“Choose to listen like you might be wrong.”
A simple comment spoken by clear-eyed Harvard graduate Noah Eckstein, delivering the 2026 Senior English Address, which he called “The Punchline.”
You can watch it here.
Simple, profound, and a challenge for us all.
Because no one likes to admit we could be wrong or biased or misinformed.
Just as David Foster Wallace impacted us with his famous 2005 Kenyon College commencement address “This is Water”, where he reminded his audience that the most obvious important realities are those that are hardest to see and talk about, Noah proposes a solution to our current global division and conflict.
He continues, “The counter to division is not necessarily agreement, it’s understanding.”
My insight being this is exactly the space where the health system finds itself today. Divided, fragmented and unable to meet the burgeoning demand of a rapidly ageing and increasingly sick population.
Whether you’re working within the system or are being treated within the system, it’s reasonable to suggest there’s a lot wrong with the system (though to be fair, there’s also a lot that’s right.)
Patients are infuriated by long waiting times for specialist appointments, high fees, the cost of pharmaceuticals and… a sense that the system doesn’t care. There has been an erosion of trust and respect for those professionals who are working flat out to serve our communities.
Health professionals are frustrated, worn out and despondent that their high ideals of what they hoped to deliver – great health care for all, is failing.
It’s time for us all to listen and to seek greater understanding, not just of each other’s grievances but also what needs to change to bring about a transformation to how health is delivered and managed.
Which is why, if you’re a health professional keen to find a better way and are open to a fresh approach, one that seeks to better understand what health is about, what our patients want and care about, everyone benefits.
This is Lifestyle Medicine, where the focus is on managing the root causes of disease, not just managing the symptoms. It works alongside traditional Western medicine – there’s no need to chuck the baby out with the bath water by adding in simple, practical lifestyle interventions that the patient sees as relevant and desirable to their own needs and circumstances.
It’s entirely evidence-based, there’s no fluff or hype and focuses on prevention, better management and even potential reversal of chronic disease.
There are six core pillars of Lifestyle Medicine:
- Healthy nutrition
- Exercise
- Restorative sleep
- Effective stress management
- Social connection
- Avoiding risky substances like excess alcohol and smoking
This November, the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine is holding its annual conference (LM26) in Hobart.
The theme at LM26 this year is “The Nature of Health: Lifestyle Medicine Principles in Practice”, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet other like-minded practitioners and health professionals, access the latest evidence-based learning and explore how lifestyle medicine can be successfully integrated into clinical care, at the primary, tertiary and community level.
There will also be a special focus on nature, how time in green and blue spaces, social connection and nature-based interventions are being used to improve mental and physical health.
And there will be plenty of time to actively listen, absorb and reflect on what you can be doing differently to enhance your own way of delivering health care that results in better practitioner and patient well-being.
The invitation to register is now open and a special early-bird price is available until June 30th.
I hope you will join me in Hobart and leave with renewed inspiration and motivation to transform healthcare for the better, through understanding, listening and recognising we can sometimes be wrong.
