About the podcast
Medical discovery meets human resilience
Conversations with the scientists, specialists and everyday people at the frontier of medicine and the human spirit.
Your host
Heather Melville Robertson
Host & Producer · Auckland, New Zealand
Through New Horizons, Heather brings you awareness of emerging possibilities for serious and chronic illnesses.
You will hear discussions with scientists, specialists and surgeons who have devoted their lives and talents to easing human suffering, and who share the progress, triumphs and setbacks they have encountered as they try and achieve better outcomes for us.
Alongside them, people living with difficult conditions are prepared to speak openly about their difficulties, not as a bid for sympathy, but to share the practical coping methods they have developed.
Whether you are looking for hope, practical help or a clearer picture of the latest in research and treatment, these conversations come from people who have devoted their lives to finding a cure for serious illness or lived with it themselves.
People willing to share what they are discovering, what they are doing and what they have learned through personal experience.
“The best way to understand a breakthrough is to sit down with someone who has lived it, and to really listen.”
Who we talk to
Conversations from three perspectives
Scientists
pushing the frontiers of medical science to deliver cures, prevention, new drugs and better treatments.
Specialists
applying emerging treatments, procedures and techniques.
People
living with or recovering from life-changing and life-threatening illness, who share the coping strategies they have developed.
Good to know
Guests, medical information and important notes
Guest credibility and selection
Only invited guests appear on this podcast. Guests are either known to us, or referred through credible channels. We do not interview anyone we cannot reasonably substantiate as genuine.
While we take care in selecting credible guests, we cannot independently verify every detail or statement provided during an interview. We can substantiate the credibility of the interviewee, but not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or current status of all information shared.
General information only
This podcast is for general information, education and lived-experience sharing only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment advice, clinical recommendations or professional healthcare guidance.
Nothing heard on this podcast should be treated as a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional.
Speak to your own medical team
You should not start, stop, delay or change any medication, treatment, supplement, therapy, diet, surgery or medical procedure because of anything discussed on this podcast.
If you hear something that may be relevant to your own circumstances, please speak with your doctor, specialist, surgeon, pharmacist or medical team, who understand your individual diagnosis, treatment history, risks and needs.
Individual experiences may not apply to others
Guests who live with serious illness share their own experiences, choices and coping methods. These are personal to them.
What helped one person may not be appropriate, safe, effective or available for someone else, even where the diagnosis or condition appears similar.
No endorsement or recommendation
Discussion of a treatment, therapy, surgery, medicine, supplement, product, clinic, research programme, organisation, coping method or medical approach does not mean it is recommended or endorsed by the podcast.
The purpose of these conversations is to share information, experience and perspective, not to promote or recommend any particular course of action.
Research and treatments may still be developing
Some scientific or medical information discussed may relate to early-stage research, experimental work, developing treatments, clinical trials or procedures that are not yet widely available.
Medical knowledge changes over time. Treatment availability, approval, regulation and clinical use may also differ between countries.
Independence and conflicts of interest
Guests do not receive payment or favours for appearing on the podcast, and guests do not provide payment or favours in order to appear.
Where relevant, guests are expected to disclose commercial interests, research funding, organisational affiliations or other interests that may relate to the discussion.
Sensitive content and wellbeing
Episodes may include discussion of serious illness, disability, pain, grief, death, trauma, medical procedures, emotional distress and other sensitive experiences.
Listeners should consider whether, when and how they listen. If you are distressed by anything discussed, please seek support from an appropriate professional, support service or someone you trust. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek urgent medical care.
Privacy, consent and use of material
Guests participate voluntarily and provide consent for their interview to be recorded and published.
Podcast recordings, transcripts, summaries, quotes, images and excerpts may be used on the website, podcast platforms, social media, promotional material or related communications.
Copyright
Podcast recordings, transcripts, website content, images, branding and promotional material are protected by copyright unless otherwise stated.
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