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.

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

109 - The HITs Keep Coming 05/28/2025

109 - The HITs Keep Coming This week, Tony shares another "fresh case" physiology question: Why don't we all get spontaneous HIT? 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. Medical student (soon to be resident) Giancarlo Buonomo is our producer. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/36742415

108 - Alpha-gal Again 04/23/2025

108 - Alpha-gal Again This week, Avi shares new insights on the topic of episode 61: alpha-gal! We tackle the question: How could alpha-gal be used to treat cancer? 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. Medical student (soon to be resident) Giancarlo Buonomo is our producer. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/36284175

107 - The Smell of the Rain 03/27/2025

107 - The Smell of the Rain This week, Hannah dives into a question inspired by nature: Why do humans have such a keen smell for the scent of the rain? 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. Medical student (soon to be resident) Giancarlo Buonomo is our producer. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/35893950

106 - Pulse Check: Methemoglobin 03/13/2025

106 - Pulse Check: Methemoglobin This week, Tony brings us a fresh case straight from morning report! Join the Curious Clinicians as we learn: Why do patients with methemoglobinemia have an oxygen saturation fixed at 85%? Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel , and 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. Medical student Giancarlo Buonomo is our producer. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/35664635

105 - Grapes of Pseudomonas's Wrath 02/20/2025

105 - Grapes of Pseudomonas's Wrath We're on a gram negative run! Join the Curious Clinicians as we learn: Why does Pseudomonas smell like grapes? Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel , and 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. Medical student Giancarlo Buonomo is our producer. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/35359185

104 - A Pseudo-truth? 01/29/2025

104 - A Pseudo-truth? Producer Giancarlo Buonomo is back! Join the Curious Clinicians as we learn: Why do we worry about Pseudomonas infection in diabetic patients? Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel , and 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. Medical student Giancarlo Buonomo is our producer. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/35061500

103 - Oral Argument 01/08/2025

103 - Oral Argument Welcome back to the Curious Clinicians! In today's episode, Tony asks an important question: "Why don’t we administer insulin orally?" 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/34774835

102 - Long Lives the Lobster 12/25/2024

102 - Long Lives the Lobster Happy Holidays from the Curious Clinicians! In today's episode, Avi shells us about a fascinating question: "Why do lobsters live so long?" 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/34612580

101 - Automatic ABO 12/11/2024

101 - Automatic ABO In today's episode, Hannah asks the question: "Why do we 'automatically' form antibodies to ABO blood type antigens that are not our own?" 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/34401780

[Archive] Thanksgiving & The Food Coma 11/27/2024

[Archive] Thanksgiving & The Food Coma Join us as we revisit our annual Thanksgiving episode, in which we answered the question: "Does tryptophan in turkey really cause a food coma?" 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/34173115

100! - Our Favorite Questions 11/13/2024

100! - Our Favorite Questions For our 100th episode this week, the Curious Clinicians take a look back at some of our favorite old episodes. Take a trip down memory lane with us and get some spaced repetition of our favorite learning points along the way. Thank you so much for listening to our show! Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel , and 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/33891862

99 - Living on a Lung 10/30/2024

99 - Living on a Lung This week, the Curious Clinicians come to you LIVE from the conference explore a breathtaking topic: How could you live with only one lung? Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel , and 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/33678962

[Archive] Tusks and Tumor Suppressors 10/16/2024

[Archive] Tusks and Tumor Suppressors Before our 100th episode, we are rebooting some favorite early episodes! In episode 89, we asked the question: Why don't elephants get cancer? 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/33479282

98 - How Do You Feel? 10/06/2024

98 - How Do You Feel? This week, the Curious Clinicians meet Dr. Jessi Gold to talk about an important, and often undiscussed question in medicine: "How Do You Feel?" Dr. Gold's new book, out 10/8, covers the mental and physical costs of caring for others as a medical professional. More information about her book can be found . Regular episodes will return with our final pre-100th episode reboot on 10/16 and a special live episode on 10/30! Thank you for listening. /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/33351137

97 - Cascading Prescriptions 10/02/2024

97 - Cascading Prescriptions This week, the Curious Clinicians explore the mechanism behind-- and against-- a common prescribing cascade: Why does gabapentin cause edema? Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel , and 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/33293762

[Archive] - Why is fever beneficial? 09/18/2024

[Archive] - Why is fever beneficial? Before our 100th episode, we are rebooting some favorite early episodes! In episode 24, we asked the question: Why is fever beneficial? 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/33107952

[Archive] The Fast and the Furosemide 09/04/2024

[Archive] The Fast and the Furosemide Before our 100th episode, we are rebooting some favorite early episodes! In episode 25, we asked the question: Why can furosemide improve pulmonary edema from heart failure almost immediately? 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). /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/32890927

96 - Dr. Mike Todorovic and the Wonders of the Na+/K+ATPase Pump 08/21/2024

96 - Dr. Mike Todorovic and the Wonders of the Na+/K+ATPase Pump Dr. Mike Todorovic, medical educator and science communicator extraordinaire, joins The Curious Clinicians to discuss the Na+/K+ ATPase pump ("the most important enzyme in the human body") and his approach to digital medical education. Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel , and 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). Dr. Matt & Dr. Mike's podcast: Dr. Matt & Dr. Mike's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DrMattDrMike/featured /episode/index/show/curiousclinicians/id/32665562

The Curious Clinicians

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