The Last Zebra

Ugo Ezema, MD
  • 5.0 (12)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

“The Last Zebra” draws its essence from the timeless medical adage: “When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.” Coined by Dr. Theodore Woodward in the 1940s, this maxim reminds us to prioritize common diagnoses over rare and improbable ones. In a medical world often defined by seeking the most likely causes, “The Last Zebra” podcast takes a different approach. Here we are looking for the common in all of us. The common focuses on the unique, diverse, and individual experiences of medical professionals. We hope to showcase the stories of these individuals, highlighting how they infuse their backgrounds, beliefs, and characteristics into their medical practice. By doing so, they add an artistic and personal touch that goes beyond the clinical norms and transforms their work into a deeply profound and meaningful endeavor. Through these stories, “The Last Zebra” aims to reveal the extraordinary side of medicine— "heavy on the ordinary". The stories that deviate from dogma and delve into the exceptional. It seeks to capture the essence of these medical professionals’ journeys, shedding light on their challenges, triumphs, and the remarkable ways they shape the landscape of healthcare. In each episode, we delve into the non-clinical nuances that define the day-to-day lives of medical professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. This podcast will start and go beyond the clinical, shedding light on the intricate artistry, mosaicism, and diversity in medicine. We explore how every guest crafts their unique personality and characteristics into the very fabric of their practice. These stories not only celebrate individuality but also embody the soul of healthcare. In a world where uniformity is prioritized, “The Last Zebra” podcast honors the rare and unique elements that medical professionals bring to their work. Together, we’ll discover how these exceptional individuals are shaping the future of healthcare, one personalized interaction at a time. So, come along as we embrace the zebras — the extraordinary stories that make medicine a true art.

  1. 4D AGO

    Dealing with High Performance Medicine With Dr. Jonathan Carrere | #TheLastZebraPod

    He thought he was going to play professional soccer. Instead, he ended up restoring sight. In this episode of The Last Zebra, I sit down with Dr. Jonathan Carrere, a board-certified ophthalmologist from South Louisiana, to unpack a journey that’s equal parts unexpected and extraordinary. We talk about how a childhood dream of playing for Arsenal slowly gave way to medicine, why ophthalmology wasn’t even on his radar until his third year of medical school, and how one case in the OR instantly changed everything. Dr. Carrere breaks down what ophthalmologists actually do, why eye surgery happens on structures smaller than a human hair, and how vision loss can often be prevented—if it’s caught early enough. We also explore the art and science of restoring sight, the misconceptions people have about eye surgery (no, your eyeball is not removed), the future of ophthalmology with AI and minimally invasive techniques, and what it feels like to give someone their independence back in a procedure that takes less than 10 minutes. This is a conversation about precision, trust, balance, and why medicine—at its best—is both deeply technical and profoundly human. 💬 Comment “ZEBRA” if this changed how you think about vision and eye health. 🎧 Watch or listen to the FULL conversation with Dr. Jonathan Carrere on The Last Zebra Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112 Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/ ▶️ Subscribe for more conversations that reveal the unseen side of medicine: https://www.youtube.com/@UgoEzemaMD?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Follow the Conversation: Dr. Ugo Ezema — https://instagram.com/ugoezemamd The Last Zebra Pod — https://instagram.com/thelastzebrapod 📧 Join the community newsletter: https://linktr.ee/ugoezemamd Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra explores the human side of medicine—where precision, purpose, and perspective matter as much as outcomes. #TheLastZebra, #TheLastZebraPodcast, #Ophthalmology, #EyeSurgery, #VisionHealth, #CataractSurgery, #LASIK, #MedicalPodcast, #DoctorLife, #HealthcareStories, #MedicineExplained, #PatientTrust, #MedicalEducation, #BeTheZebra

    1h 7m

  2. JAN 28

    Growing Up in the Hospital: How Dr. Joey Garcia Became the Doctor He Always Wanted to Be #TheLastZebraPod

    What does it mean to follow in your parent’s footsteps — and truly earn it? In this episode of The Last Zebra, I sit down with Dr. Joey Garcia, a Sports Medicine Physician born and raised in South Louisiana, whose journey into medicine was shaped by grit, persistence, and one defining moment that changed everything. Joey quite literally grew up in the hospital — coloring at the nurses’ station, riding his bike in the parking lot, paging through medical textbooks in his dad’s office. He always knew he wanted to be a doctor like his father. But it wasn’t until a real-life emergency — being first on the scene of a serious car accident and watching his dad jump into action — that it truly clicked. That moment lit the fire. What followed was anything but easy. Dr. Garcia opens up about struggling to get into medical school, attending a Caribbean medical school, learning how to truly study for the first time, living without air conditioning, spending endless hours in the library, and pushing forward when the odds were stacked against him. He talks candidly about missing the match initially for sports medicine fellowship, sending out “Hail Mary” emails, and finally landing his spot — proving that resilience matters just as much as raw talent. Beyond his personal journey, we dive deep into what sports medicine really is — not just for elite athletes, but for everyday people. We talk about overuse injuries in youth sports, the dangers of year-round specialization, the growing evidence around turf fields and ACL injuries, concussions, and why movement — not rest — is often the key to recovery. Dr. Garcia also shares the advice his father gave him that carried him through the hardest moments: “Don’t let them beat you. No matter who or what it is.” This episode is about perseverance, community, returning home to care for the people who raised you, and redefining success on your own terms. This is The Last Zebra — real stories, real medicine, and the human side of healthcare. 💬 Comment “ZEBRA” if this story resonated with you. 🎧 Watch or listen to the FULL conversation with Dr. Joey Garcia on The Last Zebra Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112 Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/ ▶️ Subscribe for more conversations that explore medicine, resilience, sports, and the meaning of purpose: https://www.youtube.com/@UgoEzemaMD?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Follow the Conversation: Dr. Ugo Ezema — https://instagram.com/ugoezemamd The Last Zebra Pod —

    52 min

  3. JAN 13

    The Brutal Beauty of Ballet + A Pivot Into Healthcare with Annelise Senkowski | #TheLastZebraPod

    What happens when your first language is movement? In this episode of The Last Zebra, Dr. Ugo Ezema sits down with Annelise Senkowski—a lifelong dancer turned medical device professional who’s helping push the conversation forward in lung cancer early detection. From starting dance at three years old, to leaving home at 14 for a rigorous arts boarding school, Annelise shares what it takes to dedicate your life to an art form that’s both breathtaking and brutal. She opens up about the beauty of expressing emotion without words, the perfectionism ballet can demand, and the moment she realized injury can change everything. The conversation weaves through identity, discipline, creativity, and the pivot from dance dreams (including a near shot at Australia) to building a meaningful career in healthcare—without losing the part of herself that still needs a stage. This is The Last Zebra—real stories, real people, and real purpose. 💬 Comment “ZEBRA” if her story resonates with you. 🎧 Watch or listen to the FULL conversation with Annelise Senkowski on The Last Zebra Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112 Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/ ▶️ Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of medicine, creativity, and meaning: https://www.youtube.com/@UgoEzemaMD?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Follow the Conversation: Dr. Ugo Ezema — https://instagram.com/ugoezemamd The Last Zebra Pod — https://instagram.com/thelastzebrapod 📧 Join the community newsletter: https://linktr.ee/ugoezemamd Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra highlights the human stories behind medicine—where purpose, identity, and impact meet. #TheLastZebra, #TheLastZebraPodcast, #AnneliseSenkowski, #BalletToMedicine, #DanceLife, #ContemporaryDance, #CreativeIdentity, #HighPerformance, #MedicalDeviceSales, #LungCancerAwareness, #EarlyDetection, #Pulmonology, #HealthcareInnovation, #WomenInHealthcare, #Storytelling, #PodcastEpisode, #NewOrleans, #SavannahGeorgia, #BeTheZebra

    1h 22m

  4. 12/17/2025

    A Psychologist's Mission to Heal Families in the Foster Care System with Dr. Sebastian Del-Corral Winder | #TheLastZebraPod

    What happens when the system meant to protect our most vulnerable ends up failing them? In this powerful episode of The Last Zebra Podcast, Dr. Sebastian Del-Corral Winder - Clinical Psychologist and expert in infant and early childhood mental health - breaks down the realities of the U.S. foster care system with honesty, clarity, and compassion. He explains how the system’s origins are rooted in racism, separation, and institutional mistrust… and how those roots still shape outcomes for families today. Most parents in foster care aren’t “bad parents,” he reveals - they’re people who were mistreated themselves, carrying trauma, addiction, and generational wounds they were never taught to heal. Dr. Del-Corral Winder shares eye-opening truths, including the staggering fact that infants aged 0–2 make up the highest percentage of children entering foster care in the U.S. Many are taken from the hospital nursery within days of birth. And while the public often imagines teenagers and troubled youth, the reality is far more heartbreaking - and far more preventable. Through his work in psychology, family therapy, and court testimony, Dr. Del-Corral Winder is fighting to change the narrative: healing doesn’t happen by punishing parents, but by understanding the systems that shaped them, restoring compassion, and rebuilding support. He also opens up about the emotional toll of the work, the concept of moral injury in caregivers, and how play, connection, and cultural identity shape a child’s healing - even in the most chaotic circumstances. This is The Last Zebra - real stories, real people, and real purpose. 💬 Comment “ZEBRA” if this conversation opened your eyes. 🎧 Watch or listen to the FULL episode with Dr. Sebastian Del-Corral Winder on The Last Zebra Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112 Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/ ▶️ Subscribe for more stories that challenge systems, illuminate humanity, and redefine what healing means: https://www.youtube.com/@UgoEzemaMD?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Follow the Conversation: Dr. Ugo Ezema - https://instagram.com/ugoezemamd The Last Zebra Pod - https://instagram.com/thelastzebrapod 📧 Join the community newsletter: https://linktr.ee/ugoezemamd Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra explores the stories at the intersection of medicine, justice, identity, and the human mind - reminding us that healing is not just individual, but systemic. #TheLastZebra, #TheLastZebraPodcast, #DrSebastianDelCorralWinder, #ClinicalPsychologist, #FosterCareSystem, #InfantMentalHealth, #TraumaInformedCare, #GenerationalTrauma, #MoralInjury, #ChildPsychology, #HealthcareHumanity, #SocialJustice, #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment, #MentalHealthAwareness, #PodcastClips, #BeTheZebra

    1h 10m

  5. 12/03/2025

    It's Never Too Late To Become Who You Were Meant To Be with Dr. Brittney Carman | #TheLastZebraPod

    What does it take to reclaim a dream you were told to abandon? In this remarkable episode, Dr. Brittney Carman shares her decades-long journey from a 16-year-old who fell in love with medicine on a pediatric oncology floor to a mother, writer, professor, and finally a physician who started medical school at 42 years old. Raised in a culture where higher education wasn’t encouraged and where religious leaders explicitly told her not to pursue medicine , Brittney followed the expected path - marriage, motherhood, and a career in teaching and creative writing. But the dream never left. A single, unexpected moment - being asked as a contestant on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" what she would do if she won - cracked everything open: “I’d go to medical school.” That answer became the turning point that brought her back to the life she once thought was impossible. Today, she’s a nearly 3rd-year Internal Medicine resident at Tulane, a mother of three daughters, and a living testament that timing doesn’t define destiny. This episode is about ambition, loss, faith, motherhood, courage, and the quiet power of trusting yourself enough to begin again. This is The Last Zebra - real stories, real people, and real purpose. 💬 Comment “ZEBRA” to learn more. 🎧 Listen to the FULL, unfiltered conversation with Dr. Brittney Carman on The Last Zebra Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112 Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/ ▶️ Subscribe for more stories that challenge the conventions of medicine, identity, and purpose: https://www.youtube.com/@UgoEzemaMD?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Follow the Conversation: Dr. Ugo Ezema: https://instagram.com/ugoezemamd The Last Zebra Pod: https://instagram.com/thelastzebrapod 📧 Join our community newsletter: https://linktr.ee/ugoezemamd Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra uncovers the extraordinary journeys of people reshaping medicine and redefining what it means to choose a life of purpose — no matter when the journey begins. #TheLastZebra, #TheLastZebraPodcast, #DrBrittneyCarman, #UgoEzemaMD, #WomenInMedicine, #NonTraditionalStudent, #MedSchoolAt40, #SecondCareerMedicine, #CareerChange, #InspirationalStories, #MedicineJourney, #StorytellingInMedicine, #EmpathyInMedicine, #MedicalPodcast, #NeverTooLate, #PurposeDriven, #Resilience, #BeTheZebra

    1h 26m

  6. 11/18/2025

    A Father's Journey to Empower Youth Through Purpose and Community with Bivian "Sonny" Lee III | #TheLastZebraPod

    In this powerful episode of The Last Zebra Podcast, Bivian “Sonny” Lee III, Founder & CEO of Son of a Saint, sits down with Dr. Ugo Ezema to share how losing his father at age three shaped his purpose and inspired him to help fatherless boys in New Orleans find guidance, family, and belonging. What started as a simple mission, to mentor boys growing up without dads, has become one of the city’s most transformative youth programs. For nearly 15 years, Son of a Saint has changed hundreds of lives through mentorship, therapy, education, and unconditional support. In this heartfelt conversation, Sonny opens up about grief, resilience, fatherhood, and what it means to turn pain into purpose. His story is a testament to how healing one life can ripple through generations. This is The Last Zebra - real stories, real people, and the courage it takes to care. 💬 Comment ZEBRA if you believe mentorship changes lives. 🦓 🎙️ Listen to the FULL, unfiltered conversation with Bivian “Sonny” Lee III on The Last Zebra Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112 Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/ ▶️ SUBSCRIBE for more stories that challenge the conventions of medicine, leadership, and humanity. https://www.youtube.com/@UgoEzemaMD?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Follow the Conversation: Dr. Ugo Ezema on IG → https://instagram.com/ugoezemamd TLZ Pod on IG → https://instagram.com/thelastzebrapod 📧 Join our community newsletter: https://linktr.ee/ugoezemamd Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra explores the human stories that connect medicine, mentorship, and meaning — uncovering the extraordinary side of ordinary people who are changing the world through compassion, courage, and purpose. #TheLastZebra, #TheLastZebraPodcast, #DrUgoEzema, #UgoEzemaMD, #BivianLee, #SonOfASaint, #YouthMentorship, #Fatherhood, #Resilience, #NewOrleans, #CommunityLeadership, #Empathy, #HealingThroughService, #BlackExcellence, #PodcastClips, #Inspiration, #Humanity, #PurposeDriven, #Leadership, #NonprofitImpact, #MenWhoMentor, #SocialImpact, #Storytelling, #BeTheZebra

    1h 17m

  7. 11/05/2025

    From Surviving Abuse to Empowering Others with Hope and Purpose with Stacy Ann Smith | #TheLastZebra

    Stacy Ann Smith — therapist, nonprofit founder, and survivor — joins The Last Zebra Podcast to share a story of faith, forgiveness, and fierce compassion. From surviving childhood trauma to dedicating her life to helping women trapped in cycles of abuse, sex work, and human trafficking, Stacyann’s journey is one of purpose born from pain. What began as a trip to Indonesia turned into a calling that now transforms lives across Jamaica through her organization, Pursued International Foundation. In this heartfelt episode, she and Dr. Ugo Ezema explore the intersection of faith, justice, and mercy — how hope can rebuild what trauma once shattered, and why every story, no matter how broken, deserves to be heard. This is The Last Zebra: where empathy meets action, and faith becomes a force for healing. 🎙️ Listen to the FULL, unfiltered conversation with Stacyann Smith on The Last Zebra Podcast: Stream TLZ Pod on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA Listen TLZ Pod on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112 Check out TLZ Pod on Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/ ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to The Last Zebra for more stories that challenge the conventions of medicine, leadership, and humanity. https://www.youtube.com/@UgoEzemaMD?sub_confirmation=1 📧 Join our community newsletter: https://linktr.ee/ugoezemamd Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra uncovers the extraordinary stories of people who lead with purpose and compassion — from doctors to healers, teachers to survivors. In a world quick to label, we look deeper to find the common ground that makes us human. #TheLastZebraPodcast, #TheLastZebraPod, #StacyannSmith, #DrUgoEzema, #UgoEzemaMD, #FaithAndHealing, #SurvivorStories, #HumanTraffickingAwareness, #WomenEmpowerment, #TherapistLife, #Jamaica, #NonprofitWork, #Resilience, #Forgiveness, #Empathy, #MedicineAndHumanity, #PodcastClips, #Inspiration, #Storytelling, #Hope

    1h 21m

  8. 10/21/2025

    War to Wisdom: A Marine’s Journey to Finding Humanity with MSgt Kevin Thompson| #thelastzebrapod

    Kevin Thompson — Marine veteran, husband, father, and optimist — joins The Last Zebra Podcast for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, leadership, and finding purpose beyond the uniform. After nearly twenty years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Kevin reflects on the moments that shaped him — from growing up in Atlanta to surviving combat in Iraq, raising a family while serving overseas, and learning how to lead with empathy in one of the world’s toughest professions. In this deeply human and often moving conversation, Dr. Ugo Ezema and Kevin explore what it means to grow through adversity, to redefine identity after service, and to balance duty with family, faith, and personal growth. From “reasoning with death” in the desert to building a life rooted in gratitude and authenticity, Kevin’s story is a reminder that even in chaos, there’s clarity — and that the best leaders are those who never lose their humanity. This is The Last Zebra: where medicine, military, and humanity intersect. More than just a podcast about healthcare or service, it’s a space for real stories — raw, honest, and deeply personal — that remind us what connects us all. 🎙️ Listen to the FULL, unfiltered conversation with Kevin Thompson on The Last Zebra Podcast: Stream TLZ Pod on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA Listen TLZ Pod on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112 Check out TLZ Pod on Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/ ▶️ SUBSCRIBE to The Last Zebra for more stories that challenge the conventions of medicine, leadership, and humanity. https://www.youtube.com/@UgoEzemaMD?sub_confirmation=1 📧 Join our community newsletter: https://linktr.ee/ugoezemamd Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra explores the extraordinary side of ordinary lives — doctors, veterans, and professionals whose experiences redefine what it means to serve, to lead, and to care. Every episode looks beyond titles and diagnoses to uncover the authentic, human stories at the heart of medicine and modern life. #TheLastZebraPodcast, #TheLastZebraPod, #KevinThompson, #DrUgoEzema, #UgoEzemaMD, #MarineVeteran, #VeteranStories, #MilitaryPodcast, #Leadership, #Resilience, #Empathy, #WarStories, #Family, #Fatherhood, #Veterans, #ICUStories, #MedicineAndHumanity, #HealthcarePodcast, #HumanityInMedicine, #PodcastClips, #Authenticity, #Inspiration, #Storytelling

    1h 17m
See All (48)

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

“The Last Zebra” draws its essence from the timeless medical adage: “When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.” Coined by Dr. Theodore Woodward in the 1940s, this maxim reminds us to prioritize common diagnoses over rare and improbable ones. In a medical world often defined by seeking the most likely causes, “The Last Zebra” podcast takes a different approach. Here we are looking for the common in all of us. The common focuses on the unique, diverse, and individual experiences of medical professionals. We hope to showcase the stories of these individuals, highlighting how they infuse their backgrounds, beliefs, and characteristics into their medical practice. By doing so, they add an artistic and personal touch that goes beyond the clinical norms and transforms their work into a deeply profound and meaningful endeavor. Through these stories, “The Last Zebra” aims to reveal the extraordinary side of medicine— "heavy on the ordinary". The stories that deviate from dogma and delve into the exceptional. It seeks to capture the essence of these medical professionals’ journeys, shedding light on their challenges, triumphs, and the remarkable ways they shape the landscape of healthcare. In each episode, we delve into the non-clinical nuances that define the day-to-day lives of medical professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. This podcast will start and go beyond the clinical, shedding light on the intricate artistry, mosaicism, and diversity in medicine. We explore how every guest crafts their unique personality and characteristics into the very fabric of their practice. These stories not only celebrate individuality but also embody the soul of healthcare. In a world where uniformity is prioritized, “The Last Zebra” podcast honors the rare and unique elements that medical professionals bring to their work. Together, we’ll discover how these exceptional individuals are shaping the future of healthcare, one personalized interaction at a time. So, come along as we embrace the zebras — the extraordinary stories that make medicine a true art.

Information

  • Creator
    Ugo Ezema, MD
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 The Last Zebra
  • Show Website
    The Last Zebra