The Curious Clinicians

A medical mystery challenges the long-accepted diagnosis behind Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s paralysis. The discussion revisits his 1921 illness, examining its clinical features, epidemiology, and the possibility of Guillain-Barré syndrome or CIDP. It also explores how the diagnosis shaped Warm Springs, disability advocacy, the March of Dimes, and the pursuit of a polio vaccine.

Why does rain smell so good? This exploration of petrichor uncovers the microbes and molecules behind its earthy aroma, from geosmin and MIB to plant oils and ozone. It also examines how animals, camels, polar bears, and kangaroo rats detect water, why scent preferences shift with concentration, and a curious link between geosmin and iron deficiency.

Roshan Sethi, a radiation oncologist turned screenwriter, director, and novelist, talks about juggling medicine and storytelling. He recounts moving from med school to TV, the anger that sparked his novel The Simp, and why empathy links his careers. He also contrasts clinical precision with his creative process and teases an upcoming medical film starring Michelle Yeoh.

A deep dive into why iron deficiency often raises platelet counts. They walk through megakaryocyte biology, polyploidy, and how bone marrow and lung cells crank out more platelets. The conversation covers lineage shifts from red cells to platelets and evolutionary ideas behind iron triage.

Dr. Rana Awdish, pulmonary and critical care physician and bestselling author, reflects on illness, writing, and healing. She recounts how critical illness redirected her toward storytelling and paints healing as a spiral rather than a fixed goal. Conversations touch on vulnerability in medicine, the craft of lyrical medical prose, improv’s lessons for clinicians, and bridging biomedical care with post-discharge healing.

They investigate why bright sunlight can trigger sneezes and trace the phenomenon from Aristotle to modern studies. Prevalence, heredity, and the memorable ACHOO name get explored. Experiments on eyes, the brainstem sneeze center, and the optic–trigeminal summation theory are discussed. Practical impacts on pilots and eye exams are highlighted.

Avi Cooper, a journalist and physician who wrote the NYT Magazine visual essay on the interstitium, walks through the discovery and mapping of interstitial channels. He covers surprising tattoo flow findings, links across organs and fascia, ties to acupuncture and traditional medicine, and potential clinical roles in cancer, microbiome therapies, and other diseases.

Grace Ferris, a hospitalist and illustrator from Austin who draws comics about motherhood and medicine, talks about how daily comics began and shaped her observation skills. She shares why vulnerability and simple drawings build community. The conversation covers making a graphic memoir, design choices, and tips for getting started in graphic medicine.

A deep dive into what umami is and examples of umami-rich foods. The origin story of glutamate and how MSG came to be. How the T1R1+3 receptor and genetic differences shape umami perception. Why combining glutamate and IMP creates culinary flavor boosts. Links between umami, salivation, protein sensing and possible evolutionary reasons for its appeal.

A lively dive into why interstitial lung disease causes low oxygen but not elevated CO2. They compare gas solubility and diffusion physics like Henry's and Fick's laws. The chemistry of CO2 converting to bicarbonate is highlighted. A dramatic role for carbonic anhydrase and its clinical implications is explored.