Coffee Conversations with Scientists

About the Series

In partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin, join host Rayna Andrews each month as she digs into the science behind a health topic making news today. Think of it as a virtual coffee break, with a science twist. 

You bring the coffee. We’ll bring a scientist. And together we’ll explore what science tells us about the health topics that matter to you!

Watch the Episodes

Listen to the Podcasts

The Science Behind Workforce Well-Being

May 28, 2025

We chat with Michael Stadler, MD, Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and former Chief Medical Officer of Froedtert Hospital, to discuss a transformative statewide initiative to support the well-being of Wisconsin’s health workforce. As the champion of this ambitious effort funded by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, Dr. Stadler shares challenges and solutions related to professional burnout among Wisconsin’s health workers.

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The Science Behind Pediatric Feeding and Nutrition Disorders

March 27, 2025

We chat with Alan Silverman, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Pediatric Psychology Training at MCW, as we explore feeding and nutrition disorders in pediatrics, their prevalence, and where parents can find support.

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The Science Behind Heart Health

January 30, 2025 

We chat with Michael Widlansky, MD, MPH, Northwestern Mutual Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, department of medicine and pharmacology, and director of the Cardiovascular Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin, about optimizing our endothelial cell function and why it’s important.

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The Science Behind Increasing Healthy Food Access

November 13, 2024

We chat with Dr. Leslie Ruffalo, Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at MCW, about how building trusted relationships between communities and farmers can help address nutrition insecurity.

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The Science Behind Pancreatic Cancer Therapeutics

October 30, 2024

We chat with with Gustavo W. Leone, PhD, Director of Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center and Senior Associate Dean of Cancer Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin, about urgent research and cutting-edge therapies that are transforming the fight against pancreatic cancer.

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The Science Behind Premature Respiratory Disease

September 25, 2024

We chat with Girija Ganesh Konduri, MD, Pediatrician and Neonatologist with Children’s Wisconsin and Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, about the urgent and often life-threatening challenges of neonatal respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension in premature babies—conditions that demand immediate attention and expert care..

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The Science Behind Rising Syphilis Rates

July 30, 2024

We chat with Allison Linton, MD MPH, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, about the latest trends in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and why syphilis is on the rise.

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The Science Behind Collaborative Diabetes Management Interventions

May 28, 2024

We chat with Dr. David Nelson, PhD, Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, on the systems changes needed for health integration and delivery for diabetes prevention.

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The Science Behind Integrative Dementia Care

April 24, 2024 

We chat with Leslie Ruffalo, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, on how imagination and creative communication strategies could increase caregiver and patient relations for persons living with dementia.

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The Science Behind Self-Compassion and Weight Management

March 20, 2024 

We chat with Dr. Alexander Buhk as we explore the correlation between self-compassion and weight management, and discuss the tools to help love yourself at any size.

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The Science Behind the Grieving Brain

January 17, 2024

We chat with Joseph Goveas, MD, Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Institute for Health and Equity and Vice-Chair and Director, Geriatric Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin, on the risks, symptoms, and interventions for prolonged grief.

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The Science Behind Autism Diagnosis

November 29, 2023 

Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we chat with Dr. Kathleen A. Koth, DO, DFAACAP, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), to learn about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), diagnosis, and advancements in care.

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The Science Behind Immunizations

September 29, 2023 

Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we chat with Carlos Figueroa Castro, MD, assistant professor of infectious disease at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) to learn about the importance of immunizations, early detection, and infection prevention.

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The Science Behind Sweeteners and Our Metabolic and Reproductive Health

July 31, 2023 

We chat with Dr. Stephanie Olivier-Van Stichelen, PhD, Assistant Professor in Biochemistry; Secondary Faculty in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, about the intersection of sweeteners, pregnancy, development, and metabolism.

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The Science Behind Maternal Morbidity

May 31, 2023

Dr. Anna Palatnik, MD, maternal fetal health medicine physician and associate professor at Froedtert, and the Medical College of Wisconsin talk about racial and ethnic disparities across selected measures of maternal and infant health and discuss the factors that drive these disparities.

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The Science Behind Vasectomies

March 21, 2023

Approximately 500,000 men in the United States get vasectomies each year, and many of them get scheduled during March Madness. Why is that? Tune in as we discuss the science behind vasectomies and what’s driving the uptick in procedures. Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we chat with Jay Sandlow, MD, urologist and professor at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Presented in partnership with the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment.

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The Science and Trends Behind Losing Weight

February 21, 2023

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The Science and Trends Behind Seasonal Respiratory Illness

January 31, 2023

Take a virtual coffee break with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment as we chat with John Meurer, MD, MBA, professor of pediatrics and community health at the Medical College of Wisconsin, as we guide you through the signs of seasonal respiratory illnesses—COVID, influenza, and RSV—and share what you can do about them.

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The Science Behind Genetic Counseling

November 14, 2022 

Host Michael Zimmermann, PhD, director of the bioinformatics research and development lab in the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin chatted with Jenny Geurts, MS, CGC, director of the genetic counseling program and assistant professor in the Institute for Health & Equity at the Medical College of Wisconsin about the science behind genetic counseling.

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The Science Behind Breast Cancer

October 27, 2022 

Adrienne Cobb, MD, MS, assistant professor of surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, discussed the science behind breast cancer.

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The Science Behind Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion

September 21, 2022 

Dr. Michael McCrea, the Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, Chair in Neurosurgery; professor; vice chair of Research; co-director, Neurotrauma Research Center; director, Clinical Trials Office (CTO) in the Neuroscience Institute at MCW, chatted with host Dr. Terri deRoon Cassini, professor of surgery and the executive director of the MCW Comprehensive Injury Center at MCW, about the science behind traumatic brain injury and concussion.

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The Science Behind Bullying and Suicide Prevention

August 17, 2022 

Sara Kohlbeck, Director of the Division of Suicide Prevention at MCW, chatted with host Dr. Staci Young, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Healthy Communities and Research at MCW, about bullying and suicide prevention.

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Understanding The Science Behind Cardiovascular Health and Pregnancy

June 28, 2022 

Dr. Jennifer McIntosh, Associate Professor of Maternal Fetal Medicine at MCW and clinician in the Froedtert & MCW Maternal Fetal Medicine Program, chatted with host, Dr. Nicole Lohr, cardiologist and chief of cardiovascular medicine at the Zablocki VA Medical Center, about the science behind cardiovascular health and pregnancy including misconceptions, risks and prevention.

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The Science Behind Hearing Loss

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Join Dr. Chris Runge, professor in the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at the Medical College of Wisconsin and director of the Koss Cochlear Implant Program, as she chats with host, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, director of the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, about the science behind hearing loss, the most common types of hearing loss, and what you can do if you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of hearing loss.

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Understanding the Science Behind Sleep Health

Wednesday, March 23  

Dr. B. Tucker Woodson, otolaryngologist and professor and chief of sleep medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, discussed the science behind sleep health.

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The Science of Cardiovascular Health: Understanding Your Risk and Tips for Prevention

Friday, February 25

Dr. Nicole Lohr, cardiologist and chief of cardiovascular medicine at the Zablocki VA Medical Center, chats with host, Julia Schmitt, about the science behind cardiovascular health, understanding your risk factors, and tips for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

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2021: The Year in Review

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Join us as we take a look back at the most talked about coffee conversations from 2021. From COVID and vaccines to violence prevention and gender inclusivity, we talked to MCW’s leading
scientists to learn more about the public health topics that mattered most to you.

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Kids & COVID-19: Vaccine Edition

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Join as Children's Wisconsin Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Gutzeit explores the science behind COVID-19 vaccines for kids and what the data says about safety and effictiveness, and the steps we can all take to keep our families healthy today

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Kids & COVID-19: A Conversation for Parents & Caregivers

August 3, 2021

Medical College of Wisconsin pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Frank Zhu talks with Calie Herbst, founder of Milwaukee with Kids, on the science behind COVID-19 in kids, and what parents and caregivers need to know about variants, vaccines, and the latest guidelines for keeping your family healthy this fall.

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Let's Talk About Sex, Gender & Health

June 2, 2021

Join nationally recognized LGBTQ health specialist Dr. Jessica Francis and host Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld for a discussion on sex, gender identity, and health, as they explore what science tells us about how exclusion in health disparities and inequities, and why inclusion in medicine, science, and society matters to health.

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