This podcast honours the NHS: its people, its purpose, its power.

The Visionary Podcast is Sponsored by Dietapplements – Your Pure, Clean-label Supplements:

https://www.dietapplements.com/

Guest - Dr David Montgomery | Co-Founder & Director at PM Life Sciences Consulting

Dr David Montgomery is a medical doctor with experience across the pharmaceutical industry, the NHS, and the charity sector, with a strong interest in healthcare policy and market access. Passionate about improving how the healthcare system works and bringing people together to drive positive change, he co-founded PM Life Sciences with Dr Sheuli Porkess to support small healthcare companies, startups, and biotech organisations to commercialise innovation and overcome policy barriers to better health outcomes.

Host/Podcaster: Hala Ali

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction: The Visionary Podcast

00:01:21 What is a Pharmaceutical Physician?

00:02:34 From Surgeon to Pharma: A Journey in Oncology

00:04:48 The Financial Tension Between the NHS and Pharma

00:06:56 The Billion Dollar Cost of Developing New Medicines

00:09:41 Branded vs. Generic Medicines: Keeping Costs Down

00:11:43 How NICE Assesses Cost-Effectiveness

00:18:31 Regulatory Safety: Learning from the Thalidomide Tragedy

00:21:25 Overcoming Delays in Drug Approval and Uptake

00:30:45 The History and Impact of the Cancer Drugs Fund

00:40:00 Digital Innovation and the Potential of the NHS App

01:00:21 The Serendipity of Discovery: Penicillin and Antibiotics

01:05:54 Understanding the "Quality Adjusted Life Year" (QALY)

01:53:02 The Ethics of Assisted Dying Legislation

03:07:38 Future Vision: AI, Quantum Computing, and Gene Editing

Follow :

Website - https://www.pmlifesciences.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-montgomery-ba374025/

Explore the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeFXRuOQ6z8r12D9L8f0lyOYAxdOZRWzY

Music: Chopin - Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - III. Rondo – Vivace (String Quintet arr.)

Disclaimer: The Visionary Podcast features conversations with health professionals purely for educational and informational purposes. There is no financial exchange between the podcast and its guests. All views expressed are those of the health professionals and do not constitute medical advice.

This podcast honours the NHS: its people, its purpose, its power.The Visionary Podcast is Sponsored by Dietapplements – Your Pure, Clean-label Supplements: https://www.dietapplements.com/Guest - Dr David Montgomery | Co-Founder & Director at PM Life Sciences ConsultingDr David Montgomery is a medical doctor with experience across the pharmaceutical industry, the NHS, and the charity sector, with a strong interest in healthcare policy and market access. Passionate about improving how the healthcare system works and bringing people together to drive positive change, he co-founded PM Life Sciences with Dr Sheuli Porkess to support small healthcare companies, startups, and biotech organisations to commercialise innovation and overcome policy barriers to better health outcomes.Host/Podcaster: Hala AliChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:49 - Politics and Personal Experiences00:01:23 - Challenges in Politics00:02:26 - Political Instability and its Impact00:05:51 - Role of Compliance in Creativity00:06:14 - Separation of Compliance and Creativity00:09:23 - Vision for Life Sciences00:12:16 - Transparency in Healthcare00:14:36 - Criticism of the Pharmaceutical Industry00:15:21 - Reflections on Communication and Pride in the Industry00:17:07 - Changing Perspectives and Personal Growth00:19:02 - Predictions for Future Medical Technologies00:21:31 - Closing Remarks and ReflectionsFollow :Website - https://www.pmlifesciences.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-montgomery-ba374025/Explore the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeFXRuOQ6z8r12D9L8f0lyOYAxdOZRWzYMusic: Chopin - Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - III. Rondo – Vivace (String Quintet arr.)Disclaimer: The Visionary Podcast features conversations with health professionals purely for educational and informational purposes. There is no financial exchange between the podcast and its guests. All views expressed are those of the health professionals and do not constitute medical advice.

This podcast honours the NHS: its people, its purpose, its power.

The Visionary Podcast is Sponsored by Dietapplements – Your Pure, Clean-label Supplements:

https://www.dietapplements.com/

Guest - Dr David Montgomery | Co-Founder & Director at PM Life Sciences Consulting

Dr David Montgomery is a medical doctor with experience across the pharmaceutical industry, the NHS, and the charity sector, with a strong interest in healthcare policy and market access. Passionate about improving how the healthcare system works and bringing people together to drive positive change, he co-founded PM Life Sciences with Dr Sheuli Porkess to support small healthcare companies, startups, and biotech organisations to commercialise innovation and overcome policy barriers to better health outcomes.

Host/Podcaster: Hala Ali

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background

00:03:35 - Reflections on COVID Pandemic and Historical Crises

00:04:46 - Transition from Charity Sector to Pharma

00:07:15 - Comparing Pfizer and Prostate Cancer UK

00:09:20 - Moving from Medicine to Pharma

00:14:13 - Challenges in Clinical Academic Medicine

00:15:58 - Research on Breast Cancer Post-Cure Care

00:17:50 - Considering a Move to Australia

00:18:24 - Host Interjection and Request for Support

00:18:42 - Pharma Priorities and Patient Needs Alignment

00:19:40 - Responsible Innovation and Patient Centricity

00:23:51 - Innovation vs Change

00:27:27 - Transparency and Trust in Pharma

Follow David :

Website - https://www.pmlifesciences.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-montgomery-ba374025/

Explore the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeFXRuOQ6z8r12D9L8f0lyOYAxdOZRWzY

Music: Chopin - Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - III. Rondo – Vivace (String Quintet arr.)

Disclaimer: The Visionary Podcast features conversations with health professionals purely for educational and informational purposes. There is no financial exchange between the podcast and its guests. All views expressed are those of the health professionals and do not constitute medical advice.

This podcast honours the NHS: its people, its purpose, its power.The Visionary Podcast is Sponsored by Dietapplements – Your Pure, Clean-label Supplements: https://www.dietapplements.com/Dr Ash Kapoor - Human Optimisation & Longevity Specialist | Founder of the Levitas OneDr Ash is a longevity-focused clinician with over 30 years of experience in both NHS and private practice, dedicated to helping people restore their health by addressing root causes rather than just symptoms. As the founder of Levitas, he combines modern science with holistic principles, focusing on hormone balance, gut health, and cellular optimisation to support long-term vitality. His work spans clinical practice, education, and innovation in regenerative medicine, all centred around one mission: helping people achieve sustainable health and longevity from the inside out.Host/Podcaster: Hala AliChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:50 - Dr. Ash Kapoor's Journey00:04:50 - Understanding Aging00:09:13 - Understanding the Root Cause of Illness00:11:50 - The Role of ATP in Cellular Health00:15:10 - The Effects of Hormonal Imbalance00:15:53 - Understanding the Body's Response to Stress00:17:52 - Adapting a Healthy Lifestyle in a Modern World00:25:12 - The Journey to Becoming Homo Luminous00:30:54 - Rewire and Realign: The Role of Retreats00:32:50 - The Importance of Non-transactional Work00:35:56 - Hormonal Balance and Bioidentical Hormone Therapy00:41:58 - Integrating Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science00:44:14 - Reconciling Medicine Based Treatments and Traditional Wisdom00:45:41 - Repair and Renewal of Cells00:47:59 - Role of Genetics in Longevity00:50:07 - Psychedelic Assisted Therapy00:53:46 - Changes in the NHS and Role of AI in Longevity Medicine00:56:23 - Addressing Criticisms and Concerns00:59:50 - Future of Human OptimizationFollow Dr Kapoor:Website - https://levitasgroup.com/doctors/dr-ash-kapoor/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drashkapoor/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drashkapoor/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LevitasgroupExplore the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeFXRuOQ6z8r12D9L8f0lyOYAxdOZRWzYMusic: Chopin - Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - III. Rondo – Vivace (String Quintet arr.)Disclaimer: The Visionary Podcast features conversations with health professionals purely for educational and informational purposes. There is no financial exchange between the podcast and its guests. All views expressed are those of the health professionals and do not constitute medical advice.

This podcast honours the NHS: its people, its purpose, its power.

The Visionary Podcast is Sponsored by Dietapplements – Your Pure, Clean-label Supplements:

https://www.dietapplements.com/

Dr Joanna Moncrieff - Psychiatrist & Professor of Critical & Social Psychiatry at University College London

Dr Joanna Moncrieff is a practising psychiatrist, author, and academic at University College London. As a founding member of the Critical Psychiatry Network, her work challenges the widely accepted "disease-centred" view of mental health, the idea that psychiatric drugs simply fix chemical imbalances. Instead, she advocates for a "drug-centred" approach to better understand how these medications actually alter the brain and behaviour. With decades of clinical experience across London, she aims to radically re-evaluate how society conceptualises and manages emotional distress.

Host/Podcaster: Hala Ali

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:53 - The Serotonin Myth

00:03:06 - Serotonin's Role and Misinformation

00:04:09 - Serotonin and Sexual Function

00:05:26 - The Assumed Evidence of Antidepressants

00:08:27 - Understanding Serotonin Levels

00:09:35 - Serotonin Measurement and Depression

00:11:45 - The Theory of Depression and Serotonin

00:12:36 - Effects of Antidepressants

00:15:38 - Experiences of Antidepressant Users

00:18:46 - The Biological Cause of Depression

00:19:53 - The Assumption of a Biological Cause

00:26:23 - The Role of Placebo in Depression Treatment

00:28:07 - The Psychoactive Effects of Antidepressants

00:30:20 - The Misinterpretation of Sedation as Recovery

Follow Joanna:

Website - https://joannamoncrieff.com/

X - https://x.com/joannamoncrieff/

Useful Links:

Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth Book link - https://lnk.to/chemicallyimbalanced

Explore the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeFXRuOQ6z8r12D9L8f0lyOYAxdOZRWzY

Music: Chopin - Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - III. Rondo – Vivace (String Quintet arr.)

Disclaimer: The Visionary Podcast features conversations with health professionals purely for educational and informational purposes. There is no financial exchange between the podcast and its guests. All views expressed are those of the health professionals and do not constitute medical advice.

This podcast honours the NHS: its people, its purpose, its power.

The Visionary Podcast is Sponsored by Dietapplements – Your Pure, Clean-label Supplements:

https://www.dietapplements.com/

Guest - Dr David Montgomery | Co-Founder & Director at PM Life Sciences Consulting

Dr David Montgomery is a medical doctor with experience across the pharmaceutical industry, the NHS, and the charity sector, with a strong interest in healthcare policy and market access. Passionate about improving how the healthcare system works and bringing people together to drive positive change, he co-founded PM Life Sciences with Dr Sheuli Porkess to support small healthcare companies, startups, and biotech organisations to commercialise innovation and overcome policy barriers to better health outcomes.

Host/Podcaster: Hala Ali

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background

00:03:35 - Reflections on COVID Pandemic and Historical Crises

00:04:46 - Transition from Charity Sector to Pharma

00:07:15 - Comparing Pfizer and Prostate Cancer UK

00:09:20 - Moving from Medicine to Pharma

00:14:13 - Challenges in Clinical Academic Medicine

00:15:58 - Research on Breast Cancer Post-Cure Care

00:17:50 - Considering a Move to Australia

00:18:24 - Host Interjection and Request for Support

00:18:42 - Pharma Priorities and Patient Needs Alignment

00:19:40 - Responsible Innovation and Patient Centricity

00:23:51 - Innovation vs Change

00:27:27 - Transparency and Trust in Pharma

Follow :

Website - https://www.pmlifesciences.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-montgomery-ba374025/

Explore the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeFXRuOQ6z8r12D9L8f0lyOYAxdOZRWzY

Music: Chopin - Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - III. Rondo – Vivace (String Quintet arr.)

Disclaimer: The Visionary Podcast features conversations with health professionals purely for educational and informational purposes. There is no financial exchange between the podcast and its guests. All views expressed are those of the health professionals and do not constitute medical advice.

This podcast honours the NHS: its people, its purpose, its power.

The Visionary Podcast is Sponsored by Dietapplements – Your Pure, Clean-label Supplements:

https://www.dietapplements.com/

Dr Julia Jones - Founder of Holidity, Neuroscientist, Author,

Lead guitarist of Pretty Crap Band

Dr Julia Jones is a neuroscientist, former Olympic psychologist, and author with over 30 years of experience in behavior change and human performance. Driven by the personal loss of her parents, she founded Holidity, a health-tech platform that helps organizations deliver human-led wellness coaching to build lasting health habits at scale. Her groundbreaking work explores longevity, biohacking, and the role of music in emotional regulation and motivation. Having delivered wellness programs for organizations like the NHS and Goldman Sachs, she also embraces her musical side as "Dr Rock," the lead guitarist in the all-female rock band Pretty Crap.

Host/Podcaster: Hala Ali

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:44 - Dr. Julia Jones' Background

00:01:19 - The Flaw in the Health and Fitness Model

00:04:29 - The Missing Piece in the Health and Fitness Model

00:06:17 - The Role of Music in Training

00:09:23 - The Neuroscience of Music and Training

00:10:40 - The Importance of Long-Term Potentiation in Forming Habits

00:12:42 - The Impact of Understanding Brain Behaviour

00:15:20 - Understanding the Reversal Process in Brain Cells

00:15:56 - The Myth of 21 Days Habit Formation

00:17:05 - Factors Affecting Habit Formation

00:17:42 - The Role of Environment and Biology in Habit Formation

00:21:36 - The Ancient Brain in Modern Life

00:22:53 - Bridging the Gap Between Ancient Brain and Modern Life

00:23:08 - The Difficulty of Changing Habits

00:25:10 - The Role of Intrinsic Motivation and Discipline in Habit Formation

00:26:07 - The Biological Inability to Change Habits

00:26:26 - The Myth of Willpower and Motivation

00:27:03 - Strategies to Optimize Brain for Modern Life

Follow Julia:

Website - https://www.drjuliajones.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drjuliajones/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DrJuliaJones/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliajonesuk/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@DrJuliaJones

Useful Links:

Holidity - https://holidity.com/

Explore the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeFXRuOQ6z8r12D9L8f0lyOYAxdOZRWzY

Music: Chopin - Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - III. Rondo – Vivace (String Quintet arr.)

Disclaimer: The Visionary Podcast features conversations with health professionals purely for educational and informational purposes. There is no financial exchange between the podcast and its guests. All views expressed are those of the health professionals and do not constitute medical advice.

This podcast honours the NHS: its people, its purpose, its power.

The Visionary Podcast is Sponsored by Dietapplements – Your Pure, Clean-label Supplements: https://www.dietapplements.com/

Guest - Dr Nneka Nwokolo | Menopause Expert & Co-founder of NewWoman Health Menopause Clinic

Dr. Nneka Nwokolo is an NHS Consultant Sexual Health Physician with over 20 years of expertise in women's sexual and reproductive health, contraception, and menopause care. A member of the British, European, and International Menopause Societies, she co-founded NewWoman Health to empower women through education on menopause's short- and long-term impacts, offering specialist consultations and lifestyle guidance for optimal health. She also serves as Global Head of Patient Affairs at ViiV Healthcare and Honorary Consultant in HIV and Sexual Health at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, championing quality of life and awareness of under-discussed health issues.

Host/Podcaster: Hala Ali

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Highlights

00:01:28 - Defining Menopause

00:01:50 - Understanding Perimenopause

00:03:24 - Misconceptions about Menopause

00:05:55 - HRT and Menopause

00:10:16 - Hot Flushes and Body Temperature Control

00:10:23 - Onset of Menopause Symptoms

00:11:49 - Cognitive Decline and Menopause

00:14:00 - HRT and Brain Fog

00:15:12 - Distinguishing Menopause from Other Conditions

00:16:16 - Psychological Symptoms and Mood Changes

00:17:16 - Impact of Menopause on Family Dynamics

00:18:59 - Discerning Depression from Menopause

00:20:44 - Menopause and Sleep Disturbances

00:22:12 - Menopause and Heart Disease

00:24:11 - Menopause and Weight Gain

00:27:46 - Solutions for Midlife Crisis

00:30:00 - Role of HRT

00:30:35 - Healthy Lifestyle and Ageing

00:31:27 - Personal Experience with HRT

00:34:14 - Cultural Silence around Menopause

00:35:00 - The Importance of Menopause Education

00:37:18 - Personal Journey to HRT

00:38:09 - Sharing Menopause Experience with Children

00:38:50 - Educating Men about Menopause

00:39:22 - Informed Decision to Use HRT

Follow Nneka:

Website - https://newwomanhealth.co.uk/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nneka-nwokolo-053938b8/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nnwokolo1

Explore the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeFXRuOQ6z8r12D9L8f0lyOYAxdOZRWzY

Music: Chopin - Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - III. Rondo – Vivace (String Quintet arr.)

Disclaimer: The Visionary Podcast features conversations with health professionals purely for educational and informational purposes. There is no financial exchange between the podcast and its guests. All views expressed are those of the health professionals and do not constitute medical advice.