Episode Shownotes

As we wrap up Season 2, we delve into an imperative conversation surrounding menstrual health, gender equality, and social justice. This episode features Danielle Keiser, a passionate advocate and educator in menstrual health, who shares her journey and innovative ideas with podcast host Hetal Baman. Menstrual health often gets overshadowed by other topics in gender equality, yet understanding it can reshape societal perspectives profoundly. Danielle Keiser, a leading educator in the field, introduces us to her innovative approach – the development of a menstrual health app targeting men, aiming to broaden education and empathy. Highlighting how understanding menstruation can benefit everyone, Danielle argues it’s not just a women’s issue but a human one.

In the latest episode of our podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Sona Shah, an inspiring entrepreneur dedicated to transforming healthcare access in low and middle-income countries through her venture, Neopenda. As a pioneer in designing medical devices tailored for resource-constrained environments, Sona's journey is a testament to passion and perseverance in the face of overwhelming challenges. We kicked off our conversation by diving back into Sona's formative years at Columbia University, where she crossed paths with Tess Cohen, her co-founder, during a biodesign course. It was there that the seeds for Neopenda were sown, motivated by the staggering rates of newborn mortality in low-income regions. Their mission was clear: to develop medical devices that could withstand the unique constraints of these communities, such as unreliable electricity and challenging climates.

Ayurveda, a 5000-year-old healing system from India, is explored deeply in a conversation between Hetal Baman and Ayurvedic practitioner Austin Vantastic. The episode opens with a thought-provoking question: Is Ayurveda merely a passing fad, or is there genuine wisdom in ancient practices? Hetal shares her personal connection to Ayurveda, noting how it resonates with her Indian heritage while also addressing a common stigma within Indian families that prioritizes Western medicine. Austin recounts his own journey from a successful career in film to discovering Ayurveda after facing serious health issues that Western medicine couldn't resolve.

Advancing pediatric care globally is a complex yet critical challenge, especially in underserved regions where children often lack access to even basic medical services. The episode delves into the transformative work of World Pediatrics, an organization dedicated to bridging these gaps through innovative healthcare solutions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships, which play a vital role in overcoming barriers to healthcare access. Hetal and her guests engage in a thoughtful exploration of the organization’s recent rebranding efforts, aiming to convey their mission more effectively and emphasize their commitment to sustainable healthcare solutions. Through firsthand accounts and expert insights, you can gain a deeper understanding of how World Pediatrics is not only providing immediate surgical care but also empowering local healthcare systems to sustain long-term improvements in pediatric health outcomes.

This conversation with Vafa Akhavan’s on pediatric healthcare reveals a world where the need for surgical intervention is an often-overlooked crisis. With only 3% of children in low-income countries receiving necessary surgical care, the episode sheds light on the transformative work being done by World Pediatric Project. Vafa discusses how his diverse background in filmmaking and consulting has shaped his approach to leadership within the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the critical need for compassion and community engagement in healthcare. His insights into the disparities between healthcare access in affluent and underserved regions highlight the urgent need for action and awareness in addressing these inequities.

In the latest episode of the Global Health Pursuit podcast, we explore the challenges refugee and migrant youth face as they adapt to new countries, cultures, and educational systems. This episode features Ilana Seff, a mental health expert affiliated with the SALaMA study, and Jeremy Aldrich, an advocate for inclusive education and bilingual learning. Together, they delve into how schools and communities can support these young people, ensuring they not only survive but truly thrive in their new environments.

Ever wondered why the vaginal microbiome plays such an essential role in women's health? Dr. Craig Cohen recently shed invaluable light on this topic during an in-depth conversation with Hetal Baman. From the significance of bacterial vaginosis (BV) to the future of microbiome research, Dr. Cohen's insights are a must-know for anyone interested in reproductive health.

In recent years, the conversation around contraception has predominantly focused on female methods, often leaving men with limited options such as condoms and vasectomy. However, an exciting shift is occurring in the realm of reproductive health, as male contraception takes center stage. Heather Vahdat, Executive Director at Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI), spoke with me about the promising advancements in male contraception and their potential impact on global health.

Our guest today is Mike Smith, the co-founder and CEO of Aclymate, a company that's spearheading efforts to help small to medium-sized businesses achieve carbon neutrality. Mike's journey is fascinating, from a career in the Navy to starting a company dedicated to sustainability. In this episode, we cover ground from his personal experiences to how reforestation and carbon markets fit into the battle against climate change, and even a troubling concept known as fatal heat.

Dr. Kishor Wasan, a dedicated academic at the University of British Columbia (UBC), has committed his career to tackling neglected global diseases and broadening access to essential medicines. In an interview, Dr. Wasan opens up about his unexpected journey, the challenges faced, and the significant achievements of the Neglected Global Diseases Initiative (NGDI) at UBC.

In a recent conversation with Dr. Mitra Naseh, I had the privilege of uncovering her transformative journey from Iran to the United States and the significant work she is doing in the field of social work and refugee wellbeing. This dialogue was not just enlightening but also deeply inspiring, showcasing the profound impact one person can have on addressing the complexities of forced migration.

I'm smiling so hard as I write this. This year has truly been a beautiful year of new adventures. On May 4th, I got to marry my best friend and biggest supporter as I navigate through life and career with this amazing podcast.

When I started this podcast, it was more than just a passion for global health; it was a search for purpose. I wanted to create something that was more than just a hobby. I envisioned a platform that could spark positive change and contribute to the betterment of our world. Your support has been the cornerstone of this podcast's success, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

As I sit down to reflect on the past year of hosting the Global Health Pursuit Podcast, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible journey it has been. From engaging conversations with inspiring individuals to the moments of self-discovery, this podcast has truly been a labor of love. Join me as I take you through some of the key learnings and experiences that have shaped this past year.

In this episode, we dive deep into the heart and soul behind an extraordinary movement – One ATTA Time, a non-profit organization committed to providing clean water to families across the globe. Founded by Sean Kappauf, the journey of this organization is not just a tale of humanitarian effort but a profound story of personal transformation and the power of turning apathy into action.

In this episode, Dr. Iannotti sheds light on how proper nutrition habits and food sourcing can drastically improve the lives of children suffering from wasting and stunted growth. She referenced the 2022 edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, which revealed alarming statistics: an estimated 45 million children under five years of age suffer from wasting, 149 million have stunted growth, and 39 million are affected by being overweight.

In this episode Dr. Amani Ballour, a Syrian pediatrician and activist discusses her upbringing in a conservative Syrian community, her path to becoming a doctor against societal expectations, and her intense experiences managing an underground hospital during the Syrian conflict. She details the challenges of treating victims of chemical attacks with limited resources and the normalization of violence in war zones. Dr. Ballour also speaks on the discrimination she faced as a female leader in a war-torn area, emphasizing the importance of women's roles in healthcare and leadership. Her story highlights the resilience of those working under extreme conditions to provide care and hope amidst chaos.

Dr. Munk's path to medicine was paved with a profound curiosity about people's lives and stories. Initially drawn to journalism, he found his true calling in emergency medicine, where he could be an integral part of patients' narratives. His early years in a volunteer ambulance service ignited a passion that would lead him to a career dedicated to healing. However, the reality of practicing emergency medicine in the West was a stark contrast to his aspirations. Dr. Munk faced a system that prioritized volume over value, leaving him in a constant struggle between his duty to the system and his desire to provide genuine care. This moral injury, as he described it, was a wake-up call that something had to change.

In this episode of the Global Health Pursuit podcast, we speak with Abe Wright, co-founder and CTO of Design Outreach. They discuss Abe's transition from an engineer at J&J to leading a nonprofit focused on global health. Abe shares the story of the Life Pump, a reliable and sustainable water pump designed to alleviate poverty. The episode covers the technical challenges and successes in developing the Life Pump, Design Outreach's growth, and their expansion into other areas like sanitation and medical devices. Abe talks about the importance of setting higher standards for reliability in global health technologies and the transformative impact of consistent water access, as evidenced by a decade-long functioning Life Pump in Malawi. The conversation also touches on opportunities for engineers and volunteers to get involved with Design Outreach's mission.

Today, I want to share with you a topic that's close to my heart and pivotal to our global community: poverty alleviation through education. In a recent episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Ajit George, the Chief Operating Officer of Shanti Bhavan, a remarkable institution that's carving a path of hope in India. This conversation not only inspired me but also reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education.