Healing Through Scars: Part 1

Veteran Trauma and Transparency

In our season two finale, we spotlight the Veteran Trauma and Transparency Program. This transformative interprofessional program is designed to better prepare future and current workforces to serve veteran populations. Host Dave Plough is joined by Alex Buchanan, Todd Burkhardt, and John Kessler to explore how this initiative addresses PTSD, invisible wounds, reintegration challenges, and the military-to-civilian transition. Together, they share the origins, evolution, and impact of this collaborative program, which was developed by the IU Interprofessional Practice and Education Center, [ipe.iu.edu] the School of Social Work [https://socialwork.iu.edu/], the Criminal Justice Department, and the Center for Rural Engagement [https://rural.indiana.edu/]. Key Topics: * Military culture in care environments * Human-centered approaches to trauma * Student and community engagement * The power of lived experience and storytelling Whether you're a provider, student, educator, or advocate, this episode offers real-world insight into improving care for those who’ve served.

Healing Through Scars: Part 2

Our conversation with USC Keck School of Medicine artist-in-residence Ted Meyer and IU IPE Director Dr. Barbara Maxwell continues as they explore what it means to truly listen in healthcare, and why it matters. Through stories of patient experiences, student reflections, and Ted’s groundbreaking work at the intersection of art and medicine, this episode reveals the human side of healthcare that is often overlooked in checklists and clinical routines. This episode unpacks how narrative medicine, emotional intelligence, and interprofessional collaboration can transform patient care, from routine procedures to life-altering memories. Whether you're a clinician, educator, or health professions student, this episode will challenge how you think about empathy, communication, and the legacy of care. 🩺 Topics include: * Why patients remember the how, not just the what * Using art to teach medical students about empathy and lived experience * The importance of “seven seconds of empathy” in clinical practice * What happens when we miss what patients are really saying * Burnout, humanity, and rebuilding healthcare through connection Learn more about Ted’s work at tedmeyer.com [https://tedmeyer.com], scarredforlifeproject.com [https://scarredforlifeproject.com], and artandmed.com [https://artandmed.com]

Healing Through Scars: Part 1

Artist and patient advocate Ted Meyer [TedMeyer.com] joins Dr. Barbara Maxwell for a powerful conversation on illness, storytelling, and the transformative power of art. Drawing from his own experience with Gaucher disease, Ted shares how personal trauma and recovery shaped his acclaimed “Scarred for Life” project—turning physical scars into visual narratives. Together, they explore how listening to patient stories can reshape clinical practice, deepen empathy, and reframe scars not as symbols of damage, but of survival. For medical educators, students, and anyone interested in narrative medicine, this episode provides a compelling exploration of the intersection of art, identity, and healing.

When Peer Support Leads Recovery

In this episode of Collaborative Conversations, we explore the impact of peer support in addiction recovery through the lived experience of Jodi Miller, a certified peer recovery coach and host of the ⁠Beyond Substance⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/0ef3NhZjWhpdi6O2Y5Xv8p?si=29bbb9a3ecef4ad5] podcast. Jodi joins Dr. April D. Newton to share her journey through substance use recovery and how building trust, empathy, and community connections has helped transform lives. Together, they discuss how peer coaching, lived experience, and interprofessional collaboration can break down stigma, improve care, and create stronger recovery networks in both rural and urban settings. This conversation offers a real-world perspective on community-based recovery, illustrating how shared experiences and honest dialogue can foster healing and hope.

Voices of Lived Experience

In Part 2 of our conversation with patient advocate Rick Phillips, we dive deeper into what it means to live — and lead — with chronic illness. Rick shares powerful stories about navigating type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and the healthcare system itself. From moments of compassionate care to dangerous medical oversight, he offers hard-earned insights on patient-provider relationships, care coordination, and the role of lived experience in improving health outcomes. Hosted by artist and advocate Ted Meyer, this episode continues to spotlight the voices we too often overlook in healthcare: the patients themselves.