Out of Patients EP403: Constellations and Cancer: A Storytelling Rebellion with Lisa Shufro
I’ve been chasing Lisa Shufro for almost a decade to come on Out of Patients. Why? Because she sees the healthcare-industrial complex for what it is—and has the guts, brains, and receipts to call it out with elegance and precision.
Lisa isn’t just a storyteller. She’s a story surgeon. A musician-turned-media-strategist who’s coached everyone from biotech CEOs to Surgeon Generals on how to stop talking at people and actually say something worth hearing.
We met back in my Stupid Cancer days when she was curating TEDMed. She was the quiet force behind getting non-theater nerds—scientists, researchers, data wonks—to sound human on stage. Her work? It still echoes through how I think about this show, this industry, and what it means to say something real.
We talked about a lot. How music helps you hear data. Why storytelling isn't about persuasion—it’s about connection. What Richard Simmons taught a room full of Harvard MDs. Why telling your story isn’t the same as storytelling. And how AI might be more like a violin bow than a Terminator.
Lisa also reminded me that science and emotion aren’t mutually exclusive. That structure matters. That who you're talking to is more important than what you're trying to say. And that sometimes the best way to tell your story… is to start from the middle.
Matthew Zachary
Producer
Dubbed "The People's Voice in Healthcare" by People Magazine, Matthew Zachary turned a brain cancer diagnosis at 21 into a global movement for patient empowerment. He beat the odds and became a powerhouse advocate for patient rights, giving a voice to millions overlooked by traditional healthcare.
As the founder of Stupid Cancer, he launched the young adult cancer movement, pioneering a new era of patient advocacy. In 2007, he created The Stupid Cancer Show—the first-ever healthcare talk radio show before podcasts were even a thing—building a global community for cancer survivors.
His groundbreaking podcast Out of Patients and the award-winning documentary The Cancer Mavericks cemented him as the "Podfather of Healthcare" and one of the most trusted, irreverent voices in the industry.
Now, as Principal of Matthew Zachary Worldwide, he leads a media, consulting, and think tank agency disrupting healthcare marketing with bold, empathy-driven storytelling. His work spans digital health, life sciences, entertainment, and nonprofit advocacy—challenging the system, amplifying patient voices, and driving real change.
With millions of downloads, hundreds of keynotes, and a sharp GenX edge that blends wit with wisdom, Matthew empowers patients to reclaim their stories while helping organizations embrace authentic, lived-experience storytelling.
Matthew is also... still standing.
Out of Patients EP404: Dr. Allyson Ocean Unfiltered: Science, Colons and Calling BS
