

Sickboy
CBC
Sickboy is the only place where terminal diagnoses can peacefully coexist with jokes we probably shouldn't make. Hosted by three best friends, Jeremie, Brian, and Taylor, this show smashes taboos around illness, death, and everything in between. Inspired by Jeremie’s life with Cystic Fibrosis, we dive headfirst into the uncomfortable, the hilarious, and the heartbreaking. We talk to people living with everything from chronic disease to catastrophic injury, mental health struggles to medical miracles - and we do it with radical empathy, zero BS, and the kind of unfiltered jokes that get us kicked out of support groups. If you’ve ever felt weird, broken, or like no one gets it, welcome. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Pull up a seat; it’s gonna get real.Follow Sickboy on Instagram & TikTok!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 17, 2025 • 2h
The Boy with Cerebral Palsy Accused of Arson | The 10 Year Anniversary Special
You don’t survive ten years of podcasting without a few scars—and a hell of a lot of stories. In part one of this milestone episode, the guys sit down with Brock, a new intern with a fiery past—literally. From being wrongly accused of arson at age four to navigating life with cerebral palsy, Brock’s journey is as hilarious as it is jaw-dropping. He unpacks what it means to live with PVL, how systemic failures nearly derailed his education, and why he wouldn’t trade his disability for anything. Then in part two, the hosts turn the mics inward. Reflecting on a decade of Sickboy, they revisit the biggest lessons, most surprising moments, and the impact this show has had—not just on listeners, but on themselves. With equal parts heart and humour, this is the definitive Sickboy episode: raw, reflective, and wildly unforgettable.You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0EVgIbBQOxtKJ4qjAlfeutzZRfCGV8nbSickboy LIVE in Calgary!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord

Sep 10, 2025 • 60min
Preparing for Doomsday Every Month | Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Think PMS makes you a little cranky? That's cute. This week, we're diving headfirst into its evil, unhinged cousin: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or PMDD. Our guest Julia describes it as preparing for "doomsday" every single month —a two-week cycle where her brain basically turns into a rage-filled, paranoid monster that, among other things, absolutely hates her husband. This isn't just about mood swings; it's a full-blown psychiatric disorder that comes with a terrifying risk of suicidal thoughts and makes just getting through the day a monumental task. Julia walks us through the whole experience, from getting diagnosed thanks to her running watch (seriously) , to considering the most metal solution possible: having her ovaries surgically removed. Spoiler: her doctors weren't exactly thrilled with the idea. Strap in for a wild, raw, and surprisingly funny look at a condition that proves hormones are not to be trifled with.Sickboy LIVE in Calgary!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

Sep 9, 2025 • 3min
Sickboy | Trailer
We're not like the other health podcasts — we're weirder. For 10 years and counting, Sickboy has been the forum for open, honest and hilarious conversations destigmatizing all types of illnesses and injuries. Join best friends Jeremie, Brian and Taylor on their journey to laugh through life's most painful conversations. Come for the wildly inappropriate jokes, stay for the conversations that will change the way you view life, death, and wellbeing. Thanks for being here!

Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 9min
She Flew Too Close To The Sun | Full Mental Breakdown
When we last spoke with Cameo in 2023, she was a driven student who seemed to be thriving, managing her mental health in a way that truly worked for her. Then, she reached out with an update. Cameo returns to the show to share the unfiltered reality of what happens when a mental health journey takes a nosedive. In a conversation that is both heartbreaking and incredibly self-aware, she describes being trapped in a prison of her own making—battling all-consuming OCD, anxiety, and the lingering grip of an eating disorder that has followed her since childhood. This is a raw, necessary look at the messy truth of recovery, and a reminder that the path to wellness is rarely a straight line.This conversation deals with difficult themes of mental illness. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that support is available. You don't have to go through this alone.- For crisis support across Canada: Call or text 9-8-8 anytime.- In Quebec: Call Info-Social at 811 to speak with a psychosocial health professional.- For non-crisis support: Text WELLNESS to 741741 to connect with Wellness Together Canada.Reaching out is a sign of strength.

Aug 27, 2025 • 57min
"I Can Literally Stress Myself to Death" | Addison's Disease
You can’t hike your way out of an adrenal crisis.After a sudden diagnosis of Addison’s disease at 23, Aly’s life changed in a single phone call—from invincibility to a strict medication schedule and emergency steroid injections. She shares the harrowing early signs of adrenal failure, the shock of navigating life-threatening illness, and the second crisis that forced her to take her condition seriously. But this isn’t just about survival. It’s about adaptation. Aly opens up about “rewilding” herself back into the outdoors, reclaiming joy in hiking and surfing while living in manual mode. From hospitalizations to heartbreak, this episode explores chronic illness, self-advocacy, and finding strength in the body you have—even when it betrays you.

Aug 20, 2025 • 59min
The Craziest F*ing Story We've Ever Heard | The Father Who Built a Gene Therapy
Some people hit walls. Others knock them down, build a lab, raise millions, and call up strangers to make a genetically engineered mouse. When Terry Pirovolakis learned his young son Michael had SPG50 — a rare degenerative disease with no treatment and a grim prognosis — he didn’t spiral. He mobilized. In this jaw-dropping story of parental devotion and scientific hustle, Terry recounts how he went from IT consultant to biotech trailblazer, spearheading the development of a gene therapy from scratch. From homemade mice to confronting the Prime Minister, this episode is a whirlwind of heartbreak, grit, global collaboration, and unshakable hope. It’s not just about saving one child — it’s about lighting a path for thousands more.Sickboy LIVE in Calgary: https://www.showpass.com/podsummityyc2025/Follow Sickboy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sickboypodcastTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sickboypodcastDiscord: https://discord.gg/expeUDN

Aug 13, 2025 • 49min
He Hasn’t Peed in 17 Years | Kidney Failure
Alex hasn’t peed in 17 years — and he’s been busy. Diagnosed at 11 with a rare kidney disease triggered by a brutal run of childhood illnesses, his life became a blur of seizures, dialysis, and a transplant that didn’t stick. Now, between 7-hour nocturnal dialysis sessions, Alex co-owns two thriving Toronto restaurants and is building a creative community from scratch. In this episode, he talks about living with three kidneys (none of them working), how trauma forged his sense of purpose, and why “burnout” takes on a whole new meaning when your body’s already pulling an all-nighter just to keep you alive.

Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 4min
My Guts Are Nuts | Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
They say laughter is the best medicine - unless you're diagnosed with something that sounds like a meme.Mike lives with FAP, short for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis - a rare genetic disorder that guarantees colon cancer without drastic surgical intervention. In this unfiltered and laugh-out-loud conversation, Mike opens up about the brutal realities of living without a large intestine, the mental toll of life-altering surgery at 18, and the deeply personal decision to write a memoir titled A Bump in the Road. From rows of shark-like baby teeth to an ostomy bag that looked like Rudolph’s nose, Mike takes us through the gritty details of his medical journey. But what starts as a conversation about disease turns into something much bigger: a story of resilience, perspective, and finding purpose on the other side of pain. Plus, a passionate pitch for bidets, because we all know bidets are for kings. Check out Mike's book!

Jul 30, 2025 • 50min
The Pokemon Seizure Panic of ‘97 | Photosensitive Epilepsy
Turns out, the most dangerous thing on TV in the ‘90s wasn’t violence—it was Pikachu. In December, 1997, nearly 700 kids in Japan were rushed to the hospital after watching a single episode of Pokémon. No, this isn’t an urban legend—it actually happened, and it was electrifying (lol). This week, Jer walks the fellas headfirst into the wild, true story of the Pokémon seizure panic, how Pikachu literally short-circuited a nation, and why poor ol’ Porygon got wrongfully canceled before being canceled was cool.We break down the science of photosensitive epilepsy, uncover how a cartoon nearly led to a nationwide media meltdown. Justice for Porygon. Blame Pikachu. You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord

Jul 23, 2025 • 41min
“I Have Down Syndrome… And Road Rage”
Taylor Arbeau is a firecracker. A passionate photographer, musician, and former Special Olympics athlete, she also happens to live with Down syndrome — mosaic Down syndrome, to be exact (yeah, we had no clue what that was either). In this candid convo, Taylor drops truth bombs about growing up “different,” discovering self-love, and calling bullshit on assumptions people make about her. She opens up about dating, her dreams of becoming a mom, and the unexpected ways Down syndrome has shaped her art and identity.This episode is all heart and zero pity. It’s a celebration of difference, determination, and the power of proudly being yourself — even if you might have a tiny bit of road rage.Follow Taylor’s work on Instagram:Photography: @beausphotos3Music: @taylorandmusic.3


