エピソード

  • Episode 07 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Cos You Gotta Have Faith

    Episode 07 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Cos You Gotta Have Faith
    2025/09/25
    Ben’s journey of battling stage four colorectal cancer with chemotherapy brings him to a fairly predictable pit stop; what significance does faith have in spiritual and physical care? , Whether its unravelling deeper issues of self-acceptance and self-faith., the episode explores faith from various perspectives, including personal conviction and religious doctrine, questioning the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing God amidst the presence of widespread suffering. The psychological and spiritual impacts of cancer treatment are discussed, including the what may be a gradual transition from atheism to an almost agnostic faith as a coping mechanism. The episode concludes with an update on treatment progress and a contemplation on the broader implications of faith, love, and legacy. This wee’s t shirt is from St. Javelin, a Ukrainian-based clothier. Find out more about them at www.saintjavelin.com 00:00 Introduction: The Journey of Faith 00:17 A Lunch With A Pop Star Gone Awry 03:47 Reflections on Faith and Self-Esteem 04:51 Chemotherapy Update 06:23 Exploring the Concept of Faith 08:30 Faith in the Context of Cancer 10:33 Religious Perspectives on Faith 19:30 Personal Reflections and Legacy 22:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 💬 Join the Conversation! How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated: Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions: www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
    続きを読む 一部表示
    24 分
  • Episode 06 – Colon, Meet Cancer: Is it Assez Merdique Yet?

    Episode 06 – Colon, Meet Cancer: Is it Assez Merdique Yet?
    2025/09/04
    In this episode of 'Colon Meet Cancer,' Ben recounts the surprising success story of Henrik Gretzky's Symphony Number Three, how badly it was initially received by the musicology world and draws a surprising parallel to his chemotherapy journey. He shares the complex experience of managing an increasing range of chemo side effects, including white blood cell treatments, pain, and hair loss. Ben candidly discusses his struggles with memory fog, the challenges it brings, and the ensuing emotional toll manifested as depression and self-reflection. Despite the adversities, he highlights the importance of humor, intellectual stimulation, and staying hopeful. One of the tools he has used has been late night reflections on controversial topics, and he closes out the episode with Ben by sharing one of those midnight reflections - the potential risks and benefits of AI in healthcare. This week's t-shirt, gifted by Andy Seale, features the slogan 'Make America Democratic Again.' 00:00 Introduction: A Surprising Symphony 02:53 The Onset of Chemotherapy 04:37 Managing Side Effects 10:13 Chemo Brain and Memory Fog 14:59 Depression and Self-Reflection 18:45 AI and Its Implications 23:35 Humor as a Coping Mechanism 25:32 Conclusion: Gratitude and Hope Join the Conversation! How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! Subscribe & Stay Updated! Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions: www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
    続きを読む 一部表示
    26 分
  • Prescriptions for an American Public Health Revolution: Countering the Trump Administration’s Disastrous Assaults on our Health

    Prescriptions for an American Public Health Revolution: Countering the Trump Administration’s Disastrous Assaults on our Health
    2025/09/01
    It’s a Paul Revere moment, “RFK Junior is coming!” Ben is joined by author and journalist Emily Bass and UCSF Professor Eric Goosby, co-host of the Global Health Diplomats podcast to diagnose and propose solutions to the Trump Administration’s assault on US public health. From the hollowing out of the CDC, to vaccine skepticism at the heart of the federal leadership, and savage, unconstitutional cuts to public health home and abroad, they delve into the broader ramifications of these attacks on scientific integrity, US democracy and security. They round upon what could be profoundly damaging political consequences, particularly for Republicans, if the health of their voters’ children and elderly relatives is put directly at risk by this willful dismantling of US public health services. And in conclusion, Ben, Eric and Emily explore how to support the emerging regional health coalitions of states, cities and professional bodies to fill the gap. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:50 Recent Developments in Global Health 02:08 Legal Challenges and Public Health Implications 03:18 Impact on Democracy and Public Health 12:04 Interview with Eric Goosby 14:27 Concerns About CDC and Public Health Surveillance 19:36 Future of Public Health and Science 34:46 Potential Solutions and Local Efforts 39:09 Coalitions and Surveillance Systems 44:23 Challenges in Public Health Funding 48:24 The Role of Philanthropy in Public Health 50:37 Political Ramifications and Public Health 56:22 Vaccine Misinformation and Public Trust 58:27 Accountability in Public Health Leadership 01:04:33 COVID Variants and Vaccination Strategies 01:10:27 Final Thoughts and Reflections Emily’s Substack: https://substack.com/@emilysbass Ben’s Substack: https://substack.com/@benplumley1 Join the Conversation! How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! Subscribe & Stay Updated: Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions: www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 13 分
  • To End a Plague… Again: A Conversation with Emily Bass

    To End a Plague… Again: A Conversation with Emily Bass
    2025/08/11
    In this episode of A Shot in the Arm Podcast, host Ben Plumley engages in a comprehensive discussion with journalist and author Emily Bass about the current state of global health, specifically focusing on HIV/AIDS. Recorded in sunny Sacramento, they reflect on the extraordinary events of the past few months and assess the alignment of innovation and equity in global health. Their conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the importance of community-based care and accountability, the evolving role of international NGOs, and the critical nature of differentiated service delivery in HIV treatment. They also discuss the geopolitical uncertainties affecting global health funding and the influence of recent political changes in the US on the future of the global HIV response. They touch upon the significant role of entities like PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and UNAIDS, and the necessity for national contributions and regional procurement in sustaining HIV programs. Emily emphasizes the need to preserve community-based accountability and the value of innovative, country-led solutions for delivering healthcare. They conclude with a commitment to delve deeper into HIV prevention in a future episode, recognizing the ongoing challenges and opportunities in achieving global HIV/AIDS objectives. Emily’s book: To End a Plague: America's Fight to Defeat AIDS in Africa https://www.amazon.com/End-Plague-Americas-Defeat-Africa/dp/1541762436 Emily’s recent essay in the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/opinion/pepfar-hiv-foreign-aid.html Emily’s Substack: https://substack.com/@emilysbass Ben’s Substack: https://substack.com/@benplumley1 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:36 Guest Introduction: Emily's Expertise 02:26 Global Health Check-In 03:11 Humanitarian Crises and HIV 05:00 Impact of Global Health Policies 06:44 HIV Treatment Challenges 08:57 Sustainability and Ownership in HIV Response 12:47 Global Health Architecture and Funding 16:33 The Role of PEPFAR and Global Fund 22:25 Future of Global Health Initiatives 38:25 Global Fund's Role in Procurement and National Contributions 40:33 US Congress and Global Health Budget 42:15 Innovation in Global AIDS Response 49:30 The Importance of Differentiated Service Delivery 01:00:58 Community Accountability in Public Health 01:09:38 Challenges and Future of HIV Prevention Join the Conversation! How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! Subscribe & Stay Updated: Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions: www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 13 分
  • Episode 05 – Colon, Meet Cancer: Finding Chemo

    Episode 05 – Colon, Meet Cancer: Finding Chemo
    2025/08/08
    As Ben starts his first chemotherapy cycle, he explores the controversial yet essential role of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. He looks at its historical roots and tries to understand the scientific mechanisms of various chemotherapies. He shares an intimate look at the highs and lows of his first cycle of treatment, the importance of comprehensive, multidisciplinary care, as well as the physical and emotional aspects of cancer therapy. Ben’s t-shirt this week celebrates the Ukrainian Alliance for Public Health. You can find out more about the Alliance and how you can help at https://aph.org.ua/en/home 00:00 Introduction and Preface 00:45 The Origins of Chemotherapy 02:33 Personal Experience with Chemotherapy 04:30 The Chemotherapy Process 07:25 Side Effects and Challenges 11:15 Living with Chemotherapy 17:25 Understanding Chemotherapy 22:16 The Vagal Response Incident 28:20 Conclusion and Acknowledgements 💬 Join the Conversation! How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated: Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions: www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
    続きを読む 一部表示
    30 分
  • State of AIDS: Moment of Crisis or Transformation with UNAIDS’ Winnie Byanyima

    State of AIDS: Moment of Crisis or Transformation with UNAIDS’ Winnie Byanyima
    2025/08/04
    Ben and Yvette catch up with Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, as the joint UN program on HIV and AIDS launched a global AIDS update report entitled “AIDS, crisis and the power to transform”. They explore what levers are left to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including ending AIDS as a public health crisis by 2030, the continuing relevance of UNAIDS to lead the world’s response to one of the greatest zoonotic infections of the 21st century, and what the real trajectory of an epidemic that even a year ago seemed entering its last mile. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:54 Introducing the Guest: Winnie Byanyima 01:23 UNAIDS Report Highlights 06:37 Community Leadership and Challenges 15:02 Integration and Health Systems 30:18 Decolonizing Health Systems 32:56 Fast Tracking African Market Integration 34:08 UN's Own Story and Decolonization 35:37 Youth Perspectives on Decolonization 38:06 Global Solidarity and Economic Injustices 44:01 Immediate Actions for Health Crisis 47:58 UNAIDS' Future Vision and Challenges 57:30 Call to Action and Closing Remarks 💬 Join the Conversation! How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated: Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions: www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
    続きを読む 一部表示
    59 分
  • Biomedical Innovation Needs Local Community Participation with Solange Baptiste (ITPC) & Rosemary Mburu (WACI)

    Biomedical Innovation Needs Local Community Participation with Solange Baptiste (ITPC) & Rosemary Mburu (WACI)
    2025/07/22
    In this episode of A Shot in the Arm podcast, host Ben Plumley discusses the Kigali International AIDS Society Conference with guests Solange Baptiste from ITPC and Rosemary Mburu from WACI Health. They explore the importance of community voices in global health innovations, the challenges of funding cuts, and the significance of long-acting antiretroviral therapies. Additionally, they touch upon the roles of UNAIDS and the Global Fund, advanced HIV disease, and the critical need for prioritizing global health and HIV funding. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:16 Kigali International AIDS Society Conference Overview 00:40 Community Involvement and Clinical Trials 00:51 Introducing the Guests: Solange Baptiste and Rosemary Mburu 02:13 Discussion on the Kigali AIDS Conference 04:48 Challenges and Strategies in Global Health Funding 11:32 Community Leadership and Global Health Architecture 14:54 UNAIDS and Global Fund Presence at the Conference 26:00 Scientific Innovations and Long-Acting Treatments 31:59 Integration and Efficiency in Global Health 35:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 💬 Join the Conversation! How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated: Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions: www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
    続きを読む 一部表示
    37 分
  • Episode 04 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Ouch!

    Episode 04 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Ouch!
    2025/07/22
    Ben delves into the multifaceted experience of pain, beginning with a literary reference from Margaret Atwood. He shares personal anecdotes about blood draws, the insertion of a chemotherapy port, and the challenges of effectively communicating pain levels to healthcare professionals. Ben reflects on his nearly forty years’ experience living with Crohn's disease, exploring different ways to describe pain, and examines various strategies for pain management, including medications like acetaminophen and oxycodone, and the antidepressant duloxetine. The episode also highlights historical and cultural contexts of pain and invites listeners to contribute to a virtual medicine cabinet of motivational and entertaining resources. 00:00 Introduction and Literary Preface 01:34 Personal Anecdotes and Blood Tests 02:08 Chemotherapy Port Installation 05:31 Experiencing and Describing Pain 13:38 Pain Management Strategies 18:25 Upcoming Chemotherapy and Final Thoughts https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/pain 💬 Join the Conversation How should people share their experiences of life-threatening disease? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions: www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
    続きを読む 一部表示
    21 分