Backstage @ Upstage

HOST: Hildy Grossman PRODUCER: Jordan Rich GUESTS: Wade Iams, MD and Misty Shields, MD, PhD. What if sudden leg weakness or severe fatigue wasn’t just stress or aging—but your body’s immune system sounding an early alarm for a hidden lung cancer? Joining us to solve this medical mystery are two outstanding thoracic oncologists, Dr. Wade Iams, director of lung cancer research at Tennessee Oncology in Nashville, and Dr. Misty Shields, Assistant Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine. Today, we’re uncovering an autoimmune disorder, Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, or LEMS—a rare condition where over 90% of cases are missed or misdiagnosed. Our guests explain how LEMS is a condition where your immune system attacks your nerves causing muscle weakness. They describe the details of what patients experience with LEMS, especially difficulty to get up and go. About half of all LEMS cases are linked to an underlying cancer, most notably Small Cell Lung Cancer. LEMS may occur prior to small cell lung cancer diagnosis, so requires ongoing monitoring. It can also occur after diagnosis and create confusion with side effects of chemotherapy. There is now a simple blood test to diagnose LEMS. Finding LEMS early can help save a patient’s life. Listen and find out how.

HOST:  Hildy Grossman    CO-HOST:  Jordan Rich GUESTS:   Melina Marmarelis, MD    What if the secret to defeating lung cancer is already hidden inside our own cells? In this episode of Backstage @ Upstage, we explore the cutting edge of cancer care and how tiny biological clues are completely revolutionizing how we detect, understand, and treat lung cancer. We are joined by Dr. Melina Marmarelis, a leading thoracic oncologist and researcher at Penn Medicine (University of Pennsylvania). Dr. Marmarelis breaks down the vital role of biomarker testing and introduces us to the future of precision medicine: Next-Generation Sequencing. Discover how oncology is moving away from traditional, “one-size-fits-all” therapies toward hyper-customized treatment plans tailored to every individual patient—and how Artificial Intelligence is stepping in to analyze massive amounts of complex medical data to make it all possible. Tune in to discover the future of biomarker testing and how science, technology, and precision medicine are changing the outlook of lung cancer care to come!

HOST:  Hildy Grossman    CO-HOST:  Jordan Rich GUESTS:   Sahil Patel, MD, Pulmonologist Inflammation is a brilliant lifesaver when you twist an ankle—and a silent danger when your body forgets how to turn it off. In this eye-opening episode of Backstage @ Upstage, host Hildy Grossman sits down with pulmonologist Dr. Sahil Patel to demystify the hidden biological forces shaping our health. Together, they translate complex cellular science and modern environmental hazards—from microplastics and smog to the surge of chronic conditions in younger populations—into clear, practical takeaways. Dr. Patel reveals how short-term healing can mutate into tissue damage, interstitial lung disease, and cancer, while introducing the idea of an immune “thermostat” that balances over-active autoimmune responses against under-active cancer defenses. From cutting-edge diagnostic breakthroughs to next-generation therapies designed to cool down internal inflammation before disease takes hold, this essential conversation offers a masterclass in protecting your body from the inside out. Tune in to discover how disease takes root—and how science is learning to stop it!

HOST:  Hildy Grossman    CO-HOST:  Jordan Rich GUESTS:    John Lamb, Taylor Kirkwood, and Hildy Grossman What does it take to build a musical—and turn personal tragedy into a mission? Join hosts Hildy Grossman & Jordan Rich with guests John Lamb and Taylor Kirkwood. Together, they pull back the curtain on the 20-year journey of Ziegfeld! What started as a Broadway tribute grew into a story of ambition, glamour, and grit. When Hildy faced an unexpected lung cancer diagnosis, the show took on a new purpose. Original composer Seth Rubin completed the score before tragically losing his life to lung cancer. After new script edits, composer Taylor Kirkwood joined the team to write two final songs. Now, Upstage Lung Cancer presents an exclusive workshop/concert on August 9, 2026. ULC is the only organization using performing arts to fund early-detection research. With over $4.5 million raised to date, art and community are actively saving lives. Audience feedback will help shape Ziegfeld! while every ticket supports the cause. Tune in for an intimate conversation on passion, heartbreaking loss, and creative victory. Discover how a shared love for the theater transformed into a lifesaving movement. Listen now and learn how you can be part of this unforgettable win-win evening!

HOST:  Hildy Grossman CO-HOST:  Jordan Rich GUESTS:   Joan H. Schiller, MD and Francine Jacobson, MD, MPH In 2021, the World Health Organization issued a stark warning: climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. And yet, the public often perceives climate change as an abstract concept or a political debate, not a health problem. It’s time to change this perception. Alarmingly, lung cancer deaths have surged by nearly 30% since 2007. Every year we experience accelerating heat waves, wildfires, droughts, and extreme weather events. Moreover, all these changes impact cancer occurrence and care. Our guests probe deeply into this serious problem, looking at causes and possible solutions.    Dr. Schiller explains how her global group, OUCH (Oncologists United for Climate and Health) fights back using education and advocating for policy change to protect cancer patients and us all from the dangers of climate change. Meanwhile, Dr. Jacobson supports increasing access to life-saving lung cancer screenings for underserved, high-risk communities. She suggests steps to accomplish this by expanding criteria for screenings. Are we ready to treat climate change and air pollution like the medical emergency it is? Tune in to uncover the link between our environment and cancer - and how we can fight back.