Vitals & Values: Concierge Medicine of West Michigan

Concierge Medicine Of West Michigan
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Science Over Hype.  Values Over Virality. Vitals & Values is where evidence-based health meets unapologetic truth. Hosted by Dr. Lara (@lbaat), a concierge MD reshaping modern medicine, and David Roden (@Fit_DRock), a transformation coach who lost over 200 pounds and lived to tell the tale, this podcast isn’t here to go viral—it’s here to tell the truth. Every episode dives deep into: 🧬 Medicine & Metabolic Health🥦 Nutrition & Sustainable Weight Loss🏋️‍♂️ Fitness & Habit Formation✝ Christian Faith & Spiritual Stewardship💭 Mental Health & Lifestyle Resets 📅 Weekly Format: Vitals Check – Clinical clarity from Dr. LaraValues in Focus – Real-world forces behind health: mindset, faith, emotions, relationships, identity, and environmentThe Honest Table – Candid convos & unfiltered guestsThe Real Takeaway – A lifestyle or mindset challenge for the week This isn’t wellness theater. It’s not guru culture. It’s a movement for people who want to think critically, live intentionally, and take their health personally. 🎧 New episodes every Friday 📲 Follow @lbaat & @Fit_DRock on Instagram/TikTok 💼 Brought to you by Concierge Medicine of West Michigan – @cmwestmichiganThe information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your personal physician before making changes to your health routine.

  1. 4D AGO

    My Dad Felt Fine — A Routine Checkup Found Blocked Arteries and AFib

    Send a text  summary In this episode, David Roden and Dr Lara's father, David Baatengurg, discuss the critical importance of routine medical check-ups, particularly for those who feel healthy. They share a personal story about how a routine appointment led to the discovery of atrial fibrillation and significant heart blockages, ultimately resulting in bypass surgery. The conversation emphasizes the value of preventative care, the recovery process, and the lessons learned from this experience, highlighting the role of primary care physicians as gatekeepers in health management. takeaways Routine check-ups can uncover hidden health issues. Atrial fibrillation can have no noticeable symptoms. Primary care physicians play a crucial role in health. Preventative care is essential for long-term health. Listening to medical advice can save lives. The body can develop collateral arteries around blockages. Recovery from heart surgery can vary greatly among individuals. Communication between healthcare providers is vital. Understanding medical terms can empower patients. Regular monitoring of health metrics is important post-surgery. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Routine Check-ups 06:21 Discovering Atrial Fibrillation 10:30 The Journey to Heart Surgery 14:14 Post-Surgery Recovery and Challenges 22:10 The Importance of Support During Hospitalization 24:56 Experiences with Medical Staff and Hospital Environment 27:31 Advancements in Medical Technology: The Pacemaker 31:39 Navigating Hospital Protocols and Patient Rights 35:03 Rehabilitation and Recovery Post-Surgery 37:34 Preventative Health: The Role of Regular Check-Ups

    43 min

  2. FEB 20

    “Heart Attacks Then vs. Now” STEMI, Stents, and the Evolution of Emergency Cardiology

    Send a text In this episode, David Roden interviews his father, Dr. Raymond Roden, a retired cardiologist with over 35 years of experience. They discuss Dr. Roden's journey into medicine, the evolution of cardiology, and the complexities of heart attacks. Dr. Roden shares insights on patient care, the importance of education in medicine, and the advancements in treatment over the years. The conversation also touches on prevention strategies for heart disease and memorable cases from Dr. Roden's career. Dr. Roden's journey into medicine was influenced by his father's illness. Education and patient communication are crucial in cardiology. Heart attacks can present in various ways, not just dramatic symptoms. Age and lifestyle factors significantly impact heart disease risk. Statins are effective in secondary prevention of heart disease. The evolution of cardiology has led to better patient outcomes. Understanding the mechanisms of heart attacks is essential for prevention. Interventional cardiology has advanced significantly over the years. Pushing the status quo in medicine can lead to breakthroughs. Memorable cases highlight the unpredictability of patient outcomes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Journey 01:44 The Evolution of Cardiology 09:12 Understanding Heart Attacks 19:01 The Role of Interventional Cardiology 24:32 Advancements in Angioplasty and Stenting 28:29 The Evolution of Angioplasty and Stenting 32:20 Understanding the Impact of Medical Therapy 36:29 The Role of Social Media in Medical Advancements 38:33 Preventing Heart Attacks: Key Risk Factors 40:30 The Controversy of Statin Use 48:29 Memorable Cases in Cardiology Practice

    52 min

  3. FEB 13

    “No Biohacks, No BS”: One Guy’s Honest Questions About Getting Healthier

    Send a text Summary In this episode, David Roden and Patrick Werksma discuss Patrick's revamped health journey, focusing on understanding macros, navigating food choices while traveling, and the impact of lifestyle on health. They explore personal motivations for change, including health scares, and the role of GLP-1 medications in weight loss. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies for maintaining a healthy diet in a fast-paced lifestyle, while also addressing the long-term effects of weight loss medications.

    56 min

  4. FEB 6

    Can We Trust America’s Nutrition Guidelines? RFK Jr., HHS, and the Politics of Food

    Send a text Summary In this episode, David Roden and Lara discuss the recently released dietary guidelines, exploring their history, evolution, and implications for public health. They analyze the new recommendations, focusing on protein intake, saturated fat, whole grains, and alcohol consumption, while emphasizing the importance of understanding these guidelines in the context of population health rather than individual dietary choices. The conversation highlights the marketing aspects of dietary recommendations and the challenges of implementing these guidelines effectively across different social classes. Takeaways Dietary guidelines have been published every five years since 1980. The focus of dietary guidelines has shifted from preventing deficiencies to reducing chronic disease. The guidelines are designed for population-level health, not individual dietary advice. Understanding serving sizes is crucial for making informed dietary choices. The new guidelines prioritize protein intake, which is a positive shift. Saturated fat recommendations remain unchanged, raising questions about their effectiveness. Whole grains are emphasized, but the public's adherence to these recommendations is low. Alcohol consumption guidelines are vague and less strict compared to other dietary recommendations. The marketing of dietary guidelines can mislead the public about healthy eating. Implementation of dietary guidelines is a significant challenge, especially across different social classes.

    39 min

  5. JAN 16

    “Profit vs. Patients?” A Real Conversation About Big Pharma

    Send a text Summary In this episode of "Vitals and Values," David Roden and Dr. Lara delve into the complex relationship between patients, healthcare, and the pharmaceutical industry. David shares his personal experiences as a patient needing medication and discusses the common blame placed on Big Pharma for health issues. The conversation challenges the stigma surrounding pharmaceutical companies, emphasizing that while profit is a primary motive, it does not equate to a desire to harm patients. They explore the significant costs of research and development in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting that many drugs fail to reach the market, and the companies must recoup losses from successful products.  The discussion shifts to the broader context of health, where David argues that lifestyle choices play a crucial role in chronic diseases, often overshadowed by the focus on pharmaceutical solutions. They emphasize the importance of personal responsibility in health management, advocating for lifestyle changes over solely relying on medications. The episode concludes with a call for a balanced view of the pharmaceutical industry, recognizing both its contributions to health and the need for critical scrutiny of its practices. Takeaways Big Pharma's primary goal is profit, but that doesn't mean they want to harm patients. Lifestyle choices significantly impact health and chronic diseases. Pharmaceutical companies invest billions in R&D, with many drugs failing to reach the market. Patients often blame Big Pharma for health issues without considering their own lifestyle choices. Wellness influencers can profit similarly to pharmaceutical companies, yet criticize them for profit motives.

    32 min

  6. JAN 9

    6 Health & Wellness Trends That Will Explode in 2026

    Send a text Summary In this episode, David and Lara discuss the evolving landscape of health and wellness, focusing on the distinction between building health and buying health. They explore trends such as the increasing emphasis on protein consumption, the rise of microdosing pharmaceuticals, and the popularity of peptide stacking. The conversation also touches on the implications of direct-to-consumer lab testing and the concerning trend of medicalizing normal experiences. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of personal responsibility in health management and the need for a deeper understanding of health beyond quick fixes. Takeaways The distinction between building health and buying health is crucial. Protein consumption is becoming a central focus in health trends. Microdosing pharmaceuticals is gaining traction among individuals. Peptide stacking is becoming increasingly popular in fitness and wellness communities. Direct-to-consumer lab testing is expected to grow and become more personalized. Medicalizing normal experiences can lead to misdiagnosis and deflection of responsibility. Not all discomforts or issues require a medical diagnosis. The importance of understanding dosage in pharmaceuticals and supplements cannot be overstated. People often seek quick fixes rather than addressing root causes of health issues. Taking responsibility for one's health is essential for true wellness.

    37 min

  7. 12/26/2025

    “Doritos Are Healthy Now?”: Why Fixating on Food Dyes Is Missing the Point

    Send a text Summary In this episode, David Roden and Lara Baatenburg discuss the pervasive issues within diet culture, particularly the fixation on specific food components like artificial dyes and the misconceptions surrounding hyper-processed foods. They emphasize the importance of understanding overall dietary habits, focusing on whole foods, and the role of calories in achieving health goals. The conversation critiques the marketing tactics that lead consumers to believe that eliminating certain ingredients makes foods healthier, while neglecting the bigger picture of nutrition and health. Takeaways Diet culture often fixates on specific chemicals rather than overall nutrition. Hyper-processed foods are not inherently unhealthy, but their consumption patterns are problematic. The removal of food dyes does not necessarily make a product healthier. People often rationalize unhealthy eating habits by focusing on single ingredients. Understanding calories and whole foods is crucial for a healthy diet. Diet culture leads to majoring in the minors, missing the bigger picture of nutrition. It's important to focus on what you're doing right in your diet, rather than what you're avoiding. The misconception that certain foods are healthy because they lack specific ingredients is widespread. Nutrition is complex, and simple solutions are often misleading. Empowering individuals to understand the basics of nutrition can lead to better health outcomes.

    36 min

  8. 12/19/2025

    Should Babies Really Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth? | Dr Terry Simpson

    Send a text Summary In this conversation, Dr. Lara Baatenburg, David Roden, and Dr. Terry Simpson discuss the importance of the hepatitis B vaccine, particularly its administration at birth. They explore the historical context of hepatitis B in Alaska, the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine, and the challenges posed by misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Dr. Simpson shares his personal experiences and insights as a virologist and physician, emphasizing the need for early vaccination to prevent serious health issues. The discussion also touches on the role of social media in shaping public perceptions of vaccines and the importance of clear communication between healthcare providers and patients. Takeaways Vaccination at birth is crucial for preventing hepatitis B. Dr. Simpson has extensive experience with hepatitis B in Alaska. The hepatitis B vaccine has proven to be effective and safe. Misinformation about vaccines can lead to hesitancy. Social media plays a significant role in vaccine discussions. Understanding the science behind vaccines is essential for informed decisions. Delaying vaccination poses risks to infants. Personal stories can highlight the importance of vaccination. Perceptions of vaccines have changed over time due to misinformation. Vaccination is a key component of public health strategy.

    40 min
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5
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About

Science Over Hype.  Values Over Virality. Vitals & Values is where evidence-based health meets unapologetic truth. Hosted by Dr. Lara (@lbaat), a concierge MD reshaping modern medicine, and David Roden (@Fit_DRock), a transformation coach who lost over 200 pounds and lived to tell the tale, this podcast isn’t here to go viral—it’s here to tell the truth. Every episode dives deep into: 🧬 Medicine & Metabolic Health🥦 Nutrition & Sustainable Weight Loss🏋️‍♂️ Fitness & Habit Formation✝ Christian Faith & Spiritual Stewardship💭 Mental Health & Lifestyle Resets 📅 Weekly Format: Vitals Check – Clinical clarity from Dr. LaraValues in Focus – Real-world forces behind health: mindset, faith, emotions, relationships, identity, and environmentThe Honest Table – Candid convos & unfiltered guestsThe Real Takeaway – A lifestyle or mindset challenge for the week This isn’t wellness theater. It’s not guru culture. It’s a movement for people who want to think critically, live intentionally, and take their health personally. 🎧 New episodes every Friday 📲 Follow @lbaat & @Fit_DRock on Instagram/TikTok 💼 Brought to you by Concierge Medicine of West Michigan – @cmwestmichiganThe information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your personal physician before making changes to your health routine.

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