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
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.
Jan 16, 2024 • 1h 49min
Ep 133 Parvoviruses: Who let the dogs (and their viruses) out?
Explore the world of parvoviruses beyond dogs, including their biology, history, and pandemic spread. Learn about the role raccoons played in the emergence of canine parvovirus. Discover the latest research on parvoviruses and gene therapy. Discuss the symptoms, transmission, and complications of parvovirus B19. Delve into the distinctions between human and animal parvoviruses and the naming and discovery of parvo viruses. Understand the impact of parvovirus on puppies and kittens and the importance of vaccination.
Jan 2, 2024 • 1h 26min
Ep 132 Osteogenesis Imperfecta: All bones about it
Explore the genetic disorder osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and the crucial role collagen plays in biology. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of living with OI. Discover the power of imagination and advocacy for individuals with invisible disabilities. Get a collagen fizz recipe and understand the biology of OI. Trace the first published description of a disease and the progress made in understanding OI. Discuss treatment and access to treatment for OI. Explore bone remodeling and growth and potential treatments for OI.
Dec 12, 2023 • 1h 42min
Ep 131 Parkinson’s Disease: Dopamine & discoveries
Explore the dimensions of Parkinson's disease, including its biology, history, and promising research. Learn about the personal journey of a doctor living with Parkinson's and the challenges they faced. Delve into the symptoms, variability, and diagnostic challenges of the disease. Discover the historical origins of Parkinson's and the discovery of dopamine. Uncover advancements in research and advocacy for Parkinson's disease. Understand the increasing incidence and global burden of the disease.
8 snips
Nov 28, 2023 • 1h 52min
Ep 130 Cocoliztli: We do love a salty dish
This podcast explores the deadly cocoliztli epidemics that ravaged Mesoamerica during the 16th century, causing massive hemorrhage, jaundice, and high mortality rates. Researchers analyze various proposed pathogens, ruling out diseases like smallpox and measles. The possibility of bubonic plague as the cause is discussed, along with limitations of DNA analysis. The hosts delve into the symptoms and effects of the mysterious pathogen, drawing comparisons to typhus and typhoid. The difficulty of tracking the spread of nosebleeds is also explored. The episode ends with gratitude and hygiene reminders.
Nov 14, 2023 • 1h 21min
Ep 129 Lymphatic Filariasis: Hiding in plain sight
This episode explores the intricate ecology and biology of lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical disease. It delves into the history of the disease as the first recognized mosquito-borne illness and its current global burden. Exciting treatment developments are discussed, offering hope for relief to millions at risk. Personal experiences of individuals with lymphatic filariasis are shared, highlighting the impact on their lives. The chapter also touches on the role of parasitic worms, the lymphatic system, and the pathogenesis and symptoms of the disease. Overcoming treatment challenges and the importance of research and understanding socio-economic impacts are emphasized.
