Dr. Aly Cohen: Killers in the Environment
Critically Speaking
The last few decades have seen a continuing rise in really serious and often fatal health problems. The list is long: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, infertility, autoimmune diseases, and autism, just to name a few. While vulnerability to disease often has an underlying genetic predisposition, there have to be environmental triggers to set these diseases in motion. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Aly Cohen discuss just these topics and what we can look for on a daily basis, as well as the small changes that we can, individually, do to make our lives a little healthier. ...
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Dr. Andrew Novick: Antidepressants and Mental Health
Critically Speaking
Have you or someone you loved considered taking antidepressants for mental health, but had concerns? Listen in as Dr. Andrew Novick talks about the research and the science behind these drugs and other options for those struggling with MDD and other mental health concerns. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Andrew Novick discuss major depressive disorder (MDD) and its treatment options. Dr. Novick explains the key characteristics of MDD and discusses some of the many treatment options, which include psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, and pharmacological...
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Dr. Justin Dubin: Men’s Sexual Health Q&A
Critically Speaking
From testosterone craze headlines to myths about prostate cancer, fertility, and aggression, men are getting a lot of confusing messages about their sexual health. Today, urologist and men’s health expert Dr. Justin Dubin cuts through the noise with science-backed answers to the questions men are often too embarrassed to ask. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Justin Dubin discuss listener questions regarding men’s sexual health. Dr. Dubin explains the nuances of testosterone levels, noting that normal ranges vary and can impact overall health. He highlights the importance of...
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Dr. Allison Daminger: Cognitive Labor in the Household: Is it Equal?
Critically Speaking
Do you ever feel exhausted by home life, even when the chores look “even”? This episode uncovers the hidden mental load running beneath every household and reveals how it quietly shapes stress, careers, and relationships. Today, Therese Markow and Dr. Allison Daminger discuss her research on cognitive labor, which reveals gender inequality in household decision-making. Allison interviewed 92 couples, and they discuss the results found between both queer and heterosexual couples throughout the study. These decisions were categorized into 10 domains, ranging from maintenance to...
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Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D.: Beware of Narcissists
Critically Speaking
In this episode, Therese Markow and psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Scott discuss narcissism, its clinical definition, and the characteristics of “malignant narcissism”. Dr. Scott explains that narcissism involves patterns of grandiosity, a need for constant admiration, a lack of empathy, high levels of manipulation, and the narcissist’s “kryptonite” - criticism. They view themselves as the victim, never at fault. Despite their arrogance, they are very insecure. Dr. Scott also discusses why treatment is challenging and why therapy often focuses on managing symptoms rather than the deeper...
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Dr. Matt Kaeberlein: Frontiers in Aging Research
Critically Speaking
What if the biggest risk factor for cancer, heart disease, and dementia isn’t your genes, diet, or blood pressure but aging itself? Listen in as biogerontologist Dr. Matt Kaeberlein reveals how understanding the biology of aging could add not just years to our lives, but healthy decades, and why your dog might hold some of the most important clues. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Matt Kaeberlein discuss aging research. He explains that aging is characterized by damage accumulation and loss of resilience, leading to functional decline. Matt highlights the hallmarks of aging,...
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Dr. Carrie McDonough: PFAS Contamination Everywhere
Critically Speaking
Hidden in your water, food, and even your blood, forever chemicals (PFAS) are nearly impossible to destroy - and now U.S. regulations are being rolled back. Listen in to how PFAS became unavoidable, what they’re doing to our health, and whether we can ever truly get rid of them. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Carrie McDonough discuss perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals. PFAS, which include PFOA and PFOS, are persistent organic pollutants used in various products, such as Teflon for your cooking pans and Scotchgard. While there are natural...
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Dr. Leigh Baxt: The Peptide Craze
Critically Speaking
Peptides are being sold online as miracle fixes for energy, healing, and longevity—but what if the science behind them is shaky, or even dangerous? In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Leigh Baxt pull back the curtain on the peptide craze, revealing what we really know (and don’t know) about these heavily marketed “biohacks.” They discuss the complexities and risks of unapproved peptides, which are often marketed for health enhancement. Dr. Baxt explains what peptides are and speaks to those drugs that are FDA-approved, like GLP-1 agonists and insulin, but also...
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Dr. Kate Mangino: Unequal Partnerships
Critically Speaking
Dr. Kate Mangino exposes the hidden burden of cognitive and emotional labor at home and explains how “benevolent sexism” and unequal household roles quietly push women to the breaking point. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Kate Mangino discuss gender inequality in household responsibilities. Kate differentiates between structural and social inequalities, noting that societal norms perpetuate these “male” and “female” roles. She also emphasizes the importance of cognitive labor, which often falls on women, and addresses the emotional impact of household tasks on...
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Dr. Dan Werb: Animals in the City
Critically Speaking
Our cities are anything but concrete jungles. Listen in as Therese Markow and Dr. Dan Werb reveal the hidden world of synanthropes - the wild animals that not only live alongside us, but thrive because of us. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Dan Werb discuss Dan’s new book “Our Wild Familiars”, which explores how animals (and plants) adapt to urban environments. They dive into the history and impact of synanthropes, such as raccoons, coyotes, and rats. He also highlights the adaptability of these animals and why they have expanded into cities. Dr. Werb emphasizes the importance of...
info_outlineA serious type of turbulence has been encountered during commercial airline flights has been in the news lately. “Pancake turbulence”. Hard to detect in advance. Most recently, an Air Europa flight from Madrid to Uruguay was hit by “strong turbulence” and had to make an emergency landing in Brazil, In another recent event. a flight bound from London to Singapore with 211 passengers and 18 crew members encountered turbulence that resulted in the death of a passenger, and the hospitalization and critical care of about 20 more with spinal injuries. What's this type of turbulence all about? How concerned should we be about flying? Dr. Thomas Gwynn, head of the Department of Applied Aviation Sciences at the distinguished Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, explains about this type of turbulence and how turbulence may be increasing with global warming.
Key Takeaways:
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Turbulence result from eddies in the atmosphere and can be light, moderate, severe, and extreme.
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Chop turbulence is usually more moderate and rhythmic, similar to driving a car over a rumble strip. It can be annoying but isn’t usually dangerous.
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While onboard radar can help determine storms enabling pilots to avoid them, pancake turbulence, such as what affected these recent flights, cannot be detected by instruments. Pilots can only learn of these from other pilots.
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Some studies seem to suggest that turbulence could be increasing with climate change.
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No form of travel is without some level of risk, but flying is still, statistically, the safest mode of travel.
"The smaller the aircraft, the more vulnerable it's going to be to turbulence. For commercial airliners, generally, they have roughly the same vulnerability. So what really determines the vulnerability is something called the wing loading. The least vulnerable aircraft is going to be heavy aircraft with smaller wing sizes like your large jets. The greater weight makes it harder for the airflow to disrupt or move the aircraft." — Dr. Thomas Guinn
Connect with Dr. Thomas Guinn:
Professional Bio: https://faculty.erau.edu/Thomas.Guinn
Email: guinnt@erau.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-guinn-37686439
Connect with Therese:
Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net
Threads: @critically_speaking
Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net
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