The First Cut

GP, educator, creator - Talks with Dr Sesay

GP, educator, creator, and all-around powerhouse, Dr Aziza Sesay makes medicine human, honest, and a little bit fun. From Talks With Dr Sesay to TED Talks (yes, there’s a toy vulva involved), she’s not afraid to tackle the conversations we often shy away from — the words we whisper, the health issues half the population experiences, and why speaking out loud can be revolutionary.

Allergy specialist

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Helen Evans-Howells- allergy specialist, former GP, researcher, and mum of five, to talk about where medicine meets humanity, and what it really means to care in a world of allergies, ethics, and empathy.

Dr Matt Barrett, MedEd Innovator and Study Architect

I sat down with Dr. Matt Barrett, a doctor and educator who has turned medical education into its own kind of creative career through his platform, Study Smarter Medicine. I was fascinated hearing how his journey from medical student to innovator reshaped not only how he learns and teaches, but also how med ed itself can be a space to invent, experiment, and thrive. We get into AI, learning frameworks, and the delicate art of balancing medical practice with personal growth. This episode is a candid and clever exploration of ambition, resilience, and the many unexpected directions medical education can take. Oh, and don’t forget to check out his Never Forget series, it’s like the ultimate brain hack for med students, so go have a look before your next coffee break!

Orthopaedic surgeon and musician

Baijaeek Sain is an orthopaedic surgeon and a trained Indian classical musician. He’s managed to stay rooted in both disciplines, not by forcing balance, but by letting each side shape the other. In this episode, he shares how he’s kept music alive alongside medicine, how the two worlds overlap more than you’d think, and what it means to stay connected to the things that make you feel most like yourself.

Nurse activity manager with MSF

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a nurse in a war zone? In this episode of The First Cut, Stephen Davidson chats about his time working with Médecins Sans Frontières — from Gaza to South Sudan — and what he's learned along the way. We talk field tents, politics, and the human side of healthcare in some of the toughest places on Earth. Now back in Manchester studying conflict response, Stephen brings both honesty and humility to a world that’s often anything but simple. Have a listen — it might just change the way you think about what medicine can do.