With Lori Hartwell’s 44 years as a renal disease survivor and Stephen Furst’s entertainment credentials, KidneyTalk provides the audience with practical advice on how to live a full and productive life despite CKD.  

Each show is available online 24 hours a day or can be downloaded free any time from the iTunes store using your iTunes App, and includes at least one guest interview with someone who is well-qualified to comment on the topic at hand and share their stories of health, happiness or hope.

Current Show

DOPPS Explained
Ron Pisoni, PhD, and Doug Fuller explain Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). DOPPS is a prospective cohort study of hemodialysis practices based on the collection of observational data of a random sample of patients from 12 countries. The study seeks to determine which dialysis practices are associated with the best patient outcomes. The primary goal is to improve patient longevity and quality of life. Learn how these studies can help you as a patient.  Play Now

Recent Shows

Gloria Ann: AKA the Renal Diva
Gloria-Ann Jeff-Moore has written a book "My Twenty Year Journey with PKD in The Dialysis World."  She shares her positive attitude, and a few meal preparation ideas to show other patients they can live a long, happy life on dialysis.Email us with your comments! We would like to know what you think about the show. Play Now

Celebration: Lori's Kidney Turns One
It has been a health roller coaster ride for Lori over her 43 years of living with kidney disease.  Lori shares with Stephen her gratitude for receiving her fourth kidney transplant in February of 2011 from her step-sister Cyndi.  She never thought that the 4th kidney could be her best one ever.  Listen as she shares her experience post-transplant, what her labs are and what she has learned along the ride.  Play Now

My Blood Works: How an APP can track your meds, blood work and vitals
Glen Ogle and his wife, who met while they were both on dialysis, are both long time chronic kidney disease survivors and were looking for a way to organize and track their medical information. Glen created an APP called “My BloodWorks”, that allows you to list all of your medications, track you lab work and appointments. Glen explains this App to Stephen & Lori that they can download on their smartphone and keep track of their records. Play Now

High Blood Pressure 
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. Do you know what your blood pressure should be? Do you know how to control it? Listen to this interview with Dr. James Wilson, Nephrologist, as he explains everything you need to know about blood pressure in a lively conversation with Lori and Stephen. Play Now

Living Donation - The Process Explained
Lori has a conversation with Ellen Shukhman, Clinical Program Coordinator for a kidney living donor program in California. Ellen explains the step by step process that donors go through to donate a kidney. Who makes the first call? Who can donate? How long does the evaluation take? Who pays for the transplant? How long is the hospital stay for donors? What are some possible complications? What if you're not a match? Listen to this informative interview to learn about the ins and outs of living donation. Play Now

20 Million in 2012: Help Save Lives!
Over 113, 000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Help save lives by registering to be an organ and tissue donor. Donate Life America's new goal of reaching 20 million registered donors in 2012 is a campaign to help spread the word on the importance of being an organ and tissue donor. Listen to this informative interview with Tenaya Wallace, Campaign Director for Donate Life Hollywood and National Campaign Chair for Donate Life America "20 million in 2012". Learn more about how the organ procurement process works and break the myths surrounding deceased organ donation. Play Now

It's Called Dia-ly-sis, How to Explain it to a Child
Do you have small children in your family, who are wondering what all the doctor's visits are about? What is that machine for? Shawn Chase had to find a way to explain dialysis to her 7 year-old son when she started treatments, and she didn't stop there. She wrote a book about it to help other families with small children. Dialysis can be frightening to children (as well as adults), but sometimes, taking the mystery out of it and explaining to kids exactly what it's about can help ease their anxiety. Listen as Lori talks with Shawn about how she helped her kids cope. Play Now

Taking Your Treatment Home
Have you considered all your dialysis options? Home dialysis is a good option for many people and can allow more flexibility in your schedule and can provide better outcomes. Lori talks to Rich Berkowitz, founder of NxStage Users (soon to be called Home Dialyzers United), and they share stories about their experiences with home hemo and peritoneal dialysis. Listen and learn about the benefits of taking more control or your treatment. Play Now

Starting a Support Group
Support is crucial when you have kidney disease and often RSN is asked how to create and maintain a successful support group. Lori Majopian called RSN and asked for guidance on how to start a support group in her area. We decided to record the call. In this interview Lori Hartwell provides ideas on what is involved, how to get started, tips for success and answers the callers questions. Peer to peer support is very important, and considering starting a support group in your area can help provide knowledge, experience and most importantly hope. Play Now

An Iron Will!
Shad Ireland has accomplished what only a select few people can say - he competes in Ironman Triathlons. Having been on dialysis for decades, he shares his journey of despair to becoming a transformed athlete. His wisdom, drive and desire to help others with chronic kidney disease are evident with the many tools he has developed. You won't be able to stay in your seat for this interview as it will make you want to get up, move and take action. Play Now