In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Meraj Khan, co-founder and CEO of Digi Bios, to answer a practical question: is AI actually ready for real-world asthma care?

We talk about why the biggest barrier is no longer the technology itself. The real gap is translation into care. Many AI tools struggle with workflow integration, real-world validation, and reimbursement models. If it does not fit inside the clinic, it will not be used.

Dr. Khan breaks down where AI can help today: continuous monitoring, early screening, triage, risk stratification, and decision support. The goal is not to replace clinicians. It is to empower them and support patients with clearer insights.

We also explore his AI readiness framework: define the problem, manage it properly, then operationalize it in real settings. Trust becomes central. That means transparency, explainability, diverse datasets, and ongoing auditing to reduce bias.

Using Lung Sense as a case study, we discuss lessons learned from moving beyond controlled research environments into hospital deployment, long-term care, and remote settings. The feedback from clinicians is clear: do not give us more data. Give us clarity.

This conversation is about implementation, accountability, and what it will actually take for AI to improve asthma outcomes.

00:30 Welcome Back Dr Khan
01:45 Why Adoption Lags
05:03 What AI Can Do Now
08:13 Clinic Reality Check
12:17 Why Tools Fail
15:10 Patient Expectations
17:44 Lung Sense Lessons
22:22 Refining With Feedback
24:16 What Trustworthy AI Means
28:16 Patients and AI Literacy
29:51 Scaling Adoption for Patients
32:23 Medical Disclaimer and Scope
32:46 Can AI Prevent Attacks
36:07 Where AI Helps Most Today
38:06 Data Bias and Governance
42:55 Myth vs Reality AI Limits
49:00 When AI Is Clinic Ready
50:54 What’s Next for DigiBios
54:01 One Last Breath Message

Connect with us (@BeyondTheWheeze):

• Check us out on Instagram
• Follow Beyond the Wheeze on LinkedIn
• Connect with us on TikTok
• Follow us on Facebook
• Speaking services, media, blog & news on our website
• Email Josh directly at Josh@wheezespeak.ca.

Are video podcasts more your thing? Check us out on YouTube!

Visit Asthma Canada, or the Lung Health Foundation, to see how you can get involved today.

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze, I sit down with Jenna Reynolds, Vice President of Mission, Advocacy, and Research at Asthma Canada, to talk about the real gaps in asthma care across the country and what meaningful progress could look like. From diagnosis challenges to medication access, education, and environmental impacts, this conversation explores how systems, policy, and lived experience intersect — and why better coordination could change outcomes for millions of Canadians.

We also discuss the role of advocacy, why education must be treated as essential treatment, and how organizations like Asthma Canada are working to make care more equitable and proactive rather than crisis-driven.

What we discuss in this episode:
• Why asthma is still underestimated despite affecting millions of Canadians
• The gaps in diagnosis, follow-up care, and patient education
• How geography, income, and community resources shape asthma outcomes
• The impact of medication cost and formulary access on patient health
• The growing influence of environmental factors like air quality and wildfires
• Why integrated, team-based care could redefine asthma management in Canada

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Asthma Canada: https://asthma.ca
Asthma Canada helpline and support resources: https://asthma.ca/get-help/

If you or someone you care about lives with asthma, these resources can help you better understand the condition, access support, and advocate for improved care.

Chapters:

00:30 Welcome + What You’ll Learn About Asthma Care in Canada
01:23 Jenna Reynolds’ Personal ‘Why’ Behind Asthma Advocacy
02:24 The Pattern Asthma Canada Hears Most: ‘It’s Just My Asthma’
03:07 Reality Check: What’s Broken in Asthma Care Right Now
05:30 Spotting the System Gaps: Red Flags & What to Do Next
06:37 Diagnosis Done Right: Spirometry, Misdiagnosis, and the Domino Effect
07:48 Follow-Up & Ongoing Management: Beyond the First Inhaler
09:29 Who Gets Left Behind: Income, Rural Access, and Indigenous Health Gaps
11:13 Education That Changes Outcomes: 3 Things Everyone Should Know
13:25 Inhaler Technique & Action Plans: What ‘Good Education’ Includes
15:13 Asthma at School: Policies, Training, and Ryan’s Law
16:57 Medication Costs & Coverage: How Affordability Drives Outcomes
19:33 When Controllers Aren’t Affordable + Making Biologics Accessible
21:34 The Ideal Asthma Care Pathway (and What’s Realistic in 5–10 Years)
25:02 Myth vs Reality: Common Misconceptions That Put People at Risk
26:38 3 Things Patients Can Do This Week to Improve Control
28:26 Caregivers’ Checklist: Protecting and Supporting Kids with Asthma
29:43 Self-Advocacy Without Burnout: Being Heard in the System
31:09 Environment & Climate: Wildfires, Air Quality, and Asthma Canada’s Work

Connect with us (@BeyondTheWheeze):

• Check us out on Instagram
• Follow Beyond the Wheeze on LinkedIn
• Connect with us on TikTok
• Follow us on Facebook
• Speaking services, media, blog & news on our website
• Email Josh directly at Josh@wheezespeak.ca.

Are video podcasts more your thing? Check us out on YouTube!

Visit Asthma Canada, or the Lung Health Foundation, to see how you can get involved today.

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze, I’m joined by Jeremy Saunders, Canadian actor, podcaster, and public speaker, to explore what it truly means to live with cystic fibrosis and how he has used storytelling, humor, and vulnerability to break health stigma.

Jeremy shares what day-to-day life with CF looks like, including managing complex treatments, navigating travel, and balancing physical and mental health. We talk about how new medications like Trikafta have changed the landscape of CF care, while also acknowledging the realities that many people still face. Jeremy also discusses his “expiry date” mindset, embracing mortality, and choosing to live fully despite uncertainty.

We dive into the origins and evolution of Sick Boy, the role of humor in serious conversations, and why authentic, sometimes uncomfortable dialogue is essential for building understanding and community. Jeremy also reflects on receiving the Meritorious Service Medal, his work with Breathless, and the projects he continues to pursue to raise awareness and support others living with chronic illness.

This episode offers honest perspective for anyone living with a chronic condition, supporting someone who is, or interested in how storytelling and openness can change the way we talk about health.

🎧 Sick Boy Podcast: https://www.sickboypodcast.com/

🎧 Breathless Podcast: https://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/breathless

🎧 More episodes: https://beyondthewheeze.ca/podcast

00:30 – Introduction to Jeremy Saunders
00:32 – Jeremy’s career and achievements
01:17 – Disclaimer and welcome
01:42 – Jeremy’s experience with cystic fibrosis
03:10 – Understanding cystic fibrosis beyond the lungs
06:46 – Daily life with CF
11:37 – Traveling with cystic fibrosis
16:42 – Embracing mortality and living fully
25:11 – Advancements in CF treatment
28:45 – Humor in serious illness
28:54 – The importance of authentic conversations
29:59 – Navigating social interactions during hardship
31:40 – Humor and seriousness in Sick Boy
32:47 – Crossing the line in vulnerable conversations
37:01 – The evolution and impact of Sick Boy
40:33 – Receiving the Meritorious Service Medal
44:12 – The mission behind Breathless
48:27 – Living with uncertainty and optimism
51:55 – The power of open dialogue
56:13 – Upcoming projects and final thoughts

Connect with us (@BeyondTheWheeze):

• Check us out on Instagram
• Follow Beyond the Wheeze on LinkedIn
• Connect with us on TikTok
• Follow us on Facebook
• Speaking services, media, blog & news on our website
• Email Josh directly at Josh@wheezespeak.ca.

Are video podcasts more your thing? Check us out on YouTube!

Visit Asthma Canada, or the Lung Health Foundation, to see how you can get involved today.