Is Laughter the best medicine?
We attempt to answer this and other pressing questions in Doctor Vs Comedian. Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC‘s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject.
We talk about serious subjects in an unserious way. If you want to hear about comedy, entertainment, health and wellness and don‘t want to have to choose between being entertaining AND informed, then this show is for you.
Today, Asif asks Ali about Ali co-starring in the CBC Gem TV show ‘You’re My Hero’ (2:21). Ali talks about how he was offered the role and co-starring with professional wrestler Chris Jericho. They talk about creator Sean Towgood, “disabled” vs “differently abled” and the (lack) of representation of people with disabilities on television. Asif then gives his thoughts on the show and the cast (Spoiler: he liked it!).
In ‘You’re My Hero’, the main character has cerebral palsy due to lack of oxygen to the brain at birth, so in the second half of the episode, Ali asks Asif about this (27:00). Asif explains the different terminology used – including the medical term “hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy”. He then goes over how common it is and the underlying causes. Ali then asks Asif about how it is diagnosed, the different ranges of severity and the tests that can be done to diagnose it. Finally, Asif talks about cooling therapy which has revolutionized the treatment of these infants.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, on a special episode, Asif and Ali interview addiction expert Dr. Jason Giles. For over two decades, Dr. Giles has helped more than 10,000 patients overcome substance use disorders. Dr. Giles combines clinical expertise with personal experience, having navigated his own journey to recovery 25 years ago. Dr. Giles is the founder and Medical Director of Addiction Doctors, a leading telemedicine practice specializing in comprehensive addiction care.
Dr. Giles discusses his personal story with addiction and how this led him from anesthesiology to addiction medicine. Asif and Ali then ask Dr. Giles about whether certain jobs or personality types are predisposed to addiction, and then ask about some “hot button issues” including forced addiction treatment,decriminalization of illegal drugs, and if you should pay people to stay sober. They also discuss whether people need to “want” to stop using. They then ask Dr. Giles about inpatient versus outpatient treatment and the role of telemedicine and Ali asks about the role of organizations such as AA and NA.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Asif and Ali discuss the career of the legendary singer Billy Joel (1:08). They start off by discussing his accolades, how Joel is compared to his contemporaries and his early years. They then discuss some of his seminal songs that Ali and Asif experienced growing up, including ‘Vienna’, ‘Piano Man’, ‘My Life’, ‘Uptown Girl’, and ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’. Then the guys each list their favourite Billy Joel songs.
Joel recently cancelled several tour dates due to normal pressure hydrocephalus, so in the second half, Ali asks Asif about this disorder (31:06). Asif describes what it is and how it differs from hydrocephalus in children. He describes the symptoms, the causes and how common it is. Then, Asif reviews how it is diagnosed and treated.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif, after a digression about Paris restaurants and Reddit trolls, discuss the career of Bill Burr (7:33). They discuss his early life, starting out in comedy, his Philly rant and his podcast. They \then discuss his television cartoon ‘F is for Family’ and his acting roles, his film ‘Old Dads’ including his recent broadway turn in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’. They then discuss Burr’s standup style, whether comedians can be “happy and funny”, and Burr’s recent special ‘Drop Dead Years’. They then (under duress) discuss the recent interview which Howie Mandel conducted with Bill Burr, where Mandel brings out Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) who is allegedly Burr’s half-brother.
Based on some topics brought up in his special, the guys discuss sudden cardiac death (SCD) (50:44). Asif starts off by differentiating between heart attacks, sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. He then goes over how common it is and the major causes. Asif differentiates how the causes of SCD differ between young people and middle aged people. He then goes over the prognosis and first aid treatment if someone you know has a suspected sudden cardiac arrest.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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After a brief digression about popcorn throwing at ‘The Minecraft Movie’ and Ali’s connection to producer Evan Goldberg, Ali and Asif discuss the Apple TV hit series ‘The Studio’ (10:49). The guys start off by discussing the creation of the show by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and how it was influenced by ‘The Larry Sanders Show’. They discuss the phenomenal cast and guest stars. Asif then gets Ali’s thoughts on the numerous “one take” shots, as well as the very small writers room. They then give their overall thoughts on the show.
One episode of ‘The Studio' has Seth Rogen’s character feud with a group of pediatric oncologists at a charity event. This leads Ali and Asif to discuss the perception of doctors by the general public (32:52). After discussing their personal opinions. Asif goes into the studies regarding how patients view doctors, doctor ratings on the internet, and what patients desire in an “ideal” doctor. He then discusses how patients can sometimes perceive burnout in their doctors.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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This week, Asif is in France on his sabbatical. To commemorate this, the guys give each other a quiz on France. Ali starts off by quizzing Asif about French culture and cuisine (4:55). They discuss croissants, Bouillabaisse, Versailles, and French greetings. Then Asif quizzes Ali about medicine in France (22:57) including the advent of teaching in hospitals, pasteurization, the guillotine (!), as well as a lightning round.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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If you are in crisis or concerned about someone text 9-8-8 in the USA or Canada or visit suicide prevention.ca
This week is children’s mental health week, and so today Asif and Ali welcome physician and researcher Dr. Daphne Korczak to discuss the important topic of suicide in children and youth. They discuss the changing language around suicide, how common it is and the complex risk factors for it. They guys also ask Dr. Korczak about how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted suicide rates, as well as the differences between males and females . Dr. Korczak then gives practical tips for parents about how to address thoughts of self harm in their children. They then discuss ongoing efforts regarding suicide prevention. They also discuss the link between cardiovascular health and depression
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Asif and Ali discuss the career of the late actor Val Kilmer (1:05). The guys start off by discussing the 2023 documentary about Kilmer entitled ‘Val’. They discuss Val’s early life and the tragic death of his younger brother from epilepsy. They discuss Kilmer’s early successes and how he was the youngest person admitted to Julliard in the drama department. They then go over their favourite Kilmer movies including ‘Top Secret’, ‘Top Gun’ (which Asif still hasn’t seen), ‘Willow’,’The Doors’, ‘True Romance’.
‘Tombstone’, ‘Batman Forever’, ‘Heat’, ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’, ‘The Saint’, ‘Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang’, and ‘MacGruber’.
They then discuss his battle with throat cancer 27:06) and how Kilmer’s Christian Science beliefs influenced his treatment decisions. Ali then asks Asif about throat cancer. Asif describes what it is, how commonly it is seen. He then discusses the common symptoms and risk factors. Asif goes over how it is diagnosed, the treatment and the prognosis.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Asif and Ali discuss ultraprocessed foods (no medical topic today). To start off, Asif quizzes Ali about his favorite snack foods (1:29). Then Ali gives Asif a quiz on ultraprocessed foods from the New York Times. They then discuss the obesity epidemic and the the theory that ultraprocessed foods may have contributed to this (25;17). They then go over the NOVA food classification system and give examples of ultraprocessed foods. Asif discusses how often people consume ultraprocessed foods and the scientific evidence that these might be detrimental to health. Finally, Asif and Ali discuss recommendations for trying to decrease your intake of ultraprocessed foods.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Asif and Ali discuss the phenomenal Netflix series ‘Adolescence’ (1:28). They discuss the creation of the film and how star and co-creator Stephen Graham came up with the concept for the show to address misogyny and knife violence in the UK. The guys discuss incel culture, the book ‘The Game’ and Andrew Tate and how adolescence tackles these concepts. They then discuss the direction of the series, with each episode being filmed in one take. Then then discuss the tremendous acting in the series, including newcomer Owen Cooper.
Then they discuss the effects of social media on teenagers (24:14). They start off by discussing Australia’s new ban on social media for children until 16 as well as Vivek Murthy’s Surgeon General Report from a few years ago on teens and social media. Asif discusses some potential benefits of social media for teens before discussing the potential harms. He then discusses the evidence that is out there regarding whether social media is harmful to teens. Finally the guys go over some practical tips for parents regarding social media and their children.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today Asif and Ali interview podcaster Kate Downey about period pain and her new podcast “Cramped”. The guys chat with Kate about why she wanted to start a podcast about period pain (dysmenorrhea) and her personal journey with what she calls ‘death cramps”. Kate then elaborates on why period pain is often treated differently than other types of pain and the relation between period pain and endometriosis. They then discuss how stigma and bias are intertwined with the lack of awareness of period pain. Finally Kate discusses new scientific breakthroughs in our understanding of period pain.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, after a brief discussion of shows Ali and Asif have been watching lately – including ‘One Day’ and ‘Adolescence’ (as well as shows they bailed on… ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘The White Lotus’) – they discuss ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ and Belle Gibson (7:43). They go over Belle Gibson’s rise from Instagram “Wellness Warrior” to being exposed as faking having brain cancer. They then discuss the Netflix TV show based on Belle Gibson’s story ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’. They discuss how the show weaves in Belle’s story with the fictionalized character of Milla who is closely based on Jessica Ainscough, a prominent Australian influencer who billed herself as Wellness Warrior who did in fact have cancer. They then give their thoughts on the show including Kaityn Dever’s amazing performance.
Then, based on the recent outbreaks in North America, Ali asks Asif about Measles (26:48). Asif talks about what it is and how it is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. Asif then talks about who is at risk of contracting measles including the unvaccinated, children under age 1 year and the immunocompromised. Asif goes over the symptoms and the potential fatal complications. He then goes over how it is treated. Then Ali asks Asif about the reasons for declining vaccination rates.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today Asif and Ali discuss the new critically acclaimed Disney Plus /Hulu series “Deli Boys” (1:15). They discuss creator Abdullah Saeed’ background and how he came to develop the series. They discuss what they love about the show including the superb cast including Saagar Shaikh. Asif Ali, and Poorna Jagannathan.
Then, based on some recent news articles, Ali asks Asif about the dangers of Ayurvedic medicine (27:24). They discuss this practice of this form of medicine, its history and basic principles. Asif then discusses some of the limited evidence for this practice in the Western medical literature. He then goes over how some Ayurvedic medicine preparations include lead, mercury and arsenic and how this can lead to heavy metal toxicity in several case reports.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the late Gene Hackman (2:04). They discuss his early life, getting into acting and his friendship with Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall. They also discuss Hackman’s other interests including architecture and writing. Asif and Ali then discuss their favourite Gene Hackman roles including in the movies ‘Superman’, ‘Hoosiers’, ‘Crimson Tide’, ‘Unforgiven’, ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ and ‘The Birdcage’.
Then, Asif and ALi discuss the details of the untimely deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife and caregiver, Betsy Arakawa (27:54). Because Ms. Arakawa died of hantavirus infection, Ali then asks Asif about this rare infection and how it is transmitted by exposure to rodent droppings. Asif discusses how people contract it, how common it is and where in North American you can be exposed to it. He then discusses the two serious forms of the disease – hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and hantavirus renal syndrome. He then goes over the treatment and the prevention of the disease. Finally the guys discuss the importance of recognizing caregiver burnout.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, after Asif admits that he saw “Home Alone” for the first time in December 2024, the guys discuss the prolific career of the composer John Williams and the recent documentary on his life “Music by John Williams” (5:33). They discuss his early life and his unusual connection to Newfoundland. They discuss his origins as a jazz pianist, his early career scoring films and his tremendous success after he began collaborating with Steven Spielberg. After discussing William’s family life, Asif does an audio quiz for Ali and the listeners about some of Williams’ famous scores.
Only 4 movies by Steven Spielberg have not been scored by John Williams, and for at least a few of these he was supposedly unable to because of having pacemaker surgery. As such, in the second half, Ali asks Asif about pacemakers (30:54). Asif discusses what they are, as well as the indications. He then goes over the different types of pacing and pacemakers. Asif then discusses how pacemakers are inserted and what you need to avoid if you have one implanted. Finally, Ali asks Asif to clarify the differences between a defibrillator and a pacemaker.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, to celebrate 200 episodes, Ali and Asif interview misinformation expert Timothy Caulfield about his new book, ‘The Certainty Illusion: What You Don’t Know and Why It Matters ’. They start off by discussing Tim’s background and how he became involved in the battle against misinformation and how he deals with internet trolls. Ali then asks Tim about certain topics he addresses in his new book including gluten, fresh vs frozen sushi and organic foods. Asif then asks Tim about some topics from his book regarding the Covid-19 pandemic including “white hat bias” and MD hucksters and the raw milk movement. They then touch on the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement and the implications of the appointment of RFK Jr in the Trump administration in the US. Finally they discuss pop culture and the misinformation campaigns against Blake Lively and Amber Heard.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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After a brief discussion about plane crashes and measles outbreaks, Asif and Ali preview the upcoming 97th annual Academy Awards. taking place on March 2, 2025 (no medical topic this episode). After discussing the amazing score for ‘Conclave’, the guys go over their Oscar picks in the following categories: Original and Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Picture. In the course of their conversation they also go into detail on the controversies regarding the film ‘Emilia Perez’.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today Asif and Ali discuss the Oscar nominated movie “The Substance” (1:44) (mild spoilers follow). They discuss the overall genre of body horror and the classic Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg and how the end of the substance is similar to the end of ‘The Fly’. They then chat about how ‘The Substance’ was developed by acclaimed director Coralie Fargeat. They discuss the cast – including an award winning turn by Demi Moore – and the superb make up and special effects. They also briefly discuss some alleged conflict on the set. The guys then sum up their thoughts on the movie.
Then Ali asks Asif about botulinum toxin (Botox) (23:05) . Asif discusses first what botulism is and how humans can be infected with it, especially in infants. He then discusses the toxin specifically, and chats about what it is, how it works and its use in cosmetic procedures as well as medical procedures. Asif then discusses the risks of the procedure and the costs.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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After a truly inane discussion about ‘back slashes’ vs ‘forward slashes’, the guys discuss the career of the late Christopher Reeve and the recent documentary on his life ‘Superman / Man’ (2:41). They discuss Reeve’s early career, his studies at Julliard and his iconic role as Superman. They then discuss his tragic horseback riding accident and how he was left with significant spinal cord injuries. They then talk about his advocacy work in the latter part of his life and his death in 2004. They then give their thoughts on the documentary itself.
Then Ali asks Asif in more detail about spinal cord injuries (30:19). Asif starts of with defining spinal cord injuries and how common they are. He then talks about the causes, symptoms and the immediate treatment. Ali then asks Asif about the prognosis and long term treatment. Finally, Asif discusses promising new experimental treatments for spinal cord injury.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of comedian Anthony Jeselnik and his special ‘Bones and All’ (1:54). They discuss his early life, when they first saw him (Ali actually met him person!) and an insightful interview with Jeselnik in ‘Cracked Magazine’. They discuss Jeselnik’s success as well as his admiration for Norm MacDonald.
The guys then discuss (31:31) psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) (NB Jeselnik does a dark character on stage, but does not have psychopathy or ASPD). Asif starts off with ASPD and discusses what it is and about how conduct disorder in childhood is related. Asif talks about how common it is and the prevalence in the prison population. Asif goes over the diagnostic criteria as well as the treatment and prognosis. Asif then briefly discusses how psychopathy is slightly different and also discusses the concept of ‘corporate psychopaths’.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Groundbreaking director David Lynch passed away recently, so today Asif and Ali review his career (4:17). They review his classic movies and television shows including Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Dune, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Wild at Heart, Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive, and Twin Peaks: the Return. They discuss his legacy as well as the tributes that poured in after his death. They discuss his battle with emphysema and in the second half, Ali asks Asif about this disease (39:37). Asif talks about what emphysema is, how common it is and the main symptoms. He then discusses how it is diagnosed and the utility of pulmonary function tests. He then goes over the treatment and prognosis.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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FEV1 and COPD: How to Interpret Your Results: https://www.healthline.com/health/fev1-copd
Today, in anticipation of its second season, Asif and Ali discuss the hit Apple TV+ show ‘Severance’ (1:49). They discuss the development of the show, creator Dan Erickson and producer/director Ben Stiller. After several tangents the guys go over the cast, including Adam Scott, the plot and the production design of the show. They give their overall thoughts on season 1 and then Asif discusses the first episode of season 2.
Then Ali asks Asif about memory (34:35). Asif talks about how memory is organized, the different types of memory and why forgetting is often due to a lack of attention. He then discusses different types of amnesia. After discussing why we make so many errors with our memory, Asif then discusses what we can do to improve our memory.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today Asif and Ali catchup on news from the first few weeks of January. They start off by discussing Nikki Glaser and her Golden Globes performance (2:38). They discuss a recent New York Times article about her process and how she practiced her set in front of comedy club crowds over 90 times. They also discuss Conan O’Brien’s thoughts on Nikki Glaser’s work ethic.
Then Asif asks Ali about Ali being the host of Canada’s New Year’s Eve Celebration on the CBC with Ian Hanomansing, Adrienne Arsenault and Jann Arden (19:38). Ali talks about the huge viewership for the broadcast, the stresses of live TV and hosting for hours at a time.
Finally Ali asks Asif about the recent Norovirus outbreaks (35:00). Asit talks about what it is, how contagious it is and how it is (easily) transmitted. He then goes over the symptoms, treatment and when to go to the ER.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Happy New Year!! Today the guys discuss the career of actor and comedian Jamie Foxx (1:10). The guys discuss his early life and start in stand up comedy. They then discuss his breakout in ‘In Living Color’ and subsequent movie roles including in ‘Any Given Sunday’, ‘Collateral’, ‘Ali’ and ‘Ray’ and his TV show ‘The Jamie Foxx Show’. They then discuss his recent health issues which are discussed in his new special ‘...What Had Happened Was’. They guys recap the special, Jamie’s brain bleed and stroke and his rehab. They discuss the emotional aspects of the special, the comedy, the music and the frequent mentions of religion.
In the subsequent section, Ali asks Asif about brain bleeds (32:23). Asif goes over what they are and how these are essential hemorrhagic strokes. He talks about how common they are and the most frequent underlying causes. He then discusses the common symptoms and how they are diagnosed. Asif then goes over the treatment as well as possible surgical options. Asif then talks about the poor prognosis of brain bleeds and how prevention is the key.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Show Notes:
NB: We will be off on Dec 27 and Jan 3 and will return with new episodes on Jan 10, 2025.
Today, Ali and Asif review their favourite entertainment from 2024. They discuss the best movies, TV shows, movies and books from the year. Listen to hear what they thought about ‘The Fall Guy’, ‘Ricky Stanicky’, ‘La Cochina’, ‘Past Lives’, ‘Inside Out 2’, ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’, ‘Love Lies Bleeding’, ‘Hacks’, ‘The Regime’, ‘Somebody Somewhere’, ‘The Penguin’, ‘A Man on the Inside’, ‘X-Men ‘97’, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and ‘The Afterparty: Season 2’ . They also discuss comedy specials (Rachel Feinstein’s ‘Big Guy’ ), books such as ‘Downloaded’,‘The Other Valley’, ‘Blood Betrayal’, ‘The Long Road Home’ and Bono’s ‘Surrender’. Finally then discuss Pearl Jam’s ‘Dark Matter’.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the late great Norm MacDonald. They start off by talking about his early life, his start in comedy and his breakthrough on ‘Saturday Night Live’. They discuss his other projects and then Asif asks Ali about Norm’s comedy style and Ali’s thoughts on MacDonald’s last Netflix comedy special ‘Nothing Special’. After a brief discussion of Norm’s gambling issues, they then discuss how he kept his diagnosis of multiple myeloma a secret for years and what eventually led to his death in 2021.
MacDonald had several stem cell transplants, so in the second half, Ali asks Asif about these. Asif explains how stem cell transplants and bone marrow transplants are the same thing, the history of this procedure and how it is used against cancer. Asif goes over the different types of transplants, how the stem cells are harvested and how one finds a donor. Finally they discuss the complications of stem cell transplants.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif continue their discussion about the 50th season of Saturday Night Live by discussing the recent movie “Saturday Night” (3:21). They discuss the fast paced format of the movie, which takes place in real time in the 90 minutes before the SNL premiere on Oct 11, 1975. They also chat about the spectacular cast and what is and what is not true in the movie. They guys then watch and give their opinions on the actual first episode of SNL.
Then, because Robert F Kennedy Jr. has been in the news as of late, they discuss his (and others) concerns about fluoride in drinking water (18:33). Asif starts off discussing what fluoride is, how it fights cavities and the history of why it was introduced to drinking water. Ali then asks about the adverse effects of high fluoride and Asif discusses the dental and skeletal issues. He then goes over the arguments against fluoridation. Finally he discusses a recent report about low IQ being associated with high fluoride levels and why this is likely NOT a cause for worry for the majority of people.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Some say that 1994 was the best year for movies EVER. As a result, today, Asif and Ali discuss their favorite movies from that year (no medical topic today). Listen to hear what made their list, what didn’t and what overlap, if they had.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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This year marks the 50th season of Saturday night live, so today the guys go over their favourite SNL moments from the past half decade (2:37). The guys review their top hosts, top monologues, Top Weekend update anchors, top weekend update correspondents and top 5 SNL skits EVER.
Then the guys discuss how West Nile Virus has been in the news as of late because of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s recent battle with this disease (33:44). Ali asks Asif about what exactly it is and how common it is. Asif goes over the life cycle of the virus and how both birds and mosquitos are involved in transmission. Asif then talks about the symptoms, the limited options for treatment and the prognosis.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, the guys discuss Hasan Minhaj’s new comedy special “Off With His Head” (despite Asif’s hesitation) (2:18). The guys start off by recapping Hasan’s background and the controversy that swirled around him in 2023, associated with a New Yorker article which resulted in Minhaj losing the hosting role of “The Daily Show”. Then they give their thoughts on the good and bad aspects of his new special and his non-apology in the show.
Then, Ali asks Asif about his sabbatical where he is learning about deep brain stimulation (DBS) (35:30). Asif talks about what it is and how it is used in a variety of neurologic diseases in adults especially in Parkinson’s disease. He talks about the procedure including the risks. Finally, Ali asks Asif about what it is currently being used for in children.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif interview the sensational comedian Sterling Scott. Sterling made history as the first ever BIPOC comedian to win the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition, one of only two Canadian comedians selected for the Netflix is a Joke Comedy Festival earlier this year, and was the first comedian to ever be given the Golden Buzzeras a finalist on the most recent season of Canada’s Got Talent. Scott has also made regular appearances on Just For Laughs, CBC’s Debaters and Crave’s Roast Battle Canada.
They chat with Sterling about growing up in Scarborough and developing his stand up comedy in Edmonton, Alberta. They then discuss his sojourns to the US for comedy and his decision to appear on Canada’s Got Talent. They discuss the details of auditioning, life while on the show, and the controversial handling of what happened when he was heckled during the show. They wrap up by discussing a TV show he has in development, how his looks are compared to John David Washington on social media and his upcoming tour dates:
Nov 10, 2024: The Great Theatre, Toronto
Nov 17, 2024: Hollywood Theatre, Vancouver
Nov 24, 2024: Le Studio TD, Montreal
Tickets available at Live Nation.com or ticketmaster.ca
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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NB: This episode was recorded BEFORE Tony Hinchcliffe appeared at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally Stay tuned to the end of the episode for Ali’s and Asif’s takes on Tony Hinchcliffe’s jokes from the rally.
Today, the discuss Tony Hinchcliffe and his podcast ‘Kill Tony’ (5:43). They discuss Tony Hinchcliffe’s background, his start in comedy and the influence of Jeff Ross and Joe Rogan. Ali then describes the premise of ‘Kill Tony’ and the concept of one-minute sets.
Then Ali asks Asif about the evidence as to whether cell phones cause cancer (29:59). Asif talks about the type of radiation that cell phones emit and how in the past how in the past, the The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the WHO’s cancer agency, classified radio wave / cell phone exposure as a possible carcinogen to humans in 2011. He then talks about the most recent review from the WHO which found no connection between cellphone use and brain cancer. He also discusses the lack of evidence for Bluetooth and cell phones towers causing cancer. Finally, he discusses the “real” health danger from cell phones.
At 49:53 Ali and Asif discuss Tony Hinchcliffe’s appearance at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Show Notes:
Bonus Notes:
Today, the guys discuss the 30th anniversary of ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1:23). The guys chat about when they first saw it and their thoughts about their recent rewatch. They discuss the writing in the movie, its development and its stellar cast. They then chat about the classic soundtrack and the legacy of the film.
Then, after the recent death of a child in Ontario from rabies from a bat, Ali asks Asif about this disease (29:45). Asif discusses how common it is, what causes it and how it is transmitted. He then goes over the primary symptoms and how prompt treatment is vital to prevent loss of life. Finally they discuss what to do if someone is bitten by an animal and especially what to do if one encounters a bat.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Show Notes:
Today, Ali and Asif debate their top albums of 1994 (1:30) and spoiler… there is not a lot of overlap!
Then Ali, based on his personal experiences, asks Asif about hospital parking (38:38). Asif talks about the situation in Canada and how parking contributes a large amount to the financial bottom line of hospitals. He then contrasts it to the situation in the US and in the UK. He then discusses cancer patients specifically and how parking costs contribute to “financial toxicity” in these patients. Finally he discusses some particularly bad takes on why hospital parking is “good for patients”.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today the guys discuss the career of actor Kevin Bacon (2:41). They discuss when they were first exposed to him and his early career. Then then discuss his breakout role in ‘Footloose’ and how afterwards he pivoted to become more of a character actor. After discussing his hit movies, then they chat about the party game ‘6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon’. They discuss the origin of the game, what a “Bacon Number” is and eventually determine how many degrees away Ali is from Kevin bacon!
Then they discuss Raynaud’s phenomenon (22:26), which Bacon’s daughter, Sosie, is reported to have. Asif talks about what it is and why it is called a “phenomenon”, how common it is and the main symptoms you can get. Aid then goes over the causes of Raynaud’s. Ali then asks Asif about how it is diagnosed and treated.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, the guys discuss the new documentary on the quintessential Canadian band, The Tragically Hip (3:45). They discuss how the docuseries was directed by the brother of Gord Downine (the late front man for the Tragically Hip), Mike Downie. They talk about the numerous talking heads in the doc, the story behind some songs and the lack of success of the Hip in the USA. They also talk about strife in the band in the 2000’s as well as Downie’s cancer diagnosis. Then the guys list their top 5 Tragically Hip songs (20:25).
Then, since Downie died of glioblastoma, the guys discuss this disorder (47:20). Asif describes how this is one of the most common brain cancers as well as risk factors for it. He then discusses the presenting symptoms as well as the treatment as well as the unfortunately poor prognosis
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, after a brief quiz, Asif and Ali discuss the career of the late James Earl Jones. Ali goes over Jones’ accolades and the fact that he is one of the few people who have one an EGOT(Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). They discuss his early life and how some major life events may have contributed to him developing a stutter. They discuss his early Broadway and theater career and then his movie career, particularly as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in the Lion King. They then discuss his legacy and how his voice might live on even after his death.
Then Ali asks Asif about stuttering. Asif goes over the different types, how common it is, as well as the presumed causes, including whether it is linked to anxiety or not. He then talks about how it is diagnosed and how it is differentiated from normal developmental dysfluency. He then talks about how it is treated.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today the guys discuss the extremely popular HBO docuseries “Chimp Crazy (1:39). The guys discuss the background of the series and director Eric Good (Tiger King) developed the series. They then discuss how the series main subject, Tonia Haddix, got involved with keeping primates as pets in addition to discussing the involvement of actor Alan Cumming in the docuseries. Asif then asks Ali about an interview he did with journalist Sam Adams about the controversy behind the making of ‘Chimp Crazy’ and Eric Goode hiring a proxy director for the series.
Ali then asks Asif about monkey (primate) attacks and monkey bites (25:11). Asif goes over how the two main causes of primate attacks are primate ownership and over-habituation. With regards to pet ownership, Asif outlines a few major gruesome pet chimpanzee attacks in the US and in particular the attack by a chimp named Travis whose victim was featured on ‘Oprah’. Asif then discusses overhabituation which is caused often by monkeys’ desire for human food. He discusses the risks of monkey bites including the potentially fatal disease caused by the ‘B-virus’. Asif then concludes by discussing how to avoid monkey bites when on vacation in tropical areas.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, the guys discuss their top 5 episodes of the classic sitcom ‘Friends’. But they switch things up by doing the medical topic first by discussing Ketamine and its role in Matthew Perry’s death (3:53). Ali starts out by asking Asif about how exactly ketamine was involved in Matthew Perry’s drowning death. Asif then goes over the history of ketamine, how it works and how it is mainly used as anesthesia. Ali then asks him about how it has been increasingly used in depression and Asif goes over the scientific evidence for this (after a brief digression about electroconvulsive therapy). They then discuss the abuse potential of ketamine and the side effects. They then discuss a New York Times article from last discussing ketamine abuse, telemedicine and compounding pharmacies. They then wrap up the section by discussing the individuals arrested for providing the ketamine implicated in Matthew Perry’s death. Then in the second, more lighthearted half, the guys each list their top 5 ‘Friends’ episodes (31:43).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, the guys discuss entertainment they consumed in the summer of 2024 (2:31). Asif goes first by discussing his disappointment with season 3 of ‘The Bear’, and similarities to ‘House of the Dragon’, ‘The Boys’ and ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3. He then discusses ‘Time Bandits’, ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ and ‘Love Lies Bleeding’. Asif concludes by discussing a news article about a recent apology from MMA star Ronda Roussey. Ali talks about what he watched when recovering from hernia surgery including ‘Chef’, ‘Hacks’ and the somewhat controversial 1994 movie ‘Leon The Professional’. He then talks about his hate for the series ‘Love’, Sebastian Maniscalco’s ‘Bookie’ and re-watching stand up specials.
Then Ali asks Asif about ‘The Yips’ aka task specific dystonia (32:59). Asif talks about the history of the disease in golf as well as other sports and music. He discusses how common it is and the theory of why it develops in certain people. Asif describes how some affected people can overcome the dystonia using sensory tricks (“geste antagoniste”). He then talks about the treatment and how botulinum toxin is often used.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today on the second of a two-part episode, the guys continue their discussion of Steve Martin (1:43). They start off the episode by going through Steve Martin’s filmography, including the Jerk, All of Me, Three Amigos, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Father of the Bride, Roxanne, L.A. Story, Bowfinger, The Pink Panther, amongst others. They then discuss Martin’s other works including his dramatic and musical plays. They also discuss his banjo playing and his musical albums. Finally, they discuss his recent hit show, ‘Only Murders in the Building’.
Then, since Martin suffers from Tinnitus, in the second half, the guys discuss this disorder (26:58). Asif talks about what it is, how common it is and how there are actually two types of tinnitus – objective tinnitus which others can hear and subjective tinnitus which only you can hear. They then discuss the presumed causes of tinnitus. Asif goes over how it is diagnosed and finally how it can be difficult to treat.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today on a two-part episode, the guys discuss the career of legendary comedian Steve Martin. The guys start off the episode by discussing the recent documentary Steve! By Morgan Neville, which was actually released on Apple TV + as two different documentaries (Ali also gives a quick personal anecdote about Morgan Neville). At 7:50 Ali talks about Steve Martin’s accolades and then the guys discuss Steve Martin’s early interest in magic. They speak about Martin’s comedy process and how he uses logic and philosophy in his comedy act. They talk about opening for other acts and how Martin eventually decided to only be a headliner and how his gray hair helped his act. They take about his rapid ascent in the mid-late 70’s, how he was selling out arenas and stadiums and how he quit stand up at the peak, when he was the most successful stand up comic in the world.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wa
taboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today on a special episode, Ali discusses his recent hernia surgery (5:06). He talks about how our hernia episode from last year prompted him to go for this procedure as well as what tests were done beforehand. He then talks about his consultation with the surgeon and his decision whether or not to do laparoscopic surgery. Asif asks Ali about what prep Ali needed to do for the surgery as well as what the day of the surgery was like. Ali then provides an update on how he is doing in the recovery phase. Then the guys go back and listen to our discussion of hernias from an episode from last year (34:55).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today Ali and Asif (who is battling a cold) discuss the career of the late Bob Newhart (1:47). They discuss his early life and how he got started in comedy. They then discuss his phenomenal success with his debut album “The Button Down Mind of Bob Newhart”. They discuss his comedy style and why it has been so hard for others to duplicate it. They also go over a bit of trivia, namely how Bob Newhart at the first pay-per-view television special. They then go over his class television shows ‘ The Bob Newhart Show’ and ‘Newhart’, including the latter’s classic final episode.
Newhart died on July 18 2024, following a series of short illnesses; but during the time he was on ‘Newhart’, in 1985, he was taken to theER due to secondary polycythemia. In the second half of the episode (28:29), Asif talks to Ali about the 3 different kinds of polycythemia. Asif describes how spurious polycythemia is actually due to volume contraction and how secondary polycythemia (which Newhart had) can be due to a variety of causes, including obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heavy tobacco smoking. He then talks about polycythemia vera, which is actually a type of blood cancer. He then goes over the presenting symptoms, investigations and treatment for polycythemia.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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A few episodes ago, we discussed the AV club’s top 40 albums of all time. Today Ali gives us a list of his favorite comedy specials that did NOT make the list (1:12). Ali discusses the following albums (not in order):
John Mulaney - BABY J (2023)
Norm MacDonald – NOTHING SPECIAL (2022)
Patrice O’Neal - ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM (2011)
Chris Rock – BRING THE PAIN (1996)
Gary Gulman - NO CAN DEFEND (2012) / BORN ON THIRD BASE (2023)
Eddie Izzard - DRESS TO KILL (1999)
Bill Burr - I'M SORRY YOU FEEL THAT WAY (2014)
Mike Birbiglia - MY GIRLFRIEND’S BOYFRIEND (2013)
Ali Wong - BABY COBRA (2016)
Taylor Tomlinson – QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS (2020)
Then based on a listener suggestion and some recent news articles, the guys discuss whether it is possible to measure brain waves (25:18) (spoiler: it is and Asif does this every day at work). Asif talks about the history of recording brain waves aka electroencephalography or EEG. He goes into how it works, what the test consists of and what it is used for. The guys then loop back to the question from listener James about Apple’s patent for an Airpod that can measure brain waves. Ali then asks Asif about the drawbacks and dangers of EEG. Asif discusses some of the more dubious uses of EEG including qEEG and neurofeedback. He then goes over some news articles, including India convicting a woman using a brain wave test (the Brain Electrical Oscillations Signature test) and the questionable use of brain wave guided therapy on First Nations youth in Canada.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif review the new documentary about Louis CK, ‘Sorry / Not Sorry’ (1:53). They start off by discussing Louis CK’s background, his blockbuster success as a stand up comedian and how he changed the financial model of stand up comedy specials. Then then discuss his sexual impropriety as outlined in the New York Times as well as in the documentary. The guys go over what they perceive as his lack of an apology as well as how CK was definitely not “canceled”.
Louis CK does suffer from male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia), so in the second half of the episode, the guys discuss hair transplants (28:36) (N.B. Louis CK has never stated that he has had a hair transplant). Asif starts off by discussing how common baldness is and what causes it in most men. He then goes over other treatments for baldness like ‘Rogaine’ and ‘Propecia’. He then goes over what hair transplants entail, the procedure, the costs, and the outcomes.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Show Notes: * Louis C.K. Is Accused by 5 Women of Sexual Misconduct: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/arts/television/louis-ck-sexual-misconduct.html * The sexual harassment allegations against Louis C.K., explained: https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/11/9/16629400/louis-ck-allegations-masturbation * Hey, Comedy: Don’t Let Them Back In: https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/the-industry/sexual-misconduct-in-comedy * Opinion: This film is chilling reminder of how ‘not sorry’ Louis C.K. is: https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/12/opinions/sorry-not-sorry-louis-ck-misconduct-women-comedy-stewart/index.html * Female Comics Sound Off on Kevin Hart, Louis C.K. and Comedy in the Age of Trump: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/female-comics-kevin-hart-louis-ck-comedy-age-trump-1201578/ * Comedian Louis C.K. Talks Hair Loss in Online Chat: https://www.hairlossspecialists.com/articles/louis-ck-balding-talk/130/ * Hair Transplantation: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/839753-overview * What Is the Norwood Scale? https://www.healthline.com/health/norwood-scale#stages * Hair Transplants: What to Expect: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/hair-transplants
Today, the guys discuss and review Eddie Murphy’s new Netflix movie ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ (1:42). They start off by discussing Murphy’s early career, including his stand up, his breakthrough on ‘Saturday Night Live’, and his early movies ‘48 hours’ and ‘Trading Places’. They then discuss the blockbuster success of ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ and its soundtrack. They chat about the development of the first Beverly Hills Cop and how other actors such as Sylvester Stallone were considered for the role of Axel Foley. They then go over the other Beverly Hills Cop movies as well as a brief aside on Eddie Murphy movies that were “misses” . Ali and Asif then give their thoughts on the new movie.
Then, since Eddie Murphy got a meniscal tear when turning in bed, in the second half, Ali asks Asif about meniscus tears (33:25). Asif goes over the anatomy of the knee and how the menisci act as “shock absorbers” in the knee. He then goes over how common meniscal tears are and what the main symptoms of a tear would be. Ali then asks Asif about how these tears are diagnosed and their treatment.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes: * The Heat Is On, Again: The Oral History of Axel Foley: https://www.theringer.com/movies/2024/7/3/24191212/beverly-hills-cop-4-axel-f-netflix-eddie-murphy * Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home: Eddie Murphy replaced by Catharine Hicks, writer says: https://ew.com/article/2016/11/27/star-trek-4-voyage-home-eddie-murphy-lost-role * All the Ways ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ Pays Homage to the 1984 Original :https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/beverly-hills-cop-axel-f-similarities-callbacks-1984-original-film-1236056470 * ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ Director Drew on Franchise Iconography — and ‘80s Action Filmmaking — for His Next-Generation Sequel: ‘We Wrecked a Million Cars’ : https://variety.com/2024/film/features/beverly-hills-cop-4-director-mark-molloy-wrecked-cars-1236059629/ * Eddie Murphy Blew His Meniscus While Sleeping: htthps://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/eddie-murphy-blew-his-meniscus-while-sleeping/ar-BB1p1U6q * Meniscal tears among the most common of knee injuries: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/01/31/meniscal-tears-among-the-most-common-of-knee-injuries-4/ * Meniscus Tears: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/meniscus-tears/ * Knee Meniscal Tears: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431067/
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses sexual abuse.
Today, the guys discuss the new Netflix documentary “Tell them you love me” (3:25) (Spoilers abound). They discuss the case of Anna Stubblefield, a tenured professor of ethics at Rutgers University, who initially started off aiding a young black man with cerebral palsy, Derrick Johnson, with facilitated communication but was eventually charged with sexually abusing Derrick. The guys start off by discussing Derrick’s early life and then Asif takes a medical aside and discusses cerebral palsy (6:37). Asif goes over what it is, how common it is and how it does not imply anything about cognitive capabilities. He goes over the causes, the different types as well as clues that might suggest an alternate diagnosis.
The guys then go back to the case of Anna Stubblefield (16:15) and discuss how Anna believed that facilitated communication ‘unlocked’ Derrick’s intelligence and how she felt he could consent to a romantic and sexual relationship. Ali then asks Asif about the scientific evidence behind facilitated communication and how it is considered by many organizations to be a pseudoscience (30:39). The guys then discuss the potential harms of facilitated communication, before wrapping up the complicated and disturbing case (36:49).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes: * Tell Them You Love Me Doc Tells the Complicated True Story of Anna Stubblefield: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/tell-them-you-love-me-release-date-news * The Bizarre True Story Behind Netflix’s ‘Tell Them You Love Me’—Where Is Anna Stubblefield Now? https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2024/06/19/the-bizarre-true-story-behind-netflixs-tell-them-you-love-me--where-is-anna-stubblefield-now/ * The Strange Case of Anna Stubblefield: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/magazine/the-strange-case-of-anna-stubblefield.html * The Strange Case of Anna Stubblefield, Revisited: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/05/magazine/the-strange-case-of-anna-stubblefield-revisited.html * Cerebral Palsy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538147/ * https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience/who-doing-pointing-when-communication-facilitated * A history of facilitated communication: Science, pseudoscience, and antiscience science working group on facilitated communication: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-12698-001 * Facilitated Communication—what harm it can do: Confessions of a former facilitator: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17489539.2012.674680?journalCode=tebc20 * Systematic review of facilitated communication 2014–2018 finds no new evidence that messages delivered using facilitated communication are authored by the person with disability: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2396941518821570 * Facilitated Communication: https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2018-00352/ * Facilitated Communication: https://asatonline.org/for-parents/learn-more-about-specific-treatments/facilitated-communication/
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses sexual abuse.
Michael Jackson died 15 years ago, on June 25, 2009, so today the guys discuss his life and his controversies (2:56). They talk about Jackson’s early life, the success of the Jackson 5 and the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of his father, Joe Jackson. They then discuss the success of his early solo records and the blockbuster success of ‘Thriller’. They also discuss his philanthropy and how that complicates people’s feelings for the singer. They then discuss the allegations of abuse against Michael Jackson and the 2019 documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’. The guys then try to reconcile how despite the allegations, Michael Jackson songs are still played to this day.
Since Jackson died of a propofol overdose, in the second half, the guys discuss this drug (24:11). Ali and Asif start off by going through the timeline of Jackson’s death and discussing the other drugs that were in his system. They discuss how Jackson’s personal doctor, Conrad Murray, administered benzodiazepines and propofol to Jackson. Asif discusses what propofol is, what it is commonly used for and the potential adverse effects. He then goes into detail about how propofol needs to be closely monitored when it is administered.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes: * Inside the Jackson machine: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/jacksons-legacy-jackson-5 * 'We Are the World' at 30: 12 tales you might not know: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/01/27/we-are-the-world-30th-anniversary/22395455/ * Michael Jackson: A Quarter-Century Of Sexual Abuse Allegations: https://www.npr.org/2019/03/05/699995484/michael-jackson-a-quarter-century-of-sexual-abuse-allegations * Leaving Neverland: https://www.hbo.com/leaving-neverland * Michael Jackson named top-earning dead celebrity for 5th time:https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/forbes-dead-celeb-earnings-2017-1.4378882 * Steven Tyler Confessed to ‘Crimes of Passion’ With a 16-Year-Old in His Own Memoir: https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7v54d/steven-tyler-child-sexual-assault-lawsuit-memoir * TIMELINE: Michael Jackson's Final Days * https://abcnews.go.com/2020/MichaelJackson/michael-jackson-final-days-timeline-year-death-king/story?id=10974394 * Propofol: https://www.drugs.com/monograph/propofol.html * Propofol: https://www.drugs.com/monograph/propofol.htmlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430884/ * Concerns mount over misuse of anaesthetic propofol among US health professionals: https://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b3673 * Lasker Foundation 2018: https://laskerfoundation.org/announcing-the-2018-lasker-award-winners/ * Propofol and Green Urine: https://ekja.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.4097/kjae.2013.65.2.177 * Propofol-Induced Priapism, a Case Confirmed with Rechallenge: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1345/aph.1G555 * Michael Jackson’s doctor was much admired but financially strapped: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-08-la-me-conrad-murray8-2010feb08-story.html * Probe Into Matthew Perry’s Acquisition of Ketamine That Led to His Death Has Multiple Suspects: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/matthew-perry-death-investigation-multiple-suspects-1235933163/
Today, Ali and Asif start off the episode by addressing some listener mail. Then they discuss the new documentary by Ron Howard out on Disney plus entitled “Jim Henson: Idea Man” (6:59). The guys go over Jim Henson’s early background, how he got into puppetry and his early successes appearing on American variety shows. Asif and Ali then discuss when they first encountered Henson’s work. They then discuss Henson’s lifelong collaboration with puppeteer and filmmaker Frank Oz. They then go over the successful and not so successful movies of Henson, the eventual sale of The Muppets to Disney and Henson’s legacy.
Jim Hensen died of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), so in the second half, Ali asks Asif about this diagnosis (36:19). Asif starts off by discussing the bacteria which cause TSS (Staph aureus and Group A strep) and how these bacteria produce toxins which cause TSS. He then talks about how common it is and the risk factors for developing TSS. Ali asks Asif about the relationship between hyper-absorbant tampons and TSS; Asif goes into detail about the history of this association and the increased incidence of this occurring in women using tampons in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. He then talks about the common presenting symptoms, the prognosis and how it is treated.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Asif and Ali discuss Bon Jovi and the recent documentary series on the band “Thank you and Goodnight” on Disney Plus. Right at they beginning the discuss the director of the docuseries, Gotham Chopra and how he is related to health guru Deepak Chopra. Then then discuss Jon Bon Jovi and his band and Bon Jovi’s early influences including Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band and Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes. They then discuss his first hit “Runaway” and how it led to the formation of the band. They discuss their subsequent albums and then their breakthrough album ‘Slippery When Wet”. They discuss their brief hiatus, their comeback, and later the issues that led to Ritchie Sambora leaving the band. They then discuss Bon Jovi’s induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jon Bon Jovi’s politics and conclude by discussing their thoughts on the docuseries and the overall legacy of the band.
In the docuseries, Jon Bon Jovi is suffering from vocal cord issues, so in our second half, Ali asks Asif about vocal cord injuries. They start off by discussing Presbylaryngis or Vocal Fold Atrophy, which are natural changes in our vocal cords (folds), a condition which Jon Bon Jovi was diagnosed with. Asif discusses how sound is produced from the vocal folds in our larynx and what happens to the vocal folds as we age. After an aside about how Ali was the lead singer in a band, Asif discusses how presbylaryngis can be treated. The guys then discuss other types of vocal fold injury and vocal fold nodules in particular. Finally Asif gives tips on how to maintain good vocal health.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Asif gets Ali’s thoughts on controversial comedian Shane Gillis (2:22). They discuss his background and his early start in comedy. They discuss his controversial exchange from his podcast that got him unhired from Saturday Night Live in 2019. Ali then gives his thoughts on Gillis’ hit special ‘Beautiful Dogs’. They then discuss their thoughts on his new Netflix show ‘Tires’ as well as their opinions on his standup in general.
Then, based on the TV show ‘Sharp Objects’ as well as the news making Gypsy-Rose Blanchard, Ali asks Asif about Munchausen Syndrome aka factitious disorder imposed on self (26:31). Asif goes over the definition of the syndrome as well as why it was named after Munchausen. Asif then makes it clear how to differentiate it from conversion (functional) disorders as well as malingering (feigning symptoms for financial gain). Ali then asks Asif about what clues doctors into making this diagnosis. Asif then gives some examples of how people feign various illnesses. Asif then discusses what may be going on psychologically in patients with factitious disorder imposed on self.
Ali asks Asif about Munchausen by proxy, which is now called factitious disorder imposed on another. Asif talks about how we can see parents doing this to their children and clarifies that it is not psychosis in parents, nor is it simply overly concerned parents; he makes it clear that this is a form of child abuse.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today on a special episode, Asif gets Ali’s thoughts on the AV club’s list of ‘The 40 greatest comedy albums of all time’. The guys start at the bottom and go all the way to the top and on the way discuss Lenny Bruce, Joan Rivers, Adam Sandler, Robert Klein, Dick Gregory, Monty Python, Steven Wright, Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, George Carlin and Richard Pryor. They also discuss some albums on the list which they did not care for (Andrew Dice Clay, Sam Kinison, Denis Leary) and even a few they have never heard of (National Lampoon’s Lemmings).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes:
The 40 best comedy albums of all time, ranked: https://www.avclub.com/40-best-comedy-albums-of-all-time-ranked-1850714129
Today, based on recent comments from Jerry Seinfeld, Asif asks Ali the much discussed question “is woke/PC culture ruining comedy” (1:11). They discuss Seinfeld’s comments and Ali’s examples from his comedy as well as others. They also talk about Bill Burr’s recent comments on Bill Maher’s podcast about how cancel culture is “not a thing”.
Then Ali asks Asif about anxiety (25:50). Asif starts off by describing the different types of anxiety as well as how to differentiate clinical anxiety from ‘normal worries’. Asif then goes into a deep dive on a specific type of anxiety – generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). He talks about the risk factors for this and presumed causes of GAD. Asif then goes over how common it is as well as the diagnosis. Finally Ali asks Asif about the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Ali and Asif discuss the recent hit Netflix special ‘The Roast of Tom Brady’ (2:31). Asif starts off by asking Ali if Tom Brady was a good candidate for a roast. They then chat about the hosting duties of Kevin Hart and some of the controversy related to one of the jokes from ‘Roastmaster General’ Jeff Ross. The guys discuss the various roasters; they go over the athletes who spoke and how some of their jokes were good and how many fell flat. They praise the many of the comedians involved, especially Nikki Glaser. They discuss her breakout performance and how some of her material was written by former DvsC guest Dan St. Germain. They go over the Kim Kardashian section and how the “boos” for her were edited out on subsequent airings. They also discuss the good and bad surprise guests from the roasts including Will Ferrell as Tom Burgundy and Ben Affleck and Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft. They then go over the future of roasts on Netflix
Tom Brady has been linked to Alex Guerrero who advocates an alkaline diet. In our second half we will discuss Guerrero, his health care business with Brady and whether there is any evidence behind his claims (31:54). Asif starts off by discussing Guererro’s background and then reviews the scientific evidence for the alkaline diet. They then go over how Guerrero was sanctioned twice by the US Federal Trade Commission for making false claims. Ali then asks Asif about Brady and Guerreros’ health business TB12.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Asif and Ali discuss celebrity chef David Chang (1:23). They discuss his early life and the fact that he was a child prodigy golfer. They chat about his university life and his early jobs he had prior to beginning culinary studies. They talk about his restaurant succeed and his TV and podcasting ventures. The guys then discuss the closure of many of David Chang’s restaurants and the recent controversy regarding his ‘chili crunch’ condiment… and they also discuss the issue of cultural appropriation of food.
Then they discuss body dysmorphic disorder (33:28). Asif describes what it is, how common it is and how it is often underdiagnosed. He discusses how it is treated and then the guys discuss a news story about how a Quebec man cut off two healthy fingers as part of a slightly different condition, body identity dysphoria.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of comedian Pete Davidson. After Asif does some bad stand up, they discuss the early life of Pete Davidson, including how his life changed when his father died in 9/11. They talk about how he found comedy and his struggles with drug use and borderline personality disorder. Ali then mentions how Pete got cast on Saturday Night Live, becoming one of the youngest cast members in the show’s history and his character ‘Chad”. They guys then discuss his post SNL career including “The King of Staten Island”. Ali then reviews all the numerous tabloid relationships of Davidson. Asif then asks Ali about Pete Davidson’s comedy style in general and his recent Netflix Stand up special “Turbo Fonzerelli”. Asif then talks about some of the common complications including fistulae and bowel obstruction.
Then, since Pete Davidson suffers from Crohn’s disease, in the second half of the episode, they discuss this disorder. Asif starts off by discussing the somewhat controversial origin of the name of the disease, what exactly it is and the main symptoms. He then talks about what we think causes it and how common it is. He then goes over how it is treated.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of actor Christina Applegate. They discuss her early life, child acting as well as being propelled to stardom in ‘Married with Children’. They then discuss her subsequent career in both TV and movies. After a brief digression on Ali’s Canadian Screen Actors Nominations, they discuss Applegate’s role in Anchorman. After discussion some of her other projects they discuss her amazing performance in “Dead to Me’. Christina is both a breast cancer survivor and in 2021 announced that she was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). In the second half of the episode, Ali asks Asif about MS; Asif starts off by talking about what MS is and the presumed cause. In particular, he goes into detail regarding how geography and vitamin D levels influence your risk of getting MS. Asif talks about the common symptoms of an MS attack as well as how it is diagnosed. He then goes over the treatment and prognosis of the disease.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of mixed-martial artist Georges St. Pierre. They discuss his early life in Saint-Isidore Quebec and how he was a victim of bullying as a child which later led him to martial arts. They then go over some trivia about Georges St. Pierre, including his wrestling training, his love of Jean Claude Van Damme and his role as a villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They also talk about his history with OCD, anxiety and depression. They discuss GSP’s MMA career and the “greasing controversy” in his match with B.J. Penn. They then discuss his overall legacy in MMA as well as his charity, the GSP Foundation.
Georges St. Pierre retired due to ulcerative colitis (UC) and in the second half of the episode, the guys discuss this disorder. Asif explains how it is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and how it differs from Chron’s disease. He talks about the causes, how common it is, as well as the common symptoms. Asif then explains how it is diagnosed and how it is treated. Specifically he discusses the role of probiotics and intermittent fasting (which Georges St. Pierre uses).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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At the beginning of today’s episode the guys talk about their Oscar picks from last month and what they got right and wrong. They also talk about the claims of plagiarism regarding the screenplay for “The Holdovers”. Then, Asif asks Ali about the Just for Laughs festival (4:40). Ali starts off by talking about the history of the festival and his personal relation to it from growing up in Montreal. He talks about its significance to comedians in general and his career in particular. He then talks about the recent financial troubles of Just for Laughs, including the fact that this year’s festival has been canceled. Then Ali asks Asif about the phenomenon of medical tourism (25:24). Asif talks about what it is, how often people go abroad for medical treatment as well as the reasons why medical tourism has been increasing of late. He then goes over some of the risks of medical tourism including a recent report of patients who developed a fatal fungal infection after traveling to Mexico for cosmetic surgery.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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WARNING: Explicit Language in this episode
Today, Ali and Asif interview comedian and writer Dan St. Germain, coinciding with the release of his new YouTube special “Dance Fatty Dance”. Dan talks about starting off in stand up and using social media in comedy as well as his hatred of Zoom comedy. Ali asks Dan about the Just of Laughs festival and its recent financial issues. Dan then talks about the development of his comedic cartoon with Dan Soder and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. Asif and Dan then engage in some wrestling talk and discuss the recent resurgence in pro wrestling, the return of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Wrestlemania and the similarities between wrestling and comedy. Al and Asif then transition to talking to Dan about some medical issues that he brings up in his special. Ali starts off by asking Dan about his history with alcohol and how the comedy lifestyle may perpetuate addiction issues. The talk about Dan doing the roast of Ric Flair, the reception to his jokes, and how Dan relapsed that night. Dan mentions in his stand up that Dan’s dad had encephalitis, so Asif goes into a bit of detail about this disease. They wrap up by discussing cerebral palsy which relates to one of his jokes from his special.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the new hit Netflix series ‘3 Body Problem’ (1:19). They start off with a minor debate on how to pronounce the name of ‘Liu Cixin’, the writer of the book upon which the show is based. The guys then discuss how the show was created by David Benioff and Dan Weiss, the creators of ‘Game of Thrones’, after a few other failed ventures. They discuss how China is a major setting in the book and series as well as the series opening scene depicting the ‘Cultural Revolution’ in China in the 1960’s. Then both Ali and Asif give their thoughts on the show.
Then the guys discuss Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (24:44). Asif starts out by discussing the differences between alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Asif discusses how NAFLD occurs in 1 in 3 people (!) and 10% of children. He then discusses how NAFLD is linked to Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart disease and high cholesterol/triglycerides. Ali then asks Asif about how it is diagnosed, including blood tests and ultrasounds. They then discuss the cornerstones of management, especially lifestyle modification.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes:
Since March has been endometriosis awareness month, on today’s episode, Asif and Ali welcome gynecologist Dr. Sony Singh to discuss this common and often debilitating disease. Dr. Singh explains what it is and how it affects at at least 10% of women. He discusses how it is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed how this delay in diagnosis can have long term impacts. He then discusses some tests that can be used in the diagnosis, while acknowledging that in the past endometriosis has easily been missed on ultrasounds and MRI’s. He talks about how it can be treated and the severe complications he has seen in some women. Finally, Dr. Singh discusses the importance of social media in the advocacy of this disease and celebrities that have been affected by it.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the controversial topic of whether you can separate the art from the artist (3:05). They discuss various opinion articles on this subject and the 'cancelling’ of historical figures such as Oscar Wilde and various politicians. They discuss how different types of art may allow this separation to be made easier or harder. They compare authors to actors/directors to stand up comedians and singers. They also discuss how weak versus strong apologies can change someone’s viewpoint on an artist. The guys conclude by discussing the case of Michael Jackson and the sexual abuse allegations against him. Because Jackson suffered from vitiligo, in the second half the guys discuss this skin disease (38:36). Asif talks about the presumed cause as well as how it is diagnosed. Ali then asks Asif about the psychological toll the disease can take as well as the treatment and prognosis.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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After some listener mail, the guys discuss the career of Dave Chapelle (2:21). They start off by discussing his early life and his notable family history. They discuss his early failures, his success and his first special “Killing Them Softly”. They then talk about the groundbreaking ‘Chapelle’s Show’ and how Dave abruptly left the show at season 3. Finally they discuss their thoughts on Chappelle’s most recent Netflix stand up special ‘The Dreamer’ and the controversy surrounding some his jokes about the trans community.
Then, in the second half, the guys talk about the medical complications of cannabis (25:03). Asif goes over the common effects of acute cannabis intoxication. He then discusses how despite what many think, you can become addicted to cannabis. Asif then reviews how cannabis may impair brain development and how it is related to psychosis. He also discusses whether cannabis can be considered a gateway drug. Asif then goes over some of the more severe side effects including cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Ali then asks Asif about any updates regarding seizures and cannabis and also discusses the cultural role of cannabis in some societies.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Ali and Asif are back! In their return episode, the guys preview the 97th Annual Academy Awards Preview, taking place on March 10, 2024 (no medical topic this episode). The guys start off by discussing how Robbie Robertson from ’The Band’ was nominated posthumously for writing the music for ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’. And they also mention how John Williams, at age 92, received his 54th academy award nomination for ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’. The guys then go over their Oscar picks in the following categories: Original and Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Picture.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives.
Today Ali and Asif discuss the legendary soundtrack from the movie ‘Singles’ which was released 30 years ago. The guys start off by discussing the movie ‘Singles’, Cameron Crowe and how the movie potentially influenced the creation of ‘Friends’. The guys then go through each song on the album and give their thoughts on each track. They highlight how the album gained exposure for some ‘up and coming’ bands at the time, including Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and The Smashing Pumpkins. Then Ali asks Asif about borderline personality disorder (BPD). Asif starts off by talking about personality disorders and then explains the criteria for diagnosing someone with BPD. He then talks about risk factors for developing it as well as the neurobiology of BPD. He then concludes by discussing the treatment and prognosis of the disorder.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives.
Today on a very special episode, the guys we will be interview the trailblazing Canadian Music Icon Bif Naked. They start off by discussing Bif’s somewhat surprising connection to South Asia. Then then chat about Bif’s book from 2016 “I Bificius” and the challenges of opening yourself up in a memoir. Asif then asks Bif about her long standing fascination with medicine. Bif describes her lifelong interest in the field of medicine. Bif and the guys touch on her diagnosis of breast cancer and how that has informed her volunteer work as a death doula. Bif discusses her philanthropy, activism and how she thinks social media is actually a good thing (!). Then, in recognition of October being breast cancer awareness month, Bif highlights how important “the pink ribbon” movement is for those suffering from breast cancer and how vital it is to support charities that fund research into breast cancer. Finally, the guys discuss Bif’s new single “Rollerdome” and her upcoming album Champion, as well as the fact that she is the focus of the upcoming documentary by Jennifer Abbott entitled “Bif Naked: One of a Kind”. .
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives.
Today on a special episode, we will be hearing a preview of Ali’s new book ‘Is There Bacon in Heaven’, published by Simon and Shuster, coming out Sept 27. Before Ali gets started Asif discusses summer entertainment he has consumed including ‘Prey’, ‘Archer’, ‘She-Hulk’, ‘Harley Quinn’, ‘Rings of Power’ and ‘House of the Dragon’. Ali then treats us to a funny and poignant chapter focussing on his father’s life and death. During the excerpt, they guys take a brief digression to discuss pulmonary fibrosis, a disease which Ali’s father suffered from. Asif talks about what it is, how it is diagnosed and the risk factors for developing it. He then discusses the prognosis and the limited treatments for the condition.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives.
In this very special episode, Ali and Asif interview ophthalmologist, comedian and social media sensation Will Flannary aka Dr. Glaucomflecken. In their hilarious and wide ranging chat they discuss:
PLUS Ali asks random eye questions to Dr. Glaucomflecken!!!
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives.
In today’s episode, after a bit of listener mail about Ali’s love of Shonda Rimes (1:00), the guys discuss the issue of actors faking accents on movies and TV shows (2:09). Ali discusses Rizwan Manji from Schitt’s Creek and Aziz Ansari. Ali even discusses how he originally auditioned for the role of Ray Bhutani on Schitt’s Creek and his own experience with using an accent in roles. We also discuss the case of Paul Sun-Hyung Lee on Kim’s Convenience. They then discuss “The Problem with Apu”, the documentary by Hari Kondabolu, and Hank Anzaria. They discuss the historical example of Peter Sellers and “The Party”. Ali then talks about Hank Azaria’s recent appearance on “Armchair Expert” with Dax Shepard and Hank’s apology to South Asians. Then, Asif talks about so-called ‘miracle cures’ in medicine and his contempt of practitioners who peddle them (21:19). Ali then counters with the question of whether patients seek miracle cures because of a distrust of doctors and the medical system. They then discuss how distrust of the medical system can affect health outcomes and touch on the issue of race and its relation to medical distrust (and discuss Michael Che from Saturday Night Live). Asif then discusses what the medical community can do to improve trust.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes
: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/upshot/do-you-trust-the-medical-profession.html
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/2021/jan/medical-mistrust-among-black-americans
Today, Ali and Asif discuss comedian Ricky Gervais. They discuss his early life, including his stint in a New Wave Band in the early 1980’s. They then discuss the groundbreaking success of ‘The Office’ and some of his subsequent shows including ‘Extras’ and ‘After Life’. They pivot to then discussing his stand up comedy, including his hosting of the Golden Globes (and comparing him to recent host Joy Koy). After a digression about Gervais’ podcast, they guys talk about his Netflix comedy specials, including the controversy surrounding his most recent special “Armageddon’.
Gervais’ show ‘After Life’ was about a man battling depression, so in the second half, Ali asks Asif about this disorder. Asif talks about how common it is, and what we think causes it. He then goes over the symptoms of depression and how “Major Depressive Disorder” is diagnosed. He goes over the relationship of depression and suicide and the prognosis of depression. Asif then goes over the treatment of depression (not with dogs), with both medication and therapy. He then briefly touches on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today,in the first half of the episode, Ali and Asif review their favourite entertainment from 2023 (1:21). They discuss the best movies, Tv shows, movies and books from the year. Listen to hear what they thought about ‘Maestro’, ‘The Iron Claw’, ‘About My Father’, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’,‘Blackberry’, ‘Succession’, ‘The Bear’, ‘Shrinking’, ‘Beef’, ‘The Curse’ and ‘The Last of Us’. They also discuss comedy albums by Chris Rock and Mike Birbglia and music from boygenius and the Gaslight Anthem. Finally they discuss books such as ‘Sunshine Nails’ and podcasts such as ‘R U Springing Springsteen on my Bean’.
Then, they preview what entertainment they are looking forward to in 2024 (44:13) including numerous sequels to ‘Inside Out’, ‘Beetlejuice’, ‘Joker’’, ‘Gladiator’, ‘Deadpool’, and ‘Beverly Hills Cop’, as well as original movies such as ‘Mickey 17’ and ‘Megalopolis’. They also discuss upcoming TV shows such as ‘Penguin’, ‘X-Men ‘97’, ‘Kite Man’, Mr and Mrs. Smith and “The 3 Body Problem’.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the late Norman Lear (0:54) They discuss his early life (and how he based some of his characters on his parents), his military service and how he later began writing for television shows. They discuss his big breakthrough with ‘All in the Family’ and the various shows that sprung from it, including ‘Maude’, ‘Good times’, ‘The Jeffersons’, ‘One Day at a Time’ and many others. The guys then discuss Lear’s legacy and whether shows like ‘All in the Family’ could be made now.
Normal Lear’s official cause of death was due to “natural causes”. In the second half of the episode (23:41), the guys discuss exactly what this term means. Asif starts out by discussing how this is often used by coroners and pathologists, and distinguishes it from ‘non-natural causes’. Asif goes over the common causes of death in various parts of the world.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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To start off the new year, the guys discuss some listener feedback on their best albums of 1993. Then, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the late Andre Braugher from Brooklyn 99 and Homicide: Life on the Street (2:48). They discuss his early life, his schooling and his breakthrough in movies and tv shows, including Homicide: Life on the Street. They then discuss his breakthrough role as Captain Holt on ‘Brooklyn 99’.
Then since Braugher passed away after a short battle with lung cancer, in the second half off the episode, the guys discuss this deadly disease (21:08). Asif talks about how common it is and the major causes, including smoking. They then discuss the common symptoms as well as how it is diagnosed and treated. Finally, Asif talks about screening for lung cancer and how quitting smoking as soon as possible can reduce your risk.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Ali and Asif discuss the Netflix docuseries ‘Beckham’ (1:40). They start off by going over when they first heard about David Beckham, including a mention of the cult classic movie ‘Bend it Like Beckham’. They then discuss the genesis of the series, how David Beckham himself wanted to do it, and how actor Fisher Stevens came on board as a director. They talk about the structure of the series, Fisher Stevens’ directorial style and the fact that Beckham did not have final cut on the show. Ali and Asif then go over who comes off well and who does not in the doc. Finally they give their overall thoughts on the show and David Beckham himself.
Then, since David’s wife, Victoria, suffers from PCOS aka Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the guys then discuss this disorder (30:18). Asif goes over the common symptoms and how it represents hormonal dysregulation in the body, leading to menstrual problems, infertility and a masculine physical appearance. Asif then talks about how it is diagnosed and what tests your doctor can order. He then goes over the treatment,including the scary sounding “ laparoscopic ovarian drilling”.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today the guys discuss their favourite albums from 1993 (1:00). The guys each give their top 10 lists from the year. Then the guys discuss the issue of gum disease (38:30) and how it can be linked to other health conditions. Asif starts off with discussing the history of gum disease and how it was noted even in ancient man. He talks about how common it is and what the common symptoms are. Asif talks about how gum disease can be linked to inflammation and the evidence that it may be linked to heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and erectile dysfunction.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the controversy surrounding comedian Matt Rife (1:26). They guys start off by discussing when they first heard of Matt Rife and then go over Matt’s early life and career. They then go over how Matt Rife “blew up” on TikTok and other social media and now has become one of the biggest comedians on earth. Ali then describes how Matt Rife focuses on crowd work and the pros and cons of this approach. They also speak about how Matt’s physical appearance (read: he’s hot) plays into his comedy and fandom. They then discuss their thoughts on a few of his more recent comedy specials.
In Matt Rife’s special ‘Only Fans’, he discusses having a surgery on his breasts. In the second half of the episode, Asif discusses a possible diagnosis that would require this type of surgery – gynecomastia (25:18). Asif discusses what this is (breast development in men) and how it can be seen normally in babies, teens and the elderly. He then goes over other causes of gynecomastia, including medications, cancer and other hormonal imbalances.Asif talks about how Dwayne Johnson is rumored to have had surgery for gynecomastia and how the disorder has been linked to bodybuilding. Asif goes over how it is diagnosed as well as how it can be treated with medications or surgery.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On today’s episode Ali and Asif debate their favourite movies from 1993 (1:01). After a brief mention of Scarface from 1983, the guys discuss movies from 1993 did NOT make their top 10. Finally, the guys each give their top 10 lists from the year. Then the guys discuss anosmia aka the loss of smell (31:45). Ali introduces the topic by discussing chef and tv celebrity Joshna maharaj who came out about her diagnosis of anosmia several years ago. Asif talks about how smell works from a brain perspective and how it is related to taste. Ali then asks Asif about different types of smell loss and what causes them. They then discuss the relation between loss of smell and covid-19. Asif then goes over the natural history of these disorders and what investigations sometimes need to be done. Finally he discusses the prognosis and proposed treatment for anosmia and other disorders of smell.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Asif recently attended the U2 show at the Sphere in Las Vegas; many listeners had questions about this special show. So in the first half, Ali asks Asif about the show (2:14). The show takes place at the Sphere venue in Las Vegas. Asif discusses how the Sphere is 366 feet (112 m) high and 516 feet (157 m) wide at its broadest point and how it is the largest spherical building in the world at 875,000 sq ft (81,300 m2) and seats 18,600 people. He describes how the bowl-shaped theater contains the world’s highest-resolution wraparound LED screen and exterior is fitted with 1.2 million hockey puck-sized LEDs. Asif discusses how U2 was picked and how this residency was being done without drummer Larry Mullen Jr. Asif then gives his thoughts on the show, including the band playing 1991’s ‘Achtung Baby’ in its entirety.
Then Ali asks Asif about repetitive injuries in youth athletes (22:25). Asif discusses what puts children and teens at more risk for these injuries. They then discuss the common injuries youth can experience when playing single sports exclusively. Asif then discusses what players, coaches and athletes can do do prevent these injuries.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE MATTHEW PERRY FOUNDATION https://matthewperryfoundation.org/
Today, we will be discussing the life and career of the late Matthew Perry (0:57). The guys start off by shouting out an interview with Perry from last year on CBC’s Q with Tom Power. They then discuss his early life growing up in Ottawa and his “beating up” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when they were both children. They then go-over his early roles and his breakout success with ‘Friends’. They discuss his hit movies as well as other shows he has been on such as ‘Scrubs’ and ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’. Asif and Ali then segue into discussing Perry’s medical issues over the years, many of which were related to his addiction. In the second part, the guys discuss an approach to addiction in medicine (28:40). They talk about how common addiction is worldwide, but yet how many physicians feel untrained to discuss substance use with their patients. Asif discusses practical questions that can be asked to screen for alcohol or drug use. He then discusses ‘motivational interviewing’ for patients with addiction issues. Asif then discusses who patients with substance abuse and dependence can be referred to.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On today’s special episode, Ali and Asif answer listener questions about all things comedy, doctoring and… everything else. Join us as the guys answer questions about the ‘Barbie Movie’, ‘Odd Squad’, favourite candy, favourite restaurants, comedy crowds and Ali’s Mount Rushmore of comedy. The guys also answer some follow up questions on their episodes on sleep apnea, tv comedies. Jon Mulaney and hernias. They even discuss some topics that should eventually be full episodes, including the issue of hospital parking and the death of movie theaters.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of actor and comedian Martin Short in response to an article that recently appeared in Slate magazine (1:00). The guys start off by first discussing a bit of background on Martin Short’s early life and they provide some interesting trivia tidbits they found while doing their research, including Martin Short’s 9 categories for self evaluation. They then discuss the article from Slate magazine ‘Why We Keep Putting Up With Martin Short’ and the celebrities who came to his defense after the article. Ali and Asf then discuss their favourite Martin short characters and performances. Ali then discusses how Martin Short, Steve Martin and Tom Hanks have ‘colonoscopy parties’ to prepare for their procedures (27:50). The guys then segue into discussing colonoscopies. Asif talks about the indications for colonoscopies and what happens during the procedure. Asif discusses his experience with colonoscopies and the prep required. The guys discuss what can be found on colonoscopy and what the risks are for the procedure. Finally the guys discuss why the screening suggestions for colon cancer are different in the US vs Canada.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Asif and Ali discuss the new Netflix docuseries ‘Wrestlers’ (1:30). The guys discuss the director of the show, Greg Whiteley, and his other shows ‘Last Chance U’ and ‘Cheer’. They then discuss the main characters in the show, including former wrestler Al Snow, talk radio celebrity Matt Jones and breakout star . They discuss their thoughts on the show and how the show is really about showmanship, devotion to craft and putting everything on the line for a dream.
Then, since a character in ‘Wrestlers’ has what appears to be a seizure in one episode (mild spoiler), the guys then discuss seizures and pseudoseizures (24:40). Asif reviews the definition of seizures and epilepsy. He then goes over first aid for seizures and the dangers of brain injury with prolonged seizures (status epilepticus). In the show, the seizure appears to be precipitated by a stressful event. Asif explains that stress in and of itself does not really cause seizures, but it can be related to pseudoseizures aka non-epileptic events. These are a psychogenic type of disorder, also called conversion disorder or functional neurologic disorder. Asif talks about how these are often related to underlying stress or anxiety and how they can be related to a past history of psychological trauma. He describes how their appearance can be different from actual seizures and he also explains how a test (EEG) can help to differentiate these. Asif then goes over the treatment for this disorder.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show notes:
Based on a recent article from the AV club, Ali and Asif list their top 10 TV comedies from the 2000’s (2:03). See who made the list, and who was left off (horrific spoiler – the following shows did NOT make our top 10: Schitt’s Creek, Ted Lasso and Brooklyn 99).
Then the guys discuss the recent new article about a woman in Australia who had a parasitic worm removed from her brain (41:46). Asif discusses this rare diagnosis and how scientists eventually figured out it actually was a worm that typically infects pythons. Asif then discusses a much more common infection – neurocysticercosis which is a tapeworm infection of the brain. Asif discusses how common it is and how people can contract it (often by eating infected undercooked pork). Asif talks about the presenting symptoms and how it is one of the most common causes of epilepsy around the globe. He then goes over the treatment of the disease.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, the guys discuss the controversy surrounding comedian Hasan Minhaj and the recent New Yorker article ‘Emotional Truths’ by Clare Malone (1:52). Ali summarizes the bombshells in the article, including the fact that several of the stories Minhaj recounts in his stand up specials were untrue. The guys then compare Hasan’s case to other famous cases including Stephen Rannazzisi, who lied about being in the Twin Towers during 911 and news anchor Brian Williams who lied about being shot down in a military helicopter. The guys then discuss how the article causes one to re-evaluate Minhaj’s stand-up specials and if they feel the controversy will jeopardize him inheriting ‘The Daily Show’ from Trevor Noah.
Then the guys discussing Narcissistic personality disorder (30:23) (N.B. there is no evidence Hasan Minhaj has this disorder). Asif talks about the Greek myth it is based on as well as the diagnostic criteria. Asif discusses how it is diagnosed and how ‘countertransference’ can be a clue to the treating therapist that a patient has NPD. Asif then talks about the treatment and tip for practitioners who are seeing a patient with NPD. Finally the guys discuss whether Donal Trump had NPD and how psychiatrists were reminded to refrain from armchair analysis of public figures in 2016.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Ali and Asif discuss the career of the man, the myth, the legend, ‘The Boss’ Bruce Springsteen (2:03). They start off by discussing his early life growing up in New Jersey, his working class background, and how he feels somewhat like a ‘fraud’. Then they talk about his nickname ‘The Boss’ and how people call out “Bruuuuce” in his concerts. The guys then discuss famous covers of his songs and other trivia about Springsteen (Ali also tells a story about meeting Jake Clemons, from the E Street Band). They then each go over their favorite ‘hidden gems’ from Bruce Springsteen’s catalog.
Then Ali asks Asif about peptic ulcer disease (34:35), since Springsteen had to cancel several dates on his current tour because of complications of this disorder. Asif talks about what it is, how common it is and the main things that contribute to it, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and infection with the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori. Asif then talks about the presenting symptoms and how your doctor would test for it. He then goes over the treatment for peptic ulcer disease.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of a ny other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Ali and Asif discuss the life and career of singer and actress Selena Gomez (0:54). They start off by discussing her start with children’s shows and movies, including her involvement with the Disney Channel. They talk about her philanthropy and their favourite songs of Selena’s. Ali and Asif then discuss Selena’s recent TV successes including ‘Selena + Chef’ and ‘Only Murders in the Building’. Then then discuss the documentary on Selena’s life from last year’s ‘Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me’, on Apple TV+. The guys then talk about Selena’s health struggles with both bipolar disease and lupus. Then then do a deep dive into lupus (30:49) and discuss what it is, how it got its name and what causes it. Asif talks about how lupus is “the great mimicker” how how it can cause virtually any symptom in medicine. He then discusses how it is diagnosed and treated.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Last month, Paul Reubens, aka Pee Wee Herman passed away; for today's episode the guys review his life and career (1:10). They discuss his early background and his involvement with the Groundlings Comedy troupe. They then discuss the creation of the Pee Wee Herman character and Phil Hartman’s involvement with its development. They talk about how the character went on to a hit stage show in Los Angeles. They then talk about his cult hit movie “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” and the involvement of director Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman. The guys then discuss creation and success of “Pee Wee’s Playhouse”. They conclude by discussing his legacy as well as his unfortunate arrest in 1991 for indecent exposure.
Then Ali asks Asif about hernias (30:08) (and Ali also asks if he himself has a hernia). Asif defines the term hernia and discusses the different types, especially inguinal hernias which are the most common type in middle ages men (like Ali). They discuss the common symptoms as well as complications of hernias such as incarcerated or strangulated hernias.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Asif and Ali are back! After their brief hiatus over August, they return with a new episode. They start off by recapping what they did this past summer. Then, they each discuss their favorite entertainment from the summer of 2023 (4:33) (MILD SPOILERS AHEAD). Asif heaps praise on movies such as Oppenheimer, The Flash, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. He also discusses TV from this past summer including The Bear, What We Do in the Shadows, Harley Quinn, Fubar and Severance. Then Ali talks about what he caught up on over the summer including Succession, Never Have I Ever, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and The Marvelous Ms Maisel. He also praises the new novel ‘A History of Burning’.
In the second half of the show, Ali asks Asif about melatonin (25:11). Asif talks about the hormone, how it was discovered, and the main uses (for which there is scientific evidence). He then talks about the increased use of melatonin over time as well as children being inadvertently exposed to melatonin. He then discusses how many melatonin products contain too little or too much melatonin or contain other substances such as cannabidiol or serotonin. Then Asif briefly discusses other methods to improve sleep without melatonin.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/19/3934
To start the episode, Ali and Asif discuss the controversy surrounding country singer Miranda Lambert chastising concertgoers for taking selfies (0:48). Then, after a brief digression on Dana Carvey’s Joe Biden impression, Asif asks Ali about the surprise hit TV show ‘Jury Duty’ (10:32). They discuss the background of the show and how it is a combination of ‘The Office’ and ‘The Joe Schmo Show’. They then discuss how the show did not make much of a splash when it first debuted, but then gained buzz via TikTok. Ali and Asif then discuss the show’s reception and their thoughts on the show. They then discuss the Emmy nominations the show has received, including James Marsden for best supporting actor…for playing himself. Then the guys RE-discuss artificial sweeteners because of a new press-release issued by the WHO on the possible carcinogenic effects of aspartame (37:45). Asif explains how it was a joint press release, highlighting findings about aspartame are released today by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Overall, Asif explains how the IARC found “limited evidence” for carcinogenicity in humans aand classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans. He then explains that JECFA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight (ie an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 9–14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake). Asif clarifies how the agencies’ statements are "complementary" in that the two groups work differently, and have a different aim: while IARC flags a potential hazard based on even limited evidence, JECFA assesses the real-life risk.
A reminder that the pod will be taking a month off in August. Look for new episodes coming your way on Sept 8, 2023!
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Their Show Flew Under the Radar. TikTok Blew It Up: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/arts/television/jury-duty-freevee.html
How Jury Duty became the surprise comedy breakout of the year: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jul/17/show-jury-duty-amazon-freevee-tiktok
Today, Asif and Ali briefly continue their conversation from the last episode about ‘pitching’ and in doing so discuss Jason Sudeikis, ‘Ted Lasso’ and what makes someone successful in comedy (0:37). Ali then describes people who have pitched unsuccessfully to him. Then, Ali asks Asif about erectile dysfunction (7:27). Asif defines the terms, and discusses its many causes and how it is often an indicator of other health issues…a so-called canary in a coalmine. Asif discusses both the psychological and medical factors which can cause erectile dysfunction.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Asif asks Ali about how one “pitches TV shows and movies”. Ali describes his experiences pitching and the most important advice he has for prospective pitchers –
‘Know who you’re pitching to’ and ‘Know your own product’. Ali then describes how you write a pitch, what a ‘logline' is, and how shorter pitches are preferred. Ali then discusses how to present to a room and how to ‘play to your strengths’. He then discusses how you deal with studio ‘notes’, how he deals with ‘fakeness’ in entertainment and what the next steps are if your pitch is successful. Finally, Asif asks Ali about how far some of his projects got after a successful pitch.
After this, the guys were supposed to talk about erectile dysfunction. But, since they ran long on the first section, they decided to split the episode into two parts… tune in for erectile dysfunction next week!
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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At the beginning of the episode, Asif gives a story about how the podcast has been spreading by word of mouth… and sometimes how he is mistaken for a comedian. Then, Asif asks Ali to discuss his 5 reasons to go into comedy (4:31) – then Ali gives his top 5 reasons to NOT go into comedy. Then they flip things around and Ali asks Asif about his reasons to pursue and not pursue a career in Medicine (30:28).
DO go into COMEDY because it is :
DON'T go into COMEDY because:
DO go into MEDICINE because:
DON’T go into MEDICINE because:
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Ali and Asif discuss the issue of “stage names” in Hollywood (1:03). They start by discussing how the topic came up on the podcast ‘Smartless’, when Keanu Reeves discussed how he was encouraged to change his name when he was breaking into the acting industry. Then Asif asks Ali if Ali ever thought about change his name. The guys then discuss entertainers going by their middle name (ie William Bradley Pitt) as well as those that have completely made up names (ie the Weeknd, Englebert Humperdink). They then discuss entertainers who change their names – some for selfish reasons and some to avoid racism in Hollywood associated with their birth names. They also discuss performers who did not change their name, despite pressure from Hollywood. Then Ali asks Asif about dyslexia (which Keanu Reeves suffers from) (32:17). Asif discusses the definition of developmental dyslexia as well as how it is more than “reversing letters”. Asif explains how it is really a problem with ‘decoding’ and how it affects up to 7% of the population. He then discusses how it is diagnosed, diseases it is associated with, and what we think causes it. Finally, Asif discusses the treatment for dyslexia.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Asif and Ali discuss the hit TV show ’The Bear’, which recently returned for its second season (2:46). Then, since ‘The Bear’ takes place in a restaurant, in the second half, they discuss food poisoning. They start off by discussing the background of the show and how it is based on a real restaurant in Chicago. Asif then asks Ali about how well the show represents real-life restaurant kitchens. The guys then take a brief digression on the history of Italian Beef sandwiches in Chicago. The guys then give their thoughts on the show, including the amazing episode 7. Then the guys discuss food poisoning (30:42). Asif defines the terms and talks about how common it is. He then discusses the major foods that can give you food poisoning as well as the main virus, bacteria and parasites that cause it. They then discuss how some food poisoning can take days or even weeks to develop. Asif then talks about the treatment as well as steps that can be taken to prevent food poisoning.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif review a movie they saw together recently in an actual movie theatre –‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3’ (2:52). They start off by discussing where we last left off with the Guardians in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They then discuss the original hiring of director James Gunn for the franchise several years ago and the controversy regarding his firing and rehiring by Marvel in 2018. They discuss how integral Gunn is to ‘Guardians’ and how the character of Rocket (played by Bradley Cooper) is central to the storyline. They also discuss Gunn’s future as the cinematic mastermind of future Superman movies and the DC Cinematic Universe as a whole. The guys then give their spoiler-free review of the movie and then discuss some plot points – SPOILERS for GOG Vol3 start at 21:48. Then the guys discuss artificial sweeteners (24:24). Asif starts off by discuss what artificial sweeteners are and the different types. Then Ali ask Asif about the recent WHO statement regarding how artificial sweeteners do not contribute to weight loss. Asif goes over the scientific evidence behind the WHO’s position. He then discusses how artificial sweeteners have not convincingly be linked to cancer.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the life and career of the late, great Tina Turner (0:40). The discuss Tina’s early life (born Anna Mae Bullock). They discuss how she met Ike Turner, how they formed the Ike and Tina Turner Review, their history of domestic abuse and her eventual split from Ike. They then discuss her uber-successful solo career and the movie “What’s Love Got to Do with It”. They then discuss her health issues, death, legacy and their favourite Tina Turner songs.
Then, since Tina Turner had many complications from hypertension (high blood pressure), in the second half Asif reviews this disorder with Ali (25:15). He discusses the definition, what constitutes high blood pressure and the presumed causes. He then goes over how common it is, how it is diagnosed and the tests your doctor will do to measure your blood pressure. The guys then discuss the major complications from hypertension and why it is called the “silent killer”. Asif then goes over medications and lifestyle changes that can help with high blood pressure.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On a special episode, Ali and Asif interview comedian, producer and podcaster Graham Clark (‘Stop Podcasting Yourself’). The guys start off by asking Graham about his early days in comedy (with praise for the legendary Brent Butt) and his love of libraries. They then discuss how he got into podcasting, how they choose guests and the logo for ‘Stop Podcasting Yourself’. Ali then asks Dave about his beard and his beard paintings. They then discuss his one man show ‘Graham Clark reads the Phone Book’, his ‘Comedy Now’ special from several years ago, and the 24 hour comedy marathons he has done for charity.
Graham then sticks around as the guys discuss food allergies (33:55). Asif reviews the common food allergies and Graham discusses his numerous allergies and how he deals with them. Asif then discuss allergy testing and Graham recounts his extreme reactions to these skin prick tests. Graham discusses how allergies were less emphasized when he was younger which segues into the topic of allergy bullying. Asif starts by starting off by discussing how common allergy bullying is in both the US and Canada. They discuss some lawsuits regarding allergy bullying in the USA as well as the controversy regarding allergy bullying in the kids movie ‘Peter Rabbit’. Graham then concludes by discussing how he avoids allergens in his daily life.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif interview award winning screenwriter Ramona Barkert (‘Degrassi’, ‘The Hardy Boys’, ‘Wynona Earp’) about how one gets into screenwriting, the creative process and how “writers rooms” function (0:54). They discuss the term “showrunner” and what the duties of that position entail. Ramona then goes over how one writes a season of television, individual episodes and even individual scenes. Although Ramona is not a member of the Writers Guild of America, she then gives an outsiders view on the recent writers strike in the USA (33:36). They talk about the differences between screenwriting in the US and Canada and what the main issues are in the WGA strike. They then discuss about how some shows are still in production and how projects that continued in production during the last writer’s strike ended up as less than successful (ie ‘Quantum of Solace’). Finally Ramona and the guys discuss the issue of AI in screenwriting.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On today’s episode the guys discuss superstar actor Michael J Fox and the new documentary on his life, ‘Still’ (0:52). The guys start off with the discussion with the story behind the “J” in Michael's name and his early life in British Colombia. They then discuss when they first encountered him in the NBC sitcom ‘Family Ties’. Asif and Ali then discuss Fox’s breakthrough in ‘Back to the Future’, as well as his other hit films. They then discuss his return to television with ‘Spin City’ and how his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at age 29 factored into this. They then discuss their thoughts on the new documentary on Fox’s life ‘Still’, directed by Davis Guggenheim.
Then the guys discuss Parkinson’s disease (27:02). Asif talks about what we know about the cause, the primary symptoms and how it is diagnosed. He then discusses the treatment how the the side effects from Parkinson’s disease medications can cause their own problems. Asif then goes over surgery for Parkinson’s, including deep brain stimulation. He then discuss a major scientific breakthrough in Parksonson’s disease via research funded by the Michael J Fox Foundation.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, to start off, the guys clarify an error from a few episodes ago regarding Netflix’s pricing tiers (1:24). Then Ali and Asif review Jon Mulaney’s new special ‘Baby J’ (4:20). Before this they briefly review Jon Mulaney’s career as a standup comedian and as a writer for ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘The Snack Lunch Bunch’. SPOILERS for the special start at 10:20. Then, since Mulaney’s special is about his recovery from cocaine addiction, Ali asks Asif about Cocaine toxicity (45:14). Asif first discusses the history of cocaine use and abuse throughout history. He then discusses how cocaine causes its effects on the body as well as the symptoms of cocaine intoxication.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today the guys discuss the legendary metal band Motley Crue as well as ankylosing spondylitis, a disease which Motley Crue Guitarist Mick Mars suffers from. But before this, Asif tells a little known story about Chris Rock from his childhood, which directly ties in to the whole Chris Rock/Will Smith slap (1:25).
Then they discuss Motley Crue (5:35), Ali’s early fandom and how Asif was “afraid” of metal bands back in the day. After recounting the early days of the band, the guys discuss how the band came up with their name. They then recount their infamous 1982 Canadian Tour and how the band’s controversial image was actually manufactured. They then discuss some of their infamous exploits including Vince Neil being found guilty of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter as well as Nikki Sixx’ drug overdoses. The guys then discuss their mainstream breakthrough with 1989’s ‘Dr. Feelgood’. Ali and Asif then discuss the book and movie about the band, both entitled ‘The Dirt’. They then discuss Mick Mars’ lawsuit against the band, based on his diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (28:42). Ali asks Asif about this disorder, what it is, what causes it and the common symptoms (30:57). Asif then gives the “red flags” regarding when to be worried about inflammatory back pain vs mechanical back pain. Asif discusses how ankylosing spondylitis is diagnosed as well as the prognosis and treatment.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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As a bit of bonus content the guys first offer a correction about ‘Rick and Morty’ from a previous episode. Then, since it has been a month since the finale of ‘The Last of Us’, the guys give a SPOILER FILLED review of the finale and the series as whole. Plus Asif compares the show to the video game and whether the creators succeeded in proving that video games can be art.
Today, given the recent release of U2’s 40 song album ‘Songs of Surrender’ and their documentary on Disney plus, the guys discuss the band U2 (1:32) and give their top 5 U2 songs. Ali starts off by talking about the funny coincidence between his book and Bono’s book ‘Surrender’, as well the band ‘Inhaler’. They start off by discussing the early days of the band and their tremendous success over the years. They then discuss the new documentary on Disney Plus ‘Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman’ and whether 40 songs is too much for a new album. They talk about a hilarious incident between former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin and Bono. Then they both list their top 5 U2 songs (17:15).
U2’s drummer has had some health problems as of late… we have no evidence that he has gout, but nevertheless, the guys discuss gout in the second half of the pod (36:34). Asif talks about the definition of gout and how it is caused by the deposition of uric acid in your joints in people who have difficulty eliminating uric acid from your body. He then describes the classic exquisitely painful gout attacks. Asif then goes over the major foods that can trigger gouty attacks. The guys then discuss whether Ali was actually diagnosed with gout or not. Asif then talks about how you treat gout and prevent gouty attacks.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the legendary comedian Chris Farley (1:15). They go over his early life and then highlight some of his famous sketches including ‘Matt Foley’ and the Chippendales sketch with Patrick Swayze. They then transition into talking about his movies including ‘Tommy Boy’ and ‘Beverly Hills Ninja’, as well as the movies he ended up not making, including ‘Shrek’ and ‘The Cable Guy’. They discuss Chris’ love of John Belushi and how both comedians ended up dying from drug overdoses.
Heart disease and atherosclerosis were contributing factors in Chris Farley’s death from a drug overdose and in the second on half, the guys discuss atherosclerosis (35:43). Asif discusses the risk factors as well as the organs that atherosclerosis can affect (mainly heart, brains, intestines, peripheral blood vessels). The guys then take a quick aside to discuss the increased risk of atherosclerosis in South Asians. Then Asif talks about drugs and lifestyle modifications that can decrease your risk of atherosclerosis.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes:
Today, Ali and Asif review Chris Rock’s recent live Netflix special ‘Selective Outrage’ (0:53)(SPOILERS for the special follow). The guys actually decide to go through the special in chronological order and highlight the highs and lows of Chris’s set (end SPOILERS at 29:10). Then Ali asks Asif about migraines. Asif talks about how common migraines are and what the main symptoms are. He then discusses why we think migraines occur and what the main triggers are for migraine attacks. The guys then discuss what people can do to help with migraines. Finally Asif goes over when to worry about headaches and when you might need a brain scan.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today Ali and Asif discuss the cult classic TV show about caterers in Hollywood, ‘Party Down’ (3:57). Before getting into the show, Asif asks Ali about his highs and lows working as a caterer. Asif then tells an anecdote about him volunteering at Norman Jewison’s barbeque at the Toronto International Film Festival (the female Canadian rock star he saw there). Then the guys talk about how the television show ‘Party Down’ came about, its connection with Paul Rudd, its eventual cancellation and its recent return this year. Then, Ali and Asif talk about misophonia (34:23). Asif explains how the condition is literally the hatred of certain sounds ie chewing or slurping and how it is unclear if it is a psychological or mental disorder. He talks about how common it is and how people with misophonia have intense (anger) responses to triggering sounds. He then talks about the theories on why it develops, the treatment and the prognosis.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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On today’s episode, Ali asks Asif about the phenomenon of synesthesia (2:33). Asif gives the definition of the term and gives several examples of synesthesia. He discusses how it is thought to possibly be genetic, and describes how common it is (occurs in 1 in 2000 people!). Asif talks about acquired cases (i.e. from strokes) as well as the theories as to what causes this phenomenon (disinhibited feedback between regions vs the amount or pattern of dendritic and/or axonal connections). Then Asif gives Ali a quiz on famous people who are reported to have synesthesia (17:44).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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On today’s episode, Asif asks Ali about different comedy styles and why aspiring comedians would choose to adopt a particular style (1:54). He goes over ‘one-liner’, ‘storytelling’, ‘observational’ styles. He then goes over comics who adopt characters, shock/insult comics, prop/magic/music comedians, and political comics. Then Ali asks Asif about obstructive sleep apnea (33:45). Asif talks about his personal experiences with being diagnosed with sleep apnea. He then goes over how common sleep apnea is, the causes, risk factors and symptoms. Asi discusses the warning signs as well as what the testing for sleep apnea entails. Asif then talks about CPAP as a treatment for sleep apnea, as well as other possible treatments.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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On this special episode, the guys interview physician and podcaster Dr. Mark Shapiro, host of the ‘Explore the Space’ podcast and ‘Med Lasso’. The guys ask Mark about his “origin story” and how he got started in medicine and podcasting. He goes into detail on how he eventually went into Internal Medicine and became a hospitalist. Mark discusses how the name “Explore the Space” came from the Saturday Night Live “More Cowbell” sketch…and then the guys take a digression to review their favourite SNL sketches. Asif then asks Mark about how he has come around to using social media to connect with others and as an advocacy tool. Ali then asks Mark about gun control… and Mark quickly points out how that term is used by pro-gun advocates to sow discord. Mark then addresses the controversy several years ago when physicians were told to “stay in your lane” regarding gun violence in the US.
The guys then segue into a discussion about entertainment, with Mark starting off by talking about his love for Robin Williams. The guys then discuss the influence of Robin Williams on the character of Ted Lasso. Mark discusses his love for ‘Ted Lasso’, how he decided to do the ‘Med Lasso’ episodes of his podcast and why ‘Ted Lasso’ resonates so much with the medical community. All three then preview the upcoming 3rd season of ‘Ted Lasso’.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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In this special episode, the guys preview the 96th Annual Academy Awards Preview, taking place on March 12, 2023 (no medical topic this episode). The guys start off by discussing how other awards (SAG awards, Directors’ guild, Producers’ Guild, Golden Globes, Writer’s Guild can sometimes predict the Oscars. They guys then go through each category as well as their individual pics. During the Best Actress pics, the guys go over the controversy regarding the nomination of Andrea Riseborough and why the Academy launched an investigation into her nomination. They also discuss how her nomination may have excluded some prominent black actresses.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif debate the merits of the cult-classic television show ‘Community’ (1:31). They start off by discussing how it was created by Dan Harmon after ‘Rick and Morty’ and then discuss Harmon’s writing style. Then then discuss the sexual misconduct allegations against Dan Harmon and his eventual apology to Megan Ganz, one of the women he harassed. Then Asif discusses how he finds the show clever, but not especially funny…and Ali disagrees. Arguments ensue.
Then they discuss the pros and cons of virtual medicine (34:18). Asif starts by discussing the various types of virtual medicine and how its use has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. He discusses the benefits of virtual medicine and uses ‘telestroke’ as an example. Ali discusses his negative experiences with virtual medicine and Asif talks about some of the concerns the medical community has with virtual medicine.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today the guys discuss the implication for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in comedy/entertainment and medicine. The guys go over the basics of AI (1:10) and discuss the rise of Chat GPT. Ali then references how he was on the CBC show “Because News” and how he competed with Chat GPT to come up with a sonnet about hamburgers. Ali then talks about AI in comedy and how some developers created a robot who does stand up comedy. Ali then gives examples of how AI created an “Ali Hassan” stand up routine as well as a screenplay based on Ali and Asif’s (and friends’) lives. They then discuss the use of ChatGPT by students and the concerns raised by academia.
Then Asif discuss AI in medicine (34:23. Asif starts the “Pie in the Sky” ideal of AI assisting doctors and patients. Asif reviews the use of AI to date in radiology, pathology, cardiology, neurology and in endoscopies. He then goes over the significant limitations and concerns associated with AI in medicine.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the hit TV show ‘The Last of Us’ (0:56). Asif starts off by discussing the game it is based on and whether video games can be considered ‘art’. Then the guys discuss the challenges of adapting video games to other media. They then discuss the development of the show and how the creators avoided the ‘video game curse’. The guys then give their thoughts on the show. Then Ali asks Asif about fungal infections (22:13). Asif starts off by defining what fungi are and describes some common fungal infections found on the skin. He then talks about more invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals. Finally, Ali asks Asif if the “zombie fungus” that can infect ants could jump to humans.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today for our 100th episode, Asif and Ali welcome back one of their most popular guests, Will Flannary aka social media star Dr. Glaucomflecken. As a bonus they are also joined by Will’s wife Kristen Flannary, aka Lady Glaucomflecken. They guys ask Will and Kristin about their busy lives with Glaucomflecken.com and balancing work and family and how they met back in college. They then ask about Will’s cardiac arrest in 2020 and how Kristen had to do CPR on Will for 10 minutes. They clarify how Will had a cardiac arrest and not a heart attack and how doctors never found a cause for his arrest. They talk about Kristen’s role increasing awareness of both CPR as well as co-survivors of medical trauma.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of actor Chris Hemsworth. They discuss his background, his early roles and his breakthrough roles in “Star Trek” and ‘Thor” (1:00). Then Asif gives Ali a trivia quiz on all things Hemsworth. Then, the guys discuss how on Chris’ new show “Limitless”, he discusses that genetic testing reveals that he has an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Asif starts off by giving a bit of background on Allzheimers, what causes it and how common it is (15:49). He then talks about how it is diagnosed as well as the treatment and prognosis. Asif talks about the current treatment as well as the promising new drug Lecanemab. Then Ali brings up the testing done by Dr. Peter Attia on Limitless which revealed that Chris has 2 copies of the APOE4 gene which increases his risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 8-10 times.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today on a special episode, Ali and Asif interview actress, comedian and YouTube sensation Julie Nolke. They start off by discussing Julie’s background and how she almost pursued engineering before studying theatre. She then discusses how she struggled for years with auditioning before finding her voice on YouTube. They then discuss her viral hit video “Explaining the pandemic to my past self”, which has over 20 million views. Ali then asks Julie about online criticism which is often sexist when it comes to female comedians. Jule then describes her creative process and the work involved in putting out her weekly videos on her YouTube channel. The guys then ask Julie about her collaborations with Ryan George and Bruce McCulloch. Finally the guys talk about Julie and Ali both being cast on ‘Run the Burbs’ and discuss the second season of the hit sitcom.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today the guys discuss the career of actress and comedian Mindy Kaling (2:12). Ali and Asif start off her background and when they first saw her on television. They then talk about her roles in ‘The Office’, ‘The Mindy Project’ and her creating ‘Never Have I Ever’, as well as her book “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?”. Then, Asif tells the unbelievable story about Mindy’s brother pretending to be black to get into medical school in the USA.
The guys then discuss the diabetes and weight loss medication semaglutide (Ozempiv, Wegovy) (25:14). NB although the gossip pages have alleged Mindy Kaling has used this medication for weight loss, there is NO EVIDENCE that Mindy has used this medication. Asif talks about how the medication works and the evidence for its use in diabetes and obesity.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the phenomenon of “Nepo Babies” in Hollywood (1:30). They talk about the origin of the term, which was coined by Meriem Derradji, a 25-year-old Canadian tech-support worker while commenting on Maude Apatow from ‘Euphoria’ being the daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann. Then the guys give the audience a quiz, asking if they can guess the famous father of the lead singer of the band ‘Inhaler’. Asif then asks Ali if he has encountered the “Nepo Baby” phenomenon over the course of his entertainment career. They then discuss various ‘Nepo Babies” in Hollywood as well as some quotes from them. Then the guys discuss Type 2 diabetes (37:06). They discuss the differences from Type 1 diabetes and how the incidence is increasing. They then discuss the causes and risk factors for Type 2 diabetes as well as how doctors test for it. Asif then goes over the complications as well as what people can do to help manage the disease.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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The guys start off by welcoming everyone to 2023 and they also talk about their recent trip to Dubai. They then discuss the career of Celine Dion (4;16). Ali talks about how he heard about her in the 80’s while growing up in Quebec. They talk about her crossover success with her English albums and her mega hits “Beauty and the Beast” and “My Heart Will Go on”. They then go over some little known facts about her life and career. Then Ali asks Asif about Celine’s recent diagnosis of Stiff-Person Syndrome (26:53). Asif talks about the symptoms, cause and how it is diagnosed. He then goes over the treatment and prognosis for the disorder.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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As a year-end treat, the guys go over their favourite entertainment from 2022… and decide to omit a medical topic. Ali and Asif start off by talking about their favourite books they read last year. Then they discuss what they listened to last year including music and podcasts. The guys then compare notes on their favourite tv shows and movies from this past year.
NB: The pod will be taking the next two weeks off. We will see all of you in the new year!
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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WARNING: Explicit Language in this episode
Today Asif and Ali are pleased to welcome comedian Steve Way, co-star of the hit Hulu show ‘Ramy’ (0:57). They talk about how Steve got into comedy, his influences, and some of the barriers he has faced being a comedian with a disability. Ali then asks Steve about his past employment as a substitute teacher and Steve talks about how much he enjoyed interacting with and teaching high school students. They then discuss how Steve got his role on ‘Ramy’ and Bella Hadid playing his fiance this season. Ali then asks Steve about his advocacy for patients with disabilities. They then talk to Steve about living with his rare form of muscular dystrophy, Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, his interaction with health professionals and his diagnostic odyssey. Steve highlights how important it is for health professionals to discuss reproductive issues with patients who have disabilities.
Check out Steve’s 1 hour set at Caveat in NYC on Dec 29!
Then Ali and Asif do deep dive into muscular dystrophy (28:37), specifically the most common form, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Asif goes over the cause, symptoms, prognosis and treatment. Then Asif discusses the rare entity Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. He then goes over some potential existing gene therapies for muscular dystrophy.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today the guys start of with some (good/bad??) news about the podcast TikTok account. Then the guys discuss their favourite albums from 1992 (5:25). The guys each give their top 10 lists from the year. Then Ali asks Asif about the sometimes controversial topic of circumcision (45:13). Asif talks about the history of the practice and some of the criticisms of it. Then Asif talks about whether there is evidence for health benefits from circumcision and also talks about the risks of the procedure. He then concludes by stating that most pediatrics groups do not recommend routine circumcision for all newborn males in North America; however if parents are considering the procedure for their child, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Jay Leno is now at home recovering from serious burn injuries; on today’s episode, Asif and Ali discuss Jay’s career and accomplishments. However to start off, Ali asks Asif about how common burns are and the differences between first, second and third degree burns (1:20). Asif then goes over how to treat burns and the use of hyperbaric oxygen for burns. They then discuss Jay Leno’s career and his early life (and specifically mention that they will NOT be talking a lot about Conan or cars) (15:17). They discuss his early comedy career and how he became the heir apparent to Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show”. They then discuss some infamous stories from Leno’s life. Finally Asif asks Ali about Jay Leno’s legacy in comedy.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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On this special episode, Ali and Asif interview the hosts of ‘The Gritty Nurse Podcast’, Amie Archibald Varley and Sara Fung. They start off by asking Amie and Sara their origin stories, how they got into nursing and how they started their podcast. Amie and Sara then discuss the issues of hierarchy and bullying in the culture of nursing. They speak about the success of their podcast and their favorite episodes. They then discuss the current crisis in nursing in Canada and the rest of North America, violence towards health care professionals, and the issue of burnout in nursing.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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With Elon Musk now having purchased Twitter, the guys devote an episode to Twitter and Comedy and Twitter and Medicine. Asif starts off by asking Ali if there is any positive effects of Twitter on Comedy (0:58); then Asif challenges Ali with the opposite question, namely “has Twitter ruined comedy”? Ali uses the examples of comedians getting canceled (ie Kurt Metzger) and why comedians need to be extra careful on social media. They then discuss how while comedians have to be careful, non-comedians need to be even more careful on social media. Asif then ask Ali about comedians stealing jokes from people on Twitter. Then Ali asks Asif about Twitter and medicine (24:28). Asif starts out with highlighting the good of Twitter and medicine including the ease of access, facilitating collaborations, extending reach and cutting edge information. Asif then asks the question “Would Hippocrates be on twitter”? Ali asks Asif about the credibility of medicine and they discuss how tweets have no conflicts of interest. Asif then discusses how doctors may be tweeting when they should be seeing patients. They then delve into the larger issue of doctors being “unprofessional” on Twitter. Asif talks about the mini-experiment he did asking doctors about whether they get consent beforehand. He then brings up the “medbikini” backlash on Twitter with respect to a vascular surgery article on “professional” behaviour on social media.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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This past month was breast cancer awareness month and in the last episode we did the entertainment part, with an interview with musician and Bif Naked (who is herself a breast cancer survivor). Today we will be doing a deep dive into breast cancer. Asif starts out by mentioning that a lot of the main points for the episode today were informed by a conversation with Dr. Tulin Cil, breast surgical oncologist from the University of Toronto. Ali starts off by asking how common breast cancer is and what the main symptoms are. They then discuss the age it occurs and what the risk factors are for developing it. Asif specifically discusses the genetic risk factors and how “dense” breasts can predispose you to breast cancer. Asif then talks about how it is diagnosed and treated, as well as the prognosis, which is much better for those diagnosed early. They then discuss some “hot button” topics in breast cancer, including lowering the age of screening to 40, as well as the issue of prophylactic mastectomy.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today on a very special episode, the guys interview the trailblazing Canadian Music Icon Bif Naked. They start off by discussing Bif’s somewhat surprising connection to South Asia. Then then chat about Bif’s book from 2016 “I Bificius” and the challenges of opening yourself up in a memoir. Asif then asks Bif about her long standing fascination with medicine. Bif describes her lifelong interest in the field of medicine. Bif and the guys touch on her diagnosis of breast cancer and how that has informed her volunteer work as a death doula. Bif discusses her philanthropy, activism and how she thinks social media is actually a good thing (!). Then, in recognition of October being breast cancer awareness month, Bif highlights how important “the pink ribbon” movement is for those suffering from breast cancer and how vital it is to support charities that fund research into breast cancer. Finally, the guys discuss Bif’s new single “Rollerdome” and her upcoming album Champion, as well as the fact that she is the focus of the upcoming documentary by Jennifer Abbott entitled “Bif Naked: One of a Kind”. .
Catch Bif at her upcoming show on November 4th at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa, Ontario!
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the legendary actor and comedian Robin Williams. The guys start off by discussing their early exposure to Robin Williams including ‘Popeye’, ‘Mork and Mindy’ Robin’s early HBO specials (including Comic Relief). They then discuss some interesting facts about Robin’s early life. They go over some interesting trivia about Robin, his pivotal movies and his legacy in stand-up comedy. Then Ali asks Asif about Dementia with Lewy Bodies, which Robin suffered from. Asif starts off by defining what Lewy Bodies are and their connection to dementia and Parkinson’s disease. They then discuss the symptoms Robin suffered from and how these symptoms (retrospectively) fit completely the criteria for Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today in follow up to our discussion of “Sort Of” with Bilal Baig, we discuss how to improve the health care of trans and non-binary persons. The guys start off their discussion with Dr. Laura Stratton, a family physician with a specialization in 2SLGBTQ+ care who practices at the Connect Clinic in Toronto, Ontario (3:53). They discusses the challenge of trans and non-binary persons in accessing health care. Then they ask Dr. Stratton about how to improve the training of family doctors in 2SLGBTQ+ health during their their residency training. The guys then ask Dr. Stratton about where doctors should start if they are uneducated about 2SLGBTQ+ health and the Trans Health Guide for physicians created by Rainbow Health Ontario and discuss why health care for trans and non-binary patients is such an urgent matter.
Then the guys chat with Dr. Carys Masserella who is the lead physician at the transgender care clinic at Quest Community Health Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario (29:36) . They discuss how Dr. Masseralla decided on medicine as a career, specializing in emergency medicine, and how she started her transgender care clinic. They discuss how to improve the primary care of trans and non-binary patients including advice on when to refer for hormone therapy and surgery. Dr. Massarella also discusses the special situation of children who identify as trans and how to counsel parents in this situation. Asif then asks Dr. Massarella about the term “gender dysphoria” and about news reports that the diagnosis of gender dysphoria has been increasing over time. Ali then asks Dr. Massarella about her projects on Amazon Prime’s OUTtv channel “My Trans Journey '' and “Translating Beauty”.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today on a special episode, Ali and Asif interview Bilal Baig, star of the CBC and HBO Max series “Sort of” who made history by Made history by being the first South Asian, queer Muslim actor to star in aCanadian prime-time TV series. The guys start off by asking Bilal about their early life and growing up as a second generation South Asian in the Toronto area. Bilal talks about how initially they were a shy child but eventually found writing and theatre as a calling. Bilal then talks about the creation of their play “Acha Bacha”. They then describe creating ‘Sort Of’ with Fab Filippo. Ali asks Bilal about their comedy influences and their dry sense of humor displayed in ‘Sort Of’. All three then discuss the success and critical accolades given to ‘Sort Of’ (whose second season premieres Nov 15 on CBC and Dec 1 on HBO Max).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif debate the best movies from 1982, one of the best years for movies ever (1:02)! See which ones they agree on, which ones they disagree on, which ones they shockingly have not seen. Then Ali asks Asif about meat allergies (39:20). Asif explains how the idea of mammalian meat allergies was first described and describes how they are caused by tick bites (and how they are NOT related to Lyme disease). Asif explains the allergic symptoms they develop and what meats provoke them. Asif then explains how to prevent it and how genetic engineering has now created pigs that do not cause this allergic reaction.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Asif and Ali discuss polio and it’s recent resurgence. Asif starts off by discussing the history of polio from Egyptian times to the 20th century. He then talks about the symptoms of polio and how some people can suffer from ‘post-polio syndrome’ years after infection. Asif then discusses how vaccination efforts have lead (up until recently) to near-eradication of the disease worldwide. He then discusses the relationship between vaccines and the new cases of polio (its complicated) seen the UK, Israel and the USA. In the second half of the show, Asif then quizzes Ali about 4 famous people who had polio in the “Doctor Vs Comedian Polio Quiz”. As a postscript, the guys discuss how Franklin Deleanor Rossevelt likely did NOT have polio, but more likely had Guillain Barre Syndrome.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today on a special episode, we will be hearing a preview of Ali’s new book ‘Is There Bacon in Heaven’, published by Simon and Shuster, coming out Sept 27. Before Ali gets started Asif discusses summer entertainment he has consumed including ‘Prey’, ‘Archer’, ‘She-Hulk’, ‘Harley Quinn’, ‘Rings of Power’ and ‘House of the Dragon’. Ali then treats us to a funny and poignant chapter focusing on his father’s life and death. During the excerpt, they guys take a brief digression to discuss pulmonary fibrosis, a disease which Ali’s father suffered from. Asif talks about what it is, how it is diagnosed and the risk factors for developing it. He then discusses the prognosis and the limited treatments for the condition.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, the guys discuss the life and career of Ashton Kutcher (1:07). They discuss his early life, his family and how he became a model and later an actor. They discuss his early career hits, including ‘That 70’s Show’ and ‘Punk’d’. They discuss his marriages to Demi Moore and Mila Kunis and the fact that his girlfriend he was dating in 2001 was horrifically murdered by a serial killer. They discuss his business and investing career and how he is in some way more successful in the ventures as opposed to in acting. They also discuss his controversial ad for “Popchips” involving an Indian accent and brownface. They then discuss how Ashton Kutcher disclosed on an episode of ‘Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge” that he suffers from a rare form of vasculitis which caused problems with his vision, imbalance and equilibrium (16:49). Ali challenges Asif to do ‘House MD’- style detective work to try and figure out exactly what type of vasculitis Ashton had. Asif speculates that Ashton may have had a rare type of brain vasculitis called ‘Central Nervous System Vasculitis (or Angiitis)’. He then briefly discussed how it is also possible he may have had two other even rarer diseases: Susac’s Syndrome and CLIPPERS (chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes:
Ashton Kutcher Popchips advert: Racism storm after actor plays Indian man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW5aLNpiV-s
Ashton Kutcher Couldn't See, Hear or Walk From Autoimmune Disorder (EXCLUSIVE):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxdti2eB-Ow
For part 2 of our discussion of ‘This Hour has 22 minutes’, the guys interview one of the stars of ‘This Hour’ Trent McLellan. Trent talks about growing up in Newfoundland and his love of soccer. He talks working for frat the Boys and Girls Club eventually moving to Calgary and pursuing comedy. Trent talks about racism but also the fact that he never used racism as a “crutch”. They discuss the highs and lows of comedy, the need for perseverance, and how Trent eventually got the call to be on ‘This Hour has 22 Minutes’. Trent talks about how they come up with material on ‘This Hour’ and how to not worry about the lens with which people interpret one’s comedy writing, and ignoring the “comments section”. He talks about the pace of the show and how once you are done one episode, you are on to the next as well as his connection to fans of the show. Ali then asks Trent about the access the show has to politicians and how this is unique when comparing Canada to other countries. Finally, Trent discusses what to expect in the upcoming season of ‘This Hour has 22 Minutes’, premiering Sept 13.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Ali and Asif discuss the Canadian comedy series This Hour has 22 minutes, which is celebrating it’s 30th season this year. They discuss the origins of the show and the original cast, including Cathy Jones, Rick Mercer, Greg Thomey, and Mary Walsh. They then discuss some of the other people who have appeared on the show in the past including Shaun Majumder, Colin Mochrie, Nathan Fielder, Gavin Crawford and Mark Critch. Then the guys bring up the groundbreaking nature of the show and how it influenced shows such as The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and Last Week Tonight. They talk about the classic bits from the show including Rick Mercer’s Rants, Talking to Americans and Raj Binder and how they seemed to always have intimate access to Canadian politicians. They then talk about some of the more controversial moments including Rob Ford calling 911 on Mary Walsh and Carolyn Parrish being forced out of the Liberal party after performing voodoo on a George Bush doll on ‘This Hour’.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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The guys provide a bonus mini-episode discussing two things from the news in the past week. First, Asif discusses the triumphant finale of ‘Better Call Saul’ and the amazing acting of Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks and especially Rhea Seahorn. Then they discuss the death of actress Anne Heche, and how some news organizations (The Washington Post) did not declare Heche as having died, even when she was declared neurologically dead.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On today’s special episode the guys forgo an entertainment topic to focus on the Archie Bastersbee case in the UK and the concept of brain death. They guys start off by discussing how he sustained a brain injury supposedly while doing a TikTok “Blackout challenge. They discuss how his doctors diagnosed him as “brain dead” but the family disagreed with the diagnosis and appealed to courts in the UK, as well as the UN. Asif then discusses the 2 different ways to diagnose death (cardiac and neurological) and the tests neurologists use to determine brain death. The guys also talk about the differences between this case and the Terri Schiavo case. Ali then asks Asif about a New Yorker article by Rachel Aviv which discusses the case of Jahi McMath. Using her case, the guys discuss how the diagnosis of brain death has come under scrutiny by some experts.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today the guys discuss the life and career of Gary Shandling (1:25). They discuss his early life and how his brother’s death, a car accident and him crossing a comedy picket line were formative experiences for him. They discuss Shandling’s eventual appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’ and then the development of his groundbreaking sitcom “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show”. They then discuss how he followed this up with another landmark show “The Larry Sanders Show”. Later, they discuss his final projects and his untimely death in 2016. Then Ali asks Asif about hyperparathyroidism, which Shandling suffered from (44:00). Asif talks about the common symptoms ( "bones, stones, abdominal groans, and psychic moans/overtones") and the reasons why people develop the disease. He then discussed how it is diagnosed as well as the treatment of this disorder.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today we have a special food themed episode! First, the guys discuss Ali’s other podcast, ‘This Podcast is Delicious’ with Ali’s co-host Marco Timpano (0:52). They discuss Marco’s background and how he ended up podcasting. They then discuss how Ali and Marco met and the genesis for their podcast. They discuss how it used to be called ‘Eat and Drink’ and how it had been recently rebranded as ‘This Podcast is Delicious’. Marco sticks around for the medical topic as the guys discuss physicians prescribing food to patients (35:46). Asif discusses the broader concept of ‘social prescribing’ which originated in the UK. He discusses the different types of food prescribing and some studies that have examined its effectiveness. The guys then discuss some potentially ethical issues associated with food prescribing. Finally they conclude with some thoughts on how medicine can incorporate food prescribing, such as so called ‘culinary medicine’ curricula.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today on a special episode, the guys don’t cover a medical topic and only discuss an entertainment one: the rise and fall of the WWE’s Vince McMahon (2:51). Even if you don’t like wrestling, or actively hate it, this episode is a fascinating listen. The guys start off by discussing why professional wrestling has continued to be popular over the years and how ‘meta’ commentary on wrestling has been covered by writers such as David Shoemaker. Asif then goes over the history of wrestling and discusses how the charge of wrestling being ‘fake’ has been around for over 100 years. They then talk about the rise of Vince McMahon and how he changed the landscape of professional wrestling. They then discuss the recent allegations against Vince which prompted him to retire from the WWE. Finally, they discuss where the WWE is heading and the ‘Succession’-type backroom dealings in the organization.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, the guys discuss the career of the legendary A-lister Brad Pitt (1:21). They talk about his early life and roles. Then they discuss his philanthropy and personal life. Later the guys each list their 3 favourite Brad Pitt roles. Then Ali asks Asif about prosopagnosia, which Brad Pitt diagnosed himself with (33:24). Asif defines what it is (essentially ‘face blindness’) and how you can get it from an acquired brain injury. Asif then discusses the other developmental form which you can be born with and how the disorder may be more common than people think.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Ali and Asif discuss the legendary soundtrack from the movie ‘Singles’ which was released 30 years ago (0:57). The guys start off by discussing the movie ‘Singles’, Cameron Crowe and how the movie potentially influenced the creation of ‘Friends’. The guys then go through each song on the album and give their thoughts on each track. They highlight how the album gained exposure for some ‘up and coming’ bands at the time, including Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and The Smashing Pumpkins. Then Ali asks Asif about borderline personality disorder (BPD) (37:23). Asif starts off by talking about personality disorders and then explains the criteria for diagnosing someone with BPD. He then talks about risk factors for developing it as well as the neurobiology of BPD. He then concludes by discussing the treatment and prognosis of the disorder.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Ali and Asif present a special episode on all things Canada. They start off by Ali hosting the Canada Day celebrations in the Nation’s capital (1:02). Then they each discuss their favourite Canadian entertainment, including their favourite musicians, movies and TV shows (15:26). Then Ali asks Asif about the Canadian discovery of insulin (40:00). After a bit of background about the different types of diabetes, Asif discusses the discovery of insulin at the University of Toronto. Asif goes through the major players – Frederick G. Banting, John James Rickard Macleod, Charles Herbert Best and James Bertram Collip – as well as the ensuing arguments and controversies amongst the group of researchers. He talks about their legacy, their Nobel prize win and how the discovery of insulin changed medicine forever.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, after a digression about the hotel Ali is staying in for his comedy tour, Asif asks Ali about diversity in comedy (2:07). Specifically, Asif asks Ali about the diversity and comedy course he is teaching at Queen’s University. They discuss what compelled Ali to “pitch” the course to his department. Ali discusses how he discusses in the course how the origins of stand up comedy are racist. Asif asks Ali about how he evaluates the students in his course as well as what HE learned from his students. Then, Ali asks Asif about epilepsy (27:42). Asif defines both epilepsy and seizures and discusses how common epilepsy is. He then talks about different seizure types and different epilepsy syndromes. They discuss what investigations are required for patients with seizures as well as possible treatments. They then talk about what to avoid if you have epilepsy as well as the prognosis for pediatric patients with seizures.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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We had so much listener interest in a Justin Bieber and Ramsay Hunt syndrome episode that we decided to release this episode early. Our next regular episode will come out on July 1.
Pop superstar Justin Bieber recently was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Today the guys chat about Justin Bieber and then later discuss what exactly is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Ali starts us by regaling us with the tales of his visit to the Justin Bieber museum in Stratford, Ontario (1:08). The guys then discuss how he was discovered by Scooter Braun and his mother’s involvement in his success. They discuss his numerous controversies but also discuss the role of handlers and enablers with young stars and whether they bear some blame in these controversies. They then discuss some successes (Despacito, Tim Hortons collab) and his large charitable donations to the Philippines. Then Ali asks Asif about Ramsay Hunt syndrome (21:09). Asif explains that Justin has Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2, and he then briefly explains what the other two types are. Asif explains the similarities and differences between Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 and Bell’s palsy. He also discusses how it is essentially shingles of your ear and facial nerve. He then talks about how you get it, what it looks like and how it is treated. Then he discusses the prognosis for Justin, based on the scientific literature.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Asif and Ali discuss the new Disney Plus / Marvel TV show Ms. Marvel (0:53).. The guys start off by discussing the pronunciation of ‘Kamala’ in the show and highlight how she is the first South Asian and Muslim hero to headline her own show. They discuss the history of the character and the key individuals involved in her creation, G. Willow Wilson and Sana Sana Amanat. They discuss the muslim showrunners and directors of the show, the terrific cast and how Asif thinks Ali should have been cast as the father in the show. Then they both give their thoughts on the series. Later, based on a listener's suggestion, Ali asks Asif about how and why doctors treat men and women’s pain differently (27:54). Asif discusses the literature which suggests that women get less effective pain treatment and are often given anti-anxiety medication instead of pain meds. He then discusses the evidence going back over 20 years which demonstrates this clear bias regarding pain, gender and medicine. Finally he discusses ways on how both patients and physicians can address this “pain gap”.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the life and career of the legendary comedian George Carlin and the recent HBO documentary on his life ‘American Dream’ (0:56). They discuss the importance of George Carlin, his background and his early influences. They also discuss how George Carlin re-invented himself several times in his career and his “7 words you can’t say on television” bit. They then give their thoughts on the documentary ‘American Dream’. Given Carlin’s history of marijuana use (and as a follow up to our conversation with Eman Husseini who touted the M and M look-alike edibles) Ali asks about how often kids inadvertently ingest cannabis and whether this has increased with legalization (28:32). Asif then discusses the common features of cannabis overdose in children. They then discuss the “look-alike” packaging of edibles as brand name candy and how ‘Big Candy’ is fighting back against this. Finally, Asif discusses what can be done to help prevent these overdoses.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On this episode, the guys discuss the classic Canadian comedy crew, the Kids in the Hall (1:19). They discuss the origins of the group and how Lorne Michaels gave them their big break with their show on HBO and CBC. Ali then discusses his interactions with each member of the troupe (he has met them all!). They discuss the success of the ‘Kids in the Hall’ show as well as some of their less successful ventures (‘Brain Candy’, ‘When Death Comes to Town’). They discuss the legacy of the group as well as their new series on Amazon Prime. Then Ali asks Asif about the newsmaking disease monkeypox (42:57). Asif discusses the virus, how you get it and the symptoms. He also compares it to smallpox and discusses how waning immunity to smallpox may be causing these outbreaks. They then discuss whether it is sexually transmitted or not. They then discuss treatment and ‘ring vaccination’ to prevent outbreaks.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On this episode, the guys discuss the new television show Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (1:17). They start off by discussing their memories of watching Star Trek: The Original Series and list their favourite episodes. Then Asif let’s the cat out of the bag and announces that Ali has an upcoming role in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Ali talks about how he got the role and his experience on set. Then they discuss the premise of the show and give their thoughts on it (hint: they liked it). Then Ali asks Asif about the disease dopa-responsive and the CTV national news piece that Asif was featured on regarding the disorder (35:20). He starts off by defining the term “dystonia” and gives more common examples of dystonia (cervical dystonia, writer’s cramp). He then discusses how dopa-responsive dystonia can mimic cerebral palsy. Asif then goes over the genetic cause of the disease and the treatment – giving levadopa.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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(Our apologies about the quality of the sound on Asif’s track). Today, Ai and Asif discuss the history of comic book superhero Batman (0:55). They reminisce about the Batman TV show from the 1960’s and then speak about Tim Burton’s reimagining of the character in 1989 and the influence of Frank Miller’s ‘The Dark Knight Returns”. They discuss the casting of Michael Keaton and the follow up movie ‘Batman Returns’. They then discuss the diminishing returns of the Schumacher movies (although they did like Val Kilmer). They then discuss the Christopher Nolan movies and the pinnacle of Batman movies ‘The Dark Knight’, featuring the award winning performance by Heath Ledger. Then then discuss Ben Affleck and his portrayal of the character and Asif talks about the ‘Arkham’ video games series. The guys then give their thoughts on the new movie ‘The Batman’ (spoilers after 29:30). Then Ali asks Asif about the mysterious new disease anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (38:20). Asif talks about the cause, the symptoms, how it often affects young women, and how it can be mistaken for psychiatric disease. Asif then discusses how he diagnosed the first Canadian patient with the disease almost 15 years with the help of Dr. Josep Dalmau. He then discusses the very unusual tumors (ovarian teratomas) that can be associated with the disorder. They then discuss the case of Susannah Calahan whose experience with the disease is documented in the book and movie Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today Ali and Asif discuss the celebrated and award winning movie, Jane Campion’s ‘The Power of the Dog’ (1:12). They discuss the amazing cinematography and the performances by Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee. At 16:32, spoilers for the movie and Asif’s opinions on the movie follow. In brief, Asif liked ¾ of the movie and ¾ of the actors and had problems with the rest. Then Ali asks Asif about Anthrax, how you get it, who is at risk and the symptoms (21:50). Asif then goes over the 4 different types of Anthrax (cutaneous, inhalational, gastrointestinal and intravenous) and how they present clinically. Asif then goes over the treatment with antibiotics and antitoxin. Then in a bonus section, Ali asks Asif about the 2001 Anthrax attacks in the USA (29:50). Asif goes over the targets and how the Anthrax was sent. Asif then goes over the FBI investigation and the prime suspect Bruce E Ivins. Asif then goes all ‘Serial’ and discusses the evidence for and against the case for Ivins being the prime suspect in the case.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today on a special episode the guys interview superstar comedian Maz Jobrani. Maz discusses his early life, how he became interested in performing, and how he went to university originally to study political science. He then discusses being ‘political’ in comedy and how being Persian influences his comedy. The guys then discuss Maz’s ‘Tai Chi’ approach to hecklers and compare him to Canadian New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh. The guys then ask Maz about the genesis of his podcast ‘Back to School with Maz Jobrani’. Finally, Ali asks Maz about his advice for aspiring comedians and they discuss Maz’s upcoming shows May 20 and 21st in Ottawa and Toronto.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today on a special episode the guys interview the El-Salomons – Jess Salomon and Eman El-Husseini. They discuss how they developed their joint comedy act (via a New Yorker style comic) and whether they prefer performing solo or together. Asif then asks Eman and Jess about performing with Patton Oswalt. Then they get into how the pair became involved with the BBC World Service and ‘Comedians Vs the News’. They discuss some of their favourite guests and headlines from the show. Then everyone discusses some news stories from the first part of 2022, including the Freedom Convoy in Asif’s home town of Ottawa, perceptions of Justin Trudeau and the controversy about “Trump Avenue” in Ottawa. They also discuss how there was so much comedian outrage about the Will Smith/Chris Rock incident but so little about Louis CK winning a Grammy.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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The guys start off the episode by discussing the career of Gilbert Gottfried and the recent documentary ‘Gilbert’ (00:51). They discuss how he often kept his private life out of the public eye, prior to the documentary. They discuss some things they did not know about him including his relationship with his wife and kids and his reputation amongst comedians as being frugal. They also chat about his roles in ‘Beverly Hills Cop 2’ and as Iago in ‘Aladdin’, as well as the duck from Aflac. They chat about how he was considered the ‘comic’s comic’ and how that reputation got him into hot water with jokes shortly after 9/11 (and how he followed it up with ‘The Aristocrats’ joke). The guys then mention how he was fired from being the Aflac duck after tweets joking about the Japanese tsunami. Then, Ali asks Asif about the disease Gilbert suffered from, myotonic dystrophy (21:16). Asif outlines first what myotonia is, and then describes the two types of myotonic dystrophy, Type 1 and the kind Gilbert suffered from, Type 2. Asif then takes an aside to discuss ventricular tachycardia, which is a known complication of myotonic dystrophy. He then describes the genetics of myotonic dystrophy and how we think the gene changes cause symptoms.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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It's Doctor Vs Comedian Vs Dave Merheje (also a comedian)! On a special episode the guys interview actor and comedian Dave Merheje, star of the critically acclaimed Hulu series ‘Ramy’. They discuss Dave growing up in Windsor, Ontario and the influence of different cities on his comedy. Then they discuss how Dave developed his unique stand-up style of riffing and crowd work. Dave then discusses winning the Juno Award in 2019 for best comedy album for ‘Good Friend Bad Grammar’. They then discuss Dave starring in ‘Mr D’ and eventually getting the role of Ahmed in ‘Ramy’. They then discuss Dave’s upcoming comedy tour this spring, ‘Comedy Night in Canada hosted by Rick Mercer’.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Given his recent aphasia diagnosis, the guys reflect on the career of actor Bruce Willis (1:19). The guys talk about his career highlights including ‘Moonlighting’, ‘Die Hard’, ‘12 Monkeys’ and ‘The 6th Sense’. Then Ali asks Asif about aphasia (10:59). Asif reviews the main different types (Broca’s, Wernicke’s, conduction and global), the areas of the brain involved and how it is diagnosed. He talks about how strokes are the most common cause of aphasia, but also discusses the different types of ‘Primary Progressive Aphasia’, and postulates how Bruce Willis may have one of these. Ali then discusses some of the concerns which have arisen recently about Bruce Willis’ behaviour on set and how this may have been related to aphasia (26:54). Finally, Ali and Asif seriously question how Willis’ handlers and managers continued to have him perform in movies, given the concerns raised.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Due to the events occurring at the Oscars, Ali and Asif decided to record an emergency podcast. The guys recap the joke told by Chris Rock and the ensuing slap from Will Smith. Then Ali discusses various ‘defenses’ that have been given for Will Smith’s actions. Asif then takes a digression to discuss alopecia areata (16:11), the disease which Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, suffers from. Asif talks about how it is an autoimmune disease, goes over the presenting symptoms and discusses its treatment. Asif also discusses other types of hair loss which can occur in African American women. They then go back to talking about the Oscars and how the slapping incident detracted from other winners (25:43) including Ariana DeBose, Troy Katsur, Questlove, Jane Campion and CODA. They discuss Will Smith’s speech and the audience reaction to it. The guys discuss varied opinions on the slapping incident including talking about articles from Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Jemele Hill. They also talk about Will Smith’s apology to Chris Rock on Instagram and Denzel Washington’s statement to Will Smith (“At your highest moment be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you”). Asif then asks Ali why he thinks it was a slap and not a punch and the implications of this incident on stand up comedy.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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In this special episode, the guys preview the 95th Annual Academy Awards Preview, taking place on March 27, 2022 (no medical topic this episode). The guys start off by discussing the major controversy this year about the Academy leaving off certain categories on the televised show. They then talk about the minor controversy regarding how the earworm ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ ended up NOT being nominated for best song. Then Asif gives his pics in 8 major Oscar categories.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today Asif asks Ali about his involvement with Canada Reads, which returns on March 28, 2022 (4:43). After a brief digression about the band Genesis, Ali discusses the genesis of Canada Reads. He talks about how it was developed by the CBC and how the guests and books are selected. He then discusses notable guests and books and how he became involved with the show. Then Asif discusses his favourite medical books (39:24): ‘The House of God’ by Samuel Shem, ‘An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales’ by Oliver Sachs, ‘How Doctors Think’ by Jerome Groopman, and ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ by Paul Kalanithi.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, based on two listeners’ suggestions, Ali and Asif discuss ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ and Trichotillomania. Asif admits to only having watched the pilot of ‘Mrs Maisel’ (2:26) and as such, Ali gives Asif a sales pitch on why the show should be watched. After a brief digression about TV shows that they were exposed to on airline flights, Ali compares ‘Mrs. Maisel’ to Amy Sherman-Palladino’s previous show ‘Gilmore Girls’ as well as musicals. Then Ali gushes about the expert acting of all the principal characters in the show, particularly Alex Bornstein, Tony Shaloub, Marin Hinkle and especially Rachel Brosnahan. Then Ali asks Asif about trichotillomania (28:47). Asif talks about the definition, how often it is seen and how it is diagnosed. Asif then discusses how it is different from OCD and why we think it occurs. Asif then talks about the long term consequences of trichotillomania including compulsive hair eating (trichophagia) and the treatment of the disorder.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Content Warning: Sexual Assault
Today, the guys discuss the new documentary series ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby” (1:12). They discuss director W. Kamau Bell and the reasons why he chose to make the series. They discuss how the documentary highlights the Bill Cosby’s accomplishments including his stand up comedy, his revolutionary role in ‘I Spy’, his influence on Black stunt people in Hollywood, his Civil Rights work and his promotion of historically Black colleges. Ali and Asif then discuss Cosby’s roles in ‘The Electric Company’, ‘Picture Pages’ and ‘Fat Albert’, as well as the legacy of “The Cosby Show’. They then talk about how Hannibal Buress’ comedy act called out attention to the allegations against Cosby. They guys then take a digression and Ali asks Asif about Spanish Fly, Rohypnal, GHB and Quaaludes (20:36). The guys then conclude by discussing the crimes Bill Cosby is accused of and the 60 women who have come forward (35:31).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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The guys start off the episode by discussing Ali and his family recently contracting Covid-19. Then they switch up the format by first discussing the history of opioids, the interplay between pharma and medicine in the marketing of opioids and the rise of Purdue pharma (5:29). They then talk about the opioid crisis, the rise of oxycontin and fentanyl, and the damage done. The guys then discuss the television show ‘Dopesick’, how it was developed, and it’s focus on the Appalachian area of the US (30:50). The guys praise the performances of all the actors and the writing of the series. Finally, Ali asks Asif about his personal experiences in learning about opioids in medical school and whether he prescribes them in his clinical practice (43:35).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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It’s our 50th episode! To celebrate this, Asif asks Ali about his top 3 favorite comedy specials (1:31). Ali picks Dave Chapelle’s ‘Killing Them Softly’, Wanda Sykes’ Im’a Be Me’ and Eddie Izzard’s ‘Dress to Kill’ and discusses what makes these specials so good. Then Ali asks Asif about the biological basis of why we develop laughter (32:04). Asif goes over how laughter and humour develops in babies and what they find ‘funny’. Then, Asif talks about the areas of the brain where laughter originates and what areas of the brain when injured can cause you to lose your sense of humour. Finally he discusses the evolutionary basis of why laughter may have developed in humans.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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To start the episode, Ali asks Asif about 2 movies he saw recently - Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Matrix Resurrections. Short story: one was good nostalgia and the other reminded him of the “member berries” from South Park. Then, Asif asks Ali about how comedians create personas for comedy (7:28). Ali also discusses how podcasts and twitter have made personas less common but also discusses the advantages of using a persona. The guys then discuss some classic comedians who have used personas such as Larry the Cable Guy and Andrew Dice Clay and others who have dropped personas such as Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Joan Rivers. Then Ali asks Asif to pick back up on their conversation on Physician Burnout from a few episodes back (23:57). The guys start the discussion by using the example of a video from friend of the show Dr. Glaucomflecken. Asif then discusses what individuals can do, but more importantly what organizations can do to help address burnout.
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Today on a very special episode, Ali and Asif interview superstar podcaster Dr. Sydnee McElroy (Sawbones, Still Buffering). In their wide ranging conversation they discuss how she got started in podcasting with her husband, Justin McElroy, and how they developed the wildly successful podcast ‘Sawbones’. Then they discuss the evolution of her other podcast ‘Still Buffering’ which she co-hosts with her sisters. Later, they discuss her volunteer work with the homeless population in her city, physician burnout and Dr. McElroy’s advice on how to address it at an organizational and individual level. Finally they discuss the opioid crisis, how West Virginia is one of the worst affected States and Dr. McElroy’s efforts at harm reduction locally.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Shout outs: Bif Naked, Dopesick
The guys start out discussing the recent snowstorms in North America, the politeness (or lack thereof) of Torontonians, Ali’s toothache and leaving your phone number with bakeries. Then the guys discuss the recent deaths of Louie Anderson and Bob Saget. They start by discussing the legendary Louie Anderson (5:40) his acting on shows such as ‘Baskets’ and his legacy in comedy. The guys then discuss Bob Saget, his television work and the contrast to his outrageous stand up personality (17:48). They then discuss his legacy and the impact he made on his peers in the entertainment industry. Bob was also an advocate for scleroderma research, as his sister passed away from this disease several years ago. Ali then asks Asif about scleroderma (27:50) and Asif explains the manifestations of this disease and how it is one aspect of systemic sclerosis. Asif talks about the various symptoms, why it can be so hard to diagnose, and how it is treated.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today on a special episode, the guys discuss the case of Mike Ward, who was accused of breaching the limits of free speech when he mocked a disabled singer named Jeremy Gabriel (“Petit Jeremy")...a case that went all the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada. They are joined by their special guest comedian and lawyer Jess Salomon (The Tonight Show, Comedians vs The News). After briefly chatting about Jess’ experiences with the Omicron variant, Jess and Ali disclose that they do know Mike Ward personally from the comedy world. Then they go over the facts of the case and summarize Mike’s joke. Asif then takes a short detour to discuss Treacher Collins Syndrome, the disease which Jeremy was afflicted with. Jess then summarizes the facts of the case and the Supreme Court Decision which was a 5-4 decision in favour of Mike Ward. Jess and Ali discuss the limits of free speech and comedy and how things boil down to “what is the crux of the joke?”.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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To start the episode, Ali talks about his new CBC show out now “Run the Burbs” and Ali’s appearance on “Family Feud Canada”. Betty White would have been 100 years old on Jan 17, 2022, so to commemorate this, the guys go over her life and career (7:36). They discuss her roles in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, “The Golden Girls” and her devotion to civil rights and animal charities. Then Ali asks Asif about Electronic Medical Records (EMR’s) by using Atul Gawande’s 2018 New Yorker article on the topic as a jumping off point (24:46). Asif goes over the good and bad of EMR’s and possible ways forward to make them useful to patients and physicians.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the great Kal Penn (1:46). They discuss his early career all the way up to the release of his memoir, ‘You Can’t Be Serious”. They discuss his famous roles in ‘American Desi’, ‘Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle’, ‘Van Wilder’, ‘The Namesake’, ‘House’ and ‘Designated Survivor’. They discuss Kal coming out as gay as well as his recent engagement. Then Ali asks Asif about Physician Burnout (33:01). Asif starts out by defining physician burnout and discusses the increase in physician burnout over time, which has been worsened with the Covid-19 pandemic. Asif then discusses how electronic medical records contribute to physician burnout. He then talks about the effects burnout has on health care delivery, patients and the physician workforce.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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As a year-end treat, the guys go over their favourite entertainment from 2021… and decide to omit the big 2021 medical topic, since people are likely tired of talking about the Covid-19 pandemic. Ali starts off by talking about his favourite books he read last year (1:44). Then Asif discusses new music he got into in 2021. The guys then compare notes on their favourite movies of 2021 and disagree intensely about Wes Anderson and ‘The French Dispatch’. Then the guys discuss their thoughts on best TV shows they saw in 2021.
NB: The pod will be taking next week off. We will see all of you in the new year!
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Today, Ali and Asif each list their top albums from one of the greatest years for music, 1991 (2:01). The guys go over their top albums, their honourable mentions and their lowlights of that year. Then, Ali asks Asif why the music from our youth connects so much with us (47:59). Asif discusses the research by Daniel Levitin on music and the brain and discusses why the songs from when we are young are “burned into our brains”. Asif then goes over the sociological reasons why we remember certain life events (we wouldn’t otherwise think about) when we hear a particular song.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Show Notes:
Daniel Levitin – This Is Your Brain on Music: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/298964/this-is-your-brain-on-music-by-daniel-j-levitin/
This Is Your Brain on Music: https://www.salon.com/2006/09/05/levitin/
In response to a listener's question, the guys attempt to answer the questions: “What does it mean to be funny?” and “What does it mean to be healthy?”. After a brief digression about humour in rats, Ali discusses how ‘funny’ laughter and active listening are intricately linked (2:21). He outlines the 4 major concepts that people find amusement in: 1) the misfortunes of others; 2) expressions of otherwise forbidden emotions; 3) juxtaposition of incompatible concepts; 4) realizing that certain expectations have been violated. He discusses how something is more funny if geographical or emotional remoteness lends a bit of distance. He also discusses the old adage of ‘humour is tragedy plus time’, as well as the concept of timing, ‘too soon’ and how comedy is tension and release. Then, Asif discusses how “healthiness” to him means optimizing your health and reducing your risk of disease (30:13). He then describes the two easiest ways to stay healthy: eat in moderation and exercise regularly. Asif then discusses the importance of mental and emotional health and learning to ‘live’ with stress. He also discusses not ignoring signals with regards to your emotional and mental well being.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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The guys start off this episode with Asif reviewing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2:40). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on Larry David, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and cringe comedy (12:16). Ali talks about the influence of Ricky Gervais (The Office) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Da Ali G Show) on cringe comedy. After an aside about the new Willow TV show, the guys talk about Larry David and why he is shocked that ‘Curb’ makes people cringe. They guys then talk about their favourite moments and characters from the show. Then Ali asks Asif about ‘male menopause’ (39:34) and they discuss why the preferred terms are Andropause or Male Hypogonadism. Asif goes over the symptoms and how one can be tested for it. Asif then goes over the options for treatment for diagnosed individuals, as well as some of the side effects of treatment.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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The guys start off the episode with Asif discussing the problems faced by men after trying on their suits after 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic (1:18). The guys then compare two albums released in the fall of 1991, Soundgarden’s ‘Badmotorfinger’ and U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’ (3:15). They start off by discussing ‘Badmotorfinger’ and the amazing productivity of Chris Cornell in the fall 1991 and the overall innovation of the album. The guys then discuss U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’; they discuss the tensions the band had when recording the album and how the documentary ‘From the Sky Down’ details the trials and tribulations of making this album. They discuss how the band writing the song “One” was the breakthrough that saved the album and the band itself. The guys then give their preferences about which album they prefer. Asif then discusses OCD, a topic suggested by a listener (28:51). Asif goes over the symptoms and how common it is. He then goes over the difference between OCD and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). He then discusses whether OCD is genetic and the recommended treatment for OCD. At the end of the episode, listen to hear about a podcast we are currently "Obsessed" with...
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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The guys start off the episodes by discussing Ali’s recent attendance at a Toronto Maple Leafs game and his ‘Sophie’s Choice’ of needing to choose whether to cheer for Toronto or the Boston Bruins (1:40). Asif then discusses his thoughts on the recent movie by Denis Villeneuve ‘Dune”. Then Asif asks Ali about Kumail Nanjiani and his thoughts on his body transformation and the reasons Kumail has given about his reasons for getting into shape (9:42). They then talk about Kumail posting pics of his new bod on Instagram and the response (good and bad) to it. The guys go out of their way to emphasize that they do not feel that Kumail has done HGH or steroids. Then Asif goes over exactly what HGH and steroids are as well as the side effects of taking them (33:17). He then discusses how they are allegedly used by actors in Hollywood as well as in Bollywood.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, the guys switch things around by discussing the medical topic first -- Tics and Tourette Syndrome (1:02). Asif discusses what the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome are, how you diagnose it and what causes it. He also talks about other commonly associated conditions and why you often do NOT need to treat tics. Then Ali and Asif discuss Tourette Syndrome on tv shows, movies and especially social media (20:50). Asif discusses how he was asked to be on the TV show “Employable Me” as a medical expert on Tourette Syndrome and his reasons for declining the offer. Asif discusses the finding of an increase in psychogenic tics over the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s possible relation to TikTok influencers. And as a bonus, at the end of the episode, Ali announces his casting in the new CBC sitcom “Run the Burbs”.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes:
On today’s episode, after a brief discussion of Jerry Seinfeld’s “Is this Anything?”, Ali discusses how he and other comedians come up with material (2:21). He talks about writing out jokes, practicing them at open mics and refining them over time. He then talks about what happens when you recommend a joke to a comic. Then, Asif discusses the health benefits of laughter on pain tolerance, interpersonal relationships and stress (29:17). He then discusses ‘laughter yoga’ and whether there is evidence for its use in medicine. Finally, he discusses so-called “laughing seizures”.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, in honour of the 30th anniversary of the release of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Use Your Illusion 1 and 2’ and Metallica’s ‘Black Album’, the guys debate which album is better (and yes, we know UYI is 2 albums -- we’re counting them as one…) (1:41). Ali starts off by recounting the story of how he attended the infamous Metallica/Guns N’ Roses concert in the summer of 1992, which resulted in a massive riot in downtown Montreal. The guys discuss how big GNR were in the early nineties and recount how anticipated the double album release was. Then the guys talk about Metallica’s 1991 album, which has come to be called ‘The Black Album’. They discuss how the album was considered a major sonic departure from their previous albums and the influence of Canadian producer Bob Rock. Then Ali asks Asif about whether we need to take vitamins (33:59). In short, Asif says in general “no” we don’t, but he does talk about some specific medical situations where we may need to take vitamins. He then talks about examples of toxicities associated with taking too many vitamins. Finally Asif shout outs the true experts in the field, nutritionists and dieticians.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, the guys discuss the hit Netflix Show ‘Squid Game’ (1:13) and the influence of Korea on popular culture (BTS, ‘Parasite’) . They talk about how it was developed by writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuk, Netflix and Ted Sarandos. They discuss how it became a global phenomenon and how it’s ‘The Prisoner’ and ‘The Hunger Games’. They mention the excellent acting by Lee Jung-jae, Kim Joo-ryoung and Anupam Tripathi. Ali points out the stress of Hwang being a writer-director on every episode and he had 6 teeth fall out because of stress. Then Ali asks Asif if doctors should cry in front of patients (25:39). Asif brings up papers that discuss how patients feel about doctors crying in front of them as well as how doctors feel about the topic. He then talks about his own personal views on crying in front of patients and some real life examples.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, Asif asks Ali about the controversial origins of stand up comedy (1:05). Ali explains that stand up comedy evolved from vaudeville and that vaudeville itself evolved from minstrel shows. With respect to minstrel shows, Ali specifically references Thomas Dartmouth Rice's blatantly racist song-and-dance number, "Jump Jim Crow". He also discusses how the Irish were surprisingly often complicit in performing in blackface. Ali then discusses the long term ramifications of the fact that stand up grew out of these racist shows. Then, Ali asks Asif about the ‘Hidden Curriculum’ in medicine (25:57). Asif contrasts the ‘Hidden Curriculum’ with both the formal and the ‘Informal Curriculum’ (on the job training). He then provides several examples of the ‘Hidden Curriculum’ in medical education. Then, Asif concludes by discussing ways to address the ‘Hidden Curriculum’. BONUS: Joe Everyman appears for the first time on the podcast!
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, the guys start off the pod with a bit of banter about ‘banter’. Then, in honour of ‘Seinfeld’ being released on Netflix this month, Asif and Ali discuss their thoughts and memories of the sitcom. Then they both debate their top 5 ‘Seinfeld’ episodes of all time. Then Ali asks Asif about body odour, and the guys use the ‘Seinfeld’ episode “The Smelly Car” as the perfect transition. Ali recounts a story about having to tell someone in one of his classes about their BO. Asif talks about the differences between men and women with regards to body odour and why people only get it after puberty. Then Asif talks about what people can do about it, and debunks some myths about antiperspirants.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, the guys start off the pod by discussing 2 new television shows: Sandra Oh in ‘The Chair’ and FX’s ‘Y: The Last Man’ (0:43). Then Asif asks Ali about what life is really like on television and movie sets (8:53). Ali talks about the first set he was on and how he learned the “rules” of being on set. Ali then talks about the food on sets including craft services and catering as well as trailers on sets. Finally, Ali talks about his star-studded interactions with actors on set such as John Larroquette, Kiefer Sutherland, Dave Bautista and Eugene Levy. Then (37:35) Ali asks Asif about the concept of unconscious bias in healthcare. Asif explains how stereotypes about minority groups can result in poorer health care for certain individuals. He talks about how everyone in medicine is susceptible to unconscious bias and discusses ways in which to address it.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Today, the guys start off by discussing the recently departed Norm Macdonald (1:00). They talk about his unique comic voice and the tremendous respect Ali and other comics had for him. Then, since both albums were released 30 years ago this month, the guys debate which album is better: Nirvana’s Nevermind’ or Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten (8:09)’. During their wide-ranging conversation, they reference the origins of the name “Smell’s Like Teen Spirit”, the recent lawsuit filed regarding the photo on the cover of ‘Nevermind’, Columbia house records, Andrew Wood and Temple of the Dog and Ali’s go-to karaoke song. Then Ali asks Asif about cognitive bias in medicine and how they can lead to diagnostic errors (30:48). Asif then discusses how the concepts around cognitive bias can lead us to better understand vaccine hesitancy (42:48).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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To start the show, the guys discuss the sometimes murky issue of copyright claims on YouTube (1:30). Then the guys preview the upcoming 73rd annual Emmy awards and their picks in various categories (7:03). Then, Ali asks Asif about the academic publishing and why Asif feels the whole system of academic publishing needs to be fixed (29:39). He discusses the monopoly of academic publishers as well as the problems with the peer review process and so called Open Access. He then discusses the controversial website “Sci Hub” and the need for academics to stand up to publishers.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes
The Oligopoly of Academic Publishers in the Digital Era: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0127502
www.cureus.com
The guys start with a serious debate about whether ‘drums’ or ‘flats’ are the better chicken wings (00:50). Ali then discusses life on the road as a comedian (5:11), including tips on how to get started in comedy touring. Then, Asif discusses the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the prescribing habits of doctors (29:36). He discusses his own personal experiences with pharma, as well as what the evidence says about whether the pens, dinners and trips given to doctors actually influences behaviour (spoiler: it does).
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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In this episode, Ali and Asif discuss the surging rates of eating disorders during the Covid-19 pandemic, with Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders expert Dr. Megan Harrison (who also happens to be Asif’s wife). Dr. Harrison discusses what eating disorders are and how adolescents develop them. Dr. Harrison also discusses how eating disorders are occurring in younger and younger children and the effects of restricted eating on the brain. She discusses the risk of mortality in eating disorders and some of the messaging kids receive about “healthy” eating through schools and the media. Finally she discusses the spike in eating disorder cases during the Covid-19 pandemic and the possible reasons why this increase may have occurred.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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To start the episode the guys give their thoughts on two recent summer movies; Asif talks about “The Suicide Squad” and Ali reviews “The Green Knight” (2:00). Then the guys talk about the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest summer movies of all time, ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (18:55). The guys start off by talking about their personal connections to the movie. They then talk about how George Lucas and Steven Spielberg crafted the character of Indiana Jones and the development of the first movie, as well as trivia about the film. Then Ali asks Asif about Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) (39:39). Asif goes over the genetic cause of the disorder as well as the common presenting symptoms. Asif then goes over the (near-miraculous) new treatments for SMA and the high cost of these new therapies.
Show notes:
YouTube video links from various US hospitals regarding patients treated for spinal muscular atrophy:
To start the episode, Ali’s recounts a recent Drive-in comedy show he did with Shaun Majumder (1:03). Then Asif asks about the course Ali teaches at Queen’s University and whether you can “teach funny” (7:38). Ali then talks about various exercises he used with his students to develop their comedic skills. Ali then discusses various books on the history of comedy and to help with honing one’s stand up. Then Ali asks Asif about ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) (36:02). They discuss about how a listener suggested they address the topic and go over the symptoms and how there is often a delay in diagnosis. Asif clarifies that while Lou Gehrig had the disease, Stephen Hawking likely did not. They talk about the lack of effective treatments and the need for more advocacy regarding ALS. Finally, they discuss the case of Chris Snow, former Calgary Flames Assistant General Manager and his diagnosis and experimental treatment for a genetic form of ALS.
Show notes:
In this very special episode, Ali and Asif interview ophthalmologist, comedian and social media sensation Dr. Will Flannary aka Dr. Glaucomflecken. In their hilarious and wide ranging chat they discuss:
PLUS Ali asks random eye questions to Dr. Glaucomflecken!!!
Today, after playing a clip of Will Ferrell ‘heckling’ Jimmy Fallon on the tonight show (1:52), Ali discusses heckling in comedy (2:25). He discusses the different types of interruptions that can occur and the ‘dangers’ of crowd work and a crazy story from Sudbury, Ontario. Then Asif discusses the idea of ‘difficult” parents in pediatrics (24:39)-- and quickly dismisses this terminology and emphasizes the need to reframe these as ‘difficult relationships’. He then discusses some of the tensions that exist in doctor-parent-patient relationships. Asif then lists 10 tips for doctors on ways to address difficult relationships and some ways for families to navigate their dealings with doctors.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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In this episode, Asif starts things off by discussing how he finally got around to seeing Zach Snyder’s Justice League (1:00) and they compare the viewing experience to Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. The guys then discuss clowns in comedy as well as hospital clowns. First, Ali discusses the different types of clowns and the history of clowning (4:59). Then he discusses a specific subtype of clown, “Le Bouffon” and why Sacha Baron Cohen loves to be called one.. Finally, Ali discusses modern entertainers who can be considered clowns. Next, Asif discusses the history of hospital clowns AKA doctor clowns (20:18). He reviews the history of hospital clowning, the type of people who become hospital clowns, and the job requirements. Asif discusses his personal experiences with hospital clowns, what the scientific evidence says about their effectiveness, and medical students doing rotations with hospital clowns.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On today’s episode the guys first off start talking about last week’s Emmy nominations, including the surprises and snubs (00:54). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on ‘Ted Lasso’ (5:16). The guys talk about the development of the show and praise the performances of the cast, particularly Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham. They then talk about why the show has resonated with so many people during the pandemic. They also discuss the real life parallels between Ted Lasso’s personal life and Jason Sudeikis’. Then Ali asks Asif about psychedelics in medicine and their surprising connection to Ted Lasso (24:18). Asif talks about psychedelics being brought to prominence by the author Micheal Pollan and discusses the emerging evidence for their use in mental health.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On today’s episode, the guys start off by reminiscing about the career of the acclaimed director Richard Donner (1:07). They talk about his classic films including ‘Superman’, ‘The Goonies’, ‘Scrooged’, ‘Lethal Weapon’, as well as the not so classic ‘16 Blocks’ (featuring a classically bad vocal choice by Mos Def). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on Mindy Kaling’s ‘Never have I Ever’ (7:25), whose second season is out now on Netflix. They talk about the excellent casting choice of the previously unknown Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. The guys discuss the diverse representation in the show and how the show depicts the idea of growing up South Asian in North America. Then Asif asks Ali about conversion disorder (aka functional neurologic disorder) which is depicted in season 1 of the show (31:12). Asif talks about the diagnosis, how it comes about and how it is NOT people ‘faking’ symptoms. The guys also reference Ricky Bobby from ‘Talladega Nights’. Asif then talks about the prognosis and treatment of the disorder.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On today’s episode, Ali updates us on his filming of Hudson and Rex in Newfoundland (00:54).Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on Bo Burnham’s new netflix special ‘Inside’ (3:56). The guys talk about Bo Burnham’s rise to fame via the internet and the response to his special, both good and bad. They compare the response to the special to Hannah Gadsby’s ‘Nanette’ and other atypical comedy specials such as those done by Hasan Minhaj, Patton Oswalt and Chris Rock. Then Ali asks Asif about ADHD in adults (29:59). Asif then addresses whether ADHD may be overdiagnosed as well. Finally, they discuss the abuse of prescription stimulants in college and university students.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On today’s episode, Ali joins us on location in Newfoundland, and talks about filming the television show 'Hudson and Rex' (00:50). Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on the new HBO show ‘Hacks’. They discuss the premise of the show (young writer coming up with jokes for an aging comedian), comedians getting jokes written for them, and aging comics. They also share their thoughts on how the main character on the show appears to be inspired by the legendary Joan Rivers (5:35). The guys then give their thoughts on the show as a whole and why they like the show’s unlikeable characters. Then, Asif discusses ADHD in kids (34:13). He goes over definitions of ADHD and the fact the amount of kids being diagnosed with ADHD over time has been increasing. Asif then discusses the pros and cons of children receiving a diagnosis of ADHD as well as therapy for ADHD.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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On this special episode, Ali and Asif are joined by physician, OB/GYN, pain medicine specialist, blogger, podcaster and writer Dr. Jen Gunter. Topics discussed include:
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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In this Episode, the guys discuss whether comedy can affect change (2:36). Ali discusses the Satire Paradox (Malcolm Gladwell) and whether laughter and social protest are friends or foes, including examples such as All in the Family, and Sarah Palin and Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live. He then talks about how Trump affected late night talk shows and the NY Times magazine article by Dan Brooks “How Present Trump Ruined Political Comedy”. Finally, Ali talks about comedians who were able to affect change such as Hari Kondabolu, Hannibal Buress, and Sacha Baron Cohen. Next, Asif uses the comedy videos of Dr. Glaucomflecken to illustrate doctor stereotypes in medicine (31:32). Asif discusses various examples of these stereotypes and how they represent examples of the hidden curriculum in medicine. Finally, he discusses ways to address the hidden curriculum and doctor stereotypes.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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In today’s episodes the guys discuss the Academy Award Winning movie “Another Round” (4:11). Ali starts out first by discussing his (tenuous) connection to star Mads Mikkelsen. He then discussed the development of the movie by director Thomas Vinterberg and the influence of his late daughter Ida on the film. They also talk about the influence of the Dogme ‘95 movement on the film and the announcement of a remake by Leonardo DeCaprio’s production company. Then Asif discusses the issue of increased alcohol use during the pandemic, particularly amongst women (24:25). After Asif calls Ali out on his “man-to mansplaining”, they talk about how joking with memes about drinking has become common. Asif then discusses whether alcohol is actually good for you, and how this needs to be balanced with the costs to society.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Ali and Asif discuss the recent hate-inspired murders of a family of Muslim-Canadians in London, Ontario, Canada.
On this episode, after a brief interlude about McDonald’s Orange Drink, the guys discuss the legendary Canadian band, the Tragically Hip (2:50). They discuss the Hip’s new EP and their upcoming appearance at the 2021 Juno awards with Feist. They discuss the history of the band and their relationship to them, including Ali’s story of stage diving at a Hip concert in Montreal. They discuss the diagnosis of the lead singer, Gord Downie with glioblastoma multiforme and Asif’s connection to Gord Downie’s neuro-oncologist. Then then discuss the final concert by the Hip and the lasting legacy of the band and Gord Downie. Finally the guys discuss the new album by the band Saskadelphia. Then, Ali asks Asif about the controversy surrounding Gweneth Paltrow’s Goop (27:58). After a quick parental disclaimer, They discuss how Goop in the past has promoted “the Jade Egg” and “steaming” certain parts of the female anatomy. They discuss the origins of Goop and criticisms of the brand, particularly by Dr. Jen Gunter and Dr. Timothy Caulfield. They also discuss the “Goop PhD” portion of the Goop website. Finally, Asif gives his thoughts on several episodes of Netflix’s “Goop Lab”.
Show Notes
The guys start out today’s show discussing unrelated pop culture that is linked in each of their minds (00:55). Then, the guys discuss the recent movie ‘Sound of Metal’, Ali’s personal connection to it and the impressive performance of Riz Ahmed (6:30). They also discuss how the movie comments on the concept of personal identity and how it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic. They guys then rave about the sound design in ‘Sound of Metal’. Asif then talks about rapid onset hearing loss like Riz Ahmed’s character suffers from in the movie (18:42), followed by a discussion on cochlear implants. He discusses what the movie gets right or wrong and whether they are considered controversial in the Deaf community.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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In today’s episode, the guys start the episode discussing Elon Musk and their surprising takes on his recent Saturday Night Live hosting gig (1:08) -- plus a brief discussion on Wayne Gretsky’s (in)famous hosting gig. Then, to commemorate the upcoming season finale of the 46th season of Saturday Night Live, Ali and Asif discuss their top 5 SNL performers (9:25). Listen to find out who they include and who they shockingly leave out! Then Asif discusses the concept of intermittent fasting (27:30). He goes over the theory for why it should work and the basic science evidence. Then he reviews the clinical studies supporting and refuting the effectiveness of intermittent fasting. Finally, he discusses promising new trials regarding cancer and intermittent fasting.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes
https://www.insidehook.com/article/health-and-fitness/how-to-live-past-100
Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1905136
For our last episode on Code Switching, Ali actually forgot to tell a story he had about a director insisting that the name “Asif” be pronounced a certain way. We’ve included it for you here as a bonus clip.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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In this episode, the guys discuss the topic of code-switching (1:36). They review examples of code switching in the media including Barack Obama, Boots Riley’s “Sorry to Bother You” and Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s code switching sketch on “Key & Peele”. They also discuss the Harvard Business Review’s piece on code-switching in the workplace as well as the use of different accents as a form of code switching. Finally, Ali discusses his personal views on code-switching and a conversation he had on the topic with Hasan Minhaj. Next, Asif discusses the prevalence of video game playing in society and the argument that they may actually be good for you (17:33). He then reviews the evidence for the association between video games and aggression in children and teens. Finally, Asif reviews the concept of video game addiction and provides practical tips for parents on regulating video game use in kids.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
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Show Notes:
In today’s episode, after a bit of listener mail about Ali’s love of Shonda Rimes (1:00), the guys discuss the issue of actors faking accents on movies and TV shows (2:09). Ali discusses Rizwan Manji from Schitt’s Creek and Aziz Ansari. Ali even discusses how he originally auditioned for the role of Ray Bhutani on Schitt’s Creek and his own experience with using an accent in roles. We also discuss the case of Paul Sun-Hyung Lee on Kim’s Convenience. They then discuss “The Problem with Apu”, the documentary by Hari Kondabolu, and Hank Anzaria. They discuss the historical example of Peter Sellers and “The Party”. Ali then talks about Hank Azaria’s recent appearance on “Armchair Expert” with Dax Shepard and Hank’s apology to South Asians. Then, Asif talks about so-called ‘miracle cures’ in medicine and his contempt of practitioners who peddle them (21:19). Ali then counters with the question of whether patients seek miracle cures because of a distrust of doctors and the medical system. They then discuss how distrust of the medical system can affect health outcomes and touch on the issue of race and its relation to medical distrust (and discuss Michael Che from Saturday Night Live). Asif then discusses what the medical community can do to improve trust.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
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Show Notes
In this episode the guys reflect on the life of the late Chadwick Boseman. They first start by debriefing about this week’s Oscars telecast, Asif’s less than impressive predictions and the snub of Chadwick in the Best Actor category (00:50). Ali discusses Chadwick’s early life and his career from All My Children to 42 to Get on Up to Black Panther (10:33). Then they discuss his last two performances in Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and his lasting legacy. Because of Chadwick’s death at an early age from colon cancer, Asif then discusses the risk factors and signs of colon cancer (22:49). He then discusses screening for colon cancer and what one can do to help prevent it.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
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Show Notes:
Today, Ali and Asif discuss the upcoming 93rd annual Academy Awards. Ali quizzes Asif on who he thinks should win and will win in all the major categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best supporting Actress, best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. They talk about problems with “Mank”, the genius of Sacha Baron Cohen, and the frontrunner status of “Nomadland”. Asif also gives his opinion on the 1 prediction he feels is an absolute “lock”. They also give an honorable mention to the sound of “Sound of Metal”.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
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In this episode, the guys discuss the new CBS sitcom, the United States of Al (1:03). They discuss the development of the show and how it is based on the charitable organization “No One Left Behind”. Ali talks about the development of the show, the criticism it received even before an episode was released, and the defense of the show by producer Reza Aslan. After a digression about Kumail Nanjiani playing video games, they segue into a discussion of actors being able to play different races, using the example of legendary character actor Cliff Curtis. Then, the guys discuss Dr. Mehmet Oz, his background and why his show has generated so much controversy (21:14). Asif discusses his influence on medicine and the so-called “Oz effect”. He then discusses the recent contentious decision by Jeopardy! producers to have Dr. Oz guest host the show, following the death of Alex Trebek.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
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Show notes:
In this special episode of Doctor Vs Comedian, the guys discuss their “origin stories''. First, Ali discusses growing up in New Brunswick and Montreal, Quebec, going to McGill University, and then trying to figure out what to do with his life after that. He discusses his journey from working at a consumer-electronic chain store to doing his MBA to getting an IT degree. Finally Ali explains how his love of cooking led to desire to try and get a cooking show, which in turn led to stand up comedy. Next, Asif outlines what led him to pursue medicine as a career (11:22). He talks about the other careers that could have been, including occupational therapy (but not teacher’s college!). He talks about why he decided to become super specialized as a pediatric neurologist right out of medical school and the life experiences that led him to that choice. The guys then conclude by discussing how the podcast came to be!
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
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In this episode, Ali discusses the rebirth of roasts as a form of comedy (3:15). He discusses the history of roast and their recent return, courtesy of the Comedy Central Roasts. We discuss who roasts have helped (Justin Bieber) and who they definitely did not (Ann Coulter). Next, Asif discusses mask use during the Covid-19 pandemic (18:11). He goes over the history of mask use during epidemics, particularly the work of Dr. Wu Lien-teh. Asif then reviews some of the myths behind masks and the mixed-messaging behind mask use at the beginning of the pandemic. He then discusses the evidence behind masks and some the new recommendations concerning masks and the new Covid-19 variants. FInally, Asif reviews some of the concerns regarding mask use in children.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
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Show Notes:
In today’s episode, Ali discusses the auditioning process for movies and television roles (0:57). He discusses how he went from stand-up comedy to acting and how he got an agent. He then discusses some memorable (and not so memorable) auditions. Next, Asif discusses the ketogenic diet (28:53). He talks about what makes up a ketogenic diet and its use in epilepsy. Asif then discusses its more controversial use in weight loss and diabetes.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
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In today’s episode, Ali discusses the issue of joke theft in Comedy (1:00). He discusses the definition of joke theft and why it can be a contentious issue amongst comedians. Ali then discusses famous accusations of joke theft including the cases of Conan O’Brien, Carlos Mencia & Joe Rogan, and Nick Thune. Then, Ali asks Asif about some famous medical movies and television shows and asks “did they get it right?” (22:30). They discuss movies such as Awakenings and Patch Adams and television shows such as Doogie Howser MD, Scrubs, House, E.R., Gray’s Anatomy and The Good Doctor.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
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Show Notes:
It’s the first episode! After the guys briefly introduce themselves (0:44), Ali discusses performing comedy during the Covid19 pandemic (4:59). He talks about performing comedy via Zoom, social distancing in comedy clubs, as well as new ventures such as performing at a Just for Laughs show at a drive-in. Then, Asif discusses cannabis and CBD use in medicine (25:10). He talks about its use in medicine and the case of Charlotte Figi and Charlotte’s Web, which was brought to mainstream attention by CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Asif then discusses the current role for CBD in epilepsy and the limited role in other medical conditions.
The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay
Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Thanks to the following people for their advice on the development of this podcast:
Megan Harrison
Madiha Fancy
Bradford Mackay
Robert Webster
Hasan Alam
Q Hussain
Edward Nevraumont
Rajiv Thavanathan
Hans Rosenberg
Marco Timpano
Show notes:
Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC’s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject.
We talk about serious subjects in an unserious way. If you want to hear about comedy, entertainment, health and wellness and don’t want to have to choose between being entertaining AND informed, then this show is for you.
Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay