medhum.org

A Lens on Human Experience

Cultivating empathy & critical thinking in health, culture & the arts

A Lens on Human Experience ➔

Cultivating empathy & critical thinking in health, culture & the arts

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

A powerful memoir revealing how classic literature can illuminate, challenge, and resist authoritarianism, especially through the eyes of courageous women.

Two Paintings by Henry Sugimoto

Felice Aull07.01.25

Two haunting paintings by Henry Sugimoto capture the emotional weight and injustice of Japanese American internment during World War II.

A Visit to the Foundling Museum in London

Guy Glass06.30.25

A poignant blend of art, music, and medicine, the Foundling Museum reveals London’s rich history of child welfare and cultural philanthropy.

The Third Reich of Dreams by Charlotte Beradt

Steven Field06.23.25

A haunting collection of Nazi-era dreams revealing how authoritarian terror invaded not only public life but also the unconscious mind.

Biblioscopy: A Glimpse of What I’m Currently Reading

Tony Miksanek05.07.25

Three insightful 2025 books examine medicine’s heart: the body’s poetry, doctors’ flaws, and the blurred line between science and quackery.

Podcasts ➔

The Tennis Partner by Abraham Verghese, a Podcast

Dave Hsu06.10.25

A special podcast episode blending sports and medicine, exploring The Tennis Partner and the complexities of friendship, addiction, and healing.

How Real is the Pitt?

Dave Hsu05.05.25

Dr. Stuart Harman joins Apollo On Call to explore The PITT—a gripping medical drama through the lens of medical humanities.

MedHum is an incubator for new ideas and a space for discussing complex issues in a collegial, humane, and open environment. We rely on funding to sustain the website and maintain a state-of-the-art forum for conversation. As a fiscally sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts, your donation is fully tax-deductible as allowed by law. Your support helps us reach reach the widest audience and have the greatest impact.

Reviews ➔

Miracle Mile, a Play by Clark Middleton

Felice Aull06.17.25

Miracle Mile is Clark Middleton’s powerful, humorous monologue about disability, resilience, and pursuing acting despite lifelong rheumatoid arthritis.

Did You Ever Have a Family? by Bill Clegg

Howard Trachtman06.10.25

A deeply moving novel exploring grief, guilt, and the transformative power of forgiveness through interwoven voices and emotional clarity.

In a Dark Time by Theodore Roethke

Felice Aull06.03.25

A vivid exploration of despair and transcendence, Roethke’s poem reveals the raw edges of consciousness, nature, and spiritual awakening.

The Science of Starving in Victorian Literature, Medicine, and Political Economy  by Andrew…

Sebastian Galbo06.02.25

A compelling study of how Victorian writers used medical science to expose and challenge political economy’s misconceptions about starvation.

A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell

Jacalyn Duffin05.20.25

A powerful feminist story exposing gender bias, professional conflict, and justice through the lens of domestic abuse and women’s silent solidarity.

Interviews ➔

Interview with Andre Mangham

Sebastian Galbo06.02.25

Andrew Mangham explores how Victorian literature, medicine, and political economy intersected to shape powerful narratives about hunger and poverty.

Julie Ridge : Bipolar & The English Channel

Guy Glass03.05.25

Julie Ridge’s one-woman show Bipolar & The English Channel explores her journey as a record-breaking swimmer and living with bipolar disorder.

Interview with  Darrel Manitowabi

Jacalyn Duffin02.03.25

Canadian anthropologist Darrel Manitowabi, PhD, explores Indigenous healing traditions through “Indigenous Medicine Stories,” blending academic and community perspectives at NOSM University.

Interview with Alan Blum

Jack Coulehan10.24.24

The battle against smoking evolved from awareness campaigns to challenging a profit-driven industry, using humor, irony, and persistent activism to drive cultural change.