The Vitals

Mental health has become one of the defining health challenges of our time. Rates of depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and other psychiatric conditions continue to rise, while many people still struggle to access the care they need. In this episode of The Vitals, host Leslie Schlachter sits down with three leading Mount Sinai experts: Dr. Veerle Bergink, Dr. Shilpa Taufique, and Dr. James Murrough. Together, they explore the current state of mental health care, the barriers preventing patients from receiving treatment, and the groundbreaking research that could transform psychiatric medicine in the years ahead.  The conversation examines the growing demand for mental health services, the impact of workforce shortages and insurance barriers, and the importance of reducing stigma surrounding mental illness. The panel also discusses postpartum depression and psychosis, adolescent mental health, treatment-resistant depression, and how advances in neuroscience are reshaping our understanding of psychiatric disorders. Whether you're interested in the science of the brain, the future of psychiatric treatment, or practical insights into today's mental health landscape, this episode offers an in-depth look at where the field stands today and where it's headed next. To learn more about mental health care at Mount Sinai Health System or to find a specialist, follow this link.🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org. 

As life expectancy rises, a new question is taking center stage: how can we stay strong, independent, and active for as long as possible?  In the fourth installment of The Vitals Healthspan miniseries, guest host Dr. Shruti Naik sits down with Dr. Fred Ko and Dr. Ryan Walker to explore the science of frailty, one of the most important yet overlooked factors influencing how we age. Frailty affects millions of older adults and can increase the risk of falls, hospitalizations, loss of independence, and other serious health outcomes. But contrary to popular belief, frailty is not an inevitable part of aging. The conversation explores how strength, mobility, nutrition, and lifestyle choices can influence physical resilience across the lifespan, and why it is never too early, or too late, to take action. The episode also offers practical, evidence-based strategies that listeners of all ages can begin incorporating into their daily lives, from simple exercise routines to nutrition tips that support long-term health and function. 🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org. 

What if the best cancer treatment is finding cancer before symptoms ever appear? Early detection remains one of the most powerful tools in cancer care, but screening only works when people can access it. In this episode of The Vitals, guest host Dr. Raja Flores is joined by Dr. Ash Tewari, Dr. Jamila Sly, and Dr. Emily Sonnenblick for a wide-ranging conversation about how cancer screening is evolving, why participation remains a challenge, and how bringing screening directly into communities could save lives. The panel explores the latest recommendations for breast, prostate, and lung cancer screening; the role of MRI, genomics, biomarkers, and AI in identifying risk earlier; and the growing movement to make screening more accessible through mobile clinics and community-based outreach. They also discuss health disparities, trust in medicine, and the practical barriers that prevent many people from getting potentially lifesaving tests.  Whether you're wondering when to get screened, curious about emerging cancer detection technologies, or interested in how healthcare systems can improve access to care, this episode offers expert perspectives on one of medicine's most important frontiers: finding cancer early, when treatment is most effective. 🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org. 

What will brain surgery look like in the next decade?  On this episode of The Vitals, host Leslie Schlachter sits down with three leading experts in neurosurgery and neurotechnology: Dr. Joshua Bederson, Dr. Benjamin Rapoport, and Dr. Shahram Majidi. Together, they explore the rapidly evolving landscape of brain surgery, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), artificial intelligence, and neurotechnology, and discuss how these innovations may transform care for patients with paralysis, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological conditions.  From robotic assistance in the operating room to the possibility of decoding and interacting with the brain's own "neural code," this wide-ranging discussion offers a fascinating look at where neuroscience, engineering, and medicine are headed next. 🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org. 

Peptides have become one of the biggest trends in health and wellness, with claims ranging from weight loss and muscle building to faster recovery, better sleep, and even longevity.  But what exactly are peptides—and how much of the hype is supported by science? In this episode of The Vitals, host Leslie Schlachter is joined by registered dietitian Eugenia Hamshaw to explore the rapidly expanding world of peptides. They discuss FDA-approved peptide medications, including GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, as well as collagen peptides, growth hormone secretagogues, “healing” peptides, and other products marketed in the biohacking and longevity communities.  The conversation also looks at the risks of non-FDA-approved peptides purchased online, the limited evidence behind many of the products being promoted on social media, and why there may be no substitute for the fundamentals of good health: nutrition, exercise, sleep, hydration, stress management, and human connection.🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org. 

Pancreatic cancer has long been considered one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose and treat. But as researchers learn more about the biology of the disease, advances in surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapies and artificial intelligence are creating new possibilities for patients and families. In this episode of The Vitals, host Leslie Schlachter is joined by three Mount Sinai experts to explore the changing landscape of pancreatic cancer care. They discuss why pancreatic cancer can be so difficult to detect, who may be at increased risk, and how multidisciplinary teams are changing the way patients are evaluated and treated. The panel includes Dr. Deirdre Cohen, Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology; Dr. James Park, Associate Professor of Surgery and Surgical Oncology; and Dr. Karyn Goodman, Professor of Radiation Oncology and Medical Education, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org. 

AI is changing medicine—but it isn't replacing doctors. On this episode of The Vitals, Leslie Schlachter talks with Robbie Freeman and Dr. Girish Nadkarni about how artificial intelligence is already transforming healthcare, from ambient AI that gives clinicians more time with patients to predictive tools that can identify patients at risk before they become critically ill. They also explore the future of AI-powered patient care, personalized medicine and genomics—and the risks of relying too heavily on consumer AI tools. Tune into the Vitals on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org. 

How do scientists know if a new treatment actually works? In Episode 3 of our HealthSpan Explained miniseries, host Dr. Shruti Naik is joined by physician-scientists Dr. Tom Marron and Dr. Fanny Elahi to explore the science behind clinical trials—and why they're the foundation of modern medicine. As excitement grows around longevity research and anti-aging interventions, separating evidence from hype has never been more important. The team explains how randomized clinical trials, placebo controls, biomarkers, and precision medicine help researchers determine whether treatments are truly safe and effective—and why anecdotes and supplements alone aren't enough. In this episode, you'll learn: Why randomized clinical trials remain the gold standard in medicineThe difference between FDA-approved drugs and dietary supplementsHow placebo and nocebo effects influence medical researchWhy biomarkers are transforming the future of clinical trialsWhat "precision clinical trials" could mean for personalized medicineHow the XPRIZE Healthspan Challenge aims to redefine healthy aging Medicine doesn't move on hype—it moves on evidence. Discover how today's clinical trials are laying the groundwork for tomorrow's breakthroughs in longevity and healthspan. Learn more about XPrize Healthspan: https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2025/mount-sinai-researchers-in-semifinals-of-101-million-xprize-healthspan-a-competition-seeking-innovative-approaches-to-aging-well 🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org. 

What if the questions women have been asking for decades are finally getting answers? In this special crossover episode of The Vitals and HERology, Vitals host Leslie Schlachter sits down with Drs. Joanne Stone, Anna Barbieri, and Leslee Shaw to celebrate the opening of Mount Sinai's Carolyn Rowan Center for Women's Health and Wellness—and to explore how it's reshaping women's healthcare. From puberty through pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, and healthy aging, the conversation tackles the hormonal transitions that affect every stage of a woman's life. The panel separates fact from fiction on hormone therapy, GLP-1 medications, peptides, compounded drugs, and the flood of wellness advice dominating social media, while explaining why prevention, education, and personalized care matter more than ever. Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 60s—or simply want to better understand women's health—this episode offers practical, evidence-based guidance from leading experts who are changing the conversation. 🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org. 

What if every child received comprehensive healthcare simply by going to school? In this episode of The Vitals, host Leslie Schlachter sits down with two esteemed guests—Dr. Rachel Vreeman, Director of the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Mount Sinai, and Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Primary Health Care Services for Guyana's Ministry of Health—to discuss one of the world's most ambitious school-based health initiatives. Together, Mount Sinai and the Government of Guyana are bringing comprehensive annual health screenings directly into classrooms—identifying vision, hearing, dental, developmental, mental health, and other concerns before they become lifelong challenges. The program has already screened more than 90,000 children and is helping reshape healthcare policy for an entire nation. The conversation explores why prevention matters, how early intervention improves lifelong health, the logistical challenges of reaching remote communities, and what health care systems around the world—including here in the United States—can learn from this innovative model of care.🎧 Subscribe to The Vitals and explore more podcast programming from Mount Sinai for expert conversations on the biggest issues in medicine, research, and patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7BA-HcHliU8QIXyuk_74L_uH0gyKGtFollow the Mount Sinai Podcast Network on Instagram at @mountsinaipodcasts, and on Facebook under the Mount Sinai Podcast Network!  If this episode inspired you, please consider supporting the Mount Sinai Health System. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to advance compassionate patient care, groundbreaking research, and medical education. Your generosity helps make conversations like this possible—and fuels the work behind them. To learn more or make a gift, visit give.mountsinai.org.