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PODCAST

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast

Welcome to Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast. I"m your host, Jessica Stahl, MPH, former CDC contractor and public health enthusiast, here to explore exciting topics in public and global health, from emerging infectious diseases to urgent global matters and historical plagues. Please note that this podcast offers educational content and not scientific or medical advice. For specific concerns, listeners are encouraged to consult professionals accordingly.

science life sciences

All Episodes

00:29:04

Ep 38: Is Nipah Virus Really a Pandemic Threat? What...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2026/02/19

In this episode of Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast, we examine the science and the headlines behind Nipah virus, one of the world’s most lethal emerging zoonotic diseases. With case fatality rates reported as high as 75% and periodic outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, NiV often generates alarming media coverage and pandemic speculation. But how much of that fear reflects real public health risk and how much is driven by click-driven headlines?Citations: About Nipah Virus | Nipah Virus |

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00:29:55

Ep 37: Flu is Surging: Season Updates, What H3N2...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2026/01/05

Influenza is rising rapidly across the U.S., and headlines about H3N2 and “new variants” are everywhere. In this episode, I break down what the data actually show, what’s driving this flu season, what H3N2 subclade K really means, how well the flu shot is holding up (spoiler- it's doing fine!), and what matters most for protecting your family. Using current CDC surveillance data and real-world vaccine effectiveness, we put this season into clear perspective. I also share how our household is

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00:41:29

Ep 36: John Snow and Why Public Health History Matters

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/12/15

In this episode of Transmissible, we revisit the lifeand work of Dr. John Snow, often called the father of modern epidemiology, to explore why public health history still matters. Long before germ theory was widely accepted, Snow used careful observation, data mapping, and skepticism ofconventional wisdom to trace a deadly cholera outbreak in 19th-century London to a single contaminated water pump.But this episode goes beyond the famous Broad Street map. We examine what Snow’s approach teaches us

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00:33:18

Ep 35: Meat Allergy from a Tick Bite? Alpha-Gal...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/12/01

In this episode we dive into the strange and fascinating world of Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), the delayed meat allergy that can appear after a tick bite. We talk through what AGS actually is, how ticks (lone star, blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks) introduce it into the body, and why some people develop an allergic reaction hours after eating red meat. You will hear about the symptoms people notice most often and the practical steps you can take to protect yourself from this unusual tickborne

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01:19:36

Ep 34: How to Land Your Dream Job in Public Health +...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/11/24

In this episode, I break down how to identify your actual dream job in public health using a simple “mental algorithm” so you’re not just scattering applications into the void, but moving with clarity and purpose toward a career that actually excites you. We talk honestly about the brutal November 2025 public health job market and how to think in terms of transferable skills. I walk you through how to network without being awkward or apologetic, including specific outreach emails (that you can use!)

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00:39:02

Ep 33: Diphtheria and Dog Sleds: Racing Antitoxin...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/11/05

In January 1925, a deadly diphtheria outbreak threatened the small, frozen town of Nome and the only hope was antitoxin that had to be rushed across Alaska by dog sled in the middle of a massive, subzero blizzard. In this episode, we break down the science of diphtheria, the relay that became known as the Great Serum Run, and the real story behind Togo, Balto, and the race that saved lives. Citations:The Cruelest Miles by Gay Salisbury and Laney

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00:03:56

Disease Detective Word of the Week: Epidemiology

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/08/11

A quick breakdown of public health jargon in under five minutes. This week's word is at the heart of public health itself: epidemiology.

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00:02:48

Disease Detective Word of the Week: Zoonosis

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/08/04

A quick breakdown of public health jargon in under five minutes.

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00:02:58

Disease Detective Word of the Week: Fomite

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/07/29

A quick breakdown of public health jargon in under five minutes that is made for curious minds.

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00:39:07

Ep 32: Is This the Most Overlooked Life-Saving Tool...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/07/08

Phototherapy is one of the most effective and quietly revolutionary treatments in public health. Every year, hundreds of thousands of newborns around the world develop severe jaundice and for most, a simple blue light can prevent irreversible brain damage or even death. But access to that light isn’t universal.In this episode, we explore the science of jaundice and bilirubin, why newborns are particularly vulnerable, describe the mechanism by which blue-green light helps clear toxic levels from the

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00:44:02

Ep 31: Vaccines and Autism - What the Science Really...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/04/27

In this episode of Transmissible, we take a critical, evidence-based look at the claim that vaccines cause autism — and examine how this misconception gained traction. We systematically review both methodologically sound and methodologically flawed studies, highlighting key differences in study design, bias, confounding, and statistical interpretation. We’ll break down epidemiologic study types (including cohort studies, case-control studies, ecological studies, and retrospective studies), demystify

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00:15:37

Breaking News: Earthquake in Myanmar & Thailand –...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/03/31

A powerful earthquake recently struck Myanmar and Thailand, shaking communities and raising urgent public health concerns. In this mini-episode of Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast, we break down what happened, where it hit hardest, and how organizations like the WHO are responding. From emergency medical aid to disease prevention efforts, we explore this disaster through a public health lens—because when the ground shakes, the ripple effects go far beyond the epicenter.Disclaimer: The

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00:28:09

Ep 30: Why Early Peanut Introduction is a Public...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/03/04

For years, parents were told to avoid peanuts in infancy to prevent allergies. But the groundbreaking LEAP study flipped that advice on its head, showing that early peanut introduction can dramatically reduce peanut allergy risk by over 80%. In this episode of Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast, we dive into how this discovery became a major public health win, changing national guidelines, reducing healthcare costs, and reshaping how we think about food allergy prevention.Legal: The information

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00:26:38

Thank You, CDC Federal Workers & Contractors + What...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/02/20

In this special mini-episode of Transmissible, host Jessica shares a heartfelt thank-you to the hardworking federal employees and contractors at the CDC. Amid heated online rhetoric and job eliminations, Jessica, who has worked extensively with CDC in laboratories, international training, and emergency responses, sets the record straight about what these professionals actually do. From combating antibiotic resistance to field epidemiology and outbreak surveillance, she breaks down the essential work

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00:33:01

Ep 29: Norovirus: The Perfect Human Pathogen

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/02/14

Norovirus—often called the perfect pathogen—is one of the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. Responsible for widespread illness across all age groups, it remains a major cause of childhood and endemic infections. Originally described as winter vomiting disease due to its seasonal surges, norovirus is infamous for its rapid spread, low infectious dose, and resistance to disinfection. In this episode of Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast, host and scientist Jessica Stahl

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00:57:13

Ep 28: Measles: The Science, MMR Vaccine,...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2025/01/17

In 2023, measles claimed an estimated 107,000 lives, yet vaccination has prevented a staggering 60 million deaths since 2000. Despite this, measles remains a pressing issue in many developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. On this episode of Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast, we dive deep into the science behind this highly contagious disease. From its pathogenesis and epidemiology to the life-saving MMR vaccine and the fascinating history of measles—including its

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00:16:46

H5 Bird Flu Updates: Will it jump? What is going on...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2024/12/10

In this mini episode of Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast, host Jessica Stahl dives into the latest updates on the H5 bird flu (avian influenza) situation as of December 9, 2024. With her promise to keep listeners informed on global health issues, Jessica breaks down the current status of bird flu in North America, focusing on its impact on wild birds, poultry, and dairy cattle.Jessica reviews key data from CDC and USDA, including new federal orders for national milk testing and the broader

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00:09:57

BREAKING NEWS: WHO Investigates Mysterious Illness in...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2024/12/06

In this mini-episode of Transmissible, Jessica provides an urgent global health update on a mysterious illness emerging in a remote region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. With symptoms like fever, cough, and anemia, and a widely varying death toll, health officials are racing to identify the cause of this outbreak. Jessica explains the challenges of disease surveillance in such remote areas, the impact of malnutrition on affected communities, and the global response, including updates from WHO

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01:10:05

Ep 27: Morning Sickness - The Science, Epidemiology,...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2024/11/23

Correction! Frances Oldham Kelsey was a woman. I accidentally assumed she was a man based on “Frances”. This week on Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast, Jessica shares a deeply personal and scientific exploration of morning sickness AKA nausea and vomiting during pregnancy—a condition she's navigating firsthand while managing type 1 diabetes. Drawing on her professional experience as a scientist and her academic background, she unpacks the science, epidemiology and ancient history of this

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01:07:44

Ep 26: Hurricanes & Public Health: Emergency...

Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast ·

2024/10/09

In this episode of Transmissible, we dive into the public health challenges posed by hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. These powerful storms go beyond their immediate destruction, sparking a cascade of health crises in their aftermath. From waterborne diseases and injury risks to disruptions in healthcare services and long-term mental health impacts, the effects of these natural disasters are far-reaching and often underestimated. Join us as we explore the science behind these storms, their impact

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