The Med List

Can Healthcare Be Fixed? Former White House health policy advisor, Katy Talento, thinks so.

In this episode of The MedList, Kevin and Donna sit down with healthcare policy expert and former White House advisor Katy Talento for a fascinating conversation about the future of American healthcare.From working in infectious disease epidemiology in Africa to shaping national healthcare policy in Washington, Katy shares her unique journey through some of the most complex corners of the healthcare system — and why she eventually left politics to help employers and everyday Americans navigate healthcare differently.Together, they unpack: * Why healthcare costs continue to spiral out of control * The hidden conflicts inside traditional insurance models * How direct primary care and nurse navigators are changing patient care * Why personalized, relationship-driven healthcare matters * The growing movement toward transparency and independent care models * And why patients must take greater ownership of their own health This conversation challenges the idea that healthcare has to stay the way it is — and offers hope for a more human, preventative, and patient-centered future.

The Future of Geriatric Care: Whole-Person Medicine & Aging at Home

In this episode of The MedList, Kevin and Donna sit down with geriatrician Dr. Anthony Zizza to discuss the future of geriatric care, deprescribing, and what it truly means to care for the whole person.Drawing from his personal experience caring for six elderly family members before becoming a physician, Dr. Zizza shares how those early years shaped his passion for helping older adults age with dignity, remain independent, and stay in their homes whenever possible.The conversation explores: * Why modern healthcare often becomes fragmented for elderly patients * The importance of whole-person care: body, mind, and spirit * How deprescribing can dramatically improve quality of life * The dangers of prescribing cascades and medication overload * What caregivers and families should know when advocating for loved ones * How programs like PACE are changing elder care * Why listening, empathy, and relationships matter in medicine This is a powerful conversation about aging, advocacy, faith, and building a healthcare system that truly supports people as they grow older.

Why You Aren’t Getting Better (And What Needs to Change)

This week on The Med List, Kevin and Donna sit down with Dr. Richard Harris—physician, pharmacist, and author of White Coat, Heavy Soul—to unpack a big question: Why aren’t patients actually getting better? From overprescribing to overlooked lifestyle factors, Dr. Harris shares why true health goes far beyond medications—and how prevention, habits, and personal responsibility play a crucial role. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why simplifying (not adding) medications can be powerful * How small daily habits create long-term health outcomes * The importance of taking ownership of your health journey * What needs to change in today’s healthcare system If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or dependent on the system—this conversation will challenge your perspective and empower you to take control.

You’re Not Alone: Breaking the Silence on Pelvic Health

In this episode of The MedList, Kevin and Donna talk with Dr. Brad St. Martin about a common—but often unspoken—issue: pelvic health. From incontinence to prolapse, many women experience symptoms that impact daily life but assume are “just part of aging.” This episode breaks down why these issues happen, what treatments are available, and why you don’t have to live with them. If it’s affecting your life, it’s worth addressing—and help is available.

When Pain Doesn’t Make Sense: A Family’s Search for the Truth Behind a Medication Reaction

In this powerful episode of The MedList, Kevin and Donna sit down with Shubu and Mimi Mukherjee to share a deeply personal story of severe pain, repeated misdiagnoses, and the long road to discovering that a medication may have been at the center of it all. What began as recovery after bypass surgery turned into months of debilitating chest pain, fear, and unanswered questions—until careful observation, persistence, and pattern recognition helped reveal a possible adverse drug reaction hiding in plain sight. Together, they explore what patients and families can do when something feels wrong, why medication side effects should never be dismissed too quickly, and how journaling symptoms, asking better questions, and finding clinicians who truly listen can make all the difference. This is a moving conversation about patient advocacy, caregiver resilience, the limits of certainty in medicine, and the life-changing importance of being heard.