Health topics

Living Real Change Podcast

Published: May 18, 2026

Living Real Change is a podcast from Piedmont Healthcare that shares powerful stories and expert insights to help Georgians live healthier lives. From inspiring patient journeys to community impact and preventative care, each episode offers real conversations and practical advice. Hosted by Dr. Lacy Knight, Chief Health Information Officer at Piedmont, the series empowers listeners with tools for better health.

Stream the latest episodes below!

Building Health at Every Stage: Prevention, Habits, and Lifelong Wellness

May 18, 2026 - Dr. Belinda Brown-Saddler discusses how small, consistent habits can shape long-term health at every stage of life. From the importance of annual checkups and preventative screenings to building routines around nutrition, exercise, and sleep, she shares practical ways to take a more proactive approach to wellness. She also breaks down how health priorities evolve from your 20s through your 80s, including managing risk factors, staying active, maintaining community, and adapting habits to fit a busy lifestyle. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that prevention is key and that it’s never too late to start making meaningful changes.

The Power of Organ Donation: Patient Care, Donor Impact, and the Transplant Journey

April 20, 2026 - Dr. Sundus Lodhi, Medical Director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation at Piedmont Healthcare, shares an inside look at the life-saving impact of organ transplantation and the journey patients experience from evaluation through recovery. In this episode, Dr. Lodhi explains how transplant programs work, from preparing patients for surgery to coordinating care across multidisciplinary teams. She discusses the science behind organ acceptance, the role of living and deceased donors, and the safeguards in place to ensure donor safety. Dr. Lodhi also emphasizes the importance of community awareness, the impact of high-volume transplant centers, and why compassion remains central to delivering life-saving care.

Colon Cancer: Prevention, Screening, and Why Early Detection Matters

March 23, 2026 - Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers, but it is also one of the most preventable when detected early. In this conversation, Dr. Atallah explores how colon cancer develops, why screening is so important, and the warning signs people should never ignore. The discussion also covers new advances in treatment, how technology and data are improving outcomes for patients, and why awareness and early detection remain the most powerful tools in fighting the disease.

High Blood Pressure Explained: Risks, Measurement and Modern Treatment

February 23, 2026 - Dr. David Kandzari, Chief of the Piedmont Heart Institute and Chief Scientific Officer at Piedmont Healthcare, explains high blood pressure and why nearly half of U.S. adults are affected. He also highlights that even small reductions can significantly lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. He explains the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, how genetics and lifestyle factors contribute to hypertension, and why the condition is often called a silent killer. Dr. Kandzari also shares today’s treatment approaches, including lifestyle changes, medications, and newer therapies for resistant hypertension, and emphasizes why knowing and managing your numbers is one of the most important steps in preventing long term complications.

Wearable Technology in Healthcare: How Smart Devices Are Transforming Prevention and Chronic Care

January 26, 2026 - Dr. Mabra, a primary care physician with Piedmont Healthcare, joins Living Real Change to discuss the growing role of wearable technology in modern healthcare. From activity trackers and smartwatches to medical grade tools like continuous glucose monitors, Dr. Mabra explains how wearables are helping patients and physicians gather meaningful data beyond the office visit. In this conversation, she shares how wearables support prevention, personalize treatment plans, and empower patients to better understand their health day to day. Dr. Mabra also offers practical guidance on setting realistic goals, avoiding anxiety around health metrics, and using data thoughtfully to improve long term outcomes.

Pancreatic Cancer Insights: Early Detection, Risk Factors, and Emerging Treatments

January 14, 2026 - Host Dr. Lacy Knight talks with Dr. Andrew Page, surgical oncologist at Piedmont HealthCare, about pancreatic cancer, why it is often difficult to detect early, and what patients and families may want to understand. They discuss trends seen across the Southeast, factors that can influence risk, and the importance of coordinated care and awareness. Dr. Page also describes the work taking place within Piedmont’s Early Detection Clinic, including efforts to strengthen screening through imaging, blood assays, genetic evaluation, and research partnerships. He walks through the general pathway of diagnosis and treatment and reflects on how new approaches are shaping care for people facing this disease.

Inside Modern Stroke Care: Speed, Technology, and Saving Lives

December 22, 2025 - Stroke care has transformed dramatically in recent years, evolving from simple early treatments to advanced imaging, rapid diagnostics, and technologies that let doctors see what is happening in the brain within minutes. Dr. Michael Stiefel explains how Piedmont’s coordinated, systemwide approach ensures patients get the right care fast, including the use of telestroke programs, AI driven imaging, and real time collaboration across hospitals. He also discusses why strokes are more common in the southeastern United States, what recovery can look like, and how new tools and innovations may shape the future of stroke treatment.

Understanding Diabetes: Prevention, Warning Signs, and Modern Care

November 24, 2025 - Diabetes affects one in ten Americans, yet many people do not fully understand the condition or recognize its early signs. In this episode, Dr. Lacy Knight talks with Dr. Matthew Roberts, a family physician who works closely with patients managing diabetes. He explains the symptoms people often overlook, the lifestyle changes that can make a meaningful difference, and the new medications and support programs that are helping patients manage diabetes more effectively and prevent serious complications.

Breast Cancer Today: Personalized Care, Survivorship, and Realistic Hope

October 20, 2025 - Dr. Lacy Knight talks with Dr. Priya Vishnubhotla, a medical oncologist at Piedmont, about how breast cancer care has transformed through personalized treatment, advanced therapies, and a deeper understanding of tumor biology. Dr. Vishnubhotla discusses the impact of equity and access, the role of lifestyle and genetics in risk, and why survivorship now includes long-term support for quality of life. She also offers compassionate guidance for newly diagnosed patients, families, and caregivers—emphasizing that most breast cancers today are not only treatable, but often curable.

Breaking the Stigma: Suicide Prevention and Mental Health for All

September 22, 2025 - In this powerful episode of Living Real Change, host Dr. Lacy Knight sits down with Dr. Brian Wright, Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Piedmont Eastside Medical Center, to confront one of today’s most urgent public health crises: suicide. Dr. Wright shares insights on the rising rates across all age groups, the role of stigma in preventing people from seeking care, and the practical steps each of us can take to recognize warning signs and support those in need. From the impact of life stressors and substance use to the importance of connection, faith, and access to care, this conversation underscores that mental health touches everyone and that awareness and compassion can save lives.

Fighting the Heart Failure Pandemic: Advanced Therapies and Hope for the Future

August 27, 2025 - Dr. Ezequiel Molina, Surgical Director of Heart Transplant and LVAD Program at Piedmont Heart Institute, shares how his team is tackling one of the Southeast’s most pressing health challenges.

More Than a Number: Rethinking Weight, Health, and Lasting Change

July 23, 2025 - What does it really take to achieve lasting health? Dr. Lacy Knight speaks with Dr. Jorge, a metabolic and bariatric specialist at Piedmont, about new treatments for weight management, the limits of BMI, and why real change is about more than a number on the scale.

Early Action, Lifelong Impact: Dr. Walter Curran on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship

June 23, 2025 - In this inaugural episode of Living Real Change, host Dr. Lacy Knight sits down with Dr. Walter Curran, Chief of Oncology at Piedmont Healthcare, to discuss how early detection, lifestyle choices, and personalized care are reshaping cancer outcomes across Georgia. From prevention strategies to the evolving definition of survivorship, Dr. Curran offers practical insights and hope for patients and families navigating a cancer diagnosis. Learn how screening, support, and staying proactive can make all the difference.