The Health Design Podcast

Dr. Chelsea Turgeon is a business mentor and founder of The Spiritually Ambitious Entrepreneur podcast and community. She left OBGYN residency in 2019 and built a six-figure coaching business from cafés around the world. If you want to build a business that feels like *you*, changes lives, and funds your freedom, subscribe to *The Spiritually Ambitious* Substack.

Eric is a strategist focused on designing experiences people genuinely desire. Over nearly 20 years, he’s worked across hospitality, transportation, and member-based communities—domains where brand, environment, and service design meet. His portfolio includes global experience strategy for Hilton’s luxury brands, premium mobility design at Uber, and the member experience vision for NeueHouse. That same foundation has made Eric a trusted partner in health and well-being, where the stakes are high and the details matter. At Cactus, he leads strategy for a high-touch longevity startup in the Middle East and has helped reimagine care delivery and environment design for Canyon Ranch, Mayo Clinic, and more. An anthropologist by training, Eric blends cultural insight with business logic and spatial storytelling. He works closely with CEOs, product leaders, and architects to shape offerings from the ground up. In this episode of the Podcast, brand strategist Eric Matis explores how lessons from consumer brands can transform healthcare experiences. Drawing on his years at Red Scout, Cactus and his multidisciplinary background, Matis discusses brand strategy as the art of finding focus through intention and how those principles apply to patient empowerment, service design, and cultural change in healthcare. Hear how healthcare can move beyond compliance toward engagement, respect, and desirability—from oncology clinics to digital health tools.

Usually, I feel like a Nincompoop. I am embarrassed. I feel like a failure. I can't do things right. Always. But, it means I try. As an Associate Professor of Strategy and Innovation at Florida State University, I study how firms innovate and learn from failure. I have (co)founded three ventures, one failed, two are doing okay. One is R3ciprocity.com, a platform for researchers to create "non-rejectable papers" through the power of community and AI. R3ciprocity aims to allow researchers to create nearly non-rejectable research papers and grants, and have fun too! Through R3ciprocity, I also engage with a global audience of researchers and practitioners, sharing insights and hope to millions of people on research, innovation, and strategy. I dabbled and failed to publish research in many contexts including editors, prospective entrepreneurs, medical technology, Formula 1 Racing, software development, content creators, and automobile recalls. Occasionally, it has gotten through. He has taught undergraduate, MBA, and doctoral courses on Strategy, Organizational Theory, Research Methods, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He is currently on the Editorial Board of Academy of Management Review, Organization Science, Strategic Organization, serves as the Secretary of the Strategy Division in the Academy of Management. He has published in such outlets as Harvard Business Review, Journal of Management, Journal of World Business, Management Science, Organization Science, and Strategic Management Journal. He has a PhD in Strategy from the Ivey School of Business (Western University), and degrees in Chemical Engineering, Management Science, and Sociology from the University of Waterloo. He held non-academic positions in scientific programming and public policy. He (co)founded the Ivey Medical Technology Innovation conference, CSOL, and R3ciprocity. The Carnegie School of Organizational Learning (CSOL) is the preeminent conference on decision-making and learning within and between organizations. Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3886vB9hdqnmHkOZRFlyih?si=554c3eb0b6bd4a39 YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/r3ciprocityTeam Platform: https://www.r3ciprocity.com

Peter Quarry studied psychology at Melbourne University in the mid-1970s. He worked initially as a counsellor of the unemployed, then pivoted to public speaking, workshop facilitation and content creation. In the 1980s, he co-founded Ash Quarry Productions and became the on-screen expert presenter of corporate training videos that, over the next two decades, gained global recognition. His work was translated into multiple languages and won dozens of international awards. By the early 1990s, Peter was invited to appear on ‘Good Morning Australia’, where he secured a regular slot as the sometimes fun, sometimes serious, ‘Resident Psychologist’, answering viewers’ letters. In 2021, his debut book, If I Were You – A psychologist puts himself on the couch, was published. He is a regular contributor of psychology-related articles for major Australian newspapers, including the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian Financial Review. He is currently writing a new book exploring death anxiety - and how to overcome it. peterquarry.com

Laura Nelson is the co-founder of Sober Life Rocks and author of The Inclusive Event Planner. With a strong background in leadership and events, she champions sober-inclusive gatherings that foster real connection. Her work is inspired by her own sobriety journey and a mission to help professionals design meaningful, welcoming experiences for all. She is also excited about their first conference, Amplify, a sober-focused event amplifying sober voices, on January 15, 2026. Join her in the Sober Life Rocks Community on LinkedIn and grab a free copy of her book at SoberLifeRocks.com. See also: • Amplify Sober Voices – their first conference dedicated to amplifying sober voices, happening January 15, 2026, in Orlando. You can find more here: amplify.soberliferocks.com. • The Inclusive Event Planner – her book on creating sober-inclusive, connection-driven gatherings. Details are here: inclusiveeventplanner.com.

Dr John Malios is an experienced general practitioner and medico-legal examiner, retiring after a 50-year career in general practice. He founded the Oakleigh and District Health Centre (now The General Practitioner) in 1972 and went on to serve as Convenor of Medical Panels Victoria (2012–2017) and Deputy Convenor (2007–2012). He continues to contribute as a Presiding Member on Medical Panel Tribunals and has extensive expertise in medico-legal impairment assessment under the AMA Guides for WorkSafe and Wrongs Act claims. Dr Malios also delivers training for the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF). Currently, he is an occupational health consultant in private industry, Medical Advisor and committee member of Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Australia, a member of the consumer advocacy group for Primary Aldosteronism, and an Associate Investigator with the Hudson Institute’s Primary Aldosteronism Centre of Excellence (PACE). Dr Malios is a Life Member of the AMA and RACGP, and a member of the Australian College of Legal Medicine.

Parker LaCombe is a passionate advocate, strategist, and internationally recognized subject matter expert in mental health, peer support, and systems transformation. As the co-founder of MindCareConnect and firm believer that recovery is possible for all who navigate mental health and substance use challenges, Parker uses her lived experience to bridge the gap between clinical and peer perspectives—co-creating more inclusive, trauma-informed, and human-centered systems of care. Her contributions have been recognized nationally and internationally, earning her the 2024 STAR Peer Support Worker of the Year Award from SAMHSA and recognition as a Rising Star in the 2018 National Lifesavers newsletter by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Parker continues to champion stigma reduction, workforce equity, and peer leadership in mental health and suicide prevention efforts across the globe. Sydney Harris is an international mental health strategist with over 15 years of experience across public and private sectors, dedicated to transforming care into models that are person-centered, accessible, and holistic. She has led major initiatives including the Austin State Hospital Redesign and cross-sector collaborations addressing the intersections of mental health crises, homelessness, and the justice system. Sydney is the co-editor of Redesigning the U.S. Mental Health Care System (Oxford University Press), contributing two chapters to the volume, and the recipient of the prestigious George Pressler Under 40 Award recognizing leadership and vision in healthcare planning, design, construction, and operations. She is the co-founder of MindCareConnect, which elevates lived experience to shape mental health policy and innovation, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. MindCareConnect Website: https://www.mindcareconnect.org/

Terry Tucker is a speaker, author, and podcast guest on the topics of mindset, motivation, and self-development. He is the Founder of Motivational Check LLC. Terry has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The Citadel and a Master’s degree from Boston University. Among his many diverse roles, he has been a college basketball player, a marketing executive, a hospital administrator, a SWAT Hostage Negotiator, a business owner, and for the past 13 years, a cancer warrior. He is the author of the book Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles To Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life, and a featured author in the book Perspectives On Cancer, Stories of Healing, Hope, And Resilience. Terry has also been published in Authority, Thrive Global, and Human Capital Leadership magazines, along with being quoted and highlighted in the books Your Blueprint for Purpose by John Creekmur and Audaciousness, Your Journey To Living A Bold And Authentic Life by Maribel Ortega and Helen Strong.

Stephen Garner is a patient researching their own disease, exploring the frontiers of human knowledge, and developing new frameworks as an ethical theorist. After reducing the severity and frequency of his own autoimmune symptoms through targeted nutrition, biochemical modeling, and self-experimentation, Stephen now shares his experience, and findings, to help others better understand and manage chronic illness. With a background in emergency services, information technology, and scientific theory-building, he brings a systems-oriented lens to the intersection of health, ethics, and personal agency. His current work focuses on giving the body the tools it needs to maintain systems coherence; combining insights from microbiome science, immune regulation, and cognitive framing.

DR ALASTAIR SANTHOUSE is a consultant neuropsychiatrist working at the Maudsley Hospital in London. He began his medical career working in internal medicine before retraining to become a psychiatrist. He is a fellow of both the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and formerly served as president of the Psychiatry Section of The Royal Society of Medicine, as well as vice chair of the liaison psychiatry faculty at The Royal College of Psychiatrists. He is the author of 2 books, most recently No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age Over-Diagnosis. His first book was Head First: A Psychiatrist’s Stories of Mind and Body

Dr. Gary Sprouse is a retired primary care physician who practiced in Maryland for 38 years. He graduated from George Washington University Medical School in the top 10% of his class and is a member of Mensa. He is committed to helping people improve their mental health. He has taken everything he has learned about stress reduction and crafted his award-winning book, Highway to Your Happy Place: A Roadmap to Less Stress. Reading just one chapter can change your life! Best-selling author and motivational speaker Jack Canfield reviewed the book and said: “In the span of getting to know Dr. Gary Sprouse and reading his book, I have been introduced to many new concepts and ideas. His ideas and models for stress reduction are life-changing. You will absolutely love this. A must-read.” Dr. Sprouse is extremely passionate about bringing happiness into people’s lives through humor, compassion, and understanding. He has a unique perspective on stress that no one else is talking about. He has uncovered a groundbreaking new way to define where the majority of human stress originates. This new insight and the tools he developed to deal with stress are changing lives. Dr. Sprouse also collaborated on a book with Jack Canfield. The new book, Mindset Matters, is a best-seller on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Website: https://www.thelessstressdoc.com/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/lessstressdoc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lessstressdoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-less-stress-doc Happiness Highway Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HappinessHighway-vk3xu

Kimberly Warner is a filmmaker, author, and patient advocate whose work explores what it means to live fully in a body that doesn’t always feel well. After studying pre-med and biology at Colorado College and pursuing graduate training in naturopathic and classical Chinese medicine, she veered from a clinical path toward a creative one, trading diagnostics for documentary and turning questions of health into stories of meaning. After developing a rare neurological disorder in 2015, Kimberly turned her artistic focus inward, embracing stillness, intimacy, and relationship as the foundation of her work. In 2019, she launched Unfixed, a media project that now includes award-winning films, limited series, podcasts, memoirs, and live roundtables. Her work has been recognized by PBS, Harvard Medical School, and the Invisible Disabilities Association, among others. Kimberly leads a larger advocacy role within the chronic illness community where she writes and speaks about her own patient experience. She is a member of the Global Advocacy Alliance, the PPAA (Patient and Physician Advocacy Alliance,) is a visiting faculty member with Global Genes, helped create a Course for Clinical Confidence—a medical school certificate course, is on the editorial board of the Journal of Health Design and is an ambassador for VeDA. She is also Life on the Level’s Best International Contribution Award, Rainbow Advocacy’s Most Innovative Storytelling Award, and the recipient of the Invisible Disabilities Association’s Media Impact Award. Her forthcoming memoir, Unfixed: A Memoir of Family, Mystery, and the Currents That Carry You Home, will be published by Empress Editions in October 2025. She lives in rural Oregon with her husband, David, where they tend their small farm between creative projects. When she’s not editing films, harvesting calendula, or writing for her beloved Substack audience, she’s practicing what she preaches: loosening her grip, staying curious, and letting uncertainty become a place of peace. Links: Preorder memoir: https://a.co/d/185zEos Main website: https://unfixedmedia.com/ Substack (for essays and interviews): https://unfixed.substack.com/ Tax deductible donations: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTIyMDgx 2025-26 projects * Unbound (short film): https://unfixedmedia.com/unbound * Unsung (short film): https://unfixedmedia.com/unfixed-unsung * Liberation of Being (patient memoir): https://unfixedmedia.com/liberationofbeing * Unfixed: What Time Makes of Us (feature film, focusing on 6 members of the original cast of the Unfixed docuseries)

Dr. Tyson Garfield is a geriatrician, educator, and health communicator dedicated to helping people live healthier, more financially empowered lives as they age. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Geriatric Medicine and the Associate Program Director of the Geriatric Fellowship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where he provides primary care for older adults and leads educational initiatives in geriatrics across all levels of medical training. He is the founder of TheMedicineCheck.com, a digital platform and blog that helps adults navigate healthy aging through practical, evidence-based insights. Drawing on his clinical experience and public health interests, Dr. Garfield shares guidance on topics ranging from medication safety and lifestyle changes to navigating complex care transitions. In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Garfield is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) and an advisory council member for the National Financial Educators Council. He is a passionate advocate for improving financial literacy among medical students. He designs and delivers workshops that help trainees make informed decisions about student loans, budgeting, and long-term financial planning—skills that are often overlooked in traditional medical curricula. Dr. Garfield’s work sits at the intersection of healthcare, education, and human-centered design. Through writing, teaching, and advocacy, he strives to make healthcare more understandable and life planning more intentional for patients, students, and professionals alike.

Gina Chang, AIA, EDAC, is a Principal at CO Architects, based in Los Angeles. A healthcare architect and medical planner who has successfully led large teams through ambitious project goals for more than 20 years, Gina believes that a deep understanding of the client’s mission and culture is the key for successful healthcare facilities. She is an advocate for evidence-based design and biophilic design, and sees each project as an opportunity to create a unique environment for healing and wellness. Gina joined CO Architects in 2007 as a medical planner and project coordinator for the Palomar Medical Center project. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and is EDAC certified. https://coarchitects.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/co-architects/ https://www.instagram.com/coarchitects/ https://www.facebook.com/COArchitects https://x.com/COArchitectsLA

Dr. Michelle May is a former family physician and a recovered yo-yo dieter. Like many people in our current food-abundant, diet-obsessed culture, Michelle struggled with disordered eating and body image. From middle school to medical school, her unhealthy relationship with food was her secret, but in her medical practice, she discovered she wasn’t alone! Many of her patients were trying one diet after another, not realizing that restriction drives cravings and bingeing. It’s a frustrating process she calls the “eat-repent-repeat cycle.” After healing her own relationship with food, she founded Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Programs and Training (https://amihungry.com/). Over 800 wellness professionals have been trained to offer Am I Hungry? mindful eating programs worldwide. She’s the award-winning author of the Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat book series that teaches mindful eating to help individuals resolve mindless and emotional eating and senseless yo-yo dieting to live the vibrant life they crave. (Download chapter 1: https://amihungry.com/chapter1 She’s an Associate Professor at Arizona State University where she teaches Mindful Eating. She also taught a masterclass for the Calm app. She co-authored a peer-reviewed paper on weight-inclusive care (https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10885). Website: https://amihungry.com Download chapter 1 of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: https://amihungry.com/chapter1 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmIHungry LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amihungry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MichelleMayMD I’ll look forward to hearing more about the event on 4/24. Eat Mindfully, Live Vibrantly!. Michelle Michelle May, M.D., CSP* 480 704-7811 ext. 101 mmay@amihungry.com www.AmIHungry.com www.MichelleMayMD.com Founder of Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Programs and Training, and author of: Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: A Mindful Eating Program to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat for Binge Eating Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat for Students Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmIHungry Instagram: www.instagram.com/michellemaymd LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amihungry YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleMayMD Press Room: http://amihungry.com/press-room/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/amihungry/

Dr. Gary Sprouse is a retired primary care physician who practiced in Maryland for 38 years. He graduated from George Washington University Medical School in the top 10% of his class and is a member of Mensa. He is committed to helping people improve their mental health. He has taken everything he has learned about stress reduction and crafted his award-winning book, Highway to Your Happy Place: A Roadmap to Less Stress. Reading just one chapter can change your life! Best-selling author and motivational speaker Jack Canfield reviewed the book and said: “In the span of getting to know Dr. Gary Sprouse and reading his book, I have been introduced to many new concepts and ideas. His ideas and models for stress reduction are life-changing. You will absolutely love this. A must-read.” Dr. Sprouse is extremely passionate about bringing happiness into people’s lives through humor, compassion, and understanding. He has a unique perspective on stress that no one else is talking about. He has uncovered a groundbreaking new way to define where the majority of human stress originates. This new insight and the tools he developed to deal with stress are changing lives. Dr. Sprouse also collaborated on a book with Jack Canfield. The new book, Mindset Matters, is a best-seller on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Website: https://www.thelessstressdoc.com/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/lessstressdoc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lessstressdoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-less-stress-doc Happiness Highway Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HappinessHighway-vk3xu

Mark Steven Porro, a New Jersey native (Exit 163), earned an Industrial Design degree from The Ohio State University. After years of agency work, his love of acting led him to Hollywood, where he appeared in dozens of television, film, and stage productions. Mark also spent his twenty-eight years in Tinseltown, entrepreneuring. He started five non-profit companies. But hold the applause, none were intended to be. He now lives in the South of France. But hold your pity. He of sound mind and body chose to suffer in the heart of wine country where the locals insist his French isn’t so bad—at least that’s what he thinks they’re saying. Mark is an award-winning designer, writer, director, and now a best-selling, award-winning author. He has written lots of jokes, several screenplays, and one award-winning short film. A Cup of Tea on the Commode—a sad, sweet, and funny debut memoir—chronicles his multitasking adventures of filling his mother’s last years with love, laughter, and joy. Though not always successful, he came pretty damn close. 2024 Best Indie Book Award Winner 2024 NYC Big Book Award Winner 2024 Paris Book Festival Winner 2024 Living Now Book Awards Winner 2024 International Book Awards Winner 2024 IndieReader Discovery Award Winner 2024 Book Excellence Award Winner 2024 Firebird Book Award Winner 2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist 2024 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Finalist 2024 National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist 2024 American BookFest Awards Finalist “This author weaves his stories together, employing a wickedly humorous skill not unlike that of David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs” — Five-Star Amazon review

An unexpected breast cancer diagnosis at 33 years old empowered Jessica Baladad to channel her experience into a mission that’s changing the way women advocate for their medical care. The six-year cancer survivor created Feel For Your Life, a free mobile app that shows women how to perform self exams, track their progress and set monthly reminders. It’s the first of its kind created by a breast cancer patient and has been downloaded tens of thousands of times all over the world. In 2024, Jessica implemented an AI feature into the app to help patients interpret and better understand pathology reports from their breast cancer screenings. Jessica’s history with breast cancer catalyzed her dedication to build Feel For Your Life. She’s the fourth generation on her paternal side of the family to be diagnosed with the disease, and yet, no known gene mutation has been found in her lineage. She first learned how to do a self breast exam after having a benign tumor removed at 18, and nearly 15 years later, Jessica was diagnosed with Stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma after performing a routine self exam in the shower. She underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, 24 rounds of radiation, a hysterectomy and 10-hour flap reconstruction. Since launching the app, Jessica has expanded her advocacy into healthcare reform. She’s helped write legislation in the State of Tennessee to promote risk reducing measures against cancer and disease. Billed as the Feel For Your Life Act, it requires high school students to learn about self breast exams, testicular exams and skin exams. Jessica has been featured on Good Morning America, Tank’s Good News, USA Today, Yahoo News, UpWorthy and several national and international media outlets. She’s worked with the NFL on their Crucial Catch Campaign to promote cancer screenings, received the Hometown Hero Award from Ponce Law on Nashville’s Fox 17, has been recognized by the National Breast Cancer Foundation for her leadership initiatives and was the recipient of the Mona Lisa Foundation Grant in 2023. When Jessica isn’t working on patient advocacy, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places, attending sporting events with her husband and photographing animals.

Mary Beth has been sober from her methamphetamine use disorder since 1994. She also is in recovery from abuse, trauma, and anxiety. She wrote about her story in her award-winning memoir From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. Mary Beth is a Director for She Recovers Foundation and for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She also is on the Advisory Council for The Hyer Calling Foundation. She regularly speaks on behalf of these organizations and about multiple paths to recovery. This includes television, radio, conferences, podcasts, and recovery houses. She develops relationships with other organizations, such as Women for Sobriety and trains attorneys, judges, and medical professionals. Mary Beth regularly writes opinion pieces which have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Recovery Today, and other publications. Her memoir writings have been published in Memoir Magazine, Awakenings, and Ravens Perch, among others. Professionally, 6 years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014 she was appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge from which position she retired early in 2020. Links: From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction: https://a.co/d/dzGvkX7 Website (with messaging feature): junkietojudge.com X/Twitter: @MaryBethO_ Bluesky: @marybethoconnor Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-beth-o-connor-8aaa4b121/

Rhonda Nelson, renowned patient advocate, author, speaker and philanthropist is a beacon of resilience and strength. Her charitable work spans championing equitable access to affordable healthcare, supporting those diagnosed with AERD (Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease), serving as a voice in the foster care system and encouraging women to reinvent themselves in their different stages of life. Rhonda serves on the Executive Board of Directors with the Asthma & Allergy Network, impacts legislation and speaks nationally, raising awareness for AERD. Having dealt with AERD (Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease) herself for more than twenty years, she has experienced many misdiagnoses, a near fatal struggle to find relief, a desperate search for answers and a constant journey to access proper support. Rhonda and her husband Wayne, of the Little River Band tirelessly devote their time and resources to helping others to navigate this challenging medical journey frequently associated with severe respiratory disease. Rhonda is a firm believer in empowering women to pursue the dreams they have for their lives, regardless of age, while finding strength in overcoming challenges. In her book, "A Different Life,” Rhonda not only pulls back the curtain on celebrity life, but also offers readers the chance to hear never-before-told stories, enjoy treasured family recipes and photos all while getting a taste of all things pertaining to life on the road.