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Heart disease is largely preventable — so why aren’t we preventing it?

Dr. Kim Williams, Chair of Medicine at UofL and former President of the American College of Cardiology, joins us to discuss why lifestyle must be the foundation of cardiovascular care. From nutrition and plant-based eating to exercise, sleep, and stress, he explains how daily habits shape long-term outcomes.

Dr. Williams explains why:

• Nutrition isn’t optional in heart prevention — it’s central
• A plant-forward diet can rival medications in effectiveness
• Medications and lifestyle together can be even more powerful
• His concerns about the newest dietary guidelines
• Why prevention deserves more attention in modern medicine

If you’ve ever wondered what a prevention-focused cardiologist really thinks, this conversation is both eye-opening and practical.

Find Dr. Kim Williams, MD

Cooking For Your Heart and Soul cookbook

Study by Dr. Esselstyn on disease reversal with plant based diet

Life's Essential 8 from the American Heart Association

thestartinggatepodcast.com

Email us with questions and topics you want us to cover at
contact@thestartinggatepodcast.com

Follow us on social media @thestartinggatepodcast




The content in this podcast is for general reference and educational purposes only. It is not meant to be complete or exhaustive, or to be applicable to any
specific individual’s medical condition. No information provided in this podcast constitutes medical advice and is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This podcast does not create a physician- patient relationship and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please do not rely on this podcast for emergency medical treatment. Remember that everyone is different so make sure you consult your own healthcare professional before seeking any new treatment and before you alter, suspend, or initiate a new change in your routine.

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If you’ve ever picked up your phone without knowing why—or felt more drained after “relaxing” with a screen—this episode is for you.

We live in a world of constant pings, scrolling, and screens—but what is that doing to our brains, our emotions, and our sense of control? In this episode of The Starting Gate, we’re joined by digital wellness specialist Dr. Mary Donohue to explore how nonstop screen exposure is reshaping the way we think, feel, and cope.

We talk about how digital overload dulls creativity, trains us to numb uncomfortable emotions, and pulls us away from the present moment. Dr. Donohue shares why even brief “micro breaks” can make a meaningful difference, how to build healthy guardrails around things like social media, gaming, and online gambling, and why awareness—not perfection—is the key to digital wellness.

If you’ve been feeling overstimulated, unfocused, or uneasy about your family’s screen habits, this episode will help you rethink your relationship with technology—without guilt or extremes.

Find Dr. Mary Donohue:

Dr. Mary Donohue on Linked in

@drmarydonohue

email: maryedonohue@gmail.com

Find out more about the Digital Wellness Center

thedigitalwellnesscdenter.com

@thedigitalwellnesscenter

thestartinggatepodcast.com

Email us with questions and topics you want us to cover at
contact@thestartinggatepodcast.com

Follow us on social media @thestartinggatepodcast




The content in this podcast is for general reference and educational purposes only. It is not meant to be complete or exhaustive, or to be applicable to any
specific individual’s medical condition. No information provided in this podcast constitutes medical advice and is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This podcast does not create a physician- patient relationship and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please do not rely on this podcast for emergency medical treatment. Remember that everyone is different so make sure you consult your own healthcare professional before seeking any new treatment and before you alter, suspend, or initiate a new change in your routine.

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What does it look like when lifestyle medicine works in real life?

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Schuetz interviews her patient, Kam, whose journey through lifestyle medicine led to a 50-pound weight loss, fewer medications, and a life filled with more energy, movement, and confidence.

Kam shares how she learned to truly understand nutrition, not just follow a guide, how she gradually built physical activity into her life through Pilates and weight training, and how she learned to navigate real-world challenges like large family gatherings without falling off track.

Dr. Schuetz reflects on how lifestyle medicine shifts the power back to the patient — providing tools instead of temporary fixes — and why this model creates lasting change.

This conversation is honest, hopeful, and deeply motivating for anyone who wants to believe that change is still possible.

thestartinggatepodcast.com

Email us with questions and topics you want us to cover at
contact@thestartinggatepodcast.com

Follow us on social media @thestartinggatepodcast




The content in this podcast is for general reference and educational purposes only. It is not meant to be complete or exhaustive, or to be applicable to any
specific individual’s medical condition. No information provided in this podcast constitutes medical advice and is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This podcast does not create a physician- patient relationship and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please do not rely on this podcast for emergency medical treatment. Remember that everyone is different so make sure you consult your own healthcare professional before seeking any new treatment and before you alter, suspend, or initiate a new change in your routine.