The Body of Evidence
Dr. Christopher Labos
Dr. Christopher Labos and guests use the body of evidence to go beyond science and medicine headlines and hype. All to help you develop your critical thinking skills so that when you google your symptoms, you won't believe you're going to die tomorrow.
The Body of Evidence is your weekly dose of clarity on complex health topics and the often-sketchy medical information found online. Hosted by cardiologist Dr. Christopher Labos and featuring a rotating cast of co-hosts and guests, this podcast brings you engaging interviews, original reporting, and humour-filled commentaries to help you navigate the world of medicine. Episodes tackle everything from debunking misinformation to exploring the reality of certain conditions to the effectiveness of social media medical trends. With an extensive archive dating back to 2015,The Body of Evidence is your go-to source for understanding science and medicine and developing critical thinking about your health.
The Body of Evidence is your weekly dose of clarity on complex health topics and the often-sketchy medical information found online. Hosted by cardiologist Dr. Christopher Labos and featuring a rotating cast of co-hosts and guests, this podcast brings you engaging interviews, original reporting, and humour-filled commentaries to help you navigate the world of medicine. Episodes tackle everything from debunking misinformation to exploring the reality of certain conditions to the effectiveness of social media medical trends. With an extensive archive dating back to 2015,The Body of Evidence is your go-to source for understanding science and medicine and developing critical thinking about your health.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 9, 2016 • 43min
023 - Direct-to-Consumer DNA Testing and Homeopathy
Would you like to know if you are the carrier of a horrible disease? With direct-to-consumer DNA testing, you can now bypass your doctor and see the results for yourself! But is there wisdom in choosing the DIY route? And is the information useful… or self-evident? Plus: a taste of our interview with the CBC's Erica Johnson on getting Health Canada approval for a fake remedy, and will poinsettias kill Fido this holiday season? Vox pop by Thanos Michailopoulos (@ThanosMic). Jingle by Jillian Kate. Additional music by Kevin MacLeod. Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
Nov 3, 2016 • 48min
022 - Symposium Edition 2016 (Science and the Media)
Dr. Christopher Labos and Jonathan Jarry host a one-hour version of their podcast, The Body of Evidence, on stage at the Trottier Public Science Symposium (McGill University). Their guests: Joel Achenbach (The Washington Post) and Trevor Butterworth (Sense About Science USA). Featuring a vox pop segment with Thanos Michailopoulos and music by Joseph Hackl. You can also watch the video version on our YouTube channel.
Oct 6, 2016 • 59min
021 - Sleep and Bad Statistics
A visit to Chris' bedroom reveals fun facts about sleep and leads to bodily harm. Melatonin, sleeping pills, sleep hygiene: what works? Plus an interview with the author of the book "Statistics Done Wrong" and a discussion about Theranos and lab diagnostics. Come see us on stage October 18 at noon for the Trottier Public Science Symposium! Vox pop by David Pryde (@DavidPrydeJokes). Jingle by Jillian Kate. Additional music by Kevin MacLeod. Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
Sep 8, 2016 • 57min
020 - Probiotics and Antibiotics
Yogurt is chock-full of probiotics but do these nice bacteria do anything for your health? Plus an interview with Dr. Saul Hymes on antibiotic resistance, and crowdfunding projects that overhype their science (bioluminescent plant, anyone?). Vox pop by Thanos Michailopoulos. Jingle by Joseph Hackl from Voodoo Jazz. Additional music by Kevin MacLeod. Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
Aug 4, 2016 • 51min
019 - Sunscreen and the MMR Vaccine
A day at the pool leads Chris and Jonathan to talk about the evidence behind sunscreen… and restraining orders. Comedian Thanos Michailopoulos heads to ComicCon to ask Superman if he puts on SPF 30. Also: refuting the antivaccine arguments of a Montrealer and questions on herbal weight loss and vitamin C. Vox pop by Thanos Michailopoulos. Jingle by Joseph Hackl from Voodoo Jazz. Additional music by Kevin MacLeod. Theme music: "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra. LINKS:
Jul 7, 2016 • 48min
018 - Lyme Disease and Veritasium
An ill-judged nature hike leads to a conversation about Lyme disease, both the acute infection and the claimed chronic disease. Plus: an interview with Derek "Veritasium" Muller on pseudoteaching, not fooling yourself, and parenting. Hate mail, funny medical codes, #SpoonGate, and the low-fat option. Jingle by Jillian Kate. Check out our website at http://www.bodyofevidence.ca.
Jun 4, 2016 • 40min
017 - Evidence and Exercise
Are all studies created equal? Chris and Jonathan talk about evidence, like what is the evidence that Chris stole Jonathan's sandwich. Plus, the worth of exercise and how one judge may have opened a can of worms for off-label drug use. Jingle by Joseph Hackl at VoodooJazz.ca.
May 18, 2016 • 57min
016B - Stage Show 1 - Talk
Audio from the second half of The Body of Evidence Stage Show which took place April 24, 2016 at the Katacombes, Montreal. Jonathan gives a 20-minute talk on how we discovered that mutations caused cancer, and he and Chris answer questions from the audience: sunscreen, liver cancer, direct-to-consumer whole-genome sequencing, and the healthcare systems of Quebec and Ontario.
May 5, 2016 • 1h 5min
016A - Stage Show 1 - Quiz
Warning: Explicit language. Audio from the first half of The Body of Evidence Stage Show which took place April 24, 2016 at the Katacombes, Montreal. A quiz show on celebrity health fads hosted by Jonathan Jarry, with panelists David Pryde, Bianca Yates, Darren Henwood, and Dr. Christopher Labos. Rejuvenating facials, arthritic goats, Gwyneth Paltrow, and too many semen jokes to count. Enjoy!
Apr 7, 2016 • 53min
015 - Fat and Denialism
Should fat be demonized or is it actually good for you? And are statins harmful? Plus: signs you're a science denialist; maple syrup's impact on brain function; red wine rebuttal; allergies; and our stage show on April 24! Also: Chris wants to cremate Jonathan's body. Jingle by Jillian Kate. You can find her on Facebook and YouTube. Additional music by Kevin MacLeod. Vox pop segment by comedian Thanos Michailopoulos. Our theme music is "Troll of the Mountain Swing" by the Underscore Orkestra.
