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Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? Dr. Robert Smith on the Crisis in Mental Health Care & How to Fix It

Episode 462 February 21, 2026

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"Medicine knows a patient’s disease, but it does not know the patient — and that is where the real crisis lies." — Dr. Robert Smith

In this powerful episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with Dr. Robert Smith, a nationally recognized pioneer in evidence‑based mental health care and physician‑patient communication. Drawing from his new book Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?, Dr. Smith reveals how our current medical system inadequately prepares doctors for the most common health issues in America — mental health conditions — and why this failure is costing lives, families, and entire communities.

From formative early-career mistakes to the creation of the first patient‑centered interviewing method, Dr. Smith shares a compelling journey of awakening, reform, and hope. If you've ever wondered why navigating mental health care feels so broken — or what it would take to fix it — this conversation is essential listening.