Primary Medicine Podcast

Dear listeners, Physician burnout is often framed as a personal problem—but what if it’s really a problem with the way medicine is structured? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tracy Gapin, physician entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, bestselling author of Male 2.0, and founder of the Peak Launch Institute. After years in traditional urology practice, Dr. Gapin built a different model of care focused on what he calls Precision Performance Medicine. We discuss why so many physicians feel trapped in high-volume, insurance-driven medicine, how doctors can begin transitioning toward more autonomous and sustainable cash-based practices, and why making a change doesn’t have to mean blowing up your career overnight. We also explore Dr. Gapin’s approach to men’s health, testosterone, longevity, and performance—and how his thinking has evolved since writing Male 2.0. Listen to the full podcast episode here. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 123: Reimagining Medical Practice Burnout, Autonomy & Better Care with Dr. Gapin appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.

Dear listeners, Although breastfeeding initiation rates in Canada remain among the highest in the world, maintaining exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended six months continues to be a major challenge. In this episode, pediatrician and lactation consultant Dr. Rajinder Gulati joins us to unpack why so many mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended and what healthcare systems can do differently. We discuss the striking regional differences across Canada, including why British Columbia consistently outperforms other provinces, and explore what lessons can be learned from both successful provincial programs and immigrant communities, whose breastfeeding outcomes often exceed those of Canadian-born mothers. Dr. Gulati explains why “not enough breast milk” is one of the most commonly reported reasons for stopping breastfeeding—and why true low milk supply is far less common than many people believe. We also examine the importance of early lactation support, healthcare provider training, family and workplace support, and addressing the socioeconomic barriers that disproportionately affect vulnerable families. Finally, Dr. Gulati shares the evidence-based interventions he believes would have the greatest impact if adopted by health leaders across Canada, from expanding access to skilled lactation support to creating policies that enable mothers to continue breastfeeding for as long as they choose. Listen to the full podcast episode here. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 122: Building a Breastfeeding Friendly Healthcare System with Dr. Rajinder Gulati appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.

Dear listeners, Today’s guest is Dr. Alan Cohen, a pediatric neurosurgeon whose career has spanned more than four decades at some of the world’s most respected institutions, including Boston Children’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins. Throughout his career, Dr. Cohen has cared for children facing some of the most serious neurological conditions imaginable and has guided countless families through life-altering diagnoses, difficult decisions, and moments of profound uncertainty. In his new memoir, Comfort Always: Healing in the Age of Technology, Dr. Cohen reflects on a question that sits at the heart of modern healthcare: as medicine becomes increasingly sophisticated, efficient, and data-driven, what happens to the human connection that patients need most? Drawing from deeply personal stories from the operating room and bedside, Dr. Cohen explores the difference between treating disease and truly healing patients, the emotional burden physicians carry, and why empathy remains one of medicine’s most powerful tools. Today we’ll discuss what modern healthcare is gaining through technology, what it may be losing, and how clinicians can preserve compassion, trust, and humanity in an increasingly digital world. Here is link to his publications and if you wish to buy Comfort Always: Healing in the Age of Technology Listen to the full podcast episode here. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 121: Can Medicine Stay Human in the Age of AI with Dr Alan Cohen appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.

Plastics are everywhere—and so is the confusion surrounding them. In this episode, we sit down with Chris DeArmitt, independent scientist, materials expert, and founder of the Plastics Research Council. Known for his rigorous, evidence-first approach, Chris has spent years analyzing peer-reviewed research to better understand the real impact of plastics and microplastics on human health and the environment. Together, we unpack some of the most common misconceptions driving public concern today. Are microplastics truly harming our health, or is the science still evolving? Why has plastics become such a misunderstood topic—and what can healthcare professionals learn from this when communicating risk to patients? We also explore the realities of recycling, the challenges and opportunities of building a circular economy, and how well-intentioned policies can sometimes miss the mark. Throughout the conversation, Chris offers a grounded, science-based perspective that cuts through sensationalism and focuses on what actually improves environmental and health outcomes. This episode is a must-listen for clinicians, healthcare leaders, and anyone looking to make more informed, practical decisions about sustainability. Listen to the full podcast episode here. Connect with Chris: website | LinkedIn | email Link to Shattering the Plastics Illusion Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 120: Microplastics, Myths, and Medicine. What the Evidence Really Says with Chris DeArmitt. appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.

Dear listeners, Today’s episode is a deeply moving conversation about grief, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going after unimaginable loss. We’re joined by Marcia Earhart — certified life, grief, and trauma coach, educator, mental health first responder, and founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary. But beyond her professional work, Marcia brings something even more powerful to this conversation: lived experience. After the loss of both of her sons, alongside chronic illness and significant family trauma, Marcia found herself navigating what she calls the “garden of grief.” In this episode, she shares what it truly looks like to live inside grief — not just emotionally, but physically and spiritually — and how her faith became an anchor in the midst of profound suffering. We explore the meaning behind her book, Gripping Grace in the Garden of Grief, and the idea of “gripping grace” — holding on to something steady when everything else feels like it’s falling apart. Marcia also opens up about the process of writing through pain, and how that journey helped transform her grief into purpose. Through her work with The Sterling Rose Sanctuary, Marcia now supports others facing loss, creating a space for honesty, compassion, and healing. She shares what people often misunderstand about grief, how healing really unfolds, and what it looks like to move from simply surviving to beginning to live again. This is a conversation for anyone who has experienced loss — or who wants to better understand how to show up for someone who has. If you or someone you love is carrying grief, this episode is a reminder: you are not alone. Listen to the full podcast episode here. Link to The Sterling Rose Sanctuary Link to Gripping Grace in the Garden of Grief Sincerely, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 119: Marcia Earhart on Grief, Faith, and Healing appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.

Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we take a closer look at the growing role of AI chatbots in healthcare—and the risks that come with them. Dr. Christie Bergerson, biomedical engineer and AI expert at ECRI, joins us to unpack how tools like ChatGPT are being used by both patients and clinicians. From drafting clinical notes to answering medical questions, these technologies are already shaping care in meaningful ways—but not always safely. We explore why AI chatbots can be particularly risky in healthcare, including their tendency to sound confident even when they’re wrong, and how that differs from traditional clinical decision support tools. Dr. Bergerson also discusses the rise of patients turning to AI for medical advice, the potential impact on patient safety, and where clinicians should draw the line when using these tools in practice. The conversation also dives into regulation, highlighting the important differences between general-purpose AI tools and regulated medical devices, and why that distinction matters. Dr. Bergerson shares real-world examples of misuse, the role of bias in AI systems, and what healthcare organizations need to consider when building governance frameworks. Finally, we discuss practical guidance for clinicians who want to explore AI responsibly, and what the future of AI chatbot integration in healthcare might look like over the next five years. This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to understand not just what AI can do in healthcare—but what it should do. AI chatbots are rapidly making their way into healthcare—from patients seeking medical advice to clinicians drafting notes and summarizing research. But with that opportunity comes real risk. In our latest episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Christie Bergerson (with ECRI), a biomedical engineer and AI safety expert, to unpack what’s actually happening on the ground with tools like ChatGPT—and where things can go wrong. We explore:• Why AI chatbots can sound convincing even when they’re wrong• The growing trend of patients turning to AI before seeing a doctor• Where AI can safely support clinicians—and where it crosses the line• The difference between regulated medical AI and general-purpose tools• What healthcare organizations need to have in place before adopting AI This is a practical, grounded conversation for clinicians, healthcare leaders, and anyone trying to navigate AI responsibly in medicine. Listen now and join the conversation on what safe AI adoption should look like. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 118: When AI Gets It Wrong – The Risks of Healthcare Chatbots with Dr. Christie Bergerson appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.

Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we sit down with Tom Swales—physiotherapist, performance expert, and founder of the Advanced Movement Therapist Certification. Tom shares lessons from more than two decades working with elite athletes and everyday patients, and reflects on how a life-threatening infection in 2023 transformed his perspective on resilience, recovery, and patient care. We explore how his AMT approach integrates strength training with rehabilitation, why movement literacy matters for all patients—not just athletes—and where integrated performance medicine is headed. A thoughtful, practical conversation about bouncing back, redefining performance, and building more human-centered care. Let’s dive right in! Listen to the podcast here. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 117: Tom Swales on AMT, Performance, Wellness and Personal Growth appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.

Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, Dr. Dimitre speaks with Sharmeen Aqueel, founder and CEO of Lyvvora, a Lending-as-a-Service platform built specifically for healthcare clinics and pharmacies. With a background in enterprise tech, Sharmeen shares how she identified a hidden but urgent problem in primary care: outdated, opaque financing that holds back even thriving clinics. Together, they explore how Lyvvora is helping practices across Canada access fast, fair, and flexible capital—without the paperwork headache. From real-world success stories to insights on the post-COVID financial landscape, this conversation sheds light on how better financial tools can empower clinicians to focus on what really matters: patient care. Let’s dive right in! Listen to the podcast here. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 116: Unlocking Growth – Smarter Financing for Clinics with Lyvvora’s Sharmeen Aqueel appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.

Dear listeners, What if a molecule could help you live longer and feel better doing it? In this episode, I’m joined by scientist and entrepreneur Chris Burres, founder of MyVitalC, to explore ESS60—a powerful antioxidant that could reshape how we think about aging and vitality. We break down the science, bust a few myths, and share real steps you can take today to support a longer, healthier life. Let’s dive right in! Listen to the podcast here. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 115: Can We Hack Aging? The Science of ESS60 with Chris Burres appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.

Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, family physician Dr. Rory Sullivan joins us to explore the intersection of medicine and storytelling. We discuss how his clinical experience shaped his debut novel Waking on the Ground, the realities of publishing while practicing, and what’s next on his creative path. A must-listen for anyone curious about narrative medicine and the art of balancing creativity with clinical life. Website – https://roryosullivan.caBook – https://roryosullivan.ca/eamon-rourke/Narrative Medicine workshop – https://narrativebasedmedicine.ca/offering/from-page-to-publication/ Let’s dive right in! Listen to the podcast here. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 114: Waking on the Ground Dr. Rory Sullivan Journey into Narrative Medicine appeared first on Primary Medicine Podcast.