Out of Patients EP409: The Elastic Life of Gigi Robinson
Gigi Robinson walked into the studio, and within 60 seconds, I felt like the out-of-touch Gen Xer trying to program a VCR again. Which, frankly, is precisely why I wanted her on the show.
She's a 27-year-old content creator, public speaker, rare disease advocate, and published author. But strip away the LinkedIn bullet points, and you've got someone who's turned her lived experience with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and endometriosis into a masterclass in purposeful storytelling. Rather than riding the "influencer" wave, she's dragging the whole term into relevance, and she's doing it with integrity and a hell of a lot of stamina.
We talked about the horror show of waiting rooms, professors who don't believe you're sick because you "look fine," and the reality of building a business from bed between PT sessions and medical appointments. She took me to school on the creator economy and why brand deals aren't dirty words when you're using them to fund truth-telling.
My favorite moment? When she revealed her dog got a brand deal before she did. Runner-up: her description of EDS as a rubber band that's given up on life. Gigi has the kind of clarity you can't fake. She's lived it. And she's earned the mic.
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 EP408: The Bronx Bleeds Blue: Vanessa Ghigliotty vs. Everyone
