Decoding a Sane Mind

About Decoding a Sane Mind

Decoding a Sane Mind is a podcast about building trust between physicians and their current and future patients — educating patients through anecdotes, encouraging those on the fence to seek treatment, giving hope to listeners navigating mental health, and empowering them to self-advocate by letting them meet a provider before they ever step into the office. The show also serves the guest physician: it introduces them more deeply to existing and new referral sources and invites those referral sources on as co-hosts to deepen those relationships.

Publisher

Noygear

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Jul 2026

Latest episode

28 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Oct 2026

   EP 105 | Healing the Whole Child: Integrative Psychiatry Beyond the Prescription Pad | Dr. Lea Lis

   What if the best mental health care for a child is not only about medication, but about treating the whole person? In this episode of Decoding a Sane Mind, we sit down with Dr. Lea Lis, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Mindful Kid, to explore integrative mental health care for children, teens and adults. Learn why children do not live in a bubble, how working with pediatricians and schools can improve care, and why she aims to use as little medication as possible while still using it when it’s needed. Dr. Lis also shares how she built Hampton Insight, her integrative practice in the Hamptons. She serves patients in person and by telehealth in New York and Florida, and consults with about seven school districts. She explains therapy approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and internal family systems (IFS), and walks through newer options offered at Hampton Insight, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), the five-day Stanford TMS protocol, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, hormones and peptides. She also describes how she uses Gemini to write notes, reports, behavior plans, social stories for children with autism, and letters to insurance companies, and why she won’t use AI chatbots with patients who may be in crisis. In this episode, you’ll learn: What integrative psychiatry looks like for children, teens and adults Why working with pediatricians, schools and families matters for a child’s mental health How CBT helps people become “a scientist in their own world” How DBT adds mindfulness and communication skills, and why it works well for parents and teens together How internal family systems (IFS) helps people talk to the different “parts” of themselves What TMS feels like, who it may help, and how treatment protocols work How the five-day Stanford TMS protocol works for treatment-resistant depression How ketamine-assisted psychotherapy differs from nasal ketamine When pediatricians and school counselors should refer a child to a psychiatrist How Dr. Lis uses Gemini to save time on notes, reports, behavior plans and insurance letters Why she won’t use AI chatbots for patient intake or crisis calls What she believes is lost when therapy moves from in-person to virtual sessions Dr. Lis also shares how growing up on Long Island as the daughter of Italian immigrants, volunteering in psychiatric wards as a teenager, and logging around 3,000 hours of community service before finishing high school shaped her path into psychiatry. She reflects on the influence of her aunt, a psychiatric social worker, her late father, and mentors including IFS founder Dick Schwartz. She also talks about the “benevolent neglect” of a free-range childhood, how over-parenting can create anxiety in kids, and why she believes in rituals, including the death ritual she created for her father. Whether you are a parent, a patient, a clinician or a referral partner, this conversation offers a practical look at how integrative care, modern treatments and thoughtful use of technology can help children and families get better, more complete care. About Decoding a Sane MindDecoding a Sane Mind brings together patients, families, clinicians, and practice leaders to explore the real questions behind mental health care, including when to seek help, how treatment decisions are made, and why access can be so difficult. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations about mental health care, technology, productivity, and the people working to make care more human, effective, and accessible. #ChildPsychiatry #AdolescentMentalHealth #IntegrativePsychiatry #MentalHealth #TMS #KetamineTherapy #CBT #DBT #Healthcare #DecodingASaneMind

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   EP 104 | What Midwives See That a 7-Minute Appointment Misses | Melissa Dean

   What if an hour-long prenatal visit could change how a new mother gets through pregnancy, birth and the months after? In this episode of Decoding a Sane Mind, we sit down with Melissa Dean, Licensed Midwife and Founder of Casa Natal Birth Center in Los Gatos, California, to explore the midwifery model of care and why it matters so much for maternal mental health. Learn how longer appointments, continuity of care and informed consent can help women feel safer and better prepared before, during and after birth. You'll also hear how Casa Natal screens for perinatal mental health, why thyroid issues can raise the risk of postpartum depression, and how simple support like nutrition, rest and permission to take care of yourself can make a real difference for new moms. Melissa also explains the economics of birth center care, the challenges of getting midwives in network with insurers, and how self-funded employer plans could open the door to wider access. In this episode, you'll learn: How the midwifery model of care differs from a typical OB-GYN appointment Why hour-long prenatal visits build trust and make better informed consent possible Why continuity of care matters when the people at your birth already know you What questions to ask a holistic birth provider about who will actually be at your birth How the Edinburgh screening is used during pregnancy and postpartum to flag mental health concerns Why thyroid antibodies can raise the risk of postpartum depression How nutrient depletion, sleep loss and isolation affect new mothers' mental health What postpartum care looks like with home visits on day one, day three, week one and week six How C-section rates compare between hospitals, birth centers and World Health Organization guidance Why birth center costs can compare favorably with hospital births, and how employer self-funded plans play a role Melissa also shares what she sees in Silicon Valley, where many families live far from relatives and have little support after the baby arrives. She walks through how her team helped one new mom who felt disconnected and depleted with holistic care, nutrient checks and encouragement to prioritize herself. Whether you are expecting, planning a family, supporting a new mom, or working in maternal healthcare, this conversation gives you practical ways to ask better questions, advocate for yourself, and put mental health at the center of perinatal care. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations about mental health care, technology, productivity, and the people working to make care more human, effective, and accessible. #MaternalMentalHealth #PostpartumDepression #Midwifery #NaturalBirth #BirthCenter #PerinatalHealth #WomensHealth #Healthcare #MentalHealth #DecodingASaneMind

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   EP 103 | Why Healthcare Needs More Time, Trust, and Human Connection | Edward Littlejohn

   What if better healthcare starts by giving doctors more time to actually know their patients? In this episode of Decoding a Sane Mind, we sit down with Edward Littlejohn, CEO of Discover Health, to explore why the traditional healthcare model can make it difficult for patients and physicians to build meaningful relationships. Drawing on 25 years of experience across major healthcare organizations, Edward shares how his perspective changed from optimizing large systems for efficiency to building a model centered on access, time, trust, and proactive care. You'll hear how Edward entered healthcare almost by accident, grew into leadership roles across major hospital systems, and learned that solving difficult problems often starts with asking simple questions. He also explains how Discover Health approaches concierge medicine with smaller patient panels, 45 to 60 minute appointments, and same-day or next-day access, giving physicians more time to understand their patients and their health goals. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Edward believes the healthcare model, rather than the people working in it, is often the bigger challenge How an early hospital project helped increase annual collections from about $100,000 to more than $1 million Why efficiency matters in healthcare, but should not come at the cost of patient relationships How Discover Health uses smaller patient panels to provide more time and access Why proactive care can help patients think beyond treating illness and focus on long-term health How ambient note technology can help physicians spend less time looking at screens and more time engaging with patients Why connecting healthcare data could help physicians and leaders make better decisions How My Doc Plus helps independent physicians manage the business side of running a medical practice Why Edward believes administrative work is an important part of the physician burnout problem Why Discover Health is focused on sustainable impact rather than growth for growth's sake Edward also shares how the death of his father changed the way he thought about his own health. After joining Discover Health and spending more time around physicians focused on proactive care, he began making major changes in his life. He lost 60 pounds, started working out every morning with his 15-year-old son, and helped inspire a greater focus on health across his family. Whether you are a patient, physician, healthcare leader, or practice owner, this conversation offers a practical look at how healthcare can become more personal, proactive, and connected while giving physicians more time to focus on why they entered medicine in the first place. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations about mental health care, healthcare technology, patient experience, leadership, and the people working to make care more human, effective, and accessible. #Healthcare #ConciergeMedicine #PatientCare #HealthcareLeadership #PhysicianBurnout #HealthTechnology #AIInHealthcare #ProactiveHealth #DiscoverHealth #DecodingASaneMind

4. 

   16 Sept 2026

   EP 102 | When AI Works for Hours While You Focus Elsewhere | Adam Rehman

   What if the best way to get more from AI is to spend more time planning before you start? In this episode of Decoding a Sane Mind, we sit down with Adam Rehman, Venture Builder at Noygear, to explore how better planning can help people use AI to dramatically improve productivity. Learn why simply giving AI a task is not enough, how front-loading your instructions can lead to better results, and why reviewing AI-generated work becomes even more important as these tools become more capable. You'll also hear practical ideas for building AI workflows, running tasks more autonomously, organizing context, and using one AI model to review the work of another. Adam shares how he plans complex tasks before handing them to AI, how an autonomous coding run produced around 40 pull requests, and why clear instructions and structured review can save hours of active work. In this episode, you'll learn: Why better AI productivity starts with planning before execution How front-loading context and instructions can reduce repeated back-and-forth Why AI-generated work still needs careful review and validation How AI tools have improved at building financial models and spreadsheets Why strong-looking AI outputs can make careful auditing even more important How Adam used AI to complete around 40 pull requests in one autonomous run How a second AI model can help review and improve the first model's work How tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, and Obsidian fit into Adam's AI workspace Why keeping your AI context accurate and up to date matters How better planning can free up time for higher-value work Adam also shares how growing up in Washington, D.C., attending Montessori and bilingual schools, studying finance with a minor in real estate at Tulane University, and taking on unfamiliar challenges helped shape his curiosity and approach to learning. He also reflects on the influence his mother has had on the analytical way he approaches problems and life. Whether you are exploring AI for business, finance, engineering, or everyday productivity, this conversation offers practical ways to plan better, build stronger AI workflows, and get more useful results while keeping human review at the center of the process. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations about mental health care, technology, productivity, and the people working to make care more human, effective, and accessible. #ArtificialIntelligence #AIProductivity #Productivity #AIWorkflow #Leadership #Technology #Automation #FutureOfWork #Healthcare #DecodingASaneMind

5. 

   2 Sept 2026

   EP 101 | Why Mental Healthcare Is Broken—and How Concierge Psychiatry Is Changing Lives

   Why are so many people waiting months for mental health care? How did COVID reshape psychiatry? And why are concierge mental health practices becoming one of the fastest-growing models of care? In the premiere episode of Decoding a Sane Mind, host Al Buda sits down to share the personal story behind the podcast and the mission to make mental healthcare more accessible, more human, and more effective. From the rise of telehealth and AI in psychiatry to the challenges of insurance-driven care, clinician burnout, patient advocacy, and breakthrough innovations in personalized treatment, this episode explores the future of mental healthcare from every angle. You'll also hear the deeply personal experiences that inspired this podcast—including Al's family history, the loss of a loved one, and why these conversations matter now more than ever. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, clinician, healthcare executive, or simply curious about mental health, this episode offers practical insights and hope for anyone navigating today's mental healthcare system. In This Episode ✔ Why concierge psychiatry is transforming patient care ✔ How COVID permanently changed mental healthcare ✔ The role of AI and technology in psychiatry ✔ Why patients often wait months for treatment ✔ Mental health stigma and self-advocacy ✔ Personalized medicine and genetic testing ✔ Building stronger referral networks ✔ The future of concierge medical practices ✔ Why better systems create better patient outcomes ✔ The personal story behind Decoding a Sane Mind About the Host Ilona Budapesti ("Al Buda") is the Founder of Noygear, a technology consultancy helping concierge medical practices improve operations, patient experience, telehealth, EHR integration, and business growth. Prior to founding Noygear, Al held leadership roles at Google, PayPal, and Rakuten, built and exited multiple technology companies, and founded the Oxford-affiliated 1 Million Women to Tech initiative that empowered over 200,000 women across 145 countries. #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #MentalHealthAwareness #ConciergeMedicine #BehavioralHealth #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareInnovation #Telehealth #MentalWellness #Podcast

6. 

   28 Jul 2026

   Welcome to Decoding a Sane Mind

   Welcome to Decoding A Sane Mind—a podcast where honest conversations help make mental healthcare easier to understand and less intimidating. Hosted by Ilona Budapesti ("Al Buda"), this show brings together patients, families, clinicians, and mental health practice leaders to explore the real questions behind mental health treatment. From knowing when it's time to seek help to understanding how treatment decisions are made, we dive into the conversations that often happen beyond the doctor's office. Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey, supporting someone you love, or working in healthcare, you'll find thoughtful discussions on topics including: 🧠 Understanding mental health conditions and treatment options💙 What to expect before, during, and after your first appointment🤝 The patient experience and how to advocate for yourself🏥 The challenges and realities of delivering quality mental healthcare🎙️ Inspiring stories from psychiatrists, clinicians, researchers, and advocates Our goal is simple: to build trust, reduce stigma, and empower people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about mental healthcare. Every episode is an opportunity to learn from experts, hear authentic stories, and better understand the people and systems behind mental health treatment. If you're looking for compassionate, insightful conversations about mental health, you're in the right place. Subscribe and join us as we decode the complexities of mental healthcare—one conversation at a time. #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #MentalWellness #Healthcare #MentalHealthPodcast #PatientCare #MentalHealthAwareness #Psychology #BehavioralHealth #DecodingASaneMind

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Spotify

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