Eram Alam - Why U.S. Healthcare Depends on Immigrant Physicians | STM Podcast #243
Release Date: 08/17/2025
Eram Alam - Why U.S. Healthcare Depends on Immigrant Physicians | STM Podcast #243
Seize the Moment Podcast
On episode 243, we welcome Eram Alam to discuss the experiences of foreign-born physicians practicing in the US, the structural problems that led to significant deficits in healthcare across the US, the Hart-Celler Act of 1965 and the other political underpinnings of migrating physicians to the US, skepticism of immigrant physicians from rural populations, the exploitation of healthcare by capital, what we owe the countries whose physicians we entice, and why race continues to occupy our minds despite our desire to surpass the construct. Eram Alam is a historian of medicine and Associate...
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Cass R. Sunstein - The Surprising Truth About Fame: It’s Not What You Think | STM Podcast #242
Seize the Moment Podcast
On episode 242, we welcome Cass Sunstein to discuss the foundations of fame, the roles of information cascades and reputation cascades in fostering one’s success, the rise of Obama as a cascade, whether talent is enough for sustainable success, how group polarization influences our perceptions, network effects and our dependence on others, the significance of luck, why talent doesn’t always see the light of day, and the importance of cultivating a sense of pride and fun in our pursuits rather than pursuing fame. Cass R. Sunstein is the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard Law...
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Natalia Kholodenko - Understanding the Trauma of War: Surviving in Ukraine | STM Podcast #241
Seize the Moment Podcast
On episode 241, we welcome Natalia Kholodenko to discuss the psychological impact of trauma, how the citizens in war-torn countries respond to trauma, Natalia’s own trauma when fleeing from Ukraine after Russia began its bombing campaign, the importance of maintaining a strong value system in the face of tragedy, Judith Herman on the importance of reintegrating one back into a community when healing, Viktor Frankl and how meaning can be lost but aids in trauma recovery, and the influence of one’s mind on their well-being and future. Natalia (Nataliia) Kholodenko is a Ukrainian...
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Seize the Moment Podcast
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Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling - The Spiritual Crisis Behind Ghosts and UFOs | STM Podcast #239
Seize the Moment Podcast
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Seize the Moment Podcast
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Steven Poser - Psychoanalysis and Psychosis | STM Podcast #237
Seize the Moment Podcast
On episode 237, we welcome Steven Poser to discuss psychotherapy for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, the symbolism of hallucinations and delusions, transference and countertransference with psychosis, how trauma contributes to the forms hallucinations may take, treating hostile patients, the shared humanity with psychotic patients, psychological defenses as covers for deeper pain, and what makes psychoanalysis effective for psychosis. Steven Poser is a practicing psychoanalyst in New York City and the author of The Misfit and Though This Be Madness. Since 2015 he has been a member...
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Nicole Karlis - Your Brain on Altruism: How Kindness Rewires Us | STM Podcast #236
Seize the Moment Podcast
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Jaz Brisack - Unionize Your Job? What Every Worker Needs to Know | STM Podcast #235
Seize the Moment Podcast
On episode 235, we welcome Jaz Brisack to discuss unionizing efforts for Starbucks workers and Project Germinal, how unions form and why workers may fear them, the popular ideas of unions and how they’re misrepresented by corporate media, Jaz’s experiences in the Starbucks union and “salting,” whether corporate managers act in good faith, anti-union tactics and why they should be considered psychological warfare, and how workers can sustain a sense of hope in the face of their significant and persistent professional struggles. Jaz Brisack is a union organizer and cofounder of the...
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Vanessa Daniel - Intersectionality, Social Justice Movements, and the Real Left | STM Podcast #234
Seize the Moment Podcast
On episode 234, we welcome Vanessa Daniel to discuss the personal and professional challenges women of color face, how trauma influenced Vanessa’s understanding of the world, how to understand intersectionality, what it means to leave no marginalized groups behind as democrats fight for power, the importance of solidarity in addressing individual trauma, 360 degree vision, the lack of courage among democratic leaders, appealing to voters, why the left isn’t immune from criticism, and what cancel culture gets wrong. Vanessa Priya Daniel has worked in social justice movements for twenty-five...
info_outlineOn episode 243, we welcome Eram Alam to discuss the experiences of foreign-born physicians practicing in the US, the structural problems that led to significant deficits in healthcare across the US, the Hart-Celler Act of 1965 and the other political underpinnings of migrating physicians to the US, skepticism of immigrant physicians from rural populations, the exploitation of healthcare by capital, what we owe the countries whose physicians we entice, and why race continues to occupy our minds despite our desire to surpass the construct.
Eram Alam is a historian of medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University. His research explores the intersections of race, migration, and healthcare, with a focus on how global labor flows have shaped American medicine. His new book, available October 14, 2025, is called The Care of Foreigners: How Immigrant Physicians Changed US Healthcare.
| Eram Alam |
► Website | https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/people/eram-alam
► The Care of Foreigners Book | https://bit.ly/TheCareofForeigners
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