What the Hal??

About What the Hal??

Veteran FOX 11 journalist Hal Eisner has spent a lifetime telling stories. Now he’s continuing the conversation. In this new chapter of What the Hal??, Hal sits down with newsmakers, storytellers, and people doing extraordinary things in everyday life. Expect thoughtful interviews, behind-the-scenes perspectives from a career in journalism, and real discussions about the issues shaping Los Angeles and beyond. It’s news, insight, and curiosity—through the eyes of someone who’s seen it all.

Publisher

Hal Eisner

Category

education · news · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Mar 2026

Latest episode

30 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Sept 2026

   WHAT THE HAL? PODCAST 2.0 – EPISODE 23: Undue Medical Debt: Erasing Bills and Restoring Hope

   WHAT THE HAL? PODCAST 2.0 – EPISODE 23 Undue Medical Debt: Erasing Bills and Restoring Hope Medical debt can follow people long after they receive care, affecting their finances, credit, and willingness to seek treatment. But one nonprofit is working to provide immediate relief while pushing for broader changes to the healthcare system. In this episode, Hal Eisner speaks with Marisa Clemente, Vice President of Philanthropy at Undue Medical Debt, about how the organization uses charitable donations to purchase large portfolios of qualifying medical debt at steep discounts and erase those bills for people facing financial hardship. The conversation examines the scale of America’s medical-debt crisis, the complicated systems behind healthcare pricing and collections, and practical steps patients can take when reviewing a medical bill. Marisa also explains how donors, healthcare providers, policymakers, and local communities can help relieve existing debt while working toward long-term reform. KEY TOPICS • The scale and impact of medical debt in the United States • How Undue Medical Debt purchases and abolishes qualifying debt • Why medical debt can be acquired for a fraction of its original value • How donations are used to provide relief to financially vulnerable families • Problems involving healthcare pricing, insurance, and billing practices • Why patients should carefully review medical bills for errors • Hospital financial-assistance programs and patient eligibility • The role of philanthropy in expanding medical-debt relief • State and local efforts to limit aggressive collection practices • Why abolishing existing debt must be paired with systemic reform Support the Podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/haleisner (https://buymeacoffee.com/haleisner) Original Theme Music by Stuart Pearson https://stuartpearsonmusic.com (https://stuartpearsonmusic.com) Listen to Previous Episodes https://audioboom.com/channels/4960408-what-the-hal (https://audioboom.com/channels/4960408-what-the-hal) Resources Undue Medical Debt https://unduemedicaldebt.org (https://unduemedicaldebt.org) Undue Medical Debt — How Debt Relief Works https://unduemedicaldebt.org/solutions-to-buy-medical-debt/ (https://unduemedicaldebt.org/solutions-to-buy-medical-debt/) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Medical Debt Resources https://consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/medical-debt/ (https://consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/medical-debt/) KFF — The Burden of Medical Debt in the United States https://kff.org/health-costs/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/ (https://kff.org/health-costs/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/) Connect with Us Hal Eisner Instagram: https://instagram.com/haleisner (https://instagram.com/haleisner) Facebook: https://facebook.com/haleisner (https://facebook.com/haleisner) X: https://x.com/HalEisner (https://x.com/HalEisner) Elsa Ramon Instagram: https://instagram.com/elsamramon (https://instagram.com/elsamramon) X: https://x.com/ElsaMRamon (https://x.com/ElsaMRamon) Hunter Lowry Instagram: https://instagram.com/serendipitychick (https://instagram.com/serendipitychick) Takeaways: Medical debt in the United States has become a leading cause of financial instability for families, often forcing difficult choices regarding essential needs. Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit organization, acquires and abolishes medical debt using charitable donations, providing relief to those in financial distress. The organization utilizes a unique software, Debt Engine, to identify and prioritize patients eligible for debt relief based on specific financial criteria. Healthcare costs in the U.S. contribute significantly to personal bankruptcies, with two-thirds of bankruptcies linked directly to medical expenses. Patients are encouraged to meticulously review their medical bills for errors, as billing mistakes can lead to undue financial burdens. Systemic reform is essential alongside immediate debt relief efforts to ensure that healthcare remains accessible and affordable for all individuals.

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   WHAT THE HAL? PODCAST 2.0 – EPISODE 22: Postpartum Depression vs. Psychosis: Warning Signs Families Should Know

   WHAT THE HAL? PODCAST 2.0 – EPISODE 22 Postpartum Depression vs. Psychosis: Warning Signs Families Should Know What separates postpartum depression from postpartum psychosis—and which warning signs require immediate action? In this episode, Hal Eisner, Hunter Lowry, and Elsa Ramon sit down with psychotherapist Dr. Lynn Ianni to discuss postpartum mental health, including the important differences between postpartum depression and the much rarer postpartum psychosis. Using the Lindsay Clancy case and Hayden Panettiere’s public discussion of postpartum depression as context, they examine warning signs, risk factors, stigma, treatment, and the support systems available to new parents. The conversation also offers guidance for partners, relatives, and friends who are concerned about someone they love. KEY TOPICS • How postpartum depression differs from postpartum psychosis • Why postpartum depression is relatively common while postpartum psychosis is rare • Hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, pressured speech, and detachment from reality • Why persistent, severe insomnia can be an important warning sign • How hormonal changes and sleep deprivation may affect mental health • The role of bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and other prior conditions • How medication changes during pregnancy or postpartum may affect stability • Coordinating care among mental health professionals, OB-GYNs, and support networks • What friends and family can do when someone refuses help • When symptoms require urgent professional help or emergency intervention • The shame and unrealistic expectations surrounding the “perfect mother” • How proactive planning and early intervention may help prevent a crisis Postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis are serious health conditions—not personal failures. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency that requires immediate professional evaluation. Recognizing warning signs, reducing shame, and seeking qualified help early can protect both the parent and child. Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/haleisner (https://buymeacoffee.com/haleisner) Original Theme Music by Stuart Pearson https://stuartpearsonmusic.com (https://stuartpearsonmusic.com/) Listen to Previous Episodes https://audioboom.com/channels/4960408-what-the-hal (https://audioboom.com/channels/4960408-what-the-hal) Resources: Dr. Lynn Ianni https://www.drlynnianni.com (https://www.drlynnianni.com/) National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Call or text: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline (https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text: 988 https://988lifeline.org (https://988lifeline.org/) Office on Women’s Health — Postpartum Depression https://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/postpartum-depression (https://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/postpartum-depression) If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Connect with Us: Hal Eisner Instagram: https://instagram.com/haleisner (https://instagram.com/haleisner) Facebook: https://facebook.com/haleisner (https://facebook.com/haleisner) X: https://x.com/HalEisner (https://x.com/HalEisner) Elsa Ramon Instagram: https://instagram.com/elsamramon (https://instagram.com/elsamramon) X: https://x.com/ElsaMRamon (https://x.com/ElsaMRamon) Hunter Lowry Instagram: https://instagram.com/serendipitychick (https://instagram.com/serendipitychick)

3. 

   16 Sept 2026

   WHAT THE HAL? PODCAST 2.0 – EPISODE 21: Psychedelics and Mental Health: Hope, Hype, and the Science

   WHAT THE HAL? PODCAST 2.0 – EPISODE 21 Psychedelics and Mental Health: Hope, Hype, and the Science Interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy has grown dramatically in recent years, but where does the science stand today? Which treatments are showing promise, and what misconceptions still exist? In this episode, Hal Eisner sits down with Dr. Michael White, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, to discuss the emerging research surrounding psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health conditions. Together, they examine the evidence behind substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine, exploring their potential role in treating PTSD, depression, and other mental health disorders. The conversation also addresses safety considerations, ongoing clinical trials, and the importance of separating scientific evidence from popular misconceptions. KEY TOPICS • The current state of psychedelic-assisted therapy research • Understanding the differences between psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine • Emerging treatments for PTSD, depression, and treatment-resistant mental illness • What current clinical trials are revealing • Potential risks, benefits, and patient safety considerations • Why professional medical supervision is essential • The evolving regulatory landscape for psychedelic therapies • Common myths and misconceptions about psychedelic medicine • How researchers evaluate effectiveness and long-term outcomes • Where the future of psychedelic-assisted treatment may be headed Support the Podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/haleisner (https://buymeacoffee.com/haleisner) Original Theme Music by Stuart Pearson https://stuartpearsonmusic.com (https://stuartpearsonmusic.com) Listen to Previous Episodes https://audioboom.com/channels/4960408-what-the-hal (https://audioboom.com/channels/4960408-what-the-hal) Resources University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy https://pharmacy.uconn.edu (https://pharmacy.uconn.edu) John Dempsey Hospital https://health.uconn.edu (https://health.uconn.edu) National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov (https://www.nimh.nih.gov) National Institute on Drug Abuse https://nida.nih.gov (https://nida.nih.gov) Connect with Us Hal Eisner Instagram: https://instagram.com/haleisner (https://instagram.com/haleisner) Facebook: https://facebook.com/haleisner (https://facebook.com/haleisner) X: https://x.com/HalEisner (https://x.com/HalEisner) Elsa Ramon Instagram: https://instagram.com/elsamramon (https://instagram.com/elsamramon) X: https://x.com/ElsaMRamon (https://x.com/ElsaMRamon) Hunter Lowry Instagram: https://instagram.com/serendipitychick (https://instagram.com/serendipitychick)

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