Critically Speaking

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Brandon Sparks discuss the phenomenon of involuntary celibacy (incels). Dr. Sparks, an applied forensic psychologist, explains that incels are men experiencing long-term involuntary celibacy, often due to social exclusion and bullying during adolescence. Incels, primarily aged 18-30, are less likely to be in education or employment. The term "incel" originated from a woman's project at Carleton University. Incels often self-identify online, where they discuss the "Black Pill" philosophy, a nihilistic view of society. Dr. Sparks highlights the need for empathy and understanding to address their isolation and frustration.    Key Takeaways: The modern iteration is often “incel” refers exclusively to men who are experiencing involuntary celibacy and they've been experiencing this for quite some time. They've come to believe that they can't form romantic or sexual relationships, and that's causing them an extreme amount of distress. For women who identify with the experience of an incel, they are often called “femcels”.  There's a lot of incels that are looking to talk to people and to share their experiences. One of the biggest risk factors in adolescence is the people who are already being left behind. This seems to indicate that there's certainly a subset of people who struggle to catch up.   "Incel philosophy as we know it, based on forum analysis they've created this worldview called the “Black Pill”, which is a nihilistic perspective of the world. It's this very transactional view of relationships, which is quite problematic because they're viewing women as master manipulators, playing this big game plan, and that men are just a means to an end for them." —  Dr. Brandon Sparks   Connect with Dr. Brandon Sparks: Website: https://www.brandontsparks.com/  Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=vWzf3QMAAAAJ&hl=en    Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Brandon-Sparks-4  Twitter: https://x.com/brandon__sparks    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brandonsparks.bsky.social      Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Therese Markow discusses the impact of budgetary cuts on scientific research and the Nations Report Card from the Department of Education. She explains what the funding from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation supports, and argues how cutting overhead costs to 15% shuts down scientific progress. She also highlights the importance of the Nations Report Card, which has tracked student performance since 1969, for informing educational policy. Markow urges listeners to contact their representatives to reinstate funding for the National Report Card.   Key Takeaways: Laboratories are in buildings - buildings with plumbing, lights, air conditioning, heat, power to operate equipment, and more that all require maintenance, These are paid for by the overhead, not from the research grants Test results are critical for understanding where improvements need to be made in education, both private and public. We want our students to be competent.  When people aren’t reading, they are missing information that is vital to their wellbeing and the well-being of their communities.   "When you hear complaints that these overhead costs are excessive or a rip-off, think about it. Clearly, they're essential and they shouldn't be cut." —  Therese Markow, Ph.D.     Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

We all believe in something, from Santa Claus, to the global shape of the earth, to babies needing to be taken care of for survival. While some of our beliefs are intuitive or have evidence, many are not. Sometimes the evidence that we believe to be true is faulty. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. James Alcock discuss how these beliefs are built, how we interpret situations to create beliefs, and why we, as a society, have so many common beliefs. As humans, we like to believe we are rational beings, but so many of our beliefs are happening automatically, without our conscious thought or from common teachings that we are all exposed to from those in authority. Therese and Dr. Alcock also discuss further complications regarding belief, such as conspiracy mentalities, imagination inflation, and memory contamination and the role that these elements of complication can play in trying to suss out what to believe in this world full of many shades of gray.       Key Takeaways: We cannot learn everything in one lifetime so, as a society, we come to rely on authorities and shared, inherited beliefs.  There is no evidence that people can bury trauma. The problem with trauma is people can’t forget.  Due to mental desire to belief and idiosyncratic movements, humans often see things that are “magic” or “unexplainable” due to our own actions.   "The problem is, if we don’t have the capacity and we don’t have the motivation to critically examine the evidence, then we won’t distinguish between evidence that really is factual and evidence which is wrong." —  Dr. James Alcock   Connect with Dr. James Alcock: Wikipedia Page: James Alcock   Book: Belief: What it Means to Believe and Why Our Convictions are so Compelling      Connect with Therese: Website:  www.criticallyspeaking.net Twitter: @CritiSpeak Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net     Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Loretta Mayer discuss the growing problem of urban rat populations, exacerbated by climate change and the ineffectiveness of traditional poisoning methods. Dr. Mayer discusses the non-lethal contraceptive method for rats and mice, developed from her research on reproductive physiology, and successful field tests that have shown significant reduction in rodent populations around the world. Finally, they discuss the non-profit Wisdom Good Works as well as Wisdom Good Bites and their aim to improve public health and environmental conditions by reducing rodent-borne diseases and improving rodent health.     Key Takeaways: Rats are the most successful reproductive mammal on earth, with the ability of a single female to generate over 15,000 prodigy over her lifetime.  The rat contraceptive has a half-life of less than 15 minutes, meaning there is no possibility of transferring the contraceptive to a predator like a cat or a raptor. Rats are smart, and they learn. If you’re trying to feed them poison, they will learn, and they will avoid it.    "The literature is quite deep on these rodents. They love to be tickled. They have compassion for other rodents. They are very closely connected to their conspecifics." —  Dr. Loretta Mayer   Episode References:  Another unwelcome consequence of climate change: An explosion of urban rats by Karen Kaplan - https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-01-31/climate-change-could-cause-an-explosion-of-urban-rats    Connect with Dr. Loretta Mayer: Professional Bio: https://wisdomgoodworks.org/about-us/  Website: https://wisdomgoodworks.org/ & https://wisdomgoodbites.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretta-mayer-b4025914/    Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.  

In this episode, Therese Markow and Charles Piller discuss the slow progress of Alzheimer’s treatments. Based on his research and findings as an investigative journalist, as well as his newest book, Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s, they discuss the complexity of the disease, msiconduct in the research, and the other problems the research is facing despite the funding for it being at an all time high. Charles comments on the FDA's reliance on industry-affiliated advisors, the revolving door phenomenon, and why the new anti-amyloid drugs are not as practical as they might seem on the surface with limited effectiveness, high costs, and high liability. Finally, Charles emphasizes the need for diverse research strategies and better regulation to protect patients and families traversing this complex disease.     Key Takeaways: There are more than 7 million people with Alzheimer’s in the US. In addition, there are 11 million family caregivers or loved ones taking care of these patients, which is an enormous issue and burden, both financial and emotional.  The Amyloid Mafia idea is behind the concerns that the competitive pressure has reduced the extent of the types of ideas that are being fully examined in the treatments for Alzheimer’s. While science is often self-correcting, it can take time. It is important for forensic image sleuths and journalists to expose misconduct and other scientific errors or wrongdoings to speed up that process of science, acknowledging and correcting the errors.    "In the marketplace of scientific ideas, competition is almost always valuable to test and press the progenitors of these ideas into being able to think flexibly and to try to prove out the ones that are the ones that are the most effective." —  Charles Piller   Connect with Charles Piller: Professional Bio: https://www.science.org/content/author/charles-piller  Book: Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s - https://www.amazon.com/Doctored-Fraud-Arrogance-Tragedy-Alzheimers/dp/1668031248    Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.  

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Paul Offit discuss the MMR vaccine, the history of it, and the current decay of measles herd immunity today.  Many parents are refusing to vaccinate their children, referencing politicians, actors, and social activists who lack correct information regarding the vaccine.  Even if an unvaccinated child recovers from measles,  they may, years later, develop a fatal encephalitis from the measles virus that has hidden in their brains. Dr. Offit thus discusses not only the serious potential complications of measles during the illness but the risks of later and seemingly unrelated fatalities in the unvaccinated.     Key Takeaways: School vaccine mandates were born in the mid-1970s, especially in big cities, as outbreaks were often spread in schools. In a portion of children who recover from measles, the measles virus still remains hidden in the brain and can result in encephalitis. You have the right to make decisions about your own health, but you don’t have the right to make your child a martyr for your cause. Many of those activating against vaccinations are still referencing an invalidated and retracted paper from 1998.   "Medicine’s hard enough – there is so much we can’t do - but this we can do! We can prevent this disease, so watching parents, knowingly, put their children in harm’s way, and putting those their children come in contact with in harm’s way, has been very hard to watch." —  Dr. Paul Offit   Connect with Dr. Paul Offit: Professional Bio: https://www.chop.edu/doctors/offit-paul-a  Book: Bad Advice: Or Why Celebrities, Politicians, and Activists Aren’t Your Best Source of Health Information and More!   Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.    

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Jamie Lo discuss the complex topic of marijuana and the fetal brain. Dr. Lo explains some of the findings from a study of over 3 million pregnant individuals in California, why pregnant individuals may choose to use marijuana, the links between THC exposure in the fetal brain and long-term neurodevelopmental issues, and why this conversation is becoming increasingly important for healthcare providers to have with their patients. Dr. Lo emphasizes the importance of both maternal and fetal health, the need for better public health campaigns, and increased education for healthcare providers to address the rising use of cannabis during pregnancy.     Key Takeaways: More people now use marijuana than alcohol. The prevalence of pregnant individuals ranges from about 2-5% up to 30% depending on socioeconomic status, region, and other factors.  The reasons that pregnant individuals report marijuana use are typically for nausea, vomiting, sleep, insomnia, and mental health as well as management of pain and stress. Marijuana is not safer just because it is “plant-based”. Opium, tobacco, and alcohol are all also plant-based.  We need clearer public health messaging around cannabis. The information widely available now is often confusing or stigmatized.   "Cannabis, unlike other drugs, is not related to birth defects, but there is an increased risk for preterm birth, small for gestational age babies, increased risk for stillbirth, as well as longer-term effects that are more subtle but are very important." —  Dr. Jamie Lo, MD   Connect with Dr. Jamie Lo, MD: Professional Bio: https://www.ohsu.edu/people/jamie-lo-md-mcr    Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.  

In this episode, Therese Markow and Natalie Wexler discuss the poor reading skills of American students, as evidenced by NAEP test results. Natalie highlights the ineffectiveness of current reading programs and the focus on skills over content. She also talks about the discrepancies between students of different backgrounds, and how The Matthew Effect appears in reading comprehension and general knowledge. She also encourages teachers and parents to introduce their children, as early as possible, to higher concepts and vocabulary as children can and do understand more than many give them credit for. Natalie also discusses the role of writing in enhancing reading comprehension and the need for systemic changes in education to improve literacy outcomes.    Key Takeaways: When it comes to literacy and reading, the standards don’t specify content. Therefore, the tests are not grounded in consistent content. Most kids need to learn their phonics in order to become fluent readers. Making this a more automated skill will free up brain power for comprehension.  Vocabulary is more likely to stick if it is heard in context and on repeat. Read aloud to your kids. Kids can take in more sophisticated concepts and vocabulary through listening than reading. This goes through age 13.  More than average amounts of social studies in elementary school are correlated with higher than average reading scores later in school.    "Kids who started with less of that academic knowledge and vocabulary, if they don't acquire it through school, they're going to fall farther and farther behind, because they're going to be limited to those simple texts. Even if there's some new vocabulary, new information in those texts, they're less likely to be able to retain it because they don't have anything for it to stick to." —  Natalie Wexler   Episode References:  The Knowledge Matters Campaign: https://knowledgematterscampaign.org/    Connect with Natalie Wexler: Professional Bio: https://nataliewexler.com/about/  Website: https://nataliewexler.com/  Substack: https://nataliewexler.substack.com/    Books: Beyond the Science of Reading: https://nataliewexler.com/beyond-the-science-of-reading/  The Knowledge Gap: https://nataliewexler.com/the-knowledge-gap/  The Writing Revolution: https://nataliewexler.com/the-writing-revolution/twr-2-0-cover-amazon/      Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net      Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.    

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Amy Cooter discuss the complexities and variations within militia groups in the United States, citing examples of constitutional militias, millenarian militias, and border militias noting their varying beliefs and tendencies. Dr. Cooter also highlights how the role of nostalgia and protecting the Second Amendment rights are integral in militias’ self-perception. They discuss the difficulty in tracking militia activity, the racial undertones in these militia groups, as well as the legality and legal loopholes that many of these groups fall within.     Key Takeaways: Not all militias are the same. They do not have the same goals, structure, meetings,  life experiences, or beliefs. Border militias tend to be more concerned about migration, whereas others, who live away from the Southern border of the US, are less concerned about immigration. The Second Amendment and nostalgia are two major things that tie militia groups together with a point of commonality. A lot of militia members aren't very religious themselves, but we have to pay attention to the way that the mythologized story of our founding and who we are as a nation connects to certain Christian mythology in ways that are getting pulled forward with different iterations of what we’re calling White Christian Nationalism.   "Most militias really see their limits at their community or even their county boundary. They tend to have only very local members to set their own agenda, even if they do coordinate, sometimes for training or other activities, with other geographically near militias." —  Dr. Amy Cooter     Episode Reference:  ProPublica Article: The Militia and the Mole by Joshua Kaplan: https://www.propublica.org/article/ap3-oath-keepers-militia-mole    Connect with Dr. Amy Cooter: Professional Bio: middlebury.edu/institute/people/amy-cooter  Website: https://www.amycooter.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-cooter-67a9a242  Book: Nostalgia, Nationalism, and the US Militia Movement: https://www.amazon.com/Nostalgia-Nationalism-US-Militia-Movement/dp/1032421975    Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

In this episode, Therese Markow and Richard Conniff discuss his book "Ending Epidemics," which explores the history of infectious diseases and vaccines. Richard highlights the evolution from ancient humoral theories, which thrived for nearly 2000 years, to modern germ theory, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and vaccination. He recounts the development of the smallpox vaccine by Edward Jenner and the polio vaccine by Jonas Salk, noting initial resistance and the success of widespread vaccination. He also addresses the current resistance to COVID-19 vaccines, stressing the importance of balancing vaccine risks against disease risks. He also warns of the dangers of withdrawing from global health organizations like the WHO.    Key Takeaways: The Semmelweis Reflex is the tendency of people to stick with what they already believe and ignore clear evidence that it’s wrong. Smallpox has been eradicated. In many areas, they were still using Jenner’s vaccine, which still worked up until 1980. With some viruses,  illnesses are dormant but can crop up later in life, such as chickenpox and shingles.  Viruses hide in the nervous system When you are thinking about vaccines, think about the disease, and then think about what the relative risk of the vaccine is versus the risk of the disease.   "The problem is that people can develop these imaginary problems with vaccines because they do not have any conception of how awful the disease is that the vaccine is preventing." —  Richard Conniff   Episode References:  Ending Epidemics: A History of Escape from Contagion - https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262552974/ending-epidemics/ The Species Seekers: Heroes, Fools, and the Mad Pursuit of Life on Earth - https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393341324     Connect with Richard Conniff: Professional Bio: https://mitpress.mit.edu/author/richard-conniff-39217/  Website: https://strangebehaviors.wordpress.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-conniff-9689a02/    Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Threads: @critically_speaking Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net      Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.