Explore every episode of the podcast The Dokkcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demystifying POTS: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Hope for Teenagers with Prof. Piers Daubeney | 20 août 2026 | 00:42:49 | |
In this episode of the Dokkcast, host Nara sits down with Professor Piers Daubeney, a world-renowned Consultant Paediatric and Fetal Cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College London. Together, they untangle the complexities of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)—a frequently misunderstood condition that primarily affects teenagers and young adults. Prof. Daubeney breaks down the underlying physiology of POTS, explaining why the heart races when standing and how gravity affects circulation. He highlights the crucial differences between pediatric and adult POTS, details the standard diagnostic toolkit (including ECGs, Holter monitors, and tilt table tests), and outlines a structured ladder of treatment. From simple lifestyle shifts like increased salt intake and targeted hydration to advanced pharmaceutical interventions like Midodrine and Ivabradine, this episode provides a comprehensive roadmap for patients, parents, and healthcare providers. Prof. Daubeney also shares a powerful message of hope, reassuring families that the long-term prognosis for pediatric patients is exceptionally bright. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:44 - What is POTS? 00:01:59 - Who gets POTS? 00:02:29 - Adults vs teenagers 00:03:45 - Symptoms overview 00:05:03 - How circulation fails 00:07:55 - Why symptoms vary 00:09:09 - Diagnosing POTS 00:10:13 - Ruling out other causes 00:11:41 - Key tests: ECG, echo, Holter 00:12:58 - The tilt table test 00:13:57 - Diagnostic criteria 00:16:11 - POTS vs orthostatic intolerance 00:18:12 - Life after diagnosis 00:19:06 - Fluids and salt intake 00:20:29 - Periods, iron and teenage girls 00:21:13 - Compression and movement 00:22:46 - Staying active 00:24:19 - POTS vs anxiety 00:25:02 - Prognosis and outlook 00:25:52 - Treatment: sodium tablets 00:26:21 - Medication options 00:27:11 - Slowing a racing heart 00:28:14 - Achieving good outcomes 00:29:02 - Referral pathways 00:30:31 - Reliable resources 00:31:09 - Adult vs paediatric POTS 00:33:13 - Autonomic dysregulation 00:35:21 - COVID-19 and POTS 00:37:30 - Myths and coexisting conditions 00:38:56 - The Netflix documentary 00:41:04 - Final advice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Science of Song & Speech: Unlocking Vocal Health with Leading Laryngologist Declan Costello | 04 août 2026 | 00:47:05 | |
What actually happens when we speak, sing, or lose our voice entirely? In this episode of the Dokkcast, host Nara is joined by Mr. Declan Costello—one of the UK’s leading ENT surgeons, laryngologists, and a classical singer himself. Declan demystifies the complex anatomy of the vocal folds, explaining how a simple "buzzing" sound is modulated into the rich timbres of speech and song. Drawing from his unique dual background as a Cambridge choral scholar and a specialist surgeon, he shares vital insights into vocal pathology, the profound impact of emotion on speech, and why the aging voice is a "use it or lose it" muscle. Whether you are a professional performer or someone who simply relies on your voice for everyday communication, this episode is an essential masterclass in vocal care, debunking common myths (like gargling salt water) and highlighting when a hoarse voice is actually a sign to see a specialist. Chapters 00:00 Intro — meet Declan Costello, ENT voice surgeon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Beyond the Latch: The Truth About Breastfeeding, Tongue-Ties, and Mouth-Breathing Myths with Stacey Zimmels | 15 juil. 2026 | 01:20:47 | |
In this episode of The Dokkcast, host Nara is joined by Stacey Zimmels, a highly specialized pediatric speech and language therapist and lactation consultant. Together, they dive deep into the often confusing, advice-heavy world of infant feeding. From untangling the coordination of "suck, swallow, breathe" to busting the biggest myths around breastfeeding pain, tongue-ties, and baby-led weaning, this conversation provides a grounded, evidence-based roadmap for parents. They also tackle recent social media trends around mouth breathing, explaining the real science behind nasal breathing, large adenoids, and pediatric sleep. Whether you are navigating the early days of nursing, preparing to introduce solids, or wondering if your child's tongue-tie actually needs dividing, this episode offers compassionate, expert guidance without the guilt. 00:00 Welcome & Stacey's background (SLT + lactation consultant) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| From Boardroom to Chelsea Gold: Jenny Halpern-Prince on Lady Garden & Gynae Cancer Awareness | 07 juil. 2026 | 00:44:22 | |
Jenny Halpern-Prince built a PR agency from her kitchen table into a WPP-backed business — then co-founded Lady Garden, the charity breaking the silence around gynaecological cancers. In episode 9 of Dokkcast, Jenny joins us to talk about her career, her own health journey, and why 60 women being diagnosed and 21 dying every day in the UK from gynaecological cancers isn't talked about nearly enough. 00:00 Introduction Jenny Halpern-Prince is the co-founder of Lady Garden, a charity dedicated to raising awareness of gynaecological cancers, and founder of Access Aspiration, an education charity supporting social mobility through work placements. 🎧 Subscribe to Dokkcast for more conversations on health, wellbeing, and the people driving change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Truth About GLP-1 Weight Loss: Nutrition, Muscle Loss & Ozempic with Dietitian Marcela Fiuza | 30 juin 2026 | 00:45:58 | |
Losing weight can be tricky. We explore the risk of significant muscle loss during dieting and regaining fat, potentially leading to sarcopenic obesity (a condition characterized by the concurrent presence of excess body fat (obesity) and a low mass, quality, and function of skeletal muscle (sarcopenia). It creates a vicious cycle: muscle loss reduces mobility and energy expenditure, which promotes further fat gain.) Learn the hidden dangers and what to watch out for. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 and Women's Health Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Marcela Fiuza: Perimenopause Nutrition. Why Weight Changes in Your 40s | 23 juin 2026 | 00:44:18 | |
Perimenopause Nutrition: Why Weight Changes in Your 40s (Protein, Fiber, and Metabolism) 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Dr Laura Wood - The Menopause Conversation Your Doctor Should Be Having With You | 28 mai 2026 | 00:59:36 | |
Most women expect menopause to mean hot flushes and the end of their periods. The reality is far more complex — and far more consequential — than that. In this episode, Professor Nara Daubeney is joined by Dr Laura Wood, specialist GP at Muse Medical and menopause expert, for a comprehensive and myth-busting conversation about what menopause actually is, what it does to your body, and what you can do about it. They cover the difference between perimenopause and menopause, why symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep and weight gain are often missed or misattributed, why blood tests alone aren't reliable for diagnosis, and what a proper holistic workup actually looks like. Dr Laura also explains the real risks and benefits of HRT — including why a 25-year-old study still shapes how millions of women think about it today, the truth about breast cancer risk in context, and why women are 30 times more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than breast cancer. Plus: vaginal estrogen, testosterone, bone health, cardiovascular risk, and why there are no prizes for suffering in silence.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| NHS vs Private Health Screening | Dr Sophie Ladbrooke on What's Free, What's Worth It & What Could Save Your Life | 23 mai 2026 | 00:53:55 | |
Dr Sophie Ladbrooke joins Dokkcast to break down everything you need to know about health screening — from the free tests you might be skipping to the private add-ons that can genuinely change outcomes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| From Injury to Holistic Health Leadership with Brad Clifford | 21 mai 2026 | 01:13:01 | |
Brad went from nearly dying of sepsis as a collegiate football player to building one of the most comprehensive preventative health companies around. In this episode of the Dokk Cast, Nara sits down with Brad to trace his remarkable journey — from athlete to med-tech leader to founder of Elevation Health — and unpack his bold vision for what healthcare should have been doing for the last 30 years. They dive deep into epigenetics, whole genome sequencing, mitochondrial health, pharmacogenomics, and why a single yearly blood test gives you almost none of the picture you actually need. Brad also shares his unfiltered take on how the US insurance system is failing patients, why strength training is non-negotiable (especially for women), and what the UK gets right about movement that America has completely forgotten. Whether you're curious about longevity, frustrated with conventional medicine, or just want to understand your own biology better — this conversation is packed with insight. 🔗 Learn more about Elevation Health: https://www.elevetion.com/ Timecodes: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Can You Be a Surgeon and Have a Family? Orthopaedic Surgeon Cat Malik Explains | 20 mai 2026 | 00:32:27 | |
Cat Malik is a post-CCT trauma and orthopaedics fellow specialising in foot, ankle, and lower limb surgery. In this episode of Dokkcast, host Professor Nara Daubeney speaks with her about what it genuinely takes to build a surgical career — and how to sustain one alongside family life. Cat traces her journey from medical school through surgical training, sharing candid insights into orthopaedic culture, the stereotypes that still surround the specialty, and the very real challenges women continue to face in surgery. A particularly compelling thread is her experience raising three children while progressing through a demanding training pathway, with practical advice for doctors navigating the same tension between career and family. The conversation also looks outward at broader shifts in healthcare — the role of social media in spreading both useful information and misinformation, how doctors engage with these platforms professionally, and what AI means for the future of medical knowledge and patient trust. A frank and wide-ranging episode for anyone considering a surgical career, or interested in the evolving culture of medicine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Innovations in Endoscopic Surgery with Professor Hesham Saleh | 19 mai 2026 | 00:55:40 | |
Professor Hesham Saleh is a leading London-based consultant rhinologist and facial plastic surgeon, practising at Charing Cross Hospital and the Harley ENT Practice. He specialises in rhinoplasty, sinus surgery, rhinology, skull-base surgery, and orbital/lacrimal surgery. He holds FRCS (ENT) and FRCS (ORL-HNS) qualifications, has been named in The Times' top 140 doctors and top 50 surgeons lists, and serves as Professor of Practice in Rhinology at Imperial College. He is past president of the Laryngology and Rhinology section of the Royal Society of Medicine. His research focuses on rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, skull-base pathology, and nasal deformities, including leading multicentre trials on olfactory damage and antibiotic-resistant sinus bacteria. The podcast episode covers his career journey, the evolution of ENT training, the complexity of sinus and endoscopic surgery, and — as its central theme — the influence of social media on cosmetic surgery, particularly how platforms like Instagram and TikTok spread unrealistic beauty standards and misinformation among young patients, and the need for better medical education to counter this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Professor Mike Rigby: A Lifetime Advancing Paediatric Cardiology | 19 mai 2026 | 00:44:08 | |
Professor Mike Rigby is one of the most influential figures in paediatric cardiology, with a career spanning over four decades. In this conversation with Nara, he reflects on the sweeping transformation of children's heart care — from an era of limited diagnostics and high-risk surgery to today's advanced imaging, interventional techniques, and dramatically improved survival rates. Drawing on his experience at the Royal Brompton Hospital, he discusses pioneering procedures, the rise of echocardiography, and the ongoing debate between intervention and surgery in congenital heart disease. He also speaks to the deeply human side of medicine: communicating with anxious families, the passion behind teaching, and the privilege of mentoring cardiologists from around the world. The episode closes with reflections on legacy, the role of genetics in the field's future, and what a life in medicine ultimately means. Aimed at clinicians, trainees, and students, it serves as both a history of paediatric cardiology and a guide to its future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||