Straight Talk MD

Today I interview independent journalist Sam Husseini. Sam has covered the COVID-19 pandemic origins since the beginning and covered WMD’s since 9/11. Today, we discuss the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, the origins of the massive escalation in the bioweapons/biodefense arms race, Amerithrax, Dr Fauci, and the concerted disinformation campaign to misdirect the public’s attention away from highly risky biodefense research. We discuss Sam’s latest deep dive into the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and a possible connection to a US run biodefense lab in Kenema, Sierra Leon.

Just over one year ago, a TOP SECRET “biodefense” research proposal called Project DEFUSE was leaked to the public by DRASTIC. The proposal was originally submitted to DARPA [the DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY] on behalf of EcoHealth Alliance in March 2018. The proposed research would take some 180 previously unreported SARS-like coronaviruses, insert human specific furin cleavage sites into them, and then pass these genetically engineered viruses through Human Airway Epithelium cell cultures to test their pathogenicity to humans. Experts have called this research proposal “a blueprint” for creating SARS-CoV-2 in a lab. Principal investigators listed in the Project DEFUSE proposal were Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance, GOF-Meister Ralph Baric from the University of North Carolina, and the Bat Lady, Shi Zhengli, from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Peter Daszak and DARPA have denied Project DEFUSE was ever carried out. On October 6th, we learned that one of the reviewers of that Project DEFUSE proposal reported that the research was already underway when the proposal was submitted to DARPA in March 2018. Today I review what we know about Project DEFUSE and how that research may provide the missing link in the search for the origin of COVID-19.

After a two-year investigation of the pandemic, the Lancet COVID-19 Commission released their final report on September 14th.

Where did Covid-19 come from? Did gain-of-function research cause the COVID-19 pandemic, and could it cause another? Was the vaccine rollout guided more by economics and market factors than equity and medical need? These questions are only scratching the surface. Today’s episode covers all this and more from the key findings and recommendations in that report.

Jeffrey Sachs, Chair of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission and charged with oversight of 11 different Task Forces investigating various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, was interviewed on the DEFENDER Podcast and shared his remarkable experiences with one Task Force. Sachs does a scathing takedown of the junk science published in reputable scientific journals that has been used to support the false narrative that “the science shows COVID-19 was the result of a natural spillover.”

On August 3rd, 2022, the Senate Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight held a hearing to discuss the threat of gain-of-function research and the origin of COVID-19. Doctors Richard Ebright, Steven Quay, and Kevin Esvelt testified publicly before the committee. In their collective testimony, we finally hear the inconvenient truth about dangerous gain of function research and the mountain of evidence supporting a possible lab origin of COVID-19. These experts candidly discuss what Doctors Fauci and Collins have never publicly said out loud. The only conspiracy that has been perpetrated against the American people is the coverup of what these scientists have been trying to tell the world for the past two and a half years.

At the Coronavirus Task Force Press Conference on April 17th, 2020, Dr. Fauci establishes a false narrative that “the science” supports one credible scientific hypothesis for the origin of the COVID-19 Pandemic- a natural zoonosis. This episode examines the “nightmare of circumstantial evidence” that Dr. Fauci had to ignore, conceal, and eliminate from his public orations to establish the false narrative and the myriad reasons why, if proven correct, the lab leak hypothesis would be an epic disaster for Drs. Fauci, Collins, and gain-of-functionologists. We also examine the abundant evidence of the behind-the-scenes role of NIH Director Francis Collins in pushing the false narrative, and his efforts to disparage and discredit those discussing the evidence pointing to a possible lab leak by labelling them as conspiracy theorists.

On January 31, 2020, the day after the WHO declared the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Big Science in the US and the UK learned an inconvenient truth. An international group of virologists that had been studying the genetic sequence of SARS Coronavirus-2 unanimously agreed that the 2019 novel coronavirus genome was “inconsistent with expectations from evolutionary theory” and contained unusual features that indicated it might have been engineered in a lab.

This shocking revelation prompted Dr. Anthony Fauci to call a secret meeting attended by an international list of “Who’s who” in Big Science, gain-of-function research, and virology to discuss the possible non-natural origin of COVID-19.

Today’s episode examines the events surrounding that remarkable February 1st, 2020, meeting and the expressed opinions of the experts who attended it. From their unredacted emails, only recently made public, we discover that the expert’s opinions on the origin of COVID-19 expressed privately at the February 1st meeting were shockingly inconsistent with what many of these same scientists were saying publicly in the days and weeks following.

That meeting marked the beginning of a concerted effort by Big Science and a cabal of scientists to conceal the inconvenient truth and launch a coordinated disinformation campaign to control the narrative on the origin of COVID-19.

Why is it important to study the origin of the pandemic of the century? Knowing how a pandemic started, is the key to preventing the next one. Unless we learn from history, we’re destined to repeat it.

Today, I interview Yuri Deigin, a biotech researcher, entrepreneur, and founding member of DRASTIC, to discuss the evidence that led him to believe there is a greater than ninety-percent chance that COVID-19 originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology...

Knowing how a pandemic started is the key to stopping the next one.

A novel bat coronavirus first appears in Wuhan, China in November of 2019. This family of coronaviruses normally reside in bats living in caves 1000 miles south of Wuhan. Understanding where the virus came from and how it entered the human reservoir will help prevent a similar pandemic in the future.

Two competing theories, with vastly different implications, quickly emerged to explain where this virus came from and how it entered the human reservoir. Both are plausible. Both have merit. Episode two critically examines both theories of origin of COVID-19 as of April 2020.

Knowing how a pandemic started is the key to stopping the next one. Understanding where the virus causing COVID-19 originated and how it entered the human reservoir will help prevent a similar pandemic in the future.

SARS Coronavirus-2 first appeared in Wuhan, China in November 2019. There are two competing theories to explain where this virus came from and how it entered the human reservoir. One theory is a natural “spillover” event. The second is the Wuhan Institute of Virology “lab leak” theory.  Both are possible. Both are based on circumstantial evidence.

This episode presents an overview of the evidence accumulated since our May 2020 episode, “The Enemy Appears.”  In the 20 months since then, much evidence has accumulated on the origin of COVID-19. Unfortunately, it all points to the “lab leak” hypothesis.

Dr. Paul Offit is back in the virtual studio to discuss the COVID-19 vaccines in 5-to-11-year-olds, the relative risk of myocarditis following vaccination compared to the risk of myocarditis following a Covid-19 infection, and the glaring lack of evidence supporting the vaccine booster for most of us. We also discuss Paul’s latest book: “You Bet Your Life: From Blood Transfusions to Mass Vaccination, The Long and Risky History of Medical Innovation.”

Today, internationally respected infectious disease specialist, Dr. Monica Gandhi, is in the virtual studio to examine the science of natural immunity versus vaccine immunity, the booster shot, and the risk of myocarditis in teens. We also explore the best timing of vaccine doses to maximize immunity, and finally, where is the offramp to normalcy here in the U.S.?

Healthcare economist, Ron Howrigon, returns to follow up on “surprise medical bills”, the nursing shortage, the hospital transparency rule, the economy,  the inscrutable workforce paradox, and much more...

As we head for the offramp of the COVID-19 pandemic, we take a candid look at the dystopian future that awaits us. Healthcare economist, Ron Howrigon, returns to discuss Healthcare 2022 and examine some of the most dysfunctional aspects of our healthcare system that will likely get worse in the post-COVID world.

Dr. Rich Parker and I discuss the Biden vaccine mandate, vaccine hesitancy, natural immunity, myocarditis, rational Covid testing in schools, and much, much more.

Today, I interview best-selling author, Dr. Anna Lembke, on her latest book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence. Dr. Lembke carefully maps out the neuroscience, and leads us to an inescapable and uncomfortable conclusion: we have met the enemy, and the enemy is us. Dopamine is merely the messenger.

More often than not, we are the architects of our own addictions, pain, and unhappiness through our endless, compulsive overconsumption of highly potent stimuli like junk food, cannabis, internet porn, smartphones, social media, and the usual suspects of drugs and alcohol. We sacrifice a meaningful and satisfying life well-lived for the short-term dopamine rush that always leaves us wanting more.

With persistent severe brain fog two weeks out from first symptoms, Frank must undergo extensive cognitive testing to rule out a structural brain injury.

Judgment Day arrives for Frank. Maryam gets her test results back.

The return of the fever, along with the worsening brain fog and “monkey mind,” create fears of an impending cytokine storm. Maryam gets a fever and goes for a test.

The worsening of symptoms overnight may be bad omens for COVID-19 disease progression.

With the COVID test positive, Frank and Maryam are in quarantine. New symptoms appear. The source of the COVID infection is contemplated; treatments options are considered.

COVID test results return. Many questions remain unanswered.

The development of new symptoms warrant further investigation...

We pick up the story on December 7th, 2020, Pearl Harbor Day, “a date which will live in infamy.” The pandemic is raging out of control while COVID-19 vaccines are awaiting approval. It’s a day I’ll never forget...

The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I pick up the story where we left off three months ago... At the end of the first week of December 2020, in the middle of COVID Hell.

Today’s episode was originally released in March 2017 during the attempt to “Repeal and Replace” Obamacare with TrumpCare.

The Allegory of the Bus was a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of the deep division in Washington politics on the health and security of the nation.

I’m re-releasing the Allegory of the Bus because it’s even more relevant today with the even deeper divide in Congress- and the Nation- as we collectively confront far more ominous threats.

I am re-releasing this episode on the one-year anniversary of the first U.S. case of COVID-19. Since then, 2 million people have died worldwide from COVID-19, and we still don’t have a credible explanation of how it entered the human reservoir.

There is abundant evidence of a concerted effort by the Chinese Authorities to conceal what was really going on in Wuhan since the last week of December 2019. They took active measures to suppress and destroy the overwhelming evidence that SARS Coronavirus-2, aka COVID-19, was rapidly spreading from human-to-human in Wuhan for almost a month before they finally acknowledged it to the world on January 21st. During that time, the WHO didn’t challenge or confirm the veracity of the official Chinese narrative that there was no evidence that the novel coronavirus was spreading from human-to-human. Instead, they echoed the false narrative, giving it credibility while COVID-19 spread around the world.

“Seeds of Destruction” takes a hard look at the evidence in plain sight of what the Chinese leadership knew and when they knew it. It also examines the role of the WHO in promoting the false narrative. Understanding how a pandemic started is the key to preventing the next one.

The World Health Organization is just now investigating the origins of COVID-19. Last May, I published this podcast with an alternative theory of the origin of the SARS Coronavirus-2 (aka COVID-19) based on facts in plain sight.

My theory contradicted the Chinese Government’s narrative and was dismissed as “conspiracy theory.” Based on the WHO’s investigation, this podcast is now proving prescient.

The Caption for the May 4, 2020 Episode: Knowing how a pandemic started is the key to stopping the next one.

A novel bat coronavirus first appeared in Wuhan, China in late November of 2019. This family of coronaviruses normally reside in bats living in caves 1000 miles south of Wuhan. Understanding where the virus came from and how it entered the human reservoir will help prevent a similar pandemic in the future.

No matter what you may have heard, no one has produced evidence to prove exactly where or how the virus entered the human reservoir. There are two possible theories to explain where this virus came from and how it entered the human reservoir. Both are plausible. Both have merit. This episode critically examines both theories of the origin of COVID-19.

We have entered COVID Hell. The novel coronavirus has returned with a vengeance. In the U.S., new cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions have already exceeded all-time highs from last spring, and we’re just beginning the exponential phase of the third wave.

Hospitals in 18 states are already overwhelmed, and the vaccines cannot be deployed in time to avert the darkest winter in a century. With increased holiday travel and indoor congregation, combined with pandemic fatigue and pandemic anger, this is the most dangerous time we have faced yet in the pandemic.

COVID has returned with a vengeance. Dr. Paul Offit is back in the virtual studio for a COVID-19 update. We discuss the vaccine, new anti-viral therapeutics, herd immunity, the Barrington Declaration, and how to avoid another complete shutdown.

On the eve of the election, I perform a post-mortem on the second Presidential debate, and compile closing arguments from Joe Biden and Donald Trump discussing their healthcare plans, the COVID-19 response, and the pandemic looking forward. This is the final episode of the Healthcare 2020 Series.

The post-mortem on the Harris v. Pence debate is here! Mike Pence defends his COVID-19 record, the White House Super Spreader Event, and dodges questions on the Trump healthcare replacement plan. Before November 3rd, tune in for the full analysis of the candidates’ claims, with fact checking, and the crucial backstory that the candidates left out.

In the third episode of our Healthcare 2020 series, I perform a post-mortem on the first Biden-Trump debate, the “worst Presidential Debate ever,” on all healthcare-related issues. I present the clips, the commentary, and the analysis of what the candidates said, and failed to say. I also fact-check each candidate’s claims, their misstatements, and their comments on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ron Howrigon is back in the virtual studio to analyze Donald Trump’s 4200-word “doctrine” for a new healthcare system, created by Presidential Executive Orders [his words, not ours.]

We also look at Biden’s “Strive for Five” healthcare tweaks to Obamacare and beyond.

Lastly, we discuss how both candidates may have to modify their healthcare platforms based on the fate of Obamacare in the Supreme Court.

In this episode, we lay out the two most likely scenarios…

Just five weeks out from the Presidential election, there are more questions than answers about both Presidential candidates’ healthcare plans.

In this series, we examine each candidate’s plan to reform healthcare, and how it will impact the rest of us. In this episode, we take a look back at how we got here, and get a glimpse of where we’re headed.

In our haste to get a surgery started, sometimes we do things we shouldn’t do. Other times, we don’t do the things we should do. In the operating room, either error can have serious consequences.

Today’s episode is about the real life consequences of skipping a single, seemingly insignificant, step in safety procedures.

Medical Reversal happens when doctors start using a medication, a procedure, or a diagnostic tool without solid evidence that it’s effective. Then, after finding out the medication, procedure, or diagnostic tool doesn’t work or even harms the patient, they eventually stop using it.

Today, I interview Dr. Adam Cifu, author of the highly acclaimed book “Ending Medical Reversal: Improving Outcomes, Saving Lives.” We discuss the most controversial current examples of medical reversal, why it happens, and why it takes so long to de-adopt ineffective medical procedures, treatments, and medications. He also shares his prescription for how to prevent it.

Medical reversal is far more common than we think, and causes far more harm than we admit.

With the COVID-19 shutdown leading to over 10% unemployment and adding 2 trillion dollars to the national debt (from the “stimulus package”), the U.S. has entered “uncharted economic waters.”

No major country in the world has ever been this upside down on debt-to-income ratio. All metrics point to a fiscal disaster much larger than the 2008 mortgage crisis, and substantially worse than the “Great Depression” of 1929.

Today, health care economist, Ron Howrigon, author of Flatlining: How Healthcare Could Kill the US Economy, breaks it down by the numbers. Buckle up folks, winter is coming.

The most cynical surgeons describe anesthesiology as 99% boredom, and 1% sheer terror. Crepitus is about the 1%.

In this true story, a 57-year-old woman is administered general anesthesia for a “routine” knee arthroscopy, and the case rapidly devolved into the 1%. How can a routine knee arthroscopy go so wrong? In about a million and a half different ways. This is one of them.

Crepitus was originally released on our Strange Daze Podcast.

Cynical surgeons describe anesthesiology as 99% boredom, and 1% scared shitless. “Wrong Assumptions” is about the 1%. In this true story, a healthy, 37-year-old woman enters the hospital to deliver her third baby under epidural anesthesia. In the operating room following delivery, she suddenly slips into a coma for no apparent reason. How can a routine case go so wrong? In about a million and a half different ways. This is one of them.

“Wrong Assumptions” was originally released on our Strange Daze Podcast.

The COVID-19 lockdown is being described by some as the largest uncontrolled social science experiment ever conducted. What are the mental health consequences of this real world experiment? Today, Dr. Anna Lembke is back in the virtual studio to help separate fact from fiction when it comes to the adverse mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Christine Doyle, the Immediate Past President of the California Society of Anesthesiologists, is trained in both anesthesiology and critical care medicine. Both specialties are rated “very high risk” for exposure to COVID by both the CDC and OSHA. Today, we explore a variety of safety issues and experiences from the front lines of our operating rooms and intensive care units.

Paul Offit is back in the virtual studio to give the latest update on COVID-19. We discuss several potential game changers in testing and treatment, and an update on Operation Warp Speed, the quest in search of an effective vaccine. We also discuss the much debated return to school, reopening our communities, and the possibility for a return to life as we knew it... Can it be done safely? And if so, how?

In Part III of Overcoming Addiction with bioethicist Greg Pence, we wrap up a discussion of the seven different models of addiction in search of the cause - and cure - for drug and alcohol addiction. In the final episode of this series, Greg discusses the best aspects of each model, the corrupt rehab industry, and shares some optimism for those impacted by drug and alcohol addiction.

150,000 deaths per year in the U.S. from drug/alcohol overdose, or suicide by overdose is worthy of attention. As alcohol and drug addiction are on the rise in COVID World, it’s time to revisit the forgotten epidemic: drug and alcohol addiction. In Part II of our series, Greg Pence discusses seven different models of addiction in search of the cause- and the cure- for drug and alcohol addiction.

Alcohol and drug use are on the rise in COVID World, but in contrast to the coronavirus, there will be no vaccine for drug and alcohol addiction. When the lockdown is over, drug and alcohol misuse is likely to be worse than ever. It’s time to revisit our forgotten epidemic: drug and alcohol addiction. Greg Pence discusses seven different models of addiction in search of the explanation— and the cure— for drug and alcohol addiction.

There’s abundant evidence of a concerted effort by the Chinese dissembling machine to conceal what was really going on in Wuhan since the last week of December 2019. They took active measures to suppress and destroy the overwhelming evidence that SARS Coronavirus-2, a.k.a. COVID-19, was rapidly spreading from human-to-human in Wuhan for almost a month before they finally acknowledged it to the world on January 20th.

And the WHO didn’t challenge or confirm the veracity of the Official Chinese Narrative that there was “no evidence” that the novel coronavirus was spreading from human-to-human. Instead, the WHO largely echoed the false narrative, giving it credibility, for almost three weeks while COVID-19 was spreading around the world.

“Seeds of Destruction” takes a hard look at the evidence in plain sight of what Chinese leadership knew and when they knew it. It also examines the “patsy” role of the WHO in the Fiasco of the Century.

Dr. Paul Offit is an infectious disease expert, virologist, and the author of seven medical narratives. Today we discuss Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far. Definitely worth a listen.

Knowing how a pandemic started is the key to stopping the next one.

A novel bat coronavirus first appears in Wuhan, China in late November of 2019.  This family of coronaviruses normally reside in bats living in caves 1000 miles south of Wuhan.

Understanding where the virus came from and how it entered the human reservoir will help prevent a similar pandemic in the future.  No matter what you may have heard, no one has produced evidence to prove exactly where or how the virus entered the human reservoir. There are two competing theories to explain where this virus came from and how it entered the human reservoir. Both are plausible. Both have merit.  Episode two critically examines both theories of origin.

The worldwide spread of COVID-19 is being called the “pandemic of the century” by some. Others are watching the debacle unfold can only wonder if the response to the COVID-19 pandemic will someday be called “the fiasco of the century.” The 24/7 news channels have created worldwide mass hysteria by reporting events from a sensationalist point of view without giving appropriate context. Civilians are terrified. The economy has been damaged for a generation. These commentaries share observations, analysis, experiences, and perspectives from a narrator who is both an observer and a participant on the front lines of healthcare. Episode 1: Ill Prepared…

In Wuhan China and later Italy, the healthcare system was rapidly overrun with critically ill patients and insufficient resources to save them all. When the population’s health needs vastly exceeded the system’s capacity, “utilitarian ethics” quickly replaced normal medical ethics; disaster standards of care replaced normal standards of care. Ventilators and drugs in short supply were allocated only to those patients most likely to survive; family members were not allowed to visit dying relatives in the hospital, and CPR was suspended for COVID-19 patients. Entire countries have been shut down with catastrophic economic consequences to tens of millions of people in an attempt to contain the virus. In each case, the health of the community trumped the needs of the individual. Bioethicists Arthur Caplan and Gregory Pence discuss the complex ethical issues we face in a COVID-19 world.

Dr. Paul Offit is a virologist and infectious disease specialist from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. We discuss the COVID surge in NY, immunity testing, the coming surge in California, the safest/best timing to lift the national quarantine, and much more.

As we enter the logarithmic phase of the U.S. COVID-19 epidemic, the Coronavirus Pandemic just got very real. Today we discuss the Federal government’s preparedness for this pandemic, protective gear shortages for healthcare workers on the front lines [especially N-95 masks], chloroquin, Remdesivir update, ongoing failures of testing, and much, much more. Today, Dr. Paul Offit assesses the arc we’re on and so far, it isn’t good. Definitely worth a listen.

The worldwide coronavirus pandemic of fear is escalating rapidly. In an attempt to avoid the spread of COVID-19 and a public health disaster “like no other,” life as we know it in the U.S. has come to a grinding halt.

Today, world renowned virologist and infectious disease specialist, Paul Offit, talks about the draconian measures being taken in the U.S. to avoid repeating the Italian experience with COVID-19. He opines on the risks of expediting a COVID-19 vaccine, the tepid promise of antivirals (Remdesivir), sane measures to minimize exposure, the likely impact of widespread COVID-19 testing in the U.S., and much, much more. Definitely worth a listen.

A lot has happened in the world since last week! In today’s show, Paul separates fact from fiction on what we know about COVID-19 infections. He opines on the extreme [and often irrational] measures being taken worldwide to try and contain the coronavirus epidemic. Finally, he makes some cautious predictions about what to expect in the coming weeks. One thing is clear: the pandemic of fear surrounding the coronavirus is causing far more damage worldwide than the virus. It’s definitely worth a listen.

When I contacted Dr. Paul Offit last Thursday for an interview on the coronavirus, he was literally at the CDC getting the latest update on what’s happening with COVID-19. In today’s show, Paul separates fact from fiction on the coronavirus and makes some cautious predictions about what to expect in the coming weeks. It’s definitely worth a listen.

The most cynical surgeons like to say that anesthesiology is ninety-nine percent boredom and one-percent sheer terror. Strange Daze is about the one percent.

The “one percent” can occur with any type of anesthesia, not just general anesthesia, which brings us to today’s episode: “On Pins and Needles.”

Spinal anesthesia is still a popular alternative to general technique for certain types of surgery, but every anesthetic technique has its limitations, including spinal anesthesia.

In today’s episode, our narrator learns the limitations of spinal anesthesia in his first year of anesthesia residency when assigned to the orthopedic “total joint” room.

In the hands of a master, spinal anesthesia is a beautiful and elegant alternative to general anesthesia. In the hands of an inexperienced anesthesia resident, spinal anesthesia can suddenly and unexpectedly devolve into the “one percent”.

You may be wondering how spinal anesthesia can go so wrong. Truth be told, in about a million and a half different ways… Tune in and you’ll find out how…

I have Dr. Paul Offit in the virtual studio to discuss seven stories of science gone wrong. The seven discoveries were initially promoted as “stunning scientific breakthroughs” but each one turned out to have a dark side that was harmful to the human race. Some of these “stunning breakthroughs” still threaten the future of our species today.  

In the final part of the interview, I ask Paul to comment on some of today’s high-profile health controversies: e-cigarettes, Bisphenol-A, PSA screening for prostate cancer, mammograms, and Genetically Modified Food, and question if perhaps we’re repeating this same “science-gone-wrong” history. Paul presents some practical advice on how we can avoid repeating these same kinds of mistakes as we tackle our top challenges in science and medicine today.

Today we discuss the latest physician-fueled prescription pill epidemic. This time it’s Xanax and benzodiazepines, the class of drugs called “benzos.” As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”

Whether it’s Xanax, Ativan, Restoril, Klonapin, or Valium, the bad news is that millions of people have become addicted to benzos through inappropriate physician prescriptions. Tens of thousands more have overdosed on benzos.

Tune in to my interview with Dr. Anna Lembke, Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, and bestselling author of the expose on the prescription opioid epidemic, “Drug Dealer MD.” We discuss the other prescription drug problem and what we can do about it.

Every day we hear about otherwise law-abiding citizens with no history of mental illness or violence that snap and commit savage, senseless, and brutal acts of violence for seemingly trivial provocation. What caused them to snap? It turns out there are a limited number of triggers in our environment that cause the rage circuits in our brains to fire. The violent behavior is the result of the clash between our evolutionary hardwiring and these triggers in the contemporary world.

Today I have neuroscientist, R. Douglas Fields, in the virtual studio to explain the biological roots of why we snap and to reveal the nine triggers that set off the hardwired circuits in our unconscious brain that move us to rage and aggression without us even understanding the reason for it.

Making sure today’s teens and adolescents receive appropriate treatment for chronic pain may help them avoid becoming another statistic in the opioid addiction epidemic in the future. Today, I interview pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness, author of “The Chronic Pain and Illness Workbook for Teens.” We discuss strategies that teens with chronic pain can use to turn down the volume on their pain, break the pain cycle, and get their lives back.

Dr. Zoffness has a number of strategies and techniques that are likely to change the way you look at chronic pain, and studies have shown that these same strategies and techniques Dr. Zoffness discusses are more effective in treating chronic pain than opioid medication. If you are a teen with chronic pain, or know a teen with chronic pain, or are the parent of a teen with chronic pain, tune in and please share the episode!

Gene Healy, Vice President of the CATO Institute and author of “Indispensable Remedy: The Broad Scope of the Constitution’s Impeachment Power” and “The Cult of the Presidency”, is in the virtual studio to provide the analysis on the merits of the potential articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. Gene makes one thing clear: he’s not on the red team or the blue team and calls it exactly the way he sees it— no spin. Take a listen.

More than 1000 current or former federal prosecutors have signed a letter stating that: “The conduct of President Trump described in the Mueller Report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice.”

Today, I have former federal prosecutor and CNN Legal Analyst, Jennifer Rogers, in the virtual studio to explore the multiple acts by Donald John Trump described in the Mueller Report (Volume II) that would qualify as crimes and misdemeanors.

On this July 4th week, there are more than 80 members of the U.S. Congress calling for an impeachment inquiry into the crimes and misdemeanors of Donald Trump. So far, the two ranking members of Congress who could make that happen today, Nancy Pelosi and Jerrold Nadler, are resisting that pathway. Today, I interview Dr. John Gartner, contributing author to the 2017 bestseller “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” to find out why he believes that these members of Congress are correct and why the impeachment inquiry is necessary now.

The most cynical surgeons like to say that anesthesiology is 99% boredom and 1% sheer terror. Strange Daze is about the one-percent. This episode is about a routine anesthetic for a baby having a hernia repair that devolved into one of the most terrifying cases of my early career. For a pediatric anesthesiologist, a hernia repair in a healthy baby is about as straightforward a case as you’ll ever get. Until it becomes part of the one-percent. How can a routine anesthetic go so wrong? Truth be told, in about a million and a half different ways.

Obamacare 1.0 is terminal, but what will take its place? 2020 Democratic hopefuls are running on a platform that includes some version of universal health insurance, but only one bill, the Medicare for All Act of 2019, has more than 100 sponsors in Congress. This bill may be the most ambitious healthcare reform ever proposed in this country. If the Dems win back the Senate and the White House, Medicare for All is positioned to replace Obamacare. Today Ron Howrigon joins me to dissect the Medicare for All bill and how it is likely to affect providers, insurance companies, and the people it serves.

On the ninth anniversary of the signing of Obamacare into law, Donald Trump is trying to overturn it in the courts.

Republicans in Congress have been trying to repeal and replace Obamacare unsuccessfully for more than seven years. Many Democrats acknowledge Obamacare is a rolling disaster and are divided between trying to “fix” it (whatever that means) and replacing it with some version of a Medicare for All plan.

Obamacare 1.0 is the status quo and neither party appears satisfied with the status quo. Today we examine where we are, how we got here, and where we’re headed in 2020.

The use of substances to enhance performance in sport--what we call “doping” today--is as old as sport itself.  In Episode I, we introduced the current anti-doping crisis in sport.  Today, we search for the origins of the anti-doping movement to understand how we got here.  This is Episode II in our six-part series: “The Anti-Doping Crisis in Sport.”

On September 20th, The World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA] made a “U-turn” and lifted the suspension on the Russian Anti-Doping Agency [RUSADA] even though they had not fulfilled the terms for their reinstatement and despite worldwide protests from its member anti-doping agencies and athletes. This has created what some insiders are calling the greatest anti-doping crisis in WADA’s history. But this is only the latest in a series of crises and scandals in the world anti-doping system that threaten their very existence. Today we begin our six-part series “The Anti-Doping Crisis in Sport” with the events leading up to the September 20th WADA decision to reinstate Russia and the background for those new to this important subject.

There is a growing wave of anti-rationalism that has been destroying respect for expertise and undermining our institutions, preventing rational debate. It is spreading an epidemic of misinformation, which threatens to weaken the very foundations of our democracy. Tom Nichols, a Professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, discusses his latest book on this subject: “The Death of Expertise and the Campaign Against Established Knowledge.” If you’re an anti-vaxxer, an Obama birther, a 9/11 Truther, or if you believe there really are aliens at Roswell, you need to listen to this show.

In our haste to get a surgery started, sometimes we do things we shouldn’t do…

And sometimes, we don’t do the things we should…

In anesthesiology, either of these errors can have serious consequences…

On today’s show, Dr. Robert Wolff, author of the most extensive systematic reviews of cannabinoids used in medicine, analyzes the strength of the scientific evidence supporting the use of cannabis as medicine, and he separates fact from fiction in the “medical cannabis” debate.

The U.S. has an incoherent national drug policy. While states pass laws permitting the possession, sale, and distribution of marijuana for either medicinal or recreational purposes, Federal Law still prohibits the possession, sale and distribution of marijuana for any reason in all 50 states.

For those who are undecided between complete prohibition of marijuana and fully legalizing it, tune in. My guest, Robert MacCoun of the Stanford Law School and the co-author of Drug War Heresies: Learning from other Vices, Times, and Places, does a masterful job of analyzing the pros and the cons of marijuana legalization. And for those of you that are absolutely convinced you’re right on either side of the marijuana legalization issue, please stick around. By the end of this show, you may change your mind-in either direction.

While much of the public conversation regarding legalization of cannabis is about its potential medicinal properties, the vast majority of Americans currently using marijuana are admittedly not using it for medicinal purposes. Today, we move beyond the discussion of the purported medical benefits, and Dr. Kai MacDonald examines five brain-based risks of cannabis in recreational users.

In Part II of the Cannabis Conversations, mental health expert and Addictionologist, Dr. Anna Lembke discusses the use and misuse of cannabis in vulnerable populations: those with mental health disorders, those addicted to opioids, and adolescents and young adults. We talk about the increased addictive potential of today’s cannabis, the increasing use of cannabis in the treatment of opioid addiction, Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, and much, much, more…

On today’s show, we begin our 5-part series, Cannabis Conversations, with Dr. Mary Bridgeman. In this segment, we discuss the science, the complex pharmacology, and the pharmacokinetics of the different methods of cannabis ingestion. We also tackle the legal challenges surrounding cannabis use in the acute care setting, and the potential risks when using cannabis even in states where it is legal…and much, much more!

A California Lawmaker has written a bill to create a government-appointed commission to price-fix physician fees with the intent to control California healthcare costs, improve quality, and increase equity in California’s healthcare system. All objective evidence and experience suggests that government price-fixing of physician fees will accomplish none of those things. Today, I have healthcare economist and President of Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon, in the studio to analyze this bill and the unintended, and potentially disastrous, consequences to California’s patients, physicians, and hospitals.

Today I talk with NPR’s distinguished science writer, Richard Harris, about his latest book, “Rigor Mortis: How Sloppy Science Creates Worthless Cures, Crushes Hope and Wastes Billions.” We delve into the specifics about the broken culture that exists in biomedical research: the perverse incentives to publish rubbish, the reproducibility crisis in published research, and the lousy science that is the product of flawed research design and analysis. The most disturbing symptom of this dysfunctional culture is the massive increase in retracted papers and outright fraud. Richard exposes the broken culture in biomedical research, but he also tells us what some of the leaders in that field are doing to fix it.

Today we discuss two hot topics in plastic surgery: the “Brazilian butt lift” procedure and why it is the most dangerous plastic surgery, and the undisputed link between breast implants and a rare type of T-Cell lymphoma. Tune in to hear my guest, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ivan Turpin, put these issues in context to tell us who is at risk, how big the risk is, and what to do if you’re at risk.

Strange Daze is a bi-weekly podcast from the creators of Straight Talk MD, hosted by anesthesiologist Frank Sweeny. Each episode fuses narrative storytelling with science as our host examines a real case of a surgery or a procedure that went terribly wrong and dissects out why. Even the best doctors practicing at the best medical institutions make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes have serious consequences. And sometimes, even when you do everything right, things can still go terribly wrong. The most cynical surgeons depict anesthesiology as 99% boredom and 1% sheer terror. Strange Daze is about the 1%.

The care for back pain in the U.S. has been called “the poster child of medical waste.” Today I talk with Dr. Richard Deyo, author of “Watch Your Back,” about the various treatments for back pain and what the evidence shows works and what doesn’t.

Today I talk with Tim Caulfield about his two national bestsellers: “The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness” and “Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything? When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash.” Tim talks about what the evidence really tells us is good for our health, and deconstructs the misinformation, myths, and bogus claims coming from the pseudoscientists and some celebrities.  Tim is also the host of the popular Canadian documentary TV series: “A User’s Guide to Cheating Death.”

Today’s show is a conversation about the Dark Side of ten amazing medical firsts. In each case, the doctor’s desire to be first, whether for fame or money, clouded their judgment and put them in direct conflict with their ethical duty as medical scientists. Bioethicist Greg Pence and I countdown these ten amazing medical firsts, and discuss the ethical questions surrounding them. Case #1 is the first human heart transplant to coincide with the 50th anniversary of that event.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have distinguished breast surgeon, Dr. Michele Carpenter, in the studio to answer your questions on breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Today, Dr. William Elliott III discusses his book, “The Real College Debt Crisis: How Student Borrowing Threatens Financial Well-Being and Erodes the American Dream.” Dr. Elliot has a novel prescription for an entirely new paradigm to solve the student loan debt problem, and restore equitable access to higher education and The American Dream.

Today’s show is a remix of a show I did last January with Ron Howrigon, before Trump took office. As Trump was running on Repeal and Replace Obamacare, we talked extensively about what that would mean for healthcare. We also discussed Ron’s new book, “Flatlining: How HealthCare could kill the US Economy” and what was likely to happen to the U.S. economy & healthcare system if we don’t make some extraordinary changes soon. I hope you enjoy the show—it’s more relevant today than it was last January.

Since our earlier show on this subject, a lot has happened… More than 63,600 mental health professionals have signed a petition warning that Donald Trump is suffering from a grave emotional instability that makes him incapable of safely executing his duties as the President of the United States. On October 14th, the “Duty to Warn” organization will have town hall meetings throughout the United States to make their case for why he should be removed using the 25th Amendment of the Constitution. Today, I interview the creator of that petition to explore why he (and 63,600 other mental health professionals) believe Trump is mentally unfit to serve as President and should be removed. If you listened to the earlier version of this show, there’s a lot of new material and a lot of changes in this remix. This is the “producer’s cut.”

Julie Lythcott-Haims discusses her NY Times Best Seller: HOW TO RAISE AN ADULT: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success.

In honor of the 21st anniversary of the birth of Dolly (the first cloned mammal), and the series finale of Orphan Black (a series that explores the ethics & science of human cloning), I had a far-reaching conversation about human cloning with Gregory Pence about the science, the ethics, the pop culture portrayal of cloning, and the popular misconceptions about what it would really be like to clone humans.

Only 23% of America’s youth is qualified to serve in the army, while 77% is unfit to serve due to primarily physiological factors. By 2030, less than 10% of our nation’s youth will possess the physical fitness potential to be recruited for the U.S. army. Lieutenant General Mark Hertling is back in the virtual studio to discuss how our nation’s health is a national security crisis.

The U.S. Healthcare System is broken. Who will lead us out of the current chaos to the ideal healthcare system of the 21st century? Ultimately, the transformational changes in healthcare that will achieve the Holy Grail of universal access, high quality care, and cost reduction will be lead by ethical physician leaders. Here’s the problem- most physicians don’t have any training in leadership. Today, my guest, retired Lt. General Mark Hertling, discusses his book, his insights, and his experiences training physicians to become ethical leaders.

Narcissism has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., with potentially devastating consequences. Today, I interview Dr. Keith Campbell the co-author of “The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement.” We discuss the narcissism epidemic: how we got we here, the consequences, and what we can do about it.

There is a growing wave of anti-rationalism that has been destroying respect for expertise and undermining our institutions, preventing rational debate. It is spreading an epidemic of misinformation, which threatens to weaken the very foundations of our democracy. Tom Nichols, a Professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, discusses his latest book on this subject: “The Death of Expertise and the Campaign Against Established Knowledge.” If you’re an anti-vaxxer, an Obama birther, a 9/11 Truther, or if you believe there really are aliens at Roswell, you need to listen to this show.

Over 55,500 mental health professionals have signed a petition warning that Donald Trump is suffering from a grave emotional instability that makes him incapable of serving safely as the President of the United States. Today, I interview the originator of that petition to find out why he believes Trump is unfit to serve, and what it could mean for the country in the worst-case scenario.

In my third month of residency, I administered anesthesia to my first pediatric patient. It did not go well. The case almost ended my anesthesia career, and almost ended the baby’s life. Today’s episode, “First Baby” is from The A-Files: Case #113…

In vitro fertilization is the most successful form of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and has helped create millions of babies for couples who have failed to become pregnant using the old-fashioned, low-tech methods. It has also created some serious ethical questions. In the largely unregulated world of infertility clinics and IVF, anything that could happen has happened. On today’s show, I have a conversation with Bioethicist, Greg Pence, on IVF and ethics.

On May 4th, the “new and improved” American Health Care Act, aka “TrumpCare 2.0,” was passed in the House of Representatives, and is set to replace Obamacare. Ron Howrigon, the CEO of Fulcrum Strategies and author of Flatlining: How Healthcare Could Kill the U.S. Economy, is back in the virtual studio to discuss “TrumpCare 2: The Resurrection of RyanCare” and how it could affect us all.

Dr. Paul Offit and I discuss his latest book, Pandora’s Lab: Seven Stories of Science Gone Wrong. Dr. Offit discusses seven discoveries that were initially promoted as stunning breakthroughs in science, but turned out to be devastatingly destructive to mankind. Several of these “breakthroughs” are still affecting us all today and some could spell the destruction of the human race…

On Today’s show, I talk with Dr. Aaron Saguil MD, MPH, Associate Dean of Admissions at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine, about what it takes to get into medical school, how to increase your chances for success, and here’s the kicker- how you can get that medical education for free.

Today’s episode comes directly from The A-Files [The Anesthesia Files] Case# 472: “The Twilight Zone.” In this remarkable case, I discovered what happens to patients who are sent into “The Twilight Zone” for surgery. FYI: The A-Files are all true stories.

Dike Drummond MD discusses the dilemma of physician burnout, and some strategies for prevention. Dike is the author of “Stop Physician Burnout: When Working Harder isn’t Working,” and the CEO and creator of The Happy MD website.

We continue the discussion on physician burnout with Paul DeChant and Diane Shannon, authors of “Preventing Physician Burnout: Curing the Chaos and Returning Joy to the Practice of Medicine."

Today’s show is in honor of National Doctor’s Day. “A Sick Profession” is a three part series on the growing crisis of physician burnout, why the problem is growing, and the toll it’s taking on doctors and the healthcare system.

The TrumpCare bill died before it ever reached a vote in the House. Today, we examine “The Death of TrumpCare: How It Happened and Why It May Become Donald Trump’s Greatest Victory.”

This is a special edition of STMD from the "Frankly Speaking" files. Frank Sweeny tells the Allegory of the Bus as recited to him from the Master, and he explains how the lesson learned can be applied to TrumpCare.

On March 6, 2017, the House Republicans released their highly anticipated bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, called “The American Health Care Act,” or AHA. From the moment the bill was released, it came under fire from Democrats, Republicans, conservative groups, progressive organizations, the AARP, and nearly all healthcare advocacy groups. Today, Ron Howrigon and I perform a warm autopsy on the corpus of TrumpCare, and discuss why it is being opposed by virtually every segment of the healthcare delivery system and the AARP.

In his recent address to Congress, President Trump said he intends to repeal and replace Obamacare. Because Obamacare is literally a matter of life and death for many Americans, any plan to repeal and replace it will affect the lives of millions of people who depend on it. We examine the impact of the repeal and replacement of Obamacare with Dr. Rick Mayes, a former George Bush Sr. Administration Medicaid policy advisor.

The war on science may soon include a war on vaccines. Donald Trump still publicly expresses the idea that vaccines are associated with autism, which is at odds with the conclusion of the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the NIH, and virtually every other scientific agency in every country that has studied vaccine safety. Now Trump is reportedly forming a “Golden Vaccine Safety Task Force,” ostensibly to make vaccines “safer” and “assure scientific integrity.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental attorney who still openly expresses a belief that vaccines cause autism, is on his list of people under consideration to chair that committee. In this episode, Dr. Paul Offit, an internationally respected authority on vaccine safety, separates vaccine facts from fiction.

In this episode, we tackle some of the most controversial ethical questions that arise in human enhancement, and the ethical approach to building a better human.

In honor of National Women Physicians Day, we speak with Dr. Karen Sibert, a nationally recognized MD anesthesiologist, a former professional writer for the Wall Street Journal, and author of one of the most widely read medical blogs, A Penned Point.

Burnout research pioneer, Dr. Christina Maslach, discusses job burnout, and what we can do about it.

For the anniversary of the Roe versus Wade decision, I talk with bioethicist Gregory Pence about abortion, Roe v. Wade, and the highly controversial Kenneth Edelin Case.

International anti-doping policy expert, Professor Paul Dimeo, discusses the circumstances surrounding the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s decision to strip Lance Armstrong of his medals, and ban him from competition.

Dr. Sweeny and Dr. Paul Yost discuss the recent FDA warning on the use of general anesthetics and sedation drugs in young children and pregnant women.

Ron Howrigon talks about his new book, “Flatlining: How Healthcare could Kill the U.S. Economy.” He discusses the looming economic crisis in healthcare that could be far bigger and more widespread than the auto industry and the housing market crashes combined.

Bioethicist Gregory Pence discusses ethical issues in treating alcoholism.

Sam Quinones joins us to talk about his book, Dreamland, and the origin and evolution of the prescription painkiller and heroin addiction epidemic in the U.S.

Dr. Anna Lembke discusses “Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health” and what we can do about the addiction epidemic in America.

The executive director of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, Andrew Kolodny, discusses the prescription opioid and heroin addiction crisis.

Tom Shroder, discusses his remarkable book, “Acid Test: LSD, Ecstasy, and the Power to Heal,” that chronicles the evolution of psychedelic drugs.

Dr. Anna Lembke discusses the forces behind the prescription pill epidemic and how we can solve it.

We examine the controversies surrounding ADHD with Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, author of the critically acclaimed book, “The ADHD Explosion” and come up with the answers.

Healthcare policy expert, Rick Mayes, discusses where Obamacare is headed depending on who wins the election on November 8th.

Healthcare economist and President of Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon, is back in the virtual studio to discuss the status of Obamacare, and to answer the four-trillion dollar question: Is Obamacare Terminal?

In Part I of this series, healthcare expert, Ron Howrigon of Fulcrum Strategies, explains the broken U.S. health insurance system and why it cannot last.

Award-winning climate scientist and author, Michael Mann, talks about his new book “The Madhouse Effect,” climate change science, and why a small minority of scientists and politicians go to great lengths to deny, distort, or confuse the public on what the climate science tells us.

Dr. John Gleaves talks everything you ever wanted to know about sports doping, but didn’t know to ask.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we invited Dr. John West back to the podcast to discuss optimal breast care.

In this episode, Dr. Sweeny explores other medical and non-medical uses of the “eight billion amphetamine pills” and what lead to the end of “America’s First Amphetamine Epidemic.”

We examine the meteoric rise in the use of Amphetamines in American culture and “America’s First Amphetamine Epidemic” with Nicolas Rasmussen.

Despite evidence-based guidelines, protocols, and algorithms becoming available, why have patient deaths due to medical error increased? Dr. Marjorie Stiegler explains.

What is the solution to the air pollution and world climate change problem? Tune in as our guest, Mark Jacobson, discusses a detailed roadmap of exactly how we can supply all the world’s energy needs from wind, water, and solar power by the year 2050.

Is anesthesia safe for infants and children? Does general anesthesia have any long-term effects on learning, memory, or behavior? We welcome Dr. Paul Yost back to the podcast to explain.

In Part II of our series, Dr. S Jay Olshansky discusses longevity and life expectancy, and what the most powerful influences are on both.

Dr. S. Jay Olshansky discusses the science (and pseudoscience) of aging and how we can influence it.

Expert nuclear physicist, Dr. Kai Vetter, gives us an update on Fukushima five years after the meltdown.

Expert nuclear physicist, Dr. Kai Vetter, gives us an update on Fukushima five years after the meltdown.

Our post Father's Day show covers everything you need to know about Prostate Cancer, and just in time for National Men's Health Week. Dr. AJ Kar joins us.

Part one of our series covers everything you ever wanted to know about cosmetic breast surgery, but were too shy to ask. Dr. Justin West joins us.

We examine the current expensive, for-profit, private health insurance system in the U.S. and interview Ron Howrigon, an expert who has worked on both sides of the issue.

In part one of our transgender series, Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy discusses the facts, complexities, and hardships for individuals with gender dysphoria.

Our guest, Dr. John West discusses all aspects of breast cancer awareness, treatment, and prevention.

Dr. Anita Nelson, a professor emerita at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the former medical director of the women’s healthcare program at Harbor-UCLA medical center, and esteemed author of Contraceptive Technology, reassures us that medical researchers are actively pursing ways to advance and improve contraceptive technology.

As a renowned physician of hematology and oncology in both pediatrics and adults, Dr. Leonard Sender shares his expertise on leukemia and other cancers.

Frank Sweeny and Dr. Jeffrey Johnsrud, a board certified general surgeon, break down the metabolic, physiological, and societal/cultural aspects of obesity.