Dr. Zed Zha is a physician, writer, and author of the forthcoming book Consented: A Doctor’s Call to End Medical Violence and Reclaim Patient Autonomy. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Zha takes us inside the hidden culture of medicine to expose how consent is too often treated as paperwork instead of an ongoing act of trust, transparency, and respect. We talk about what happens when medical training strips providers of their humanity, how women’s pain is routinely minimized in everything from Pap smears to childbirth, and why so many patients still don’t know they have the right to stop a procedure at any time. Dr. Zha shares deeply personal stories from her journey through medicine, reflecting on moments that forced her to confront not just the system’s failures but also her own complicity within it. We also explore the realities of caring for underserved communities, the crisis of maternity care deserts, the power dynamics that shape who gets believed in healthcare, and why patient bodily truth must matter just as much as medical expertise. This is a conversation about misogyny, hierarchy, trauma, and what it would look like to build a more human, ethical, and truly consensual healthcare system.Episode Resources:Preorder Dr. Zha's upcoming book Consented: A Doctor’s Call to End Medical Violence and Reclaim Patient Autonomy.Code: ASKTHEPATIENTDiscount: 25% off + free shippingDr. Zha's Substack newsletter - Ask The PatientThe Pain GapFollow Anushay on InstagramTo learn more about Anushay Hossain's work, check out Anushay's website or sign up for her Substack, where she writes about women's health, politics, and power. To continue the conversation, feel free to DM @anushayhossain or email me at [email protected]