The Curious Clinicians

The Curious Clinicians is a medical podcast that asks "why?". Why do diseases present in certain ways? What are the mechanisms of treatments we use? Why does the human body function as it does? Join us to explore these questions and many more.

132 - Parkinson's Potpourri 10/31/2026

132 - Parkinson's Potpourri In this episode, Tony shares a series of fascinating questions regarding the biology of Parkinson's disease! for show notes and to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. You can pre-order your copy of Tony and Avi's new book, Why Doesn't Your Stomach Digest Itself?, at the link below, and please do share it with your friends and colleagues! /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/43571394

[Archive] A Scleroderma Crisis 10/15/2026

[Archive] A Scleroderma Crisis This week, we're rebooting Episode 80, originally posted November 8, 2023, in which we asked the question: "Why do we use ACE inhibitors to treat scleroderma renal crisis?" for this episode can be found on our website. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/43304529

131 - A President's Polio 09/18/2026

131 - A President's Polio In this episode, Avi walks us through a medical mystery many of us may not be aware of: Did President Franklin Delano Roosevelt truly have polio, or is an alternate diagnosis more likely? for show notes and to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/42957328

[Archive] The Smell of the Rain 09/03/2026

[Archive] The Smell of the Rain In the waning days of summer, we at The Curious Clinicians were in the mood take things back to the rains of spring. This episode is a reboot from our archives of one originally posted on March 27, 2025. Hannah dove into a question inspired by nature: Why do humans have such a keen smell for petrichor, aka the scent of rain? /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/42726235

130 - The Simp with Roshan Sethi 08/20/2026

130 - The Simp with Roshan Sethi This week, Dr. Roshan Sethi joined us for a conversation about his new book, , balancing life as a director, author, and radiation oncologist, and a bit about his upcoming work. Listen for more insights about Hollywood versus medicine and maintaining roles across many areas! /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/42502495

129 - Ironing Out More Platelets 07/25/2026

129 - Ironing Out More Platelets In this episode, Tony walks us through the surprising physiology behind a phenomenon many of us see every day: Why does iron deficiency cause thrombocytosis? for show notes and to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/42210725

128 - After Shock with Dr. Rana Awdish 06/26/2026

128 - After Shock with Dr. Rana Awdish In this episode, we talk curiosity, healing, and the wonders of the human body with Dr. Rana Awdish, bestselling author of In Shock: My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope and the new book, out now! The book prompts doctors (and everyone else) to feel curious and open to the amazing abilities the human body has to heal. We think that if you enjoy our podcast, you'll find something meaningful to take away from the book. Thanks to Dr. Awdish for joining us! Audio for this episode was produced by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com and Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/41835095

127 - ACHOO! (The Sunlit Sneeze) 06/20/2026

127 - ACHOO! (The Sunlit Sneeze) In this episode, Avi achoo-ses an seasonal question: Why can sunlight exposure induce sneezing?? for show notes and to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/41707080

126 - A Third Circulatory System 05/29/2026

126 - A Third Circulatory System What are the ? This week, Avi fills us in on the science behind his New York Times Magazine article () describing the interstitium as our third circulatory system. We cover questions that he wasn't able to get to in the article and he fills us in on the story behind this (magazine) story! Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/41461295

125 - Why Comics? 05/13/2026

125 - Why Comics? This week, we talk with Dr. Grace Farris, who is a hospitalist and the author of . We explore how she got into comic-drawing, her advice for people who want to explore storytelling about medicine through comics, and some of the backstory behind the book! /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/41287110

Why Does Umami Taste So Good? 04/29/2026

Why Does Umami Taste So Good? Today, we are rebooting an absolute classic from way back in our catalog - episode 9. Avi teaches us about the biology behind the taste of umami and why we might have evolved to find it so delicious. Show notes for the episode are a very long scroll down our website, or you can find them here: We'll be back in 2 weeks in discussion with doctor and illustrator Grace Ferris! /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/41056580

124 - One of the Fastest Reactions in the Human Body 04/09/2026

124 - One of the Fastest Reactions in the Human Body Why don't interstitial lung disease patients typically get increased pCO₂? The answer involves one of the fastest chemical reactions in the human body. for show notes and to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/40790570

123 - Why-roid 03/20/2026

123 - Why-roid In this neck(st) episode, Avi asks an isthmus-ing question: Why does an autoimmune antibody stimulate the thyroid in Graves disease? for show notes and to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/40550555

[Archive] Irregularly Irregular 03/05/2026

[Archive] Irregularly Irregular We apologize for the break in our regularly scheduled programming! This is a reboot of Episode 77, originally posted in September 2023, which asked: why is hyperthyroidism associated with atrial fibrillation? We will return with an adjacent thyroid-related topic in 2 weeks! Read the show notes . to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of . /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/40322575

[Archive] More Right Than Left 02/26/2026

[Archive] More Right Than Left This is a reboot of Episode 66, originally posted back in March 2023, where investigated why tricuspid valve endocarditis is more common in persons who inject IV drugs. Read the show notes . to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of . /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/40237645

122 - When CRP Goes Missing 02/12/2026

122 - When CRP Goes Missing This week, Tony shares a morning report physiology pearl: Why do patients with active lupus have a low CRP? to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/40082185

Reboot! Bendopnea 01/23/2026

Reboot! Bendopnea Cold and flu season greetings from the Curious Clinicians! We hope you all are cold-free, but we were unfortunately under the weather this week. In honor of our "heme boards" series from Hannah's PGY-6 year, we decided to reboot this PGY-1 "intern question" that taught us all a new word. We will be back in 2 weeks with our regularly scheduled new episodes! Show notes for this episode are /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/39856160

121 - The Forgotten Factor 01/08/2026

121 - The Forgotten Factor This week, Hannah shares the story of an overlooked piece of the coagulation cascade, beginning with a 1950s medical mystery: Why didn't John Hageman bleed? to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/39654255

120 - No Sleep for the Weary 12/12/2025

120 - No Sleep for the Weary This week, Avi shares the pathophysiology behind an important question: Why can’t people with familial fatal insomnia fall asleep? to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/39377970

119 - While My Liver Gently Weeps 11/27/2025

119 - While My Liver Gently Weeps This week, Tony explores a fascinating, hospital rounds-ready question: Why does cirrhosis cause low SAAG ascites? You can read the show notes ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/39189005

118 - Extremophiles 11/12/2025

118 - Extremophiles This week, Avi follows up Episodes 112 and 114 with the question: How does a bacterial species called Deinococcus radiodurans withstand extreme levels of radiation? You can read the show notes ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/39007775

117 - The Body A-Z with Dr. Mike Todorovic 10/29/2025

117 - The Body A-Z with Dr. Mike Todorovic This week, Dr. Mike Todorovic returns as a special guest to tell us about his book with Dr. Matt Barton, The Body A-Z! Join us as Dr. Mike gives us a sneak preview of the interesting questions and fascinating insights within. You can order the book , and show notes for this episode are ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/38834670

116 - Ammonia Rising 10/08/2025

116 - Ammonia Rising This week, Tony brings us a question straight from the hospital wards: Why does valproic acid cause elevated ammonia? You can read the show notes ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/38518945

115 - The Art of the Question with Dr. Mark Shapiro 09/25/2025

115 - The Art of the Question with Dr. Mark Shapiro This week, Dr. Mark Shapiro joins us for a candid conversation about the art of the question. Join us to think through how we interview, how to make connections, and how curiosity translates in the clinic and beyond. You can read the show notes ! Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/38348455

114 - The Mold that Eats Radiation for Breakfast 09/10/2025

114 - The Mold that Eats Radiation for Breakfast This week, Avi follows up Episode 112 with the question: What’s with the black mold growing inside Chernobyl? You can read the show notes ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/38153650

Reboot! Hyperkalemia 08/20/2025

Reboot! Hyperkalemia This week, we bring back a classic question for new interns and old hats alike: Why do we give calcium in hyperkalemia? You can read the show notes ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/37878505

113 - From Vessel to Bone 08/06/2025

113 - From Vessel to Bone This week, Tony poses a hard question: Why does calcium deposit in blood vessels? You can read the show notes ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/37710925

112 - Wherefore Iodine? 07/23/2025

112 - Wherefore Iodine? This week, Avi asks: Why was iodine given to people exposed to radioactivity after Chernobyl? You can read the show notes ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. This episode was sponsored by FIGS. FIGS is offering 15% off your first purchase. Just go to and use the code FIGSRX at checkout /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/37524280

111 - Null Neutrophils 07/02/2025

111 - Null Neutrophils This week, Tony asks a physiologic question: Why is Duffy Null status associated with lower neutrophil counts? You can read the show notes ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/37262530

110 - Salt in the Wound 06/11/2025

110 - Salt in the Wound This week, Avi shares a saline-ent question: Why does rubbing salt in a wound hurt so much? You can read the show notes ! to obtain AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.5 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.5 hours), or ABIM MOC Part 2 (0.5 hours). Audio edited by Clair Morgan of Nodderly.com. Resident Giancarlo Buonomo and medical student Millennium Manna are our producers. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/36962450

The Curious Clinicians

TOPICS