In this episode of Rethink Imaging, host Chris St. John sits down with Dr. M. Mahesh, a world-renowned medical physicist from Johns Hopkins, to deconstruct the myths and misinformation surrounding medical radiation. Dr. Mahesh reveals how sensationalist headlines, like the "600% increase" in population radiation, often lack the scientific context necessary for patient safety. From the hidden dangers of lead shielding to how AI is changing the way we find health information, this conversation bridges the gap between academic "ivory towers" and the public’s need for clear, comforting, and accurate answers.

In part two of this deep dive, host Chris St. John and Dr. Mina Makary explore the "sci-fi" reality of modern interventional radiology. From ultrasound waves that destroy tumors without a single incision to embolization procedures that treat chronic pain and enlarged prostates, Dr. Makary reveals how the "fourth pillar" of cancer care is making major surgery a last resort rather than a first step.

In the first of a two-part series, host Chris St. John sits down with Dr. Mina Makary, a dual board-certified radiologist at The Ohio State University, to explore the rapidly evolving world of Interventional Radiology (IR). Dr. Makary clarifies the vital distinction between burnout and "moral injury" the psychological toll of being prevented from doing what is ethically right by systemic barriers, and advocates for a patient-centered approach that prioritizes transparency and minimally invasive options.

In this episode of Rethink Imaging, host Chris St. John sits down with Dr. Julie Bauml, a radiologist and clinical informatics expert, to dismantle the "replacement" narrative in medical AI. Dr. Bauml explains the concept of the "cognitive ceiling", the hard limit on human image processing, and argues that AI’s true value lies in automating the "non-doctoring" tasks to alleviate burnout rather than simply cranking up study volumes.

In this episode of Rethink Imaging, host Chris St. John speaks with Chalonda Jones-Thomas, founder of the Thomas Institute of Health Professions, about the urgent need to modernize medical imaging education. As technology outpaces traditional textbooks, Chalonda discusses her pioneering work in creating fully online, simulation-based training programs that serve working parents, rural communities, and active-duty military members.

What if nearly half of traditional autopsies could be avoided without sacrificing diagnostic certainty? In this episode of Rethink Imaging, host Chris St John speaks with Dr. Kalpana Kanal, Director of Diagnostic Physics at the University of Washington, and Dr. Jonathan Medverd, Chief of Radiology at Harborview Medical Center, about building one of the most advanced postmortem CT programs in the United States. Together, they share how a cross-campus collaboration between radiology and the medical examiner’s office has scanned 184 cases to date, avoided autopsy in approximately 45% of them, and demonstrated how virtual autopsy can improve efficiency, reduce costs, respect religious objections, and enhance forensic investigations. This conversation explores clinical validation, operational hurdles, PACS integration, billing challenges, and the long-term vision for forensic radiology fellowships in the U.S.

In this episode of Rethink Imaging, host Chris St. John sits down with Dr. Francesco Ria to explore a critical but often misunderstood concept in CT imaging: total risk. While radiation dose often dominates conversations around CT safety, Dr. Ria explains why clinical risk including missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, and underutilized imaging — frequently outweighs radiation risk when exams are not properly justified or optimized. The conversation reframes how imaging professionals, clinicians, and leaders should think about safety, appropriateness, and value in modern CT practice. Rather than focusing narrowly on dose reduction, Dr. Ria advocates for a more balanced approach that prioritizes diagnostic quality, patient outcomes, and evidence-based decision-making across the imaging pathway.

Dr. Claudia Kirsch joins Rethink Imaging to discuss how viruses like SARS-CoV-2 reshape the brain through inflammation, vascular injury, and immune pathways. From unexplained smell loss to the discovery of the nervus terminalis as a potential viral pathway, this episode highlights how advanced imaging is uncovering new insights into neuroinflammation and viral-driven disease including implications for cancer biology and long-term brain health.

Medical imaging faces a workforce crisis that cannot be solved with short-term staffing fixes. In this episode of Rethink Imaging, Chris St. John speaks with Geoffrey Roche, SVP of Healthcare at RizePoint, about why imaging remains a hidden profession, why more than 20,000 students sit on waiting lists every year, and how outdated accreditation models are limiting access to care. Geoffrey shares a systems-level view of workforce development, drawing from his experience across hospital systems, higher education, Siemens Healthineers, and global health education. The conversation explores apprenticeships, imaging assistants, retention challenges, and why imaging must evolve its training pathways if it wants a sustainable future.

James leads one of the region’s most advanced nuclear theranostics programs, using molecular imaging not only to diagnose cancer, but to guide and deliver treatment. This conversation stays grounded in practice: how patients are selected, how imaging drives decisions, and how programs actually get built. In this episode of Rethink Imaging, Chris St. John sits down with Dr. James Cassuto to unpack what theranostics looks like when it’s done right, inside a real health system, serving real patients.