Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot Podcast

About Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot Podcast

Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot Podcast is a show committed to shining a light on the dangers of blood clots and breathing life into The National Blood Clot Alliance’s mission of pushing these preventable killers to the forefront of public discourse. We will hear the stories of notable blood clot survivors like Olympic medalists Katie Hoff Anderson & Tatyana McFadden, among others, as well as the expertise of medical professionals to provide connection, empathy and resources to listeners like you. At Stop the Clot we know the patient because we are the patient. Journey through this miraculous series with hosts and blood clot survivors Leslie Lake and Todd Robertson as they, with the help of listeners like you, change the way we think about blood clots. Join us as we collectively stop the clot. The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Publisher

National Blood Clot Alliance

Category

health & fitness · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Oct 2023

Latest episode

19 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

39 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Aug 2026

   Kette Dornbusch and an Inconceivable Loss In Memory of Amy Dew Dornbusch

   In one singular instant, the entirety of your life can shift. When a pulmonary embolism strikes and takes the life of the one you love, how is there any way to move forward? On this episode of Taking a Breath we are joined Kette Dornbusch in remembrance of his wife Amy Dew Dornbusch who experienced a fatal PE. What does life look like on the other side of such a debilitating tragedy? How does activism help shape the experience knowing your perspective is saving countless lives? How do we work together to end such needless loss? Alongside NBCA President Leslie Lake and NBCA Patient Liaison Todd Robertson, this conversation explores not just survival, but what it means to chart a path that will save countless lives to follow. Listeners will hear practical insights on recognizing warning signs, advocating for yourself in medical settings, and finding community on the journey to shaping the future of blood clot awareness. Meet Our Guest Kette Dornbusch Kette lives in Oxford, Mississippi and is Father to six wonderful children. Kette continues his advocacy through his work with Penumbra and their goal of blood clot reduction through innovative medical devices. About NBCA The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) (https://visorpro.ai) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. NBCA works on behalf of people who may be susceptible to blood clots, including, but not limited to, people with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation, cancer, traumatic injury, and risks related to surgery, lengthy immobility, child birth and birth control. NBCA accomplishes its mission through programs that build public awareness, educate patients and healthcare professionals, and promote supportive public and private sector policy. Our Hosts Leslie Lake In 2018, Leslie suffered a bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE) (https://www.stoptheclot.org/news/leslie-clotiversary/). Her quest to learn more about venous thromboembolism (VTE) lead her to the National Blood Clot Alliance Despite living in New York City, Leslie was shocked by the lack of information available to her after her PE. As Board President, Leslie is committed to raising public awareness so no person affected by blood clots is without the necessary information they need to prevent or successfully treat VTE, and that they also have the information they need to navigate the spectrum of lifestyle issues that can follow a blood clot diagnosis. Leslie holds a BS in Economics from Simmons College, where she is also a Trustee, member of the Finance and Investment Committees, and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. She is also Board member of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Society of North America (THSNA) and External Advisory Board member of CanVECTOR. Todd Robertson Todd is the Patient Engagement Liaison for The National Blood Alliance. In 2011, Todd suffered the first of seven blood clots and in 2017 experienced a close call with his first pulmonary embolism (https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/todds-story/). He is a carrier of the inherited clotting disorder, factor V Leiden, and is homozygous, making him aggressive in the abnormal clotting department. He is a motivational speaker for blood clot trauma recovery and is a local patient advocate for new patients. He is working on his first book, “Blood Clots: A Road Map to Recovery.” Todd runs several Facebook support groups and has developed a level of trust and friendship with thousands of patients over the years. He loves to road and mountain bike, white water canoe, and stays active all year round. Links Stop the Clot Donation Page (https://www.stoptheclot.org/year-end-donation-page-2025/?c_src=podcast) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/stoptheclot) Facebook Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/stoptheclot) X (https://www.x.com/StopTheClo) LinkedIn (https://www.inkedin.com/company/national-blood-clot-alliance) BlueSky (https://www.bsky.app/profile/stoptheclot.bsky.social) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@stoptheclot) #podcast #health #Pulmonaryembolism #PE

2. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Jeff Culler, Jake Culler and an Impossible Night

   As a parent, your children are your world. From the moment they are born you become so enraptured in their well being and are driven by your ability to keep them safe, happy and healthy. When life throws a vicious unknown your way that jeopardizes your child's life without any inkling of what it is, how it got here or why it's happening to them, as a parent, what can you do? On this episode of Taking A Breath we are joined by Jeff and Jake Culler, a father and son who, on one particularly harrowing night, were thrown into a whirlwind of the unimaginable when an unprecedented Pulmonary Embolism presented in Jake’s body. What do you do when the unimaginable experience of an almost impossibly large PE grinds your life to a sudden and tumultuous halt? As a child, how do you accurately receive the information of such a life threatening diagnosis? What happens when a PE returns mere hours after its removal? Alongside NBCA President Leslie Lake and NBCA Patient Liaison Todd Robertson, this conversation explores not just survival, but what it means to chart a path that will save countless lives to follow. Listeners will hear practical insights on recognizing warning signs, advocating for yourself in medical settings, and finding community on the journey to shaping the future of blood clot awareness. Meet Our Guests Jeff Culler and Jake Culler Jeff and Jake live in Colorado. Jake will be a Senior in high school starting next year and is looking forward to a year of track records and celebration. Jeff loves the outdoors and the lush nature of the Colorado landscape alongside his wife and two other children. Together they also have two wonderful dogs. About NBCA The National Blood Clot Alliance (https://www.stoptheclot.org/) (NBCA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. NBCA works on behalf of people who may be susceptible to blood clots, including, but not limited to, people with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation, cancer, traumatic injury, and risks related to surgery, lengthy immobility, child birth and birth control. NBCA accomplishes its mission through programs that build public awareness, educate patients and healthcare professionals, and promote supportive public and private sector policy. Our Hosts Leslie Lake In 2018, Leslie suffered a bilateral pulmonary embolism (https://www.stoptheclot.org/news/leslie-clotiversary/) (PE). Her quest to learn more about venous thromboembolism (VTE) lead her to the National Blood Clot Alliance Despite living in New York City, Leslie was shocked by the lack of information available to her after her PE. As Board President, Leslie is committed to raising public awareness so no person affected by blood clots is without the necessary information they need to prevent or successfully treat VTE, and that they also have the information they need to navigate the spectrum of lifestyle issues that can follow a blood clot diagnosis. Leslie holds a BS in Economics from Simmons College, where she is also a Trustee, member of the Finance and Investment Committees, and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. She is also Board member of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Society of North America (THSNA) and External Advisory Board member of CanVECTOR. Todd Robertson Todd is the Patient Engagement Liaison for The National Blood Alliance. In 2011, Todd suffered the first of seven blood clots and in 2017 experienced a close call with his first pulmonary embolism. (https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/todds-story/) He is a carrier of the inherited clotting disorder, factor V Leiden, and is homozygous, making him aggressive in the abnormal clotting department. He is a motivational speaker for blood clot trauma recovery and is a local patient advocate for new patients. He is working on his first book, “Blood Clots: A Road Map to Recovery.” Todd runs several Facebook support groups and has developed a level of trust and friendship with thousands of patients over the years. He loves to road and mountain bike, white water canoe, and stays active all year round. Links https://www.stoptheclot.org/year-end-donation-page-2025/?c_src=podcast  (https://www.stoptheclot.org/year-end-donation-page-2025/?c_src=podcast) YouTube: youtube.com/stoptheclot Facebook: facebook.com/stoptheclot Instagram: instagram.com/stoptheclot X: x.com/StopTheClot LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/national-blood-clot-alliance BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/stoptheclot.bsky.social TikTok: tiktok.com/@stoptheclot #podcast #health #Pulmonaryembolism #PE #takingabreath

3. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Michael Matthews and a Bump in the Road

   Peak Athleticism is not easy to come by. It takes years of consistent and often grueling determination, will, skill and a drive that few possess. Even in the most ideal physical circumstances where health and bodily consideration is paramount, blood clots have a habit of finding their way through. On this episode of Taking A Breath we are joined by Professional Road and Track Cyclist Michael Matthews (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Matthews_(cyclist)) to share his experience suffering a sudden and life threatening pulmonary embolism  during an altitude training camp. What goes on in the mind of an athlete through something so debilitating and unexpected? What does the future hold for Michael as a blood clot survivor and world renowned cyclist? How do we change the expectation around who does and does not experience these harrowing events? Alongside NBCA President Leslie Lake and NBCA Patient Liaison Todd Robertson, this conversation explores not just survival, but what it means to chart a path that will save countless lives to follow. Listeners will hear practical insights on recognizing warning signs, advocating for yourself in medical settings, and finding community on the journey to shaping the future of blood clot awareness. Meet Our Guests Michael Matthews (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Matthews_(cyclist)) Michael is an Australian Professional Road and Track Cyclist celebrated for his unprecedented and meteoric rise and early title of Under 23 Road Race World Champion altho age of 20. He won stages in all three grand tours (Tour de France: 4 individual stage victories 2016, 2017, 2022 ; Giro d'Italia: 3 individual stages 2014, 2015, 2023 ; Vuelta a España: 3 individual stages 2013, 2014) one of a handful of cyclists to achieve said accomplishment. Michael is also a Father and Husband and celebrated worldwide as a world class athlete. About NBCA The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. NBCA works on behalf of people who may be susceptible to blood clots, including, but not limited to, people with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation, cancer, traumatic injury, and risks related to surgery, lengthy immobility, child birth and birth control. NBCA accomplishes its mission through programs that build public awareness, educate patients and healthcare professionals, and promote supportive public and private sector policy. Our Hosts Leslie Lake In 2018, Leslie suffered a bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE). Her quest to learn more about venous thromboembolism (VTE) lead her to the National Blood Clot Alliance Despite living in New York City, Leslie was shocked by the lack of information available to her after her PE. As Board President, Leslie is committed to raising public awareness so no person affected by blood clots is without the necessary information they need to prevent or successfully treat VTE, and that they also have the information they need to navigate the spectrum of lifestyle issues that can follow a blood clot diagnosis. Leslie holds a BS in Economics from Simmons College, where she is also a Trustee, member of the Finance and Investment Committees, and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. She is also Board member of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Society of North America (THSNA) and External Advisory Board member of CanVECTOR. Todd Robertson Todd is the Patient Engagement Liaison for The National Blood Alliance. In 2011, Todd suffered the first of seven blood clots and in 2017 experienced a close call with his first pulmonary embolism. He is a carrier of the inherited clotting disorder, factor V Leiden, and is homozygous, making him aggressive in the abnormal clotting department. He is a motivational speaker for blood clot trauma recovery and is a local patient advocate for new patients. He is working on his first book, “Blood Clots: A Road Map to Recovery.” Todd runs several Facebook support groups and has developed a level of trust and friendship with thousands of patients over the years. He loves to road and mountain bike, white water canoe, and stays active all year round. Links https://www.stoptheclot.org/year-end-donation-page-2025/?c_src=podcast  (https://www.stoptheclot.org/year-end-donation-page-2025/?c_src=podcast%20%20) YouTube: youtube.com/stoptheclot Facebook: facebook.com/stoptheclot Instagram: instagram.com/stoptheclot X: x.com/StopTheClot LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/national-blood-clot-alliance BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/stoptheclot.bsky.social TikTok: tiktok.com/@stoptheclot #podcast #health #cycling

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

698,896

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

14 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 62 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

77

Contact Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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