About the podcast
Big ideas, made human.
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
New Horizons is produced and hosted by Heather Melville Robertson. Her aim is to bring the latest in medical discovery and treatment progress to the people who may need it most — those searching for better answers, and anyone drawn to the frontiers of scientific discovery.
Each episode is a conversation with a scientist, a specialist, or someone living the reality of serious illness — an attempt to understand a breakthrough by talking with the people closest to it, and to really listen.
Guests appear by invitation only, whether known to the podcast or referred through credible channels. The aim is never to give medical advice, but to share information, experience and perspective, and to leave every listener a little more curious than before.
“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
Three perspectives, one conversation
Scientists
Researchers at the edge of discovery, translating the lab into language anyone can follow.
Specialists
Clinicians and experts who turn knowledge into care, and theory into daily practice.
People
The patients, carers and everyday heroes whose resilience gives the science its meaning.
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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