How To Win Friends & Influenza: Recent Episodes
How To Win Friends & Influenza
How To Win Friends & Influenza features interviews with distinguished doctors across a range of specialties.
It’s designed for junior doctors and medical students who are curious about different specialties and the real life side of medicine, not just the pathophysiology of it.
Hear these guests’ stories and learn from their advice, whether it’s immunology, surgery, gastroenterology or something else you’re interested in.
A rant about escaping the hamster wheel of goal-setting. Rely more on your internal scripts.
You choose the party based on how drunk you want to become, rather than catering your eventual intoxication to the party itself.
Video games teach you how to win at life, if you're not too busy losing at life from playing them too much.
Your bicycle and you are an unstoppable force, worthy of being the next main character in The Avengers.
If you're going to slice open an innocent fruit and scoop out its insides, you might as well make it delicious.
The best April Fool's joke is the one pulled on April 10 instead of April 1, because then no one's expecting it.
Thank you to all the fans, supporters and listeners of How To Win Friends & Influenza. You're awesome!
Piano solos by Mewtwo the cat.
Some people light up joints and some people light up when they hear about joints. Although these are theoretically not mutually exclusive, rheumatologists tend to form the latter group.
In this episode, Dr Allan talks about rheumatology, interesting diseases in the specialty and what it's like to win an award shaped like a foot.
Instrumental blips by Lily Chen.
Blood vessels are needed to keep the liquid of life pumping throughout our bodies!
In this episode, Dr Gabrielle talks about vascular surgery, rather interesting stories and workplace justice.
Theme music by Rupert Keller.
Anaesthetics! And the people who do it! They might have a title that's hard to pronounce, but the ability to guide patients through operations safely remains rewarding.
In this episode, Dr Marie talks about life as an anaesthseticoshcsdokdtist, interesting cases and training advice.
Chill beats by Professor Phil Poronnik.
The recipe for geriatrics is diverse and beautiful. It's 5 parts general medicine, 2 parts falls investigations, 1 part deathly despair, 3 parts woolly sweaters and 5 parts super cool.
In this episode, Dr Chris talks about the variety of hospital presentations, the balanced geriatrician lifestyle and how to find your ultimate calling.
Sick beats by Professor Phil Poronnik.
Chronic diseases can strike people of all ages, from foetus to corpse (probably not inclusive). Adolescent medicine is what it sounds like: the branch of medicine that deals with adolescents, particularly when it comes to chronic diseases.
In this episode, Dr Linette talks about what adolescent medicine involves and the type of health practitioner it suits.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Otolaryngology isn't likely to be any child's first word, but it sure makes for a great Hangman game!
In this episode, Dr Faruque talks about the specialty colloquially known as ENT and gems of wisdom for making it onto a specialty program.
Theme music by Jordan D. Peterson, a collaboration between Ehsan W. Farshid and Lily Chen.
Skin is good. Skin is great. Skin is important to every person, especially when it comes to quality of life.
In this episode, Professor Pablo talks about why dermatology is extremely exciting and matters as a specialty.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Nursing and doctoring are hearty friends who hold hands while prancing off into the sunset. Together, their teamwork is something that can make health care great. Long live patient welfare!
In this episode, Pete talks about what nursing involves, different types of nursing and how nurses and doctors can work together to make a better patient experience.
Additional contributions by Justin "Purple J" Lambert, Stan "Disapproving Head Shake" Domeshok, German "German Dave" Dave, Anushka "Gate Opener" Wikramanayake, Katie "Spanish Influenza" Honan and Sal "Moral Support" Yeung.
Backing music by Lily Chen.
Bones are the putative skeleton of the human body, so it's important that they're not broken. Hold on! They actually are the skeleton! That means we need orthopaedic surgery to fix them.
In this episode, Dr Saqib talks about orthopaedic surgery, charitable work and international inequalities in health care.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
There are many things that can go wrong in the human body. Luckily, there's a specialty that studies it: pathology. After all, a tissue diagnosis must be made! The show must go on!
In this episode, Dr Nicky talks about work, microscopes and social interaction in the specialty of pathology.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
The heart isn't actually heart-shaped, but kidneys really are kidney-shaped!
In this episode, Dr Lucy talks about renal medicine, how to make it into physician specialty training and finding a job in the modern medical climate.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
You were once a child, before you became an esteemed listener of fancy podcasts such as this!
In this episode, Dr Louisa talks about paediatrics, how it differs from adult medicine and what the training pathway involves.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Malignancy is the enemy, ironically composed of cells from the self.
In this episode, Dr Fran talks about life as a medical oncologist.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Where do you go if you have multi-organ failure and teeter on the cusp of death? An important three-letter acronym: ICU!
In this episode, Dr Stuart talks about the hectic life of intensive care medicine, being a good doctor and the importance of morals.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
We all crave love, but first we require oxygen. Lungs are such needy things!
In this episode, Dr Lucy talks about respiratory medicine, pub rock and marriage.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Fake medicine is based on hogwash and wizardry, while real medicine is based on evidence and clinical trials. That makes medical research integral to accurate diagnosis and treatment.
In this episode, Julia talks about life as a medical researcher, how research applies to medical doctors and the challenges that research involves.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Sports is a unique field. It consists of grown adults or small children tossing equipment around according to made-up rules - and somehow having quite a lot of fun doing so. That's why sports medicine is a unique specialty. It deals with the afflictions of active people, often involving acute treatment at the moment of injury, not just chronic overuse.
In this episode, Dr Bob talks about sports medicine, his impactful work and the value of exercise.
Theme music by Jim Cook's computer, an Artificial Intelligence project by the Techlab.
Without the heart, there is no mindless muscle bag to pump blood all around the body. Fortunately, cardiology exists to cure, palliate and address issues of this important organ!
In this episode, Professor Chris talks about his work as a specialist cardiologist, why he campaigned for public defibrillators and the crucial contribution of being passionate about your work.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Going from medical student to doctor means a life full of money and employment. But what's it really like being a medical intern or resident? Is being a junior doctor akin to administrative slavery or is it a chance to help the world?
In this episode, Dr James answers questions about junior doctor life, coffee, spontaneous patient bleeding and what keeps him sane.
Theme music by Phil Poronnik.
Life is full of infinite possibilities! If you have a medical degree, your future is not confined to the hospital wards.
But how can you choose between all the things you want to achieve while you're alive? Is it possible to manage your time so you can be both a doctor and a professional abalone diver?
In this episode, Dr Renee Lim talks about balancing doctor duties with life external to medicine. She talks about the exciting proportion of her career that's outside the realm of medicine, including acting and education.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Your greatest nightmare is here, except this time you're wearing pants!
Your hospital patient has a rare case of Aafkhajsdklashkjdasodhsouheihterl Fever and conventional medicines can't cure it. Could it be time to call in a manufacturing pharmacist to whip up something customised for you?
In this episode, Allan Fong talks about hospital pharmacy, how he helps doctors by mixing up customised medications for sick patients and common mistakes doctors make in prescribing.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Patients with mental health illnesses can be treated with medication, psychological therapy or a combination of both. But what exactly do psychologists do? Which patients go to them? Which doctors interact with them?
In this episode, Juliette talks about what clinical psychology is, why she hasn’t locked her car lately and how examination stress can affect doctors and medical students.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Just like hearts, souls and a working Internet connection, minds are vital things in our modern world. Psychiatry is a discipline of medicine that deals with mental illness and its effects on patients.
In this episode, Professor Philip talks about the interesting topics that psychiatry encompasses, the lifestyle of the work and invaluable wisdom from his years of expertise in the field.
Theme music by Phil Poronnik.
Skin is important! How else do you discriminate between all of the delicious fruit and vegetables in the supermarket?
As a non-science graduate of a city medical program, Dr Philip talks about his deviation from surgery, his subsequent background as a rural general practitioner and his current range of medical duties.
Theme music by Phil Poronnik.
PATIENT IS BLEEDING! EVERYBODY PANIC!
That's not what it's really like in a trauma setting, is it?
Dr Jeremy talks about the ups and downs of life in trauma, as well as the different training paths that can lead to it.
Dr Jeremy is the Director Of Trauma at Westmead Hospital. Additionally, he's involved in breast clinics and medical teaching.
Theme music by Lily Chen.
You have two eyes and they are very important. Hence, we have ophthalmology.
Dr Neil is an ophthalmologist and generally awesome doctor who talks about life in his specialty and honest career considerations for those thinking about undergoing the training.
This episode is dedicated to Sarah, gushing fan and amazing supporter.
Theme music by Phil Poronnik.
In the endless battle against cancer, there are those brave warriors who specialise in cutting it out. They're called surgical oncologists and they do far more than just operations.
Dr Julie talks about the life of a surgical oncologist, patient interaction, the training pathway and her success in maintaining a hugely interesting existence outside medicine.
Theme music by Phil Poronnik.
What do palliative care, unicorn pillows and Croatian men have in common?
NOTHING. Except they're all in this podcast.
In this episode, Dr Katherine talks about her career in palliative care, a branch of medicine that deals with end-of-life patients.
Theme music by Phil Poronnik.
Are you always the person who cuts birthday cakes? Do you enjoy variety? Are your hands steady? Is your anatomy knowledge quite good? Perhaps surgery is for you.
From a first-hand perspective, Dr Corinna gives an overview of the general surgery training and lifestyle. She gives excellent information. She dispels myths. She offers useful advice for medical students and junior doctors who are considering this career path.
Theme music by Phil Poronnik.
Germs. Germs! GERMS! EVERYWHERE!
Why would anyone want to study them? Because they're interesting and increasingly relevant globally.
In this episode, Dr Elaine talks about her distinguished career progression in the field of infectious diseases and microbiology. If this is a specialty you're even slightly considering, this interview is for you!
Theme music by Lily Chen.
Let's talk about studying! Steve Waring shares brilliant insights: Should you go to lectures? What other resources are available? Are you doomed if you come from a non-science background? How can you make the most of your medical school adventure?
Steve Waring is a medical student with an appreciation for coffee and anything else pungent enough to overcome his total lack of smell. Anosmia! Look it up.
Theme music by Phil Poronnik.
Let's talk about immunology! Specialist immunologist Dr Sean answers burning questions: What's life in immunology really like? Is it rewarding? Is the training long? Is there work-life balance?
Dr Sean Riminton is a specialist immunologist and immunopathologist at Concord Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He's also an Associate Professor with The University Of Sydney and really just an all-around awesome chap.
Theme music by Lily Chen.