Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show

Send us Fan MailMuffy Walker ( https://www.muffywalker.com/ ) is a psychiatric nurse with 45 years of experience, the founder of the International Bipolar Foundation, ( https://ibpf.org/ - an organization focused on raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health ), a dedicated Alzheimer’s caregiver, and an author with a passion for crafting compelling fiction that educates, inspires and sheds light on important topics, sparking meaningful conversations and fostering greater understanding. Muffy’s debut novel, Memory Weavers ( https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Weavers-Muffy-Walker/dp/B0DT7V6K3L ), a poignant and timely work of women’s fiction exploring memory, trauma, and the realities of caregiving, was just released April 8, 2025, with her other titles including a children’s book, The Great Jungle Talent Show, as well as Healthy Living with Bipolar Disorder, written for both people living with bipolar disorder and their caregivers.Muffy holds a Master of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from University of California, Irvine, and has written extensively on mental health topics, contributing many chapters, guides, and newspaper articles to the field.Muffy has also has served on a plethora of boards including Children’s Hospital, Kids Korps USA, NeighborHelp, and ChildHelp USA.#MuffyWalker #MemoryWeavers #AlzheimersCaregiving #InternationalBipolarFoundation #PsychiatricNursing #Dementia #PTSD #Empathy #Fiction #PatientAdvocacy #HusseiniManji #ScottSmall #CraigVenter #JohnCReed #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Michelle I. Cardel, PhD, MS, RD is Chief Nutrition Officer of WeightWatchers ( https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/science-center/team/michelle-cardel?srsltid=AfmBOooheyN06Ngdf86tF274AuTsCjebrDKN1ccjFWOsyMk8hZPs_IRw ), where she oversees the company’s academic research partnerships and clinical trials, nutrition portfolio, and science communication. In collaboration with fellow scientists and teams across the organization, she plans and executes research studies, then implements and disseminates the findings for WeightWatchers members, the scientific community, and the greater community at large. She also leads the company’s nutrition point of view using the latest in nutritional science, and works across the organization to translate the evidence in member content, programs, and beyond.Dr. Cardel is an obesity and nutrition scientist and registered dietitian with a focus on the development and implementation of evidence-based healthy lifestyle strategies for adults and children, particularly those from medically-underserved backgrounds.Before joining the WeightWatchers Science team in 2021, Dr. Cardel was an assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine. She was also the founder and director of the University of Florida Obesity Research Alliance, and an associate director for the Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases. Dr. Cardel holds a PhD in nutrition sciences and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Florida State University. She also holds specialized training in motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy, implementation science, and is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.Throughout her career, Dr. Cardel has authored over 120 scientific publications and received numerous honors including the Excellence in Emerging Outcomes Research award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Superior Accomplishment Award for Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of Florida Health Sciences Center, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Outstanding Woman Award and Outstanding Young Alumni Award. She was also awarded Fellow Status for The Obesity Society, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of obesity. Dr. Cardel is a skilled proponent of science communication and has conducted dozens of media interviews, including a recurring segment on nutrition for Channel 9 News in Denver. She’s also highly active on social media in efforts to translate scientific findings to the public.#MichelleCardel #ChiefNutritionOfficer #WeightWatchers #Obesity #Diabetes #MetabolicDiseases #Cardiovascular #Nutrition #Dietetics #Health #Wellness #WomensHealth #Aging #GLP1 #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailNeil Steinberg and Mark Jonathan Harris are both acclaimed filmmakers and through a partnership with Generation Entertainment, The John A. Hartford Foundation ( https://www.johnahartford.org/resources/view/new-pbs-documentary-film-release-and-screenings-aging-in-america---survive-or-thrive ) and PBS SoCal ( https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/aging-in-america-survive-or-thrive ), on May 1st will be debuting Aging in America: Survive or Thrive ( https://aginginamericasurviveorthrive.com/ ), a one-hour documentary that explores the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly aging population.  The documentary identifies critical issues associated with our rapidly aging population, including ageism, healthcare, economic insecurity, and Alzheimer’s disease, but also highlights innovative approaches to address these concerns, and featuring a range of renowned experts, personal stories, and narration from Martin Sheen, the film celebrates the promise of increased longevity while addressing crucial and unprecedented public policy challenges. Neil is President at Generation Entertainment and has worked extensively as producer/ director in nearly all forms of media ( https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0825796/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm ). His documentary work includes directing Kisses for the TNT Network and writing and producing a one-hour documentary on the life of Bishop TD Jakes for Lionsgate Television. Neil was the producer and director for the highly acclaimed PBS documentary, Boomer Century 1946-2046. Other aging related projects he has produced and directed for PBS include Life’s Third Age and Sages of Aging.Mark ( https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0365057/ ) is a 3-time Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and Emeritus Distinguished Professor in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California ( https://cinema.usc.edu/faculty/profile.cfm?id=6530&first=&last=harris&title=&did=50&referer=%2Ffaculty%2Ffacultydirectory.cfm&startpage=1&startrow=1 ), where he ran the documentary program for many years. In 2021, Asian Americans, a 5-part series for PBS for which he was Consulting Producer, received a Peabody Award. Among the many documentaries Mark has written, produced and/or directed are The Redwoods, which won an Oscar for Best Short Documentary (1968); The Long Way Home, Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary (1997); and Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport, which won the Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary in 2000 and was selected by the U.S. Library of Congress for permanent preservation in the National Film Registry. Foster, which he wrote and directed, aired on HBO in 2019 and was nominated for Best Documentary Screenplay by the Writers Guild of America.#NeilSteinberg #MarkJonathanHarris #GenerationEntertainment #TheJohnAHartfordFoundation #PBSSoCal #AgingInAmerica #SurviveOrThrive #Documentary #RobertButler #NationalInstituteOnAging #Ageism #EconomicInsecurity #AlzheimersDisease #MartinSheen #Geriatrics #Gerontology #Longevity #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailMarc Elia is the Founder of M28 Capital ( https://www.m28capital.com/ ), a healthcare sector investment fund, as well as Chairman of the Board of Invivyd ( https://www.invivyd.com/ ), a biopharmaceutical company devoted to delivering protection from serious viral infectious diseases, beginning with SARS-CoV-2, by deploying a proprietary integrated technology platform, to create best in class monoclonal antibodies. In March 2024, Invivyd received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. FDA for a monoclonal antibody (mAb) in its pipeline of innovative antibody candidates. Marc has a passion for investing in and developing innovative healthcare solutions, and dedicated much of his career to make a meaningful difference in human health, and advocate for the development of therapies that address unmet medical needs.Prior to M28, from January 2012 to September 2019, Marc served as a partner at Bridger Capital, an investment fund and has served on the Board of Directors of numerous companies.Prior to his time in the healthcare investment space, Marc served in Strategy and Corporate Development roles at Chiron Corporation, in Business Development at Protein Sciences Corporation, as well as in consulting at L.E.K. Consulting.Marc holds a B.A. in economics from Carleton College.#MarcElia #M28Capital #Invivyd #Biopharmaceuticals #InfectiousDiseases #SARSCoV2 #MonoclonalAntibodies #Immunocompromised #RareViralEpitopes #Pemivibart #PreExposureProphylaxis #Covid19 #EmergencyUseAuthorization #EUA #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Bobby Reddy, MD is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Pi Health ( https://www.pihealth.ai/ ), a health technology and clinical research company committed to empowering life sciences companies to develop medicines faster and reach diverse patient populations. Dr. Reddy leads global operations, business development, and commercial activities with the mission of driving equal access to innovative medicines and clinical trials for patients around the world. Previously, Dr. Reddy served in leadership positions at BeiGene and AstraZeneca. At BeiGene, Dr. Reddy was Executive Director of Applied Innovation, a technology incubator in the Office of the CEO, which developed novel technologies to improve R&D and commercial capabilities. In this role, Dr. Reddy was the co-inventor of multiple patented technology applications which have successfully undergone enterprise adoption. He also built and managed multidisciplinary, global teams who led strategy, business development, global operations, and legal activities to drive development, implementation and growth of incubated technologies and companies. At AstraZeneca, Dr. Reddy was Head of Oncology Regulatory Science and Innovation, where he was a member of the global Oncology Regulatory Science and Strategy leadership team. Previous to Dr. Reddy’s roles in pharma and biotech, Dr. Reddy was faculty of Harvard Medical School and a physician scientist and clinical dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. His research focused on investigating the role of genetic and immunologic factors in melanoma development and progression, along with the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Dr. Reddy is also an alumnus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute – National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program, through which he conducted research at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Reddy completed an Internal Medicine internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, during which he was given the Dunne Award for Humanism in Medicine by Harvard Medical School. He subsequently completed a Dermatology residency at Columbia University Medical Center, where he served as a Chief Resident during his final year of training. After residency, he completed a Melanoma Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Dr. Reddy obtained his M.D. with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from Rutgers–New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Reddy is a board-certified dermatologist and maintains an active clinical practice caring for patients at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he also teaches and mentors medical students and trainees.Important Episode Link - Pi Health Cancer Hospital - https://www.pihealthcancerhospital.com/#BobbyReddy #PiHealth #Dermatology #Oncology #Melanoma #Cancer #ElectronicHealthRecords #GenerativeAI #CDSCO #ClinicalTrials #India #CentralDrugsStandardControlOrganisation #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Mirza Rahman, MD, MPH serves as the President of the American College of Preventive Medicine ( ACPM - https://www.acpm.org/about-acpm/governance/executive-officers/mirza-rahman/ ), a professional community, founded in 1954 as a professional community for board-certified physicians to network, share their expertise and advocate for the advancement of prevention. Today, ACPM represents over 2,000 physicians, medical students, non-physicians, and other partners. All believe in the importance of preventive medicine in our society. Dr. Rahman also serves as the Senior Vice President, Patient Safety & Pharmacovigilance at Cybin ( https://cybin.com/our-team/ ), a pharmaceutical company seeking to bring novel, second-generation psychedelics to market. He also and is a Co-Founder and President of the Guyanese Diaspora Charity ( https://www.guyanesediasporacharity.org/ ), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on helping to improve the lives of Guyanese. In addition, Dr. Rahman is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University ( https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/profile/mirza-i-rahman-md ) and as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Guyana.Most recently, Dr. Rahman was the Vice President & Chief Safety Officer at Organon, a global healthcare company. There, he was responsible for leading and setting the broad strategic direction for pharmacovigilance for this multinational company.Prior to that, Dr. Rahman was the Senior Vice President, Chief Global Pharmacovigilance Officer & European Research & Development Lead at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, a global Japanese based pharmaceutical company. In 2013, he created the ACPM - Otsuka Pharmacovigilance Physician Program in Global Medical Safety. Dr. Rahman joined Otsuka from Merck Research Laboratories, where he was an Executive Director in the Clinical Risk Management/Global Safety department. Before this, he worked at Johnson & Johnson in a variety of positions, serving as a Worldwide Vice President, Health Economics & Reimbursement at Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics in his last role there.During his 25+ years in the pharmaceutical industry, while Dr. Rahman has worked primarily in Pharmacovigilance, he has also worked in Medical Affairs, Medical Information, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Quality Management, Clinical Development, Manufacturing, and Regulatory Affairs.Dr. Rahman completed his Public Health & General Preventive Medicine Residency along with his Family Medicine Residency at Stony Brook University. He completed the Advanced Management Program at the Columbia Business School and earned his Master of Public Health degree from the Columbia University School of Public Health. Dr. Rahman earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Stony Brook University School of Medicine, and his Bachelor of Science degree from the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at the City College of the City University of New York. #MirzaRahman #AmericanCollegeOfPreventiveMedicine #PatientSafety #Pharmacovigilance #GuyaneseDiasporaCharity #Epidemiology #ColumbiaUniversity #UniversityOfGuyana #MedicalAffairs #HealthEconomics #OutcomesResearch #QualityManagement #ClinicalDevelopment #RegulatoryAffairs #PublicHealth #BrainHealth #DiabetesPrevention #ReducingHypertension #LifestyleMedicine #PopulationHealth #ViolencePrevention #Psychedelics #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Anastasia Liapis, Ph.D. is Global Head of Innovation & New Business Creation, HP Health Solutions ( https://www.izb-online.de/en/companies/hp-health-solutions-germany-gmbh/ ), a division of HP ( https://www.hp.com/us-en/home.html ) , that develops technology specifically for the healthcare industry and reimagines healthcare tech for diagnostics and precision medicine of the future.Dr. Liapis’ team leads innovation in diagnostics and health-tech, driving the development and commercialization of ultrafast PCR and microfluidic-based diagnostic platforms, as well as focuses on early-stage technology development, partnerships, and business strategy, ensuring breakthrough innovations translate into real-world impact.Previously, Dr. Liapis served as Vice President of Strategic Marketing & Partnerships at GNA Biosolutions GmbH, a molecular diagnostics start up that was acquired by HP, and she played a pivotal role in enhancing the organization's strategic vision, focusing on innovative solutions in the bioscience sector.Before taking her role at GNA Biosolutions, Dr. Liapis made significant contributions to various notable organizations such as TBWA, the healthcare agency creative collective, where she served as a Group Account Supervisor, and as of Vice President of Medical Affairs at Medical Dynamics, developing medical education programs and fostering key opinion leader (KOL) relationships.Dr. Liapis completed her doctoral training in Genetics at the Mount Sinai School of Biomedical Sciences and her post-doctoral fellowship in Immunology at the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine at NYU Langone. She earned both her Master’s and Bachelor's degrees in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis.#AnastasiaLiapis #HPHealthSolutions #HP #HewlettPackard #Healthtech #Biosecurity #LifeSciences #FoodSafety #NucleicAcidAmplification #MolecularAssays #Biotechnology #Nanotechnology #GNABiosolutions #MolecularDiagnostics #Microfluidics #PolymeraseChainReaction #PCR #Bioscience #CarT #LysosomalStorageDisorders #BrandStrategy #ScientificWriting #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Arthur C. Evans Jr. is Chief Executive Officer of the American Psychological Association ( https://www.apa.org/about/apa/senior-staff/evans-bio ), the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. With more than 146,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as members, APA promotes and disseminates psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve lives – a mission consistent with Dr. Evans' life work.Before joining APA in March 2017, Dr. Evans spent 12 years as commissioner of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. In that post, he led the transformation of that agency's approach to serving a wide range of individuals with complex needs. The transformation of the $1.5 billion Philadelphia system has relied heavily on public health strategies that contribute to better community health. Dr. Evans has emphasized a data-driven, population health approach to improve outcomes for people and increased system efficiency. Over his tenure, the agency saved more than $110 million that the city reinvested in improving and expanding services and employing innovative strategies to reach more people. The work in Philadelphia has become a national and international model, with over 25 states and more than a dozen countries having either visited the city or invited Evans to speak about the Philadelphia model.An unconventional leader, Dr. Evans has employed science, research, community activism, spirituality, traditional clinical care, policy, and cross-system collaborations to change the status quo. Dr. Evans approach gave voice to and empowered individuals and communities that have been historically marginalized. He ensured those with lived experiences were involved with every policy decision. He enlisted political and community leaders, grassroots organizations, academic institutions and advocates in a citywide commitment to think differently about behavioral health and intellectual disabilities.Dr. Evans has been honored nationally and internationally for his work. In 2015, he was recognized as an “Advocate for Action” by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. In 2013, he received the American Medical Association's top government service award in health care, the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service. In 2017, he received the Visionary Leadership Award from the National Council of Behavioral Health and was inducted into the Florida Atlantic University Alumni Hall of Fame. His work as a strong advocate for social justice has led to his receiving three different awards named for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.Dr. Evans has held faculty appointments at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Drexel School of Public Health. He also held a faculty appointment at the Yale University School of Medicine.Dr. Evans holds a doctorate in clinical/community psychology from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in experimental psychology from Florida Atlantic University, where he also completed his undergraduate work.#ArthurEvans #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation #Psychology #MentalHealth #AddictionServices #RecoveryOrientedSystemOfCare #BehavioralHealth #PhiladelphiaModel #PennCollaborative #BeckCommunityInitiative #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #EvidenceBasedPractices #ImplementationScientists #CommunityPsychology #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Peter Ordentlich, Ph.D. is Chief Scientific Officer and Founder, Syndax Pharmaceuticals ( https://syndax.com/team/peter-ordentlich-ph-d/ ), a company with a mission to obtain regulatory approval and commercialize drugs that extend and improve the lives of cancer patients, by drawing on the newest scientific research and advances, collaborating with determined problem solvers, and identifying value in overlooked aspects of science.Dr. Ordentlich co-founded the Company in October 2005 and has served as Chief Scientific Officer since September 2016.Dr. Ordentlich previously served as Syndax’s Chief Technical Officer, Vice President, Translational Medicine, Executive Director, Translational Science, and Director, Scientific Affairs and Strategic Alliances.Prior to founding the company, Dr. Ordentlich was a scientist at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, a biological research non-profit organization. He also spent five years as a research scientist at X-Ceptor Therapeutics, Inc., a drug discovery company, which was acquired by Exelixis, Inc.Dr. Ordentlich received a B.A. in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Pennsylvania.#PeterOrdentlich #SyndaxPharmaceuticals #Oncology #Cancer #Menin #KMT2Ar #AcuteLeukemias #NPM1m #AcuteMyeloidLeukemia #Revuforj #Niktimvo #Axatilimab #Revumenib #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

Send us Fan MailProf. Dr. Islam Abou El-Magd, Ph.D. is the President of the National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, Egypt ( https://www.narss.sci.eg/professor/47 ), which focuses on applied research using earth observation and geo-informatics in environmental-related issuesProf. Abou El-Magd is also Counsellor for the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Space Technology and African Affairs ( https://mohesr.gov.eg/en-us/Pages/home.aspx ), which is responsible for all related education, science and technology in Egypt with Africa either on bi-lateral, multi-lateral and AUC agreements. Prof. Abou El-Magd has been involved in developing many international, regional and national Geographic Information System (GIS) projects in different disciplines. He was a GIS consultant for the Centre of Environment and Development for Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE), Arab League. Prof. Abou El-Magd spent five years of his career in the UK as a GIS Program Coordinator for the University of Southampton and Gifford Excellence. He has been selected as an international consultant for a short-term consultancy to some of the UN Programs, including the Food and Agriculture Organization in Saudi Arabia, the World Health Organization in Sudan, and the United Nations Development Program in Kuwait.Prof. Abou El-Magd is also general secretary of the space council of Egypt, which is responsible for setting up the policy and strategy of space and earth observation applications in Egypt. He represents Egypt as a focal point in some European-African space initiatives and partnerships such as Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES). He was also a co-chair of the Implementation Plan Working Group – Group on Earth Observation that developed the ten-year implementation plan for GEO (2016-2025). Moreover, He is also an acting member of the African Space policy and Strategy by the Space Working Group that developed the African Space policy and strategy. Finally, he is the Vice-President of the African Association of Remote Sensing and the Environment, the largest remote sensing and geo-informatics association and network in Africa.Prof. Abou El-Magd chaired the high-level national committee to strategize and develop the National Space Program, which the Egyptian Space Agency ( https://www.egsa.gov.eg/ ) currently implements. He was also appointed for a short period as the Vice Executive President of the Egyptian Space Agency before being appointed president of the National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, which was the cradle of the Egyptian Space Program.Prof. Abou El-Magd has an MSc, University of El-Mansoura, Egypt and Ph.D., School of Civil Engineering and The Environment, University of Southampton, UK. #ProfDrIslamAbouElMagd  #RemoteSensing #SpaceSciences #Egypt #GeographicInformationSystems #SatelliteImagery #DisasterMitigation #SandDuneMovements #AeolianProcess #Dengue #MedicalEntomology #AquaticBiology #Fisheries #AedesAegypti #GreenhouseGases #GeothermalEnergy #FishingZoneDetection #Sardinella #Geosciences #GoldExploration #ArchaeologicalSites #SandStorms #Sinai #RedSea #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #Research #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcastSupport the show