Sofia Unfiltered

What do you say to a child who’s seriously ill—or grieving the loss of someone they love? In this powerful conversation, pediatric palliative care physician and Episcopal priest Dr. Bob Macauley shares how to speak honestly and compassionately with children facing illness, grief, or death. We explore developmental stages, emotional awareness, and what not to say—plus insights from Dr. Bob’s new memoir, Because I Knew You: How Some Remarkable Sick Kids Healed a Doctor’s Soul. You’ll walk away...

Why does menopause still feel so confusing—even in 2025? In this episode of Sofia Unfiltered, science writer Amy Alkon joins host Riley Rees to share what she uncovered while researching her latest book, Going Menopostal. From hormone myths to misinformed care, Amy unpacks why so many women are still being dismissed in midlife—and how they can begin to ask better questions, challenge outdated advice, and advocate for themselves with confidence. You’ll learn: - Why many doctors aren’t train...

Have you ever left a doctor’s office feeling rushed, dismissed, or more like a “chart” than a person? You’re not imagining it. In this episode of Sofia Unfiltered, host Riley Rees sits down with two nationally recognized physicians—Dr. Alan Roth and Dr. Andy Lazris, co‑authors of A Return to Healing—to unpack how a century of policy decisions, corporate interests, and profit‑driven care reshaped medicine into something unrecognizable. From the 1911 Flexner Report and the elimination of dive...

Why do we keep reaching for more—but never feel truly satisfied? In this episode of Sofia Unfiltered, Riley Rees is joined by physicist, screenwriter, and bestselling author Michael Long to unpack the brain science behind distraction, impulse, and the constant craving for “something more.” Based on his new book Taming the Molecule of More, Michael explains how dopamine drives anticipation—not happiness—and why modern life is overstimulating our brains in ways that leave us anxious, scattered...

Bloat. Fatigue. Brain fog. Stubborn weight. These symptoms aren’t random—and they’re not something you just have to live with. According to holistic health coach Jane Durst Pulkys, they may all point to one root cause: chronic inflammation. In this episode of Sofia Unfiltered, Jane breaks down the food-inflammation connection and shares what your symptoms might be trying to tell you. You’ll learn how to spot common signs of inflammation, which foods fuel it (and which reduce it), and how to ...