Podcast Episodes
Explore all episodes of Medicine Made General, a monthly podcast from the Johns Hopkins Division of General Internal Medicine. Each episode features clear, practical conversations about the health topics that matter to you.
2026
Episode 13 – Building a Better Skin Care Routine
Release Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Healthy skin and perfect skin are two different things. In this episode of Medicine Made General, dermatologist Sima Rozati, MD, PhD, challenges common misconceptions about skin care and covers the dangers of skin cancer. Dr. Rozati discusses a range of topics: "clean beauty” claims, common misconceptions, retinoids, hyaluronic acid, moisturizers, sunscreen, and more, explaining what’s worth focusing on what’s mostly marketing.
Episode 12 – Protein Is Having a Moment
Release Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Protein seems to be everywhere right now, but how much does a person actually need? In Medicine Made General’s May episode, we sit down with obesity medicine specialist Marci Laudenslager, MD, MHS, to break down what protein is, simple ways to calculate how much you need, how protein needs change throughout your life, and why more protein shouldn’t always be the goal.
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Episode 11 – Decisions Your Loved Ones Shouldn’t Have to Guess
Release Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
What would happen if you couldn’t speak for yourself while experiencing a medical emergency? That’s why things like advance directives are so important when it comes to planning your healthcare. In this episode of Medicine Made General, palliative care physician Ivy Akid, MD, breaks down advance care planning – what it is and why it’s important for adults young and old.
Dr. Akid is nationally recognized for her work in palliative care. She has directed a short film on end-of-life care, delivered a TEDx talk on “how finding beauty in death teaches us about life,” and has even sat down with Mario Lopez to discuss palliative medicine.
Resources: Attorney General of Maryland | PREPAREforYourCare.org | The People’s Law Library of Maryland
Episode 10 – Sleep: The Other Vital Sign
Release Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Sleep is foundational to good health, but many people aren’t getting enough. In this episode of Medicine Made General, Dr. Charlene Gamaldo breaks down sleep – how much do adults really need, the consequences of chronic sleep deprivation, and separating myths from facts. Dr. Gamaldo also dives into insomnia treatments, best practices for tracking sleep, the effect daylight saving time has on the U.S. population and more.
Episode 9 – Your Guide to Cold & Flu Season
Release Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
A common cold, the flu, and even COVID-19 share similar symptoms, but it’s important to know they aren’t treated the same way. In Episode 9 of Medicine Made General, Dr. Christine Krueger explains what it means to have an “upper respiratory infection.” In our discussion, we talk about the best ways to manage your symptoms at home and what warning signs to look out for that indicate more care may be needed. We also identify practical steps to protect yourself and others during flu season.
Episode 8 – Making Sense of Dementia
Release Date: Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026
What’s normal aging vs. dementia? In this episode of Medicine Made General, Dr. Ravi Gupta goes into detail on what the term “dementia” means, how it differs from normal forgetfulness, and why dementia is more than just memory loss. In this episode, we discuss common warning signs, the different types of dementia, new treatments and testing, caregiver support, and practical approaches for our listeners to take at any age to keep their brains healthy and reduce risks.
2025
Episode 7 – Alco-Holidays: A Practical Approach to Drinking Smarter
Release Date: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025
The holidays are a time of celebration — and for many people, a time of heavier drinking. In this episode of Medicine Made General, addiction medicine and primary care physician Dr. Alia Bodnar breaks down what patients should know about alcohol: what current guidelines really mean, how common myths took hold, what “holiday heart” is, and why the body doesn’t distinguish between beer, wine, and liquor. She also shares early signs of risky drinking and practical steps for staying safe, setting limits, and getting support if cutting back feels hard.
Episode 6 – Living Well With — or Preventing — Type 2 Diabetes
Release Date: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common and often preventable conditions seen in primary care. In this episode of Medicine Made General, Dr. Nisa Maruthur explains what type 2 diabetes and prediabetes really mean, why many people don’t recognize the symptoms, and what steps can help prevent or delay the disease. She also discusses treatment options, common barriers to lifestyle change, and how the Brancati Center she directs is bringing evidence-based diabetes prevention directly to the community as it celebrates 10 years of impact.
Episode 5 (Part 1 & 2)
Caring for the Whole Person: Through Cancer & Beyond (Part 1)
Release Date: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025
What does it mean to be a cancer survivor? In this episode of Medicine Made General, Johns Hopkins cancer survivorship researcher Claire Snyder, PhD, MHS, joins hosts Dr. Bimal Ashar and Katie Caviness-Crolley to explore what survivorship really means—and why it begins at diagnosis, not after treatment ends. Dr. Snyder discusses how primary care providers and cancer specialists can work together to care for the whole person, ensuring other health needs don’t get overlooked during or after cancer treatment. She also explains how survivorship care plans help patients and clinicians navigate follow-up care, potential side effects, and long-term health after cancer.
The Power of the Patient Voice (Part 2)
Release Date: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025
How does listening to patients transform cancer care? In part two of Medicine Made General’s conversation on cancer survivorship, Claire Snyder returns to explain how her work helps patients’ voices shape their care. She discusses patient-reported outcomes (PROs) — structured ways for patients to share how they feel, function, and live their lives — and how these insights improve treatment and communication. Dr. Snyder also shares how her international consortium, PROTEUS, brings together patients, clinicians, and researchers to translate science into practice.
Episode 4 – Comics & Compassion: Support at Every Stage of Illness
Release Date: Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025
Featuring: Nathan Gray, MD
Hosts: Dr. Bimal Ashar & Katie Caviness-Crolley
What exactly is palliative care — and how is it different from hospice? In this episode of Medicine Made General, Johns Hopkins palliative care physician and graphic artist Nathan Gray, MD, explains how his field improves quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness. Dr. Gray shares how palliative care helps manage symptoms like pain and fatigue, supports communication about treatment choices, and works alongside curative therapies. He also discusses the misconceptions patients often bring to their first visit and why his art and comics offer a unique way to spark conversations about health, illness, and meaning.
Episode 3 – Inside GLP-1s: How They Work, Who They Help & What to Expect
Release Date: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025
Featuring: Selvi Rajagopal, MD, MPH
Hosts: Dr. Bimal Ashar & Katie Caviness-Crolley
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are generating major buzz for weight loss — but what’s fact, what’s fiction and what do they really do in the body? In this expended episode, Dr. Selvi Rajagopal, a Johns Hopkins internist, pediatrician, and obesity medicine specialist, explains how GLP-1s work, who may benefit from them and what to expect when starting treatment. She also addresses common misconceptions, discusses costs and access, and highlights why lifestyle changes still play a crucial role in weight management.
Episode 2 – More than Hot Flashes: Debunking Menopause Myths
Release Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Featuring: Tina Zhang, MD
Hosts: Dr. Bimal Ashar & Katie Caviness-Crolley
Many people think menopause is just hot flashes and mood swings — but there’s a lot more to the story. In this episode, Dr. Tina Zhang, a Johns Hopkins internist, women’s health expert, and certified menopause provider, breaks down the myths and facts about menopause. She explains what’s really happening in the body, how to manage symptoms, the latest thinking on hormone therapy, and what every woman and their loved ones should know to feel informed during this transition.
Episode 1 – Vitamins & Supplements: Should You Be Taking That?
Release Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Featuring: Bimal Ashar, MD, MBA
Host: Katie Caviness-Crolley
Millions of Americans take daily vitamins or supplements — but are they really helping? In our very first episode, Dr. Bimal Ashar, a Johns Hopkins internal medicine doctor and expert in preventive care, breaks down the science behind common supplements. He explains which ones might be helpful, which ones to skip, and how to make smart choices about your health.
