Dr. Swanson Responds to Your Feedback on this Podcast

Chad Swanson

Hello, everyone. This is the real Dr. Swanson. Well, ok, it's not my real voice, but it’s me all the same. I decided to step away from the previous AI hosts, David and Sofia, to answer your questions directly.

Chad Swanson

First of all, thank you. It’s honestly pretty amazing that here we are—just a handful of people, from all different backgrounds and probably all across the country—maybe even the world. And yet we’re coming together because of a common interest in transforming our health system. That’s powerful.

Chad Swanson

So thank you for your time, for your engagement. It really does mean a lot.

Chad Swanson

As the AI hosts explained in the previous episode, I’m a full-time ER doctor. I also hold a Master's in Public Health from Johns Hopkins, and I’ve published several academic papers on health systems transformation in journals like The Lancet.

Chad Swanson

But honestly, most importantly, I’m a father and a concerned citizen. I really believe we need to do better—and we can do better. This system impacts all of us, and honestly, we shouldn't accept how broken it is.

Chad Swanson

Alright, let’s get to some of your feedback.

Chad Swanson

Alright, so, this first comment really stood out to me. It comes from "chaotic.Curiosity" on TikTok. They said, "I am struggling to get past the AI hosts - that part feels wrong. I'm getting the uncanny feeling from hearing two non-existent people banter."

Chad Swanson

Well, let me start by saying I hear you. Honestly, I’ve felt that same thing before. There’s something about AI voices, even when they’re telling the truth or sharing real passion, that can feel just... off. So, I completely understand where you're coming from.

Chad Swanson

But let me share with you why I’ve gone this route. Because, believe me, it wasn’t a decision I took lightly. Here’s the thing—our health system? It’s not just flawed; it’s, like, fundamentally, broken. And to fix something that’s really this chaotic and entrenched, we’ve got to reimagine the whole thing. Insurance, prevention, private equity greed undermining care, metabolic syndrome, the mental health crisis... the list goes on.

Chad Swanson

And for me, this podcast isn't just about talking about those issues. It's about bridging a gap—a gap between what we know needs to happen and the tools we have to get there. It’s my daily attempt to give you, my listeners, quick doses of information, inspiration, and actionable ideas to drive that shift. Because I think we both know, this paradigm shift is long overdue.

Chad Swanson

Now, let's face it, AI is a game changer. And over the past few days, I’ve realized just how much it can empower efforts like this. There are three big reasons I decided to lean so heavily on AI for both the content and the voices.

Chad Swanson

First, it lets me tap into all the information on the internet quickly. When I pair that with my background and expertise—prompting, guiding, and refining what AI generates—it’s a powerful tool. But I’d never just let the AI do its thing blindly; the final message is still mine.

Chad Swanson

Second, it saves a ton of time. Between my work in the ER and finishing a book—I’m writing about Lawson Scruggs, an incredible black doctor from the 1890s—I have limited hours in the day.

Chad Swanson

And finally, the AI lets me stay responsive, closer to real-time. Health system transformation is, if anything, dynamic. I want this podcast to reflect that reality, to bring in timely questions and keep everything relevant. It's the kind of thing I wish I’d had when I started out.

Chad Swanson

Now, I get that listening to "nonexistent people" is weird. But, you know, this tech is going to keep advancing—I just hope we can use it for good. And for now? I hope you can see past the delivery and focus on the content. Because that’s where the heart of this lies.

Chad Swanson

I’m also open to ideas. For instance, I’ve thought about using my own voice as an AI clone. But security concerns have made me hesitant.

Chad Swanson

Next question...

Chad Swanson

A comment from "sandepphugj" on TikTok caught my eye. It says, "Need to get rid of current insurances and stop greedy CEOs." Honestly, this is something a lot of people feel strongly about. And the frustration? It makes total sense.

Chad Swanson

Our health insurance system—it’s a patchwork mess. And right now, it often feels like it serves just about everyone except the people who need it most. Patients. I mean, there’s a reason why researchers like Amy Finkelstein at MIT are looking at fresh ideas. If you’re curious, I recommend checking out her recent book—it really challenges how we think about U.S. healthcare reform.

Chad Swanson

But here’s the thing. Yes, insurance CEOs have definitely made decisions prioritizing profit over health. No doubt. But—and I think this is critical—we also have to look inward. The legislation that shaped today’s healthcare system? That came from politicians we keep electing. So while we hold corporations accountable, we also need to educate ourselves, get involved in the process, and drive change from the ground up. My hope is that conversations like this can play a small role in that.

Chad Swanson

Now, let’s also remember something crucial: insurance coverage—while important—isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. It’s a piece, sure, but if we’re talking about health? I’m talking about real, meaningful health here—things like our diet, exercise, social connections—they tend to impact our well-being way more than any insurance plan ever could. Reforming insurance alone won’t fix a system that’s not designed to support fundamental health.

Chad Swanson

You mentioned greed. That’s the part that feels, honestly, so tragic. Individuals like Don Berwick, Elisabeth Rosenthal, Wendell Potter—they've been calling this out for years. Laura Packard, who’s advocated so powerfully for patients, Mark Cuban taking on inflated drug prices, Avik Roy with a conservative perspective—these are just a handful of names all pointing to the same systemic issues. And I think they’re right. The message needs to resonate more broadly if we’re going to hit that tipping point where change becomes inevitable.

Chad Swanson

So, one comment that really jumped out to me comes from "bart bustamante," who said, "We are not going to get these things with Republicans in charge. Republicans benefit the wealth gap of the U.S. We do not matter to them at all, especially women and diversity."

Chad Swanson

First of all, Bart, I hear you. Truly. It’s no secret that the political landscape—especially under leadership like Donald Trump—has often aligned with policies that expand the wealth gap. And honestly? That’s concerning. It’s not just concerning; it’s frustrating. Because, as you pointed out, these dynamics tend to disproportionately affect marginalized groups.

Chad Swanson

Now, that being said, I want to step back a little bit and take a broader perspective here. Politics, like our health system, is a messy, complex system. It’s, you know, deeply interconnected. And, I’ll be upfront: I’m not an expert in health policy. But what I’ve observed—what I’ve really come to believe—is that too often, politics is driven more by tribal affiliations and sensational headlines than by meaningful, thoughtful action. It's like, everything these days feels like it’s all about picking a team instead of fixing a problem.

Chad Swanson

And that, honestly, needs to change. My goal, when I talk about politics, isn’t to dive into partisan bickering. I think... I think we’ve had enough of that, don’t you? I’m more interested in focusing on policies and assessing their potential to drive systemic improvement. It’s about looking at which decisions, which ideas, serve as what we might call "high leverage points"—the spots where we can have the greatest impact, using a complex systems approach.

Chad Swanson

To respond more directly to your comment, Bart, I’d say this: yes, politics during Republican dominance can certainly exacerbate inequalities. I mean, history shows us that’s often the case. At the same time, though, I think we have to look at every voice in the room critically—like RFK Jr., for example. His stance on vaccinations has the potential to erode trust in science—that’s troubling. But at the same time, his focus on nutrition and environmental toxins? That could lead to some real progress. The disruption he brings... it’s unpredictable. It could either create meaningful reform or destabilize things further. So it’s complicated, right?

Chad Swanson

And I know some of you out there disagree with me completely, and that’s fine. Honestly, I welcome it. This isn’t about me having all the answers; this is as much my learning journey as it is yours. So please, keep sharing your thoughts. The great thing—at least I think—is that we're continuing this conversation, and that’s the first step in building any systemic change.

Chad Swanson

And just like that, we’re at the end of today’s episode. I gotta say, it’s been a real privilege sharing this space with you. These thoughts, these ideas—they matter. And the fact that you’re here, listening, engaging—it fuels everything I’m trying to do.

Chad Swanson

I really do appreciate all the feedback you’ve sent my way. It’s invaluable. You’ve helped me realize the gaps, the strengths, and where I need to adjust. So keep it coming. I promise to stay responsive. I mean, this isn’t just a one-way street; it’s a conversation. And I wanna keep that alive.

Chad Swanson

If you’re on TikTok, YouTube, or LinkedIn, look me up. I post regularly, and I’d love to connect. My website is chadswanson.com, and my email is rchadswanson@gmail.com. Feel free to reach out.

Chad Swanson

Alright, everyone, take care of yourselves out there. Remember, the work you’re doing by staying engaged, by questioning, and by seeking change—it matters, more than you might know. On that note, I’ll see you next time. Thanks again for listening.