Episodes

Dear listeners, Why do some men have trouble achieving an erection while others have trouble maintaining one? In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, Dr. Elliot Justin, founder and CEO of FirmTech, joins us to discuss the possible causes of erectile dysfunction and how they may affect treatment. We also explore FirmTech’s performance rings and TechRing, including their potential uses, safety considerations, and the research underway. Listen to the full podcast episode here. Cheers, D...

Dear listeners, Physician burnout is often framed as a personal problem—but what if it’s really a problem with the way medicine is structured? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tracy Gapin, physician entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, bestselling author of Male 2.0, and founder of the Peak Launch Institute. After years in traditional urology practice, Dr. Gapin built a different model of care focused on what he calls Precision Performance Medicine. We discuss why so many physicians feel trapped in ...

Dear listeners, Although breastfeeding initiation rates in Canada remain among the highest in the world, maintaining exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended six months continues to be a major challenge. In this episode, pediatrician and lactation consultant Dr. Rajinder Gulati joins us to unpack why so many mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended and what healthcare systems can do differently. We discuss the striking regional differences across Canada, including why British C...

Dear listeners, Today’s guest is Dr. Alan Cohen, a pediatric neurosurgeon whose career has spanned more than four decades at some of the world’s most respected institutions, including Boston Children’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins. Throughout his career, Dr. Cohen has cared for children facing some of the most serious neurological conditions imaginable and has guided countless families through life-altering diagnoses, difficult decisions, and moments of profound uncertainty. In his new memoir, ...

Plastics are everywhere—and so is the confusion surrounding them. In this episode, we sit down with Chris DeArmitt, independent scientist, materials expert, and founder of the Plastics Research Council. Known for his rigorous, evidence-first approach, Chris has spent years analyzing peer-reviewed research to better understand the real impact of plastics and microplastics on human health and the environment. Together, we unpack some of the most common misconceptions driving public concern today...

Dear listeners, Today’s episode is a deeply moving conversation about grief, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going after unimaginable loss. We’re joined by Marcia Earhart — certified life, grief, and trauma coach, educator, mental health first responder, and founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary. But beyond her professional work, Marcia brings something even more powerful to this conversation: lived experience. After the loss of both of her sons, alongside chronic illness...

Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we take a closer look at the growing role of AI chatbots in healthcare—and the risks that come with them. Dr. Christie Bergerson, biomedical engineer and AI expert at ECRI, joins us to unpack how tools like ChatGPT are being used by both patients and clinicians. From drafting clinical notes to answering medical questions, these technologies are already shaping care in meaningful ways—but not always safely. We explore why AI chat...

Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we sit down with Tom Swales—physiotherapist, performance expert, and founder of the Advanced Movement Therapist Certification. Tom shares lessons from more than two decades working with elite athletes and everyday patients, and reflects on how a life-threatening infection in 2023 transformed his perspective on resilience, recovery, and patient care. We explore how his AMT approach integrates strength training with rehabilitation,...

Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, Dr. Dimitre speaks with Sharmeen Aqueel, founder and CEO of Lyvvora, a Lending-as-a-Service platform built specifically for healthcare clinics and pharmacies. With a background in enterprise tech, Sharmeen shares how she identified a hidden but urgent problem in primary care: outdated, opaque financing that holds back even thriving clinics. Together, they explore how Lyvvora is helping practices across Canada access fast, fair, a...

Dear listeners, What if a molecule could help you live longer and feel better doing it? In this episode, I’m joined by scientist and entrepreneur Chris Burres, founder of MyVitalC, to explore ESS60—a powerful antioxidant that could reshape how we think about aging and vitality. We break down the science, bust a few myths, and share real steps you can take today to support a longer, healthier life. Let’s dive right in! Listen to the podcast here. Cheers, Dr. Dimitre The post Episode 115: Ca...

Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, family physician Dr. Rory Sullivan joins us to explore the intersection of medicine and storytelling. We discuss how his clinical experience shaped his debut novel Waking on the Ground, the realities of publishing while practicing, and what’s next on his creative path. A must-listen for anyone curious about narrative medicine and the art of balancing creativity with clinical life. Website – https://roryosullivan.ca Book – https:/...

Dear listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, Dr. Dimitre Ranev sits down with Dr. Yatin Chadha — known to many from the Beyond MD podcast. This time, he joins us to discuss his newest venture: two practical online radiology courses designed to help clinicians build confidence in CT head interpretation. We cover what inspired these courses, how he created them, and how primary care, emergency, internal medicine, and trainee clinicians can use them in daily practice. We also ...

Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we tackle a critical but often overlooked topic in healthcare—physician practice financial health. Host Dr. Kevin is joined by Matt Seefeld, CEO of MedEvolve and a nationally recognized expert in healthcare revenue cycle optimization. With over 20 years of consulting experience, Matt shares how technology, AI, and automation are revolutionizing billing, staffing, and operational efficiency in medical practices. Whether you’re a ph...

Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we explore the rapidly growing and often misunderstood world of male enhancement procedures. Joined by Dr. Joel Pash — anaesthesiologist, Stanford faculty member, and co-founder of The Upsize Clinic — we dive into the latest techniques, the surge in patient demand, and the critical need for safe, evidence-based practices. Dr. Pash shares insights on what’s driving this trend, the risks of poorly performed procedures, and how clini...

Dear Listeners, On this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we speak with Dr. Sarah Nasir, a dual board-certified family physician and addiction medicine specialist, about her innovative, holistic approach to treating addiction. From leading a methadone clinic to founding Zenara Care and Transcendant You, Dr. Nasir shares how blending evidence-based care with whole-person healing can transform recovery—especially in underserved communities. Listen to the Podcast Episode here! Cheers, Dr....

Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, Dr. Dimitre speaks with Dr. Jeff, a board-certified neurological surgeon and founder of ReCELLebrate, about an exciting frontier in healthcare—natural killer (NK) cell-derived exosome therapy. Dr. Jeff shares his journey from virology research to pioneering anti-aging treatments, and dives into how exosomes are being explored to boost traditional cancer therapies, prevent disease, and even slow aging. Tune in for a deep dive into ...

Dear Listeners, This week on the Primary Medicine Podcast, we’re joined by Todd Minerson, Country Director for Movember Canada and a global leader in men’s health advocacy. Since 2003, Movember has raised over $1.6 billion worldwide to support initiatives in men’s mental health, prostate and testicular cancer, and overall wellbeing. Todd brings a wealth of experience in community leadership and social change, including his past work with the White Ribbon Campaign and youth homelessness in Toron...

Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. John Oliffe, a renowned expert in men’s health promotion and Professor at the University of British Columbia. As the founder of UBC’s Men’s Health Research program and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, Dr. Oliffe has led groundbreaking studies on how masculinity impacts men’s health behaviours, illness management, and overall wellbeing. With over $44 million in funding and 450+ publications, his work spans prosta...

Dear Listeners, In this episode of the Primary Medicine Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Sam Gharbi—clinician, educator, and health tech innovator—to discuss the rapid growth of Arya Health, one of Canada’s fastest-growing EMRs. Dr. Gharbi shares how Arya is transforming physician workflows with AI tools like AI Scribe, eFaxTriage and Co-Pilot, and we explore its recent milestones and its potential as a game-changer for physician sustainability and retention. Listen to the Podcast Episode here! Ch...

Dear Listeners, Welcome back to the Primary Medicine Podcast! Today’s guest is Ron Richard, a true healthcare innovator with over 35 years of experience in respiratory, pulmonary, and sleep medicine. From launching over 40 medical products and holding 15 patents to working with industry leaders like ResMed and Qualcomm, Ron has helped shape the future of patient care. He’s also a creative force—an author, musician, and entrepreneur. In this episode, we dive into his journey, the hurdles clinici...

Dear Listeners, Welcome to the Primary Medicine Podcast! Today, we’re exploring a groundbreaking approach to chronic pain—one that challenges the idea that all persistent pain stems from injury or disease. Our guest, Dr. David Clarke, President of the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS), specializes in stress-related, brain-generated conditions and helps patients overcome pain without drugs or surgery. We’ll discuss how stress and trauma can manifest as physical symptoms, ...

Dear Listeners, Today, we’re diving into the critical topic of enhancing interoperability in Canadian health care with an exceptional guest, Dr. Rashaad Bhyat. Dr. Bhyat is a family physician, digital health expert, and Senior Clinician Leader at Canada Health Infoway, a federally funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing digital health solutions across Canada. Canada Health Infoway is on a mission to create a more connected and efficient health care system by accelerating the...

Dear Listeners, Welcome back to the Primary Medicine Podcast! Today, we’re diving into the world of healthcare technology and innovation with a guest who has been a driving force in transforming digital health across Canada. Mike Checkley is the President of QHR Technologies, the company behind Accuro EMR—one of the leading electronic medical record systems used by healthcare providers nationwide. With over two decades of experience, Mike has a unique journey through technology and healthcare, ...

Dear Listeners, Welcome to the Primary Medicine Podcast. Today, we’re spotlighting Quilt In-Home Care, an innovative company founded by Blake Cheeseman and Peter Kotzeff, born from a personal experience with Peter’s grandmother and Blake’s mother during the pandemic. They faced the challenge many families do: finding high-quality, reliable in-home care. So they created Quilt to improve the in-home care experience for seniors and their families. Quilt’s mission is simple yet profound—help peopl...