Collaborative Conversations: A Podcast for Interprofessional Educators and Practitioners

In our season two finale, we spotlight the Veteran Trauma and Transparency Program. This transformative interprofessional program is designed to better prepare future and current workforces to serve veteran populations.Host Dave Plough is joined by Alex Buchanan, Todd Burkhardt, and John Kessler to explore how this initiative addresses PTSD, invisible wounds, reintegration challenges, and the military-to-civilian transition. Together, they share the origins, evolution, and impact of this collaborative program, which was developed by the IU Interprofessional Practice and Education Center, the School of Social Work, the Criminal Justice Department, and the Center for Rural Engagement.Key Topics:Military culture in care environmentsHuman-centered approaches to traumaStudent and community engagementThe power of lived experience and storytellingWhether you're a provider, student, educator, or advocate, this episode offers real-world insight into improving care for those who’ve served.

Our conversation with USC Keck School of Medicine artist-in-residence Ted Meyer and IU IPE Director Dr. Barbara Maxwell continues as they explore what it means to truly listen in healthcare, and why it matters.Through stories of patient experiences, student reflections, and Ted’s groundbreaking work at the intersection of art and medicine, this episode reveals the human side of healthcare that is often overlooked in checklists and clinical routines.This episode unpacks how narrative medicine, emotional intelligence, and interprofessional collaboration can transform patient care, from routine procedures to life-altering memories. Whether you're a clinician, educator, or health professions student, this episode will challenge how you think about empathy, communication, and the legacy of care.🩺 Topics include:Why patients remember the how, not just the whatUsing art to teach medical students about empathy and lived experienceThe importance of “seven seconds of empathy” in clinical practiceWhat happens when we miss what patients are really sayingBurnout, humanity, and rebuilding healthcare through connectionLearn more about Ted’s work at tedmeyer.com, scarredforlifeproject.com, and artandmed.com

Artist and patient advocate Ted Meyer joins Dr. Barbara Maxwell for a powerful conversation on illness, storytelling, and the transformative power of art. Drawing from his own experience with Gaucher disease, Ted shares how personal trauma and recovery shaped his acclaimed “Scarred for Life” project—turning physical scars into visual narratives. Together, they explore how listening to patient stories can reshape clinical practice, deepen empathy, and reframe scars not as symbols of damage, but of survival.For medical educators, students, and anyone interested in narrative medicine, this episode provides a compelling exploration of the intersection of art, identity, and healing.

In this episode of Collaborative Conversations, we explore the impact of peer support in addiction recovery through the lived experience of Jodi Miller, a certified peer recovery coach and host of the ⁠Beyond Substance⁠ podcast. Jodi joins Dr. April D. Newton to share her journey through substance use recovery and how building trust, empathy, and community connections has helped transform lives.Together, they discuss how peer coaching, lived experience, and interprofessional collaboration can break down stigma, improve care, and create stronger recovery networks in both rural and urban settings.This conversation offers a real-world perspective on community-based recovery, illustrating how shared experiences and honest dialogue can foster healing and hope.

In Part 2 of our conversation with patient advocate Rick Phillips, we dive deeper into what it means to live — and lead — with chronic illness. Rick shares powerful stories about navigating type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and the healthcare system itself. From moments of compassionate care to dangerous medical oversight, he offers hard-earned insights on patient-provider relationships, care coordination, and the role of lived experience in improving health outcomes.Hosted by artist and advocate Ted Meyer, this episode continues to spotlight the voices we too often overlook in healthcare: the patients themselves.

In this episode of Collaborative Conversations, artist and patient advocate Ted Meyer sits down with Rick Phillips, a passionate patient voice living with type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. They discuss how chronic illness has shaped Rick’s life and inspired his work as a patient advocate. Hear their conversation on the importance of lived experience, resilience, and building supportive communities in healthcare.

In this episode of Collaborative Conversations, Alex Buchanan interviews Samantha Mitchell, Director of the Crawfordsville Mobile Integrated Health Department, to explore how interprofessional teamwork is reshaping health care in rural Indiana.Samantha shares how her team connects EMS, nurses, social workers, and public health experts to bring care directly into homes, improving outcomes for high-risk moms, infants, and individuals facing barriers like lack of transportation, housing, and insurance.Programs like Project Swaddle show how mobile, person-centered care supports maternal health and reduces unnecessary ER visits in underserved areas. From navigating funding challenges to building sustainable partnerships with local colleges and hospitals, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration for anyone working in public health, healthcare delivery, or community advocacy.Listen in to learn how collaboration drives real change—one home visit at a time.

In episode 6 of Collaborative Conversations, Dr. Barbara Maxwell joins Professor Carrie Hagan, Esq., of the ⁠IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law ⁠to explore the power of interprofessional collaboration.Discover how collective competence transcends traditional silos to deliver truly holistic care for individuals.Prof. Hagan shares her journey from a siloed legal education to building interprofessional collaboration between legal and social work fields. Discover how integrating collective competence and a whole‑person approach can transform client care.Key takeaways:Techniques for breaking down professional silos and cultivating collaborative practiceInsights into IU IPE Center’s “Breaking the Cycle of Addiction” initiative and its impact on addiction educationWhether you’re a lawyer, social worker, educator, or healthcare provider, this conversation will inspire you to embrace interprofessional education, leverage diverse expertise, and champion holistic, person‑centered care.

This second conversation between Dr. Barbara Maxwell and Jennifer Burba focuses on the evolution of the IU IPE curriculum and its transition from a traditional content-focused model to a competency-based curriculum. Exploring the process of curriculum review, the impact of the pandemic, the use of evidence-based pedagogy, and the integration of attitudes, knowledge, and skills to drive behavior change.

This is the continuation of Dr. Weber and Tanya Coltrain's conversation about embedding interprofessional experiences into curriculum.

Dr. Elli Kolbaum, a clinical professor at the Indiana University School of Optometry, joins IU IPE's Dr. Julie LaMothe to discuss interprofessional facilitation and the role of IPE facilitators in team education. This episode touches on strategies for promoting student engagement, both in-person and online, and highlights the value of incorporating personal experiences and perspectives from different disciplines. They also discuss effective feedback techniques, debriefing strategies, and how Elli role models interprofessional practice in optometry.

This episode discusses incorporating interprofessional education (IPE) experiences into health science curricula. IU IPE's Dr. Zach Weber and Tanya Coltrain of the IU School of Nursing highlight the accreditation standards and the need for collaborative-ready team members in healthcare professions. This conversation covers strategies for successfully integrating IPE experiences, embedding IPE courses throughout the curriculum, and providing opportunities for students to engage in real-world practice settings.

This first episode features Dr. Barbara Maxwell and IU IPE Deputy Director Jennifer Burba. They cover the center's history, development, shared leadership approach, and IU IPE's strategic priorities. The episode emphasizes the importance of living the behaviors expected from others and the impact of a shared leadership process on the center's success.