In this special episode of The Future of Medicine, host Euan Ashley sits down with Jennifer Doudna, Nobel laureate and co-discoverer of CRISPR-Cas9, to explore the dramatic ascent of genome editing and what it means for the future of medicine. From the promise of precision therapy that could be “one-and-done” to the challenges of translating groundbreaking science into scalable treatments, this conversation dives deep into science, ethics, policy, and the art of communicating complex ideas to the public.

What you’ll hear:

• A primer on the CRISPR revolution: how a discovery two decades ago has evolved into a potential deluge of targeted therapies.
• Precision therapy that’s more than a symptom fix: the idea of genome editing as a “precision surgery” that could cure diseases rather than require lifelong treatment.
• From one patient to many: the path from an N-of-1 success to scalable, population-wide strategies, including the role of the microbiome in health and disease.
• Real-world regulatory perspectives: how agencies are thinking about repeatable, off-the-shelf genome-editing tools and what it takes to translate a breakthrough into a therapy.
• The regulatory and scientific roadmaps: the steps scientists and clinicians must navigate to bring CRISPR-based therapies to patients rapidly and safely.
• The power and responsibility of storytelling: why scientists must improve public communication and how clear, non-jargony narratives can build trust.
• Combating misinformation: reflections on the moment when science is under scrutiny and how researchers can connect with diverse audiences.

Guest bio: Jennifer Doudna is a pioneering biochemist and a leading figure in the CRISPR gene-editing revolution. As a founder of the Innovative Genomics Institute, her work has opened new frontiers in biology and medicine. Her research continues to shape how we think about disease mechanisms, therapy development, and the ethics of powerful new technologies.

Why this episode matters: CRISPR technology is at a pivotal moment — one that could redefine what’s possible in medicine within a generation. This episode offers an insider’s view of where the science stands, what’s required to move from amazing results to real-world therapies, and how we, as a society, can navigate the opportunities and responsibilities that come with transformative science.

Notes for listeners:

• Not a distant dream: the conversation highlights tangible progress toward therapies that could be delivered in months rather than years, with the potential to affect thousands of patients.
• A balanced view: along with the excitement, the episode addresses safety, ethics, and the essential role of clear communication in building public trust.
• Public-facing science: practical thoughts on how researchers can explain their work to non-scientists — helping to bridge the gap between the lab and everyday life.

Call to action: If you enjoy The Future of Medicine, subscribe for more conversations with leading scientists shaping the next era of healthcare. Please rate and review the podcast to help others discover these important discussions. Share with friends and colleagues who are curious about how science becomes medicine.

In this episode of The Future of Medicine, we sit down with Dr. Sumbal Desai to explore how consumer health technology is reshaping medicine at scale — and why the human connection between patient and physician remains central to care. From breakthrough blood pressure sensing on wearables to a world-spanning hypertension predictor, Desai shares the design philosophy, scientific basis, and real-world impact behind Apple’s health initiatives. The conversation also delves into practicalities of bringing health data to the bedside — how physician-facing reports are crafted to be digestible in under a minute, how faxes and PDFs are being replaced by smarter EMR integration, and how data snapshots from outside the clinic enrich clinical decision-making.

Key themes and takeaways:

• The dyad of patient and physician: Why Apple emphasizes the patient–doctor relationship and how both sides should benefit from digital health data.
• Designing for the clinician: Reports that can be understood in 30 seconds to a minute, prioritizing clarity and usefulness without adding nuisance.
• From device to decision: Wearables moving beyond tracking to inform diagnoses, treatment decisions, and early warnings with novel sensing methods, including blood pressure measurements.
• Hypertension predictor: A first-of-its-kind deployment with global reach and the potential to identify hundreds of millions of cases. What success looks like and what it means for public health.
• Scale with responsibility: Delivering credible health insights at a population level while protecting privacy, safety, and scientific transparency.
• The Apple Heart Study and Stanford collaboration: A landmark public health study with hundreds of thousands of participants, findings on atrial fibrillation risk, and the importance of open publication to advance the field.
• Patient voices: Letters from customers about how devices have influenced their lives and opportunities to translate data into better care.
• The path forward: Opportunities and barriers as digital health technologies intersect with clinical care, research, and daily patient life.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• A behind-the-scenes look at how Apple designs patient-facing health information that doctors can readily use in conversations with patients.
• The “snapshots of life” philosophy outside the clinic and how those insights support holistic care.
• Practical steps in moving from faxes to modern, integrated health data workflows.
• Real-world examples of how a novel blood pressure sensing approach can alter care trajectories.
• Reflections on large-scale health studies conducted with academic partners, and why openness matters for scientific progress.

Why this episode matters: This episode offers a candid, practically grounded look at how a tech-driven health platform is designed to support doctors, engage patients, and scale insights to millions — while preserving trust, nuance, and empathy at the heart of medicine.

Call to action: If you enjoy The Future of Medicine, subscribe for more conversations with leading scientists shaping the next era of healthcare. Please rate and review the podcast to help others discover these important discussions. Share with friends and colleagues who are curious about how science becomes medicine.

In this episode of The Future of Medicine, host Dr. Euan Ashley sits down with William Flanary, MD—better known to millions as Dr. Glaucomflecken—for a candid, funny, and deeply human conversation about medicine, media, and what it means to be a physician in the digital age. Recorded during a Stanford Department of Medicine Grand Rounds event, the discussion blends clinical reality with storytelling and comedy to reveal how one ophthalmologist built a second career as a creator, educator, and advocate.

What you’ll hear

• The path to ophthalmology and the double life: Will explains growing up as a class clown, choosing ophthalmology for his day job, and building a thriving online presence four days a week with podcasts, newsletters, live shows, and animated content.
• The alter ego and the empire: The origins of Glaucomflecken, how the character became a recognizable voice in medicine, and the role of his wife as CEO of the Glaucomflecken Empire—keeping projects organized from concept to stage.
• The craft of medical humor and education: How Will translates real clinical experiences into accessible, accurate content, balancing humor with medical detail, and the research process behind public-facing material.
• Open science and storytelling in publishing: The collaboration with the New England Journal of Medicine to expand engagement with clinical trials, and why journals are exploring creative formats to reach broader audiences while advancing understanding and participation.
• Medicine, policy, and disruption: A broader look at healthcare systems, costs, reform ideas, and physician-led advocacy—how clinicians can contribute to meaningful change without sacrificing patient care or scientific integrity.
• Personal balance and purpose: Will’s life with his wife and two kids, the sources of motivation—curiosity, community, and the belief that education can be entertaining and empowering.

Why this episode matters The Future of Medicine explores how medicine is evolving beyond clinics, and Will Flanary’s story demonstrates how clinical expertise, storytelling, and digital media can improve health literacy, demystify research, and humanize the physician experience. The conversation offers practical approaches for clinicians who want to engage the public while maintaining rigor and patient trust.

Takeaways for listeners

• A blueprint for blending clinical work with creative ventures, including safeguards for patient care.
• Techniques for clear, accurate health communication using humor, visuals, and storytelling without oversimplifying.
• Insight into modern publishing and multimedia dissemination, including why journals embrace creative formats and how clinicians can participate.
• Perspective on healthcare systems, cost, access, and reform, with thoughtful commentary on responsible advocacy.
• Inspiration for nontraditional career paths in medicine—educational content, policy dialogue, and creative ventures that stay grounded in patient care.

Who should listen

• Clinicians and trainees exploring nontraditional career paths in medicine.
• Medical educators seeking fresh approaches to engage students and the public.
• Researchers and publishers curious about multimedia strategies to broaden scientific reach.
• Healthcare professionals interested in health policy, health literacy, and patient advocacy.
• Anyone who enjoys medicine told through story, humor, and real-world experience.

Call to action: If you enjoy The Future of Medicine, subscribe for more conversations with leading scientists shaping the next era of healthcare. Please rate and review the podcast to help others discover these important discussions. Share with friends and colleagues who are curious about how science becomes medicine.