There's power in shining a light on an invisible injury.

That's what Dr. Ruth Lanius has heard from the patients she's treated for post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD). Working with civilians, military members, first responders and refugees, the internationally recognized researcher is exploring new and effective ways to treat PTSD. In this episode of The Catalysts, Dr. Lanius shares what she knows about PTSD and what's yet to be discovered.

Dr. Ruth Lanius is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. She holds the Harris-Woodman Chair in Psyche & Soma.

With Dr. Ruth Lanius

Related links:

Dr. Ruth Lanius' website: https://www.ruthlanius.com/

Dr. Lanius' latest book, Sensory Pathways to Healing from Trauma: Harnessing the Brain's Capacity for Change: https://www.indigo.ca/products/sensory-pathways-to-healing-from-trauma

The health of our planet requires a solution that bridges perspectives, knowledges and people.

It's a solution that Nicole Redvers, DPhil, ND, has promoted at regional, national and international levels, working to advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in both human and planetary health research and practice. In this episode of The Catalysts, we catch up with Redvers to learn about her prescription for planetary health.

Nicole Redvers, DPhil, ND, is a member of the Denı́nu Kų́ę́ First Nation (Northwest Territories, Canada), and is an Associate Professor, Western Research Chair, and Director of Indigenous Planetary Health at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University.

• Indigenous Community & Planetary Health Research Lab
• Stories of Hope & Strength – Healing Hearts
• The Science of the Sacred: Bridging Global Indigenous Medicine Systems and Modern Scientific Principles

Timing may vary after final edit of podcast.

• 0:00 – Intro
• 1:21 – Linking planetary health and human health
• 3:54 – Understanding planetary health
• 5:29 – Indigenous Peoples and land stewardship
• 7:07 – Policy and planetary health
• 15:27 – Communicating planetary health
• 19:55 – Bridging knowledge and perspectives
• 26:50 – Healing Hearts
• 31:49 – The importance of wellness
• 36:30 – The future of planetary health

When it comes to predicting your health, the answer often lies in your DNA.

That's according to Dr. Rob Hegele, whose life's work has led to numerous breakthroughs for patients combatting cardiovascular disease. In this episode of The Catalysts, we catch up with the 2026 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inductee to learn about reading DNA, treating high cholesterol, witnessing groundbreaking research and the art of curiosity and discovery.

Dr. Rob Hegele is a Distinguished University Professor in the Departments of Medicine (Division of Endocrinology) and Biochemistry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. He is a Scientist at the Robarts Research Institute, where he serves as Director of the London Regional Genomics Centre.

He is also the holder of the Edith Schulich Vinet Chair in Human Genetics, the Jacob J. Wolfe Distinguished Medical Research Chair in Human Gene Function and the Martha G. Blackburn Chair in Cardiovascular Research.

Related links:

• The London Regional Genomics Centre
• The Lipid Genetics Clinic
• Dr. Robert Hegele inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Episode Chapters

• 0:00 – Intro
• 0:37 – Predicting health with genes
• 9:19 – On treating high cholesterol
• 14:59 – The power of genetic diagnoses
• 17:23 – The birth of statins
• 21:12 – Theories on cholesterol
• 26:45 – Dr. Hegele's musical origins
• 30:12 – The art of discovery
• 35:50 – The future of cardiovascular disease