This Podcast Will Kill You
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts
This podcast might not actually kill you, but Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke cover so many things that can. In each episode, they tackle a different topic, teaching listeners about the biology, history, and epidemiology of a different disease or medical mystery. They do the scientific research, so you don’t have to.
Since 2017, Erin and Erin have explored chronic and infectious diseases, medications, poisons, viruses, bacteria and scientific discoveries. They’ve researched public health subjects including plague, Zika, COVID-19, lupus, asbestos, endometriosis and more.
Each episode is accompanied by a creative quarantini cocktail recipe and a non-alcoholic placeborita.
Erin Welsh, Ph.D. is a co-host of the This Podcast Will Kill You. She is a disease ecologist and epidemiologist and works full-time as a science communicator through her work on the podcast. Erin Allmann Updyke, MD, Ph.D. is a co-host of This Podcast Will Kill You. She’s an epidemiologist and disease ecologist currently in the final stretch of her family medicine residency program.
This Podcast Will Kill You is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including science, true crime, comedic interviews, news, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, Buried Bones, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast and more.
Since 2017, Erin and Erin have explored chronic and infectious diseases, medications, poisons, viruses, bacteria and scientific discoveries. They’ve researched public health subjects including plague, Zika, COVID-19, lupus, asbestos, endometriosis and more.
Each episode is accompanied by a creative quarantini cocktail recipe and a non-alcoholic placeborita.
Erin Welsh, Ph.D. is a co-host of the This Podcast Will Kill You. She is a disease ecologist and epidemiologist and works full-time as a science communicator through her work on the podcast. Erin Allmann Updyke, MD, Ph.D. is a co-host of This Podcast Will Kill You. She’s an epidemiologist and disease ecologist currently in the final stretch of her family medicine residency program.
This Podcast Will Kill You is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including science, true crime, comedic interviews, news, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, Buried Bones, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 26min
Ep 180 Food Dyes: It’s all marketing
Dive into the colorful world of artificial food dyes, exploring their enticing history and marketing allure! Discover the impact of visual appeal on our taste preferences and the controversial implications for health. Unpack the differences between synthetic and natural dyes, as well as the complexities in regulation. From the historical use of vibrant colorants to modern-day controversies, including connections to ADHD, this lively discussion reveals the striking interplay between marketing and food safety.
Jun 24, 2025 • 49min
Special Episode: Professor Steven Mithen & The Language Puzzle
From the earliest grunts and gestures to the complex sentences we use today to convey a multitude of concepts, language has evolved to become one of humanity’s most powerful tools. It allows us to connect, create, conspire, control, console, catch up, and so much more. How did we come to have this uniquely human trait? What anatomical changes or cultural developments were necessary for language to evolve? What differentiates language from communication? In this TPWKY book club episode, Professor Steven Mithen joins us to discuss his latest book The Language Puzzle: Piecing Together the Six-Million-Year Story of How Words Evolved. By combining scholarship across wide-ranging fields such as archaeology, genetics, anthropology, linguistics, neuroscience, and more, Professor Mithen presents a compelling story of the origins of language. If you’ve ever wondered how babies can go from babbling one day and talking in a torrent of words the next, or how an individual language changes with each generation, this is the episode and book for you. Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link: https://bit.ly/3WwtIAuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 4min
Ep 179 Fluoride 2: Fighting tooth and nail
Dive into the heated debate surrounding fluoride and its impact on dental health. Explore personal stories and childhood dental struggles that illuminate the importance of this mineral. Discover the complexities of dental caries, the role of diet, and the significance of saliva. Unpack myths around fluoride in drinking water while assessing its health implications. Engage with fun anecdotes and ethical fashion discussions, all while sipping on a creatively named cocktail. It's a fascinating ride through science and storytelling!
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ep 178 Fluoride 1: The real tooth fairy
Explore the controversial history of fluoride and the origins of water fluoridation. Discover how early dental observations led to groundbreaking public health initiatives. Delve into the rise of anti-fluoride sentiment, fueled by misinformation and activist campaigns. Learn about the compelling scientific evidence supporting fluoride's safety and efficacy in reducing dental caries. Unpack the societal implications of removing community fluoridation and what that means for public health outcomes.
Jun 3, 2025 • 57min
Special Episode: Dr. Wendy Kline & Exposed
For many of us, pelvic exams are a routine part of our healthcare. Of course, that doesn’t mean we don’t await them with some dread or anxiety; naturally, these exams evoke a wide range of emotions. But they are a cornerstone in gynecological preventative care - a relatively new one at that. In this TPWKY book club episode, we sit down with Dr. Wendy Kline, Historian of Medicine at Purdue University, to discuss her book Exposed: The Hidden History of the Pelvic Exam. Dr. Kline takes readers through various chapters in the story of this exam: its murky origins at the hands of J. Marion Sims, its stint as a psychological diagnostic tool used by some misogynistic doctors, and its reclamation by feminist physicians and activists who sought to connect with their own bodies. Tune in for a fascinating conversation that exposes all sides of the pelvic exam, with heroes, villains, and more. Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link: https://bit.ly/3WwtIAuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 27, 2025 • 1h 25min
Ep 177 Toxic Shock Syndrome: A shock to the system
If you’ve ever read the little instructions pamphlet included in a box of tampons, you probably came across a paragraph calling attention to a condition called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). It describes the association between TSS and tampon use, symptoms of TSS, and guidance on how to reduce risk. This legally mandated warning label has formed an indelible link connecting tampons and TSS, and indeed, tampons form a large part of the story of TSS. But they are not the entire story. In this episode, we delve into that full story, examining what TSS actually is, the pathogens it’s associated with, and how it was first identified. If you’ve had TSS questions ever since you first heard of it in health class or on your box of tampons, this is the episode for you! Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link: https://bit.ly/3WwtIAuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
22 snips
May 20, 2025 • 1h 20min
Ep 176 Strychnine: The WD-40 of Victorian Medicine
Dive into the chilling world of strychnine, once a popular but deadly tonic. Explore its historical medical uses, including a doctor who underestimated its dangers. Uncover the intriguing tale of Jane Stanford and her mysterious poisoning that raised questions of foul play. The hosts also tackle the dark allure of this toxin, discussing its biochemical effects and implications for mental health. Plus, enjoy a quirky musical tribute that connects history and science!
May 13, 2025 • 53min
Special Episode: Dr. Adam Ratner & Booster Shots
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Adam Ratner, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and author, sheds light on the urgent lessons of measles and vaccine hesitancy. He draws from his experience during the New York City outbreak, emphasizing the virus's severe health risks and the importance of vaccination. Ratner explores the historical disparities in measles mortality rates, especially among marginalized communities, and discusses the impact of misinformation on public perception. Tune in for a passionate call to action for community health and education.
10 snips
May 6, 2025 • 1h
Ep 175 What’s the deal with raw milk: Part 2
The hosts dive into the raw milk debate, contrasting it with the safety of pasteurized milk. They explore alarming health risks, backed by statistics showing a significant increase in illnesses from unpasteurized consumption. Personal stories, like a family's struggle with E. coli, highlight the real dangers. The discussion also tackles the misconceptions about raw milk's benefits, while shedding light on the legal landscape and public health implications. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of the true risks and benefits involved.
5 snips
Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 10min
Ep 174 What’s the deal with raw milk: Part 1
There’s a growing buzz around raw milk and its supposed health benefits. Dive into the dangers of pre-pasteurized milk and the life-saving innovations of Louis Pasteur. The conversation unpacks how nostalgia for raw milk is entwined with a troubling anti-science movement. Explore the milk debate's ideological roots, and discover how cultural perceptions of lactose intolerance link to larger societal issues. Plus, enjoy a refreshing pink squirrel cocktail recipe for a fun twist!
