Episodes

When it comes to COPD, the right treatment starts with the right diagnosis—hear why spirometry and alpha-1 screening should be part of the conversation before care decisions are made. In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, host Tralisa Willis speaks with Dr. Charlie Strange and Corinne Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP, about screening for COPD, interpreting pulmonary function tests, and identifying alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. They explain why symptoms, age, and smoking history alone are not ...

In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, host Arnelle Konde speaks with Jamie and Kendall about their experiences caring for their fathers with chronic lung disease. They discuss how caregiving roles can grow from small, everyday responsibilities into emotional, physical, and logistical support. Jamie and Kendall share the challenges of balancing being a daughter with being a caregiver, recognizing burnout, asking for help, and making space for rest. They also discuss respite care, therapy, ...

If your patients with COPD are still symptomatic despite prescribed inhaled therapy, this episode will help you rethink whether the device—not just the medication—may be part of the problem. In this episode of The Lung Health Champion, Tralisa Willis speaks with Dr. Isaac Biney and Dr. Jill Ohar about choosing the right inhaled medication device for people living with COPD. The discussion examines common inhaler technique mistakes, how inspiratory flow impacts medication delivery, and when clin...

If you’ve ever wondered whether a nebulizer might be right for you or someone you care about, this episode provides practical insights from both a patient and a respiratory therapist. They discuss how nebulizers can significantly improve daily treatment and enhance quality of life. In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, Arnelle and Jonnie Korinko are joined by Bonnie, a person living with COPD, and Matthew Dartt, a respiratory therapist, for a conversation about nebulizers and their ...

For clinicians who order oxygen, this episode is a must-listen guide to overcoming today’s oxygen therapy barriers and delivering care that truly improves patients’ quality of life. In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, guest host Mike Hess is joined by Mary Kitlowski, Dr. Angela Suen, Dr. Anand Iyer, and Susan Jacobs, RN, MS, to examine the challenges surrounding supplemental oxygen therapy in the United States. Drawing on their recent JAMA review article, the group discusses the barr...

If you’ve ever wondered whether a COPD symptom is ‘just a bad day’ or a warning sign that your COPD may be getting worse, this episode is one you don’t want to miss. In this episode of The Lung Health Champion, Arnelle is joined by Dr. MeiLan Han, Chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at the University of Michigan Health, and Dave, a person living with COPD, to discuss the importance of recognizing changes in symptoms and taking action early. Dave shares his personal experience...

In this episode of Lung Health Champion, host Amanda Atkinson speaks with Dr. Kyle Hogarth about what happens after identifying a severe genotype in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. They outline a practical approach to patient care, including establishing baselines, determining disease risk, and guiding treatment decisions. The discussion covers monitoring strategies, recognizing signs of disease progression, and when to consider augmentation therapy or specialist referral. Dr. Hogarth also addre...

In this episode of Lung Health Champion, Dr. Jean Wright speaks with Dr. Jessica Bon, a pulmonary specialist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, alongside Tom Krueger, who is living with COPD. Together, they discuss what worsening COPD can look and feel like in daily life, from increased shortness of breath and fatigue to anxiety and changing activity levels. Dr. Bon explains how healthcare providers assess disease progression, the role of inflammation in COPD, and why it’s important for peopl...

In this premiere episode of Lung Health Champion, host Arnelle Konde speaks with Dr. Barbara Yawn, a primary care physician and clinical researcher, alongside Tina Moyer, who is living with COPD. The conversation focuses on the emotional and practical realities following an initial COPD diagnosis. Dr. Yawn explains how clinicians can support patients through early misunderstandings, while Tina shares her personal experience of fear, acceptance, and learning to move forward. Together, they exa...

In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, host Arnelle Konde speaks with Dr. Stephanie Christenson, a pulmonologist, and Caroline Gainer, who is living with COPD, about exacerbations, also known as flare-ups. They examine what an exacerbation is, how it differs from a bad day, and why early recognition is critical. Caroline shares her personal experience learning to identify symptoms, while Dr. Christenson explains the role of inflammation, common triggers, and the importance of understand...

Lung Health Champion is the podcast for anyone with lungs, which means you! We talk about how breathing works, why your lungs are so important, and simple ways to take good care of them. You’ll learn helpful tips, hear interesting stories, and discover things about your body you may have never thought about before. It’s fun, easy to follow, and made for anyone who wants to breathe a little easier every day. The podcast is provided by the COPD Foundation as an educational resource only and shoul...