Critically Speaking

24:56

Dr. Paul Offit: Hidden Dangers of Measles

Critically Speaking ·

2025/02/25

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Paul Offit discuss the MMR vaccine, the history of it, and the current decay of measles herd immunity today. Many parents are refusing to vaccinate their children, referencing politicians, actors, and social activists who lack correct information regarding the vaccine. Even if an unvaccinated child recovers from measles, they may, years later, develop a fatal encephalitis from the measles virus that has hidden in their brains. Dr. Offit thus discusses not

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25:49

Dr. Jamie Lo, MD: Marijuana and the Fetal Brain

Critically Speaking ·

2025/02/18

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Jamie Lo discuss the complex topic of marijuana and the fetal brain. Dr. Lo explains some of the findings from a study of over 3 million pregnant individuals in California, why pregnant individuals may choose to use marijuana, the links between THC exposure in the fetal brain and long-term neurodevelopmental issues, and why this conversation is becoming increasingly important for healthcare providers to have with their patients. Dr. Lo emphasizes the

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44:27

Natalie Wexler: America's Knowledge Gap

Critically Speaking ·

2025/02/11

In this episode, Therese Markow and Natalie Wexler discuss the poor reading skills of American students, as evidenced by NAEP test results. Natalie highlights the ineffectiveness of current reading programs and the focus on skills over content. She also talks about the discrepancies between students of different backgrounds, and how The Matthew Effect appears in reading comprehension and general knowledge. She also encourages teachers and parents to introduce their children, as early as possible, to

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25:51

Dr. Amy Cooter: Militias in the United States Today

Critically Speaking ·

2025/02/04

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Amy Cooter discuss the complexities and variations within militia groups in the United States, citing examples of constitutional militias, millenarian militias, and border militias noting their varying beliefs and tendencies. Dr. Cooter also highlights how the role of nostalgia and protecting the Second Amendment rights are integral in militias’ self-perception. They discuss the difficulty in tracking militia activity, the racial undertones in these militia

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48:46

Richard Conniff: Ending Epidemics

Critically Speaking ·

2025/01/28

In this episode, Therese Markow and Richard Conniff discuss his book "Ending Epidemics," which explores the history of infectious diseases and vaccines. Richard highlights the evolution from ancient humoral theories, which thrived for nearly 2000 years, to modern germ theory, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and vaccination. He recounts the development of the smallpox vaccine by Edward Jenner and the polio vaccine by Jonas Salk, noting initial resistance and the success of widespread

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30:17

Dr. MacKenzie Pellin: Cancer in Your Dog or Cat

Critically Speaking ·

2025/01/21

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. MacKenzie Pellin discuss the cancer rates in dogs and cats, the types of cancer we tend to see in our four-legged friends, and the challenges of diagnosing cancer in pets. Dr. Pellin also breaks down some of the main differences of cancer in breeds of dogs and cats, and the reasons why those types of cancer are more common based on the pet’s structure. Finally, Dr. Pellin emphasizes the importance of routine veterinary care and early detection for your pets.

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52:42

Dr. John Hutton: Reading to Babies Helps Their Brains

Critically Speaking ·

2025/01/14

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. John Hutton discuss the impact of early reading exposure on brain development in infants and young children. He explains that babies are born with 100 billion brain cells, each with around 1,000 connections and that these connections are shaped by experiences. Dr. Hutton emphasizes the importance of a nurturing home literacy environment, which includes regular reading routines and interactive reading. He also addresses the negative effects of excessive screen

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29:19

Dr. Adina Wise: Parkinson's - Environmental Risks

Critically Speaking ·

2025/01/07

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Adina Wise discuss the complexities of Parkinson’s disease, including its causes, symptoms, and the role of environmental factors, such as air pollution. They discuss who Parkinson’s primarily affects, the genetic factors at play, the higher incidents in specific regions, and the increase in the frequency of Parkinson’s cases. They also talk about the recent advancements including continuous infusion therapy and stress that early detection is crucial, though

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32:08

Elizabeth Burch: Pain Brokers: Exploiting Women by...

Critically Speaking ·

2025/01/06

In this episode, Therese Markow and Elizabeth Burch discuss Elizabeth's new book "The Pain Brokers: How Con Men, Call Centers, and Rogue Doctors Fuel America's Lawsuit Factory" which exposes a scheme where con artists, attorneys, and rogue doctors exploited women through mass torts involving pelvic mesh implants. Elizabeth explains how mass torts differ from class actions and explains how attorneys earn contingency fees. Throughout the episode, they discuss the ways in which the scheme was

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46:54

What Do You Know About the Fish You Eat?

Critically Speaking ·

2024/12/31

Most of us take for granted that the seafood we eat is healthy and better for the atmosphere. But there are hidden costs in our increasing consumption of seafood that we don’t see. Why? Because these costs are accrued on the high seas and under the sea where few journalists endeavor to cover them. Sea slavery, overfishing, pollution, and loss of revenue for people already struggling to make a living are extensive, but not well known. Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times investigative reporter

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20:36

Can Your Deodorant Cause Breast Cancer?

Critically Speaking ·

2024/12/24

Breast cancer is on the rise, especially in women under 40. This is pretty scary and the increase points to something environmental. In today’s episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Kris McGrath talk about one of these environmental factors and how our individual underarm hygiene may play a role in our risk for breast (and prostate) cancers earlier in life. Dr. McGrath has had a long-time interest in this trend and they discuss some of his work on the relationship between underarm shaving and the use of

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52:38

Mark Greene: Mansplaining

Critically Speaking ·

2024/12/17

In this episode, Therese Markow and Mark Greene discuss the pervasive issue of mansplaining, a phenomenon where men explain things to women despite their lesser expertise. Mark explains that mansplaining is rooted in "Man Box Culture," a set of rigid masculine rules that discourage emotional expression and promote dominance. He highlights that these rules, which include not showing emotions and being a breadwinner, have been ingrained since the Industrial Revolution and are still prevalent today

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28:06

Dr. Anna Stokke: Why Johnny Can't Add

Critically Speaking ·

2024/12/10

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Anna Stokke discuss the decline in math education, noting that students lack basic arithmetic skills, hindering their ability to grasp complex concepts across multiple subjects. Dr. Stokke highlights the persistence of ineffective teaching methods, such as constructivism, despite evidence supporting direct instruction. She advocates for a return to systematic, explicit teaching methods to build a strong foundation in math. They also stress the importance of

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31:35

Dr. Joel Gallant: HIV Today

Critically Speaking ·

2024/12/03

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Joel Gallant discuss the history and evolution of HIV treatment and prevention. He highlights the changes of treatment from early AZT, to the extensive multi-drug regimens of the 90s, and the current single-pill treatment with minimal side effects. They also discuss the racial and regional disparities of new HIV cases in the US. Despite progress, challenges persist, including stigma, lack of healthcare access, and resistance to treatments. Dr. Gallant also

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35:39

Dr. MacKenzie Pellin, Dr. Laurie Malone & Dr....

Critically Speaking ·

2024/11/26

In this episode, Therese Markow, Dr. MacKenzie Pellin, Dr. Laurie Malone, and Dr. Patricia Ungar explore how dogs can detect early signs of cancer and COVID-19. They discuss their collaborative research, how the dogs are trained, and the types of diseases that these medical scent dogs can help to identify. They also discuss how the dogs' accuracy rivaled or exceeded other tests, but logistical challenges exist in public screening. The potential for early cancer detection and mass COVID screening is

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32:45

Dr. Hussam Mahmoud: Preventing Wildfire Damage

Critically Speaking ·

2024/11/19

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Hussam Mahmoud discuss the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires, citing the 2023 Maui fire and the 2024 Ventura County fire. Dr. Hassam Mahmoud, an expert in wildfire control, explains that wildfires have risen by 5% annually since 2001 and are now more intense. He highlights that 90% of wildfires in the US are human-induced. Dr. Mahmoud discusses his research focusing on a model to predict fire spread in urban areas, considering factors like wind,

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40:32

Dr. Keith McCormick: Osteoporosis and You

Critically Speaking ·

2024/11/12

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Keith McCormick discuss what you need to know about osteoporosis and bone health. Dr. McCormick explains what causes osteoporosis, the importance of early bone density tests, and breaks down some of the lifestyle factors that affect bone health. They discuss the need for personalized treatment beyond only medication, and Dr. McCormick advocates for patient empowerment and comprehensive understanding to improve treatment outcomes. Key Takeaways: 50% of

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31:20

Dr. Elizabeth Scott: Cognitive Distortions and Stress

Critically Speaking ·

2024/11/05

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Elizabeth Scott discuss the impact of cognitive distortions on stress. Dr. Scott explains what cognitive distortions are, how they lead to increased stress and emotional difficulties and gives examples of different types of distortions. They discuss how the distortions can be mitigated. They also talk about why addressing cognitive distortions is crucial for mental and physical health, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being. Finally, Dr. Scott

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34:52

Who Believes in Conspiracy Theories? (Rerun)

Critically Speaking ·

2024/10/29

In a world full of media, which may contain misinformation or fake news, there are conspiracy theories abounding. However, conspiracy theories, and the spreading of those theories, are not a new practice, it has been around and transmitted in any way that people communicate. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Joseph Uscinski talk about the origin of conspiracy theories and how these formal theories differ (and are similar) to the fake news and misinformation that fills our media screens today

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33:38

Dr. John Sweller: Why Johnny Can't Read

Critically Speaking ·

2024/10/22

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. John Sweller discuss the decline in student preparedness for college and how the modern education system, which has shifted from knowledge acquisition to inquiry-based learning, is at the root of that decline. Dr. Sweller explains his Cognitive Load Theory, breaks down the differences between working memory and long-term memory, and why ineffective teaching methods continue to survive. Finally, they talk about the changemakers in education and how political

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