From Olympic-adjacent swimmer to dedicated OB-GYN, Dr. Matthew Bialko brings a wealth of expertise to women's healthcare with the same discipline that once propelled him through competitive waters. "Swimming taught me organization and focus that translates perfectly to medicine," Dr. Bialko reveals, reflecting on his journey from New Jersey pools to Georgetown University and ultimately to St. Luke's Medical Group.

Dr. Bialko's practice embodies the comprehensive nature of obstetrics and gynecology—equal parts delivering babies and addressing women's health concerns across all life stages. "What attracted me to this field was the ability to care from life to almost end of life," he explains, highlighting the unique continuity of care that defines his specialty.

Our conversation spans the entire spectrum of female health, beginning with preventative screenings. Pap smears starting at age 21 and HPV vaccinations (developed at Dr. Bialko's alma mater Georgetown) form the foundation of cancer prevention. We explore the complex world of menstrual health, where normal cycles range from 25-35 days but variations can signal anything from normal hormonal fluctuations to medical conditions requiring attention.

The discussion traverses contraceptive options beyond traditional birth control pills—injections, implants, patches, rings, and IUDs—each offering unique benefits beyond pregnancy prevention. For those planning families, Dr. Bialko emphasizes preparation through prenatal vitamins, cycle tracking, and addressing health concerns like obesity that can complicate conception and pregnancy.

The cesarean section conversation reveals the balance between necessary interventions and avoiding unnecessary surgeries, while our examination of postpartum mental health underscores the importance of support systems during the "fourth trimester." Dr. Bialko offers practical advice for friends and family supporting new mothers: "You can start by saying 'how can I help you?' because that's a way of just opening the communication."

As women approach menopause, symptoms ranging from hot flashes to more subtle changes like fatigue and brain fog can begin years before periods actually cease. Throughout these transitions, Dr. Bialko advocates for open communication with healthcare providers while respecting patient autonomy: "A little bit of skepticism is healthy. In medicine, our skepticism is what leads to profound breakthroughs."

Whether you're navigating adolescent health concerns, family planning decisions, pregnancy challenges, postpartum adjustments, or menopausal transitions, this episode offers valuable insights for understanding your body's journey through each phase of womanhood. Connect with a qualified OB-GYN to address your specific health needs and questions.

Challenging conventional wisdom about endometriosis, Dr. Patrick Yeung shares his pioneering approach to treating this debilitating condition that affects countless women worldwide. With specialized training including two residencies and two fellowships, Dr. Yeung has dedicated his career to developing what he calls "root cause treatment" – a surgical method that completely removes endometriosis tissue rather than simply burning or masking it.

What makes Dr. Yeung's approach revolutionary? Using a free-beam CO2 laser, he meticulously excises endometriosis layer by layer without damaging surrounding tissues, while simultaneously preventing adhesions that can cause additional problems. The results are remarkable: while traditional approaches see 50-80% of patients requiring repeat surgery within two years, Dr. Yeung's 10-year study revealed a repeat surgery rate under 5%. For women struggling with infertility, his approach offers natural pregnancy rates up to 70% - more than double the success rate of conventional IVF.

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Yeung dismantles persistent myths about endometriosis, including the flawed "retrograde menstruation" theory that has led to inadequate treatments. He explains why endometriosis remains underdiagnosed despite affecting far more than the commonly cited "one in ten" women, and why surface endometriosis can cause significant pain and fertility issues despite not appearing on imaging studies.

The personal touches Yeung brings to his work – including how his wife's endometriosis journey inspired his practice – reveals the profound impact this disease has on women's lives. "To help a woman get her life back, get answers, or be a part of having a baby... it has eternal value," he shares, underscoring why his Restore Center for Endometriosis has become a destination for patients nationwide seeking comprehensive care beyond the band-aid approaches so common elsewhere.

Ready to learn more about this groundbreaking approach to endometriosis treatment? Visit restore-endo.com to discover how Dr. Yeung and his team are changing lives through their commitment to complete disease removal and restoration of natural function.

Are we experiencing an ADHD epidemic or simply recognizing what was always there? With diagnoses skyrocketing to affect 15% of American adolescents—and a staggering 23% of boys—the time has come for a frank conversation about what's really happening with our children.

Join Dr. Jason Edwards and pediatrician Dr. Lisa Ryan as they dive deep into the complex world of ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Their candid discussion sheds light on the subjective nature of ADHD assessment, where objective tests don't exist and practitioners must rely on observation and questionnaires to make life-altering decisions.

The conversation takes surprising turns as they explore counterintuitive treatment approaches—why do stimulants calm hyperactive children?—and examine research suggesting long-term medication benefits may not be as clear-cut as once believed. Dr. Ryan brings valuable frontline perspective from her practice, describing the delicate balance between recognizing legitimate neurological differences and avoiding overdiagnosis of normal developmental behaviors.

Perhaps most compelling is their examination of environmental factors, particularly how modern school structures may be setting some children up for failure. With dwindling recess time and increasing academic demands, are we medicating children to fit our educational system rather than adapting environments to serve diverse neurological needs?

Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis concerns, an educator working with diverse learning styles, or simply someone interested in the intersection of neurology, child development, and education policy, this episode offers thought-provoking perspectives that challenge conventional wisdom while respecting the real struggles of children with attention differences.

Listen now and join the conversation about finding the right balance between medication, behavioral interventions, environmental adaptations, and accepting the beautiful diversity of how human brains operate.

What's the difference between standard skin cancer removal and Mohs surgery? Ashley McGuinness, MD, FAAD breaks down this specialized technique that achieves remarkable 98-99% cure rates while preserving healthy tissue. While standard excisions examine only 1-2% of margins, Mohs surgery meticulously evaluates 100% through a precise mapping approach.

During this eye-opening conversation with host Dr. Jason Edwards, Dr. McGuinness addresses the alarming 1.8% annual rise in skin cancer rates since 2000. She attributes this to better detection methods, our aging population, and the consequences of tanning bed popularity in past decades. When discussing internet myths claiming sunscreen causes cancer, she provides clear evidence of UV radiation's harmful effects while offering practical alternatives like physical blockers or UPF clothing for those with chemical concerns.

The discussion takes a fascinating turn toward technology as Dr. McGuinness reveals how AI is transforming dermatology. From full-body mole mapping to algorithms that detect subtle changes invisible to the human eye, these advances complement clinical expertise without replacing it. For self-examination, she emphasizes the critical "ABCDE" approach to identify potential melanomas: check for Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variations, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and most importantly, Evolution over time.

Beyond cancer detection, the conversation explores factors in skin aging, from UV exposure and dehydration to facial movements and lifestyle choices. Dr. McGuinness shares simple strategies anyone can implement: staying well-hydrated, using daily sunscreen, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol. Whether you're concerned about skin cancer prevention or preserving your skin's youthful appearance, this episode delivers practical wisdom from a leading specialist in the field.

Jason Edwards welcomes back Jared Barton, CRNA, to discuss the Dave Ramsey baby steps program and how it transformed his financial life and mindset about money.

• Jared discovered Dave Ramsey while working in the steel industry making $38,000 annually in the late 1990s
• Tracking every expense gave Jared an immediate $500 monthly "raise" without changing his income
• The debt snowball method (paying smallest debts first) provides psychological wins that help maintain momentum
• Financial discipline doesn't necessarily reduce quality of life or happiness
• Research shows purchases provide only temporary happiness boosts before returning to baseline
• Current housing challenges can be overcome through starting with modest properties and building equity gradually
• DIY skills significantly reduce home maintenance costs and build pride in ownership
• The final baby step focuses on wealth building to enable generous giving to others
• Financial freedom isn't about deprivation but about intentionality and respecting your future self

Take control of your financial future today by tracking your expenses, building an emergency fund, and taking the first steps toward debt freedom.

What happens when medical legacy intersects with personal passion? In this captivating conversation, host Jason Edwards sits down with general surgeon Dr. Christopher Cronin, who shares the remarkable story of his grandfather, AJ Cronin—a physician who transformed an illness-induced retreat into a groundbreaking writing career.

The discussion reveals how AJ Cronin's seminal work "The Citadel" critically examined the British health system in 1937, addressing corruption, unethical practices, and healthcare inequality decades ahead of its time. This literary perspective from a practicing physician ultimately helped shape the National Health Service established a decade later. Dr. Cronin's reflections on this family legacy provide a unique window into how literature can drive healthcare reform and professional ethics.

But this episode goes beyond family history to explore the formative experiences that shape surgical careers. Dr. Cronin shares his evolution from aspiring orthopedic surgeon to general surgeon specializing in thyroid procedures—a journey influenced not by his famous grandfather but by the transformative power of mentorship during his training. His compelling account of working in a challenging DC hospital under an inspirational chief resident illuminates how profound these relationships can be in medical training.

The conversation takes a fascinating comparative turn as Dr. Cronin details his year training in Australia, highlighting the stark differences in surgical education systems worldwide. His insights on surgical hierarchy, the art of teaching technical skills, and the critical importance of repetition in surgical training reveal the complex balance between supervision and independence that creates competent surgeons. As duty hour restrictions change how surgeons are trained, these reflections become even more valuable.

Listen as these two physicians discuss the delicate art of mentorship, the trust that develops between surgical partners, and how the best teaching surgeons know when to step in and when to let trainees work through challenges. Whether you're in healthcare or simply curious about how great surgeons are made, this episode offers memorable insights into the human side of surgical training. Ready to hear more? Contact Dr. Cronin's practice at 314-434-1211.

A lump discovered while shaving during a ski trip turned Dr. Julie Gould's world upside down. As an obstetrician who prided herself on healthy living—never microwaving plastics, exercising regularly, getting routine checkups—she never expected to face follicular lymphoma. "I'm the one who's going to live forever," she thought, making her cancer diagnosis all the more shocking.

Dr. Gould takes us through her journey from initial discovery through diagnosis, treatment decisions, and the profound ways cancer changed her outlook on life. With remarkable candor, she shares the surreal experience of creating a "funeral playlist" the night of her diagnosis, then learning to use humor—"Mom has cancer...your turn to do the dishes"—to normalize the illness with her teenage children.

The episode offers rare insight into how a physician navigates the healthcare system as a patient. Dr. Gould describes advocating for her own testing, seeking second opinions, researching treatment options, and finding the right oncologist who matched her communication style. Her experience defied expectations in surprising ways—the dreaded Rituxan treatments she feared would debilitate her "felt like water," while the seemingly counterintuitive "watch and wait" approach for a stage three cancer initially felt baffling.

Perhaps most valuable are Dr. Gould's reflections on how cancer transformed her practice. She now brings deeper empathy to patients awaiting test results, understanding their anxiety in ways textbooks could never teach. Though she initially planned to drastically reduce her workload, she discovered her identity remained deeply connected to her role as a physician—finding that meaningful work provided crucial psychological support during treatment.

Ready to gain perspective from someone who's experienced cancer from both sides of the stethoscope? Listen now and discover why having grace for others—and yourself—might be the most important lesson from facing mortality.

Dr. Darren Haskell sits down with host Jason Edwards to share his unique perspective as both a practicing internist and Chief Medical Officer at St. Luke's Hospital. Their conversation cuts to the heart of healthcare's most pressing challenges while offering a glimpse into promising solutions on the horizon.

Dr. Haskell represents a vanishing breed of physicians who still follow their patients from the office to the hospital bedside. "It's just the way I was trained," he explains, noting how patients appreciate seeing a familiar face during vulnerable moments. This continuity of care, once standard practice, has largely disappeared as medicine has become more specialized and fragmented.

The demands on primary care physicians have reached staggering levels. One eye-opening study revealed that delivering guideline-directed preventive care would require 29 hours per day for a physician with a standard patient panel – an impossibility on our 24-hour planet. This reality has transformed primary care into "a team sport," requiring nurses, medical assistants, and advanced practice providers working in concert.

Technology offers both challenges and solutions. While electronic health records initially pulled physicians' attention away from patients, Dr. Haskell is now piloting AI-powered voice recognition software that transcribes patient conversations, allowing doctors to maintain eye contact instead of typing notes. "It gets that visit back to being much more what I remember from my training – that human-human connection," he shares.

The conversation takes a sobering turn when discussing physician shortages. The St. Louis region currently faces a deficit of 324 primary care physicians, projected to grow significantly as baby boomers require more complex care. Dr. Haskell predicts "market disruptors" will redefine how primary care is delivered, likely through team-based approaches and technology integration.

Despite these challenges, medicine remains profoundly rewarding. "There are very few professions where you get that feeling, that feedback from people that you've helped," Dr. Haskell reflects. For those considering medical careers, he advises understanding the commitment but emphasizes the incomparable satisfaction that comes from making a difference in patients' lives.

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