The Stories That Moved You: Inside Our Top 5 Episodes of 2025

With the rise of AI, more people are turning to chatbots for mental health support. And for many, it makes sense: a chatbot is available around the clock, accessible from your phone in the middle of the night, and offers an easy, private way to vent about your day, explore coping strategies, or better understand what you’re going through. But what are the potential dangers of relying on AI for mental health support? We spoke with Gail Saltz, MD, a psychoanalyst with the New York Psychoanalytic Institute, about the risks of using AI chatbots for mental health, particularly during a crisis, when experiencing severe symptoms, or when making decisions about diagnoses and medications. While AI can be a useful tool for information and explanations, convenience isn’t always best for our health and wellness – especially when it comes to our mental health. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Gail Saltz, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, conversations about ADHD have largely focused on children, often centered on the image of a child who can’t sit still or is disrupting the classroom. But ADHD can look very different in girls and women – and those differences can make it easier to overlook or diagnose later in life. We spoke with Monica Johnson, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Kind Mind Psychology, about why ADHD may be missed in girls and women, including disparities in diagnosis among Black girls and women. She explained how symptoms can shift across the lifespan, the hidden cost of masking, and how an accurate evaluation can help connect people with the right support. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Monica Johnson, PsyD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people have left a medical appointment with more questions than answers. A rushed visit, a provider focused on a computer screen, or confusing medical information can make it harder to feel heard and confident in your care. We spoke with Neil J. Farber, MD, author of Treating a Broken System: A Physician’s Cure for the Healthcare Crisis, about creating stronger partnerships between patients and healthcare providers. He shares how better communication, thoughtful questions, and open conversations about options can help people feel more informed and empowered in their care. He also shares practical ways to prepare for appointments to make sure your priorities are part of the conversation. You deserve to be heard, understand your options, and have a voice in decisions about your health. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Neil J. Farber, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Setting limits around screen time can feel complicated and overwhelming for parents. How do you move beyond simple rules and consider how different kinds of digital media may affect a child’s attention, sleep, creativity, learning, mood, and relationships? We sat down with Jane Tavyev Asher, MD, director of the Division of Child Neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, to discuss why endless feeds can be so hard to stop, how to set boundaries without making screens feel like a forbidden reward, and why it’s never too late to reset your family’s habits. Families can shift their digital habits. Start with one intentional change – and replace screen time with a shared activity. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Jane Tavyev Asher, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Neurodivergent” describes someone whose brain processes, learns, or behaves differently from what society considers typical. Common forms of neurodivergence include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and dyslexia. We spoke with Megan Anna Neff, PsyD, clinical psychologist and host of the Divergent Conversations podcast, about how neurodivergent people may process information, experience the world, communicate, and navigate everyday environments differently. We also explored why social media can be a meaningful starting point for people who have felt overlooked or misunderstood – and why it should be a doorway to learning, not the final word on diagnosis. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Megan Anna Neff, PsyD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.