NB: We will be off on Dec 26 and Jan 2 and will return with new episodes on Jan 9, 2026. 

As a special bonus for our loyal listeners, Ali and Asif present a special episode discussing their favourite Christmas/Holiday movies. Listen to hear what they think about ‘Elf’, ‘Scrooged’, ‘Home Alone’, ‘Christmas Vacation’ and other holiday classics. Also find out if they think ‘Die Hard’ is a actually a Christmas movie and why one of them hates ‘Love Actually’ with a passion. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

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Show Notes:

• “Love, Actually”: The worst Christmas movie ever: https://www.salon.com/2012/12/19/love_actually_the_worst_christmas_movie_ever/
• "Now I Have a Machine Gun. Ho Ho Ho.": https://www.slate.com/articles/arts/dvdextras/2007/12/now_i_havea_machine_gun_ho_ho_ho.html

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NB: We will be off on Dec 26 and Jan 2 and will return with new episodes on Jan 9, 2026. 

Today, Ali and Asif review their favourite entertainment from 2025. They discuss the best movies, TV shows, movies and books from the year (2:32). Listen to hear what they thought about ‘Fantastic 4: First Steps’, ‘Happy Gilmore 2’, ‘Sinners’, ‘Weapons’, ‘One Battle After Another’, ‘A Nice Indian Boy’, ‘Once Upon a Time Gaza’, ‘Adolescence’, ‘Mo’, ‘The Pitt’, ‘The Chair Company’, ‘The Studio’, ‘North of North, ‘The Beast in Me’, etc. They also discuss some comedy specials including specials by Mike Birbiglia, Bill Burr, Steph Tolev and Roy Wood Jr. 

Then Asif asks Ali about the top medical news stories of the year (53:00). They discuss the good (the Nobel prize in medicine, CRISPR use in genetic disorders), the bad measles outbreaks) and the ugly (RFK Jr and MAHA). 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram: doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• Inside RFK Jr.’s first nine months leading HHS: https://www.statnews.com/2025/11/20/rfk-jr-hhs-track-record-examined-status-report/
• Tracking RFK Jr.’s promises to remake health in America: https://www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/rfk-jr-maha-promise-tracker-fact-check/
• Canada no longer measles-free as outbreaks spread: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/11/canada-loses-measles-free-elimination-status
• A huge outbreak has made Ontario the measles centre of the western hemisphere: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/06/measles-outbreak-ontario-canada
• FIFA’s Gianni Infantino faces ethics complaint over Trump peace prize: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/10/fifas-gianni-infantino-faces-ethics-complaint-over-trump-peace-prize
• Immune system breakthrough wins Nobel medicine prize for US, Japan scientists: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/brunkow-ramsdell-sakaguchi-win-2025-nobel-medicine-prize-2025-10-06/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Infant with rare, incurable disease is first to successfully receive personalized gene therapy treatment: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/infant-rare-incurable-disease-first-successfully-receive-personalized-gene-therapy-treatment

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Today, Asif and Ali discuss their favorite movies from 1995 (2:07) and then they debate the best albums from that same year (23:33) (no medical topic today).  Listen to hear what made their list, what didn’t and what overlap, if they had. PLUS, they do a mini-medical topic, speaking about the stroke that musician Matthew Sweet had last year. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram: doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• Ali’s 1995 Playlist: https://youtu.be/0wBDDAZkNtk?si=f6svpVWmV4KEJh_u
• Asif’s 1995 Playlist: https://youtu.be/8-r-V0uK4u0?si=z9Yv5xUzULH6pzLD
• ‘I Had the Stroke, and It Was All Over’: Matthew Sweet’s Road to Recovery: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/matthew-sweet-interview-since-stroke-health-update-1235354779/

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Recently, actor Donald Glover announced that he had a stroke, so today Ali and Asif start off by discussing Glover’s career (1:16). They start off by discussing his early background and getting his break writing for ‘30 Rock’. They then talk about his breakthrough role on ‘Community’ and other acting roles such as Lando Carlissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. Ali then speaks about Donald Glover’s alternate career as rapper “Childish Gambino. Finally they discuss Glover’s critically acclaimed show ‘Atlanta’. 

Then Ali asks Asif about ischemic strokes (30:09) (and how they are different from brain bleeds). Asif talks about what strokes are as well as how common they are. He talks about the risk factors, causes as well what people need to be looking for regarding symptoms (using the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.). Asif then goes over how strokes are diagnosed and treated. Finally Ali asks Asif about Glover stating he had a “hole in his heart” and how that might be related to his stroke. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Show Notes:

• Childish Gambino Freestyles Over the 5 Fingers of Death on #SwayInTheMorning | Sway's Universe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw2kaBQMoco
• Every Episode of ‘Atlanta,’ Ranked: https://www.theringer.com/2022/11/11/tv/atlanta-fx-episodes-ranked-best-worst-season
• Donald Glover Reveals Stroke And “Hole In My Heart” Forced Him To Cancel 2024 Tour: https://deadline.com/2025/11/donald-glover-stroke-hole-heart-forced-cancel-tour-1236626789/
• Ischemic Stroke: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499997/
• B.E. F.A.S.T. to Spot a Stroke: https://www.universityhealth.com/blog/be-f-a-s-t-to-spot-a-stroke
• Patent Foramen Ovale Management for Secondary Stroke Prevention: State-of-the-Art Appraisal of Current Evidence: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.040546

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Apple TV released a docuseries about filmmaker Martin Scorsese entitled “Mr Scorsese" so today Asif and Ali this series and their top 5 favourite Scorsese films. They start off by discussing the superb docuseries by Rebecca Miller (2:40), and the interesting facts they learned from it, including his childhood and early movies. The guys then each list their top 5 Scorsese movies. 

Spike Lee has been quoted as saying “Thank God For Asthma” regarding how this disease made Scorsese stay indoors and watch  movies, so in the second half of the podcast, Ali asks Asif about this disease (35:10). Asif talks about what asthma is, how common it is and what causes/triggers it. Asif then talks about the symptoms, the different types as well as the treatment. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Show Notes:

• Mr Scorsese review – five hours isn’t nearly long enough to do justice to history’s greatest film-maker: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/oct/17/mr-scorsese-review-martin-netflix
• 14 Memorable Quotes From ‘Mr. Scorsese’: https://thereveal.film/14-memorable-quotes-from-mr-scorsese/
• Asthma: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430901/
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-symptoms/
• Asthma Canada: https://asthma.ca/

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Marc Maron’s podcast WTF recently ended its run, so today Asif and Ali discuss Maron and his influence on comedy and podcasting (6:18) (after a brief digression on a fundraiser Ali recently went to). They begin by discussing Maron’s early life and career. They discuss him getting involved in radio and all the acting roles he has done in the past 20 years. They then discuss Maron’s recent stand up special “Panicked”. Finally they discuss WTF, the importance of the show for comedy and podcasting in general and the most memorable episodes. 

In Marc Maron’s recent special he discusses SSRI’s (for his cats!)‚ so in the second half, they discuss these drugs (31:31). Asif talks about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, how they work and what they are used for. He then goes over the common types of SSRI’s as well as their potential side effects. Asif then discusses how sometimes people can have a difficult time coming off SSRI’s. Finally Ali asks Asif about other things that can be used for depression such as natural products and exercise. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Show Notes:

Marc Maron’s Rawest Interview Yet. The Truth About Grief, Anger, and Connection: https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a65608892/marc-maron-wtf-podcast-legacy-interview/

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406/

Many People Taking Antidepressants Discover They Cannot Quit: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/health/antidepressants-withdrawal-prozac-cymbalta.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=sectionfront

Adjunctive Nutraceuticals for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27113121/

Exercise as medicine for depressive symptoms? A systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regressio: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/16/1049?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_x-social-details_comments-action_comment-text

Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials: https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-075847.abstract

Great Depresh’ Comedian Gary Gulman Has 5 Tips to Get Through Isolation: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/big-depresh-comedian-gary-gulman-coping-isolation-1285949/

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Recently, Zohran Mamdani won a historic victory in New York City’s mayoral election. However he also had a rap career in the not too distant past. So today, Ali and Asif review 5 of Mamdani’s songs, done under the pseudonyms Young Cardamom and Mr. Cardamom (5:21). They discuss and grade the following songs: Wabula Naawe, PSV,  Kanda (Chap Chap), #1 Spice and Nani. 

Then since Mamdani’s mother (acclaimed film director Mira Nair) is a big proponent of yoga, in the second half Ali asks Asif about medical uses of yoga (24:10). They start off (after a brief digression on cultural appropriation) by talking about the different types of yoga examined in medical studies (Hatha, Iyengar, and Viniyoga). He then discusses their use in back pain, mental health, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, and hypertension.

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Show Notes:

• How 'Queen of Katwe’s Song “#1 Spice” Came to Be: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/queen-of-katwe-young-cardamom-hab-1-spice?fbclid=IwY2xjawN9q_JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFFY1djTkdRMEp6VnN3RVZQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjI-M6frTU08Og6f_IbTa8WKRe1tLETWYkYoLnNSHGyyWuAVFD61J4yFy9K2_aem_d7pdILBunWYUB_sJ-E7TUQ
• Young Cardamom & Mr. Cardamom Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5upeWPTzFgc&list=PLh7rgup-OZBcT25Vokzjq-10LlI1D6282
• U of O students' decision to cancel yoga class sparks Internet backlash: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/u-of-o-students-decision-to-cancel-yoga-class-sparks-internet-backlash
• Evidence Map of Yoga for Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26181774/
• Yoga for symptom management in oncology: A review of the evidence base and future directions for research:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30933317/
• Yoga in autoimmune disorders: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40631512/

Ali’s Montreal restaurant recs: 

• Danny Smiles - Le Violon
• Massimo Piedemonte - Cabaret L’enfer
• Antonin Mousseau-Rivard - Le Mousso
• Jean-Sébastien Giguère - Restaurant h3, La Cabane du Coureur, Le Coureur des Bois
• Janice Tiefenbach - Gia, Elena 
• Ryan Gray - Nora Grey
• Emma Cardarelli - Nora Gray, Elena, and Gia 
• Renée Deschenes-O’Hagan & Elias Louie Deligianis - Bistro La Franquette
• Stephanie Labelle - Owner Pastry Chef, at Pâtisserie Rhubarbe

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Today, the guys discuss John Candy and the recent documentary about his life, ‘I Like Me’ (3:31). The guys start off by discussing when they first saw John Candy on screen (spoiler: it was Splash). They discuss Candy’s early start on SCTV and then they go over his films and screen performances (Ali also berates Asif for not watching as many John Candy movies). They then discuss the documentary on his life ‘I Like Me’ and give their thoughts, as well as their responses to reviews on the movie. 

Then since Candy died in his 40’s from a heart attack (and his father died in his 30’s from a heart attack as well), in the second half the guys discuss myocardial infarctions (MI’s) (27:40). Asif talks about the definition as well as how common MI’s are.  He then goes over the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for MI’s. Ali asks Asif about the symptoms of a heart attack as well as how it is diagnosed and treated. Finally, he goes over the prognosis as well as lifestyle changes that people should undertake after having an MI. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Show Notes:

• Funny Business: https://torontolife.com/deep-dives/funny-business-ryan-reynolds-new-documentary-john-candy-i-like-me/ ‘John Candy: I Like Me’ and the Challenge of Making a Film About a Nice Guy: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/movies/john-candy-i-like-me-film-about-nice-guy.html
• Myocardial Infarction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537076/
• Myocardial Infarction: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/155919-overview#a9

• Myocardial Infarction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537076/
• Myocardial Infarction: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/155919-overview#a9

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Recently, there was an article in New York Magazine on kids being terrified of food who suffer from a disorder called ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder). So today on a special episode, Asif and Ali interview Adolescent Medicine expert Dr, Mark Norris about this disorder. Dr. Norris talks about what ARFID is and the symptoms patients can present with. He goes over why some children develop ARFID and the relationship with things like autism and anxiety. He then goes over how common it is and theorizes why it is being more recognized. Finally they discuss treatment for ARFID. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Show Notes:

• Update on eating disorders: current perspectives on avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children and youth: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26855577/
• The Monster at the Dinner Table: https://www.thecut.com/article/what-is-arfid-eating-disorder-kids-diagnosis-rising.html
• When Your Kid’s Eating Disorder Is Mistaken for ‘Picky Eating’:https://www.thecut.com/article/arfid-childrens-eating-disorder-vs-picky-eating.html

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Today, after a bit of discussion about Canadian alternative rock music (1:24),  Ali and Asif discuss actor Charlie Sheen and the recent Netflix docuseries on him ‘aka Charlie Sheen’ (6:42). The guys start off by talking about Charlie Sheen’s (born Carlos Estevez)  early life. They then go over Sheen’s career and controversies. Finally the guys give their thoughts on the docuseries, including some “salacious” details that come out in it. 

Then, since Charlie Sheen abused cocaine and crack, in the second half, the guys  discuss this drug (32:21). Asif talks about the history of the drug as well as how common we see it being abused. They then go over how it gets you high and how cocaine is different from crack. Asif talks about the effects cocaine can have on the body. Finally they discuss how cocaine toxicity is diagnosed and treated in the emergency room. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Show Notes:

• The Real Reason Why Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen Aren’t in aka Charlie Sheen: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/aka-charlie-sheen-emilio-estevez-martin-sheen-participation
• Charlie Sheen | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwHiqyNn_Ak
• AKA Charlie Sheen review – he shows no genuine remorse for all the terrifying things he’s done: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/sep/10/aka-charlie-sheen-review-netlix
• ‘aka Charlie Sheen’ Review: Netflix Doc Offers a Reflective but Exhausting Look at the Actor’s Stardom and Notoriety: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/aka-charlie-sheen-review-netflix-documentary-1236366578/
• Cocaine Toxicity: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430976/
• Cocaine Toxicity: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/813959-overview
• Irish Bank Notes Covered with Cocaine: https://www.spiegel.de/international/snow-me-the-money-irish-bank-notes-covered-with-cocaine-a-459187.html
• My Nose is Reminder of Dark Times ... 'God Spared Me: https://www.tmz.com/2019/09/15/artie-lange-nose-drugs-surgery-botched/
• Topical Cocaine Hydrochloride Nasal Solution: Anesthetic and Surgical Considerations: https://www.cureus.com/articles/170332-topical-cocaine-hydrochloride-nasal-solution-anesthetic-and-surgical-considerations#!/

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