#public-health
26 episodes
#2321: Kratom’s Double-Edged Leaf: Science vs. Marketing
From ancient remedy to modern supplement, Kratom’s story reveals gaps between marketing, science, and global regulation.
#2277: What Did Doctors Actually Do in 1500?
Sneezing in 1500? You might’ve been bled, dried out, or told to pray. Here’s how medieval medicine worked — and why it lasted so long.
#2112: Your Rice Is Already Infested
That bag of rice in your pantry isn't a food item—it's a Trojan Horse for weevils pre-installed at the factory.
#1977: Why Earth Can't Hit 60°C
Death Valley hit 53.9°C, but the planet seems stuck. Here’s the physics behind Earth’s natural heat ceiling and the biological danger zone.
#1783: Why Sleep Deprivation Makes You a Monster
Sleep loss doesn't just make you tired—it physically cuts the brake line between your logical and emotional brain.
#1726: 2500 Years of Bad Medicine: The Slow Surrender
Bloodletting dominated medicine for 2500 years. Here’s how science finally admitted it was wrong.
#1659: Why Your Brain Shuts Down After Months of Stress
Chronic stress isn't just mental; it physically rewires your brain. Here's the biological path from high alert to clinical depression.
#1655: Why Lemon on Fish? The Chemistry of Flavor Pairing
Up to 80% of flavor is aroma. Discover the volatile compounds that make foods sing together—and how to use them.
#1517: The New Fatherhood: Navigating the 12-Month Crash
Explore the shift to authoritative parenting, the 12-month paternal depression spike, and how AI is changing the way dads lead in 2026.
#1515: Is Your Algorithm Training You to Be Violent?
Exploring the widening gap between our enlightened public values and the increasingly violent, stereotypical world of private digital consumption.
#1449: Deciphering Development: The Science of Baby Milestones
Why do some babies walk at ten months while others wait until sixteen? Explore the genetics and environmental factors behind developmental timelines.
#1251: Why Richer Countries Are Getting Miserable
Why is the US falling in happiness rankings while others thrive? Explore the "Beyond GDP" movement and the true metrics of a life well-lived.
#1192: Why You’re Taking 100x More Melatonin Than You Need
From gas station gummies to prescription drugs, we dive into the "melatonin paradox" and why your 10mg dose might be a "flamethrower."
#1191: Are Your Vitamins Just Expensive Houseplants?
Are your vitamins actually doing anything? Discover the regulatory loopholes and quality control issues hiding behind your supplement labels.
#1188: The Fixed Patient Paradox: Is Therapy a Forever Subscription?
Is therapy a tool for healing or an infinite subscription? Explore the tension between quick protocols and decade-long clinical journeys.
#1063: Blood, Glass, and Mercury: The Physics of Deathmatches
Beyond the "fake" label: Discover the science of how wrestlers survive glass panes, light tubes, and mercury exposure in the ring.
#843: Why 80 Million People Still Can’t Catch Their Breath
While the world moves on, 65 million people remain in the shadow pandemic. Explore the latest 2026 breakthroughs in Long COVID science.
#643: Is Your Smart Home Missing This One Lethal Flaw?
Learn why carbon monoxide is the "silent killer" and how to properly place and maintain your sensors to protect your home.
#619: The Village and the Vibe: Kids, Cafes, and Clean Air
Should kids be in bars and cafes? Herman and Corn explore the "social apprenticeship" of third places and the battle for smoke-free public air.
#547: Jerusalem’s Thirst Tax: The Fight for Public Water
Why is it so hard to find a drink in Jerusalem? Herman and Corn explore the history, economics, and public health of urban water access.
#542: The First First Responders: Inside Emergency Dispatch
Explore the high-stakes world of emergency dispatch, from multi-monitor command centers to the psychology of staying calm under pressure.
#525: Faith or Delusion? Navigating the Clinical Divide
How do doctors distinguish deep faith from mental illness? Explore the line between magical thinking and clinical psychosis in Jerusalem.
#479: The New Normal: Navigating COVID-19 in 2026
The pandemic "ended," but the virus remains. Herman and Corn break down the 2026 landscape of variants, policy shifts, and vaccine guidance.
#436: Why is it Harder to Get a License than a Baby?
You need a license to drive, but not to bring home a baby. Herman and Corn discuss the critical need for subsidized parenting education.
#433: Will AI Win the Red Queen’s Race Against Superbugs?
Explore how generative AI and "microbial dark matter" are helping us stay one step ahead in the global arms race against superbugs.
#115: The Right to Breathe: Tobacco Policy and the Enforcement Gap
Explore the global divide in tobacco control, from Ireland’s success to Israel’s enforcement gaps, and the new "end-game" strategies of 2025.