Vital Stuff Podcast

Medicine, Innovation & the Fight for Patient Care

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.

Nosebleeds to Innovation: One Physician's Journey from the ER to Entrepreneurship

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 patients and physicians alike, and how NasalClip — born out of ER frustration — is now expanding into a promising new frontier. Equal parts inspiring and honest, this one's for anyone who's ever been told their path doesn't fit the mold.

Inside the Process: The Truth About Building a Career That Actually Fits

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 starting in corporate environments, recognizing the signals that it’s time to change, and why discipline, routine, and self-awareness often matter more than certainty. This isn’t career advice built on shortcuts. DISLAIMER: The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Grey Fox Wealth. This discussion is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice.

Inside Leadership’s Quiet Reality: From Loneliness to Purpose

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 explore what it really feels like to lead, to grow, and to carry responsibility over time. Their conversation moves beyond surface-level success into quieter territory: loneliness at every level, the energy we bring into rooms, the power of asking good questions, and what it means to see yourself not as the center of success, but as a vehicle for something larger. They also reflect on purpose, health, and awareness - and how feeling good about life often comes from small, conscious choices rather than extreme measures. Together, they explore: • Why leadership can feel lonely at every stage • The difference between transactions and real relationships • Curiosity as a discipline, not a tactic • Being interested rather than impressive • Presence, energy & what’s often lost in modern conversations • Stewardship over ego - being a vehicle, not the centre • Purpose over money and long-term thinking • Health, awareness & what it really means to feel well This conversation is calm, honest, and deeply human. A reminder that leadership isn’t always loud - and that purpose, presence, and connection are often what sustain us most over time.

Inside the Inventor’s Mind: Simplicity, Innovation & the Power of Great Mentorship

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 technologies are actually born - through curiosity, collaboration, and a deep respect for simplicity. Together, they explore: • How George accidentally entered the world of medical devices • What he learned working shoulder-to-shoulder with Dr. Fogarty • Why simplicity, not complexity, drives the best innovations • The role mentorship plays in shaping entire careers and industries • The importance of autonomy, trust & responsibility in early innovation teams • How athletics and personal discipline translate into engineering excellence • The collaborative mindset that turns ideas into world-changing products This conversation is honest, inspiring, and filled with the kind of wisdom you can only get from someone who has quietly shaped a generation of medical innovation. It’s a reminder that breakthrough ideas don’t come from doing things the “expected” way-they come from curiosity, courage, and teams built on mutual respect.