Radically Genuine Podcast with Dr. Roger McFillin Roger K. McFillin, Psy.D., ABPP

In this episode of the Radically Genuine Podcast, Dr. Roger McFillin is joined by Dr. Ian Harris, an esteemed orthopedic surgeon in clinical practice in Sydney, Australia. He is a professor of orthopedic surgery with a PhD in evidence based medicine and surgery. He directs a research unit that focuses on outcomes of surgery and has published and presented widely in the field of surgical outcomes. He is the author of “Surgery, The Ultimate Placebo” and co-authored the book “Hippocrasy: How doctors are betraying their oath.”

They explore the power of the mind in healing and the implications of placebo effects in surgical outcomes. From knee arthroscopies to spinal fusions, discover how expectations can influence recovery and why some common surgeries may not be as effective as believed. Gain insights into the scientific scrutiny of surgical procedures and the importance of rigorous evidence in medical practices. This conversation challenges conventional medical wisdom and highlights the need for transparency and patient-centered care.
Timestamps and Key Points:

Introduction (0:00 - 2:25)
- Dr. Roger McFillin introduces the podcast and the topic of the placebo effect in medical interventions.
- Brief explanation of the placebo effect and its significance in mental health and pain management.

Guest Introduction (2:25 - 2:57)
- Introduction of Professor Ian Harris, an orthopedic surgeon and professor with a PhD in evidence-based medicine.
- Highlight his research focus on surgical outcomes and his books, "Surgery, The Ultimate Placebo" and "Hypocrisy, How Doctors Are Betraying Their Oath."

Placebo Effect in Mental Health and Surgery (2:57 - 5:18)
- Discussion on how placebo treatments can rival actual drugs in mental health.
- Exploration of the placebo effect's impact on invasive medical interventions and surgeries.

Understanding Placebo in Surgery (5:18 - 9:20)
- Professor Harris explains the definition and confusion around the term "placebo."
- Introduction of the concept of non-specific effects and how they relate to surgical outcomes.

Scientific Scrutiny of Surgeries (9:20 - 17:25)
- Explanation of how rigorous scientific studies (three-arm studies) help to understand the true effectiveness of surgical procedures.
- Comparison of active treatment, placebo surgery, and no treatment groups.

Surgeon’s Perspective and Clinical Decisions (17:25 - 19:53)
- Professor Harris shares his journey from a general orthopedic surgeon to an evidence-based practitioner.
- Discussion on observational versus experimental evidence in surgery.

Examples of Ineffective Surgeries (19:53 - 27:59)
- Specific examples of common surgeries with questionable effectiveness, such as arthroscopic knee surgeries and spine fusions.
- Mention of geographic variations in surgical rates and the influence of financial incentives.
Patient Expectations and Ethical Implications (27:59 - 33:32)
- The role of patient expectations in treatment outcomes.
- Ethical considerations of using placebo treatments and the importance of informed consent.

Challenges in Medical Evidence (33:32 - 41:33)
- Discussion on the flawed nature of much medical evidence, as highlighted by Dr. John Ioannidis' research.
- The systemic issues in medical training and the influence of pharmaceutical companies on medical guidelines.

The Role of Science in Medicine (41:33 - 57:18)
- Emphasis on the need for scientific rigor in clinical practice.
- The benefits of systems like Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the limitations of pre-existing medical procedures.

Conclusion (57:18 - 59:22)
- Key takeaways from the conversation.
- Encouragement for medical professionals to provide evidence-based care and for patients to seek informed consent.
- Thanking Professor Harris for his insights and promoting his book for further reading.

Closing Remarks (59:22 - 59:26)
- Dr. McFillin closes the episode with a reminder of the podcast’s mission to provide radically genuine

Dr. Jaclynn Moskow is a trained physician scientist, writer, healthcare business consultant, and well known professional poker player. The medical industrial complex, much like a high-stakes poker game, operates on a grand scale where the players are institutions, corporations, and policy makers, but the chips are human lives and well-being. Just as a skilled poker player might exploit less experienced opponents, we're seeing a system that prioritizes profit over patient care. The 'house' - in this case, big pharma, insurance companies, and certain healthcare conglomerates - seems to hold all the cards, making rules that benefit their bottom line rather than public health. On todays episode we learn more about medical school training, how a physician is trained to think, what happens when the doctor becomes the patient, what does it mean to overcome mental health or health problems, psychedelics and what poker can teach us about life.
Chapters
00:00 The Flaws of the Medical Industrial Complex
00:58 The Rigged Nature of the Healthcare System
27:48 Feeling Pathologized by Psychiatry
29:16 Flaws in the Psychiatric Model
32:50 Holistic Approaches to Mental Health
40:47 Transitioning to a Professional Poker Player
56:46 Sleep Deprivation and Unconventional Coping Mechanisms
57:44 The Profitability of Playing Poker at Odd Hours
58:14 Getting Good at Open Face Chinese Poker
01:00:00 Shifting Mindset: Gratitude and Understanding Emotions
01:13:08 The Limitations of the Current Mental Health System
01:37:07 Action-Oriented Therapy: Empowering Individuals to Create Change
01:56:00 Consciousness and Reality: The Interconnectedness of All Things
02:01:27 Personal Growth and Transformation: Embracing Change and Learning from the Past
Note: This podcast episode is designed solely for informational and educational purposes, without endorsing or promoting any specific medical treatments. We strongly advise consulting with a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any actions.

*If you are in crisis or believe you have an emergency, please contact your doctor or dial 911. If you are contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak with a trained and skilled counselor.

RADICALLY GENUINE PODCAST
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The FDA has approved the first pill for postpartum depression, Zuranolone (Zurzuvae) on August 4th, 2023. We discuss this and more with Katie Galvin, a former speech language pathologist turned women's functional nutrition practitioner, holistic life coach, and postpartum doula, who shares her personal experience with postpartum health challenges and the flaws in the standard allopathic medical model. She discusses the lack of informed consent and alternative treatment options provided by doctors, the importance of addressing the complexity of postpartum health holistically, and the need for proper nutrition and support during the postpartum period. We examine how the drug Zuranolone became approved, the financial conflicts of interest and the potential harms to mothers that take this drug. The conversation highlights the need for a shift in the medical approach to postpartum care and the recognition of the unique physiological changes and emotional challenges women face during this time. The conversation explores the flaws in the current medical system and the need for a more holistic approach to healthcare. It discusses the pressure on doctors to maintain authority and the consequences of this mindset. The conversation also delves into the pharmaceutical industry's influence on medical practices and the lack of informed consent. The importance of addressing the root causes of health issues and empowering individuals to take control of their own well-being is emphasized. The conversation concludes with a call to resist the current system and seek alternative approaches to healthcare.
00:00 Introduction: The Approval of the First Oral Treatment for Postpartum Depression
02:26 The Flaws in the Standard Allopathic Medical Model for Postpartum Health
11:50 The Lack of Informed Consent and Alternative Treatment Options
15:01 The Importance of Nutrition and Support in Postpartum Recovery
29:01 The Need for a Shift in the Medical Approach to Postpartum Care
31:37 Flaws in the Current Medical System
43:17 The Pressure on Doctors and Lack of Informed Consent
52:19 Addressing Root Causes and Empowering Individuals
55:07 The Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry
56:30 Resisting the Current System and Seeking Alternatives
Note: This podcast episode is designed solely for informational and educational purposes, without endorsing or promoting any specific medical treatments. We strongly advise consulting with a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any actions.

*If you are in crisis or believe you have an emergency, please contact your doctor or dial 911. If you are contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak with a trained and skilled counselor.

RADICALLY GENUINE PODCAST
Dr. Roger McFillin / Radically Genuine Website
YouTube @RadicallyGenuine
Dr. Roger McFillin (@DrMcFillin) / X
Substack | Radically Genuine | Dr. Roger McFillin
Instagram @radicallygenuine

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We're revisiting a classic episode that originally aired on April 27, 2023.
For over a hundred years, corporate interests have been steering the direction of healthcare in the United States. Checklists have been implemented as a way to reduce medical mistakes, but this approach has led to overzealous use of treatments and medications, creating a cycle of ongoing care that is often not required.

Note: This podcast episode is designed solely for informational and educational purposes, without endorsing or promoting any specific medical treatments. We strongly advise consulting with a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any actions.

*If you are in crisis or believe you have an emergency, please contact your doctor or dial 911. If you are contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak with a trained and skilled counselor.

RADICALLY GENUINE PODCAST
Dr. Roger McFillin / Radically Genuine Website
YouTube @RadicallyGenuine
Dr. Roger McFillin (@DrMcFillin) / X
Substack | Radically Genuine | Dr. Roger McFillin
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
7:30 - Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care (GLAD-PC): Part I. Practice Preparation, Identification, Assessment, and Initial Management | Pediatrics
Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care (GLAD-PC): Part II. Treatment and Ongoing Management | Pediatrics
9:00 - Full article: The risks and benefits of antidepressant treatment for youth depression
11:30 - The Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS): Long-term Effectiveness and Safety Outcomes - 2007
12:00 - Omissions in Acknowledgments in: The Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS): Long-term Effectiveness and Safety Outcomes | JAMA Psychiatry
13:00 - Suicidal Events in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS) - PMC 2009
17:00 - Implementation Challenges to TADS Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
24:00 - Conflict of Children's Interest Inside the American Academy of Pediatrics | Fox News
30:00 - Affirmative Care Across Cultures: Broadening Application | FOCUS
32:00 - The Flexner Report ― 100 Years Later - PMC
35:00 - The Century of the Self (Full Documentary) - Public Relations Edward Bernays
40:00 - The Science for Profit Model—How and why corporations influence science and the use of science in policy and practice | PLOS ONE
47:00 - Glyphosate - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
53:00 - Statistics | Restoring Medicine
58:00 - How the Medical Loss Ratio Requirement Could Increase Health Insurance Premiums And Insurer Profits at Taxpayer Expense
59:00 - The Botched Hospital Bill | The Saturday Evening Post

In this episode, Dr. Roger McFillin and Dr. Brett Deacon examine the state of the mental health field and the potential harms of certain therapeutic practices. The conversation skillfully weaves insights from the film "Good Will Hunting" to explore multifaceted themes, including the limitations of the biomedical model in addressing human experiences, the nuanced role of boundaries and self-disclosure in relationships, and the broader cultural tendency to pathologize emotional expressions. They discuss the need for ethical, evidence-based care amid the field's splintered nature and our need to reframe happiness as living a meaningful life aligned with one's values, rather than just managing thoughts and feelings.

Brett Deacon, PhD serves as an Associate Professor and Program Convener for Clinical Psychology at the University of Melbourne, Australia. His academic journey includes obtaining a PhD in clinical psychology from Northern Illinois University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. Over the past 15 years, he has contributed to academia and dedicated five years to full-time private practice.

Note: This podcast episode is designed solely for informational and educational purposes, without endorsing or promoting any specific medical treatments. We strongly advise consulting with a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any actions.

*If you are in crisis or believe you have an emergency, please contact your doctor or dial 911. If you are contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak with a trained and skilled counselor.

RADICALLY GENUINE PODCAST
Dr. Roger McFillin / Radically Genuine Website
YouTube @RadicallyGenuine
Dr. Roger McFillin (@DrMcFillin) / X
Substack | Radically Genuine | Dr. Roger McFillin
Instagram @radicallygenuine

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15% Off Pure Spectrum CBD (Code: RadicallyGenuine)
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
9:30 - Classical and operant conditioning (with examples) (article) | Khan Academy
17:30 - Good Will Hunting (1997) - IMDb
24:00 - The Coddling of the American Mind
39:30 - Sedated: How Modern Capitalism Created Our Mental Health Crisis - Medical Humanities
41:30 - The Happiness Trap: Free Resources from Dr. Russ Harris
56:00 - Concept Creep and Psychiatrization
1:05:00 - Explained: China Social Credit System, Punishments, Rewards - Business Insider
1:11:00 - Are most published research findings false? Trends in statistical power, publication selection bias, and the false discovery rate in psychology (1975–2017) - PMC
1:14:00 - Abigail Shrier Substack | Media Blizzard: Bad Therapy Book
1:28:00 - Scott Lilienfeld: Science Perspectives on Psychological - Psychology Treatments That Cause Harm

Christian Hegarty, a bone cancer survivor, and his brother John Hegarty share their journey of exploring alternative approaches to cancer treatment. Christian was given a 15% chance of survival and underwent conventional treatments, including harsh chemotherapy. However, when his cancer recurred, Jon began researching alternative treatments and they decided to try a comprehensive, natural, and holistic approach. The Hegarty brothers share the development of their nonprofit organization, goingwell.org, which connects cancer survivors with patients in the early stages of their journey. They emphasize the power of community, hope, and the belief in the body's ability to heal.

GoingWell
Instagram | @goingwellhealth

Note: This podcast episode is designed solely for informational and educational purposes, without endorsing or promoting any specific medical treatments. We strongly advise consulting with a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or taking any actions.

*If you are in crisis or believe you have an emergency, please contact your doctor or dial 911. If you are contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak with a trained and skilled counselor.

RADICALLY GENUINE PODCAST
Dr. Roger McFillin / Radically Genuine Website
YouTube @RadicallyGenuine
Dr. Roger McFillin (@DrMcFillin) / X
Substack | Radically Genuine | Dr. Roger McFillin
Instagram @radicallygenuine

Contact Radically Genuine

Conscious Clinician Collective

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS
15% Off Pure Spectrum CBD (Code: RadicallyGenuine)
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
8:00 - Osteosarcoma: Symptoms, What Is It & Treatment
9:00 - MAPIE Failed to Improve Responses in High-grade Osteosarcoma
24:00 - Heal (2017) - IMDb
26:00 - Intravenous High-Dose Vitamin C in Cancer Therapy - NCI
27:00 - High-dose intravenous vitamin C, a promising multi-targeting agent in the treatment of cancer
31:00 - Ketogenic Diets and Cancer: Emerging Evidence - PMC
32:00 - Researchers Look to Fasting as a Next Step in Cancer Treatment | Cedars-Sinai
39:00 - U.S. Study of Intravenous Mistletoe Extract to Treat Advanced Cancer | Johns Hopkins Medicine
42:00 - Phase I Trial of Intravenous Mistletoe Extract in Advanced Cancer