doctor patient...

In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room , host Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with world-renowned allergist and immunologist Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills to explore the shocking true story behind a healthy airline pilot who died after what seemed like a simple steak dinner. The cause was not choking or food poisoning. It was a delayed, deadly allergic reaction from a condition many people and e...

In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room , Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with neurologist and author Dr. Ray Dorsey to explore why Parkinson’s disease has become the world’s fastest growing brain disorder. Dr. Dorsey explains what Parkinson’s looks like, the early signs many people miss, and why it is not simply a disease of aging or genetics. They dive into the mounting evidence that envi...

Explore how EMDR therapy can help heal deep psychological trauma with psychiatric nurse practitioner and EMDR expert Susan Sullivan. In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room, host Dr Dean Mitchell talks with Susan about her unique path from trauma intensive care nursing to advanced work in psychiatry and psychotherapy. Susan explains what EMDR really is, how adaptive information processi...

Celebrate our 200th episode as Dr. Dana Cohen turns the tables and interviews host Dr. Dean Mitchell about his new book on Candida and what it really takes to heal. They trace the evolution from Dr. William Crook’s classic work to today’s microbiome science, explain why Candida overgrowth is still misunderstood, and lay out a clear clinical approach that actually helps patients feel better fast. L...

When you or someone you love lands in the ER, every choice matters. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Tony Dajer, a recently retired emergency physician with four decades on the front lines, to share clear, practical steps that help you get the care you need when minutes count. They cover how to prepare before you go, what to say at triage, and why bringing your medications and a concise medica...

In this episode of The Smartest Doctor in the Room , Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with headache specialist Dr. Robert Kaniecki from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School to break down everything you need to know about chronic headaches and migraines. Together they explore the different types of headaches, how to properly evaluate and diagnose them, and the latest treatments - from classic med...

Can food allergies be treated safely without lifelong maintenance doses? In this episode of The Smartest Doctor in the Room, Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Moshe Ben Shoshan, Associate Professor at McGill University Health Centre, to explore the latest breakthroughs in food allergy treatment. Together they discuss low dose oral immunotherapy, the science behind desensitization, and how early...

In this wide ranging conversation, Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Professor Edward Quadros of SUNY Downstate to explore the critical roles of folate vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 in brain development and lifelong health. We unpack why some children show low cerebrospinal fluid folate despite a normal diet, how autoantibodies to the folate receptor can block folate from reaching the brain, and what...

In this powerful episode, we explore one of the most important—and least understood—medical challenges of our time: how brain injury and aging impact mental health, behavior, and society. Our host is joined by renowned neuropathologist Dr. John Crary , a leading expert on brain diseases at Mount Sinai, to unpack the science and lived reality behind concussions, CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopath...

What should you do when water damage strikes—whether it’s a burst pipe, a flooded basement, or a slow leak you didn’t notice until it was too late? In this episode, Dr. Mitchell sits down with trusted mold inspector Joseph Reiss to unpack the essentials of mold prevention, testing, and remediation. They cover what to do in the first 24 hours after water damage, why carpets are mold magnets, how to...

Adverse drug reactions and allergic responses to medications and vaccines are no longer rare side effects—they’re a growing medical challenge. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mariana Castells , Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Mastocytosis Center of Excellence, and Director of the Drug Hypersensitivity and Desensitization Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital...

What’s it really like to be a medical student in 2025? Host Dr. Mitchell sits down with second-year students Nya Evans and Marco Halabi from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine for a candid conversation about why they chose medicine, the challenges of medical school today, and how training has evolved since the 1980s. From simulation labs and self-directed learning to the psychological toll of t...

Brain fog—a term once absent from the medical lexicon—has become one of the most debilitating and puzzling symptoms of Long COVID. But what exactly is happening inside the body to cause this cognitive impairment? Is it just inflammation, or is there a more complex mechanism at play? In this episode, we sit down with leading immunologist Dr. Terry Harville, Medical Director of the Special Immunolog...

What if your child’s sudden anxiety, OCD, or tics weren’t behavioral—but biological? In this eye-opening episode, we welcome back Dr. Jill Crista, a leading expert in naturopathic medicine and mold-related illness, to explore a lesser-known but critically important condition: PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and its broader counterpar...

Ever looked in the mirror and wondered, What if I tweaked this? You’re not alone. Plastic surgery—once reserved for the rich and famous—is now a reality for everyday people seeking confidence and self-improvement. But how do you know if it’s right for you? And what separates a natural-looking result from a "wind tunnel face"? On this episode, host Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Robert Freund, a...

In this episode of The Smartest Doctor in the room, we welcome back Dr. Kevin Tracey, a pioneering neurosurgeon, scientist, and leading expert in bioelectric medicine—specifically, the healing power of the vagus nerve. Dr. Tracey’s work has proven that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can reverse autoimmune conditions without medication, a discovery that could dramatically transform moder...

In this episode of The Smartest Doctor in the Room, Dr. Mitchell sits down with renowned nutritionist, chef, and author Mia Rigden to explore her holistic approach to healthy eating for individuals and families. Mia shares her expert insights on balancing nutrition science with the emotional and practical aspects of food, offering actionable tips for sustainable wellness. Mia also opens up about h...

What separates elite athletes from the rest? While we often focus on strength, speed, and skill, one critical factor is frequently overlooked: vision. In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Dr. Daniel Laby, a leading sports vision ophthalmologist who has worked with the Los Angeles Dodgers, NBA teams, Formula 1 drivers, and Olympic athletes. Whether you’re a pro athlete, a weekend competito...

In this episode of The Smartest Doctor in the Room, host Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Bruce Farber, Chief of Public Health and Epidemiology at Northwell Health, to dissect the infectious disease threats making headlines—from resurgent measles outbreaks to the looming specter of avian flu. With decades of experience battling HIV, COVID-19, and hospital-acquired infections, Dr. Farber offers...

In this episode of the Smartest Doctor in the Room, host Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with renowned immunologist and autism researcher Dr. Judy Van der Water from the UC Davis MIND Institute. Together, they dive deep into the groundbreaking research linking maternal immune health, the fetal microbiome, and the rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Dr. Van der Water shares her pionee...