The Uprising Show

Latest Episodes:

Sergei Polevikov on Building Better Healthcare: AI, Barriers, and the Need for Brutal Honesty Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to The Uprising Show! In this thought-provoking episode, host Vivek sits down with Sergei Polevikov an accomplished mathematician, healthcare AI entrepreneur, and the candid author of the Substack newsletter "AI Health Uncut." Sergei shares his fascinating journey from Belarus to the front lines of AI innovation in healthcare, discussing how his passion for mathematics, research, and problem-solving led him from finance to making a real difference in digital health.

Sergei opens up about the tough realities and unique challenges of bringing cutting-edge AI into the healthcare industry, how his startups (including WellAI and Chart 2 Chart) have navigated complexities during the Covid era, and why data when harnessed correctly can feel like magic. The conversation pulls back the curtain on the difficulties of healthcare innovation, from navigating entrenched interests to addressing mismatched incentives among investors, providers, and patients.

He also dives into his Substack work, where he doesn't just celebrate AI’s wins but also investigates failures and exposes issues like misleading benchmarks, industry hype, and even alleged fraud. Whether it's his critique of venture capital’s role in digital health or his advocacy for more honest, research-based advancements, Sergei's frank insights and deep expertise make this a must-listen for founders, clinicians, and anyone passionate about the future of healthcare and AI.

Tune in for one of the most candid and intellectually honest conversations on healthcare, AI, and what it takes to push meaningful change in a notoriously challenging field!

00:00 "Navigating AI Challenges in Healthcare"

08:20 "Accidental Career Shift: A New Chapter"

10:25 Structuring PubMed Data Insights

15:41 "AI: Unveiling Healthcare's Black Boxes"

24:31 Disparity Between Management and Reality

26:44 Medical Device Harm and DOJ Probe

32:51 Venture Capital Performance Disconnect

37:55 Persistent Faith in Venture Capital Titans

47:37 Highlighting Failures in AI Startups

49:17 Cautious Optimism in AI Healthcare

55:11 "Skepticism on AI Product Viability"

01:00:33 "USMLE Problem Solved, Critiques Emerge"

01:04:50 Investigative Insights Gaining Support

The Uprising Show Website: https://theuprisingshow.com/
Vivek Nanda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viveknanda1/
Vivek Nanda's Twitter: https://x.com/vickks
TopHealth Media Website: https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

From PT to Immersive Healthcare: Emily Daviss and the Future of Rehab Technology Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Uprising Show, host Vivek sits down with Emily Daviss, a Nashville-based physical therapist and co-founder of Averwell, a company pioneering immersive technology in healthcare. Emily shares insights from her 15 years in the field, reflecting on her journey from clinical patient care to entrepreneurship, and the personal experiences that inspired her path. Together, they explore the promise of virtual and immersive tech in transforming rehabilitation, making care more accessible, and supporting both physical and mental health outcomes. Emily opens up about the challenges of building a healthcare startup, the importance of early intervention in physical therapy, and her mission to redefine what recovery can look like for patients of all ages. Whether you’re interested in innovation, healthcare, or the startup world, this episode offers a candid look into the future of immersive healthcare through the lens of someone dedicated to making a real difference.

00:00 Exploring Immersive Tech in Healthcare

06:52 Holistic Patient Care Journey

10:11 Escaping Red Tape in Healthcare

12:51 Early Intervention and Insurance Shift

15:42 From Clinic to VR Rehab Expert

19:44 "Immersive Rehab for Long-Term Health"

21:49 Headset-Agnostic Medical Content Solutions

27:31 Rehab System Options Benefit Patients

31:42 "Technology's Impact on Patient Care"

33:05 VR Home Exercise for Patients

37:45 Empathetic, Patient-Centered Leadership

40:44 Embracing Uncertainty in Startups

42:48 Embracing New Styles of Uncertainty

46:32 "Open Book Emily"

49:14 Connecting Healthcare: An Infinite Game

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

The Power of Empathy in Home Care: Insights from Care Partners CEO Randy Platt Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to a brand new episode of The Uprising Show! In today’s inspiring conversation, host Vivek sits down with Randy Platt, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Care Partners, for a deeply personal and insightful look at the evolution of home-based care and the values that power it. Randy shares his unique upbringing as the youngest of five in a multi-generational household, revealing how early experiences with family caregiving and the wisdom passed down from his father deeply shaped his leadership philosophy.

Together, Vivek and Randy explore what it truly takes to build meaningful continuity and dignity in both the giving and receiving of care. They discuss the journey that led Randy and his business partner Rodney Burris to launch Care Partners, the importance of transparency and partnership in driving successful ventures, and how empathy, compassion, and love became the centerpiece of their operating system.

Randy also unpacks the realities and future of the home care industry, including workforce and scalability challenges, innovations in continuity of care, integration with technology, and strategies for building a culture where caregivers are empowered and valued. You’ll hear candid stories about leading teams through high-growth phases, supporting caregivers as individuals, and why active listening is one of Randy’s most important leadership tools.

If you care about the future of post-acute care, supporting our aging population, or building companies rooted in purpose and compassion, this episode delivers both practical insights and heartfelt stories that will inspire you on your own journey.

00:00 Intergenerational Living: A Family's Choice

04:09 "My Dad's Unusual Choices"

07:37 From Colleagues to Partners

12:43 Protracted Illness and Family Caregiving

13:54 Teen Dishwasher to Hospital Leader

17:24 Company Growth and Service Expansion

20:40 From Entrepreneurship to Growth Focus

26:09 Facing Imposter Syndrome

29:02 "Generational Leadership in Home Care"

30:15 Caregivers Reduce Hospital Readmissions

33:17 "Immigration Vital for Caregiving Workforce"

38:39 Transforming Workforce Dynamics Through Feedback

42:14 Exploring Growth and Private Equity

43:02 Post-Acute Care Sector Consolidation

48:37 Influential Mentor: Richard Campa

49:51 "Finding Inspiration from Leaders' Wisdom"

53:43 "Support's Power and Importance"

57:05 "Leadership Through Listening"

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

From Diagnosis to Advocacy: Jessica's Journey and the Feel for Your Life App Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of The Uprising Show, host Vivek sits down with Jessica Baladad, founder of the Feel for Your Life app, to share her powerful journey from breast cancer patient to health-tech innovator. Diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer at the age of 33, Jessica describes how discovering a lump during a self-exam and navigating misdiagnosis led her to become a fierce advocate for women's health and self-advocacy. Through her story, she reveals the gaps she experienced in early detection and patient communication, and how these challenges inspired her to develop a free app that empowers women with the tools, education, and reminders they need to take charge of their breast health.

Jessica dives into the realities of building a startup from scratch, while recovering from major surgery and navigating the pandemic and discusses the barriers younger women still face in accessing breast screenings. Listeners will learn how the Feel for Your Life app leverages technology and AI to translate pathology reports and support women at every stage of their breast health journey. With candor, insight, and actionable advice on advocacy and resilience, Jessica's story is a testament to turning adversity into positive change for tens of thousands of women. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about breaking barriers, building communities, and what’s next in women's health innovation.

00:00 Breast Cancer App: "Feel For Your Life"

06:15 Overlooked Warning Signs

09:34 Advocate for Your Health

10:28 Advocate for Health and Trust

15:34 App Innovation Goes Viral

19:58 "Adapting to Unexpected Challenges"

23:06 "Improving Healthcare Through Positive Trauma"

26:37 AI Translates Medical Jargon

28:52 Self-Advocacy in Healthcare

31:00 "Finding Support When Lost"

36:17 "Healthcare Complexity and Strategic Partnerships"

41:02 Women's Healthcare Gap in 30s

42:44 Jessica's Story and Mission

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

How Canary Speech Uses Voice to Revolutionize Early Disease Detection and Healthcare Access Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Uprising Show, Vivek sits down for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation with Henry O’Connell, the CEO and co-founder of Canary Speech. Henry shares his personal journey growing up in deep poverty and the lasting impact of community kindness, which fuels his mission to make healthcare accessible to all. Together, they dive into Canary Speech’s groundbreaking technology: a clinical tool using AI and voice analysis to detect neurological, cognitive, and behavioral health conditions through just 40 seconds of natural conversation.

Henry reveals how the company collaborates with leading healthcare institutions globally and discusses the vast potential of speech as a non-invasive, scalable, and deeply human diagnostic tool. From early detection of illnesses like Alzheimer’s, MS, and depression to expanding access and equity in healthcare worldwide, this episode explores the cutting edge of AI, innovation in diagnostics, and the future of compassionate medicine.

Whether you’re in health tech, a clinician, or just fascinated by the intersection of technology and humanity, this conversation will leave you thinking, “Wow, this needs to be everywhere.” Tune in for a look into a future where voice unlocks life-changing insights and brings us closer as a global community.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Enduring Poverty: A Lasting Impact"

04:23 Generosity in Hard Times

09:02 Parental Intuition and Communication

09:59 Parent's Intuition About Daughter's Mood

16:32 Multimodal Health Analysis via Vocal Biomarkers

18:48 Proprietary Diagnostic Algorithm Models

21:13 Early Detection in Cognitive Health

27:00 Efficient Consumer Screening System

28:01 Streamlined Healthcare Assessment Calls

33:52 "Vocal Biomarkers Enhance Data Richness"

34:47 Reimbursement Advances for Voice Analysis

40:07 Innovative Vocal Biomarker Advancements

41:29 Advanced Healthcare Diagnostics Preview

47:25 Seamless Dragon and Canary Integration

50:21 "Teamwork Powers Unprecedented Achievements"

52:28 AI Advancements in Child Diagnosis

55:04 "Heartfelt Gratitude"

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Why Holistic Patient Care Matters: A Nurse Practitioner’s Perspective on Health, Happiness, and Success Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to a truly inspiring episode of The Uprising Show! Today, we sit down with Vishnu Maya Upadhyay, a triple-certified nurse practitioner with expertise in women's health, mental health, and behavioral health, and over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Raised in New Delhi and now based in Dallas, Vishnu shares her remarkable journey from being influenced by her mother's career as a midwife in India, through her international work in Bahrain, to eventually founding her own integrative clinic in the United States.

In this conversation, Vishnu Upadhyay opens up about her passion for preventive care, the importance of education in personal and professional growth, and what motivated her to continuously expand her medical training across multiple specialties. We dive deep into how she built her family-supported clinical practice from the ground up, her commitment to holistic and patient-centered care, and her unique perspective on the evolving landscape of healthcare, including the role of AI, integrative medicine, and the nurse practitioner-led model.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, aspiring clinician, or just curious about how compassion and persistence can impact patient lives, this episode delivers wisdom, authenticity, and actionable insight. Join us as Dr. Upadhyay shares powerful real-life stories from her practice, discusses the essential pillars of health and happiness, and reflects on what success truly means to her, both as a caregiver and a leader.

00:00 Inspired by Mother's Medical Tales

03:52 "From India to Bahrain: Nursing Journey"

09:55 Education's Evolving Relevance Today

12:04 Self-Guided Learning Triumphs

15:10 Pursuing Value-Based Medical Practice

18:11 "Financial Oversight Delays Dream Pursuit"

22:46 Holistic Health in Medical Education

24:11 Integrative Medicine: Future Lifestyle Change

29:42 Preventive Care by Nurse Practitioners

31:37 Defining Personal Success

36:35 Persistent Patient Follow-Up Concerns

37:45 Unexpected Reunion After Heart Surgery

43:21 AI Enhancing Healthcare Efficiency

45:16 AI in Healthcare: Revolutionizing Provider Tasks

47:59 Of course! Please provide the text you would like summarized.

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

How CareLink360 Is Transforming Aging With AI and Digital Companions Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to another episode of The Uprising Show! In this inspiring conversation, host Vivek sits down with David Duplay, a true pioneer at the intersection of healthcare and technology. With over 30 years of experience in health tech, and an incredible personal journey that includes a career as a professional bull rider, David brings a unique perspective on innovation, resilience, and improving patient outcomes.

In this episode, David shares stories from his upbringing on an Ohio farm to the boardrooms of New York City, and how those formative experiences shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. He dives into his passion for integrating technology into healthcare without disrupting the vital patient-physician relationship, and explains why respecting clinical workflows is key to successful adoption.

The conversation explores David's latest venture with CareLink360, a transformative platform designed to “change the way the world ages” by empowering aging adults, their families, and care providers through user-friendly, data-driven technology. David discusses the real-world impact of CareLink360’s Digital Health Companion, including the remarkable improvement it brought to his own father's life, and the company's use of AI to deliver actionable health insights.

If you're looking for insights on digital health, aging in place, caregiving innovation, and the future of AI in healthcare, you won't want to miss this insightful and heartfelt episode.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Health Tech Innovation Journey"

04:52 Bull Riding Dreams: Parental Approval

08:45 Tech Adoption Improves Patient Care

10:39 Data Analytics Startup Journey

14:19 Finding Good Amidst Bad Actors

19:05 Connecting Aging Adults Through Technology

20:29 Need for B2B Strategy

25:29 "Cognitive Health Monitoring System"

29:18 Home Care Industry Challenges

30:33 Innovative Home Care through Technology

33:47 Innovative Home Care System Model

37:33 Boosting Revenue and Care Quality

40:22 Weekly Feedback System for Caregiver Retention

44:49 Dad's Home Care Determination

46:46 Customizable Touchscreen for Aging Population

50:13 Predictive Modeling for Aging Score

54:05 AI Inspires Hope in Healthcare

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Why Compassion and Connection Drive Home Care Success with Rodney Burris of Care Partners Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Get ready for an inspiring conversation on The Uprising Show as Vivek sits down with Rodney Burris, President and CFO at Care Partners, to talk about leadership, home care, and the power of love in healthcare. This episode digs into the realities of building a people-first company in one of the most challenging industries, and the lessons learned along the way.

In this episode:

Rodney shares his journey from childhood surgeries to a lifelong mission in healthcare
The surprisingly central role of love and empathy in building successful caregiving teams
How Care Partners hires and retains caregivers by understanding their “why” and building real relationships
Structural challenges in the current home care system and what’s being done differently at Care Partners
Insights on scaling a deeply human care model across regions and the future of integrated post-acute care

Don’t miss this straight-talking, insightful discussion packed with hard truths, practical solutions, and new ways to think about healthcare leadership.

00:00 Power of Connection and Care

05:10 Intrinsic Motivation in Healthcare

07:11 Fear's Impact on Career Choices

10:21 "Positive Trauma: Catalyst for Change"

15:05 Defragmenting Post-Acute Care Services

17:21 "From Engineer to Marketer"

21:45 Prioritizing Caregiver Connections

26:08 Optimizing Caregiver Retention Strategies

30:32 Reducing Readmissions with Home-Based Care

34:30 Growing Need for Home Care Resources

35:55 Innovative Employee Care Benefit

39:21 Expanding Non-Medical Home Care Services

45:03 "Living Globally: Embrace Core Strengths"

45:52 Transformative Advice: Focus & Awareness

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

How Rebel Pharmacists Are Transforming Clinical Care and Team Dynamics in Primary Practices Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Pharmacists do much more than fill prescriptions, and Dr. Ashley Kay Pendrick is here to show us how they're transforming clinical care. In this episode of The Uprising Show, Dr. Pendrick breaks down the role of the "rebel pharmacist" and what real clinical integration can look like.

Here's what you'll learn:

Dr. Pendrick’s unconventional path to pharmacy and why she chose this profession over others in healthcare.
How pharmacists' roles go far beyond retail, including clinical integration, holistic wellness, and preventive care.
The reality behind the pharmacy profession’s image problem, and why it’s time for a rebrand.
What happens in medical practices when pharmacists become part of the primary care team, including patient outcomes and provider satisfaction.
The barriers preventing clinics from utilizing pharmacists to their full potential, plus actionable steps for better integration.

Don’t miss these insights on redefining what pharmacists can do and how healthcare teams can benefit.

00:00 Evolving Role of Pharmacists

06:18 "Rebel Pharmacist Defies Tradition"

07:24 Evolving Role of Pharmacists

13:21 Improving Pharmacy Practices

17:15 Holistic Integration in Healthcare

20:59 Pharmacists Enhance Clinic Efficiency

23:47 Unintended Benefits of Pharmacy Chats

26:47 Aligning Pharmacist Roles in Healthcare

31:05 Pharmacists as Healthcare Hubs

34:10 "Pharmacist-Led Chronic Care Management"

36:25 Pharmacist Role and Training Misunderstood

40:04 Consider In-House Pharmacist for Care

43:52 Indoor Playground Fosters Community

46:32 "Appreciation for Insights"

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

From Medtech Startups to Millions: Insights from Tom Ross on the Uprising Show Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to another episode of The Uprising Show! In this episode, host Vivek sits down with Tom Ross, a veteran sales and marketing leader in the medical device startup world, also known as “The Device Doctor.” With over 30 years of experience in Silicon Valley’s medtech scene, Tom shares fascinating insights from his journey, from his early days in critical care devices to helping startups with go-to-market strategies and fundraising today.

Tom discusses how the medtech landscape has evolved, especially with the rise of digital health, and why true commercial success requires both solid technology and a deep understanding of the clinical problem at hand. He explains what makes a medtech product stand out, the often underestimated investment needed for market breakthrough, and the essential relationship between sales and marketing in this industry.

Tune in for wisdom on building impactful startups, fostering realistic optimism, embracing innovation, and a few personal reflections on lessons learned as a founder, mentor, father, and grandfather. Whether you’re a medtech founder, investor, or just passionate about healthcare innovation, you’ll find plenty of practical takeaways and inspiration in this episode.

Timestamps:

00:00 Southern California Education Journey

06:06 "Keys to Successful Company Breakthrough"

08:14 Digital Health Revolution and Investment Trends

12:22 Sales-Marketing Lead Dispute

14:13 Sales Reps' Evolving Role in Healthcare

18:44 Leveraging LinkedIn for Career Growth

21:26 Tracking Employee Digital Productivity

24:02 Tech-Driven Medical Solutions

29:45 Balancing Realism and Optimism

33:20 Tailoring Pitches to Investment Interests

35:51 Optimistic Realism in Investment Pitches