Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s award-winning podcast, Vanderbilt Health DNA: Discoveries in Action, (DNA) is back for its third season with a new format emphasizing collaboration to convene in-depth, vibrant explorations of how the current era of rapid change impacts mental and physical well-being.
‘Shapeshifters: Changing the Mental Health Story,’ released on Sept. 5, explores how mental health is influenced, not only by the state of our minds and bodies, but also by society and the natural world. Guests with a range of medical, research and clinical expertise discuss how medicine and our communities are just beginning to recognize the need to address this complex interplay of factors.
DNA’s new season is crafted to engage its audience with an experimental, fresh concept that assembles expert voices from VUMC and the community in real-time live chats, which are published as ‘Producer’s Cut’ episodes. The debut live chat on Twitter’s Spaces platform featured teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and mental health experts from Vanderbilt Health.
Season 3’s next chapter will start in October with an expansive look at the disparities of climate change and its impact on health and well-being, as well as sustainability opportunities. The episodes will offer tangible steps forward for further education and resources to personally shift toward climate-forward paradigms and leadership roles. Watch for details and join the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn with #ListenDNA and by following @VUMC_Insights.
“We’re at a formative moment in illuminating the interplay between our bodies and minds as we adjust to shifts in society and nature,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of VUMC and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “It’s our role to be advocates of well-being and health — and to ensure we’re amplifying the necessary conversations about the many factors that influence resilience and our ability to flourish. I’m excited to welcome you to these conversations designed to bring science, health and community together to exchange ideas and expand our collective understanding.”
New episodes examining various aspects of mental health will be released every Monday in September on all podcast platforms and at ListenDNA.com. Each episode features guests who have expertise in religion, policy, gender identity, artificial intelligence, psychology, and more. Episode 2, ‘Reading, Writing, and Anxiety’ amplifies the voices of three pediatric and adolescent psychiatrists who see firsthand the impacts of the increasing incidence of mental illness diagnosed in youth, exploring what parents need to know, and how the health care system should adapt.
DNA’s debut season was named Podcast of the Year by Healthcare and IT Marketing Community (HITMC). Season 2 was given the Gold Award for Healthcare Podcast by Modern Healthcare and received an Award of Merit from the Nashville chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. The series has listeners in over 100 countries and has been recognized among the Top 100 Health & Fitness podcasts on Apple. The series has been featured as one of Apple Podcasts Top Shows in Science.
Tune in on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pandora, and the Health Podcast Network. Learn more and access episodes and extras at ListenDNA.com.
