Doctor Vs Comedian

Today, based on two listeners’ suggestions, Ali and Asif discuss ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ and Trichotillomania. Asif admits to only having watched the pilot of ‘Mrs Maisel’ (2:26) and as such, Ali gives Asif a sales pitch on why the show should be watched. After a brief digression about TV shows that they were exposed to on airline flights, Ali compares ‘Mrs. Maisel’ to Amy Sherman-Palladino’s previous show ‘Gilmore Girls’ as well as musicals. Then Ali gushes about the expert acting of all the principal characters in the show, particularly Alex Bornstein, Tony Shaloub, Marin Hinkle and especially Rachel Brosnahan. Then Ali asks Asif about trichotillomania (28:47). Asif talks about the definition, how often it is seen and how it is diagnosed. Asif then discusses how it is different from OCD and why we think it occurs. Asif then talks about the long term consequences of trichotillomania including compulsive hair eating (trichophagia) and the treatment of the disorder. 

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 ‘marvelous’ Jewish story of Miriam Maisel: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/the-marvelous-jewish-story-of-miriam-maisel-517215
• How Joan Rivers Inspired The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel:: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/12/218383/who-is-marvelous-mrs-maisel-based-on-real-joan-rivers
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Real-Life Inspirations: Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, and More: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a25460957/marvelous-mrs-maisel-midge-real-life-inspiration-joan-rivers-phyllis-diller/
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Shy Baldwin Is a Fictional Character. But Is He Based on Harry Belafonte?: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a30150990/marvelous-mrs-maisel-shy-baldwin-real-person-inspiration/
• Trichotillomania: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5328413/
• Treating trichotillomania: a meta-analysis of treatment effects and moderators for behavior therapy and serotonin reuptake inhibitors: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25108618/
• Trichotillomania: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/30593

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

Content Warning: Sexual Assault

Today, the guys discuss the new documentary series ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby” (1:12). They discuss director W. Kamau Bell and the reasons why he chose to make the series. They discuss how the documentary highlights the Bill Cosby’s accomplishments including his stand up comedy, his revolutionary role in ‘I Spy’, his influence on Black stunt people in Hollywood, his Civil Rights work and his promotion of historically Black colleges. Ali and Asif then discuss Cosby’s roles in ‘The Electric Company’, ‘Picture Pages’ and ‘Fat Albert’, as well as the legacy of “The Cosby Show’. They then talk about how Hannibal Buress’ comedy act called out attention to the allegations against Cosby. They guys then take a digression and Ali asks Asif about Spanish Fly, Rohypnal, GHB and Quaaludes (20:36).  The guys then conclude by discussing the crimes Bill Cosby is accused of and the 60 women who have come forward (35:31). 

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:

• We Need to Talk About Cosby: https://www.sho.com/we-need-to-talk-about-cosby
• ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby.’ (Among Others.): https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/07/arts/television/bill-cosby-documentary-w-kamau-bell.html
• We Weren’t Wrong to Love ‘The Cosby Show’: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/14/opinion/cosby-show-documentary.html?searchResultPosition=1
• Cosby's legacy is a third rail conversation we need to have. W. Kamau Bell is ready: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/14/1080066719/bill-cosby-w-kamau-bell
• We Need to Talk About Cosby: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/we-need-to-talk-about-cosby-tv-review-2022
• ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby’ Explores the Sickening Double Life of ‘America’s Dad’: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-reviews/we-need-to-talk-about-cosby-review-1290186/
• Jerry Seinfeld Talks Steve Bannon and Bill Cosby at New Yorker Festival Q&A: https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/jerry-seinfeld-bill-cosby-new-yorker-festival-1202583520/
• Is "Spanish Fly" really an aphrodisiac?: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-and-nutrition-you-asked/spanish-fly-really-aphrodisiac
• Cantharidin for molluscum contagiosum: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7292508/
• Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB): A Newer Drug of Abuse: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/1201/p2478.html
• Drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA): a serious underestimated issue: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/10577-10587.pdf

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

The guys start off the episode by discussing Ali and his family recently contracting Covid-19. Then they switch up the format by first discussing the history of opioids, the interplay between pharma and medicine in the marketing of opioids and the rise of Purdue pharma (5:29). They then talk about the opioid crisis, the rise of oxycontin and fentanyl, and the damage done. The guys then discuss the television show ‘Dopesick’, how it was developed, and it’s focus on the Appalachian area of the US (30:50). The guys praise the performances of all the actors and the writing of the series. Finally, Ali asks Asif about his personal experiences in learning about opioids in medical school and whether he prescribes them in his clinical practice (43:35). 

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 Crime of the Century: https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/the-crime-of-the-century
• Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/612861/empire-of-pain-by-patrick-radden-keefe/9780385697545
• ‘The crisis was manufactured’: inside a damning film on the origins of the opioid epidemic: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/may/10/opioid-crisis-alex-gibney-the-crime-of-the-century
• A Timeline of the Real-Life Events From Hulu’s Dopesick: https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a37885480/dopesick-on-hulu-timeline/
• The One-Paragraph Letter From 1980 That Fueled the Opioid Crisis: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/06/nejm-letter-opioids/528840/
• Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America: https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/beth-macy/dopesick/9780316551281/       
• ‘Dopesick’ Star Rosario Dawson Grateful for the Show’s Human Depiction of the Opioid Crisis: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/rosario-dawson-dopesick-hulu-opioid-crisis-1235049990/
• Dopesick review – the heinous truth behind America’s opioid emergency: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/nov/12/dopesick-review-the-heinous-truth-behind-americas-opioid-emergency
• Is 'Dopesick' a true story? Experts and the show's creators sort fact from fiction: https://www.npr.org/2021/11/08/1051475843/dopesick-hulu-true-story-opioid-addiction
• They Made the Most of the Opioid Crisis. Until They Didn’t: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/19/books/review/hard-sell-evan-hughes.html

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

It’s our 50th episode! To celebrate this, Asif asks Ali about his top 3 favorite comedy specials (1:31). Ali picks Dave Chapelle’s ‘Killing Them Softly’, Wanda Sykes’ Im’a Be Me’ and Eddie Izzard’s ‘Dress to Kill’ and discusses what makes these specials so good. Then Ali asks Asif about the biological basis of why we develop laughter (32:04). Asif goes over how laughter and humour develops in babies and what they find ‘funny’. Then, Asif talks about the areas of the brain where laughter originates and what areas of the brain when injured can cause you to lose your sense of humour. Finally he discusses the evolutionary basis of why laughter may have developed in humans. 

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 Man Who Broke the R. Kelly Story—Twice—on Whether This Time Will Be Different: https://slate.com/culture/2021/08/r-kelly-trial-2021-jim-derogatis-interview-abuse-charges.html
• Eddie Izzard clarifies personal feelings on gender fluidity following recent comments: https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a35235936/eddie-izzard-clarifies-gender-fluidity-feelings/
• Meet a scientist with a most delightful job: He studies baby laughter: https://ideas.ted.com/meet-a-scientist-with-a-most-delightful-job-he-studies-baby-laughter/
• The evolutionary origins of laughter are rooted more in survival than enjoyment: https://theconversation.com/the-evolutionary-origins-of-laughter-are-rooted-more-in-survival-than-enjoyment-57750
• Why do humans laugh? The evolutionary biology of laughter: https://slate.com/culture/2014/03/why-do-humans-laugh-the-evolutionary-biology-of-laughter.html
• How Laughter Works: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/laughter2.htm
• Neural correlates of laughter and humour: https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/126/10/2121/314497

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

To start the episode, Ali asks Asif about 2 movies he saw recently - Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Matrix Resurrections. Short story: one was good nostalgia and the other reminded him of the “member berries” from South Park. Then, Asif asks Ali about how comedians create personas for comedy (7:28). Ali also discusses how podcasts and twitter have made personas less common but also discusses the advantages of using a persona. The guys then discuss some classic comedians who have used personas such as Larry the Cable Guy and Andrew Dice Clay and others who have dropped personas such as Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Joan Rivers. Then Ali asks Asif to pick back up on their conversation on Physician Burnout from a few episodes back (23:57). The guys start the discussion by using the example of a video from friend of the show Dr. Glaucomflecken. Asif then discusses what individuals can do, but more importantly what organizations can do to help address burnout. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [email protected]

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• Stand-Up Comedians and Their Alternate On-Stage Personas: https://www.vulture.com/2012/08/stand-up-comedians-and-their-alternate-on-stage-personas.htm
• Does Society Need Andrew Dice Clay?: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/26/style/andrew-dice-clay-star-is-born.html
• Dr. Glaucomflecken “Resiliency Pizza” Video: https://twitter.com/DGlaucomflecken/status/1440443128603762696
• Burnout isn’t due to resiliency deficit. It’s still a system issue: https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/burnout-isn-t-due-resiliency-deficit-it-s-still-system-issue
• Resilience and Burnout Among Physicians and the General US Working Population: https: //jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2767829
• Physician burnout: contributors, consequences and solutions: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joim.12752
• Executive Leadership and Physician Well-being. Nine Organizational Strategies to Promote Engagement and Reduce Burnout: https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(16)30625-5/fulltext

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

Today on a  very special episode, Ali and Asif interview superstar podcaster Dr. Sydnee McElroy (Sawbones, Still Buffering). In their wide ranging conversation they discuss how she got started in podcasting with her husband, Justin McElroy, and how they developed the wildly successful podcast ‘Sawbones’. Then they discuss the evolution of her other podcast ‘Still Buffering’ which she co-hosts with her sisters. Later, they discuss her volunteer work with the homeless population in her city, physician burnout and Dr. McElroy’s advice on how to address it at an organizational and individual level. Finally they discuss the opioid crisis, how West Virginia is one of the worst affected States and Dr. McElroy’s efforts at harm reduction locally. 

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:

• Assessment of Changes in the Geographical Distribution of Opioid-Related Mortality Across the United States by Opioid Type, 1999-2016: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2725487
• Where opiates killed the most people in 2015: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/12/13/where-opiates-killed-the-most-people-in-2015/

Shout outs: Bif Naked, Dopesick

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

The guys start out discussing the recent snowstorms in North America, the politeness (or lack thereof) of Torontonians, Ali’s toothache and leaving your phone number with bakeries. Then the guys discuss the recent deaths of Louie Anderson and Bob Saget. They start by discussing the legendary Louie Anderson (5:40) his acting on shows such as ‘Baskets’ and his legacy in comedy.  The guys then discuss Bob Saget, his television work and the contrast to his outrageous stand up personality (17:48). They then discuss his legacy and the impact he made on his peers in the entertainment industry. Bob was also an advocate for scleroderma research, as his sister passed away from this disease several years ago. Ali then asks Asif about scleroderma (27:50) and Asif explains the manifestations of this disease and how it is one aspect of systemic sclerosis. Asif talks about the various symptoms, why it can be so hard to diagnose, and how it is treated. 

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:

• Louie Anderson, Iconic Stand-Up Comic and ‘Baskets’ Star, Dies at 68: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/louie-anderson-dead-comedian-baskets-star-1235078681/
• Wesley Snipes, Henry Winkler, Adam Sandler, George Wallace Remember Louie Anderson: “Heaven Has a Hell of an Open Mic Night Goin’ Right About Now: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/louie-anderson-dead-hollywood-tributes-1235078703/
• Bob Saget, comedian and 'Full House' star, dead at 65: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/09/entertainment/bob-saget-death-full-house/index.html
• The Generators with Trent McClellan- Bob Saget: https://play.acast.com/s/the-generators-with-trent-mcclellan/bobsaget
• Weeks before he died, Bob Saget opened up about the tragic death of his sister: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bob-saget-sister-gay-scleroderma/
• Bob Saget Said He Would Keep Fighting Scleroderma 'Until I'm Gone' in Interview Weeks Before Death: https://people.com/tv/bob-saget-said-he-would-keep-fighting-scleroderma-until-im-gone-in-interview-weeks-before-death/
• Scleroderma Research Foundation: https://srfcure.org/
• Scleroderma Canada: https://www.scleroderma.ca/

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

Today on a special episode, the guys discuss the case of Mike Ward, who was accused of breaching the limits of free speech when he mocked a disabled singer named Jeremy Gabriel (“Petit Jeremy")...a case that went all the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada. They are joined by their special guest comedian and lawyer Jess Salomon (The Tonight Show, Comedians vs The News). After briefly chatting about Jess’ experiences with the Omicron variant, Jess and Ali disclose that they do know Mike Ward personally from the comedy world. Then they go over the facts of the case and summarize Mike’s joke. Asif then takes a short detour to discuss Treacher Collins Syndrome, the disease which Jeremy was afflicted with. Jess then summarizes the facts of the case and the Supreme Court Decision which was a 5-4 decision in favour of Mike Ward.  Jess and Ali discuss the limits of free speech and comedy and how things boil down to “what is the crux of the joke?”.

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:

• Mike Ward’s joke:
• Mike Ward on Joe Rogan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8reKTTTJZlE
• Comedian who mocked disabled child singer did not breach limits of free speech: Supreme Court: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mike-ward-scc-j%C3%A9r%C3%A9my-gabriel-1.6229032
• Comedian and Lawyer Explains Why the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal’s Finding Against Mike Ward Should Offend You: https://theinterrobang.com/comedian-lawyer-explains-canadian-human-rights-tribunals-finding-mike-ward-offend/

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

To start the episode, Ali talks about his new CBC show out now “Run the Burbs” and Ali’s appearance on “Family Feud Canada”. Betty White would have been 100 years old on Jan 17, 2022, so to commemorate this, the guys go over her life and career (7:36). They discuss her roles in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, “The Golden Girls” and her devotion to civil rights and animal charities. Then Ali asks Asif about Electronic Medical Records (EMR’s) by using Atul Gawande’s 2018 New Yorker article on the topic as a jumping off point (24:46). Asif goes over the good and bad of EMR’s and possible ways forward to make them useful to patients and physicians. 

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:

• Betty White on “The Golden Girls” -  “The Great Herring War”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80q1x-EN9qM
• Live With it - Betty White defied racist demands with her 1954 variety show: https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/12/31/betty-white-arthur-duncan-racism/
• Betty White Dies: The Golden Girls and Mary Tyler Moore Show Star Was 99: https://people.com/tv/betty-white-the-golden-girls-and-hot-in-cleveland-star-dead-at-99/
• Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead at 99: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/31/arts/television/betty-white-dead.html
• How to support animal lover Betty White's favorite cause: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/02/us/betty-white-animal-charities-iyw/index.html
• Why Doctors Hate Their Computers: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/11/12/why-doctors-hate-their-computers
• Electronic Medical Records, Burnout, And “Man’s 4th Best Hospital”: https://www.forbes.com/sites/judystone/2019/11/12/electronic-medical-records-burnout-and-mans-4th-best-hospital/?sh=53501f171099
• It’s Time for a New Kind of Electronic Health Record: https://hbr.org/2020/06/its-time-for-a-new-kind-of-electronic-health-record
• The effectiveness of EMR implementation regarding reducing documentation errors and waiting time for patients in outpatient clinics: a systematic review: https://f1000research.com/articles/10-514

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

Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the great Kal Penn (1:46). They discuss his early career all the way up to the release of his memoir, ‘You Can’t Be Serious”. They discuss his famous roles in ‘American Desi’, ‘Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle’, ‘Van Wilder’, ‘The Namesake’, ‘House’ and ‘Designated Survivor’.  They discuss Kal coming out as gay as well as his recent engagement. Then Ali asks Asif about Physician Burnout (33:01). Asif starts out by defining physician burnout and discusses the increase in physician burnout over time, which has been worsened with the Covid-19 pandemic. Asif then discusses how electronic medical records contribute to physician burnout. He then talks about the effects burnout has on health care delivery, patients and the physician workforce.

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:

• You Can’t be Serious: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/You-Cant-Be-Serious/Kal-Penn/9781982171384
• ‘Maybe I Do Have a Story to Tell’: Kal Penn on His Memoir: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/01/books/kal-penn-you-cant-be-serious-memoir-interview.html
• Kal Penn on his unlikely stardom: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kal-penn-on-his-unlikely-stardom/
• Kal Penn’s Memoir Is Exactly What We All Need Right Now: https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/books/a38127141/kal-penn-memoir/
• Kal Penn Reveals He's Engaged to Fiancé Josh and Details Their First Date in New Book: https://people.com/books/kal-penn-engagement-to-fiance-josh-first-date-new-book-you-cant-be-serious/
• Burnout isn’t due to resiliency deficit. It’s still a system issue: https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/burnout-isn-t-due-resiliency-deficit-it-s-still-system-issue
• Physician burnout: contributors, consequences and solutions: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joim.12752
• Physician Burnout, Interrupted: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2003149

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