66. Dr Guddi Singh - Radically reimagining health care

In this electric, soul-stirring conversation, Dr Guddi Singh joins me to explore what it truly means to radically reimagine health. From the frontline realities of paediatrics to the bold edges of creative health and social justice, Guddi brings her full, vibrant self — and invites us all to do the same.

We talk about what’s broken in our health system, why simply fixing sickness isn’t enough, and how real health is built in homes and communities, not hospitals.

 We shine a light on creative co-production, interdisciplinary approaches, and the untapped power of arts, storytelling and relationships to transform healthcare.

Guddi describes herself as a closet creative and lifelong learner, and you’ll hear exactly why — from training citizen scientists to founding WHAM (Wellbeing and Health Action Movement) and leading the Powering Up project.

This episode is bursting with energy, honesty, hope¦ and a few well-placed mic drops.

Lemon lightbulbs 🍋💡🍋

🍋   Health is not built in hospitals – it’s built in our homes and communities

🍋   A child cannot be healthy if the context they live in is sick - we have to treat the context – hunger, poverty, poor housing – not just the symptoms

🍋   “I’m a closet creative trapped in the body of a doctor” : Guddi’s mission blends creativity, academia, activism, and medicine to drive meaningful change

🍋   The system doesn’t work for patients — and it doesn’t really work for staff

🍋   There’s no KPI for what actually matters — to patients or professionals

🍋   Maybe the most powerful KPI is: Will you remember this? Did it change you?

🍋   Human connection doesn’t fit in a spreadsheet – but it’s what makes the work meaningful.

🍋   Fixing health inequalities starts with ordinary clinicians and patients,  and creative approaches 

🍋  Powering Up isn’t a project – it’s a movement

🍋   It’s hard to lie to kids - Powering up unearthed the real issues

🍋   The system may be blind, but our stories can open its eyes

🍋   Dance saved my life. Why isn’t creative health part of the NHS mainstream?

🍋   We’re lighting up little patches of the world. What if we joined the dots?

🍋   We’re not alone — it’s time to bring our lemon lightbulbs together

Links:

BBC Radio 4 - Three Ages of Child 

Wellbeing and Health Action Movement (WHAM)

Powering Up Project

National Centre for Creative Health

Episode 54: Dr Mary Salama - connecting across boundaries

Episode 57 : Dr Tom Holliday - children get less

Join the Movement

This is more than a conversation It’s a call to action. Whether you’re a clinician, creative, policymaker or passionate citizen, this episode will leave you asking: 

What’s my role in radically reimagining health?

#coproduction

We LOVE it when you leave a review!
If you enjoy my podcast and find these conversations useful
please  share your thoughts by leaving a review (Spotify or Apple are easiest to leave a review - navigate via 3 dots) and comment on your favourite episodes.

Connect with me - Gill Phillips - on LinkedIn, especially if you are interested in our brand new #CYPWhoseShoes resources or our well-established #MatExp (maternity experience) work.

I tweet (not so much these days!) as @WhoseShoes  and am on Instagram as @WhoseShoesUK and @WildCardWS.

Please recommend 'Wild Card - Whose Shoes' to others who enjoy hearing passionate people talk about their experiences of improving health care.