Small Talk, Big Topics

Small Talk, Big Topics returns with a renewed focus on the issues shaping today's gastroenterology workforce, patient care environment, and health care systems. In this kickoff episode, the hosts, Drs. Nina Nandy, Victory G. Chedid, and Ugo Iroku, are joined by guest Dr. Joan A. Culpepper-Morgan to introduce the vision for the new season, reflecting on how the field has evolved and why conversations about equity, inclusion, access, and professional growth remain essential. Listeners will get a preview of the season's key themes, including clinical equity, the systems that influence GI care, and the diverse career paths available within and beyond traditional practice.

Effective mentorship plays a critical role in career growth, leadership development, and long-term success in gastroenterology. Yet women in GI continue to face unique challenges related to access, sponsorship, representation, advancement, and leadership opportunities. Drs. Fola May, Rhonda Souza, and Rebecca Ekeanyanwu joined host Dr. Nina Nandy to explore how mentorship, sponsorship, and allyship can help address these persistent barriers while creating more inclusive pathways for professional development. Through personal stories, practical examples, and candid discussion, the conversation examines various models of mentorship and support across career stages.

Providing inclusive, patient-centered care requires an understanding of the unique experiences and health care needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. In this episode, Drs. Nikki Duong, Kara Jencks, and Hannah Phillips join host Dr. Victor Chedid to discuss how GI practices can enhance patient experiences through inclusive communication, respectful clinical workflows, and equitable care delivery. Topics include intake processes, anatomy-based screening approaches, chronic disease management considerations, fertility and reproductive health, endoscopy experiences, and strategies for creating welcoming environments for both patients and health care professionals.

The mid-season finale takes a creative look at the many career opportunities available beyond traditional clinical, academic, and private practice roles. Using the concept of "extraintestinal manifestations" as a metaphor, Drs. Vivian Asamoah, Austin Chiang, and Iris Wang join hosts Drs. Ugo Iroku and Victor Chedid to explore careers in media, public communication, digital health, entrepreneurship, industry, policy, and advocacy. Listeners will learn how the skills developed through GI training can open doors to diverse professional paths while gaining practical ideas for exploring new opportunities without leaving their primary career track.

Clinical guidelines are critical to delivering high-quality inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, but optimal outcomes often require addressing factors beyond disease activity alone. In this episode, guests Dr. Sandra Quezada and health advocate Tina Aswani-Omprakash, MPH, join hosts Drs. Ugo Iroku and Victor Chedid to examine how cultural beliefs, dietary practices, mental health, language access, insurance barriers, and patient trust influence treatment success. The episode highlights the importance of multidisciplinary care and explores strategies for identifying and addressing social and personal factors that impact a patient's ability to thrive.

Many of the skills required for success in medicine are learned outside formal training programs. Drs.  Joan Culpepper-Morgan, Anita Afzali and Matthew Whitson join host Dr. Ugo Iroku on this episode to explore the "hidden curriculum" of health care, including feedback, conflict resolution, leadership, sponsorship, bias, workplace dynamics, and team management. Through real-world scenarios and multidisciplinary perspectives, listeners will learn practical strategies for navigating challenging conversations, fostering inclusive learning environments, and developing the leadership skills necessary for effective teamwork and career advancement.

Feeling like the promotion process is shrouded in mystery? In this episode, host Dr. Matthew Whitson and guest host Dr. Averill Guo work to unveil the mystery with guests Drs. Olga Aroniadis, GI Division Chief at Stony Brook University Hospital and Michelle Kim, GI department chair at the Cleveland Clinic. While every institution is a bit different, they offer their most practical tips on who to talk to and when to advance in tenure or nontenure positions.

If you’re receiving late night calls about handling food impaction cases in Eosinophilic Esophagitis patients, or if you’re just curious about how to best treat EoE patients, you’ll hopefully find this episode relatable and beneficial! Host Dr. Matthew Whitson and guest host Dr. Weston Bettner chat with guests Drs. Kristle Lee Lynch, director of the Esophageal and Swallowing Center at the University of Pennsylvania, and Evan Dellon, director of the Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on how to better prevent and treat fibrostenosis in patients with EoE and the direction of the field and treatments.

We're live from Digestive Disease Week 2024! Host Dr. Matthew Whitson is joined by one of our favorite guests, Dr. Janice Jou, professor of medicine and fellowship program director at Oregon Health & Science University, for a candid conversation about what it’s like in your first job out of training. She shares her advice for dealing with imposter syndrome, how to handle someone questioning your expertise, giving constructive feedback and more. Don’t miss this conversation with one of our most popular guests!