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
The Names by Florence Knapp and Flashlight by Susan Choi 

The Names by Florence Knapp and Flashlight by Susan Choi 

ByHoward Trachtman09.22.25

Sudden life-altering events shape human experience; The Names and Flashlight explore divergent consequences through contrasting narrative styles.

Imagining Phantom Limb Pain

Imagining Phantom Limb Pain

ByRussell Teagarden09.20.25

The “fragmentary novel” Flights, offers literary descriptions of phantom limb pain by imagining what a known amputee from the past may have gone through.

The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason

The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason

BySteven Field09.18.25

A lyrical World War I tale blending medicine, love, and ethics, The Winter Soldier immerses readers in history and humanity.

From Tigers to Otaku

From Tigers to Otaku

ByDave Hsu09.16.25

Parenting in Chinese Canadian immigrant families carries both triumphs and struggles, shaping children into overachievers—or isolating, withdrawn adolescents.

Podcasts ➔

Podcasts ➔

Inside The Pitt: Medicine Meets Drama

Inside The Pitt: Medicine Meets Drama

ByDave Hsu09.03.25
A deep-dive podcast exploring The Pitt, a gripping medical drama, its realism, emotional impact, and lessons for medicine and humanity.

Current ➔

Current ➔

Biblioscopy: A Glimpse of What I’m Currently Reading 

Biblioscopy: A Glimpse of What I’m Currently Reading 

ByTony Miksanek08.04.25
Three striking new books explore the intersections of medicine, mortality, and meaning—from spiritual rituals to pandemic survival and quiet grief.

Reviews ➔

Reviews ➔

The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang 

The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang 

ByGuy Glass09.15.25
This essay collection explores living with severe mental illness, blending memoir, cultural critique, and reflections on resilience, treatment, and identity.
How To Be Depressed by George Scialabba

How To Be Depressed by George Scialabba

ByGuy Glass09.15.25
A candid, unconventional book blending psychiatric records, personal struggle, and practical tips, offering rare insight into living with depression.
One Friday in April by Donald Antrim

One Friday in April by Donald Antrim

ByGuy Glass09.15.25
Donald Antrim’s memoir confronts suicide, psychosis, and survival with unflinching honesty, blending personal crisis, hospitalization, and hard-earned hope.
Second Life by Amanda Hess  

Second Life by Amanda Hess  

ByCarol Schilling09.09.25
A powerful blend of memoir and critique, Amanda Hess examines pregnancy, technology, and parenting amid modern medicine’s promises and digital noise.

Interviews ➔

Interviews ➔

Interview with Andre Mangham

Interview with Andre Mangham

BySebastian 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 

Julie Ridge : Bipolar & The English Channel 

ByGuy 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

Interview with  Darrel Manitowabi

ByJacalyn 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

Interview with Alan Blum

ByJack 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.

Articles ➔

Articles ➔

Forspoken – A Tale of Chronic Trauma 

Forspoken – A Tale of Chronic Trauma 

ByDustin Brinker08.19.25
Forspoken blends role-playing, action, and open-world gameplay to tell a magical yet deeply human story about chronic trauma and healing.
Cold Eye, Warm Heart: Medicine and Anton Chekhov  

Cold Eye, Warm Heart: Medicine and Anton Chekhov  

ByJack Coulehan08.06.25
A moving portrait of Anton Chekhov, whose dual life as physician and writer reveals the deep interplay between healing and storytelling.
The Happiest Couple

The Happiest Couple

ByDave Hsu07.28.25
A moving portrait of resilience, aging, and love through the remarkable immigrant journey of the happiest couple this doctor has met.

Reader Insights ➔

Reader Insights ➔

  1. Avatar

    Hi Amy, thanks for reading. I’m happy to hear that you connected with the story. Someday, I hope to write…

  2. Avatar

    As an Asian who grew up here with immigrant parents, I really connected with this story. The long list of…

Support Us ➔

Support Us ➔

MedHum.org is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We are an incubator to nourish new ideas and to foster discussion of complex issues in a collegial, humane, and open space. The effort requires funds to sustain the website and ensure that it represents a state-of the-art forum to promote conversation. Please consider Making a Tax-Deductible Donation to enable our activity to reach the widest audience and have the greatest impact.

Explore ➔

Explore ➔

POPULAR HEALTH RELATED TAGS
POPULAR LITERATURE & ARTS TAGS
MEDHUM CATEGORIES

CONTENT

REVIEW

INTERVIEW

ARTICLE

MULTIMEDA

IN FOCUS