Doctor Vs Comedian

WARNING: Explicit Language in this episode

Today Asif and Ali are pleased to welcome comedian Steve Way, co-star of the hit Hulu show ‘Ramy’ (0:57). They talk about how Steve got into comedy, his influences, and some of the barriers he has faced being a comedian with a disability. Ali then asks Steve about his past employment as a substitute teacher and Steve talks about how much he enjoyed interacting with  and teaching high school students. They then discuss how Steve got his role on ‘Ramy’ and Bella Hadid playing his fiance this season. Ali then asks Steve about his advocacy for patients with disabilities. They then talk to Steve about living with his rare form of muscular dystrophy, Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, his interaction with health professionals and his diagnostic odyssey. Steve highlights how important it is for health professionals to discuss reproductive issues with patients who have disabilities. 

Check out Steve’s 1 hour set at Caveat in NYC on Dec 29! 

Then Ali and Asif do deep dive into muscular dystrophy (28:37), specifically the most common form, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Asif goes over the cause, symptoms, prognosis and treatment. Then Asif discusses the rare entity  Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. He then goes over some potential existing gene therapies for muscular dystrophy. 

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:  

• Steve Way personal website https://www.thesteveway.com/
• 32ND ANNUAL STEVE WAY BIRTHDAY BASH: https://www.caveat.nyc/events/steve-way-12-29-2022
• ‘Ramy’ Actor Steve Way Wonders Why Americans Haven't ‘Rioted’ Over This One Issue: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ramy-steve-way-disability-health-care-2020_n_5d2e3533e4b0a873f6430f2a
• Muscular Dystrophy Canada: https://muscle.ca/
• Muscular Dystrophy Association: https://www.mda.org/
• Collagen VI-Related Dystrophies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1503/
• Cure CMD: https://www.curecmd.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today the guys start of with some (good/bad??) news about the podcast TikTok account. Then the guys discuss their favourite albums from 1992 (5:25). The guys each give their top 10 lists from the year. Then Ali asks Asif about the sometimes controversial topic of circumcision (45:13). Asif talks about the history of the practice and some of the criticisms of it. Then Asif talks about whether there is evidence for health benefits from circumcision and also talks about the risks of the procedure.  He then concludes by stating that most pediatrics groups do not recommend routine circumcision for all newborn males in North America; however if parents are considering the procedure for their child, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor. 

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:

• Asif’s 1992 Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLmQ2vxMbn0&list=PLh7rgup-OZBc2_md6XYzWaSLdduYL8Iya
• Ali’s 1992 Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYyRLTveFJQ&list=PLh7rgup-OZBfMDdKmlUWk2dPx-LveGnOf
• Newborn male circumcision: https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/circumcision#table1
• Circumcision Policy Statement: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/130/3/585/30235/Circumcision-Policy-Statement?searchresult=1
• Circumcision: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1015820-overview?icd=ssl_login_success_221127
• Examining Penile Sensitivity in Neonatally Circumcised and Intact Men Using Quantitative Sensory Testing: https://read.qxmd.com/read/26724395/examining-penile-sensitivity-in-neonatally-circumcised-and-intact-men-using-quantitative-sensory-testing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Leno is now at home recovering from serious burn injuries; on today’s episode, Asif and Ali discuss Jay’s career and accomplishments. However to start off, Ali asks Asif about how common burns are and the differences between first, second and third degree burns (1:20). Asif then goes over how to treat burns and the use of hyperbaric oxygen for burns. They then discuss Jay Leno’s career and his early life (and specifically mention that they will NOT be talking a lot about Conan or cars) (15:17). They discuss his early comedy career and how he became the heir apparent to Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show”. They then discuss some infamous stories from Leno’s life. Finally Asif asks Ali about Jay Leno’s legacy in comedy. 

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:

• Jay Leno's Employee Gives Update On Jay Leno’s Burns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9A4Zm2MY8U
• Jay Leno Had Surgery for Second and Third-Degree Burns: The 'Burns to the Face Are More Concerning': https://people.com/health/jay-leno-had-surgery-for-second-and-third-degree-burns-burns-to-the-face-are-more-concerning/
• Jay Leno Admits Hiding In NBC Executive’s Office Twice: https://www.accessonline.com/articles/jay-leno-admits-hiding-in-nbc-executives-office-twice-142799
• Tenth European Consensus Conference on Hyperbaric Medicine: recommendations for accepted and non-accepted clinical indications and practice of hyperbaric oxygen treatment: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6147240/
• Leno's testimony is no joke for Jackson's defence team: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/may/25/michaeljacksontrial.usa
• Joe Rogan Experience #692 - Jay Leno: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvdM_u4NZQw
• Jay Leno: Revenge of the Everyman: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/12/jay-leno-revenge-of-the-everyman

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special episode, Ali and Asif interview the hosts of ‘The Gritty Nurse Podcast’, Amie Archibald Varley and Sara Fung. They start off by asking Amie and Sara their origin stories, how they got into nursing and how they started their podcast. Amie and Sara then discuss the issues of hierarchy and bullying in the culture of nursing. They speak about the success of their podcast and their favorite episodes. They then discuss the current crisis in nursing in Canada and the rest of North America, violence towards health care professionals, and the issue of burnout in nursing. 

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:

• The Gritty Nurse Podcast: https://www.grittynurse.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Elon Musk now having purchased Twitter, the guys devote an episode to Twitter and Comedy and Twitter and Medicine. Asif starts off by asking Ali if there is any positive effects of Twitter on Comedy (0:58); then Asif challenges Ali with the opposite question, namely “has Twitter ruined comedy”? Ali uses the examples of comedians getting canceled (ie Kurt Metzger) and why comedians need to be extra careful on social media. They then discuss how while comedians have to be careful, non-comedians need to be even more careful on social media. Asif then ask Ali about comedians stealing jokes from people on Twitter. Then Ali asks Asif about Twitter and medicine (24:28). Asif starts out with highlighting the good of Twitter and medicine including the ease of access, facilitating collaborations, extending reach and cutting edge information. Asif then asks the question “Would Hippocrates be on twitter”? Ali asks Asif about the credibility of medicine and they discuss how tweets have no conflicts of interest. Asif then discusses how doctors may be tweeting when they should be seeing patients. They then delve into the larger issue of doctors being “unprofessional” on Twitter. Asif talks about the mini-experiment he did asking doctors about whether they get consent beforehand. He then brings up the “medbikini” backlash on Twitter with respect to a vascular surgery article on “professional” behaviour on social media. 

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:

• Elon Musk tweets 'Comedy is now legal on Twitter' after takeover, asserts 'bird is freed': https://www.firstpost.com/world/elon-musk-tweets-comedy-is-now-legal-on-twitter-after-takeover-asserts-bird-is-freed-11532591.html
• Twitter courted comedians, then the opposition: https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/30/17621870/comedy-twitter-james-gunn-dan-harmon-jokes
• Is Social Media Ruining Comedy? https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/social-media-ruining-comedy
• Here’s the original ‘Zola’ Twitter thread that told the movie’s true story    : https://nypost.com/2021/03/31/heres-the-zola-twitter-thread-that-told-the-movies-true-story/
• Kurt Metzger controversy continues, but Inside Amy Schumer isn’t canceled: https://www.avclub.com/updated-kurt-metzger-controversy-continues-but-inside-1798251054
• Daily Show's Trevor Noah under fire for Twitter jokes about Jews and women: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/mar/31/trevor-noah-backlash-highlights-jokes-jews-women
• Comedian Amber Ruffin Says 'Cancellations' in Comedy 'Aren't Sticking' Because People 'Move On: https://people.com/tv/amber-ruffin-says-cancellations-in-comedy-arent-sticking-because-people-move-on/
• Seinfeld actor lets fly with racist tirade: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/nov/22/usa.danglaister
• How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco’s Life: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/how-one-stupid-tweet-ruined-justine-saccos-life.html
• Did #MeaslesTruth Create a New Form of Twitter Communication? https://www.symplur.com/blog/measlestruth-create-new-form-twitter-communication/
• Would Hippocrates be on Twitter? https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2020/213/11/hippocrates-would-be-twitter
• Social Medicine: Twitter in Healthcare: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6025547/#B4-jcm-07-00121
• Financial Conflicts of Interest Among Hematologist-Oncologists on Twitter: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2598091
• Public Concern About Monitoring Twitter Users and Their Conversations to Recruit for Clinical Trials: Survey  https://www.jvascsurg.org/article/S0741-5214(19)32587-X/fulltextStudyhttps://www.jmir.org/2019/10/e15455/
• Virtual colleagues, virtually colleagues—physicians’ use of Twitter: a population-based observational study: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/7/e002988
• A medical journal apologized after an article prompted health professionals to post images of themselves in bikinis: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/25/cnn10/medbikini-backlash-and-apologies-trnd/index.html
• RETRACTED: Prevalence of unprofessional social media content among young vascular surgeons
• Use social media? Memorize these vital 12 words: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/use-social-media-memorize-these-vital-12-words

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This past month was breast cancer awareness month and in the last episode we did the entertainment part, with an interview with musician and Bif Naked (who is herself a breast cancer survivor). Today we will be doing a deep dive into breast cancer. Asif starts out by mentioning that a lot of the main points for the episode today were informed by a conversation with Dr. Tulin Cil, breast surgical oncologist from the University of Toronto. Ali starts off by asking how common breast cancer is and what the main symptoms are. They then discuss the age it occurs and what the risk factors are for developing it. Asif specifically discusses the genetic risk factors and how “dense” breasts can predispose you to breast cancer. Asif then talks about how it is diagnosed and treated, as well as the prognosis, which is much better for those diagnosed early. They then discuss some “hot button” topics in breast cancer, including lowering the age of screening to 40, as well as the issue of prophylactic mastectomy. 

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:

• Breast Cancer: https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/breast
• 400,000 fewer mammograms performed during pandemic, Ontario Medical Association says: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-400000-fewer-mammograms-performed-during-pandemic-ontario-medical/
• David Jacobs: Not screening for breast cancer in women under 50 is costing lives: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/david-jacobs-not-screening-for-breast-cancer-in-women-under-50-is-costing-lives
• The Impact of Organized Screening Programs on Breast Cancer Stage at Diagnosis for Canadian Women Aged 40–49 and 50–59: https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/29/8/444
• Effect of mammographic screening from age 40 years on breast cancer mortality (UK Age trial): final results of a randomized, controlled trial: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S1470-2045(20)30398-3/fulltext
• Alberta lowers age for women to be screened for breast cancer: https://globalnews.ca/news/9206883/alberta-breast-cancer-screening-age-lowered/
• My Medical Choice, By Angelina Jolie: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html
• Preventive Surgery to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention/preventive-surgery-to-reduce-breast-cancer-risk.html

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on a very special episode, the guys interview the trailblazing Canadian Music Icon Bif Naked. They start off by discussing Bif’s somewhat surprising connection to South Asia. Then then chat about Bif’s book from 2016 “I Bificius” and the challenges of opening yourself up in a memoir. Asif then asks Bif about her long standing fascination with medicine. Bif describes her lifelong interest in the field of medicine. Bif and the guys touch on her diagnosis of breast cancer and how that has informed her volunteer work as a death doula. Bif discusses her philanthropy, activism and how she thinks social media is actually a good thing (!). Then, in recognition of October being breast cancer awareness month, Bif highlights how important “the pink ribbon” movement is for those suffering from breast cancer and how vital it is to support charities that fund research into breast cancer. Finally, the guys discuss Bif’s new single “Rollerdome” and her upcoming album Champion, as well as the fact that she is the focus of the upcoming documentary by Jennifer Abbott entitled “Bif Naked: One of a Kind”. . 

Catch Bif at her upcoming show on November 4th at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa, Ontario!

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:

• Toronto Tabla’s new single with Bif Naked: https://www.rootsmusic.ca/2022/03/19/check-out-toronto-tablas-new-single-with-bif-naked-album-release-tonight/
• I Bificus https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443419734/i-bificus/
• The Magnitude of All Things: https://www.themagnitudeofallthings.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the legendary actor and comedian Robin Williams. The guys start off by discussing their early exposure to Robin Williams including ‘Popeye’, ‘Mork and Mindy’ Robin’s early HBO specials (including Comic Relief). They then discuss some interesting facts about Robin’s early life. They go over some interesting trivia about Robin, his pivotal movies and his legacy in stand-up comedy. Then Ali asks Asif about Dementia with Lewy Bodies, which Robin suffered from. Asif starts off by defining what Lewy Bodies are and their connection to dementia and Parkinson’s disease. They then discuss the symptoms Robin suffered from and how these symptoms (retrospectively) fit completely the criteria for Dementia with Lewy Bodies. 

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:

• Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind: https://www.hbo.com/movies/robin-williams-come-inside-my-mind
• Knowing: Robin Williams: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/knowing-robin-williams/id1482972205
• Robin's Wish review – sad salute to a master comedian: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/dec/30/robins-wish-review-robin-williams
• Robin Williams's widow: 'There were so many misunderstandings about what had happened to him: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/01/robin-williamss-widow-there-were-so-many-misunderstandings-about-what-had-happened-to-him
• The terrorist inside my husband’s brain: https://n.neurology.org/content/neurology/87/13/1308.full.pdf
• Diagnosis and management of dementia with Lewy bodies: https://n.neurology.org/content/89/1/88
• Dementia with Lewy bodies: an update and outlook: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6341685/
• Lewy body disease or diseases with Lewy bodies? https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-021-00273-9

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today in follow up to our discussion of “Sort Of” with Bilal Baig, we discuss how to improve the health care of trans and non-binary persons. The guys start off their discussion with Dr. Laura Stratton, a family physician with a specialization in 2SLGBTQ+  care who practices at the Connect Clinic in Toronto, Ontario (3:53). They discusses the challenge of trans and non-binary persons in accessing health care. Then they ask Dr. Stratton about how to improve the training of family doctors in 2SLGBTQ+  health during their their residency training. The guys then ask Dr. Stratton about where doctors should start if they are uneducated about 2SLGBTQ+ health and the Trans Health Guide for physicians created by Rainbow Health Ontario and discuss why health care for trans and non-binary patients is such an urgent matter. 

Then the guys chat with Dr. Carys Masserella who is the lead physician at the transgender care clinic at Quest Community Health Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario (29:36) . They discuss how Dr. Masseralla decided on medicine as a career, specializing in emergency medicine, and how she started her transgender care clinic. They discuss how to improve the primary care of trans and non-binary patients including advice on when to refer for hormone therapy and surgery.  Dr. Massarella also discusses the special situation of children who identify as trans and how to counsel parents in this situation. Asif then asks Dr. Massarella about the term “gender dysphoria” and about news reports that the diagnosis of gender dysphoria has been increasing over time. Ali then asks Dr. Massarella about her projects on Amazon Prime’s OUTtv channel “My Trans Journey '' and “Translating Beauty”. 

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:

• Connect Clinic Toronto: https://www.connect-clinic.com/
• Trans Health Guide: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/TransHealthGuide/index.html
• ‘Trans-warrior physician’ raises awareness in new docuseries: https://newsroom.royalcollege.ca/trans-warrior-physician-raises-awareness-in-new-docuseries/
• Translating Beauty: https://yapfilms.com/project/translating-beauty/
• Encyclopedia Britannica: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on a special episode, Ali and Asif interview Bilal Baig, star of the CBC and HBO Max series “Sort of” who made history by Made history by being the first South Asian, queer Muslim actor to star in a Canadian prime-time TV series. The guys start off by asking Bilal about their early life and growing up as a second generation South Asian in the Toronto area. Bilal talks about how initially they were a shy child but eventually found writing and theatre as a calling. Bilal then talks about the creation of their play “Acha Bacha”.  They then describe creating ‘Sort Of’ with Fab Filippo. Ali asks Bilal about their comedy influences and their dry sense of humor displayed in ‘Sort Of’. All three then discuss the success and critical accolades given to ‘Sort Of’ (whose second season premieres Nov 15 on CBC and Dec 1 on HBO Max). 

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:

• ‘Sort Of’: https://gem.cbc.ca/media/sort-of/s01
• Rotten Tomatoes ‘Sort Of’: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/sort_of/s01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.