Get Real with the Chairman

Dr. Alicia Zhou is the CEO of the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), an organization at the forefront of cancer innovation. With backgrounds in academia, healthcare, and nonprofits, she brings a unique perspective to the table. Today, she's heading into the future…of cancer research—what’s changing and what’s holding it back. From advancements in immunotherapy to barriers—healthcare costs, diversity in research, and even politics, Alicia shares her real take on the opportunities and challenges. She's discussing AI’s role in early diagnosis and prevention and how data-driven tools are making precision medicine more equitable. In this episode, you’ll learn: What CRI is and how its mission is shaping the future of cancer research Dr. Zhou’s vision for CRI and where she hopes to drive impact Why this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry is a game-changer for STEM fields The differences between chemotherapy and immunotherapy—and what’s next The most significant breakthroughs in immunology that are changing cancer treatment Why early detection is critical and how screening practices need to evolve How AI and data analytics are revolutionizing cancer care and precision medicine The barriers holding back progress in immunotherapy and how to overcome them

Please welcome Pastor Michael McBride to Get Real with Jim Weiss. Pastor Mike works at the intersection of faith, social justice, and public health as the Executive Director of LIVE FREE USA. This national network is dedicated to reducing gun violence and advocating for criminal justice reform. He also serves as the Lead Pastor of The Way Church in Berkeley, California, where he integrates faith with social change. He co-founded the Black Church PAC and the Black and Brown Peace Consortium, both initiatives that mobilize political action and promote equity and violence prevention. He is a prominent voice with his work featured on CNN, MSNBC, and The New York Times.  Pastor Mike discusses how his experiences with police brutality have shaped his mission to uplift marginalized communities. He explores the intersection of faith and social justice, the importance of treating gun violence as a public health issue, and the need for systemic change in policing and criminal justice. In this episode, you'll learn: Why gun violence must be treated as a public health issue How leadership shapes community-based violence prevention The role of faith in promoting systemic change and healing The challenges facing marginalized communities, especially Black men The importance of political action and mobilization for equity How faith can be a tool for meaning-making in the face of injustice The long-term impacts of inequities on health and well-being The need to transform criminal justice to protect communities

Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell is the Medical Director of Urgent Care Clinics at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno, NV, and the visionary founder of Beyond Clinical Walls, a platform sharing accurate, equitable, and credible health information. She was recently appointed to The CDC National Board and was selected to serve on the national CDC Communications and Public Engagement Workgroup. She has also presented twice at TEDx. In today’s conversation, Jim and Dr. Curry-Winchell are discussing advocating for DEI in healthcare systems and how healthcare disparities can be dismantled. We’re honored to get real with her on Get Real with the Chairman!

Emily Morse, a renowned sex therapist and best-selling author, has spent nearly two decades transforming how we talk about sex and pleasure. Her podcast, Sex with Emily, started in 2005 and is now the #1 sexuality podcast on Apple. She’s the author of Hot Sex: Over 200 Things You Can Try Tonight and Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your Pleasure, offering practical insights for sexual empowerment. Emily is also a MasterClass Instructor, live SiriusXM host and executive producer. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Forbes, and more. She’s challenged taboos and helped millions navigate their desires, making her a transformative figure in the world of sexual health. You can learn more about her at SexWithEmily.com or follow her @SexWithEmily on social media.

Today’s podcast is in anticipation of the Brady United fundraiser on October 17th, hosted by Daveed Diggs and in conversation with Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr and DoorDash CEO Tony Xu. In this episode, Coach Kerr, Christian Heyne, Brady United’s Chief Programs and Policy Officer, and I discuss gun safety via Brady United’s ongoing mission to reduce gun violence. We explore the current state of gun safety in America, highlight the progress made, and discuss future actions that can be taken to address gun violence as a public health crisis. We also dive into generational perspectives as Sandy Hook survivors reach voting age and examine whether the gun debate is shifting towards a more neutral, solution-oriented dialogue. Tune in for an insightful conversation on what it means to be a health citizen and advocate for change. Link: to the event.

W. Kamau Bell is a celebrated comedian, writer, and social justice advocate famous for his sharp wit and brilliant commentary on the intersection of race and society. You may also know him from his Emmy Award-winning CNN series, "United Shades of America," where he explores diverse cultural perspectives across the US. His work tackles complex social and political issues, making him a prominent person in advocacy. In fact, he is a dedicated activist, using his platform to address systemic racism nationwide. Today, we’re going to focus on healthcare more broadly. He has been involved in initiatives like "THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us," a campaign aimed at providing accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines to the Black community. He is unwaveringly committed to making healthcare accessible and equitable for all. Kamau has a unique ability to use his craft and talent to both challenge and inspire audiences. He is leading conversations about race, justice, and equality that will hopefully change the healthcare system and many more broken systems and the United States.

The next guest on Get Real with the Chairman is Ardy Arianpour, CEO and co-founder of SEQSTER. This leading healthcare technology company puts the patient at the center of their health data. Before SEQSTER, Ardy launched numerous clinical and consumer-based genetic tests while serving as CCO of Pathway Genomics. Additionally, he held the position of SVP of Ambry Genetics, which was sold to Konica in 2017 for $1 Billion. He’s been recognized in our industry as a Top 40 Healthcare Transformer by MM&M in 2019, San Diego Business Journal's 2019 40 under 40, COX Top Tech Awards 2021, Med Tech World Rising Star 2022, and the PharmaVOICE 100 Inspiring Leaders in Life Sciences in 2023. Seqster is breaking down health data silos at scale by creating an operating system for patient-centric real-world data accessible anytime, anywhere. They are privately held and headquartered in San Diego. I’m so excited to share his work with our listeners. 

The guests on this episode of Get Real with the Chairman are Brooks Bell and Dr. Austin Chiang. What brought them together was Colorectal Cancer. What brings me to this topic is my own experience with that diagnosis. About a decade ago, I saw a potential sign of colon cancer, which I only realized was a symptom through my work with Katie Couric. Thankfully, it was caught early through a colonoscopy and treated, but often, the signs of colon cancer are missable or far too easy to shoo away. In 2019, Brooks Bell was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer. Today, in remission, she’s worked with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and Lead From Behind. You may remember them from a 2022 video where Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney recorded their first colonoscopies, leading to a 36% increase in appointments nationwide. Her next venture is Worldclass Clothing, an apparel brand designed to improve access to colon cancer research and colonoscopies in underinsured communities. Dr. Austin Chiang is a gastroenterologist known for his expertise in digestive health, endoscopy, and social media advocacy. In 2021, he became the first Chief Medical Officer of Medtronic's Endoscopy business, the world’s leading medical device company. His book, Gut: The Owner’s Guide, came out this April 2024. It’s an informative introduction to this mysterious organ we are so reliant on. The rates of colorectal cancer are rising among those in their 20s to 40s and declining in those over 65. Today, we’ll learn how Brooks and Austin are working to change that reality. I’m thrilled they could take time out of their schedules to chat with me on Get Real With The Chairman!