A Podcast That Connects Patients and Doctors
Turning clinical topics into a conversation worth listening to
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a growing global health concern, yet remains misunderstood and often under-discussed. For IBD Africa, encouraging open, effective communication between patients and doctors and raising awareness around mucosal healing as a long-term treatment goal was critical.
They wanted a bold yet sensitive content strategy that could resonate with both patients and doctors. Treeshake was brought in to bring that vision to life. We wanted to create a timeless resource that patients or doctors would forward along stating "you must listen to this podcast” and work with people who could carry the message with credibility, authenticity and insight.
Our Approach
We developed a powerful narrative-driven podcast that blended lived experience with clinical expertise. We worked with IBD Africa to get a patient/doctor who has an existing clinical relationship - to dive deep and share the usually untold stories of what living with IBD is really like.
To do this, we scripted, produced and distributed a professionally recorded podcast featuring:
Uveka Rangappa (host and journalist)
Dr. Thania Kahn (gastroenterologist)
Nico Dhevnanan (IBD patient)
Left to right: Uveka Rangappa, Nico Dhevnanan, Dr Thania Kahn
What We Did
Scripted and produced a full-length podcast (audio and video)
Sourced, managed and media trained all podcast guests
Coordinated compliance approval and sign-off
Uploaded the podcast to YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcast
Created short-form content to drive social engagement
Secured multiple radio and television interviews around World IBD Day
Bringing the Podcast to Life
“It’s Not Just a Gut Feeling” is more than a podcast title, it’s a declaration. The episode weaves together Dr. Kahn’s medical insights with Nico’s deeply personal journey with IBD. Through Uveka’s thoughtful facilitation, the conversation addresses physical symptoms, emotional resilience and treatment goals like mucosal healing, making a complex topic accessible and real.
The episode not only demystifies IBD but also empowers listeners to advocate for themselves in medical settings.
Listen here:
YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts
The Impact
Featured on national radio and TV across multiple outlets including:
Social shorts were created and distributed to IBD Africa’s audiences via social media channels
What We Learned
Creating impactful health communication requires more than just clear messaging, it needs empathy, collaboration and credibility. In this project, we learned:
The power of pairing lived experience with clinical expertise to make medical content more relatable.
The importance of media training to equip guests to share confidently and safely.
That storytelling can drive awareness and trust in ways data alone cannot.
Effective distribution - across podcast platforms, social media, and broadcast media - amplifies reach and reinforces impact.
Team
Campaign Strategist: Cordène Midgley
Project Manager: Kirsten de Klerk
Podcast Editing: Emma Ferns
Podcast recording: Sean Loots
Podcast Studio: Latitude Hotel