Doctor Vs Comedian

On this episode, after a brief interlude about McDonald’s Orange Drink, the guys discuss the legendary Canadian band, the Tragically Hip (2:50). They discuss the Hip’s new EP and their upcoming appearance at the 2021 Juno awards with Feist. They discuss the history of the band and their relationship to them, including Ali’s story of stage diving at a Hip concert in Montreal. They discuss the diagnosis of the lead singer, Gord Downie with glioblastoma multiforme and Asif’s connection to Gord Downie’s neuro-oncologist. Then then discuss the final concert by the Hip and the lasting legacy of the band and Gord Downie. Finally the guys discuss the new album by the band Saskadelphia. Then, Ali asks Asif about the controversy surrounding Gweneth Paltrow’s Goop (27:58). After a quick parental disclaimer, They discuss how Goop in the past has promoted “the Jade Egg” and “steaming” certain parts of the female anatomy. They discuss the origins of Goop and criticisms of the brand, particularly by Dr. Jen Gunter and Dr. Timothy Caulfield. They also discuss the “Goop PhD” portion of the Goop website. Finally, Asif gives his thoughts on several episodes of Netflix’s “Goop Lab”. 

Show Notes

• An oral history of The Tragically Hip’s surprise new-old album Saskadelphia; https://globalnews.ca/news/7880540/tragically-hip-saskadelphia-interview/
• This Canadian doctor is going head-to-head with Gwyneth Paltrow over Goop: https://www.thestar.com/life/2017/07/18/meet-the-canadian-doctor-whos-taking-on-goop.html?rf
• Hey Gwyneth Paltrow, a GYN says stop scaring women about bras and breast cancer: https://drjengunter.com/2015/10/20/hey-gwyneth-paltrow-a-gyn-says-stop-scaring-women-about-bras-and-breast-cancer/
• Dear Gwyneth Paltrow, I’m a GYN and your vaginal jade eggs are a bad idea: https://drjengunter.com/2017/01/17/dear-gwyneth-paltrow-im-a-gyn-and-your-vaginal-jade-eggs-are-a-bad-idea/
• Goop to pay out over unproven health benefits of vaginal eggs https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/sep/05/gwyneth-paltrow-goop-to-pay-out-over-unproven-health-benefits-of-vaginal-eggs
• NASA Calls BS on Goop's $120 'Bio-Frequency Healing' Sticker Packs [Updated]: https://gizmodo.com/nasa-calls-bullshit-on-goops-120-bio-frequency-healing-1796309360
• Edmonton Goop-debunker buoyed by renewed attack on Gwyneth Paltrow's wellness brand: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/timothy-caulfield-gwyneth-paltrow-1.4274452
• Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans: https://www.pnas.org/content/111/20/7379

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The guys start out today’s show discussing unrelated pop culture that is linked in each of their minds (00:55). Then, the guys discuss the recent movie ‘Sound of Metal’, Ali’s personal connection to it and the impressive performance of Riz Ahmed (6:30). They also discuss how the movie comments on the concept of personal identity and how it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic. They guys then rave about the sound design in ‘Sound of Metal’. Asif then talks about rapid onset hearing loss like Riz Ahmed’s character suffers from in the movie (18:42), followed by a discussion on cochlear implants. He discusses what the movie gets right or wrong and whether they are considered controversial in the Deaf community. 

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

• What two pieces of unrelated pop culture are forever connected in your mind? https://www.avclub.com/what-two-pieces-of-unrelated-pop-culture-are-forever-co-1846691101
• MC And Actor Riz Ahmed Embraces A New Kind Of Role In 'Sound Of Metal' https://www.npr.org/2021/03/26/981549708/mc-and-actor-riz-ahmed-embraces-a-new-kind-of-role-in-sound-of-metal
• Riz Ahmed on identity, hearing loss, and Sound Of Metal https://film.avclub.com/riz-ahmed-on-identity-hearing-loss-and-sound-of-metal-1845804534
• Understanding Deafness: Not Everyone Wants to Be 'Fixed' https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/08/understanding-deafness-not-everyone-wants-to-be-fixed/278527/ Allegra Ringo
• Why some people turned down a 'medical miracle' and decided to stay deaf https://www.insider.com/why-deaf-people-turn-down-cochlear-implants-2016-12
• A Clearer Message on Cochlear Implants https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/21/opinion/deaf-cochlear-implants-sign-language.html
• 'Sound of Metal' is a heartwarming — and frustrating — take on deafness
• Deaf in the Time of the Cochlea https://academic.oup.com/jdsde/article/16/2/153/366456 

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In today’s episode, the guys start the episode discussing Elon Musk and their surprising takes on his recent Saturday Night Live hosting gig (1:08) -- plus a brief discussion on Wayne Gretsky’s (in)famous hosting gig. Then, to commemorate the upcoming season finale of the 46th season of Saturday Night Live, Ali and Asif discuss their top 5 SNL performers (9:25). Listen to find out who they include and who they shockingly leave out! Then Asif discusses the concept of intermittent fasting (27:30). He goes over the theory for why it should work and the basic science evidence. Then he reviews the clinical studies supporting and refuting the effectiveness of intermittent fasting. Finally, he discusses promising new trials regarding cancer and intermittent fasting. 

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

• The One Big Problem With Elon Musk’s Autism Announcement: https://slate.com/culture/2021/05/elon-musk-aspergers-snl-autism-spectrum.html
• A Conversation With a Harvard Geneticist on How to Live (Well) Past 100: Dr. David Sinclair talks intermittent fasting, Benjamin Button and more
• https://www.insidehook.com/article/health-and-fitness/how-to-live-past-100

• Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1905136
• Intermittent fasting and weight loss: Systematic review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32060194/
• Diet Review: Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/intermittent-fasting/
• Effects of Time-Restricted Eating on Weight Loss and Other Metabolic Parameters in Women and Men With Overweight and ObesityThe TREAT Randomized Clinical Trial: JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(11):1491-1499. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.4153
• A Potential Downside of Intermittent Fasting: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/28/well/eat/a-potential-downside-of-intermittent-fasting.html

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For our last episode on Code Switching, Ali actually forgot to tell a story he had about a director insisting that the name “Asif” be pronounced a certain way. We’ve included it for you here as a bonus clip. 

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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In this episode, the guys discuss the topic of code-switching (1:36). They review examples of code switching in the media including Barack Obama, Boots Riley’s “Sorry to Bother You” and Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s code switching sketch on “Key & Peele”. They also discuss the Harvard Business Review’s piece on code-switching in the workplace as well as the use of different accents as a form of code switching. Finally, Ali discusses his personal views on code-switching and a conversation he had on the topic with Hasan Minhaj. Next, Asif discusses the prevalence of video game playing in society and the argument that they may actually be good for you (17:33). He then reviews the evidence for the association between video games and aggression in children and teens. Finally, Asif reviews the concept of video game addiction and provides practical tips for parents on regulating video game use in kids. 

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:

• Key and Peele phone call sketch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXH5CD3O7Oc
• The costs of code switching, Harvard Business Review, 2019: https://hbr.org/2019/11/the-costs-of-codeswitching
• NPR’s Code Switch podcast: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch
• Metaanalysis of the relationship between violent video game play and physical aggression over time, 2018: https://www.pnas.org/content/115/40/9882
• The Link Between Playing Video Games and Positive Youth Outcomes, Child development perspectives, 2017: https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cdep.12232
• Video gaming in school children: How much is enough?, Annals of Neurology, 2016: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ana.24745
• Evidence for striatal dopamine release during a video game, Nature, 1998: https://www.nature.com/articles/30498
• WHO, Addictive Behaviors: Gaming Disorder: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/addictive-behaviours-gaming-disorder
• Do violent video games trigger aggression?: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-violent-video-games-trigger-aggression/
• Brain and Life magazine: https://www.brainandlife.org/
• Gaming: A parent’s guide: https://drdanpezzulo.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/gaming-a-parents-guide/amp/

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In today’s episode, after a bit of listener mail about Ali’s love of Shonda Rimes (1:00), the guys discuss the issue of actors faking accents on movies and TV shows (2:09). Ali discusses Rizwan Manji from Schitt’s Creek and Aziz Ansari. Ali even discusses how he originally auditioned for the role of Ray Bhutani on Schitt’s Creek and his own experience with using an accent in roles. We also discuss the case of Paul Sun-Hyung Lee on Kim’s Convenience. They then discuss “The Problem with Apu”, the documentary by Hari Kondabolu, and Hank Anzaria. They discuss the historical example of Peter Sellers and “The Party”. Ali then talks about Hank Azaria’s recent appearance on “Armchair Expert” with Dax Shepard and Hank’s apology to South Asians. Then, Asif talks about so-called ‘miracle cures’ in medicine and his contempt of practitioners who peddle them (21:19).  Ali then counters with the question of whether patients seek miracle cures because of a distrust of doctors and the medical system. They then discuss how distrust of the medical system can affect health outcomes and touch on the issue of race and its relation to medical distrust (and discuss Michael Che from Saturday Night Live). Asif then discusses what the medical community can do to improve trust.

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

• Schitt's Creek Actor Rizwan Manji Doesn't Regret Giving His Character an Accent :https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/12/schitts-creek-ray-rizwan-manji-south-asian-accent

• Hank Azaria feels he should apologize for Apu 'to every single Indian person in this country': https://www.kezi.com/content/national/574196012.html?ref=012:       

• Armchair Expert Podcast with Hank Azaria: https://armchairexpertpod.com/pods/hank-azaria

• The Problem with Apu:https://gem.cbc.ca/media/documentary-specials/episode-39/38e815a-010f377caad   

• Do You Trust the Medical Profession? By Dhruv Khullar: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/upshot/do-you-trust-the-medical-profession.html

• Measuring Patients’ Trust In Physicians When Assessing Quality Of Care: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.23.4.124

• Linking primary care performance to outcomes of care: https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?v=2.1&it=r&sw=w&id=GALE%7CA21215648&prodId=AONE&authCount=1&u=nysl_me_weillmdc&selfRedirect=true

• Understanding and Ameliorating Medical Mistrust Among Black Americans https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/2021/jan/medical-mistrust-among-black-americans

• Bad Medicine: The Harm That Comes From Racism: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/upshot/bad-medicine-the-harm-that-comes-from-racism.html Austin Frakt

• Harriet A. Washington: Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans From Colonial Times to the Present: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/185986/medical-apartheid-by-harriet-a-washington/   

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In this episode the guys reflect on the life of the late Chadwick Boseman. They first start by debriefing about this week’s Oscars telecast, Asif’s less than impressive predictions and the snub of Chadwick in the Best Actor category (00:50). Ali discusses Chadwick’s early life and his career from All My Children to 42 to Get on Up to Black Panther (10:33). Then they discuss his last two performances in Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and his lasting legacy. Because of Chadwick’s death at an early age from colon cancer, Asif then discusses the risk factors and signs of colon cancer (22:49). He then discusses screening for colon cancer and what one can do to help prevent it. 

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:

•  Six Ways to Lower Your Risk for Colorectal Cancer https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/six-ways-to-lower-your-risk-for-colon-cancer.html
• Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer: Preventive Medication: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/aspirin-to-prevent-cardiovascular-disease-and-cancer:
• American Cancer Society Guideline for Colorectal Cancer Screening: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html
• Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health care: https://canadiantaskforce.ca/guidelines/published-guidelines/colorectal-cancer/
• Association of adherence to lifestyle recommendations and risk of colorectal cancer: a prospective Danish cohort study: https://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c5504
• High-fructose corn syrup enhances intestinal tumor growth in mice: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/363/6433/1345

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Today, Ali and Asif discuss the upcoming 93rd annual Academy Awards. Ali quizzes Asif on who he thinks should win and will win in all the major categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best supporting Actress, best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. They talk about problems with “Mank”, the genius of Sacha Baron Cohen, and the frontrunner status of “Nomadland”.  Asif also gives his opinion on the 1 prediction he feels is an absolute “lock”. They also give an honorable mention to the sound of “Sound of Metal”.

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. 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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In this episode, the guys discuss the new CBS sitcom, the United States of Al (1:03). They discuss the development of the show and how it is based on the charitable organization “No One Left Behind”. Ali  talks about the development of the show, the criticism it received even before an episode was released, and the defense of the show by producer Reza Aslan. After a digression about Kumail Nanjiani playing video games, they segue into a discussion of actors being able to play different races, using the example of legendary character actor Cliff Curtis. Then, the guys  discuss Dr. Mehmet Oz, his background and why his show has generated so much controversy (21:14). Asif discusses his influence on medicine and the so-called “Oz effect”. He then discusses the recent contentious decision by Jeopardy! producers to have Dr. Oz guest host the show, following the death of Alex Trebek. 

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:

• • No One left behind: https://nooneleft.org/
  • United States of Al: a comedy that brings home the deadly dilemma faced by Afghan interpreters https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2021/04/03/united-states-of-al-a-comedy-that-brings-home-the-deadly-dilemma-faced-by-afghan-interpreters/
  • Chuck Lorre's New CBS Sitcom Slammed for Handling of Afghan Character: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/chuck-lorres-new-cbs-sitcom-slammed-for-handling-of-afghan-character
  • United States of Al Producers Defend Afghan Character in Sitcom: https://people.com/tv/united-states-of-al-producers-defend-handling-afghan-character/
  • The Operator, in the New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/02/04/the-operator:
  • Televised medical talk shows—what they recommend and the evidence to support their recommendations: a prospective observational study:
  • Dr. Oz’s Miraculous Medical Advice: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/01/can_you_trust_dr_oz_his_medical_advice_often_conflicts_with_the_best_science.single.html
  • A Letter from Concerned Former Contestants to Mike Richards, Executive Producer of Jeopardy! https://medium.com/@j.contestants.letter/a-letter-from-concerned-former-contestants-to-mike-richards-executive-producer-of-jeopardy-f2f8e2e53930
  • Dr. Oz is offering Trump advice for handling the coronavirus. Here are 8 times he's made false or baseless medical claims: https://www.businessinsider.com/dr-oz-false-misleading-baseless-medical-claims-coronavirus-2020-4Oz has pushed hydroxychloroquine to fight the coronavirus, even though its effects are still unproven.

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In this special episode of Doctor Vs Comedian, the guys discuss their “origin stories''.  First, Ali discusses growing up in New Brunswick and Montreal, Quebec, going to McGill University, and then trying to figure out what to do with his life after that. He discusses his journey from working at a consumer-electronic chain store to doing his MBA to getting an IT degree. Finally Ali explains how his love of cooking led to desire to try and get a cooking show, which in turn led to stand up comedy. Next, Asif outlines what led him to pursue medicine as a career (11:22). He talks about the other careers that could have been, including occupational therapy (but not teacher’s college!). He talks about why he decided to become super specialized as a pediatric neurologist right out of medical school and the life experiences that led him to that choice. The guys then conclude by discussing how the podcast came to be!

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

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