Cardiac Cowboys
Claim This Podcastby iHeartPodcasts
Podcast Overview
<p>The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind?<br> <br>Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies.<br> <br>Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/18/2025
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Recent Episodes
November 12, 2025
Dr. Eric A. Rose & Dr. Gerald Imber on the Future of Heart Medicine
<p dir="ltr">Eric A. Rose, MD is a world leader in cardiac surgery and cardiovascular research who performed the first successful pediatric heart transplant.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gerald Imber, MD is a plastic surgeon and author whose medical history books include <a href="https://amzn.to/4ozyBnJ">Genius on the Edge: The Bizarre Double Life of Dr. William Halsted</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/4ozyBnJ">Cardiac Cowboys: The Heroic Invention of Heart Surgery</a>.</p> <p>They join host Jamie Napoli to discuss the challenges facing medical innovators today, and their hopes for the future of heart medicine.</p> <p>Thoughts or suggestions? You can reach us at <a href="goog_1387031787" data-outlook-id="bfc607b8-2b0e-4f74-93bc-aaae93de92f4">c</a><a href="mailto:ardiaccowboys@13thlakemedia.com" data-outlook-id="89f991eb-15ed-4bd9-94bc-3865ad59b402">ardiaccowboys@13thlakemedia.com</a>.</p> <p><br>Executive Producers: Cristina Everett for iHeartPodcasts; Dub Cornett and Jason Ross for OSO Studios; Gerald Imber; Eric A. Rose, M.D.; John Mankiewicz; Joshua Paul Johnson; and Jamie Napoli<br><br>Supervising Producer: James A. Smith<br>Editing and Sound Design by: Joshua Paul Johnson<br>Composer: David Mansfield <br>Cover Artwork by: Alexander Smith</p> <p>Production Companies: iHeartPodcasts, OSO Studios, and 13th Lake Media<br><br>Production Legal Services: Jacqueline Eckhouse & Mel Pudig, Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes LawCo; and Lincoln Bandlow, Lincoln Bandlow Law <br><br>Copyright 2025, TTB, LLC. All rights reserved.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
September 29, 2025
The Fates of the Cowboys
<p>Walt Lillehei’s years of living and operating on the edge finally catch up with him. In Houston, rival surgeons attempt to resolve four decades of bad blood.</p> <p> </p> <p>Presented by: Chris Pine<br>Written and Narrated by: Jamie Napoli</p> <p> <br>Executive Producers: Cristina Everett for iHeartPodcasts; Dub Cornett and Jason Ross for OSO Studios; Gerald Imber; Eric A. Rose, M.D.; John Mankiewicz; Joshua Paul Johnson; and Jamie Napoli</p> <p>Supervising Producer: James A. Smith</p> <p>Editing and Sound Design by: Joshua Paul Johnson</p> <p>Composer: David Mansfield Cover Artwork by: Alexander Smith</p> <p>Production Companies: iHeartPodcasts, OSO Studios, and 13th Lake Media</p> <p>Production Legal Services: Jacqueline Eckhouse & Mel Pudig, Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes LawCo; and Lincoln Bandlow, Lincoln Bandlow Law </p> <p>Archival Materials Courtesy of: The University of Minnesota Archives, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities; Special Collections, University of Rhode Island Library; and G. Wayne Miller, author of "King of Hearts: The True Story of the Maverick Who Pioneered Open Heart Surgery" </p> <p>Additional Archival Materials Courtesy of: "The Dick Cavett Show" (ABC 1970); C-SPAN; and Vanderbilt University</p> <p>Additional Music & Stock Media Provided by: Music Bed; Premium Beat; Artlist; Envato Market; ccMixter (TuneTrack); and Incompetech</p> <p>This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreement.</p> <p>For more information on the history of open heart surgery, check out Dr. Gerald Imber's book "<a href="https://amzn.to/488Ved5">CARDIAC COWBOYS: The Heroic invention of Heart Surgery</a>."</p> <p><br>Copyright 2025, TTB, LLC. All rights reserved.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
September 29, 2025
A Man-Made Heart
<p>An ingenious medical device promises to eliminate the need for heart donors entirely. But when accusations of a stolen heart emerge, the simmering tension between Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley boils over, playing out in courtrooms and headlines across the country.</p> <p> </p> <p>Presented by: Chris Pine<br>Written and Narrated by: Jamie Napoli</p> <p> <br>Executive Producers: Cristina Everett for iHeartPodcasts; Dub Cornett and Jason Ross for OSO Studios; Gerald Imber; Eric A. Rose, M.D.; John Mankiewicz; Joshua Paul Johnson; and Jamie Napoli</p> <p>Supervising Producer: James A. Smith</p> <p>Editing and Sound Design by: Joshua Paul Johnson</p> <p>Composer: David Mansfield Cover Artwork by: Alexander Smith</p> <p>Production Companies: iHeartPodcasts, OSO Studios, and 13th Lake Media</p> <p>Production Legal Services: Jacqueline Eckhouse & Mel Pudig, Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes LawCo; and Lincoln Bandlow, Lincoln Bandlow Law </p> <p>Additional Archival Materials Courtesy of: "The Twentieth Century" (CBS 1966); "Nova" (WGBH Boston & PBS 1988 & 1999); Vanderbilt University; American Academy of Achievement; "DeBakey" (Dr. Tony Herring and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children 2016); Society for Vascular Surgery; "Meet the Press" (NBC 1966); Associated Press; "Michael E. DeBakey: Profiles in Science" (National Library of Medicine 2015); BBC; "The Heartmakers" (National Educational Television & Radio Center 1969); and the McGovern Historical Center of the Texas Medical Center Library </p> <p>Additional Music & Stock Media Provided by: EdRecords / Pond5; EpicRecord / Pond5; eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5; Music Bed; Premium Beat; Storyblocks; Artlist; Envato Market; and Podcast Music</p> <p>This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreement.</p> <p>For more information on the history of open heart surgery, check out Dr. Gerald Imber's book "<a href="https://amzn.to/488Ved5">CARDIAC COWBOYS: The Heroic invention of Heart Surgery</a>."</p> <p><br>Copyright 2025, TTB, LLC. All rights reserved.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
8 total episodes available with 6 transcripts
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Cardiac Cowboys?
<p>The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind?<br> <br>Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies.<br> <br>Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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