The Reaching Higher Podcast

Three Healthcare Titans on AI, Equity, and Fixing What's Broken

What happens when you put three of healthcare's sharpest minds in the same room? You get a masterclass in what it's actually going to take to fix a broken system. In this special panel episode, host Aaron Strout is joined by Dr. Amy Abernethy, co-founder of Highlander Health, former FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner, and hematologist-oncologist with 500+ published works; Seema Verma, EVP & GM of Oracle Health and Life Sciences and former CMS Administrator who championed the landmark Patients Over Paperwork initiative; and Christopher Kunney, FHIMSS-credentialed digital transformation strategist, Managing Partner at IOTech Consulting, and 2024 HIMSS Changemaker Award recipient. Together they tackle AI's real promise and persistent hype, the EHR burden on clinicians, why interoperability remains a willingness problem more than a technology one, the dangers of careless digital transformation for underserved communities, and what it takes to lead through change without losing the human element of care. This one is not to be missed. Show Links * Dr. Amy Abernethy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyabernethy/ * Seema Verma's Oracle Bio: https://www.oracle.com/corporate/executives/seema-verma/ * Oracle Next-Generation EHR: https://www.oracle.com/news/announcement/oracle-unveils-next-generation-ehr-2024-10-29/ * Christopher Kunney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherkunney/ * Christopher's Podcast — Straight Outta Health IT: https://www.youtube.com/@StraightOuttaHealthIT-ti6cf ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Mallory McMorrow on Running for US Senate, Fighting Hate, and Why Design Thinking Makes Better Politicians

Re-posting this episode with Michigan State Senator and 2026 US Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow who brings a refreshing, no-bullshit approach to politics — one rooted not in law school, but in industrial design. In this candid conversation, Mallory shares how her Notre Dame design background shaped her problem-solving mindset, her mother's powerful example of faith-in-action over performative religion, and the now-viral 2022 Senate floor speech that changed everything. She unpacks her new book, Hate Won't Win, a part memoir, part step-by-step blueprint for everyday Americans who want to drive real civic change — including why she urges people to ditch cable news and online petitions in favor of genuine community engagement. Mallory also opens up about appearing on The Daily Show, taking calls from President Biden, and her vision for a "new American dream" built on success, safety, and sanity. An inspiring, honest, and laugh-out-loud conversation you won't want to miss. * 📘 Hate Won't Win by Mallory McMorrow — Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/] * 🗳️ McMorrow for Michigan (campaign site) — mcmorrowformichigan.com [https://mcmorrowformichigan.com/] * 📺 Mallory McMorrow on The Daily Show with Desi Lydic [https://youtu.be/lv5P8d554yk?si=EwF2CsiDo6hdxAvj] * 🏛️ Mallory McMorrow's viral 2022 Michigan Senate floor speech [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mallory+McMorrow+senate+speech] * 🎭 Kyra Harris Bolden [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyra_Harris_Bolden] — Michigan Supreme Court Justice (recommended future podcast guest) * 🌐 Emerge America [https://www.emergeamerica.org/] — training program for Democratic women candidates ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Hacking a Path Through Alzheimer’s: Phyllis Ferrell on Early Detection and Brain Health

What happens when your professional mission and your deepest personal loss become the same thing? Phyllis Barkman Ferrell — former Eli Lilly executive, global health architect, and relentless Alzheimer’s advocate — knows firsthand. Six months after taking over Lilly’s Alzheimer’s disease portfolio in 2011, her father was diagnosed. Eighteen months later, her father-in-law was too. That loss became the fuel for a 30-year career and, ultimately, the reason she walked away from a major drug launch to go fix a broken system. In this episode, Phyllis breaks down the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, explains why amyloid plaque builds up 10–20 years before symptoms appear, and shares the science-backed steps — sleep, diet, exercise, social connection — that can prevent up to 42% of dementias. She also talks about building the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative from a blank sheet of paper, launching the StartUp Health Alzheimer’s Moonshot, and why one drug will never be the silver bullet. Plus: does Wordle actually help your brain? She answers that too. IN THIS EPISODE * Alzheimer’s vs. dementia — and why getting the language right matters * The 10–20 year preclinical window and the PET scan breakthrough that changed everything * Why only 50% of people with Alzheimer’s ever get a diagnosis * Building the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative across 80 sites in 19 countries * The Alzheimer’s Moonshot: 50+ startups racing to solve the puzzle together * The 2024 Lancet Commission’s brain health protocol — and why sleep is the most underrated intervention * James Keach, Earth Wind & Fire, and the podcast about poisoners with cocktail recipes SHOW LINKS * Phyllis Barkman Ferrell on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phylferrell/] * Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative [https://davosalzheimerscollaborative.org/] * StartUp Health Alzheimer’s Moonshot [https://startuphealth.com/moonshots/alzheimers/] * Alzheimer’s Association — Find Your Local Chapter [https://www.alz.org/local_resources/find_your_local_chapter] * I’ll Be Me — Glenn Campbell Alzheimer’s Documentary [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3966820/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Hidden Health Tool You Already Have: A Deep Dive Into Breath Work With Charlie Baldwin

What if the most powerful tool for your mental and physical health has been with you your entire life? In this episode, Aaron sits down with Charlie Baldwin, a certified breathing instructor with the Art of Living — a global wellness organization founded in 1981, now active in over 185 countries. During this episode, Charlie shares his remarkable journey from a college student battling depression and nearly dropping out, to a transformative breath work teacher at universities and retreat centers worldwide. Together, Aaron and Charlie explore the science behind SKY Breathing, how your breath serves as a biological lever for your emotions, and how to bring even the most skeptical people into the practice. Show Links: * Art of Living Foundation - https://www.artofliving.org/ * SKY Breathing Overview - https://www.artofliving.org/us-en/sky-breath-meditation * Charlie Baldwin demonstrating "UJAI" breah - https://youtube.com/shorts/Jb4Bph9MX20 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Cutting Edge of Cancer Care: Dr. Lorenzo Cohen on Biofield Research at MD Anderson

What if the most powerful cancer-fighting tools aren't found in a pharmacy, but in your daily habits? In this episode, Aaron sits down with Dr. Lorenzo Cohen, a pioneer in integrative oncology who has spent nearly 30 years at MD Anderson Cancer Center blending conventional cancer care with evidence-based lifestyle interventions. Dr. Cohen introduces us to the "Mix of Six" — six lifestyle pillars that can meaningfully reduce cancer risk — and explains why how you sleep, eat, move, and connect may be just as important as any treatment protocol. It's a conversation that will genuinely change how you think about your health. Resources & Links: 📖 Anticancer Living: Transform Your Life and Health with the Mix of Six — Get the book [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.amazon.com/Anticancer-Living-Transform-Your-Health/dp/0735220433/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=186027645323&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a8AQDm6s0xOgh5NTcXgQNl4hENZJ4eZeA34iI-TU_BJ0M5bkNBri0UXvv0KoEItAkDw8c1irRd_67NFzRpyOqhvmePCVQ4tUyTNNUvIiZL47ynzrygrARTcc3kjyoh5qWjwVbRHDottDmBHBIZfAdCc1v8Qk_1jFU1vvkDPpdKXptTYzH7o-djPayUpEgHzn4K8URrloevx6NOyagotp9XEhx_KVD9QRgQWt4-MJAHk.uI-pIoow9teo4aABQdz9Cin7GLg_XhSzqrFtLtVtRHU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=792773275613&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9198597&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=1859595324188386728--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1859595324188386728&hvtargid=kwd-416028198653&hydadcr=11873_13659522_2449276&keywords=anticancer*living&mcid=997432895b4a3d1eb49e1c9e886a0b67&qid=1778598341&sr=8-1__;Kw!!PfbeBCCAmug!kiUfrcsCtgkRwGAIH3-UCvgTGl3fEGNfxFKhxl5BZBb1wFkM2I8Mrm0WPNQajVF_Inbi85yrOm2H4IAOUQJPwvms$] 🌿 Alison Jefferies, wellness coach & co-author — Living Well with Alison [https://livingwellwithalison.com/] 🔬 Learn more about Biofield Therapy — Phenomena Healing [https://www.phenomenahealing.com/] 📄 Peer-reviewed study on Biofield Therapy and cancer — Wiley Oncology Journal [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cam4.71726] 📰 Biofield Therapy slows pancreatic cancer progression — Business Wire Study Announcement [https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260413676727/en/Study-Finds-Biofield-Therapy-Slows-Pancreatic-Cancer-Progression-and-Reduces-Metastasis] 🌳 EWG -- https://ewg.org 🛸 https://www.phenomena.com/ 🛸 https://www.phenomena.com/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.