

Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
Justin McElroy, Dr. Sydnee McElroy
Join Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy for a tour of all the dumb, bad, gross, weird and wrong ways we've tried to fix people.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 25, 2017 • 37min
Sawbones: Yet More Weird Medical Answers
Why is there iodine in salt? What takes the place of a removed organ? Can you ... actually, that one is too gross to put here. Join Dr. Sydnee and Justin as they take on your weird medical questions even ... that last one. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Jun 17, 2017 • 39min
Sawbones: Conversion Therapy Part 2
This week, we conclude our series on "conversion therapy" with the religious aspect of this horrific "treatment." Trigger Warning: The treatments used in these "therapies" were upsetting, and those sensitive to hearing about them may wish to avoid this episode. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Jun 9, 2017 • 38min
Sawbones: Conversion Therapy Part 1
This week, we're honoring Pride Month and the LGBTQ community with an exploration of the disturbing history of conversion therapy. Trigger Warning: The treatments used in these "therapies" were upsetting, and those sensitive to hearing about them may wish to avoid this episode. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Jun 2, 2017 • 36min
Sawbones: Medicinal Tattoos
Tattoos (usually) look cool, but did you know they've also been used throughout history to treat illness? It's true! This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore the history of medicinal tattoos. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

May 25, 2017 • 31min
Sawbones: The Clap
Live from Austin, Texas, it's ... well, it's one of the grossest episodes Justin and Dr. Sydnee have ever recorded. So, sorry about that. Anyway, let's talk about The Clap! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

May 18, 2017 • 37min
Sawbones: Vivien Thomas
We mentioned him in our last episode, but Vivien Thomas deserves his own episode. Join Dr. Sydnee and Just as they explore the life of the high-school educated grandson of slaves that changed the face of surgery. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

May 11, 2017 • 37min
Sawbones: Tetralogy of Fallot
Thanks to Jimmy Kimmel's heartfelt plea for healthcare on behalf of his infant son, Tetralogy of Fallot has been in the headlines. This week on Sawbones, join us for the inspiring story of how we fought back against the debilitating ailment. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

May 4, 2017 • 33min
Sawbones: The Salisbury Diet
This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee explore the Salisbury diet, and meet the incredible woman who turned into a poop detective to prove it right. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Apr 30, 2017 • 42min
Sawbones: Flouride
This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore a medical mystery: Why, for a town in Colorado, was having brown teeth a sign of great tooth health? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Apr 24, 2017 • 45min
Sawbones: The 80-Hour Work Week
Just how long has the first-year doctor checking you out been awake? The answer may surprise you. The biggest surprise, however, is why a sleepy doctor may be better than the alternative. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers