In this episode of the Leap Together podcast, we’re honored to feature Dr. Todd Bertoch, principal investigator and pain management researcher. Drawing on decades in the OR and more than 160 clinical trials, Dr. Bertoch shares how the opioid-first era shaped his early career and why he now champions multimodal, mechanism-targeted approaches that prioritize function, safety, and real-world impact.

Join us as Dr. Bertoch breaks down why pain is so hard to measure, how sites and sponsors can reduce participant burden without sacrificing rigor, and the moments that pushed him to challenge entrenched norms in study design. We also explore practical strategies for improving recruitment and retention, communicating realistic pain goals with patients and caregivers, and where the field is headed as new non-opioid targets and smarter endpoints emerge.

Tune in for a clear, grounded conversation on building faster, more inclusive pain studies and on what it takes to move beyond “raise the dose” toward care that truly improves patients’ lives.