The Real World Perspective with Manfred Stapff, MD, PHD

Every safe flight depends on one thing above all else: correct information. In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff, joined by Jan Arthur Stroem, a former Boeing 747 pilot, steps into the cockpit to show why aviation demands facts over feelings and why that discipline matters far beyond the runway.  Jan Arthur reveals how pilots make life‑critical decisions under pressure. Standardized language, constant cross‑checks, and verified data prevent small errors from becoming fatal ones. From weather interpretation to instrument trust and instruction read‑backs, aviation eliminates misinformation in real time. Jan Arthur also explains why intuition must yield to instruments and teamwork, a mindset that closely mirrors how science tests truth.  In an age of headlines, algorithms, and instant reactions, this episode draws a sharp parallel that when facts fail, consequences follow. Tune in now to Flying on Facts: Why Aviation Depends on Correct Information. Jan Arthur Stroem is a veteran commercial pilot with decades of experience flying complex aircraft, including the Boeing 747, where precision and trust in accurate information are critical to safety. Over a lifetime in aviation, he has relied on disciplined training, standardized communication, and instrument-based decision-making to navigate high‑stakes environments. His expertise highlights how pilots filter data from multiple sources—cockpit instruments, crew coordination, and air traffic control—to maintain situational awareness. Through real-world examples, he demonstrates why emotion has no place in the cockpit and why facts must guide every decision. Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world. Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/

Kids meet technology long before they meet critical thinking and that gap has real consequences. In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff talks to Dr. Annalies Corbin, founder and CEO of the PAST Foundation, to examine how young minds can learn to question information, think independently, and thrive in a world that never stops sending signals.  Dr. Manfred sets the stage by highlighting why democracies rely on educated, analytical citizens. Dr. Annalies expands this idea by explaining how today's toddlers are already fluent with digital devices, yet lack the cognitive maturity to judge what's real, reliable, or safe. Together, they break down the gap between early technological literacy and the slower development of critical thinking. Dr. Annalies also explains how these pressures interfere with thoughtful evaluation, and why both adults and children must learn to pause, reflect, and question rather than respond automatically. Give the young minds around you the clarity, curiosity, and confidence they deserve. Tune in the full episode of When Kids Meet Technology: Building Critical Thinkers in a Hyper‑connected World. Dr. Annalies Corbin is the Founder and CEO of the PAST Foundation, where she has spent more than 25 years redesigning learning to help young people think critically in a world shaped by rapid technological change. As an applied anthropologist and Adjunct Associate Professor at The Ohio State University, she studies how students navigate information, curiosity, and problem-solving long before they enter the classroom. Her work centers on creating learning environments where questioning, contextual thinking, and real-world application become everyday habits. Through research, community partnerships, and innovative school design, she equips educators and learners to thrive in a hyper-connected world.     Connect with Dr. Annalies Corbin: Website: https://www.pastfoundation.org/annalies-corbin    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annalies-corbin-4016121/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/past-foundation/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annalies.corbin  https://www.facebook.com/PastFoundation    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaliescorbin/  https://www.instagram.com/pastfoundation/#   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PASTFoundation Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world. Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/

Menopause affects every woman, yet for decades hormone replacement therapy (HRT) carried a shadow of fear. In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff breaks down what the science actually shows and why the FDA's renewed stance on HRT marks a turning point for women's health.  Dr. Manfred cuts through decades of confusion by revisiting the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study that examined older women using outdated hormone formulations. He reveals why those findings never applied to women beginning HRT in their late 40s and 50s and highlights what the evidence actually shows. The risks were minimal, and the relief for symptoms like hot flashes, depression, and night sweats is profound. He breaks down real-world measures of risk and benefit with clarity, showing how today's low‑dose, bio‑identical, and transdermal therapies offer a far safer profile while meaningfully improving quality of life. Hear how evidence‑based care can reshape life after menopause. Tune in the full episode of How Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Transform Women's Life After Menopause. Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world. Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/

A stronger mind is essential in a world overflowing with noise, distortion, and digital pressure. In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff  sits down with Ishan Shivanand, founder of Yoga of Immortals, to explore how yoga-based resilience can help us think clearly, evaluate truth, and stay grounded.  Ishan reflects on how life in a monastery and later as a mental health researcher shaped his understanding of truth and perception. He explains how yoga helps calm instinctive reactions, creating the space to question, reflect, and resist emotional manipulation.  They draw clear parallels between Western science and Eastern philosophy, showing how both rely on critical thinking and honest observation. Ishan reveals the practices like non‑judgmental awareness strengthen clarity in an age of deepfakes, algorithm bias, and digital overwhelm. Listen to how science and yoga can strengthen your clarity, calm, and critical thinking. Tune in to the full episode of Strengthening the Mind: Yoga-Based Resilience in the Age of Misinformation. Ishan Shivanand is a globally acclaimed yogic scholar and mental health researcher who brings ancient Indian knowledge systems into modern conversations on resilience. Trained for over two decades in rigorous meditative sciences, he developed Yoga of Immortals, an evidence-based program proven to strengthen emotional stability amid today's information overload. His work, grounded in non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical modalities, supports communities facing anxiety, burnout, and misinformation-driven stress. From universities to major health institutions, his protocols help individuals build clarity, focus, and mental strength.     Connect with Ishan Shivanand: Website: https://ishanshivanand.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishanshivanand/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IshanShivanand/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishan.shivanand/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/IshanShivanand    Grab a copy of Ishan Shivanand's Book, "The Practice of Immortality" here: https://ishanshivanand.com/about-the-book/    Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world. Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/

Giving life is one of the most powerful gifts we can offer. In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff brings together remarkable stories of courage, generosity, and science in action. With both donors and recipients at the table, this conversation goes beyond medicine. It captures what it truly means to save and share life. Dr. Manfred speaks with stem cell donor Mat McConnon, his friend Kyle Kramer who inspired him to join the bone marrow registry, and Charles Walker, a liver transplant recipient who was given a second chance at life thanks to Kyle Walker's living donation. Together, they share how a single decision to donate can ripple across lives and families.  Their experiences reveal the emotional, ethical, and scientific dimensions of modern transplantation, from stem cell matching to the body's extraordinary ability to regenerate. Tune in now to The Power of Giving Life: Inside the World of Organ and Stem Cell Transplants to hear stories of hope, healing, and humanity. Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world. Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/  

Advances in medicine have saved millions of lives, yet cancer remains one of humanity's most persistent challenges. In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff takes a balanced look at why global cancer rates are rising and what the data truly tell us.   Dr. Manfred explains that while cancer numbers have nearly doubled in the past 30 years, much of this reflects longer life expectancy and population growth, not a sudden surge in disease. Still, he points to emerging patterns such as the rise in early-onset cancers, particularly among women under 50, and explores how lifestyle, environment, and genetics intersect in this growing concern. Throughout the episode, Dr. Manfred encourages listeners to think critically about statistics and stay grounded in evidence. He shows how science helps separate fact from speculation and why knowledge is our best defense against fear. Tune in now to What Science Reveals About Rising Cancer Rates on how far science has come in understanding, treating, and preventing cancer. Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world. Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/

Every year, millions of people adjust their clocks, but what does this one-hour shift really mean for our bodies, minds, and daily lives?  In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff offers a grounded, science-based look at the impact of daylight saving time and why it continues to spark debate. Dr. Manfred traces the origins of daylight saving time back to World War I and explains how its purpose has evolved in modern society. He explores what current research reveals about its effects on energy use, productivity, and health drawing from real-world data on more than 170,000 patients.   Beyond data, Dr. Manfred considers how light exposure shapes our mood, vitamin D levels, and overall sense of balance.   See how science transforms the way we think about time. Tune in the full episode of The Hidden Science Behind Time Change: Does It Really Matter? Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world. Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/  

Can a common pain reliever hold hidden risks for unborn children? In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff tackles one of medicine's most debated questions, whether acetaminophen use during pregnancy could influence autism risk.  Dr. Manfred explores the rise in autism diagnoses, explaining how shifting definitions and improved awareness shape the numbers. He then analyzes key studies, from the Boston Birth Cohort to Sweden's national registry, revealing why research outcomes differ. While data show mixed findings, acetaminophen remains one of the safest treatments for pain and fever in pregnancy when used responsibly. Sometimes, the greater risk lies not in the medicine itself but in what happens when we avoid it. Tune in for a powerful conversation that moves beyond fear toward informed understanding. Uncovering the Truth: Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy and Autism Risk. Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world. Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/  

Vaccines have saved millions of lives. Yet they remain one of society's fiercest dividing lines. In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff confronts why vaccines spark both trust and resistance, examining the science, ethics, and politics that fuel the debate. He explains why the evidence is clear: vaccines prevent severe illness and save lives. Mild side effects signal an active immune system, while serious reactions are extremely rare compared to the dangers of the diseases themselves. Still, misinformation, poor communication, and political agendas distort the conversation and erode public trust. Vaccination is more than personal protection. It's a commitment to community health. Mandates should be rare and carefully justified, but stresses that public understanding is essential for any policy to succeed. Tune in for this episode that helps audiences think more critically about the role of vaccines in shaping a healthier society. Vaccines and Society: Balancing Science, Ethics, and Politics. Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world. Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/

Obesity affects nearly 40% of Americans, making it one of today's most urgent health crises. In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff cuts through confusion and misinformation to show what the data truly reveal about nutrition and obesity. Dr. Manfred explains why excess calories not burned through daily activity drive weight gain, and how obesity fuels risks for diabetes, cancer, and premature death. Drawing on major studies, he exposes the flaws in self-reported nutrition research while offering simple, evidence-based rules: keep calories around 2,000, eat more protein, cut back on carbs and sugar, and skip late-night snacks.   The message is clear. Obesity is about survival. The science shows that informed choices can cut risks and extend life. Hear how real evidence, not online trends, can guide healthier habits and change the future of public health. Tune into the full episode of Nutrition and Obesity. Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development, from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world.   Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/  

Marijuana smoking and tattoos are personal choices. What does the evidence really say about their health risks? In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff cuts through the myths, and delivers the science-backed truth about weed, ink, and your well-being. Using a major California study, he explains why cannabis users face a threefold higher risk of oral cancer and why the real story lies in understanding absolute risk and the "number needed to harm."  Dr. Manfred then turns to tattoos, uncovering a Swedish study that hints at a troubling link to lymphoma, and revealing how hidden metals and chemicals may linger in the body… Forever. See how evidence—not emotion—can shape better choices. Tune in to the full episode of Data, Decisions, and Danger: What Evidence Reveals About Tattoos and Cannabis. Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development—from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world.   Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/ Website: https://candid-advisory

Healthcare costs are rising, but are the reasons valid? In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff examines UnitedHealthcare's proposed 18% rate hike and asks: where's the evidence? Using authoritative data from CMS and PricewaterhouseCoopers, Dr. Manfred reveals how this price increase sharply diverges from national healthcare cost trends. He confronts the growing tension between record-breaking profits and patient affordability, and challenges the flawed logic of treating healthcare as a free-market commodity. With clarity and depth, this episode equips listeners to question inflated costs, analyze systemic inefficiencies, and rethink the incentives behind our healthcare decisions. Gain sharper insight into how science—not speculation—should shape the future of healthcare. Tune in to the episode: Beyond the 18% Hike: What's Broken in the Health Care System of  UnitedHealthcare. Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development—from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world.   Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/ Website: https://candid-advisory.com/

Vaccines and autism spark fierce debate, where science meets emotion. This episode offers sharp, confident clarity.  Dr. Manfred Stapff cuts through decades of controversy on breaking down the supposed link between the measles vaccine and autism. With firm, science-backed insights, he shows how rigorous research, not headlines, has shaped what we know today. He highlights the measles vaccine's stunning success, the science behind immunity, and why fears sparked by the flawed Wakefield paper still linger. You'll learn how real evidence is built and why emotions, though natural, can cloud judgment when weighed against overwhelming data. For anyone tired of misinformation and ready for honest answers, this episode is essential. Tune into the full episode: Uncovering the Correlation Between Measles, Vaccines, and Autism.   Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development—from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world.   Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/ Website: https://candid-advisory.com/

In a world overwhelmed by conflicting headlines, viral rumors, and half-baked statistics, how can one tell what's real?  In this episode, Dr. Manfred Stapff breaks down the science behind real-world evidence (RWE) and reveals how it can be used to separate fact from fiction in public health, media, and policy conversations. He carefully guides audiences through real examples, like the GLP-1 drug studies and COVID mask debates, to show how well-intended data can become misleading when stripped of scientific rigor or proper communication. Whether you're a policymaker, academic, healthcare provider, or simply a curious citizen, this discussion will challenge your assumptions and equip you with tools to think critically about the information you receive. Ready to get smart about the science behind the headlines? Tune in now to our pilot episode and start thinking clearly about what's true, what's noise, and what really matters. Tune into the full episode of Facts, Fear, and Future: Exposing Misinformation with Real-World Evidence Dr. Manfred Stapff is an entrepreneurial biotech and pharmaceutical expert with deep expertise in real-world evidence and clinical research. As a seasoned leader, he brings decades of experience across all phases of drug development—from opportunity assessment to product launch. His work bridges science and strategy, ensuring medical decisions are grounded in accurate, meaningful data. Dr. Stapff is also an author, committed to promoting evidence-based thinking in medicine. His insights challenge misinformation and advocate for scientific integrity in today's data-driven world.   Connect with Dr. Manfred Stapff, MD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manfredstapff/ Website: https://candid-advisory.com/