Episodios

  • Episode 3 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Hurry Up and Wait

    Episode 3 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Hurry Up and Wait
    Jul 4 2025
    A quick trip to the surgeon reveals that all is not as it seems, and Ben’s colon cancer journey takes a sharp turn almost as immediately as it starts. Multiple tumors during a surgery initially meant to remove a single cancerous mass lead to a diagnosis of metastasized colorectal cancer. And the expensive nuclear diagnosis machine shorts – in much the same way Ben’s Father’s brand new (at the time) Vauxhall Victor broke down on a Sunday afternoon drive. A potential podcast subject that Ben dismissed years ago as not being interesting enough (Italian data on a barrage of combination chemotherapy) reappears as the best first-line treatment option for Ben in 2025. The episode concludes with insights from Ben’s oncologist and preparation for the rigorous chemotherapy regimen ahead: Chemotherapy – it’s a full-time job. 00:00 Introduction: The Vauxhall Victor Story 02:11 Unexpected Medical News 04:12 Understanding the Diagnosis 06:45 The PET Scan Incident 11:04 Meeting the Oncologist 15:15 Preparing for Chemotherapy 16:58 Conclusion: The Journey Ahead https://www.mycrohnsandcolitisteam.com/ https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html
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    18 m
  • Episode 2 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Should I Be Worried?

    Episode 2 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Should I Be Worried?
    Jul 4 2025
    Ben has a routine colonoscopy and comes out with an unexpected diagnosis – an ulcerated mass in his ascending colon. The gastroenterologist gives him his first tattoo ever, which is sadly visible only to the surgeon who will remove it. Ben has been living with Crohn’s Disease since he was a teenager, so the news of an intestinal polyp turning cancerous is not shocking. An easy snip-snip excision by the surgeon, and all will be back to normal…. Or will it? 00:00 Introduction & Diagnosis 01:11 Personal Reflections and Stigma 02:58 Living with Crohn’s Disease 05:07 The Experience of Having a Colonoscopy 09:07 Post-Procedure and Results 11:57 Facing Mortality and Future Plans 16:25 A Personal Incident 19:14 Conclusion & Sign Off https://www.mycrohnsandcolitisteam.com/ https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html
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    20 m
  • Episode 1: A Preface to Colon, Meet Cancer

    Episode 1: A Preface to Colon, Meet Cancer
    Jul 4 2025
    Healthcare just got personal for A Shot In The Arm Podcast’s Ben Plumley, who brings his offbeat insights & humor to a surprise advanced colon cancer diagnosis. Join him on an odyssey around cancer treatment and the vagaries of the Californian health system. New episodes weekly… hopefully. https://www.mycrohnsandcolitisteam.com/ https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html
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    5 m
  • Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific: Innovation & Equity In Action With Social Entrepreneur Thomas Cai

    Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific: Innovation & Equity In Action With Social Entrepreneur Thomas Cai
    Jun 16 2025
    Join host Ben Plumley from Phnom Penh Cambodia, in conversation with Thomas Cai, a visionary Chinese-born entrepreneur and CEO of Open Source Technologies. Thomas, a pioneering figure in Asia’s rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry, shares his journey from HIV advocacy to leading high-impact hepatitis public-private partnerships in Southeast Asia. He offers a critical analysis of the effectiveness of traditional providers of global aid including NGOs and the Global Fund, while also envisioning a self-reliant future led by local health authorities, businesses and communities, calling only on the expertise and funding from northern partners as needed. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:40 Meet Thomas Cai: A Visionary Leader 01:39 Thomas Cai’s Journey and Achievements 03:33 Open Source Technologies: Mission and Focus 04:46 The Hepatitis Crisis in Southeast Asia 08:55 Challenges in Hepatitis Treatment 15:53 Critique of Global Health Funding Models 28:56 Thomas Cai’s Background and Early Work 39:11 The Role of Buyers Clubs in the HIV Epidemic 40:45 Challenges with NGOs and Public Sector in Disease Treatment 43:02 The Risk of Monopolization in Healthcare 43:39 The Importance of Business in Disease Control 51:33 Disruption and Innovation in Healthcare 53:22 Personal Reflections and Influences 01:07:18 The Hepatitis Elimination Alliance in Cambodia 01:09:12 Final Thoughts and Reflections 💬 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
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    1 h y 9 m
  • 78th World Health Assembly Recap with Yvette Raphael

    78th World Health Assembly Recap with Yvette Raphael
    May 26 2025
    Cohosts Yvette Raphael and Ben Plumley unpick the major news coming out of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. – from the new pandemic treaty, to WHO budget and staffing cuts, to increases in membership fees and voluntary contributions. They ruminate on how the current seemingly-unstoppable geopolitical chaos is affecting the ability of global health institutions like the World Health Organisation to deliver – and deliver on what exactly? What can the WHO actually do in such a fractured political climate? They reflect on US Secretary of Health and Human Service’s video presentation to the World Health Assembly, which at the very best, can't be called the best example of American power and diplomacy. Which perhaps was the point. They cover a few broader issues Which leads them to a few extra-curricular activities – the diplomatic manner in which South African President Cyril Ramaphosa immediately deflected a bizarre meeting at the US White House, complete with lies, videotape and no offers of jumbo jets. Before hitting Geneva, Yvette was at the European Congress on Obesity and Weight Management in Barcelona delving into the complex interactions between HIV and weight issues. They close out a no holds barred conversation on a recent announcement made by the Global Fund of a new groundbreaking partnership between Mozambique and a Kenyan pharmaceutical company, which they were too coy to name. So Yvette and Ben give the company, United Corporation Ltd of Kenya a big shout out… 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:24 Support and Subscription Reminder 00:56 World Health Assembly Recap Begins 01:23 Yvette's European Trip and Obesity Congress 02:02 HIV and Weight Issues Discussion 04:09 Elon Musk's Controversial Comments 08:19 Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance 14:32 WHO Budget Cuts and Leadership Changes 18:15 Global South's Role in Health Funding 28:45 China's Growing Influence in Global Health 33:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 45:14 Closing Remarks 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 Check out our Youtube channel for more in-depth global health discussions https://www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
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    46 m
  • A New Dawn in Global Health: Technology & AI, Security & Solidarity, One Health and Governance, with Dr Mike Reid IGHS, UCSF

    A New Dawn in Global Health: Technology & AI, Security & Solidarity, One Health and Governance, with Dr Mike Reid IGHS, UCSF
    May 19 2025
    While the global health community wrenches its clothes and gnashes its teeth in Switzerland at the 78th World Health Assembly, Dr Mike Reid, Associate Director of the Center for Global Health Diplomacy, UCSF joins Ben in an entertaining and wide ranging exploration of a positive, forward-looking agenda for global health. Topics include global health security, one health, mis- and disinformation in the doctor-patient relationship, health technology and specific future uses and pitfalls of AI to improve access to healthcare in developing countries. Mike offers a promise of a future episode on channelling philanthropic dollars into sovereign wealth funds for global health investments. And finally they reflect on their upbringing in the UK with its “free at the point of delivery” National Health Service, and argue over which of the modern Cambridge University Colleges they went to most resembles a multi-story car park. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:09 World Health Assembly Insights 01:18 Guest Introduction: Dr. Mike Reed 03:40 Mike Reid’s Background and Career 05:58 Global Health Security and Solidarity 11:28 The One Health Agenda 14:12 Artificial Intelligence in Global Health 37:26 Navigating Healthcare Systems 43:48 Closing Remarks and Future Topics Mike’s Substack: https://reimaginingglobalhealth.substack.com/ 💬 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 Check out our Youtube channel for more in-depth global health discussions https://www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
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    44 m
  • Communities Deploy AI to Expand Affordable Healthcare with Solange Baptiste ITPC Executive Director

    Communities Deploy AI to Expand Affordable Healthcare with Solange Baptiste ITPC Executive Director
    May 15 2025
    Host Ben Plumley is joined by Solange Baptiste of ITPC, an influential non-profit expert in strengthening healthcare access in developing countries, employing the strengths and minimizing the risks of new technology, particularly AI. Its an even more urgent challenge in the wake of massive funding cuts from the US. Solange shares her insights on the state of global health and how communities are adapting to new healthcare realities. They discuss ITPC's efforts in community-led monitoring, the impact of data collection on global health initiatives, and potential global health funding alternatives to donor aid. The conversation also explores how AI can be a powerful tool for communities if managed ethically, and the importance of building a unified African agenda to combat global health challenges. Solange offers a deeply insightful perspective on the future of healthcare, social justice, and the role of technology in transforming health systems. https://itpcglobal.org/ https://www.gatesnotes.com/work/save-lives/reader/20-years-to-give-away-virtually-all-my-wealth 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:04 The Role of AI in Global Health 01:16 Guest Introduction: Solange Baptist 01:44 ITPC's Mission and Evolution 06:57 Challenges and Changes in Global Health Funding 09:37 Community-Led Monitoring and Responses 17:00 Global Health Financing and Future Directions 23:43 Ubuntu Principles and Community Contribution 23:53 The Power Dynamics in Africa 25:25 Artificial Intelligence in Global Health 27:42 Challenges and Opportunities of AI 30:40 Digitalization and Data Privacy Concerns 38:53 Future of Global Health and Leadership 42:35 Affordability and Access to Medicines 45:43 Global Solidarity and Systemic Change 50:25 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 Check out our Youtube channel for more in-depth global health discussions https://www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
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    51 m
  • Rewarding Undetectability to End HIV with SHINE's cofounder and CEO Mackenzie Copley

    Rewarding Undetectability to End HIV with SHINE's cofounder and CEO Mackenzie Copley
    May 12 2025
    Ben revisits the application of innovation to deliver healthcare transformation – this time the merging technology with social science to reward undetectability in the fight against HIV. We meet McKinsey Copley, co-founder and CEO of Shine, who shares his journey from a young volunteer to creating a groundbreaking app that incentivizes HIV patients to remain virally suppressed by providing financial rewards. They discuss the economic and ethical implications of this approach and Shine's potential impact on ending the HIV epidemic. McKinsey also details the pilot project in Las Vegas and the regulatory challenges faced, ensuring the app's effectiveness and security. This episode is a compelling look into how innovative incentives can transform global health. Tune in for insights on compassion, technology, and the future of HIV treatment. https://www.shineapp.co/ 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:33 Why Focus on HIV? 01:46 Meet McKinsey Copley 02:21 McKinsey's Journey into HIV Advocacy 04:39 Founding One Tent Health 05:36 Achievements and Recognition 06:34 Introduction to Shine 07:00 The 90-90-90 Plan Explained 08:55 The Vision Behind Shine 12:34 Funding and Sustainability 16:14 Challenges and Future Plans 20:39 Choosing Las Vegas for the Pilot 21:39 The Impact of Trump's HIV Program 22:58 Shine: Tech Startup or Program Implementation? 25:01 Mission Statement: Wrapping the World in Love 27:37 Ensuring Data Privacy and HIPAA Compliance 32:35 Future Expansion and Long-Term Strategy 37:04 Call to Action: Join Shine's Journey 37:52 Contact Information 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 Check out our Youtube channel for more in-depth global health discussions https://www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast
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    41 m