The Dokkcast

Udokk

The Dokkcast is an evidence-led health podcast hosted by Dr Nara Daubeney. Open, accessible conversations with eminent doctors, clinicians, researchers and healthcare specialists, who translate complex medical subjects into information you can understand and use. The internet isn't short on wellness advice. It's short on trust. Social platforms reward reach, not rigour, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever. The Dokkcast exists to help. No hype, no fads, no misinformation: just qualified professionals given the time and space to explain their work properly, say why it matters and consider where their field may be heading next. YOUR HOST Dr Nara Daubeney is a consultant ENT surgeon and entrepreneur based in London. She has a PhD in immunology from Imperial College, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Honorary Secretary of ENTUK and Clinical Lead for Innovation at the Royal Society of Medicine. She brings clinical experience, curiosity and a talent for asking the questions listeners want answered. WHO YOU'LL HEAR FROM Our guests are chosen for their professional experience, specialist knowledge and their ability to explain their work clearly. Recent conversations include: - Professor John Deanfield CBE, Professor of Cardiology at University College London, on the rise of obesity in the UK and why it is a medical issue, not a question of willpower. - Dr Alexander Lyon, consultant cardiologist and clinical lead for the cardio-oncology service at Royal Brompton Hospital, on how cancer treatment can affect the heart and what patients need to know. WHAT WE COVER - Women's health and hormonal change - Metabolic health and obesity - Heart health and prevention - Cancer care and survivorship - Musculoskeletal health - Voice and vocal health - Paediatric and specialist medicine - Mental wellbeing - Exercise, movement and recovery - Healthier ageing - Medical research and new treatments WHO IT'S FOR Anyone who wants reliable, understandable health information: patients and their families, people looking after their own health, carers, and professionals who want to hear what is happening in other specialties. WATCH AND READ Every episode is available as audio and on video. Find episode pages, show notes, key points and chapters on our blog at thedokkcast.com, along with more about Dr Nara Daubeney and our guests. NEW EPISODES, FOLLOW AND REVIEW Follow The Dokkcast so you never miss a conversation. If you enjoy the show, a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps new listeners find us, and we'd be very grateful. GUESTS, SPONSORS AND PARTNERS We welcome enquiries from experts who would like to be considered as guests, and from organisations whose work fits our audience and protects the programme's credibility. We record in our studio on Great Portland Street, London, remotely, or at your location. Find out more at thedokkcast.com. Press and partnership enquiries: damien.bidmead@udokk.com IMPORTANT The Dokkcast provides general information and education only. It does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional about your own health. The Dokkcast is brought to you by Udokk, a platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more at udokk.com. © Udokk Ltd. Company number 16772147. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Oct 12

    How Did We Get Here? The Rise of Obesity in the UK

    Show notes In 1950, fewer than 1% of the UK population were obese. Today it’s more than 30%. So what changed? In this episode we’re joined by Professor John Deanfield CBE, Professor of Cardiology at University College London. He is one of the world’s leading cardiometabolic specialists, a steering committee member for the landmark SELECT trial, the UK government’s first champion for personalised prevention, and a trustee of Our Future Health. This is the first in a series of conversations. Here we look at how obesity became the biggest driver of ill health in the population, and why it’s a medical issue, not a cosmetic one or a failure of willpower. In this episode: What BMI measures, and where “overweight” ends and “obese” beginsWhy the UK and US have done worse than countries like France and JapanHow changes in food, work, cities and lifestyle have driven a population-wide shiftThe health cost: diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer and dementia, and how obesity lowers the chance of reaching 70Childhood obesity, “the elephant in the room”, and the WHO prediction that half of children born today will be overweight or obese adultsWhy Jamie Oliver’s school meals campaign showed there’s no single fix“Investing in your arteries”: why prevention works like saving for retirementOur Future Health, the UK’s largest health research programme, and how it builds on UK BiobankThe future of the NHS, social care and living longer in good health Key takeaway: Managing your weight is about more than how you look. It shapes how well you live and how long you live. It’s an investment in your long-term health. Find out more: ourfuturehealth.org.uk 0:00 Introduction2:20 Welcome, and Professor Deanfield's work4:57 How did we get here?5:47 How big is the problem?6:38 What is obesity?7:55 What has changed since 19509:47 Why some countries have done better12:53 Why it matters for our health16:31 Childhood obesity18:56 Protecting the next generation20:26 Raising awareness21:33 Investing in our arteries25:38 Our Future Health29:15 The role of the NHS32:35 Longevity: living well, not just longer36:21 Take-home messageThe internet isn’t short on wellness advice – it’s short on trust.Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever. Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Sep 23

    Cancer Treatment and Heart Health: What Patients Need to Know

    Dr Alexander Lyon is a consultant cardiologist and clinical lead for the cardio-oncology service, based at Royal Brompton Hospital. https://www.rbht.nhs.uk/specialists/dr-alexander-lyon Some cancer treatments can affect the heart during treatment or even years later. In this episode of The Dokkcast, Dr Nara Daubeney speaks with Dr Alexander Lyon, consultant cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, about the rapidly developing field of cardio-oncology. They explore how chemotherapy, targeted therapies, hormone treatments, radiotherapy and immunotherapy can affect cardiovascular health, and how personalised risk assessments are helping patients receive effective cancer treatment more safely. Dr Lyon also explains the warning signs, the value of monitoring and why exercise, diet and other healthy choices can make a meaningful difference. This episode offers practical guidance for anyone undergoing cancer treatment, cancer survivors and those supporting a loved one through treatment. 00:00 - Introducing Dr Alexander Lyon and cardio-oncology 04:18 - Protecting the heart during cancer treatment 08:49 - What is heart failure? 12:30 - Balancing cancer treatment with cardiac risk 15:31 - Why cancer drugs can affect the heart 18:29 - The growing cardiovascular impact of cancer medicines 21:14 - Chemotherapy and long-term heart damage 25:06 - Targeted therapies, blood pressure and heart health 31:15 - Hormone therapies for breast and prostate cancer 35:29 - Radiotherapy and its long-term effects on the heart 39:58 - Assessing personal cardiovascular risk 41:46 - Exercise, diet and healthier cancer outcomes 45:02 - Making specialist cardio-oncology care widely available 49:58 - Guidelines, technology and the Onco Card 53:49 - The future of cancer immunotherapy 58:08 - Reverse cardio-oncology: can heart disease drive cancer? 01:01:38 - Practical advice for patients and cancer survivors The internet isn’t short on wellness advice – it’s short on trust.Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever. Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Aug 20

    Demystifying POTS: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Hope for Teenagers with Prof. Piers Daubeney

    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 The internet isn’t short on wellness advice – it’s short on trust.Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever. Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Aug 4

    The Science of Song & Speech: Unlocking Vocal Health with Leading Laryngologist Declan Costello

    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 00:43 What is the voice and how is it produced? 02:04 Vocal folds vs "vocal cords" — the real anatomy 03:42 Harmonics, overtones and vocal timbre explained 07:23 Vibrato — what it is and how singers control it 08:44 Singing in different languages 10:23 Declan's path from music at Cambridge to ENT surgery 13:38 What shows up on a singer's vocal cords 15:34 Stroboscopy — seeing the vocal cords in slow motion 16:16 Voice frequency and how voice is assessed (GRBAS scale) 18:18 Singers vs non-singers — why pathology differs 19:53 Vocal cord polyps — the Harry Kane example 21:31 Laryngeal papillomatosis — vocal cord warts 23:04 Hoarseness — when it could be something serious 24:21 Key takeaway: persistent hoarseness needs checking out 25:09 Emotional trauma and voice loss (aphonia) 27:17 Why getting checked early matters 28:24 Speech and language therapy — "physiotherapy for the voice" 29:34 Chronic throat clearing and the persistent cough cycle 30:50 Reflux, PPIs and throat symptoms 32:26 Hydration and vocal health 33:34 Steam inhalation for voice care 34:10 The "singer's formant" explained 35:58 Tonsillectomy considerations for singers 38:01 Globus pharyngeus — that "lump in the throat" feeling 39:54 How the voice changes with age 41:38 Retirement, muscle tone and "use it or lose it" 43:41 When should you actually see someone? 45:18 Common voice myths — gargling, aspirin, voice rest 46:13 Closing thoughts and wrap-up The internet isn’t short on wellness advice – it’s short on trust.Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever. Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Jul 15

    Beyond the Latch: The Truth About Breastfeeding, Tongue-Ties, and Mouth-Breathing Myths with Stacey Zimmels

    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. Chapters 00:00 Welcome & Stacey's background (SLT + lactation consultant) 01:09 What speech and language therapists actually do 05:07 Becoming a lactation consultant 07:16 How breastfeeding problems present in clinic 09:47 Suck-swallow-breathe coordination & what's "normal" 14:29 What breast milk is (colostrum, foremilk/hindmilk, immunology) 19:08 When to seek help & the WHO breastfeeding guidelines 20:30 Breastfeeding myths (pain, hindmilk, "natural = easy") 27:38 Tongue ties: what they are & how they're assessed 44:09 Weaning: developmental readiness signs 46:50 Weaning myths (sleep, hunger, early starting) 51:43 Baby-led weaning vs. spoon-feeding vs. combination 55:48 Choking risk & food safety 60:00 Mouth breathing, nasal cycle & the "mouth taping" trend 69:30 Wrap-up The internet isn’t short on wellness advice – it’s short on trust.Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever. Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jul 7

    From Boardroom to Chelsea Gold: Jenny Halpern-Prince on Lady Garden & Gynae Cancer Awareness

    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 00:00:51 Early career: choosing Joseph over university 00:02:24 Lessons from a tough fashion retail culture 00:02:50 Setting up her own PR & comms agency at 23 00:06:59 Selling the business and growing with WPP 00:08:56 The charitable thread: Women's Aid, Great Ormond Street 00:10:12 Founding Access Aspiration (2012) 00:12:26 Lady Garden: the name and the mission 00:15:07 The origin story: Tamara Beckwith's mother 00:15:55 The numbers: 60 diagnosed, 21 deaths a day 00:17:36 Chelsea Flower Show: the gold-winning "Silent No More" garden 00:21:20 Male allyship and designer Darren Hawkes 00:23:27 Jenny's own health journey 00:25:46 The fertility journey begins 00:27:03 Twelve IVF rounds and twin daughters via surrogacy 00:27:35 A second surrogacy journey: son Marcus 00:28:02 Breaking the silence on pregnancy loss 00:30:13 The ambassador programme and the HPV vaccine gap 00:32:23 Celebrating ambassadors at the House of Commons 00:33:42 Access Aspiration's networking impact 00:37:41 How organisations can get involved 00:38:32 Emily Blaine's story and the Chelsea garden's inspiration 00:39:15 Gynae cancer symptoms to watch for 00:40:56 Lady Garden's NHS-backed chatbot 00:42:06 Launching the Lady Garden Tea Party 00:42:30 The T-shirt: names for the vulva, and losing the fear factor 00:43:41 Closing thoughts and what's next with Udokk 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. The internet isn’t short on wellness advice – it’s short on trust.Social platforms reward reach, not rigour. Anyone can claim expertise, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever. Udokk exists to fix that. A platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more about Udokk and The Dokkcast at udokk.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About

The Dokkcast is an evidence-led health podcast hosted by Dr Nara Daubeney. Open, accessible conversations with eminent doctors, clinicians, researchers and healthcare specialists, who translate complex medical subjects into information you can understand and use. The internet isn't short on wellness advice. It's short on trust. Social platforms reward reach, not rigour, and separating credible guidance from confident misinformation is harder than ever. The Dokkcast exists to help. No hype, no fads, no misinformation: just qualified professionals given the time and space to explain their work properly, say why it matters and consider where their field may be heading next. YOUR HOST Dr Nara Daubeney is a consultant ENT surgeon and entrepreneur based in London. She has a PhD in immunology from Imperial College, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Honorary Secretary of ENTUK and Clinical Lead for Innovation at the Royal Society of Medicine. She brings clinical experience, curiosity and a talent for asking the questions listeners want answered. WHO YOU'LL HEAR FROM Our guests are chosen for their professional experience, specialist knowledge and their ability to explain their work clearly. Recent conversations include: - Professor John Deanfield CBE, Professor of Cardiology at University College London, on the rise of obesity in the UK and why it is a medical issue, not a question of willpower. - Dr Alexander Lyon, consultant cardiologist and clinical lead for the cardio-oncology service at Royal Brompton Hospital, on how cancer treatment can affect the heart and what patients need to know. WHAT WE COVER - Women's health and hormonal change - Metabolic health and obesity - Heart health and prevention - Cancer care and survivorship - Musculoskeletal health - Voice and vocal health - Paediatric and specialist medicine - Mental wellbeing - Exercise, movement and recovery - Healthier ageing - Medical research and new treatments WHO IT'S FOR Anyone who wants reliable, understandable health information: patients and their families, people looking after their own health, carers, and professionals who want to hear what is happening in other specialties. WATCH AND READ Every episode is available as audio and on video. Find episode pages, show notes, key points and chapters on our blog at thedokkcast.com, along with more about Dr Nara Daubeney and our guests. NEW EPISODES, FOLLOW AND REVIEW Follow The Dokkcast so you never miss a conversation. If you enjoy the show, a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps new listeners find us, and we'd be very grateful. GUESTS, SPONSORS AND PARTNERS We welcome enquiries from experts who would like to be considered as guests, and from organisations whose work fits our audience and protects the programme's credibility. We record in our studio on Great Portland Street, London, remotely, or at your location. Find out more at thedokkcast.com. Press and partnership enquiries: damien.bidmead@udokk.com IMPORTANT The Dokkcast provides general information and education only. It does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional about your own health. The Dokkcast is brought to you by Udokk, a platform built around credibility, not virality. Find out more at udokk.com. © Udokk Ltd. Company number 16772147. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.