Healing People, Not Patients

Welcome to Healing People, Not Patients, hosted by Dr. Jonathan Weinkle, MD, FAAP, FACP. A primary care physician and teacher deeply grounded in Jewish wisdom, Dr. Weinkle invites listeners to explore medicine not as a business transaction but as a sacred calling.This show shines a light on the fractured healthcare system and offers stories, reflections, and conversations that reconnect doctors with the heart of healing—body, mind, and spirit. Through solo episodes, expert interviews, and even original music, you’ll gain inspiration and practical guidance to navigate burnout, rediscover joy, and reclaim purpose in medicine.Whether you’re a physician, healthcare professional, chaplain, or simply someone who longs for a more compassionate and humane approach to care, this podcast will help you find meaning in the practice of healing.

Healing People, Not Patients is a health podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 20 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Healing People, Not Patients, a health show with 20 episodes published.

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  Episode #20

  Whole Person Care in Rheumatology: Listening Beyond the Labs | HPNP | EP20

  Aug 17, 202655 min

  This episode is sponsored by NURP NURP helps busy physicians grow their wealth through AI-powered algorithmic trading designed for demanding careers. No day trading, no guesswork, and no constant market watching required. Ready to put your money to work? Visit start.nurp.com/doctors to learn more. Trading involves risk, and results may vary. This is not financial advice. _______________________________ In this episode of Healing People, Not Patients , Dr. Jonathan Weinkle interviews board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Brittany Panico about shifting from “survival mode” and checklist-driven care to a more patient-centered approach. Brittany shares how listening deeply, observing body language, and building relationships transformed her practice. They discuss rheumatology’s diagnostic challenges, including patients who don’t fit formal criteria, gout with normal uric acid, the value of serial labs, and collaboration across specialties. Brittany also explains how osteopathic training and systems thinking shaped her approach to medicine and leadership. Top 3 Takeaways Believe the narrative first. Objective findings matter, but patients who have been disbelieved often hide or minimize symptoms. Slowing down, asking “tell me more,” and decoding their language (pain vs. stiffness, flare vs. sleep deprivation) builds trust and often reveals the real problem. Criteria are research tools, not bedside walls. Many patients fall into diagnostic gaps. Persistence, serial testing, early empiric treatment within safe limits, and coaching patients to advocate for themselves can close those gaps without waiting for textbook presentations. Relationship and follow-through scale. Whether in a 15-minute check-in or leading a team, the habits of presence, clear communication of goals, and rapid feedback loops (“call them in two weeks, not three months”) turn isolated visits into ongoing care. About the Show Healing People, Not Patients explores ways to enhance medical practice by infusing it with compassion, humanity, and a deeper sense of purpose, aiming to help healthcare professionals rediscover the "soul" of their work. Framed around the four questions of the Passover Seder, it probes how to transform medicine for the better, promoting an empathetic and supportive approach that empowers patients to create meaningful, sober lives, while drawing on Jewish teachings about community and friendship. "Our theme song, 'Room for the Soul,' is available on Bandcamp at https://jonathanweinkle.bandcamp.com/track/room-for-the-soul." About the Guest Dr. Brittany Panico is a board-certified rheumatologist. She completed residency and fellowship in Chicago and has practiced academic and private-practice rheumatology in Phoenix, caring for the full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient autoimmune and musculoskeletal disease. She is a DO whose training emphasized problem based learning, osteopathic manipulative medicine, and systems thinking. She is active on social media advocating for whole-person, narrative-centered care. Connect with the Guest Website: drbrittanypenico.com LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube: Dr. Brittany Panico / Brittany Panico DO About the Host Dr. Jonathan Weinkle is an internist and pediatrician who practices primary care at a community health center in Pittsburgh. He strives to be a "nice Jewish doctor" focused on patient-centered healthcare, emphasizing effective communication and holistic well-being. He teaches the courses, “Death and the Healthcare Professions” and “Healing and Humanity” at the University of Pittsburgh, authored the books Healing People, Not Patients and Illness to Exodus, and runs ‘Healers Who Listen’, where he blogs on healing and Jewish tradition. Once an aspiring rabbi, he now integrates faith and medicine to support other physicians and his own patients. Website: healerswholisten.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-weinkle-3440032a Instagram: @HealersWhoListen Facebook: @JonathanWeinkle The Healing People, Not Patients Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #19

  Bikur Cholim: Visiting the Sick, Community Care & Patient-Centered Support | EP19

  Aug 3, 202651 min

  This episode is sponsored by NURP NURP helps busy physicians grow their wealth through AI-powered algorithmic trading designed for demanding careers. No day trading, no guesswork, and no constant market watching required. Ready to put your money to work? Visit start.nurp.com/doctors to learn more. Trading involves risk, and results may vary. This is not financial advice. —-------------------------- What does true bikur cholim , visiting the sick, look like beyond a quick hospital drop-in, and how can ordinary people (and clinicians) turn personal hardship into structured, compassionate support? In this episode of Healing People, Not Patients , Dr. Jonathan Weinkle welcomes Dr. Nina Butler, holder of doctorates in special education and educational administration/policy, former school principal, nonprofit veteran, and the driving force behind Bikur Cholim of Pittsburgh (also known as Friends of Jewish Patients). Nina shares how her family’s multi-generational tradition of hosting transplant patients, combined with two decades of intensive hospital experience with her late son Mikey (who lived with cystic fibrosis and later received a double lung transplant), led her to formalize a 501(c)(3) volunteer network that now supports hundreds of patients from around the block and around the world. They discuss pre-arrival Zoom intakes that turn terror into the feeling of having family nearby; coordinating meals, grocery runs, “Person of the Day” helpers, Shabbat cabinets, accommodations, and highly individualized needs (down to white vs. dark meat or gluten-free preferences) via tools like Lots of Helping Hands and WhatsApp; advocacy with hospital systems on kosher (and now interfaith) dietary and spiritual needs; collaboration with the Muslim community at Children’s Hospital; and the transferable model of grassroots community infrastructure. Nina also offers concrete, low-tech practices clinicians can use to build trust and presence before any clinical agenda, language access, team transparency, primary nursing continuity, open-ended attentiveness to what this patient actually needs, and partnership with community support systems that extend far beyond the hospital stay. The conversation highlights patient-centered care in its fullest sense: ordinary people acting in extraordinary ways, and the power of connection against isolation and loneliness. Top 3 Takeaways: Presence Before Protocols: Clinicians can create a sense of being “visited with” rather than processed by starting with connection, clear language access, explaining the care team, asking what the patient actually needs (not just delivering a list), and recognizing that small acts of presence (or coordinating community presence) make medical care more potent. Coordinated, Patient-Directed Support Beats Generic Kindness: Well-meaning offers of “anything you need,” flowers, and duplicate soups often miss the mark. Structured systems (Person of the Day, detailed meal coordination, pre-arrival orientation) let loved ones and volunteers meet real, nuanced needs while preserving privacy and dignity. Community Infrastructure Is Transferable: Geographic and religious cohesion helps, but the model, WhatsApp/listserv coordination, one clear intake point, shared tools like Lots of Helping Hands, and willingness to partner across communities, can grow from a single congregation or neighborhood outward. Nina actively offers to help other groups start. About the Show: Healing People, Not Patients explores ways to enhance medical practice by infusing it with compassion, humanity, and a deeper sense of purpose, aiming to help healthcare professionals rediscover the "soul" of their work. Framed around the four questions of the Passover Seder, it probes how to transform medicine for the better, promoting an empathetic and supportive approach that empowers patients to create meaningful, sober lives, while drawing on Jewish teachings about community and friendship. "Our theme song, 'Room for the Soul,' is available on Bandcamp at https://jonathanweinkle.bandcamp.com/track/room-for-the-soul." About the Guest: Dr. Nina Butler holds doctorates in special education and educational administration/education policy. A former school principal and longtime nonprofit leader, she is the face and organizer of Bikur Cholim of Pittsburgh / Friends of Jewish Patients, a 501(c)(3) volunteer network that provides material, logistical, and spiritual support to patients and families receiving medical care in Pittsburgh, whether they live nearby or travel from across the country or the world. She draws on personal experience navigating prolonged illness and hospitalization with her late son Mikey, as well as a multi-generational family tradition of hospitality and care. Connect with the Guest / Organization Website: https://www.bikurcholimofpittsburgh.org/ About the Host: Dr. Jonathan Weinkle is an internist and pediatrician who practices primary care at a community health center in Pittsburgh. He strives to be a "nice Jewish doctor" focused on patient-centered healthcare, emphasizing effective communication and holistic well-being. He teaches the courses, “Death and the Healthcare Professions” and “Healing and Humanity” at the University of Pittsburgh, authored the books Healing People, Not Patients and Illness to Exodus , and runs ‘Healers Who Listen’, where he blogs on healing and Jewish tradition. Once an aspiring rabbi, he now integrates faith and medicine to support other physicians and his own patients. Website: healerswholisten.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-weinkle-3440032a Instagram: @HealersWhoListen Facebook: @JonathanWeinkle The Healing People, Not Patients Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #18

  Lament as Narrative Medicine: Listening to Wounds, Grief & Healing | EP18

  Jul 20, 20261 hour

  This episode is sponsored by NURP NURP helps busy physicians grow their wealth through AI-powered algorithmic trading designed for demanding careers. No day trading, no guesswork, and no constant market watching required. Ready to put your money to work? Visit start.nurp.com/doctors to learn more. Trading involves risk, and results may vary. This is not financial advice. —-------------------------- In this episode of Healing People, Not Patients , Dr. Jonathan Weinkle welcomes Reverend Dr. Anastasia Holman, Director of Spiritual Care Education at Indiana University Health and faculty at IU School of Medicine. Released just before Tisha B’Av, the conversation centers on lament the ancient practice of voicing deep pain, brokenness, and protest and its relevance to modern medical practice. Drawing from Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Black Church traditions, they discuss how laments are prayers that burst from wounds, why medical professionals hear them daily (often subtly), and how slowing down to truly listen, see, and notice patients’ existential distress can open pathways to deeper healing. Reverend Holman shares insights on the role of memory and the senses in connecting across differences, practical ways clinicians can show they’ve heard a patient’s cry (including the power of 40 seconds of compassion), and the integration of chaplaincy with medical care. The discussion weaves personal stories from the COVID era, references to The Chaplain and the Doctor , and reflections on Tisha B’Av and the Book of Lamentations, emphasizing that lament is the beginning of healing and transformation, for individuals, communities, and the practice of medicine itself. Top 3 Takeaways Laments Are Prayers from Wounds: They are soul cries of pain, “why me?”, grief, and existential questioning that patients bring into clinical encounters. Recognizing them as such allows clinicians to address the full person, body, emotion, and spirit. Listening Creates Healing Space: Slowing down, active listening, repeating back what you hear, and simply making space for the patient’s story (even for ~40 seconds) helps people feel seen and heard, which improves trust, adherence, and clinical outcomes. All Humanity Has Suffered: Tapping into our own experiences of grief enables deeper connection across faith, culture, and background. Lament can unite rather than divide and is a foundational step toward individual and communal transformation. Resource Mentioned: The Unimaginable Trauma and Resillence of the People of Gaza https://time.com/article/2026/07/14/trauma-resilience-gaza-james-gordon-essay Song Lyrics: Hebrew Version: אין מילים, כי אין אבל באבל אין בקיאות בבכי, לשכול אין שכל בדמעון אין לחפש שום הגיון באובדן אין מה לשאול אין לפקפק בסבל בשום שפה אין אבל באבל בבור אין מים, מתים מצמאון תחת השיח בלב הישימון נעקד על ראש ההר, הביאו אש ומאכלת אשה ושפחתה בוכות בקול אחד לילד בלב האם אין אבל באבל English Translation: There are no words; there is no “but” in bereavement No expertise in weeping, no wisdom in mourning In tears we don’t seek sense In loss we don’t ask, we don’t pick apart suffering There is no “but” in bereavement – in any language In the pit, there is no water, only thirst Under the bush, in the heart of the desert Bound on the mountain top, they brought the fire, and the knife A woman and her maidservant weep in one voice for the boy In the mother’s heart, there is no “but” in bereavement About the Show: Healing People, Not Patients explores ways to enhance medical practice by infusing it with compassion, humanity, and a deeper sense of purpose, aiming to help healthcare professionals rediscover the "soul" of their work. Framed around the four questions of the Passover Seder, it probes how to transform medicine for the better, promoting an empathetic and supportive approach that empowers patients to create meaningful, sober lives, while drawing on Jewish teachings about community and friendship. "Our theme song, 'Room for the Soul,' is available on Bandcamp at https://jonathanweinkle.bandcamp.com/track/room-for-the-soul ." About the Guest Reverend Dr. Anastasia Holman is the Director of Spiritual Care Education at Indiana University Health and faculty at Indiana University School of Medicine. She co-leads programs integrating spirituality and medicine, including Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and scholarly concentrations for medical students. With a womanist lens and deep experience in interfaith collaboration, she trains chaplains and helps medical professionals incorporate lament and spiritual care into patient encounters. About the Host: Dr. Jonathan Weinkle is an internist and pediatrician who practices primary care at a community health center in Pittsburgh. He strives to be a "nice Jewish doctor" focused on patient-centered healthcare, emphasizing effective communication and holistic well-being. He teaches the courses, “Death and the Healthcare Professions” and “Healing and Humanity” at the University of Pittsburgh, authored the books Healing People, Not Patients and Illness to Exodus , and runs ‘Healers Who Listen’, where he blogs on healing and Jewish tradition. Once an aspiring rabbi, he now integrates faith and medicine to support other physicians and his own patients. Website: healerswholisten.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-weinkle-3440032a Instagram: @HealersWhoListen Facebook: @JonathanWeinkle The Healing People, Not Patients Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #17

  How Financial Freedom Protects Against Moral Injury

  Jul 6, 202646 min

  This episode is sponsored by NURP NURP helps busy physicians grow their wealth through AI-powered algorithmic trading designed for demanding careers. No day trading, no guesswork, and no constant market watching required. Ready to put your money to work? Visit start.nurp.com/doctors to learn more. Trading involves risk, and results may vary. This is not financial advice. —-------------------------- What does financial freedom mean for physicians, especially those in lower-paying fields like primary care, and how can it protect against burnout and moral injury? In this sponsored episode of Healing People, Not Patients , Dr. Jonathan Winkle welcomes Jeff Seckinger, founder of NURP (and previously Zero Percent and Orca Capital). They explore why many doctors feel trapped by financial pressures, the limitations of traditional financial advice for high-earning professionals, and how algorithmic trading tools can offer autonomy, diversification, and supplemental income without handing over custody of capital. Jeff explains the differences between investing and trading, the power of institutional-grade algorithms (inspired by funds like the Medallion Fund), capital preservation, verified performance through third-party platforms like MyFXBook, and practical risk management tools such as equity monitors and adjustable position sizing. The conversation addresses concentration risk, liquidity, alternatives investing, and why autonomy over one’s finances supports the ability to practice medicine with integrity. Complete with full disclaimers, a demo account option for testing, and transparent discussion of drawdowns, this episode invites physicians to thoughtfully explore tools that can create margin for their mission. Top 3 Takeaways Financial Autonomy Reduces Burnout: Physicians who are financially precarious may feel forced into high-volume, misaligned care. Building diversified income streams and liquidity outside traditional retirement accounts can provide the freedom to say no to the wrong job or unethical pressures. Algorithmic Trading Offers Autonomy & Diversification: Unlike funds, NURP licenses software that runs in your own brokerage account. It enables trading (profiting in up, down, or sideways markets) with verified track records, positive expectancy strategies, and user-controlled settings, while keeping full custody and liquidity. Risk & Due Diligence Matter: All investments carry risk, including drawdowns (e.g., ~26% max on the Midas gold strategy vs. gold’s higher drawdown but far lower returns). Use demo accounts, third-party verified performance (MyFXBook + broker statements), adjustable risk settings, and equity monitors to align with personal tolerance. About the Show Healing People, Not Patients explores ways to enhance medical practice by infusing it with compassion, humanity, and a deeper sense of purpose, aiming to help healthcare professionals rediscover the "soul" of their work. Framed around the four questions of the Passover Seder, it probes how to transform medicine for the better, promoting an empathetic and supportive approach that empowers patients to create meaningful, sober lives, while drawing on Jewish teachings about community and friendship. "Our theme song, 'Room for the Soul,' is available on Bandcamp at https://jonathanweinkle.bandcamp.com/track/room-for-the-soul ." About the Guest Jeff Seckinger is the founder of NURP, a company that licenses algorithmic trading strategies to individual investors. He previously founded Zero Percent (financial education) and Orca Capital (digital asset hedge fund). His mission is to democratize access to advanced trading technology, helping individuals, especially those not yet accredited, achieve greater financial freedom and autonomy without surrendering custody of their capital. Visit start.nurp.com/doctors for the demo account and more information. About the Host: Dr. Jonathan Weinkle is an internist and pediatrician who practices primary care at a community health center in Pittsburgh. He strives to be a "nice Jewish doctor" focused on patient-centered healthcare, emphasizing effective communication and holistic well-being. He teaches the courses, “Death and the Healthcare Professions” and “Healing and Humanity” at the University of Pittsburgh, authored the books Healing People, Not Patients and Illness to Exodus , and runs ‘Healers Who Listen’, where he blogs on healing and Jewish tradition. Once an aspiring rabbi, he now integrates faith and medicine to support other physicians and his own patients. 🌐 Website: healerswholisten.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-weinkle-3440032a 📸 Instagram: @HealersWhoListen 📘 Facebook: @JonathanWeinkle The Healing People, Not Patients Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #16

  Grief, Shiva, and the Jewish Wisdom of Mourning | Ep16

  Jun 22, 20261h 2m

  This episode is sponsored by NURP NURP helps busy physicians grow their wealth through AI-powered algorithmic trading designed for demanding careers. No day trading, no guesswork, and no constant market watching required. Ready to put your money to work? Visit start.nurp.com/doctors to learn more. Trading involves risk, and results may vary. This is not financial advice. ----------------------------------------- What does it mean to truly sit with grief, and how can ancient traditions help us do it well? In Episode 16 of Healing People, Not Patients , Dr. Jonathan Weinkle sits down with Nancy Zionts in a warm, intimate conversation (complete with a schnauzer guest appearance) about Jewish practices of mourning, the superpower of “ruling shiva,” and why structured rituals matter for healing. Nancy shares her journey, from becoming a kaddish for a young widow at age 18 to supporting countless families through loss, while reflecting on her own experiences as a daughter, widow, and mother. The discussion covers the structure and purpose of shiva (the seven-day mourning period), the importance of community, food, storytelling, and music in mourning, saying Kaddish, the value of “new to me” memories, and why grief is ultimately an expression of love. They also connect these themes to broader work on end-of-life conversations, the Closure project, and how healthcare professionals can better support patients and families facing serious illness and death. A rich, heartfelt exploration of ritual, resilience, and what it means to honor the dead while continuing to live. Top 3 Takeaways Shiva as Structured Healing: The Jewish tradition of sitting shiva for seven days removes daily obligations and creates space for grief. Giving yourself over to the process, supported by community, stories, and practical care, helps the body and soul begin to heal rather than rushing back to “normal.” Grief Is an Outlet for Love: True grief stems from deep love. Traditions like annual yahrzeits, memorial prayers during holidays, sharing stories, and asking for “new to me” photos keep the person’s memory alive and give grief healthy outlets instead of letting it build up or be trivialized. Support Mourners Actively: Don’t just say “I’m sorry.” Visit, bring food, lead or attend services, listen to stories, and avoid burdening mourners with thanks or tasks. Healthcare providers especially should practice radical honesty, prepare families for trajectories, and remember that presence and clear communication are among the greatest gifts. Episode Mentioned: Episode 1: high-priests-of-medicine-has-healthcare-become-its-own-religion-ep1 Episode 7: healing-and-humanity-ideas-for-the-next-generation-of-medicine-ep7 Blog Post(2020) : https://healerswholisten.com/listen-self/ About the Show Healing People, Not Patients explores ways to enhance medical practice by infusing it with compassion, humanity, and a deeper sense of purpose, aiming to help healthcare professionals rediscover the "soul" of their work. Framed around the four questions of the Passover Seder, it probes how to transform medicine for the better, promoting an empathetic and supportive approach that empowers patients to create meaningful, sober lives, while drawing on Jewish teachings about community and friendship. "Our theme song, "Room for the Soul," is available on Bandcamp at https://jonathanweinkle.bandcamp.com/track/room-for-the-soul ." About the Guest Nancy Zionts is a longtime community leader in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, known for her deep knowledge and practice of Jewish mourning rituals. A chemist by training and strategic planner by profession, she has been instrumental in initiatives like the Closure project focused on improving end-of-life conversations. Nancy has supported countless families through shiva and mourning, served on the Chevra Kadisha, and continues to lead services and build community support for mourners. She is also a mother, grandmother, and widow who draws on personal loss to help others. About the Host: Dr. Jonathan Weinkle is an internist and pediatrician who practices primary care at a community health center in Pittsburgh. He strives to be a "nice Jewish doctor" focused on patient-centered healthcare, emphasizing effective communication and holistic well-being. He teaches the courses, “Death and the Healthcare Professions” and “Healing and Humanity” at the University of Pittsburgh, authored the books Healing People, Not Patients and Illness to Exodus , and runs ‘Healers Who Listen’, where he blogs on healing and Jewish tradition. Once an aspiring rabbi, he now integrates faith and medicine to support other physicians and his own patients. 🌐 Website: healerswholisten.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-weinkle-3440032a 📸 Instagram: @HealersWhoListen 📘 Facebook: @JonathanWeinkle The Healing People, Not Patients Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your personal or organizational decisions.

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