Vital Stuff Podcast

Dr. Keith Matheny, ENT surgeon and innovator, joins Dr. Gail Lebovic to discuss the evolution of sinus surgery, the growing administrative burden blocking physicians from doing their jobs, and how the best doctors are fighting to keep patient care at the center of medicine.

Dr. Liz Clayborne went from designing her own major in medical ethics at Duke, to authoring vent triage protocols during COVID, to pitching investors 70 times just to hear one yes — and she did most of it while managing personal and family challenges and breastfeeding a newborn. In this conversation, she and host Dr. Gail unpack the human side of medicine, why the U.S. healthcare system is failing...

Most careers don’t come with a clear plan. They’re shaped through uncertainty, trial and error, and learning to listen when something no longer feels right. In this episode of Vital Stuff, Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with Ryan Bonner to talk honestly about the long game of building a career that fits, not perfectly, but meaningfully. They explore not knowing what you want early on, the value of sta...

In this episode of Vital Stuff , Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with Andy Morris for a thoughtful conversation about the parts of leadership and success that are rarely spoken about out loud. Andy’s career has taken him across New York, Sydney, London and beyond - not through rigid plans or titles, but by following people, curiosity, and a deep interest in human connection. Together, Gail and Andy exp...

In this episode of Vital Stuff , Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with legendary medical device innovator George Hermann to explore the untold story behind one of the most influential eras in modern medical engineering. From stumbling into a job posting at Stanford to becoming the operational force behind Dr. Tom Fogarty’s world-changing incubator, George’s journey is a rare look into how iconic medical...

In this episode of Vital Stuff, Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with entrepreneur and Attention Seeker founder Stanley Henry to unpack what it really takes to grow a business - and stay human - inside today’s attention economy. From living out of a car during the GFC to becoming one of New Zealand’s most recognisable digital leaders, Stanley’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention and learn...

We breathe more than 20,000 times a day - but most of us never think about how we breathe. Or how much our nose is actually doing to keep us alive. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with Dr. Karen Parker-Davidson - airway expert, clinician, author & the woman who’s seen over 8,000 ENT cases - to unpack the science, the myths, and the overlooked magic of the human nose. Th...

Medicine is changing - fast. Pharmacies are closing, AI is rewriting the rules, and profits often come before patients. But one independent pharmacist has managed to stay human through it all. In this revealing and often hilarious episode, Dr. Gail Lebovic explores the heart of modern medicine - from the realities of small-business survival to the future of AI and the billion-dollar weight-loss in...

Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with surgical oncologist & innovator Dr. Bolanle Asiyanbola, MD, whose compassion for others led her to design groundbreaking medical devices - including one aimed at protecting children during school shootings. Together, they explore how frustration becomes fuel for innovation, what it takes to break barriers as women in surgery, and why true progress in medicine be...

What if the best treatment for prostate cancer isn’t the one most men receive? Dr. Gail Lebovic talks with leading radiation oncologist Dr. Steven Kurtzman - a pioneer in real-time prostate brachytherapy who’s treated thousands of men using innovative, minimally invasive techniques. Together, they explore how continued learning drives innovation, why certain treatments fall behind despite better o...

What if the secret to better health, longevity, and even brain function started with your mouth and nose? In this episode of Vital Stuff , Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with Dr. Mariangela Verano, a dentist whose career journey led her beyond teeth into the world of sleep, breathing, and whole-body health. Together, they uncover the surprising ways oral health, nasal breathing, and even diet shape no...

What if a tiny, non-hallucinogenic dose of LSD could transform the way we treat depression? In this episode of Vital Stuff , Dr. Gail Lebovic talks with entrepreneur and investor Justin Hanka about his pioneering work at MindBio , the first company in the world approved to run take-home clinical trials of microdosing LSD. Justin shares how microdosing is showing remarkable results in treating depr...

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Vital Stuff , Dr. Gail sits down with world-renowned herbalist and detox specialist Brett Elliott to uncover what detoxing really means - and why it matters more than ever. What begins as a conversation about herbs quickly unfolds into a deep and personal exploration of healing, chronic inflammation, food addiction, and the rising health crises affecting...