As physicians, we let our experiences and knowledge guide us. Often, this leads to us entering a patient’s room with some assumptions in hand. However, it’s important to remember that people with the same diagnosis can have completely different emotional reactions, and it’s our job to meet them where they are. In this episode, Dr. John Mulder and Dr. Jason Beckrow discuss overcoming unconscious bias in palliative medicine by taking the time to understand the patient's perspective and learning about their unique journey.

Psilocybin has had a place in healing for millennia, particularly among ancient civilizations and cultures. While it's had a negative view in some corners of contemporary American society, research into its potential has gained traction and it is slowly finding a place in the mainstream. In this episode, Dr. Mulder and Dr. Beckrow are joined by Prof. Michael DeWilde, who shares his knowledge of the history, uses, and benefits of psilocybin. This has prompted Dr. Mulder and Dr. Beckrow to ask, "Is there a place for psilocybin in palliative medicine and end-of-life care?"

Studies have shown that doctors are less likely to have surgery or be admitted to the ICU in the last six months of their life and are less likely to die in the hospital. So, what do doctors know that their patients don’t? In this episode, Dr. Mulder and Dr. Beckrow discuss some of the systematic failures of our healthcare system and the importance of informed consent. They ask and answer, “How can physicians advise patients based on their unique wants and wishes to give them a higher-quality end-of-life experience?”