Dr. Marty Makary on Genesis 8:11 – "A Story of Hope and Loyalty"

Show Notes

The incredibly accomplished Dr. Marty Makary is Mark’s very special guest on the podcast today. Among his many, many roles and achievements, Dr. Makary is a surgical oncologist and chief of the Johns Hopkins Islet Transplant Center, a clinical lead for the Johns Hopkins Sibley Innovation Hub, and the Executive Director of Improving Wisely, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation project to lower health care costs in the U.S. He is a best-selling author, a frequent medical commentator on NBC and FOX News, an advocate for health care innovation, and, quite simply, a national treasure who has dedicated his life to making the lives of others better. The passage he has chosen for today is Genesis 8:11.

Marty begins the discussion by sharing his summary of the passage, its meaning for him, and the impact which Chuck Colson has had upon him. With Mark, he reviews the importance of the dove in this passage, our connection to the natural world, and the regrets which his dying patients often share with him. The two then explore the polarization of the United States these days, Mark’s concept of ‘offense archeology’, and the power of living each day as if it’s your last. Marty also explains the lessons he has learned about mankind, gives his perspective on one of the biggest public health crises in the United States today, and offers a touching tribute to his aunt, Mama Maggie, and her inspiring mission. You owe it to yourself to seize this unique opportunity today to enjoy the analysis of this iconic story of hope and loyalty by these two remarkably accomplished seekers of Biblical truth.

Episode Highlights:

Marty’s summary of the passage and what it means to him
Our connection with the natural world
Chuck Colson and his impact on Marty
The importance of the dove
Common regrets that Marty hears from patients close to death
The polarization of the United States
Offense archeology
Living everyday as if it’s your last
The lessons about mankind which Marty has learned
One of the biggest public health crises in the United States today
Marty’s aunt, ‘Mama Maggie’, and her work with Stephen’s Children

Quotes:

“This is a message of hope here – that’s what my patients want when I talk to them.”

“What we treasure in life most is loyalty, it’s love, it’s empathy, it’s being available for people.”

“Kids want your time, not your money.”

“I’m not going to define him by his worst moment. I’m going to assess the man by the whole breadth of his life.”

“No one has just one face.”

“You can be fed up, you can be angry as hell, but still communicate in a civil fashion.”

“We’re all gifted differently.”

“I think part of being relatable, part of being effective is to be vulnerable and be honest about all of your personality, including the child in all of us.”

“God made us to be part of communities…people are hungry for community.”

Genesis 8:11 The dove came back to him toward evening, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the waters had decreased on the earth. https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.8.11?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

Stephen’s Children homepage: https://stephenschildren.org/

For More Information About African Mission Healthcare and to Donate visit: https://africanmissionhealthcare.org/donation/gerson-ubs-matching/