Health literacy is not about reading level, it's about relationships, understanding, and trust.
In this powerful episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Catina O'Leary, President and CEO of Health Literacy Media, discuss how true health literacy starts with empathy and communication, not handouts or digital platforms.

Dr. O'Leary explains why health literacy is "a state, not a trait," and how every member of a healthcare team, from front desk staff to physicians, plays a role in building connection and understanding. The episode explores tools like teach-back, chunking, and intentional handoffs that help ensure patients leave every visit informed, confident, and cared for.

You'll also hear practical advice on how to make materials more meaningful, reintroduce written takeaways, and use human-centered communication to improve outcomes and trust.

Key Topics:

• Why health literacy is about relationships, not reading levels
• How technology impacts trust and patient satisfaction
• Simple interventions that make communication more effective
• The role of teach-back, chunking, and handoffs in care delivery
• Practical ways to make every visit more human-centered

In this first episode of our new series on health literacy, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor speaks with Dr. Catina O'Leary, President and CEO of Health Literacy Media. Dr. O'Leary shares her inspiring journey from social work and behavioral research to leading a global nonprofit dedicated to making healthcare communication clear and actionable.

They discuss how communication drives behavior change, what it means to build a health literate organization, and how small shifts in language can have a big impact on cost, quality, and patient trust. From personal stories to practical takeaways, this episode shines a light on the real-world importance of making information accessible—and human.

In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Andy Mayberry joins Dr. Rhiannon Winsor to discuss what it really takes to build rapport with patients. Using his signature "dinner and a show" philosophy, Dr. Mayberry explains why medicine isn't just about getting the diagnosis right — it's also about connection, empathy, and being real.

He shares stories from his 25 years in medicine, showing how humor, small talk, and remembering the little details can make all the difference in patient trust and outcomes.

If you're a provider looking to improve patient relationships, or simply curious about what makes great care great, this conversation is a must-listen.

🎙️ Topics include:

• "Dinner and a show": blending clinical skill with bedside manner

• Why small talk helps build trust

• Reading the room and meeting patients where they are

• Staying authentic and human in every interaction