After 40+ years in health policy and public affairs (and her time running the award-winning Disruptive Women in Health Care blog), Robin Strongin is back with a new platform to shine a light on the people making health care suck less. Health Dame offers clear, informed takes on the complexities of health care and where to turn when frustration isn’t enough.
The New Old Age: In Conversation with Veteran Journalist Paula Span
What does it mean to be old, and why do we hesitate to use the word? New York Times columnist Paula Span (https://paulaspan.com/) joins Robin Strongin to talk about aging, caregiving and the stories she has covered in The New Old Age (https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-new-old-age) since 2009.
Paula explains how she checks health information and why she returns to earlier stories as medical evidence changes. She also shares what she is learning while writing a book about people in their 80s. Too often, she says, research groups them with everyone over 65, missing what makes this stage of life distinct. One person she met is an 81-year-old teacher whose work still gives her a sense of purpose.
Robin and Paula discuss ageism and the value of spending time with people of different generations. Robin shares her experience caring for her husband after his dementia diagnosis, and she and Paula talk about how speaking openly can reduce stigma.
18 Sept 2026
Oncology Nursing: In Conversation with Dr. Erica Fischer-Cartlidge
What role does an oncology nurse play before, during and after cancer treatment?
Robin Strongin talks with Erica Fischer-Cartlidge, DNP, RN, AOCNS, EBP-C (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericafischercartlidge/), chief clinical officer at the Oncology Nursing Society (https://www.ons.org/). Erica shares the patient experience that led her to oncology nursing and explains why these nurses often become a steady source of information, support and advocacy for patients and families.
They discuss advances in cancer treatment, the lasting relationships nurses build with patients and the need to address burnout through both individual support and system-level change. Erica also explains the Oncology Nursing Society’s policy priorities, including access to quality cancer care, cancer prevention, research and nursing workforce issues.
The conversation also looks at the financial strain of cancer treatment. Erica encourages patients and caregivers to tell their oncology nurses when medications or care become difficult to afford so they can help identify support programs and other resources.
4 Sept 2026
Clinical Nurse Specialists: In Conversation with Dr. Jackie Iseler
What does a clinical nurse specialist do, and how is the role different from that of a nurse practitioner?
Robin Strongin talks with Dr. Jackie Iseler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackieiseler/), an adult health clinical nurse specialist, associate professor and program director of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Concentration at Grand Valley State University Kirkhof College of Nursing (https://www.gvsu.edu/kcon). She also serves as president of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (https://nacns.org/).
Dr. Iseler explains how clinical nurse specialists improve care across three areas: patients, nursing practice and health care systems. She shares how asking “why” as a young nurse led her to the profession and discusses her work with heart and lung transplant patients, people using left ventricular assist devices and nurses implementing evidence-based practices.
The conversation also examines why many patients and health care leaders are unfamiliar with clinical nurse specialists, how state practice laws affect their work and why CNSs must communicate their impact on patient safety, quality and health system costs.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Contact Health Dame With Robin Strongin
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Health Dame With Robin Strongin?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
