The Unsung Lung Podcast

In Part Two of our pediatric tracheostomy series, Jacob is joined by Dr. Maria Castro Codesal, Principal Investigator of DECIDE-T, and Kristen Gibson, DECIDE-T Co-Investigator and parent of a child with a tracheostomy. Together, they discuss compassionate communication, supporting families from hospital to home, healthcare inequities, and how lived experience is helping shape the future of pediatric tracheostomy care in Alberta. We hope you enjoy this amazing follow-up episode!
Stay Connected:
To find programs and initiatives offered by Alberta Lung, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"

Tracheostomies are a serious matter but when patients have the resources they need to learn about them, care gets a whole lot easier. On July's edition of The Unsung Lung Podcast, Jacob chats with Nadia Qureshi and Stephanie Nitschke from DECIDE-T, a program that is creating resources for families with children who have a tracheostomy. The three discuss DECIDE-T and its important work, the role of patient and family advocates, and how online resources can be a source of comfort for families going through untested waters. Join us for a great discussion about the power of teaching.
Stay Connected:
To find programs and initiatives offered by Alberta Lung, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"

Patrick Caple is on the show again and he's just as candid as last time. On this episode of The Unsung Lung Podcast, Patrick speaks with our host Jacob about the transition from a care facility to his own home. They discuss a new-found independence, the obstacles that exist in that process, and the excitement that comes from a new set of lungs. Join us for a reflective discussion that dives into the real life experiences of lung disease. We go behind the science to hear how Alberta's incredible lung health sector impacts the people it's helping.
Stay Connected:
To find programs and initiatives offered by Alberta Lung, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"

A good support group is important in the best of times. Think of how important it is in the hard times. On today's episode of The Unsung Lung Podcast, Jacob speaks with respiratory therapist, Kennedy King, as they dive into all things 'support groups.' They discuss the importance of peer connection (including online connection), getting tips from others who have been in your shoes, and Alberta's lung health community. This is the perfect spring episode to remind all of us how important it is to keep our friends and family (and support groups) close to us.
Stay Connected:
To find programs and initiatives offered by Alberta Lung, including Martyn's Story, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"

50 Episodes! What a milestone! Four years of learning about lungs right next to you, all of our amazing listeners. And this episode is no different. On this episode of The Unsung Lung Podcast, Jacob chats with another amazing guest from the University of Calgary, Curtis Dumonceaux. Curtis is a registered respiratory therapist and a clinical research associate at the U of C. Jacob and Curtis talk everything from drug trials in lung health to public engagement and clinical trials. Thanks for tagging along for the past 50! Here's to another 50 more to come!
Stay Connected:
To find programs and initiatives offered by Alberta Lung, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"

Your lungs are directly connected to your brain! Sometimes we forget that all of the systems throughout our bodies are connected. On this edition of The Unsung Lung Podcast, Jacob sits down with Dr. Bryan Yipp to look more closely at this lung-brain connection. The University of Calgary Professor and Researcher explains how nerve calls can reduce fibrosis, that neurological advances can help lung health, and why this lung-brain connection is so important. This is a science-y one so be prepared to learn new things that you've never heard before!
Stay Connected:
To find programs and initiatives offered by Alberta Lung, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"

Not all scientific research is done under a microscope lens or with a large MRI machine. Some of the most profound research is done using the lived of experience of patients to improve the healthcare system and the treatments that future patients will receive. On this edition of The Unsung Lung Podcast, Jacob speaks with Michelle Dean from the PROPEL Lung Cancer Study. They discuss how patient stories can help make the system better, precision medicine, and gaps in treatment that can only be fixed with dialogue. This is a great episode for those who love to mix sociology and the study of humans' lived experience with healthcare.
Stay Connected:
To find programs offered by Alberta Lung and to donate, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"

Vaccination is contentious. But numbers don't lie. Vaccines help millions of people every year escape certain illness and even death in many circumstances. On the first episode of 2026 on The Unsung Lung Podcast, Jacob chats with Betty Golightly, a pharmacist and health instructor. They discuss respiratory illness and vaccines, herd immunity, and how a low vaccine rate can lead to a strained healthcare system. This episode touches on some hard topics, but often the more uncomfortable a discussion, the more important that discussion is in the long run.
Stay Connected:
To find programs and initiatives offered by Alberta Lung, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"

The holiday season is always filled with joy, hope, and family. This episode is no different. On December's edition of The Unsung Lung Podcast, Jacob chats with Patrick Caple, a double lung transplant recipient. They discuss the challenges throughout the entire transplant journey, Alberta's healthcare system, and the importance of a strong support group. This episode is perfect if you're looking for that warm and cozy feeling this festive season.
Stay Connected:
To find programs and initiatives offered by Alberta Lung, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"

It's cold outside! And you know what that means, Radon Action Month! Jacob chats with Andrew Arshinoff from Radon Care about testing your homes for this colourless, odourless, radioactive gas. The two discuss different studies related to radon, how mitigation works, and what to do if you are a little skeptical about everything radon-related. November is a great month to remind ourselves that, oftentimes, it is the invisible things in our environment that are most dangerous to our lung health.
Stay Connected:
To find programs and initiatives offered by Alberta Lung, visit: www.ablung.ca
For more information about the show, visit: www.ablung.ca/unsung-lung
 
"As Always... Just Remember to Breathe"