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Collaborative Conversations

Collaborative Conversations


Welcome to Collaborative Conversations, a podcast dedicated to exploring the transformative power of collaboration.

Join us as we seek to uncover the key insights and strategies that drive positive change for people and populations.

Two people wearing red suit jackets sit infront of the IU Trident speaking into a microphone.


Each episode is a deep dive into the practical aspects of interprofessional collaboration. Our aim is to make this complex subject understandable and implementable for our listeners. We achieve this by interviewing successful professionals from various fields, including education, recovery, first responders, health and social care, and others. We aim to demystify this complex subject and offer actionable guidance.

Presented by the Indiana University Interprofessional Practice and Education Center, our podcast is hosted by Dr. Barbara Maxwell, director of IU IPE, and IU IPE’s Communication Manager David Plough. Interviews are conducted by various members of IU IPE’s staff. Join us as we embark on a journey to unlock the potential of collaboration and foster meaningful connections across disciplines.

Chronic Illness: Resilience Through Advocacy

Rick Philips and Ted Meyer chat Artist and patient advocate Ted Meyer interviews Rick Phillips, a dedicated patient voice living with type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Rick shares how his journey with chronic illness shaped his advocacy work and the importance of including patient voices in healthcare. Explore how lived experiences and resilience can inspire community engagement.

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Collaboration in Law

Carrie Hagan Esq., sits infront of bookshelves in her office as she has a conversation with Dr. Barbara MaxwellWhat does interprofessional collaboration look like outside of healthcare? In our first episode, IU McKinney Law professor Carrie Hagan shares how law, social work, and community partners work together to serve vulnerable populations — and why breaking silos is essential to justice, equity, and better outcomes.

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Evolution of an Institution

In this episode, Barbara Maxwell and Jennifer Berba discuss the creation and evolution of the Indiana University Interprofessional Practice and Education Center (IU IPE). They cover the center's history, development, shared leadership approach, and strategic priorities. They also cover the importance of living the behaviors they expect from others and the impact of a shared leadership process on the center's success.

Full Episode and Transcript

Collaborating for Community Care

IU IPE's Alex Buchanan sits infront of blue tented windows while interviewing Samatha MitchellExplore how interprofessional collaboration strengthens community health in this episode of Collaborative Conversations as Alex Buchanan interviews Samantha Mitchell of the Crawfordsville Mobile Integrated Health Department. Learn how her team bridges gaps in rural healthcare, partners with local agencies, and tackles barriers to care; from maternal health to emergency services. Samantha adds real world expertise as she talks strategies for building sustainable, community-focused healthcare.

Full Episode and Transcript

Curriculum of Collaboration, pt 1


This episode is about the importance of incorporating interprofessional education (IPE) experiences into health science curricula. IU IPE's Dr. Zach Weber and Tanya Coltrain of the IU School of Nursing highlight the accreditation standards and the need for collaborative-ready team members in healthcare professions. This conversation covers strategies for successfully integrating IPE experiences, embedding IPE courses throughout the curriculum, and providing opportunities for students to engage in real-world practice settings. 

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The Facilitators Role

Elli Kolbaum, a clinical professor at the Indiana University School of Optometry, joins IU IPE's Dr Julie LaMothe to discuss interprofessional facilitation and the role of IPE facilitators in team education. This episode touches on strategies for promoting student engagement, both in-person and online, and highlights the value of incorporating personal experiences and perspectives from different disciplines. They also discuss effective feedback techniques, debriefing strategies, and how Elli role models interprofessional practice in optometry.

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Curriculum of Collaboration, pt 2

The continuation of Dr. Weber and Tanya Coltrain's conversation about embedding interprofessional experiences into curriculum.

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Evolution of a Curriculum

This second conversation between Dr. Barbara Maxwell and Jennifer Burba focuses on the evolution of the IU IPE curriculum and its transition from a traditional content-focused model to a competency-based curriculum. Exploring the process of curriculum review, the impact of the pandemic, the use of evidence-based pedagogy, and the integration of attitudes, knowledge, and skills to drive behavior change.

Full Episode and Transcript