The winter solstice set the tone for a conversation about rhythm, meaning, and the real work of healing. We kicked off with a vulnerable journey from a small town in Gujarat to Yale and beyond, and we didn’t shy away from the messy truth: purpose and practicality coexist. We talked job security, curiosity, and the deep joy of closing the door and being fully present with another human—because that’s where medicine becomes healing.

From there, we challenged narrow definitions of health. Instead of chasing someone else’s metrics, we defined well-being as the freedom to live on your terms—physical capacity, emotional steadiness, social support, financial stability, and spiritual grounding. That led to a frank look at outcomes across countries, why community often beats cash, and how social stressors can be as clinical as cholesterol. We shared real stories where evidence-based care meets belief systems, and how connection first makes science land.

We introduced a practical 5M framework for prevention—menu, mind, move, make, and meet—paired with a “silent sixth” M: meds used precisely when needed. Think plant-forward nutrition, daily stress regulation, consistent movement, creative expression to protect against burnout, and relationships that compound health over time. We tackled overtreatment and neglect, explained when testing helps and when it harms, and made space for the blunt facts: insulin for type 1, thyroid hormone for hypothyroidism, urgent care for chest pain. Clarity builds confidence.

We also explored AI in healthcare—not as a hero, but as a helpful tool. Better imaging and smarter triage can free time for the human work that no machine can do: listening, reframing beliefs, partnering on change. Along the way, we geeked out on books that shape better clinicians and stronger humans, from Sherlock Holmes’ diagnostic mindset to Braiding Sweetgrass and the Bhagavad Gita reframed for athletes.

If you’re ready to redefine health on your terms and build daily habits that actually stick, this conversation is your blueprint. Subscribe, share with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a review with the one change you’re committing to this week.

THE VIP MED Podcast is hosted by Setu Vora, MD, with Chaula Vora, MD, and Carina Vora DDS—bringing together clinical excellence, lived wisdom, and thoughtful conversation to explore health and wellbeing that goes beyond lifespan, healthspan, and soulspan.

Each episode weaves the latest advances in science and medicine with the ancient wisdom of spiritual traditions, honoring both evidence and meaning. THE VIP MED is a movement grounded in the 5M Model of Wellness—Menu, Mind, Move, Make, Meet—developed by Setu Vora to help individuals and communities live with vitality, purpose, and connection.

Through conversations with inspiring guests, leaders, healers, and changemakers, THE VIP MED invites you to think differently about what it truly means to live well—body, mind, and spirit.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional for medical decisions.

Be well.