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Almost two decades ago, Michael O’Neil lay on a hospital bed awaiting chemotherapy having just recently been informed he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He had more questions than he had answers, and had no where to turn at the bedside to get informed and be engaged. That was the genesis for his rapidly growing and global company called Get Well Network - designed to educate, inform, and engage the patient throughout the course of their medical management. At a time when Google was just an infant, Facebook had not been conceived, and smart phones were just a futuristic vision…Michael charted into unknown territory and not only beat the odds in defeating his cancer, but also grew Get Well Network into a behemoth of company busting through walls as a pioneer in the patient engagement space. On this episode, Michael shares it all...from how his experience of being diagnosed with cancer prompted the idea for Get Well Network, to the hurdles he had to overcome along the way, to where he believes the market has evolved over the past 20 years. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep034

Everyone can agree that our current healthcare model is broken. But the question is, can we fix it from the inside? or do we need to start from scratch? My next guest, Dr. Rushika Fernandopulle believes in order to best address the looming crisis, we need to reimagine health care from the ground up, and build new primary care models from scratch. He is the founder of Iora Health, a next generation primary care practice designed to restore the humanity in healthcare. In recent weeks, we have seen similar primary care models like Qliance and Turntable Health fold under unsustainable business models. By what makes Iora Health different and successful to date? On this episode, Dr. Fernandopulle will share his secret sauce to success, what he believes is broken in primary care, what the future holds for quality medical care, and the inspirational backstory that led him to start Iora Health.  All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep033

Did you know that only 4% of venture capital funding goes to women entrepreneurs? Did you also know that in 2016, there were over 11.3 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. that employed nearly 9 million people and generated over $1.6 trillion in revenues? So why the disconnect? But more importantly, what would you do if faced with experiencing this social injustice? In steps Vicki Saunders. With her globally recognized company called SheEO, serial entrepreneur Vicki Saunders is on a mission to disrupt and reimagine the venture funding model for women-led companies around the world using a philosophy she calls radical generosity. How does it work? Up to 1,000 women in each region contribute $1,000 which creates a one million dollar fund. The money is then loaned out to up to 10 women-led ventures at 0% interest, paid back over 5 years and reinvested perpetually. Vicki's big-picture calculation: a billion dollars going to 10,000 female entrepreneurs every year, in perpetuity. Take that Sand Hill Road. On this episode, Vicki shares her purpose filled journey leading up to this point, why venture capital and traditional funding models have mostly failed women, an inside look at the sheEO strategy, several success stories from her portfolio, and even key principles from her popular book, Think Like a SheEO. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep032  

While we are all too familiar with YouTube sensations like Gangnam Style, Justin Bieber, and laughing babies that have spawned viral phenomenons, only one Youtube sensation can claim to have forever changed the landscape of digital health. On this episode, Inventor extraordinaire, Dr. David Albert shares the founding story of AliveCor - the first FDA approved portable EKG device that is operated through your smartphone. Since its approval, the device has been attributed to saving countless lives. Dr. Albert reveals the how a home produced YouTube video changed the course of his career, what inspired him to invent AliveCor, what it's like to disrupt a largely incumbent and resistant industry, how his device was used to save a life while 35,000 feet in the air, and he even shares the story behind his signature clothing attire. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep031

We’ve all heard of the infamous Tupper Ware parties. But have you heard of the CPR Party? My next guest is Laura Metro who was inspired to create the popular CPR Party originating from a near-death drowning incident of her son. Turning adversity into opportunity, she imagines a world where every neighbor is empowered to become a citizen paramedic. One house at a time, she is democratizing access to affordable CPR training with the hope that no one ever has to suffer the hard-ship she endured with her son. On this episode, Laura shares with us the horrifying moment of almost losing her son to a preventable drowning incident, what sparked her to create CPR Party, and why she believes CPR training is a global imperative. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep030

My next guest is an old college friend of mine who has pursued her childhood dreams of becoming an actor. Nina Mehta is an actor, writer, and creative dreamer who turned her passion into her profession. As an ensemble member of the renowned theater and film production company, The Collective, she has appeared in numerous media productions, including being a regular cast member of The Amy Schumer Show. On this episode, we discuss her unlikely journey from being an environmental studies major to hustling her way into theater by following her dreams.  We also discuss the challenges of being an actor as a minority, why artistry has always been in her family blood, and what it takes to break into a highly competitive industry. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep029

We are all patients, but only one has come to be recognized as the face and voice for a growing community of activists encouraging the rise of participatory medicine. My guest today is a cancer survivor and patient advocate, Dave deBronkart, better known as e-Patient Dave. The evolving field of health & medicine has many challenges, but having patients pro-actively participate in their medical decision-making shouldn’t be one of them. As an industry that has historically relied on the one-sided expertise of physicians, technology and the internet have fundamentally changed the game. Patients have much greater access to information than ever before. So why then is it still so difficult to get patients to take charge of their health?  As it turns out, e-Patient Dave believes there is a science to patient engagement and behavior change that is not too different from how we describe the mechanism of action of a drug. On this episode, Dave shares what this means, what he has learned in his own personal journey on battling the ugly “C” word, what he believes is the fundamental difference between a patient and consumer, and what we need to do going forward so that patients play a more central and active role in their care. I found this conversation to be both inspirational and informative as I hope you will too. e-Patient Dave is an inspiring human being who believes the voice of the patient needs to be heard around the world. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep028

What is life? Even though we don’t quite answer that question, I feel like my next guest, Joshua Cogan, and I cover off on just about every other philosophical question there is. If you don’t know Josh, you should. He is quite possibly one of the greatest photojournalists of our time who has won more awards than one can count. As a true citizen of the world, Joshua’s thirst for curiosity, wonder and exploration have taken him to the hidden corners of the earth to capture the stories of indigenous cultures through photography.  On this episode, Josh and I talk about his unusual journey as a self-taught photographer, how he hustled his way at National Geographic to fame and recognition, the mental process he takes to capture rare emotions through his photos, what he has learned over the years in his photojournalistic career, the future of photographic storytelling and even his most vulnerable life moments. Throughout our conversation, Josh and I go off on various philosophical tangents that I am sure you will enjoy.  This was hands down one of my favorite conversations to date. So join me today while Josh and I go deep into the meanings of culture, life, passion, resilience, work, happiness, and much more. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep027

Lets face it. When it comes to addressing education, the medical profession is a bit behind the ball.  While the field of medicine is innovating at exponential rates, the way we train doctors is still moving at a snails pace. My esteemed guest today, Dr. Margaret “Maggi” Cary, is a world-renowned leadership coach who knows a thing or two when it comes to the required attributes to become a successful (and happy) physician in a rapidly evolving industry. On todays show, Maggi and I attempt to define the role of the future physician, what attributes are necessary for success, and why leadership is a critical skill that has historically not been taught to medical professionals. Maggi also explains why coaching is in high demand within the health profession, and even shares a few of her own professional techniques on how to lead. Join me today while Maggi and I go deep into exploring how we can create leaders out of doctors to meet the future demands of an ever-changing profession.  All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep026

Do we have healthcare backwards? Many seem to think so, including my next guest, Whitney Bowman-Zatzkin who is the Director of a new movement and initiative called “Flip the Clinic”. Founded by Thomas Goetz and inspired by Sal Khan’s ‘flip the classroom’ initiative, it can be argued that - similar to education - we too need to reverse engineer our health delivery models. After all, clinic visits today often function as mere qualitative and quantitative data collection visits leaving only seven minutes of precious patient-physician interaction time. With advances in technology, we can flip this experience and optimize the time allowed for discussions around detailed treatment plans. Wouldn’t that ultimately create better outcomes on all triple aim measures?  To date, the data certainly seems to support a flipped model. Join me today while Whitney and I go deep into exploring the ramifications, inspirations, and implications of flipping the clinic.  All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep025

My guest today is Dr. Milena Adamian - a Cardiologist turned venture investor who hustled her way to the top. As the founding member of Azimuth Ventures and Life Sciences Angel Network, Milena knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed as both a health investor and entrepreneur. On this episode, Milena shares what it was like to make the transition from practicing physician to investor. We also we explore the key qualities of what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur, discuss the evolving landscape of healthcare investing, and delve into what it's like being both a female and immigrant in a predominantly white, male driven industry.    All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep024  

My guest today is Dr. Roni Zeiger - a physician turned entrepreneur who was the former Chief Health Strategist at Google.  Currently, he is the co-founder and CEO of Smart Patients - an online community where patients and their families learn from each other. Roni has been a leading voice for patients having shared his views across prominent stages like TEDMED. On today’s episode, we get up close and personal where Roni shares his journey from a practicing doctor to leading the charge in health at Google. We discuss the importance of rapid experimentation and willingness to fail along the way.  Roni also shares key intrapreneurial lessons learned from his tenure with Google, including those associated with Google Flu Trends and Personal Health Record; and how that ultimately helped shape his networked community model for his current venture, Smart Patients. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep023

Many can claim to be doctors. But only one can officially claim the moniker “The Doctor of the Future”…and that's my good friend and guest for today, Dr. Jay Parkinson. He has graced the covers of some of the most recognized magazines and presented on the worlds most prestigious stages. He possesses an unusual blend of doctor, technologist, and designer, and combines them in unusual ways to help heal our ailing medical system. Over a decade ago Dr. Parkinson took a leap of faith. Having just wrapped up his residency in pediatrics and preventative medicine, he entered a strange universe where technology was becoming deeply integrated into the fabric of our daily lives. The iPhone had just been released, and video technology was just starting to gain mainstream adoption. So what does a fresh-out-of-residency doctor do? Using only his laptop, email, Google and a friendly personality, Dr. Parkinson did what most others could not imagine…he made medical house calls out of his apartment in Brooklyn. Overnight, Dr. Parkinson became a media sensation as the face of the future of medicine, and is considered a pioneer in a burgeoning billion-dollar market called, telemedicine. Today he is the Co-Founder of Sherpaa, an on-demand, next generation medical practice. Today, we get personal and discuss it all in this episode. Dr. Parkinson walks us through his early influences on design, his infamous backyard parties in Brooklyn, the untold struggles and obstacles he faced for his early ventures, what he believes to be the doctor of the future, and even delve into the future of primary care.  So sit back and enjoy the conversation as you listen to today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep022

Shhhh. Listen. Do you hear that sound? It's the sound of crickets. For most of us, the sound of crickets chirping conjures up memories of calm summer nights by the campfire. For Leslie Ziegler, that same noise is the sound of an untapped business opportunity to allow her to both do good and do well at the same time. As the co-founder of Bitty Foods, Leslie is making headlines by using crickets as a source of healthy, sustainable foods. While this may sounds disgusting on first blush (as it did for me), what few realize is that crickets (and many other insects for that matter) is a common source of nutrition in many other parts of the world.  I’m not taking about eating crickets whole (although many folks do prefer it that way), but rather crickets ground up into flour that can then used for baking various treats. So why isn’t it a staple food source in the US? I dig into this question and many others in my conversation with Leslie today. We uncover how she stumbled upon this unusual opportunity, explore the health and environmental benefits of eating crickets, and the question we all are wondering…what does it taste like? Well, I couldn’t do this interview without first giving it a try for myself. So I went out and bought a bag of Bitty Foods signature product, the cricket flour. Baked up some chocolate chip cookies…and did the ultimate taste test. Had my kids taste it and see if they noticed any difference. You know what? To my surprise, they LOVED it…and so did I. SPECIAL OFFER: I’m so confident you will love it too, that we are offering a special listener-only discount for you to try it for yourself. Go to Bittyfoods.com and enter the code unusual20 to receive a special, one-time discount just for you - my listeners. Trust me, it will be an experience and a story you will love to tell at your next dinner party. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep021

Do we need to reform our government? That’s an understatement. World renowned geopolitical strategist and 5 times best selling author, Dr. Parag Khanna, shares insights from his latest book, Technocracy in America, for a radical overhaul of the US government system. Dr. Khanna draws upon his personal experiences as a global citizen having traveled and studied dozens of political systems from around the globe. On this episode, Parag and I discuss how our current system has failed us, why technocrats are better served to effect change in an administration, why the office of the Presidency needs checks and balances with an executive oversight committee, his ideas on why the Senate and House needs to be re-configured as an Assembly of Governors, and much much more. In light of the recent transition of power in the White House, the timing of this conversation could not be more relevant. Regardless of what side of the isle you sit on, we can all agree that its about time we re-think how our government operates to serve the peoples’ needs.  All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep020

Esther Dyson is perhaps one of the most coveted investors of our time….Not only does she have an impeccable track record (including investments in MeetUp, Evernote, Square, 23andMe, LinkedIn, Facebook, Startup Health, HealthLoop, Patients Like Me, and dozens of others), but her insatiable thirst to explore the impossible and the undiscovered makes her un-matched in her ability to identify opportunity where others do not. On this episode, we get into the mind of Esther’s core investment philosophy, explore the influences of her upbringing, and discuss her quest to make health profitable through her latest venture, Way to Wellville. We discuss why asking the right questions is key to solving the mysteries of business, why our health system is so broken, and what we can do to help course correct an industry that has repeatedly failed us.  All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep019

On this episode, Larry Kopald shares his life’s crusade to tackle global warming by putting carbon back where it belongs…underground in the soil. Larry and I discuss the ground-breaking work being done through his latest company, The Carbon Underground. He gives us a brief history of the evolution of industrial agriculture, the role carbon plays in our climate, the implications of climate change if not reversed soon, the challenges faced by the new administration, and much more. We even get up close and personal by delving into his childhood revealing the influences that shaped his current thinking; and explore how being a veteran advertising executive created a natural evolution from converting his powers of persuasion into a world movement . All this and more on today’s episode.  Now, That’s Unusual.  Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep018

  "Every stem cell think it's a fetus.” On today’s episode, Dr. Bob Hariri shares his personal story on how being a pilot, film producer, and neurosurgeon sparked his interest in stem cell research to help solve the mysteries of aging, and how to live longer with dignity. We cover a lot of ground, including the breakthrough work he is currently researching as co-founder of Human Longevity, Inc, alongside his business partners Dr. Peter Diamonds and Dr. Craig Venter. We discuss everything from moonshots in medicine, to the convergence of cell therapy and genomics, to the realities and implication of what it means to live longer. Dr. Hariri believes we will see this research deployed in our lifetime, and shares his thoughts on the hurdles we need to overcome to make this vision a reality. One thing is for certain…we will all die. But what if we are all able to live 50 years longer? how will that impact you? How would you live those extra years? What is the science driving this?That pipe dream of living longer is closer than you think. Join us as we explore unchartered territory and dream of what's possible. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep017

This week on Part 2, Dr. Alex Jadad and I continue the conversation where we left off. We discuss his life work and movement to re-imagine the definition of health not just the absence of disease, but being inclusive of our entire wellbeing, such as love, happiness, and no suffering. If you missed Part 1, I suggest you listen to that episode  (Ep015) first and then come back to this week’s episode. Dr. Alex Jadad, is living his life as a love story. He is also daring us to imagine a world in which everyone could enjoy a life full of love, healthy and happy, until the last breath, as part of a thriving planet. As soon as we meet Alex, we will recognize the curious inner child, the teacher, the learner, the physician and the healer who live in him, urging us to think of ways to make it happen, while marvelling at the wonderful mysteries of life. With Alex, we will learn about possibilities to re-design our lives as love stories, and to bring love to our families, to our workplaces and to our communities, so that we can discover, recover and uncover our capacity to love ourselves and the world, no matter what happens. He will ask us very deep and unusual questions about who we are, questions that will help us to embrace the liberating power of love. Come along. There is no reason to worry. After all, nobody else will ever be able to hear us. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual.  To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep016

Today, we will meet Dr. Alex Jadad, someone who is living his life as a love story. He is also daring us to imagine a world in which everyone could enjoy a life full of love, healthy and happy, until the last breath, as part of a thriving planet. As soon as we meet Alex, we will recognize the curious inner child, the teacher, the learner, the physician and the healer who live in him, urging us to think of ways to make it happen, while marvelling at the wonderful mysteries of life. With Alex, we will learn about possibilities to re-design our lives as love stories, and to bring love to our families, to our workplaces and to our communities, so that we can discover, recover and uncover our capacity to love ourselves and the world, no matter what happens. He will ask us very deep and unusual questions about who we are, questions that will help us to embrace the liberating power of love. Come along. There is no reason to worry. After all, nobody else will ever be able to hear us. All this and more on today’s episode. Now, That’s Unusual. Visit www.thatsunusualpodcast.com To read all show notes and resources for this episode please visit: www.drgautamgulati.com/ep015