
The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
Supercharge your learning and enhance your practice with this Internal Medicine Podcast featuring board certified Internists as they interview the experts to bring you clinical pearls, practice-changing knowledge, and bad puns. Doctors Matthew Watto, Paul Williams, and friends (a national network of students, residents, and clinician-educators) deliver a little knowledge food for your brain hole. Yummy! No boring lectures here, just high-value content and a healthy dose of humor. Fantastic for Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Primary Care, and Hospital Medicine.
Latest episodes

9 snips
Apr 3, 2023 • 55min
#388 HIV in Primary Care with Dr. Jonathan J. “JJ” Nunez MD
LIVE! Updates in HIV management at Hershey
Highly active, high-yield points on HIV management in Primary Care! We are joined by Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Jonathan J. “JJ” Nunez MD (of Penn State Health - Hershey) to review basics of management, important comorbidities, and new horizons in HIV care.
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Show Segments
Intro
Establishing HIV Care, Initial History Taking
Privacy and HIV
Physical Exam Tips for HIV
Weight gain, managing cardiometabolic risks
Initial labs, tracking viral load
Undetectable = Untransmissible
Sexual history considerations, PEP, PrEP,
Anal paps, cervical cancer screening
Long-Acting HIV Medications
Take-home points
Outro
Credits
Producer, Writers: Paul Williams MD, FACP, Beth Garbitelli MD
Show Notes, Infographic, Cover Art: Beth Garbitelli MD
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Reviewer: Emi Okamoto MD
Showrunners: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Technical Production: PodPaste
Guest: J.J. Nunez MD
Sponsor: Green Chef
Go to GreenChef.com/curb60 and use code curb60 to get 60% off plus free shipping.
Sponsor: Birch Living
Birch is giving 20% off ALL mattresses and 2 free eco-rest pillows at Birchliving.com/curb
Full transcript available HERE

26 snips
Mar 27, 2023 • 1h 1min
#387: Diabetes Updates with Dr. Marie McDonnell: New Tools for the New Rules
Drop the pounds and the sugar with new guidelines
New rules to manage diabetes means using new tools. Leverage GLP-1 RA and SGLT2-i to drop with pounds and the sugars with the expert insight from our guest, Dr. Marie McDonnell.
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Show Segments
Puns and Intro.
Disclaimer and Guest bio
Case from Kashlak
Labs to distinguish type 1 from type 2 diabetes
Selecting initial therapy: Focus on weight loss and glucose control
HbA1c goals
Yeast infections and SGLT2-i
Using sulfonylureas and extended release metformin
Pancreatitis and GLP-1 RA
Cancer and GLP-1 RA
Semaglutide tips
Tirzepatide, how it works and benefits
Take home points
Outro
Credits
Producer: Matthew Watto, MD and Isabel Valdez, PA
Writer: Matthew Watto, MD
Show Notes, Cover Art and Infographics: Isabel Valdez, PA
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Reviewer: Fatima Syed, MD
Showrunners: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Technical Production: PodPaste
Guest: Marie E. McDonnell, MD
Sponsor: Locumstory
Get a comprehensive view of locums at locumstory.com
Full transcript available HERE

Mar 20, 2023 • 1h 11min
#386 Primary Aldosteronism, MRAs, and Renovascular Hypertension: NephMadness Pod Crawl 2023
We demystify primary aldosteronism, MRAs (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists), non-steroidal MRAs, and how to recognize and treat renovascular hypertension with nephrologist/hypertension expert, Dr. Matt Luther (@DrJMLuther) as part of the NephMadness PodCrawl 2023. Fill out a bracket for NephMadness and check out all eight NephMadness PodCrawl participants at NephMadness.com/podcrawl (list below) and the MRA region write-up by Micah Schub (@AcidBassMD).
The Curbsiders gets the skinny on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists
Core IM will be covering Kidney Transplant in their classic Five Pearl format
The CardioNerds will be covering the effect of Heart Failure Devices on Kidney Health
Freely Filtered will try to understand thrombotic microangiopathy
ISN Global Kidney Care goes deep on IgA nephropathy
The Cribsiders look at transitions, first the Pediatrics to Adult nephrology transition and then from living to death with palliative nephrology
Fellow on Call will be covering Onconephrology
And finally, The Nephron Segment looks at Transgender Health and CKD
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Show Segments
Intro
Diagnosis and Management of Primary Aldosteronism (PA)
MRAs vs non-steroidal MRAs (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists)
NephMadness MRA region picks
Renovascular Hypertension
Outro
Credits
Writer and Producer: Matthew Watto MD
Show Notes: Matthew Watto MD
Cover Art & Infographic: Matthew Watto MD
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Reviewer: Leah Witt MD
Showrunners: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Technical Production: PodPaste
Guest: J. Matthew Luther MD
Sponsor: Locumstory
Get a comprehensive view of locums, and decide if it;s right for you, at locumstory.com
Sponsor: indeed
Visit indeed.com/internalmedicine to start hiring now.
Full Transcript available HERE

85 snips
Mar 13, 2023 • 1h 6min
#385 TIA/Stroke for the Hospitalist featuring Dr. Karima Benameur
We’ve got the hard-hitting questions and must-know answers on all things TIA and stroke from neurology expert, Dr. Karima Benameur (Emory University). Topics: TIA and stroke supportive management, indicated workup, and anticoagulation and antiplatelet management pearls for the hospitalist.
Free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
Case 1 from Kashlak; Definitions
Initial stroke triage, imaging, and assessing for interventions
Supportive care for stroke
Managing patients already on antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy
Inpatient stroke workup
Dual antiplatelet therapy
Case 2 from Kashlak; Definitions
TIA workup and management
Transitions of care: “the invisible deficits”
Brain health and nutrition
Guest questions and Picks of the Week*
Outro
Credits
Written, Produced, Infographic and Cover Art, Show Notes: Caroline Coleman MD
Hosts: Monee Amin MD; Meredith Trubitt MD, MPH; Caroline Coleman MD
Reviewer: Molly Heublein MD
Executive Producer: Karly Loy
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Editor: Pod Paste
Guest: Karima Benameur MD
Sponsor: Indeed
Visit indeed.com/internalmedicine to start hiring now.
Sponsor: Glass Health
You can get one month of Glass Pro free by signing up at glass.health and using the code CURBSIDERS.
Sponsor: Grammarly
Go to grammarly.com/tone to download and learn more about Grammarly Premium’s advanced tone suggestions.
Full transcript available HERE

42 snips
Mar 6, 2023 • 1h 15min
#384 Updates in Chronic Kidney Disease with Dr. Joel Topf
Stay up-to-date with advances in chronic kidney disease (CKD)! Join our esteemed Chief of Nephrology at Kashlak Memorial Hospital, Dr. Joel Topf, as he leads us through the latest on SGLT2 inhibitors, finerenone, potassium binders, and treatment of CKD-associated metabolic acidosis.
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
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Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
Case from Kashlak
SGLT2i: when to initiate
SGLT2i: adverse effects
Finerenone
Potassium binders
Treatment of CKD-associated metabolic acidosis
Outro
Credits
Writer, Producer, Show Notes, Infographics, and Cover Art: Malini Gandhi
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Reviewer: Leah Witt MD
Showrunners: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Technical Production: PodPaste
Guest: Dr. Joel Topf MD
Sponsor: Better Help
Visit betterhelp.com/curb today to get 10% off your first month.
Sponsor: Birch Living
Birch is giving 20% off all mattresses and 2 free eco-rest pillows at birchliving.com/curb.
Sponsor: PanaceaFinancial
Visit panaceafinancial.com to open a free account.
Full transcript available HERE

6 snips
Feb 27, 2023 • 40min
#383 Hotcakes: Loop Diuretics for CHF, Time Restricted Eating, Breaks from Sitting, Early FMT for C. diff
Join us as we review recent practice-changing articles on loop diuretics for heart failure exacerbation (torsemide vs furosemide), time-restricted eating vs small frequent meals for weight loss, how sedentary breaks from sitting effect blood glucose & blood pressure, early FMT for C. diff, and a brief rant on medications for obesity. Fill your brain hole with a delicious stack of hotcakes! Featuring Nora Taranto (@norataranto, The DIGEST), Paul Williams (@PaulNWilliamz), Rahul Ganatra (@rbganatra), and Matt Watto (@doctorwatto).
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
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Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer
Loop diuretics (torsemide vs furosemide) for heart failure exacerbation
Time-restricted eating vs small frequent meals for weight loss
Sedentary breaks for lowering blood glucose and blood pressure
Early fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) for C. diff infection
Outro
Credits
Written and Hosted by: Nora Taranto MD; Rahul Ganatra MD, MPH; Paul Williams, MD, FACP, Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Cover Art: Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Reviewer: Rahul Ganatra MD, MPH
Technical Production: Pod Paste
Showrunners: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Full transcript available HERE

7 snips
Feb 20, 2023 • 57min
#382 Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
With Dr Holly Wong Cummings
Listen in as we talk through abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) with our esteemed guest Holly Wong Cummings, MD. We review the PALM-COEIN framework for AUB diagnosis and discuss options for acute and chronic treatment of AUB. We can get bleeding under control! Many of the treatments including progesterone only pills, combined oral contraceptives, and tranexamic acid are medications we in primary care should feel confident prescribing to our patients.
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
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Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
Case from Kashlak
Normal Menstrual Cycle
Nomenclature for AUB- PALM COEIN
History and Physical Exam
Laboratory and radiologic evaluation
Structural causes for bleeding/interpreting the ultrasound
Acute treatment of AUB
When to refer to ED
Chronic treatment for AUB
When to refer to gyn
Take home points
Outro
Credits
Producer, Writer, Show Notes: Molly Heublein MD
Infographic: Edison Jyang
Cover Art: Sarah Phoebe Roberts
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP; Molly Heublein MD
Reviewer: Sai S Achi MD, MBA
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Technical Production: PodPaste
Guest: Holly Wong Cummings MD
Sponsor: Indeed
Visit Indeed.com/internalmedicine to start hiring now.
Full transcript available HERE

Feb 13, 2023 • 36min
#381 LIVE! Patient Centered Things We Do For No ReasonTM
Join Drs. Amin and Trubitt as they go rogue and LIVE! from Southern Hospital Medicine to discuss Things We Do For No ReasonTM in the hospital that impact the patient experience. They cover NPO at midnight, fluid restriction, VTE chemoprophylaxis and routine vital signs via the hospital course of one poor, unfortunate soul.
Note No CME for this mini-episode but visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org
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Show Segments
Intro
NPO at midnight
Fluid restriction
VTE chemoprophylaxis
Frequency of vital sign monitoring
Outro
Credits
Written and Produced by: Monee Amin MD and Meredith Trubitt MD
Cover art and presentation graphics: Caroline Coleman, MD
Show Notes: Monee Amin MD and Meredith Trubitt MD
Hosts: Monee Amin, MD and Meredith Trubitt MD
Technical Production: PodPaste
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Sponsor: Grammarly
Go to grammarly.com/tone to download and learn more about Grammarly Premium’s advanced tone suggestions.
Sponsor: Indeed
Visit indeed.com/internalmedicine to start hiring now.
Sponsor: BetterHelp
Special offer for Curbsiders listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/curb
Full Transcript available HERE

38 snips
Feb 6, 2023 • 59min
#380 Hemochromatosis with Elliot Tapper
Recognize when to consider the diagnosis of hemochromatosis and how to recognize common mimics of an elevated ferritin level. We’re joined by Dr. Elliot Tapper,@ebtapper on twitter (University of Michigan)
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
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Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
Guest one-liner
Case from Kashlak; Definitions
Initial evaluation of Hemochromatosis
Etiology of elevated ferritin in liver disease
Potential mimics of hemochromatosis
Diagnosis of hemochromatosis
Evaluation of hepatic fibrosis in hemochromatosis
Manifestations & complications of hemochromatosis
Outro
Credits
Producer & Writer:: Elena Gibson MD
Infographic & Cover Art:Edison Jyang
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Reviewer:
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Technical Production: PodPaste
Guest: Elliot Tapper
Sponsor: Green Chef
Go to greenchef.com/curb60 and use code curb60 to get 60% off plus free shipping.
Sponsor: Birch Living
Birch is giving 20% off all mattresses and 2 free eco-rest pillows at birchliving.com/curb.
Sponsor: Better Help
Visit betterhelp.com/curb to get 10% off your first month.
Full transcript available HERE

6 snips
Jan 30, 2023 • 1h 27min
#379 Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and Meniere's Disease
With Dr Steven Rauch
Demystify hearing loss, identify who will benefit from hearing aids and learn to evaluate hearing complaints in primary care including an overview of tinnitus and how to recognize and treat Meniere’s disease with guest expert, Dr. Steven Rauch (Harvard University).
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
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Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
Case from Kashlak;
Definitions, etiology and risk factors for hearing loss
Initial workup for hearing loss
What is an audiogram and what does it show
Hearing loss red flags
How to manage hearing loss
Tinnitus: what can help patients
Diagnose, distinguish and treat Meniere’s disease
Outro
Credits
Script and Show Notes written by, Produced by: Kate Grant MBChB, MRCGP and Andréa Perdigão
Infographic and Cover Art: Kate Grant MBChB, MRCGP
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Reviewer: Molly Heublein MD
Showrunners: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Technical Production: PodPaste
Guest: Steve Rauch MD
Sponsor: Better Help
Visit betterhelp.com/curb to get 10% off your first month.
Full Transcript HERE