As Featured In:
Proud Partners Of:
The Healthcare for Humans Project
I had an arranged marriage with healthcare. Medicine was the plan long before I understood what the job really asks of you.
Over time, I couldn’t ignore the gap between what healthcare promises and what many people experience: limited access to primary care, rising costs, and inequities that leave communities carrying the consequences.
I’m a family physician and healthcare leader. My work lives at the intersection of health equity, culturally responsive care, and building systems that make relationships possible.
Healthcare for Humans is my learning lab. You’ll hear community stories, conversations with clinicians and leaders trying to do better, and grounded explorations of what’s shaping our future without losing the plot: trust, humility, and healing.
My hope is that this podcast helps you practice with more humanity, lead with more courage, and remember why we’re here.
New to Healthcare for Humans?
Here are some great episodes to start with. Or, check out episodes by topic.
![[Trailer] Healthcare for Humans—What to Expect](https://img.podpage.com/QRGZI_QWzO_Q9oIlizXqVgDkl2tcbMuHMGoOQIC0UEw/rs:fit:480:0:1/q:75/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWdhcGhvbmUuaW1naXgubmV0L3BvZGNhc3RzLzE3NDgwODhjLTc0NWItMTFlZi1iNjcyLTI3YTUxYTNiMWIyOS9pbWFnZS83MWRlNmJjODc4ZWZlMWI5ZDJiNDExMWUzODE5MjQzNS5wbmc_aXhsaWI9cmFpbHMtNC4zLjEmbWF4LXc9MzAwMCZtYXgtaD0zMDAwJmZpdD1jcm9wJmF1dG89Zm9ybWF0LGNvbXByZXNz.webp "[Trailer] Healthcare for Humans—What to Expect")
Recent Episodes
Aug. 18, 2026
89 I Illness, Disease and the Whole Person (Part 1)
Check out the full series on Youtube - Roots of Care Series
Overview:
We explore the limitations of mechanistic models in medicine and emphasize the importance of seeing patients as whole beings shaped by history, context, land, and community. Through candid conversation among clinicians trained in somatic experiencing, compassionate inquiry, and research with Indigenous communities, we reflect on how social determinants, trauma, and systemic violence contribute to disease and impact the patient
Overview:
We explore the limitations of mechanistic models in medicine and emphasize the importance of seeing patients as whole beings shaped by history, context, land, and community. Through candid conversation among clinicians trained in somatic experiencing, compassionate inquiry, and research with Indigenous communities, we reflect on how social determinants, trauma, and systemic violence contribute to disease and impact the patient
July 13, 2026
88 I You Can't Care for a Community You Don't Listen To
Overview: We explore the difference between superficial and real community engagement in healthcare with guests Rebecca and Stephanie, both experienced patient advocates who share their personal stories of navigating complex health systems and channeling their experiences into advocacy work. We discuss the importance of authentic partnership, meaningful compensation for lived experience, and the nine dimensions of effective engagement outlined by the Inspire project—trust-based, asset-based, inc
June 15, 2026
87 I Who Gets to Be Well? Dr. Evans on Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics.
Overview: We sit down with Dr. Evans, CEO, Chief Medical Officer, and co-founder of the Wellness Equity Alliance, to explore how trust is built with historically marginalized communities in healthcare. We trace his journey from international humanitarian crises to leading vaccine distribution and street medicine initiatives in the U.S., digging into the intersections of operational efficiency, health equity, and the imperative for wellness—not just disease prevention. Together, we discuss the im
April 27, 2026
86 I The Cost of Good Enough: Learning Disabilities and the Healthcare Gap (Dr. Sara Ryan)
Overview: We explore the realities of caring for people with learning disabilities through a powerful conversation with Dr. Sara Ryan, whose lived experience and research shed light on the stigma, systemic failures, and everyday barriers faced by this community. We hear about the devastating concept of "social murder," where systems knowingly allow preventable harm, and discuss why individuals with learning disabilities often receive substandard healthcare. Drawing on personal stories and rese
About the Host
Raj Sundar
Family Physician/Community Organizer/ Leader/ Father
Dr. Raj Sundar is a family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente Washington with a commitment to patient-centered care and a passion for promoting diversity and inclusivity in healthcare. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Sundar is a healthcare leader overseeing the care of over 60,000 patients and leading the Health Equity Action Team (HEAT), a dedicated group of over 500 members working to advance healthcare equity through community organizing.
Dr. Sundar also has made significant contributions to the medical field through his articles published in Health Affairs, Annals of Family Medicine, Family Medicine, and the Center for Health Journalism. He has also been featured in news articles, such as "Doctors Making a Difference: Raj Sundar, MD" on wsma.org.
He is widely recognized for his podcast, "Healthcare for Humans," where he shares his experiences and insights on providing culturally sensitive healthcare. This podcast serves as a resource for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of diverse communities and improve their patient care.