Podcast
Healthcare for Humans
Hosted by Kumara Raja Sundar · EN
This show provides actionable skills in cultural humility, culturally responsive care, and health equity so clinicians, leaders, and neighbors can serve every community better.
Hosted by family physician and healthcare leader Dr. Raj Sundar, each episode explores cultural humility, culturally responsive care, and health equity through the voices of patients, clinicians, and system designers who live the work every day.
WHAT YOU’LL HEAR
Practical ways to deliver culturally competent & culturally responsive care, language-concordant, and trauma-informed care.
Strategies for tackling social determinants of health at both the clinic and policy levels.
Real stories showing how culture, history, and environment shape health outcomes—and how clinicians can respond.
Design ideas for health-care leaders building inclusive, patient-centered systems.
Community insights that help all of us become better neighbors and advocates.
WHO IT’S FOR
Frontline clinicians, public-health and hospital leaders, medical educators, and anyone curious about making cross-cultural care the norm.
WHEN
. Follow now to keep cultural humility—and culturally responsive care—at the center of your practice and healthcare system
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
78 I The Interpreter Who Sees Everything: Rose Cano on Immigration, Grief, and Real Care
Nov 1700:29:43Tap to summarizeOverview: We explore how immigration status profoundly impacts healthcare access, from barriers to benefits and financial assistance, to the psychological toll experienced by patients and families navigating fears of deportation. We discuss mental health stigma within Spanish-speaking communities, challenges with behavioral health access, and how cultural concepts like susto and diapression intersect with chronic illness management. We share stories illustrating the power of validation, trust-building, and prioritizing patient agendas over rigid clinical checklists, while also confronting systemic constraints like limited appointment time and the importance of eye contact and genuine human connection in care. Three Takeaways: The Weight of Immigration Status on WellbeingRose describes how the constant fear of deportation, inability to access benefits, and repeated bureaucratic hurdles profoundly impact patients' mental and physical health. It's not just paperwork—it's a psychological burden that affects daily decisions, engagement with healthcare, and willingness to seek care in the first place. Empowerment as a Counterbalance to Systemic HarmRose Cano pointed out that healthcare interactions may be one of the few places where patients from marginalized backgrounds experience empowerment. With so much belittlement and exclusion happening in the rest of their lives, every clinical and supportive conversation must focus on restoring dignity and agency. Mental Health: Language, Stigma, and Structural GapsThe conversation delved into how translating mental health concepts is challenging, both linguistically and culturally. Terms like “depression” and “anxiety” don’t always resonate. She emphasized the deep stigma in both English and Spanish-speaking communities, compounded by lack of access (waitlists, insurance issues) and by the prioritization of survival needs over mental wellbeing. Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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77 I Your Hands on the Wheel: Rose Cano Teaches Us How Stories Drive Healthcare
Nov 500:37:28Tap to summarizeOverview: We explore the powerful intersection of healthcare and the arts with our guest, Rose Cano—a Spanish medical interpreter, playwright, and cultural mediator specializing in type 2 diabetes care for Spanish-speaking patients. We dive into Rose’s journey from theater to medicine, her advocacy for narrative medicine, and her experiences working in Harborview Medical Center’s clinics serving diverse communities, including those in Pioneer Square. The conversation unpacks terminology used for Spanish-speaking communities ("Hispanic," "Latino," "Latinx"), emphasizes the importance of understanding patient backgrounds, and shines a light on communication barriers in healthcare. Rose shares creative metaphors and practical strategies for empowering patients and improving self-management for chronic diseases, all while highlighting equity, prevention, and the lived realities of those navigating both healthcare and cultural systems. Three Takeaways: The Healing Power of Storytelling & Narrative Medicine Rose Cano’s journey beautifully illustrates how storytelling isn't just an art—it’s a therapeutic tool. She explains that both the person telling their story and the listener are transformed by the exchange, making it an act of healing, especially when stories relate to illness or wellness. The Intersection of Art and Healthcare for Equity Rose sees healthcare and the arts as intertwined fields, advocating that access to both should be equitable and universal. Her perspective brings attention to the under-recognized link between creativity, culture, and health outcomes, emphasizing that cultural and healthcare equity must advance together for true community wellbeing. Cultural Mediation Goes Beyond Language Translation Her role at Harborview Medical Center isn’t just interpreting words—it’s bridging cultural gaps. She highlights real-world challenges Spanish speaking patients face, such as understanding navigation in the US healthcare system, grasping concepts of prevention versus acute care, and negotiating everyday barriers like clinic scheduling, insurance, and pharmacy instructions. Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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76 I Congo: When History Walks into Your Exam Room
Sep 2500:45:31Tap to summarizeOverview: We sit down with Jean Jacques, physician, community organizer to explore how the long and complex history of the Democratic Republic of Congo—including colonialism, resource-driven conflict, and trauma—shapes the healthcare experience of Congolese immigrants and refugees in the U.S. We talk through the diversity of Congolese identities, languages, and traditions, and examine how food, faith, and community form the backbone of cultural resilience, even as new challenges like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health stigma emerge after resettlement. Our conversation highlights practical advice for clinicians—from building trust and acknowledging trauma to asking about family and respecting cultural foodways—while also discussing the vital role of Congolese churches and grassroots organizations in healing and navigating the American healthcare system. Three Takeaways: Deep Historical Context Shapes Present-Day HealthcareJean Jacques gives a nuanced overview of how the Democratic Republic of Congo’s colonial and post-colonial history—including conflict over natural resources, genocide spillover, and foreign interference—directly affects how Congolese refugees experience healthcare today. Understanding these origins is crucial for providers because patients may carry deep-seated mistrust toward healthcare systems, especially given past experiences of forced medical campaigns and trauma from displacement. Language Diversity is a Barrier and a BridgeThe episode details that Congo is staggeringly diverse with “450 ethnic groups, over 5,000 dialects, and four national languages” aside from French. Many community members arrive in the US speaking little or no English—English might be their fourth language, as Jean Jacques shares from personal experience. Assumptions about shared language or uniformity can result in missed care opportunities; tailored language access and culturally sensitive interpretation are essential. Traditional Foods and Diet Transitions Present Unique Health RisksMoving to the US shifts dietary habits—fresh, traditional foods are often replaced by processed convenience meals, contributing to increased rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease in the Congolese community. Efforts to offer healthy-eating guidance (like suggesting less palm oil or leaner meats) often run up against powerful forces: taste, cost, cultural significance, and lack of culturally competent nutrition counseling. Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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75 I You Are the Servant: Redefining Medicine Through Indigenous Wisdom ft. Dr. Lonnie Nelson
Aug 2800:44:42Tap to summarizeOverview: We sit down with Dr. Lonnie Nelson, a clinical psychologist and member of the Cherokee Indians, to explore the importance of centering Native communities in healthcare research and practice. We learn about how Lonnie’s personal experiences with family health challenges shaped his professional journey, and how he reframes common clinical approaches to focus on culture, self-determination, and relational trust. We dive deep into the role of "culture as medicine," uncovering how traditional practices and genuine human connection can foster healing far beyond what Western medicine often recognizes. We also discuss Lonnie’s work addressing health disparities, brain health research in urban Native elders, and the need to move away from transactional, role-based healthcare toward true person-centered care. Three Takeaways: - Community-Driven Research, Not Researcher-Imposed SolutionsLonnie Nelson’s approach flips the traditional research model by centering the priorities of American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Rather than imposing outside solutions, he collaborates with community members to identify needs and co-create potential interventions, then seeks funding to rigorously test these ideas. This honors cultural wisdom and ensures research is relevant and respectful. -Reclaiming Indigenous Roots in Motivational InterviewingA fascinating point Nelson brings up is that motivational interviewing—a mainstream therapeutic technique—has roots in Indigenous traditions. He highlights that its effectiveness comes from Native practices grounded in respect, non-judgment, and relational conversation. However, much of Western healthcare training strips these origins, sometimes making the approach feel manipulative; Nelson, instead, works to restore its original, culturally-grounded intent. -The Native Concept of “Medicine” is Holistic and TransformativeIn Native cultures, “medicine” isn’t just pharmaceuticals or interventions—it’s anything that can transform how you feel, from the smell of your grandmother’s kitchen to community rituals. Nelson stresses that when Native people say, “culture is medicine,” it’s about emotional and spiritual transformation—not just physical wellness. Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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74 I What If Your Patient's Faith Is Their Best "Medicine"? ft. Dr. Cat Delostrinos
Aug 7, 202500:40:12Tap to summarizeOverview: We explore the deeply personal and often overlooked connection between spirituality and health, especially within immigrant and refugee communities. Dr. Cat Delestrinos, a pediatrician and Filipino immigrant, shares moving stories from her own life and medical practice—particularly her son’s health journey—to illustrate how faith and spiritual practices can play a vital role in resilience, healing, and coping with fear. We discuss practical ways clinicians can better recognize and respect patients’ spiritual beliefs, how to open conversations about faith without imposing personal beliefs, and why understanding the spiritual dimension is critical for meaningful, holistic care. Three Takeawayss: 1) Spirituality as a Source of Healing and Resilience in Immigrant Communities Dr. Cat shares that for many immigrant and refugee families, spirituality isn’t just a private belief but a vital community resource and coping mechanism. She describes how, in Filipino culture (her own background), church and faith traditions are threads that bind individuals and groups—showing clinicians that understanding these can unlock strength and resilience in their patients’ healing journey 2) Personal Experience Shapes Clinical Practice Dr. Cat’s story about her son Manny’s critical illness and the intertwining of faith with medical care is a clear reminder that clinicians’ personal experiences—especially moments of vulnerability and hope—shape how they show up for patients. Her deep dive into spirituality through praying and supporting her son reframed how she approaches medical practice and the importance she places on spiritual health 3) Missed Opportunities: Clinicians Rarely Ask About Faith Despite spirituality often being crucial to patients, Dr. Cat realized no clinician or care team member ever brought up faith during her family’s medical ordeal unless she mentioned it herself. This points to a gap in holistic care and invites practitioners to consider what they might be overlooking by not asking about something so central to many people’s lives. Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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73 I Trust, Culture, and Healing in Pediatric Refugee Care ft. Dr. Anisa Ibrahim
Jul 17, 202500:27:08Tap to summarizeOverview: We explore the challenges and deep rewards of providing care to newly arrived refugee and immigrant families, guided by the insights of Dr. Anisa Ibrahim, an experienced pediatrician and community advocate. We unpack the art of truly welcoming families, emphasizing the power of listening to migration histories, honoring cultural backgrounds, and recognizing that parents are the experts in their children’s lives. We delve into sensitive topics like nutrition, developmental delays, mental health, and environmental health risks, learning practical tools for culturally attuned dialogue and persistent partnership. Through stories and reflections, we highlight why culturally responsive care matters—not just for medical outcomes but for trust, resilience, and healing across diverse communities. Three Takeaways: The Power of Migration StoriesDr. Ibrahim emphasizes the importance of understanding each family's unique migration journey—two families from the same country may have wildly different trauma histories, languages of comfort, and support needs. She makes it clear that “migration history” is critical; you can’t use a cookie-cutter approach for refugee or immigrant healthcare because lived experiences differ so much. Literacy as a Clinical FoundationOne standout strategy from Dr. Ibrahim is her early, nonjudgmental questions about literacy: “Do you read or write in any language?” This simple inquiry uncovers critical information for both clinical care and partnership with community resources. It breaks down assumptions and helps tailor support, recognizing that language skills aren’t uniform, even within the same language or cultural group. Redefining Expertise: Families as Experts in Their Own ChildrenDr. Ibrahim reframes the traditional doctor-patient relationship by explicitly telling parents, “You’re an expert in your child.” This collaborative model flips the script from provider dominance to shared expertise, enhancing trust and participation—especially crucial for families new to Western healthcare system Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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72 I Honoring Culture in Care: Filipino Values in Healthcare (Part 2)
Jun 26, 202500:27:31Tap to summarizeOverview: We explore the complexities of trust, cultural values, and intergenerational dynamics within the Filipino community, especially in accessing mental health and healthcare services. We discuss how deep-rooted traditions like family obligation, community support, and the stigma surrounding mental health influence care-seeking behaviors across generations. Through community-driven initiatives like Little Manila Rising, we highlight how culturally rooted, trauma-informed approaches—such as engaging churches, honoring ancestral spaces, and providing culturally competent care—foster healing, advocacy, and stronger relationships between healthcare providers and the community. Three Takeaways: Leveraging Churches and Food as Cultural ConnectorsBoth Hannah and Raj highlight practical strategies for bridging generational divides: churches are vital hubs for reaching elders (who may trust faith leaders more than therapists), while food acts as a unifier across age groups, providing a non-threatening entry point for community dialogue and engagement. Healing Hinges on Intergenerational Dialogue and Community-Led SpacesSpaces intentionally created for both young and old to share—such as wellness panels and focus groups—are potent for mutual understanding. There’s a recurring theme that healing happens when the community is not just “served” but is leading and hosting the work, drawing on ancestral memory and lived experience Culturally Responsive Healthcare Goes Beyond ‘Cultural Competency’Tessa and Hannah stress that healthcare providers must go beyond textbook cultural competency. This includes offering trauma-informed care, involving families in treatment, actively engaging with community organizations (like Little Manila Rising), and educating themselves rather than outsourcing the labor of education to the community. Providers who do this, even if not sharing ethnic identity with patients, can vastly improve trust and outcomes. Resources: Little Manila Rising Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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71 I When Communities Lead: Little Manila Rising's Blueprint for Health and Healing
Jun 12, 202500:31:17Tap to summarizeOverview: We explore the powerful story of Little Manila Rising, an organization founded to preserve the Filipino American legacy in Stockton, California, and uplift the South Stockton community. We hear how founders rallied local residents to prevent the destruction of historic neighborhoods and created a movement rooted in ancestral legacy, heart-centered activism, and holistic care. We learn about programs tackling health inequities, environmental justice, mental health, and youth development, all shaped by listening to community needs. Through initiatives like the Healing PUSO project and ECHO, we witness how blending Western and traditional Filipino healing practices, offering free clinics, and providing culturally responsive mental health support have made a tangible impact. Centering community voices and advocating for policy change, Little Manila Rising exemplifies the importance of accessible, culturally anchored healthcare that truly cares for the whole person. Three Takeaways: Community-Led Preservation as Health WorkLittle Manila Rising started as a preservation movement to protect Filipino-American heritage in Stockton, especially after systemic destruction through redevelopment. But as described by Hannah and Tessa, saving these physical and cultural spaces proved foundational to the community’s well-being—demonstrating that historical and cultural preservation itself is acts of healthcare, fostering identity and resilience (Hannah, 00:00:26–00:02:55). Deeply Personal and Spiritual MotivationTessa makes clear that the organization’s work is “heart-centered” and “spirit-led,” guided by the dreams and struggles of their ancestors. Staff are deeply connected on a personal level, honoring not just their community but also familial and ancestral legacies. This kind of motivation sets the tone for sustainable and authentic advocacy work (Tessa, 00:04:03–00:04:39). Holistic and Culturally Rooted Healthcare DeliveryThrough programs like Healing PUSO and Echo, Little Manila Rising offers both Western and traditional healing modalities, including Filipino massage, acupuncture, and sound healing. By blending these approaches, the clinics honor diverse health beliefs and needs, which community members find more welcoming and effective than traditional mainstream healthcare (Tessa, 00:11:37–00:15:19). Resources: Little Manila Rising Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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70I The Power of Story and Faith: Islamic Trauma Healing in Practice
May 23, 202500:55:49Tap to summarizeOverview: We dive into the origins, structure, and impact of Islamic Trauma Healing—a community-driven, lay-led mental health intervention designed for Muslim communities, particularly Afghans and Somalis who have experienced significant trauma. Joining us are Mohammed Haroon , an Afghan mental health counselor and research coordinator, and Jake Bentley, a clinical psychologist from the University of Washington. We explore the barriers many Muslim refugees face with Western mental health services, how Islamic Trauma Healing uniquely integrates faith, community narratives, and evidence-based trauma care, and what sessions look like in practice. We discuss the training process for community leaders, the intervention’s positive effects—both academically and through personal testimonials—and address how culturally contextualized models like this can help reduce stigma and foster healing. Finally, we consider possibilities for broader dissemination and adaptation of the model to other communities. Key Topics: "Community Engagement and Prophet Narratives" Training Community Leaders for Facilitation Lay Leader Training Structure Program Expansion and Cultural Alignment Building Trust with Community Stakeholders Encouraging Feedback on Pilot Program Expanding Mental Health Program Reach Culturally Adapted Trauma Healing Resources: Islamic Trauma Healing: Integrating Faith and Empirically Supported Principles in a Community-Based Program - PubMed Islamic trauma healing (ITH): A scalable, community-based program for trauma: Cluster randomized control trial design and method - ScienceDirect Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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69 I When COVID Hit Hardest: Pacific Islander Voices Reveal Hidden Healthcare Truths
May 1, 202500:39:50Tap to summarizeOverview: We explore the deep-rooted structural inequities that have shaped health outcomes for Pacific Islander communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we unpack how colonialism, racism, erasure, and the lack of culturally appropriate healthcare have contributed to disproportionate impacts, and we highlight the vital role of community-led solutions and culturally safe spaces in healing. We discuss the limitations of the cultural competency model, the importance of recognizing power dynamics, and the essential need for physicians and healthcare systems to center trust, relationship-building, and self-determination for marginalized communities. Key Topics: Colonialism and Pacific Islander Identity Carceral System's Impact on Public Health Health Equity and COVID-19 Inequities Pacific Islanders Facing Bias Stereotypes Understanding Implicit Bias and Ignorance Amplifying Voices for Cultural Safety Cultural Hubs for Community Care Current Partnership w/ Joseph: Oceania Northwest Next Step: Visit our website, Healthcare for Humans, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/. Follow us on Instagram @healthcareforhumanspodcast
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