University of California Audio Podcasts (Audio)

Decision-making in history affects how societies understand power, responsibility, and change. Sir Christopher Clark, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, explains how narratives turn moments of decision into markers of sovereignty and political action. Clark examines real and ostensible decisions, deterministic political environments, and modern pressures from democracy, authoritarianism, and climate change, helping clarify why deciding can become harder over time. This work helps explain how historical narratives shape political judgment and points toward a more careful understanding of choice, power, and consequence. Series: "UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 41449]

Political decision-making affects governments and societies in important ways. Sir Christopher Clark, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, explains how choices become decisions within political, legal, and cultural systems. Clark examines rational choice theory, cognitive bias, and decisions about war, helping clarify how power acts under pressure. This work helps explain why decisions are never purely abstract and points toward a richer understanding of political judgment. Series: "UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 41448]

Menopause and healthy aging affect women’s health and well-being in important ways. Dr. Tami Rowen explains how the best available evidence shapes menopausal management, with a focus on the data and safety around hormone therapy. Dr. Riley Bove examines brain, heart, gynecological, bone, and emotional health during the postmenopausal years, helping clarify how women can support health in this next phase of life. This work helps explain why evidence-based care matters and points toward practical strategies for healthy aging. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41548]

As part of the 2026 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Dr. Bhooma Aravamuthan, Medical and Research Director, Cerebral Palsy and Mobility Center, Washington University in St. Louis, discusses evidence-based approaches for treating spasticity and dystonia management. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41464]

As part of the 2026 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Jane Tobias, Associate Professor, Jefferson College of Nursing, discusses environmental health for children with disabilities. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41465]

As part of the 2026 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Maria Town, President and CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities, discusses Medicaid. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41454]

Carol Gilligan, professor at New York University, received the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy, specifically in the field of Thought and Ethics, for pioneering a new horizon for the “ethic of care” while pointing out the distortions and limitations of conventional psychological theories pertaining to women’s thoughts and behaviors. By offering research-based insights into women’s moral reasoning, especially in contrast to men’s moral reasoning, Gilligan showed how women are more likely than men to prioritize human connections and seek solutions that preserve relationships. She called this relationship-oriented reasoning the “ethic of care” and contrasted it with the “ethic of justice,” which often entails imposing universal principles or rights, even forcefully, to resolve conflict. Gilligan does not merely contrast these differently positioned ethical frameworks; rather her life work has been deeply concerned with an enmeshment of the two for a more fully realized understanding of human maturity and development. Her work offers a new academic foundation for addressing global societal challenges like women’s empowerment and the welfare of the elderly and disabled. Series: "Kyoto Prize Symposium" [Humanities] [Show ID: 41118]

Menopause symptoms can affect sleep, mood, and everyday quality of life in ways that are easy to dismiss but hard to ignore. Kathryn Macaulay, M.D., Director, UC San Diego Menopause Health Program, explains what menopause is, when hormone therapy is considered, and why treatment decisions depend on symptoms, health history, and individual risk. Macaulay also addresses hot flashes, night sweats, osteoporosis prevention, and the factors that shape whether hormone therapy is a good option. She helps clarify why menopause care is not one size fits all and points toward more informed conversations about symptom relief and long-term health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41521]

Seizures caused by epilepsy can have a dramatic impact on one's quality of life. For Nolan, his seizures cost him everyday independence, including the ability to drive. When he decided to have surgery, he chose awake brain surgery led by Dr. Edward Chang, a neurosurgeon at UCSF. During surgery, Nolan speaks and responds as the medical team carefully maps the language regions of his brain — guiding their treatment of him while protecting his ability to communicate. The result opens a path back toward the freedoms Nolan has been missing. [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41414]

How can Tai Chi be medicine? Sunny Pak, MD, MPH, shares simple movements that steady the mind, strengthen the body, and enhance qi flow. Series: "UCSF Honoring Origins of Mindfulness Series" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41317]

Balancing caregiving and career, Elizabeth Jalazo, M.D. traces how her daughter Evelyn’s early feeding challenges and later diagnosis of Angelman syndrome reshape her priorities and professional path. Jalazo describes barriers many families face in rare-disease diagnosis, including a “wait and see” approach, specialist access, and insurance denials, and she emphasizes the value of answers for community, care planning, and research access. At UNC Chapel Hill, Jalazo works as a pediatric geneticist and clinical trialist studying interventional therapies for neurodevelopmental and lysosomal storage disorders, and she serves as chief medical officer of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. She also leads work on Early Check, an opt-in newborn sequencing program in North Carolina, and shares practical lessons about protecting sleep, building support, and saying no while holding space for hope and joy Series: "Autism Tree Project Annual Neuroscience Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41173]

Focused ultrasound (FUS), also called high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), is a noninvasive treatment using sound waves to address essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. Drs. Doris Wang and Leo Sugrue of UCSF explain how FUS and deep brain stimulation work to reduce tremor, outline which patients may benefit, and describe how the UCSF team individualizes treatment. Series: "UC San Francisco News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41035]

In this episode of That May Be the Chancellor, Chancellor Gary S. May explores some of the reasons UC Davis is such a great place to launch an idea. First; an interview with Joe DiNunzio, Executive Director of the Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship; next, a tour of the Diane Bryant Engineering Student Design Center; and finally, a conversation with two outstanding student entrepreneurs. Series: "UC Davis News" [Business] [Show ID: 41063]

Language and the law is a field growing in size and importance. While some forensic linguistics applications -- e.g. authorship attribution -- have a wider tradition, this growth is particularly acute in the domain of legal interpretation, which is increasingly using corpus data and methods. Stefan Gries, Professor of Linguistics at UC Santa Barbara, discusses two recent applications. One is from recent work as an expert witness for a law firm; it is a more quantitative application and concerned with authorship attribution in an internet trolling case. The other is concerned with more quantitative and qualitative research for an amicus brief to the Supreme Court. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 41041]

Founded in 1975, UCSF Fresno commemorates 50 remarkable years of training local doctors and improving healthcare in California's Central Valley in 2025. UCSF Fresno is a regional campus of UCSF's School of Medicine, located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley. By both serving and drawing strength from extraordinarily deep community roots, UCSF Fresno brings critical health care to families while to growing the next generation of health care providers and researchers. [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40987]

Urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction are common side effects of prostate cancer treatment, but both are manageable. Dr. Lindsay Hampson explains the types of incontinence—stress, urge, mixed, and overflow—and how identifying the cause guides treatment. Management strategies include pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, and surgical options like slings or artificial urinary sphincters. For sexual dysfunction, approaches range from oral medications and vacuum devices to injections and implants. Dr. Michael Rabow also highlights the side effects of androgen deprivation therapy, including fatigue, depression, hot flashes, and cardiovascular risk. He outlines evidence-based strategies—like exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications—to help preserve well-being and quality of life during treatment. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40869]

Dr. Rahul Aggarwal presents emerging treatments for advanced prostate cancer, highlighting rapid advances in drug development. He outlines therapies targeting cancer cell surface proteins beyond PSMA, including CD46, B7-H3, and DLL3, and explains how antibody-drug conjugates deliver potent chemotherapy directly to tumors. He also discusses bispecific T-cell engagers designed to trigger immune attacks on cancer cells, including promising results from agents like Talquetamab. Aggarwal explores new isotopes such as actinium-225 for radioligand therapy, which may offer stronger and more durable responses than current treatments. He emphasizes continued innovation in targeting the androgen receptor, with drugs that degrade the receptor or block androgen production more effectively than existing therapies. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40813]

What is it like to train at one of the top neurosurgery residency programs in the world? Follow three UCSF neurosurgery residents as they take you behind the scenes—from morning rounds and complex surgeries to cutting-edge research and life in the city. Series: "UC San Francisco News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41037]

Experts present new tools for managing PSA-recurrent prostate cancer. Dr. Steven Seyedin describes how PET/CT imaging enhances detection by reducing false positives and improving staging accuracy. Dr. Thomas Hope highlights PSMA PET imaging, now the standard approach, which identifies cancer more precisely by targeting tumor-specific proteins. Dr. Julian Hong discusses stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients with limited metastases, showing that it offers effective, low-toxicity treatment while preserving quality of life. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40867]

UCSF stroke neurologist Dr. Anirudh Sreekrishnan and UCSF vascular neurosurgeon Dr. Luis Savastano describe Moyamoya disease, a rare condition where arteries at the base of the brain become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow. The name “moyamoya” means “puff of smoke” in Japanese, describing the tiny vessels that form to compensate. These fragile vessels can cause strokes or bleeding. Treatment often involves surgical procedures, such as direct or indirect revascularization, to restore blood flow and reduce stroke risk. Series: "UC San Francisco News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 41036]

Experts from UCSF outline the latest treatments and research for advanced prostate cancer, highlighting improved outcomes and promising therapies. Dr. Kelly Fitzgerald reviews intensified androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and the evolving role of imaging, triplet therapy, and local treatments. Dr. Ivan de Kouchkovsky shares how radioligand therapies like Lutetium-177 PSMA target cancer with precision and are now approved earlier in care. Dr. David Oh explains immunotherapy strategies, including cancer vaccines and checkpoint inhibitors, and explores new options like bispecific T-cell engagers. Dr. Terry Friedlander discusses bone health and the impact of hormone therapy, offering strategies to reduce fracture risk and improve quality of life. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40868]

On his very first day at San Francisco General Hospital, Dr. Paul Volberding met his first AIDS patient – a moment that shaped his career and left an indelible mark on the fight against an epidemic. Now, more than 40 years later, Volberding reflects on the creation of Ward 86, the nation’s first HIV clinics, and how UCSF’s compassionate, community-first approach redefined HIV/AIDS care worldwide. The work of Volberding and UCSF’s dedicated clinicians and scientists laid the foundation for advancements that continue to save lives today. [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40986]

As part of the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Dr. Elysa Marco talks about various biological approaches to therapy. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40623]

As part of the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Emily Hill talks about how sibling support can be a catalyst for family empowerment. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40622]

As part of the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Judy Mark, Vivian Do, Miguel Lugo, all from Disability Voices United, talk about supported decision-making in healthcare. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40611]

Urologic oncologist Dr. Peter Carroll presents the latest research on active surveillance as a preferred approach for managing low-risk prostate cancer and selected cases of intermediate-risk disease. Drawing from two decades of UCSF data, he explains how long-term outcomes support the safety and effectiveness of delaying treatment for carefully monitored patients. Carroll emphasizes that surveillance decisions should be guided by MRI imaging, PSA density, cancer volume, histologic subtype, and genomic testing. He notes that while many men experience gradual changes over time, only a small percentage require immediate treatment. Carroll also discusses innovations such as AI-assisted pathology and risk profiling to reduce unnecessary procedures. His data-driven approach offers patients a personalized path that preserves quality of life without compromising outcomes. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40801]

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S., with evolving screening and treatment practices reshaping care in 2025. Dr. Cornelia Ding explains how to read and understand a prostate cancer pathology report by breaking down its five key sections. Dr. Rahul Aggarwal explores how clinical trials improve prostate cancer care by advancing personalized treatment, increasing access, and correcting misconceptions about placebos. Dr. Jonathan Chou highlights the expanding role of precision medicine and how genetic insights guide individualized treatment based on each tumor’s molecular makeup. Dr. Eric Small explains how androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) targets the cancer’s dependence on testosterone and how newer therapies and combinations are improving outcomes, while also emphasizing the need to balance effectiveness with side effects through shared decision-making. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40865]

UCSF experts present four major approaches to managing prostate cancer, each tailored to disease risk and patient needs. Dr. Peter Carroll explains how active surveillance uses MRI, PSA, and genomic testing to safely delay treatment in low-risk cases while preserving quality of life. Dr. Samuel Washington details prostatectomy, highlighting robotic-assisted surgery’s precision and its impact on recovery, fertility, and sexual function. Dr. Julian Hong outlines radiation therapy options like SBRT and brachytherapy, emphasizing targeted delivery to limit side effects and the importance of ongoing follow-up. Dr. Hao Nguyen introduces focal therapy, which treats only the tumor using techniques like cryotherapy or high-intensity ultrasound, helping patients avoid surgery or radiation while maintaining function and quality of life. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40866]

Immunotherapy expert Dr. David Oh explains how the immune system can be trained to recognize and fight prostate cancer. He outlines key immune players—dendritic cells and T cells—and describes how immunotherapies target different stages of their interaction with tumors. Oh highlights FDA-approved treatments such as Provenge, a vaccine made from a patient’s own cells, and PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors for patients with specific genetic mutations like microsatellite instability. He also discusses potential autoimmune side effects and emphasizes the importance of genetic testing. Looking ahead, he introduces bispecific T-cell engagers, experimental therapies that physically link T cells to tumors, triggering an immune attack. These promising treatments offer new hope, especially for men with advanced, treatment-resistant prostate cancer. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40811]

As part of the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Dr. Raul Gutierrez, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at San Francisco General Hospital, talks about supporting immigrant children. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40619]

Radiation oncologist Dr. Julian Hong explains how radiation therapy works and its central role in treating prostate cancer, both when the disease is localized and when it has spread to limited areas. He outlines major radiation options, including external beam radiation, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and brachytherapy, and describes how treatment plans are carefully tailored using imaging, planning scans, and computer modeling to maximize precision and minimize side effects. Hong highlights advances in targeting and beam modulation, which allow for safer, more effective treatment. He also discusses typical timelines for treatment, short- and long-term side effects, and the importance of ongoing follow-up to manage late effects of therapy. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40803]

As part of the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Allen Friedland, Terri Hancharick and Jack Jadach talk about a collaborative approach to enhancing health in fitness centers. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40613]

Dr. Robert Baron outlines major updates in type 2 diabetes care, emphasizing that blood sugar control alone does not significantly reduce cardiovascular risk, though it helps prevent microvascular complications. New guidelines now prioritize medications with proven cardiovascular and kidney benefits—GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors—over traditional first-line therapy like metformin. Baron explains how these newer drugs not only lower blood sugar but also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure, with added benefits such as weight loss. He also covers changes in screening, diagnosis, blood pressure goals, and individualized treatment strategies based on age, comorbidities, and patient preferences. [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40756]

Dr. Ivan de Kouchkovsky explains how radioligand therapy delivers targeted radiation to prostate cancer cells using a radioactive isotope attached to a molecule that binds to PSMA, a protein commonly expressed in these tumors. He reviews key clinical trials showing how the therapy improves survival and quality of life for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, both after and before chemotherapy. The FDA now approves this approach for patients who have progressed on hormone therapy, even if they haven’t yet received chemotherapy. De Kouchkovsky also highlights efforts to enhance effectiveness by combining therapies, increasing radiation dose, and targeting resistant or PSMA-negative cells. Diagnostic imaging plays a critical role in selecting patients most likely to benefit from treatment. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40810]

UCSF researchers June Chan and Stacey Kenfield share evidence-based strategies for improving prostate cancer outcomes through exercise and diet. They highlight studies showing that physical activity—including resistance and high-intensity interval training—is linked to lower risk of prostate cancer progression and death. They discuss plant-based diets, dietary indices, and specific foods like tomatoes, fish, and nuts, along with the benefits of substituting plant oils for butter. Their analysis includes findings on racial disparities and underscores the need for inclusive research. They also describe current clinical trials exploring lifestyle tools and offer guidance on navigating diet and exercise choices during cancer survivorship. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40808]

Dr. Robert Baron reviews best practices in lipid management for preventing cardiovascular disease, with a focus on statin use. He outlines the strong evidence for statins in reducing heart attack and stroke risk by 25–33%, particularly in patients with clinical atherosclerotic disease, diabetes, or high LDL. He explains why shared decision-making is key in primary prevention, where guidelines vary and risk thresholds are debated. Baron discusses the shift to the newer PREVENT risk calculator, which offers improved accuracy and removes race as a factor. He also explains when additional lipid-lowering medications may be appropriate and clarifies the impact of risk-enhancing factors like family history, coronary artery calcium, and LP(a). [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40755]

Dr. Michael Rabow, a palliative care physician, explores the wide-ranging side effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer and emphasizes strategies to reduce harm while improving quality of life. He outlines cardiovascular, hormonal, and emotional risks—including heart disease, osteoporosis, depression, and loss of vitality—and explains how early assessment and monitoring can help manage these effects. Dr. Rabow highlights evidence-based interventions such as physical activity and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), both of which improve symptoms like fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and emotional distress. He also reviews pharmacological options and stresses the importance of personalized, team-based care and shared decision-making over time. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40815]

As part of the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Dr. Mary Dubon of Harvard Medical School talk about adaptive and para sports for youth with physical and developmental disabilities. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40617]

Dr. Steven Seyedin presents an overview of PSA recurrence and risk factors for assessment. A PSA test is a blood test used to detect prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood, which can be elevated in cases of prostate cancer and is a common screening tool. He explains how PET, CT, and MRI work, highlighting the precision of PSA PET in detecting cancer spread by targeting PSA proteins on tumor cells. This imaging method combines PET and CT to reveal metastatic disease with greater accuracy than traditional scans. Seyedin addresses the strengths of different imaging agents, emphasizing that access, not brand, is key. He also cautions against false positives, especially in bone lesions, which can mislead diagnosis. By improving staging accuracy, PSA PET supports better treatment planning and outcomes. Ongoing studies explore its use earlier in diagnosis, potentially replacing biopsy or MRI in select cases. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40805]

Prostate cancer and its treatments can significantly impact bone health, increasing the risk of fractures and weakening the immune system. Dr. Terence Friedlander explains how hormone therapy, radiation, and chemotherapy contribute to bone loss and highlights the importance of regular monitoring. He reviews the role of bone-building cells and the effects of osteopenia and osteoporosis, conditions that become more common with age and can be worsened by cancer therapies. Friedlander outlines tools like the Dexa scan and FRAX calculator to assess bone density and fracture risk, and discusses prevention strategies, including adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, weight-bearing exercise, and the use of medications like bisphosphonates and denosumab. He emphasizes proactive bone care for men with prostate cancer to help reduce complications and improve outcomes. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40812]