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Ever grappled with the understanding of how your personal narrative could shape historical perspectives? This episode takes you on a journey through the untold stories of infertility, alongside Dr Sianan Healy, a historian at La Trobe University. She walks us through her personal experiences with infertility, which have been the bedrock of her research. She also highlights the importance of individual narratives in examining the complexities of infertility.

The conversation goes deeper as we explore Sianan's ground-breaking research paper - 'Broken Bodies, Oral Histories of Infertility After Women's Liberation Movement.' Through her research, we understand the emotional depth of personal stories and the challenges of interpreting them. As we navigate the changing dynamics of women's agency in the IVF industry, we also examine the profound impacts of the IVF process on women's mental and physical health. We also scrutinize the silence around miscarriage and how it negatively affects women's health.

Finally, this episode underscores the urgent need for improved women's health education. We discuss the societal devaluation of motherhood and the complexities of reproductive identity, and their lasting impacts on women's sense of self. Tune in to this poignant conversation as we unravel the complexities of infertility, miscarriage, and women's health. It's more than just a discussion; it's an invitation to contribute to the narrative that shapes our understanding of these crucial issues.

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
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We take a moment to honor the memory of two profound contributors to the bioethics community, the late Dr Henry Kilham and Professor Miles Little. Their significant impacts on the ethical and medical landscapes, particularly in Australia, have shaped the ways we navigate difficult conversations. We also mark that is has been a year since Courtney's death. 

In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, we consider the immense burdens borne by medical professionals in these conflict zones. With the Australian government's refusal to support a ceasefire, we discuss the implications this has on the ground. Here, the concept of 'grievable bodies' and 'grievable lives' comes to the fore.  Stay tuned for our next episode on infertility, releasing later this week.

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
Follow us on Twitter @undisciplinary_ or email questions for "mailbag episodes" [email protected]

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Ready for an enlightening journey through the intricate world of 19th-century popular phrenology? Prepare to be captivated as we chat with historian, writer, and heritage consultant, Dr. Alexandra Roginski. Together, we unravel the mysteries of this once-beloved, now discredited science and the profound impact it had on our understanding of the human mind. Along the way, we'll unearth fascinating tales from Australia's phrenology scene, ethical quandaries of modern tech applications, and the puzzling case of Russian 'fat heads'.

As we traverse the history of this intriguing science, we'll explore the complexities of medical pluralism and the gender challenges prevalent in 19th-century medical practices. From the peculiarities of skull shapes to the commodification of Aboriginal remains, Dr. Roginski guides us through a riveting narrative of early cerebral localization. Together, we discover how this now discredited, but once popular, science intersected with ethno-ethnography and anthropology, causing ripples that would change our view of the mind forever.

In the final stretch of our journey, we discuss the rise and pitfalls of the wellness culture, the ethical implications surrounding the commercial use of AI and fMRI machines, and the power dynamics within wellness and spiritual practices. Uncover how wellness gurus pivot from one dodgy dealing to another, the sensationalism surrounding the 'fallen guru', and the dangers of misreading the situations we walk into. Listening to this episode promises to leave you with a newfound perspective, not just on the history of phrenology and wellness culture, but on the human mind itself. So, why wait? Tune in and let's embark on this mind-boggling journey together!

**The above was produced via AI**

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
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[FYI the below is an AI generated program description - lol]

Wondering how industry funding could potentially sway the direction of research? Stroll with us into the labyrinth of the University of Sydney's new Centre of Excellence in Gambling Research, partly supported by companies from the world of wagering. Listen as we peel back the layers of this complex relationship, shining a light on the possible implications, bias, and the ambiguity of the "social license" that these companies might be seeking.

Strap in as we pivot towards the stormy seas of research ethics and accountability. Our focus narrows on the intriguing case of Professor Smyth, weathering allegations of bullying and intimidation. We question the environments that incubate such conduct and the ripple effects on co-authors and fellow researchers when misconduct accusations surface. How does the return of grant funding fit into this turbulent picture, you ask? Join us, as we probe beneath the surface.

Lastly, we steer towards the intriguing world of personalized healthcare and celebrity influence on health narratives. Ponder with us on the costs, risks, and potential for over-diagnosis of full-body scans, and the paradox of quality data access. Together, we'll examine the yawning gap between those who can afford such treatments and those who cannot. We'll also question the impact of celebrities as health influencers, and the potential fallout of their messages. So, buckle up and prepare for an absorbing discussion on these vital issues!

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
Follow us on Twitter @undisciplinary_ or email questions for "mailbag episodes" [email protected]

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Prepare yourself for an enlightening exploration as we traverse the complex intersections of weight stigma, obesity, and the pharmaceutical industry with our distinguished guest, Dr. Patty Thille, an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Manitoba.  Dr. Thille shares her unique insights into the insidious presence of weight stigma in healthcare, offering a fascinating narrative that spans from her formative years in women's studies to her current research at the crossroads of healthcare and social sciences.

We shine a light on the far-reaching implications of weight stigma in influential sectors such as healthcare, education, and legal systems. Uncover the disturbing realities of how this stigma can result in status loss, discrimination, and, at times, misdiagnoses within healthcare.

We discuss medicalization and pharmaceuticalization of weight,  examine the historical perception of weight as a social problem, and dissect the rhetoric surrounding the modern 'obesity epidemic'. This paradigm shift has cleared the way for pharmaceuticals to position themselves as the magic bullet for weight issues. As we navigate this complex landscape, we reflect on the potential repercussions of this pharmaceutical-centric approach.

In the last leg of our journey, we discuss Canadian and Australian obesity strategies, highlighting their shortcomings in addressing social factors while overemphasizing lifestyle changes. The role of financial conflicts of interest between pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals in shaping obesity guidelines is another area we delve into. Our conversations extend to the marketing strategies of weight loss drugs and their potential implications on public health. Prepare to have your perceptions challenged and your understanding deepened, as we unravel the intricate tapestry of weight stigma and obesity in healthcare with Dr. Patty Thille. Join us in this thought-provoking episode.

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
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What happens when a philosopher extraordinaire joins us to tackle controversial topics and ethical dilemmas? You get a captivating episode of Good Take, Bad Take, featuring our guest, Diego Silva, a senior lecturer in bioethics who brings unique perspectives to light! Join us as we explore the implications of anonymous submissions for the Journal of Controversial Ideas, reflect on how power is taken and consolidated, and analyze how we would handle a situation involving a child damaging property in a supermarket.

But that's just the beginning! We're also diving into the controversy between the Saudi-backed Live golf tour and the PGA, discussing the potential dangers of government involvement in sports. Then, we'll shift gears to examine the ethics of public health vending machines in New York City and challenge the popular notion of taking 10,000 steps a day for health reasons. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode that will leave you questioning the world around you and reconsidering how you approach ethical dilemmas in everyday life.

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
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In this episode Chris talks with Jacqueline Antonovich, Assistant Professor of History at Muhlenberg College. Jacki is a historian of health and medicine in the United States, with particular interests in how race, gender, and politics shape the medical field and access to health care. Her teaching interests include histories of public health, alternative medicine, disability, reproduction and childbirth, and epidemics. She also focus on the history of the American West, nineteenth-century America, and the Gilded and Progressive Eras.

Her current writing projects include a book manuscript on women physicians and medical imperialism in the turn-of-the-century American West. She is also the co-founder and executive editor of Nursing Clio, a peer-reviewed blog project that ties historical scholarship to present-day issues related to gender, health, and medicine.

Chris and Jacki discuss her recent paper "White Coats, White Hoods: The Medical Politics of the Ku Klux Klan in 1920s America".

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
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In this episode of the recently renamed segment - Good Take/Bad Take - Chris and Jane tackle some thorny issues in pop culture (Bluey creators editing their recent episode "Exercise"), the boring and damaging use of war rhetoric in public health, and James Packer's recent $7 million donation to the University of New South Wales to fund research into mental health. 

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
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In this episode Jane and Chris talk with Associate Professor Seye Abimbola from the University of Sydney about their work on dignity in global health and the need for researchers and practitioners to have epistemic dignity as a precondition for health justice. 

• When dignity meets evidence, The Lancet

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
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In this episode Chris and Jane discuss Jane's recently published paper on polarisation and public health expertise. 

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
Follow us on Twitter @undisciplinary_ or email questions for "mailbag episodes" [email protected]