Body Banter: Recent Episodes
The HIVE
Welcome to Body Banter, a podcast where we explore different perspectives of the human body in all its forms! Our hosts, Dr. Claudia Krebs and Dr. Segun Oyedele, are joined by an amazing line up of guests to share their expertise and thoughts about what the human body means to them. Our guests come from all over the world and include researchers, clinicians, anatomy instructors, scholars of language and culture, and people with lived experiences navigating the healthcare system. Anatomy is for everybody and every body, and we are here to get the body banter going!
Join us this episode as Dr. Jon Cornwall shares his journey from physiotherapy to academia, where he developed a strong focus on anatomy and ethics. His interest in the ethical implications of dissection grew while conducting research on back muscles, leading him to question the use and treatment of body donors. Jon emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and ethical considerations in anatomical education, particularly regarding diverse practices around death and the treatment of human remains. He advocates for expanding global networks and improving ethical standards in anatomy education worldwide.
Welcome back from summer break! This week on Body Banter, Dr. Theo Smith shares insights on integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into anatomy education. As Director of DEI at Touro University, Theo discusses the importance of representing LGBTQIA+ identities in medical curricula, particularly in topics like pelvic anatomy and queer health. His personal journey of coming out and advocating for queer medical students influenced his research and teaching, emphasizing the need for inclusive and respectful patient care. Theo's work challenges traditional anatomical education to better reflect the diverse experiences of all patients.
In this episode of Body Banter, Dr. Adam Taylor joins us to talk about his research on science communication and the general population's understanding of basic anatomy knowledge—or lack thereof. Adam shares how he collaborated with a citizen science group to collect survey data from over 80,000 participants worldwide, and how his research became "Buzzfeed famous". We talk about the importance of health literacy for understanding the "scientific kit" that is our own body, how this has implications for being able to communicate with healthcare professionals and advocate for our own health, and what the next steps are to improve global health literacy as educators and communicators.
Happy Pride Month! In this episode of Body Banter, fashion designer and drag artist Blake McCabe joins us to talk about how he views the body when designing costumes for his drag family. Blake shares insights into the creative process of both dressing in drag and designing for performers, explaining how drag as an art form transforms self-perception by fostering confidence through the celebration of fashion, inspirational role models, and personal identity.
Join us on this episode of Body Banter as we welcome Valerie DeLeon, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Florida and Past-President of the American Association for Anatomy. We explore the treatment of historical skeletal remains and tissues in the broader science community and how the mistreatment of marginalized communities continues to influence science. Valerie delves into her recent work, including the publication of guidelines for the ethical management of legacy anatomical collections. Through her insights, she emphasizes the critical importance of respecting decedent and living individuals.
In this week's episode of Body Banter, Vancouver-based fashion designer and spinal cord injury advocate Chloë Angus shares her unique perspective on the human body through the lens of fashion design. Chloë reveals how her experiences in the fashion industry as well as her own experience of living with a spinal cord injury have deeply influenced her understanding and appreciation of the body. She talks about her involvement with Human in Motion, supporting the development of innovative wearable exoskeleton technology, and her vision for a future where this technology can empower folks with motion disabilities to move freely and independently.
In this episode of Body Banter, Dr. Lara Boyd joins us to talk about neuroplasticity, aka the brain’s capacity to change, from her perspective as a physical therapist-turned-neuroscience researcher. We discuss the inseparable relationship between the brain and the body, as well as how the sweet spot for changes in the brain occurs when we engage in activities that are challenging yet achievable. Lara also shares her 'recipe for brain health and longevity' (surprise, it’s really quite simple!) and how we all have the agency to change our brains.
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jen Gunter, the internationally known gynecologist and author of the newly released book "Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation" on this week's episode of Body Banter. Dr. Gunter discusses the profound influence of the patriarchy on women's perceptions of worth regarding their bodies, particularly concerning menstruation and the so-called "reproductive years". She challenges long-standing myths and misconceptions, the importance of debunking widely accepted beliefs that lack scientific evidence, and sheds light on the truths about women's health often obscured by hearsay and mythology. Join us for a fascinating discussion that redefines the narrative around menstruation, menopause, and the menstrual years.
Dr. Gunter's new book "Blood" is now available in bookstores, and Claudia and Segun give the practical, empowering guide to all things menstruation a combined four thumbs up review.
For our first episode of 2024, we are joined by Dr. Margaret Moss to discuss the importance of Indigenous cultural safety and awareness in healthcare. Dr. Moss shares insights from her role as a consultant on the investigation team for the In Plain Sight Report (2020). She explores both the devastating impact of anti-Indigenous racism in BC's healthcare system and the system's shortcomings in supporting Indigenous cultural practices or ways of knowing. We delve into the importance of trust, humility, and our responsibility to understand the context and needs of those we care for.
For the second of our two-part series on "The Body of Music" and our final episode of 2023, we explore the potential of music in the anatomy classroom. Dr. Sunit Jadhav, during his recent visit to Canada, joins Claudia and Segun to talk about his passions for anatomy education and music—and how he combines these two passions to make learning anatomy more fun and engaging for his students. Sunit also treats us to a mini concert where he plays us a song he wrote, inspired by a lecture on the visual system he attended in Claudia's neuroscience course.
In this episode of Body Banter, we're joined by Dr. Tara Gaertner—a neuroscientist and music educator—to delve into the fascinating relationship between our brains and music. We talk about Tara's rich background ranging from music education, to neuroscience in the context of occupational therapy, and now psychiatry as a resident doctor. Tara shares how music can be used to better understand our brains and to support our health and wellbeing, as well as the bridge between the realms of science and music.
This week, Anthony Saraco and Ursula Krebs join us on Body Banter to explore their very different experiences of inner visualization and what they "see" in their mind's eye. Anthony shares how his inability to visualize shapes mentally, also known as aphantasia, impacts his day to day experiences, as well as his approach to teaching anatomy in what is usually considered a highly visual field of study. Conversely, Ursula reveals the colourful world of synaesthesia and discusses how she experiences sound and other sensory inputs as inherently linked with colours. Tune in for a captivating conversation that challenges the traditional views of what happens in the mind's eye and the role of visualization for different lived experiences.
On this week's Body Banter, Certified Medical Illustrator Ni-ka Ford joins us to discuss the role of medical illustration in addressing bias in healthcare education and creating more inclusive and diverse representations of the human body. Ni-ka shares why she decided to enter the profession of medical illustration, her experience over the last two years as the Chair of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) Diversity Committee, and the importance of community coming together to address inequities in anatomy and medical visualizations.
This week on Body Banter, we have an expert panel joining us to discuss the impact of weight stigma on healthcare and patient outcomes. Claudia and Segun first met our guests—Dr. Rebecca Pearl, Dr. Jeffrey Hunger and Natalie Loschiavo, RD, LDN, RYT—at the 2023 Anatomy Connected conference in Washington, DC where they were panelists on a roundtable discussion on weight stigma in health education and practice. In our conversation on the podcast, we discuss our three guests' perspectives on weight stigma in their different roles and how we can challenge these harmful narratives.
This week on Body Banter, Claudia and Segun connect with Dr. Sarah Purcell whose research focuses on nutrition and metabolism. We talk about the individual and population differences in energy balance and how our food environment—which includes geography, food insecurity, access, and other systemic considerations—has an impact on our metabolism. Sarah also discusses how the simplified equation of "energy in = energy out" doesn't quite capture such a complicated concept.
This week on Body Banter, we are honoured to have Prof Beverley Kramer join us to discuss her amazing career in anatomy education and leadership. Prof Kramer is the President of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), has been the head of several anatomy departments at universities in South Africa, and is also Segun's former PhD supervisor! We discuss Prof Kramer's passion for embryology, the importance of mentorship and the role of community in anatomy research and education, as well as how the digital age allows for international community building, knowledge sharing, and equitable access to opportunities on a global scale.
In our final episode of this season of Body Banter, Dr. Sabine Hildebrandt joins us to discuss her research on the history and ethics of anatomy, specifically the history of anatomy in Nazi Germany. We talk about the current state of body donation programs in North America, who has power over knowledge of the human body, and why it's so critical to talk about the dark parts of our history so we can use that knowledge to do better in our approaches to anatomy and science. Before you listen, please be aware that this episode includes discussion of anti-Semitism and war crimes committed in Nazi Germany, including non-consensual use of deceased bodies for medical illustration.
This week, Michelle Turner joins us to talk about her work as a Registered Midwife and PhD student. We discuss the remarkable transformation the human body undergoes during pregnancy, why it’s important for clinicians (and everyone) to question our history and approach to providing healthcare, and how midwifery can be leveraged to address equity issues in the healthcare system.
Our guest this week is someone from within the Body Banter team... our very own Bee! Bailey (Bee) Lo is the coordinator for Body Banter and she’s coming out from behind the scenes to talk to Claudia and Segun about her work as a Clinical Teaching Associate, where she teaches medical students how to perform pelvic and breast exams using her own body. We talk about the power of vulnerability in health education, how traumatic clinical encounters can have lasting impact on individuals, and why creating safe spaces for learning in turn create safe spaces for patients. Before you listen, be aware that this episode of Body Banter contains description of a traumatic pelvic exam and health care encounter.
In this week’s episode, graphic medicine cartoonist and Artist In Residence in The Master Scholars Program in Humanistic Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Kriota Willberg, joins us to share her experience working with and teaching about the human body in many capacities. We cover her journey to becoming a cartoonist, the value of play and jokes in her work, and her thoughts on how to present graphic medicine—especially when the topics are difficult to reckon with.
Today marks the start of Black History Month and to celebrate Black contributions to anatomy we are excited to share this week's episode with Tessa McWatt and Sean McWatt. In this episode, we talk about storytelling, the anatomy of racial identity, and a sense of belonging in a fractured world. Tessa is the author of the book Shame on Me: An Anatomy of Race and Belonging and Professor of Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. Sean is a Professor of Anatomy at Western University and founding member of Black in Anatomy—and he's also Tessa's nephew!
To continue this month’s discussion about comparative anatomy of the head and neck, Jeff Laitman joins us this week to 'talk' about the larynx and what makes our voice box different from other primates’. Professor Laitman takes us on a journey, starting with the inspiration to pursue a lifetime of anatomical inquiry originating from a troupe of mischievous monkeys, all the way to the wonder of how our own bodies change through different stages of life. Before you listen, be aware that this episode contains brief discussion of sudden infant death syndrome.
For our first episode of 2023, Professor Emeritus Wayne Vogl joins us to discuss the similarities and differences between whale and human anatomy of the head and neck, as well as how the study of comparative anatomy enables us to better understand the evolutionary history of vertebrate anatomy. Dr. Vogl is co-author of several of the well-known Gray’s Anatomy textbooks and spent many years as director of the UBC Gross Anatomy program.
On this week’s episode of Body Banter, PhD student Leena Alkhammash and her former graduate supervisor Professor Emeritus Gordon Findlater reconnect to talk about how they fell in love with teaching anatomy. Together with Claudia, they discuss the value of human body donation programs to anatomy education program and their immense gratitude for the donors themselves.
This week, Dr. Michelle Lazarus joins Claudia and Segun to discuss the topic all anatomists love to hate: embryology! Michelle talks about why thinking about embryology as the story of how adult anatomy came to be is a more effective and approachable way of learning anatomical structures. We discuss how when we learn about anatomy, we are learning about ourselves, as well as how important it is to have an inclusive language and understanding of our bodies.
On this week’s episode of Body Banter, Ben Haseen joins Segun and Claudia to share his perspective on the nuances of transgender health and lived experience as a South Asian trans man. Ben is in his final year of medical school and is passionate about trans health advocacy and health disparities research, using his YouTube platform to create trans and queer health education resources.
November 13-19 is Transgender Awareness Week which leads up to Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th. We are honoured to be able to learn from Ben about trans health and share his story this week, but acknowledge that trans health is important every week of the year.
This week on Body Banter, Leonard Shapiro joins us to discuss how art and observation through touch can be used to develop a deeper understanding of anatomy. Leonard developed and teaches the Haptico-Visual Observation and Drawing (HVDO) method to medical students in Cape Town, South Africa as well as to learners around the world virtually.
It’s Black in Anatomy’s 2nd anniversary this week! To celebrate this amazing organization and movement that amplifies Black contributions to the anatomical sciences, we are honoured to have Dr. Melissa Carroll, Founder of Black in Anatomy, join us on Body Banter. Melissa, Claudia, and Segun chat about what it means to be an “expert” in a field that we still don’t know everything about, how a tolerance for ambiguity is key as an educator, and why it’s important to have diverse representation and BIPOC mentors in anatomy.
This week on Body Banter, Claudia, Segun and Dr. Lori Brotto share their three different experiences with sex education and chat about why accurate and non-judgmental sex ed is so important. We dive into the impact of shame-based language surrounding sex and sexual health, as well as discuss where pleasure exists in the body and the mind.
Professor Dame Sue Black joins Claudia and Segun this week on Body Banter to chat about her incredible career in forensic anthropology and anatomy. She discusses her work investigating war crimes, as well as her research in forensic recognition using hand vein patterns - which has directly contributed to the conviction of over 30 child abusers. Before you listen, be aware that this episode of Body Banter contains discussion of sexual assault, child abuse, and violence.
On this week’s episode we are joined by Stephen Gillis, a media producer and kidney transplant recipient. We discuss what it means to live in a body that turns against you, what it’s like being on the receiving end of patient care during a medical emergency, how exercise and community are true game changers when it comes to recovery, and gratitude for our bodies and organ donors.
This week on Body Banter, Claudia and Segun meet with two amazing guests, Dr. Jamie Chapman and Dr. Jenna Usprech, to talk about the original builders of the human body—cells and tissues. We get poetic about what can be seen under the microscope and the importance of science communication.
Join us in our first episode of Body Banter and meet our hosts, Dr. Claudia Krebs and Dr. Segun Oyedele. Claudia and Segun talk about their individual journeys to becoming anatomy educators, why they love the human body, and why they think everyone else should be just as excited about the body as they are!