A NEW STUDENT-RUN PODCAST IS HELPING FUTURE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FIGURE OUT THEIR NEXT STEPS
For many students, figuring out what comes after a degree in health or science can feel uncertain. The Health Talks Podcast aims to change that through conversations with people in the field. Founded by second-year Health Sciences student Giovanni Utano, the Health Talks Podcast is a growing platform where students and professionals in medicine, research, biotechnology, and other health-related fields share their experiences and insights. He says the idea came from his own uncertainty about where a degree in health could lead.
The idea came to life over the summer, when Utano realized that many students, himself included, were unsure about the range of opportunities available in health and science. He wanted to create a way for listeners to learn directly from people working in the field, something accessible, engaging, and student-focused.
Started just two months ago, the podcast is organized and produced entirely by U of O and Carleton students. Alongside Utano, the founding members include the Head of Public Relations, Alexandra Boyd and the Head of Marketing, Jashu Senthil. They’re supported by their Graphic Designer, Fariha Sikder, Videographer and Photographer, Hadia Hossain, Newsletter Coordinator, Ahmad Moussa, and the Research Director, Emma Berardelli.
Each episode of this podcast highlights a different voice from the world of healthcare. So far, guests have included Yousseff Nasr, an MD–PhD student at the U of O; Teressa Varrasso, a speech-language pathologist; and Catalina Fernandez, a medical student and founder of Ottawa’s Rise and Run group.
The team records in person at U of O’s CRX podcast studio and recently partnered with GURU Energy as their first official sponsor, which is amazing for something that just started off as a simple idea.
Their most recent episode, aired on November 22nd, featured Tony Greco, founder of TG Athletics and one of Ottawa’s most recognized fitness professionals. Known for training NHL athletes and celebrities like Carrie Underwood and Claude Giroux, Greco will share lessons from his career as a world kickboxing champion, entrepreneur, and coach.
Looking ahead, The Health Talks Podcast plans to expand its lineup to include a wider range of guests from across science and healthcare, while continuing to grow its audience within the student community. The team also hopes to build their own home studio over the coming months to improve production quality and create more content.
As the team continues to grow, they’re hoping that the podcast becomes a space where students can find many different possibilities in healthcare.
