Critically Speaking
On each episode of Critically Speaking, your host, Dr. Therese Markow, interviews foremost experts in a range of fields. We discuss, in everyday language that we all can understand, fundamental issues that impact our health, our society, and our planet. Join our weekly journey where we separate fact from fantasy for topics both current and controversial.
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Daniel Aaron, M.D., J.D.: Lack of FDA Food Safety Oversight
09/15/2026
Daniel Aaron, M.D., J.D.: Lack of FDA Food Safety Oversight
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Daniel Aaron discuss the inadequate oversight of food additives by the FDA, particularly the agency's GRAS or “Generally Recognized as Safe” process, which allows unsafe additives to reach the market without proper scrutiny. Dr. Aaron highlights industry conflicts of interest, the lack of reporting requirements, the need for stricter regulation to protect public health, and discusses what is needed for the FDA to be better able to make impactful changes. Key Takeaways: The majority of food additives in the US are not vetted by the FDA. Since 1958, food additives have been presumed safe until proven otherwise. The Clean Eating movement in the US is indicative of the skepticism of the American food supply. While the FDA used to maintain a list of GRAS substances, today, reporting to the FDA is not required. Europe uses a more precautionary approach to food additives. The EFSA must approve all chemical substances prior to their use in foods. Food additives are known to cause synergistic harm. However, the FDA poorly regulates single additives, so it is not surprising that its consideration of interacting chemicals is insufficient. "The FDA is the most accountable to corporate power. The largest impediment, in my view, to food regulation is funding. FDA’s Food Center has been underfunded for decades. Further funding from Congress is needed, but our legislators often are supported by industry that doesn't necessarily want a more robust review of food additives." — Daniel Aaron, M.D., J.D. Episode References: Bystanders to a Public Health Crisis: The Failures of the U.S. Multi-Agency Regulatory Approach to Food Safety in the Face of Persistent Organic Pollutants by Katya S. Cronin: EFSA: FDA Food Center: Connect with Daniel Aaron, M.D., J.D.: Professional Bio: Email: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Paul Schulz: Hot News About Preventing Alzheimer's
09/08/2026
Dr. Paul Schulz: Hot News About Preventing Alzheimer's
Have you ever wondered what the purpose of staying up to date on your vaccines is? Well, new research is showing that not only does it help to prevent the disease the vaccine is protecting you from, but it may also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Paul Schulz discuss the exciting discovery that influenza vaccines may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by up to 40%. Dr. Schulz’s research suggests that high-dose vaccines (offered to those over the age of 65) are more effective, particularly in women. Additionally, other vaccines like shingles, pneumococcus, and Tdap also showed protective effects. Key Takeaways: Every neurologist knows that when your Alzheimer's patient gets pneumonia, a UTI, bronchitis, a hip fracture, a hip replacement, or any inflammatory process in the body, it makes their Alzheimer's a lot worse. Over the age of 65, patients are typically given a 4x dose of the influenza vaccine for as long as it is available. Evidence shows that the regular dose reduces Alzheimer’s by about 40%, while the high dose reduces it by about 15% more. Other types of vaccines, including for shingles, pneumococcus, and Tdap, also show effectiveness in the reduction of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. "The conclusion was that compared to people with no influenza vaccines, which turns out to be very common, unfortunately, in the United States, three annual vaccines out of six years is associated with a 20% reduction in Alzheimer's risk for up to eight years that we know of so far." — Dr. Paul Schulz Connect with Dr. Paul Schulz: Professional Bio: LinkedIn: Google Scholar: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Zaldy Tan: What if it's Dementia?
09/01/2026
Dr. Zaldy Tan: What if it's Dementia?
Worried about what your forgetfulness really means and whether it’s just aging or the start of something more serious? Listen in as memory expert Dr. Zaldy Tan breaks down the different types of dementia, how early detection really works, and what you can do now to protect your brain and plan for the future. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Zaldy Tan discuss his new book, “What to Remember When You Are Forgetting,” which addresses cognitive decline and dementia. Dr. Tan discusses the main types of dementia, the importance of early diagnosis, and how dementia varies from age-related cognitive decline. They also dive into the steps that people can take now to help strengthen their minds and things to do to help assist those you love who you may suspect have dementia or have been diagnosed. Key Takeaways: Currently, about 7.5 million people are diagnosed with dementia. That number is likely twice that, as about 50% with dementia are living with it unaware of the diagnosis until the late stages. There are around 100 types of dementia - the most common ones are Alzheimer’s Disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Memory and other cognitive functions do change as we get older. Divided attention and working memory do decline as we age, and that is a normal part of aging. Different types of dementia are caused by different pathologies. As such, the treatment and prognosis will be different. A dementia diagnosis does not always mean that you have to quit your job. It may mean that you have to talk to your employer about reasonable accommodations to make sure you are safe and able to complete your tasks. "We shouldn't think of dementia as monolithic. Those days are gone. A precise and accurate diagnosis is really important." — Dr. Zaldy Tan Connect with Dr. Zaldy Tan: Professional Bio: LinkedIn: Book: What to Remember When You Are Forgetting: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Darren Linvill: Detecting Rampant Disinformation
08/25/2026
Dr. Darren Linvill: Detecting Rampant Disinformation
Have you ever wondered how trolls, bots, and paid influencers are quietly manipulating what you see online and why even smart, skeptical people fall for it? Today, disinformation expert Dr. Darren Linvill pulls back the curtain on the tactics that bad actors are using to try and shape our beliefs. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Darren Linvill discuss the various forms of digital deception and the strategies used by state actors to manipulate global discourse. Dr. Linvill distinguishes between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation and gives examples of each, including tactics used by different international organizations from Iran, China, Israel, North Korea, and others. He also discusses the psychological impact that this disinformation has on humanity. Key Takeaways: Fraud is the oldest form of disinformation, and it's rampant across social media. It's a multi-billion-dollar industry. The main way that AI is being used right now to disseminate false information, disinformation, whether it's fraud or political disinformation, is the scale at which this content is created. Sometimes there is not enough information to attribute disinformation accounts to a specific person or group. Sometimes it can be traced either through the content being posted or similar information on other websites. At the end of the day, people will believe what they want to believe, regardless of whether it is true or has been fact-checked as false. "At the end of the day, all of us humans are emotional animals. And we are interpreting the world around us, including the information we find on social media, through an emotional lens, especially when it comes to the communities that we're a part of, and our emotional attachments to those communities and our emotional needs that we derive from those communities, that absolutely affects the lens through which we interpret information." — Dr. Darren Linvill Episode References: Clemson University Media Forensics Hub: Spot the Troll - Connect with Dr. Darren Linvill: Professional Bio: Twitter: LinkedIn: Google Scholar: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Timothy Caulfield: The Certainty Illusion
08/18/2026
Timothy Caulfield: The Certainty Illusion
Drowning in wellness hype, viral “experts,” and five-star opinions that feel more real than facts? In this episode, law and public health scholar Timothy Caulfield exposes the certainty illusion — how “scienceploitation”, predatory journals, and weaponized opinions quietly shape what we believe about our health. Today, Therese Markow and Timothy Caulfield discuss Tim’s latest book, break down the misinformation drivers that are contributing to the delegitimization of scientific expertise, and the three illusions that are being used to distort public perception. From influencers and celebrities to predatory journals and politicians, it feels like “experts” are constantly bombarding us with information, but how do we know what is true? Listen in to find out more. Key Takeaways: So many of the misconceptions about health and science are now closely tethered to political ideological positions. Influencers are having a greater impact on beliefs around health than ever before. For example, the sale of Ivermectin spiked after a Joe Rogan conversation with Mel Gibson. Be aware of products and studies that are using scienceploitation and publishing in predatory journals. While they may look legitimate, they often do not have proper science behind the claim. Most health halos- words like “organic” or “natural” or, now, “protein” do not necessarily make the food or product healthy. But it does often convince people to buy. "Your personal identity, your personal community has just a tremendous impact. So if you can manipulate those opinions, you can manipulate people's perceptions, their beliefs, and maybe even their actions." — Timothy Caulfield Episode References: The Certainty Illusion: What You Don’t Know and Why It Matters: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger Documentary: What is the manosphere? I went inside to find out: Connect with Timothy Caulfield: Professional Bio: Threads: Bluesky: Instagram: X: Facebook: Books: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Aly Cohen: Killers in the Environment
08/11/2026
Dr. Aly Cohen: Killers in the Environment
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. Key Takeaways: It's estimated there are about 95,000 chemicals available on the US market for everything we use from cleaning products, makeup, and everything we use. The US has only banned 5 chemicals since 1976. European countries have banned around 1200, on average. There are resources out there to help you to vet the products you are using in your life, such as The Environmental Working Group and Skin Deep Database. "The goal is less is more - use fewer products, the products that you use, if you want to use them, just vet them." — Dr. Aly Cohen Connect with Dr. Aly Cohen: Website: TED Talk: Show: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube: LinkedIn: Instagram: Book: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Andrew Novick: Antidepressants and Mental Health
08/04/2026
Dr. Andrew Novick: Antidepressants and Mental Health
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 interventions like SSRIs. He highlights the effectiveness of esketamine for treatment-resistant MDD, and also addresses the controversy surrounding SSRIs and the potential of new treatments like psilocybin, noting ongoing research and regulatory challenges. Key Takeaways: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) can begin in childhood, but can often show up as irritability rather than other traditional depressive symptoms that we would see in adults. It’s also more common to see it manifest during puberty, rather than before. Treating MDD does not require starting with psychotherapy. Medication can help more immediately, especially because there is an obstacle to accessible therapy for a lot of people. It can also be a tool used in tandem with therapy. While there are no blood tests or simple diagnostic tests to see if you have depression, like with an infectious disease model, there are some brain scans that can show signs of depression, especially across wide populations of individuals. There is no one gene that is associated with MDD. However, through research, many different genes have been identified, often related to brain function and stress response. "If depression goes untreated, the most awful consequence of that is potential suicide." — Dr. Andrew Novick Connect with Dr. Andrew Novick: Professional Bio: ResearchGate: LinkedIn: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Justin Dubin: Men’s Sexual Health Q&A
07/28/2026
Dr. Justin Dubin: Men’s Sexual Health Q&A
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 addressing low testosterone, which can lead to significant health issues, including all-cause mortality. He dives into the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, emphasizing the need for proper medical guidance. Additionally, Justin addresses the stigma around men’s health, the role of direct-to-consumer testosterone sales, and the impact of prostate cancer treatments on sexual function. Key Takeaways: Health is not just about living longer; it should also be about living better. There are different forms of testosterone. The majority of it, about 98%, is bound to other proteins. Free testosterone is what can bind to your receptors. There is really good data suggesting that men with low testosterone die at a younger age; they have a higher all-cause mortality. It's not just a mood; it's not just a sex thing. It is an overall marker for your health. If you are interested in future fertility and you have low testosterone, do not take real testosterone replacement therapy; there are alternative options. Before you go on any medication, you should know the risks and benefits of what you are thinking of taking. "If I can stop making men think with their penises and start making them think about their penises, I think we can get a lot more guys healthier, a lot more guys happier, and a lot more guys doing the things that they want to be able to do inside and outside the bedroom." — Dr. Justin Dubin Episode References: Guideline-Discordant Care Among Direct-to-Consumer Testosterone Therapy Platforms: Connect with Dr. Justin Dubin: Professional Bio: Website: Man Up Podcast: YouTube: LinkedIn: Instagram: Linktree: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Allison Daminger: Cognitive Labor in the Household: Is it Equal?
07/21/2026
Dr. Allison Daminger: Cognitive Labor in the Household: Is it Equal?
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 health to childcare. Throughout the episode, Allison emphasizes the need for couples to recognize and address the imbalances, suggesting starting with low-hanging fruit and fostering a growth mindset to achieve a more equitable division of labor. Key Takeaways: In different-sex households, cognitive labor is overwhelmingly shouldered by women, with roughly 80% of such homes being woman-led across domains like schedules, childcare coordination, finances, and home maintenance. Same-sex couples tend to divide cognitive labor more deliberately and flexibly, often discussing who does what and viewing roles as changeable rather than fixed by gender stereotypes. Unequal cognitive labor carries real costs - chronic exhaustion, career compromises, and relationship strain - making it crucial for couples to name this work, question “it just happened this way” narratives, and experiment with small, intentional rebalances in specific domains. Women’s lives changed dramatically in the second half of the twentieth century, in a way that men’s lives did not. However, there is now an emerging trend that seems to show more men feeling a pull toward the traditional household cognitive load often carried by women. "One reason that my research has resonated with a lot of people is that it's given them language to explain something that they experience every day. People know that they're doing a lot, but until they recognize this as a form of work that is taxing, it can be easy to kind of downplay what you're contributing to your family, especially when it feels like you and your partner are sharing the physical work relatively equitably." — Dr. Allison Daminger Connect with Allison: Professional Bio: Substack: Website: LinkedIn: Book: What’s On Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life - Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D.: Beware of Narcissists
07/14/2026
Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D.: Beware of Narcissists
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 core issues. They can’t see that they have a problem, and thus are resistant to treatment. Key Takeaways: The myth of Narcissus illustrates the danger of excessive self-focus, which is the hallmark of narcissism in clinical terms and is becoming increasingly common in some aspects of our modern society. Narcissists are very good at manipulation. They consciously will do things to sort of manage their image in the eyes of others. They may appear to show empathy at times in a relationship, but it's usually more of a means to an end than a genuine concern for the feelings of others. Criticism is like kryptonite to a narcissist, so even the mildest critique can provoke a strong defensive reaction: anger, denial, or shifting the blame to somebody else. You cannot change a narcissist's behavior, but you can control your own responses to it. Think about limits and then give yourself leeway within those to protect your own mental health. "[Narcissists] might mimic empathetic behaviors to achieve their own ends, but it's more about manipulation than genuine caring. So they can understand maybe what empathy looks like, but not really get how it feels and how it's supposed to feel and how those behaviors are supposed to be rooted in something inside them." — Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D. Connect with Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D.: Twitter: Facebook: Website: Instagram: Book: 8 Keys to Stress Management: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Matt Kaeberlein: Frontiers in Aging Research
07/07/2026
Dr. Matt Kaeberlein: Frontiers in Aging Research
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, such as deregulation of nutrient sensing and DNA damage, and the potential of interventions like rapamycin to slow aging. He notes that biological age is a significant risk factor for major diseases, and that understanding and addressing aging biology could significantly extend human lifespan. They also discuss the Dog Aging Project, with 55,000 participating dogs, which aims to uncover genetic and environmental factors influencing health and longevity in pets. Key Takeaways: Our bodies are constantly being exposed to stress, and stress can move us out of the optimal zone of function. When we're young, we're very resilient and able to come back to optimal function. As we get older, we lose that resilience. When we slow aging in laboratory animals, we prevent the onset and progression of all of the major age-related functional declines and diseases simultaneously, because we've slowed biological aging. Based on what’s possible in mice, it is estimated that we could potentially gain 2-3 additional decades of life if we can achieve this in humans. There is a genetic component to longevity; however, how big that genetic component is to longevity is hotly debated. The environment is also a large contributor. "Biological age is the single greatest risk factor for nine of the top 10 killers in the United States, and it's not a small effect. The magnitude of effect from biological aging dwarfs all of the other risk factors combined…it’s useful to appreciate how important biological age is to the risk of developing many of the chronic diseases and functional declines that limit quality and quantity of life for most people." — Dr. Matt Kaeberlein Episode References: Dog Aging Project: Dog Aging Institute: Longevity for Dogs: Connect with Dr. Matt Kaeberlein: Professional Bio: Publications: ] YouTube: LinkedIn: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Carrie McDonough: PFAS Contamination Everywhere
06/30/2026
Dr. Carrie McDonough: PFAS Contamination Everywhere
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 molecules that incorporate fluorine, the compounds we are most concerned about when we talk about PFAS cannot be synthesized naturally and are difficult to break down. Dr. McDonough discusses exposure risks, how we are exposed, and the efforts that have been made to regulate these chemicals. She emphasizes the need for better detection methods and remediation strategies. Key Takeaways: While some PFAS are excreted from the human body, many are not and linger in our blood and cells. A lot of pollutants accumulate in the adipose fat in the human body. However, PFAS are mostly found in proteins and membranes, such as the kidney, liver, and blood. The first clue that PFAS were widespread in humans was back in the 1970s. However, the results were inconclusive - they just didn’t have the instrumentation they needed to confirm it or the standards from the companies in order to identify the PFAS. Biomagnification causes creatures, including humans, that are higher up the food chain to have higher concentrations of PFAS than those lower in the food chain. This includes those who are herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Companies have been putting these things out into our environment for decades; for some amount of that time, they knew that they were doing it and that they were toxic, but didn't tell anyone. There is really no way to protect anyone from these chemicals that we did not consent to being in our bodies. "If you're not living in an area with highly contaminated water, or some kind of large contamination issue, your main source of PFAS is probably your diet." — Dr. Carrie McDonough Episode References: Toxic Gaslighting: How 3M Executives Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe: PFAS leave fingerprints in your blood – researchers are figuring out how forever chemicals transform in your body to read these clues: Dark Waters: They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals by Mariah Blake: Connect with Dr. Carrie McDonough: Professional Bio: Google Scholar: Website: LinkedIn: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Leigh Baxt: The Peptide Craze
06/23/2026
Dr. Leigh Baxt: The Peptide Craze
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 highlights the safety concerns of unapproved peptides, such as BPC-157 and TB-500, which lack appropriate clinical trial data and are often synthesized in unregulated labs. Dr. Baxt emphasizes the importance of proper clinical trial processes and regulatory oversight to ensure drug safety and efficacy. Key Takeaways: A peptide is just a short chain of amino acids. They can be created synthetically, they can be isolated, and they are natural. The body doesn’t care whether a peptide is “natural” or synthetic; what matters is its exact molecular structure. FDA-approved peptide drugs go through years of rigorous testing in animals and humans to prove both safety and effectiveness before reaching the market. Calling something “scientifically proven” can be misleading when the underlying evidence is weak, preliminary, or based only on rat studies. Especially as much of the “science” cited on peptide marketing sites comes from small, limited animal, or cell studies, not large, controlled human trials. Just because a product is available online or from a compounding pharmacy does not mean it is FDA-approved, well-studied, or safe; consumers must look beyond hype and ask what evidence truly exists. A naturally occurring peptide is generally not going to be suitable for use therapeutically. "You can say that something is scientifically demonstrated because it showed something interesting in a rat. The key is that the people may not ask that, because a lot of times people hear ‘scientific terminology’ and it makes something sound really legitimate, but it doesn't mean that there's solid data." — Dr. Leigh Baxt Evaluation of Research Grade Peptides Marketed Directly to Consumers Reveals Extensive Variability in Purity and Measured Abundance: Connect with Dr. Leigh Baxt: Professional Bio: LinkedIn: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Kate Mangino: Unequal Partnerships
06/16/2026
Dr. Kate Mangino: Unequal Partnerships
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 whichever partner carries the burden of the larger load. Dr. Mangino also encourages intentional conversations about division of labor in relationships from the time you’re dating, rather than after marriage. Finally, she advocates for challenging traditional gender roles and promoting equal partnerships to improve overall well-being. Key Takeaways: While there have been some improvements in the structural and social components of inequality, we are at a milestone point, not an end point. There is still a lot of work to be done. Cognitive labor is the project management work that happens in households - it is all about planning in your head, which is oftentimes more cumbersome than the actual physical work. It’s the anticipation, research, decision-making, and evaluation of every decision within the home. If you're trying to push back on social norms, you may need to reconsider who our role models are, and maybe pick some new ones who are closer to where you want to be or where your family wants to be. We need to be better at preparing young people of all genders to match their dating habits a little bit more closely with the person they want to end up with. The more intentional that we can be about gender roles and what we're looking for in a partner, the better. "Broadly speaking, women do more and men do less. Broadly speaking, but you can find representations of all different kinds of families, and I think what it comes down to is, regardless of gender, the person who is doing more feels burdened, feels bitter, resentful, tired, frustrated." — Dr. Kate Mangino Connect with Dr. Kate Mangino: Website: LinkedIn: Book: Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home - Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Dan Werb: Animals in the City
06/09/2026
Dr. Dan Werb: Animals in the City
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 viewing cities as living, thriving ecosystems and the need for human ecosystem-based solutions for the good of humans and animals alike in these ecosystems. Key Takeaways: Humanity has a much higher risk of experiencing viral spillover events now than before, because we are increasingly intersecting with wild animals that we have never seen before in urban spaces that carry pathogens that we've never been exposed to before. As humans, we have a relationship with synanthropes that is so deep and long-standing that it has become central to our spiritual selves as well. With more small animals being drawn into cities, that is going to continue to draw in more predators, such as coyotes, which have expanded their home range by about 50 kilometers per year for the last 150-200 years. It may be impossible to eliminate any synanthrope that has found an ecosystem within a city. Even if you remove one creature from an area, the niche they had developed will still be there, ready for the next synanthrope to move in. Solutions that make life better for humans can actually be profoundly beneficial for animals as well, or at least for the functioning of our urban ecosystems. "Cities are more biodiverse than the areas that surround them, and that's because humans, like any other organism, want to live in places that are as fertile and rich as possible." — Dr. Dan Werb Connect with Dr. Dan Werb: Professional Bio: , Website: Instagram: Books: PREORDER: Our Wild Familiars - City of Omens - The Invisible Siege - Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Boris Konrad: Increase Your Memory
06/02/2026
Dr. Boris Konrad: Increase Your Memory
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Boris Konrad discuss the striking impact of memorization on functional changes and connectivity in the brain. Dr. Konrad is a neuroscientist as well as an international Memory Champion. He not only studies brain connectivity, but also trains other memory athletes, as well as those who simply wish to improve their memories. They discuss more specific aspects of memorization and its benefits across a range of other activities and problem-solving, independent of the particular memorization training utilized. Dr. Konrad summarizes his recent study, published in the journal Neuron, and the techniques used to train the brain to improve memory. Key Takeaways: Memorization and memory are not a part of the brain; they are functions of the brain. It is a capability of our brain and our neural system. Without exception, memory athletes use the method of loci (colloquially called the “memory palace”) as a technique to memorize and remember information. Memory training actually decreases the brain activity needed to complete a range of tasks. "Learning and thinking in your brain are not separate. We don’t have a thinking brain and a learning brain; it’s exactly one brain which does both." — Dr. Boris Konrad Connect with Dr. Boris Konrad: Donders Institute: Website: Memory Training: Superbrain! Memory Training with Boris Konrad - TED Talks: How to use memory techniques to improve education - The mind and methods of a Memory Champion - Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Stephanie Grach: Long COVID
05/26/2026
Dr. Stephanie Grach: Long COVID
Long COVID isn’t just lingering fatigue. It’s a complex, often life-altering condition that can follow even mild or unnoticed infections. Listen in as Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Stephanie Grach breaks down what we really know about Long COVID, who’s at risk, and why believing and individualizing care for patients is absolutely critical. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Stephanie Grach discuss the emergence and impact of Long COVID. Dr. Grach explains that Long COVID affects an estimated 18 million Americans with a wide variety of symptoms that can manifest differently from patient to patient, influenced by a variety of factors, such as viral variant, genetics, and immune responses. Dr. Grach emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment and highlights ongoing research and the need for better understanding and management of this complex chronic condition. Key Takeaways: Long COVID can look very different from person to person, with over 200 symptoms. However, common symptoms can include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, changes in smell, and more, affecting nearly every organ system. The larger proportion of people with Long COVID had multiple COVID infections, partly because of sheer numbers - each additional infection is another opportunity for post-acute symptoms to develop or worsen. The presentation of the Long COVID symptoms is not going to be consistent - patients may have good weeks and feel pretty close to normal, as well as bad weeks, where the symptoms are at their strongest. Telling someone to “push through” on the assumption that it will just get better really isn't what helps the Long COVID patients. "Long COVID is real. Patients deserve to be believed, and treatment should be individualized, rather than trying to fit or wait for a one-size-fits-all." — Dr. Stephanie Grach Connect with Dr. Stephanie Grach: Professional Bio: LinkedIn: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Natalie Wexler: ChatGPT Can Rot Your Brain
05/19/2026
Natalie Wexler: ChatGPT Can Rot Your Brain
How does ChatGPT affect your ability to learn, recall, and share information? In this episode, Therese Markow and Natalie Wexler discuss the impact of generative AI (like ChatGPT) on education. They discuss the change in writing skills, how AI can undermine the learning process that comes with writing, and the incorrect information often provided by generative AI. Natalie explains how AI can function as cognitive outsourcing, which can reduce the cognitive benefits of learning and memory retention. She emphasizes the importance of explicit writing instruction in education and background fundamental knowledge stored in long-term memory for critical thinking and effective learning - including the importance of memorization (even if you don’t use that word). Finally, Natalie warns of a potential downward spiral where AI dependence weakens cognitive abilities and advocates for systematic changes to combat this trend. Key Takeaways: Generally speaking, reading and writing are connected. But writing is harder, so you can be a good reader and still not be a good writer. However, if you learn to write well, you're almost certainly going to be a good reader as well. The problem is over-reliance on AI, and when students use it as a crutch, they don't develop the understanding or the cognitive abilities that they would develop if they did the cognitive work themselves. Writing helps with the cognitive processes of long-term memory, retrieval, elaboration, and more. When we offload that cognitive work, it can hamper our ability to retrieve the information from our long-term memory bank. Unconsciously, we use background knowledge to understand pretty much anything that we try to read. Democracy depends on a citizenry that is educated enough to understand the issues and to be able to distinguish misleading information from reliable information. "Writing is, itself, a way of thinking, of deepening understanding, maybe of realizing that you didn't understand something as well as you thought you did, and you need to go and do some more research. If we skip that step of doing the writing, then we're missing out on developing those cognitive abilities, retaining knowledge, and deepening our understanding of things." — Natalie Wexler Connect with Natalie Wexler: Professional Bio: Show: Substack: LinkedIn: Books: Beyond the Science of Reading: The Knowledge Gap: The Writing Revolution: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Ru Marshall: American Trickster - Carlos Castaneda
05/12/2026
Ru Marshall: American Trickster - Carlos Castaneda
Ru Marshall pulls back the curtain on the man behind the myth of Carlos Castaneda, exposing the real lives, lies, and losses buried beneath his legendary books. In this episode, Therese Markow and Ru Marshall discuss the life and legacy of Carlos Castaneda, who claimed to have been trained as a shaman by Don Juan. Castaneda's books, which sold over 8 million copies, were initially believed but later dismissed as fiction. Marshall’s book, "American Trickster," explores Castaneda's origins in Peru and his life in the U.S. Castaneda, born Cesar Arana, was a charismatic storyteller who seduced both women and academics. Despite initial academic support, his claims were eventually debunked. Ru’s research spanned 20 years, revealing Castaneda's complex personal life and the impact of his cult-like following. Key Takeaways: Long before the books, Carlos Castaneda was known as a gifted storyteller and trickster, blurring the line between entertainment, fabrication, and manipulation. Castaneda’s real power was psychological. He made individuals, especially women, feel uniquely seen, chosen, and special, a classic mechanism of charismatic control. The disappearance and deaths of key followers after Castaneda’s passing reveal the devastating human cost when a closed belief system collides with reality. And when followers are willing to follow a narrative all the way to the end. "It’s a really interesting thing, that when people, both professionally and, more importantly, I think, emotionally, become invested in a belief, it is incredibly hard for people to admit they're wrong." — Ru Marshall Connect with Ru Marshall: Website: Threads: Instagram: American Trickster: The Hidden Lives of Carlos Castaneda: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Patrick Wyman: Lost Worlds
05/05/2026
Patrick Wyman: Lost Worlds
In this episode, Therese Markow and Patrick Wyman discuss Patrick’s latest book, Lost Worlds: How Humans Tried, Failed, Succeeded, and Built Our World. Patrick also discusses his journey as a historian from studying the Fall of Rome to popular history. He emphasizes the importance of understanding past climactic changes and their impact on human societies, including the development of agriculture and the rise of social hierarchies. Patrick also highlights the significance of migration and the diverse burial practices that reveal aspects of ancient societies’ beliefs and social structures. Key Takeaways: Human history is not stable, and it always starts with the climate. Climate and environment are the unavoidable parameters within which everyone is living, and, whether people are aware of them or not, they are responding to the pressures and shifts that are happening climatically around them. Abandonment of sites and cities happens over time and often for a variety of reasons that are always specific to the climate systems and problems of that particular area. Modern science, like ancient DNA extraction, now allows us to learn more about dynamics in ancient periods that we never could have seen before. Funerary practices vary across the world in ancient times, as they do in modern times. Often, it is based on one of two poles: when people die, are their spirits potentially dangerous (ghost society) or potentially beneficial (ancestor society)? Every single one of the billions of people who lived was living a life that was full, rich, sophisticated, and complex. As humans, we have been through big, crazy stuff, and yet we are still here and still thriving. Humanity is incredibly durable, and we can make it through some really, really bad times if we work hard and work together. "Migration is humanity's most basic tool for getting out of bad situations and finding better ones. The simplest possible thing you can do if things get bad wherever you're living is to move somewhere else. And this has been our response at every time and on every geographic scale over the course of human existence." — Patrick Wyman Episode References: Lost Worlds: How Humans Tried, Failed, Succeeded, and Built Our World - Connect with Patrick Wyman: Patreon: Threads: TikTok: Instagram: Substack: Bluesky: Shows: The Fall of Rome: Tides of History: Past Lives: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Jeanne Marrazzo, MD: NIH-NIAID Lawsuit
04/28/2026
Jeanne Marrazzo, MD: NIH-NIAID Lawsuit
When a globally respected infectious disease expert is abruptly sidelined by an anti‑vaccine administration, what does it reveal about the future of public health and scientific integrity? In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo discuss her termination and whistleblower lawsuit against the U.S. government. She highlighted NIAID's critical role in infectious disease research, funding $6.6 billion annually. Dr. Marrazzo criticized the new administration's anti-vaccine stance, cessation of global HIV/AIDS funding, and termination of clinical trials, which she argued endangered public health. Dr. Marrazzo filed a whistleblower complaint in September 2025, leading to her firing in October. She now leads the Infectious Disease Society of America, advocating for evidence-based policies and scientific integrity. Key Takeaways: Tuberculosis (TB, formerly known as Consumption) is now the top global killer as an infectious disease. Shutting down clinical trials and cutting international research funding mid‑stream doesn’t just waste taxpayer dollars; it endangers patients who rely on those therapies and violates core ethical standards. Political ideology overriding scientific evidence can rapidly dismantle decades of progress in vaccines, global health research, and public trust. Independent professional societies and medical organizations now play a critical role in evidence above ideology, preserving rigorous guidelines, publishing unbiased research, and speaking truth to power when government agencies are silenced or hollowed out. "What I don't think people realize is the power of the platform that the Secretary and indeed the President have. The tragic part about this is that we've spent decades building up that trust, trying to make sure that it was justified, and to see that just summarily destroyed, there's no other word for it, is really, really tragic. I don't know what it's going to take to build it up again." — Jeanne Marrazzo, MD Connect with Jeanne: Professional Bio: Website: LinkedIn: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Chelsea Polis: Women's Reproductive Rights on the Move
04/21/2026
Dr. Chelsea Polis: Women's Reproductive Rights on the Move
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Chelsea Polis discuss the evolution of reproductive rights in the U.S., highlighting the 2022 Supreme Court decision revoking the right to abortion and the historical context of contraception access. Dr. Polis also explains fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) and their effectiveness, noting that some methods have moderate quality studies suggesting high effectiveness, while others are less reliable. She emphasizes the importance of evidence-based information, the need for stronger regulation of femtech products, and the potential privacy risks associated with reproductive health data. Dr. Polis also addresses the broader political strategy to limit reproductive rights and the importance of reproductive justice. Key Takeaways: Fertility tracking technologies are becoming more common (often called femtech), but it is important to note that only two apps have currently been cleared by the FDA for contraceptive purposes - Natural Cycles and Clue (the second is not currently available on the market). While others can help with tracking your cycle, they are not cleared for contraceptive use. FABMs focus on observing real-time signs from the body - such as cervical mucus changes and basal body temperature. Over a dozen have been studied in clinical trials, but some methods have been marketed or promoted for contraceptive use without strong evidence from appropriately designed effectiveness studies. For people who are in a partnership that is limited in terms of communication, or not supportive, or certainly abusive, or anything along those lines, FABMs would not be a method that somebody could rely on for pregnancy prevention. Be very cautious about getting your information on contraception from social media influencers or companies selling specific products, because there is a lot of misinformation out there. "As my colleagues at Guttmacher have documented, you can't seek to restrict one aspect of sexual and reproductive health without tightening other types of care and people’s overarching reproductive freedoms. All of these things are deeply interconnected." — Dr. Chelsea Polis Episode References: Guttmacher: Emergence of FemTech in the Sexual and Reproductive Health Landscape: Connect with Dr. Chelsea Polis: Professional Bio: Website: LinkedIn: Bluesky: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Osteoporosis and You
04/14/2026
Osteoporosis and You
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Keith McCormick discuss what you need to know about osteoporosis and bone health. Dr. McCormick explains what causes osteoporosis, the importance of early bone density tests, and breaks down some of the lifestyle factors that affect bone health. They discuss the need for personalized treatment beyond only medication, and Dr. McCormick advocates for patient empowerment and comprehensive understanding to improve treatment outcomes. Key Takeaways: 50% of women will get osteoporosis. 20% of men will get osteoporosis. People should be getting bone density tests in their forties, not waiting until their fifties or sixties. The sooner it is discovered you are having symptoms, the sooner you can begin to treat and prevent. Bone strength is a combination of bone density and bone quality. Get both the DEXA and Trabecular Bone Score or TBS. Usually, physicians don’t request the TBS, but it is very important. Ask for it. Testing should include blood tests for bone turnover markers. Your blood is telling a larger story, and it can get complicated. Systemic inflammation can also be tested, as it can contribute to loss of bone density. The more times you stimulate your body, the more you will stimulate the osteoblasts. "It's important to understand that you, the patient, are the boss, and you're paying that person, you're asking that person for help, and that they should be working with you." — Dr. Keith McCormick Connect with Dr. Keith McCormick: Website: LinkedIn: Twitter: Facebook: Books: Great Bones: Taking Control of Your Osteoporosis: The Whole-Body Approach to Osteoporosis: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Dawn Sarno: Cyberscams and You
04/07/2026
Dr. Dawn Sarno: Cyberscams and You
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Dawn Sarno, a leading expert on cyber scams, discuss the prevalence and detection of phishing scams. Dawn explains that phishing often targets older adults due to their perceived lack of tech savvy and higher financial stakes, but notes that younger adults are also vulnerable, often due to impulsivity and poor online habits. She highlights the rise of AI-generated deep fakes, which make scams more convincing and harder to detect. Dawn advises slowing down and verifying suspicious communications, emphasizing the importance of cyber hygiene practices, such as using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. She also emphasizes the importance of vigilance and reporting scams to help prevent others from falling victim. Key Takeaways: Differences and similarities between fraud, phishing, whaling, deep fakes, scams, and spam. Older adults are often targeted by scams, but they also typically have more to lose relative to a younger adult. While factors associated with age, like loneliness and abnormal cognitive decline, may make you more vulnerable to falling for a scam, Dr. Sarno’s research generally suggests that there may not be a huge difference in detection abilities between younger and older adults. Cyberscams are a numbers game. People often send out messages to large groups (such as everyone at a university) rather than targeting one person at a time. If you notice that something's not right, report it, because this is going to help the social media platform or your organization's IT department find these scams and prevent them from reaching other people. "One big thing I would stress is that if people are ever in doubt, they should never click a link or open an attachment, because that curiosity alone could lead them to have some problems." — Dr. Dawn Sarno Connect with Dr. Dawn Sarno: Professional Bio: LinkedIn: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Daniel Buchman: Do You Suffer From Chronic Pain?
03/31/2026
Dr. Daniel Buchman: Do You Suffer From Chronic Pain?
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Daniel Buchman discuss chronic pain, affecting over 20% of the population in the US, Canada, and Europe. Chronic pain (persisting pain lasting over three months) includes conditions like arthritis, lower back pain, fibromyalgia, and phantom limb pain, among many others. Daniel highlights the challenges in pain assessment, the role of AI in pain management, and the ethical considerations, including bias in pain reporting. He notes that chronic pain increases suicide risk, and the conversation also touches on the stigma surrounding pain and opioid use. Key Takeaways: Pain can come from an identifiable condition, but sometimes doesn't have a clear cause. Primary pain is the type of pain that is not explained by another disease. Secondary pain is pain that arises because of or is related to an underlying condition - perhaps injury, illness, disease, or other reason. When we talk about bias in health care providers, we also need to look at the broader societal bias that plays into those biases. As AI is used more in medicine, we do need to be aware of bias in the data sets that the AI is utilizing to learn and then use to make predictions. Pain is a warning sign. It is not, in and of itself, bad. It is telling you that something might need to be addressed in your body. "There isn't a blood test or a brain scan or anything that can determine how much pain somebody's in, or what it's like to experience that pain. This is subjective because it depends on the person, and it depends on a whole host of factors, not just their biology. It depends on their psychology, social factors, cultural factors, and gender is a big part of this as well." — Dr. Daniel Buchman Episode References: Buchman, Daniel Z.a,b,c,d. 2025 AI and the ethics of techno-solutionism in pain management. PAIN 166: 469-470. | DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003389 Connect with Dr. Daniel Buchman: Professional Bio: Bluesky: X: Google Scholar: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. David Hill: Peanut and Food Allergies in Children
03/24/2026
Dr. David Hill: Peanut and Food Allergies in Children
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. David Hill discuss the rise of peanut allergies in children. David explains that anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, is common in children, often triggered by food. He emphasizes the importance of early allergen introduction to prevent allergies. The LEAP study from 2015 showed that introducing peanuts before six months reduces the risk of peanut allergy. They also discuss other common allergies and the fact that many children outgrow milk and egg allergies by age four. Key Takeaways: The major allergens are milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, and sesame, which are among the most common foods around the world. Thus we must do everything we can to prevent food allergy in the first place. The part of the immune system that causes allergic reactions, was originally evolved to fight parasites. There is still a lot to learn about what causes allergies. Multiple people are working on it now, and we will likely see, in the coming years, new risk factors emerging. "In the first year, specifically somewhere between four to six months of age (once the child is able to handle a solid food in their mouth and swallow appropriately), at that point, we should start to introduce the major allergens." — Dr. David Hill Connect with Dr. David Hill: Professional Bio: LinkedIn: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Fred Miller: The Autoimmune Disease Epidemic
03/17/2026
Dr. Fred Miller: The Autoimmune Disease Epidemic
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Fred Miller discuss the autoimmune disease epidemic, highlighting the economic burden and the rise of diseases like juvenile diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Dr. Miller explains that autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body, affecting various organs. He notes that there are at least 150 types of autoimmune diseases, with prevalence rates varying from 0.1% to 5% of the population - the exact number is unknown due to the need for better registries to track these diseases. Dr. Miller also discusses the role of genetics and environmental factors, lifestyle, and exposure to chemicals. He also mentions new treatments and the importance of lifestyle changes in prevention and management. Key Takeaways: Virtually any organ system or tissue in the body can be damaged by the immune system, which makes autoimmune diseases difficult to assess, diagnose, and treat, as they can be so varied from person to person, and they can change over time. There are no fully agreed-upon definitions for autoimmune diseases. As such, we don’t know how many there are, but most experts would say at least 150 different types. All of the autoimmune diseases are developed from interactions of many genes and many environmental risk factors in combination. Various environmental exposures might not change the genes themselves, but they might alter the normal way that genes are supposed to be turned on and off. "We really don't have a way to measure all of these yet, but we are expanding the range of the types of exposures we can measure every year, and there are a few ways of capturing which exposures or mixtures of them we've experienced at what times, and by integrating all these together into a single number, this could help us understand the cumulative exposures that are that are probably important for the development of these diseases." — Dr. Fred Miller Connect with Dr. Fred Miller: Professional Bio: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. John Kisiel: Early Cancer Detection Liquid Biopsy
03/10/2026
Dr. John Kisiel: Early Cancer Detection Liquid Biopsy
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. John Kisiel discuss early cancer detection using liquid biopsies. Dr. Kisiel explains that liquid biopsies detect cancer signals in blood and urine, including tumor cells, fragments, proteins, and DNA. He highlights the FDA's approval of a blood test for colon cancer and the development of multi-cancer early detection tests. Dr. Kisiel notes that false positive and false negative rates vary by test. He emphasizes the potential of liquid biopsies to complement, not replace, standard screening methods and the need for further validation and clinical trials. Key Takeaways: Liquid biopsies have been used in the oncology community to test if cancer is still present, may need additional or more aggressive treatment, or if the cancer has come back. Each test will have its own false positive and false negative rate, partially based on where manufacturers set the thresholds for that positive/negative result. Peripheral blood-based tests for colon cancer do not detect polyps, and it's the finding and removing of polyps that actually offers the greatest preventive benefit, so that somebody never gets cancer in the first place. "Another word of cautious optimism, I think that I, personally, and many other people active in the space really view these as an addition to standard of care cancer screening and not a replacement." — Dr. John Kisiel Connect with Dr. John Kisiel: Professional Bio: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Stacy Andersen: Living to be a Hundred
03/03/2026
Dr. Stacy Andersen: Living to be a Hundred
Some people live more than a hundred years with no health problems and very little cognitive decline. How come? While healthy lifestyles certainly play a part in healthy aging, these “centenarians” share a number of special biological attributes. Furthermore, these attributes, along with attaining an age of 100 or greater, show a strong genetic component. Dr. Stacy Andersen of the Boston University School of Medicine has been studying these centenarians and the factors that are associated with not only their attaining an advanced age, but also doing so with no history of major physical or mental health problems. In her interview, Dr. Andersen discusses what she and her colleagues have discovered about this unusual group of older people. Key Takeaways: Centenarians are people who have reached 100 years of age, while “supercentenarians” are 110 and older. Recent studies of these groups of adults reveal that during their lives, they have “escaped” diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular problems, dementia, and diabetes that cause earlier mortality among adults born at the same time. Dr. Andersen discusses her work on the genetic bases for being an “escaper”, as well as the lifestyle and personality characteristics they have in common. "The older you get, the healthier you’ve been." — Dr. Stacy Andersen Connect with Dr. Stacy Andersen: BUMC Bio: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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Dr. Kari Nadeau: Microplastics in Our Bodies
02/24/2026
Dr. Kari Nadeau: Microplastics in Our Bodies
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Kari Nadeau discuss the presence and health effects of microplastics in our bodies. Microplastics can enter our bodies through various environmental routes, including food, water, and air. They are in everyone’s bodies to some degree. Microplastics have been linked to health issues like stroke, cancer, and heart attacks. Simple actions like avoiding single-use plastics and processed foods can reduce microplastic levels in the blood by up to 80% in three months. Dr. Nadeau emphasizes the need for further research and consumer awareness to mitigate plastic pollution. Key Takeaways: A microplastic, scientifically, is anything between 1 micron (the size of a red blood cell or an immune cell) to 5 millimeters (the size of a sesame seed). Anything smaller than that is a nanoplastic. Plastics are chemicals. Plastics, as we know them, did not exist before the 1940s. Now we see them in so many places, from healthcare to food to our clothing. In the US, we are getting about a credit card's worth of plastic per week in what we eat. In Indonesia, it is more like a credit card amount per day. The amount varies around the world. "We really need to think about air and water and soil as ways that these plastics can get into our bodies." — Dr. Kari Nadeau Episode References: Environmental Working Group: Jung YS, et al. Characterization and regulation of microplastic pollution for protecting planetary and human health. Environ Pollut. 2022 Dec 15;315:120442. Ward CP, Reddy CM. We need better data about the environmental persistence of plastic goods, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 117 (26) 14618-14621. Ziani K, Ioniță-Mîndrican CB, Mititelu M, Neacșu SM, Negrei C, Moroșan E, Drăgănescu D, Preda OT. Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review. Nutrients. 2023 Jan 25;15(3):617. Leslie, H. A. et al. (2022). Plastic particles in cosmetics and personal care products: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 822, 153406. Connect with Dr. Kari Nadeau: Professional Bio & Studies: Connect with Therese: Website: Bluesky: Instagram: Email: Audio production by You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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