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
May 28, 2024 • 49min
Ep 141 Maggots: Such noble work
Explore the surprising world of maggots and their healing powers! These little larvae can prevent infection and promote recovery, especially in chronic wounds. Discover how they break down dead tissue while combating bacteria with their unique enzymes and antimicrobial compounds. The history of maggot therapy spans centuries, with fascinating stories from the American Civil War to modern-day medical applications. Although they come with a 'yuck factor,' these noble creatures are making a comeback in medicine, proving that they truly are nature's wound care experts!
May 21, 2024 • 1h 29min
Ep 140 Nipah virus: Of Fruit and Bats
Dr. Clifton McKee discusses the deadly Nipah virus, its origins, and ecological factors driving outbreaks. They explore spillover events, One Health approach, and the virus' impact on humans. Learn about the virus that inspired the movie Contagion.
May 14, 2024 • 56min
Special Episode: Dr. Sara Manning Peskin & A Molecule Away from Madness
We live on the edge. Whether we fail to acknowledge it or try not to think of it, that fact remains true for most of us. A chemical shift, a rogue protein, a marauding molecule - our brains are vulnerable to an array of attacks that could dramatically alter our connection with the world and ourselves. In this episode of the TPWKY book club, Dr. Sara Manning Peskin, MD, MS, assistant professor of clinical neurology at the University of Pennsylvania and author, joins us to discuss her book A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain. Deeply fascinating, occasionally terrifying, and always empathetic, A Molecule Away from Madness features individual cases of the brain gone awry. Dr. Manning Peskin artfully combines these emotional and personal stories with approachable explanations of how our brains work and historical descriptions of how we gained this understanding. Tune in to this captivating conversation wherever you get your podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 7, 2024 • 1h 26min
Ep 139 Supplements: “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA”
Dive into the booming world of dietary supplements and uncover the truth behind the flashy claims. Explore the murky waters of regulation and consumer safety, as well as the historical marketing tactics that shaped the industry. The episode reveals the alarming growth of the supplement market, especially during the pandemic, and discusses the serious implications of underreported adverse events. It also addresses the global crisis of undernutrition, contrasting how marketing exploits fears while lacking scientific backing.
49 snips
Apr 30, 2024 • 1h 19min
Ep 138 Fever: Take it to the limit
Delve into the fascinating world of fevers in this red-hot episode. Explore the history of thermometers, the body's response to fevers, and the evolutionary aspects of temperature regulation. Learn about the significance of fevers in health and the complexities of managing high temperatures. Tune in for some very fun fever facts!
17 snips
Apr 23, 2024 • 1h 7min
Special Episode: Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens & Medical Bondage
The TPWKY book club is back in action, and we’re thrilled to be starting this season’s reading journey with Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens, reproductive rights advocate, Associate Professor in the University of Connecticut history department, and award-winning author of Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology. The history of science and medicine often focuses on the achievements of wealthy, white male physicians and researchers whose names are etched on medical school buildings, libraries, and dormitories. Rarely do these stories give voice to those whose bodies or labor were exploited in the name of scientific progress. In the first book club episode of the season, Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens joins us to discuss the Black enslaved women who worked alongside the so-called “Father of Gynecology”, James Marion Sims, as both patients and caregivers in nineteenth-century America. Our conversation takes us through the inherent contradictions in the way nineteenth-century physicians wrote and thought about race, gender, and health, and how broad changes in medical practice during this time promoted the dissemination of unfounded beliefs in how white and Black bodies experienced pain, health, and disease. Tune in for a fascinating conversation that will have you immediately adding Medical Bondage to your to-read list! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 snips
Apr 16, 2024 • 1h 39min
Ep 137 ME/CFS: What’s in a name? (A lot, actually)
Exploring the parallels between ME/CFS and Long Covid, the biological underpinnings of ME/CFS, the twisty history of the disease, the power of patient advocates, challenges in defining ME/CFS, immune system alterations, historical perceptions of similar conditions, stigma surrounding ME/CFS, and potential treatments and research strategies.
35 snips
Apr 9, 2024 • 1h 34min
Ep 136 Long Covid: A long time coming
In this podcast, they discuss Long Covid and its impact on individuals post-recovery. They explore patient activism, challenges faced in getting medical recognition, and the complexities of the condition. The narrative delves into symptoms, potential drivers, and the far-reaching effects of Long Covid, including cognitive impairment and disrupted sleep patterns. They also touch on research findings and immune profiling of Long Covid.
Feb 13, 2024 • 2h 5min
Ep 135 Menopause is whatever you want it to be
Exploring the silence and misconceptions surrounding menopause, the podcast delves into the physiological processes, symptoms, and challenges of this transition. It discusses the individual variation in experiencing menopause and the historical negative views and stigma associated with it. The podcast also examines the evolution and purpose of menopause in different species, highlighting the rarity of menopause in the animal kingdom and discussing potential reasons for its existence. Additionally, it explores the geographic and cultural variations in reporting and perception of menopause, as well as treatment options for menopausal symptoms.
14 snips
Jan 30, 2024 • 1h 28min
Ep 134 Tonsils: Underestimated and underappreciated
Explore the history and significance of tonsillectomies, from their popularity in the 20th century to their decline. Learn about the various types and functions of tonsils, the risks and benefits of tonsil removal surgery, and historical methods of tonsil removal. Discover the controversy surrounding tonsils as focal infections and the doubts surrounding tonsillectomies. Finally, gain insights into tonsils as a fascinating tool for understanding immune responses and vaccine development.
