Is Laughter the best medicine? We attempt to answer this and other pressing questions in Doctor Vs Comedian. Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC‘s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject. We talk about serious subjects in an unserious way. If you want to hear about comedy, entertainment, health and wellness and don‘t want to have to choose between being entertaining AND informed, then this show is for you.
Episodes
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Episode 43: Favourite Entertainment from 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
As a year-end treat, the guys go over their favourite entertainment from 2021… and decide to omit the big 2021 medical topic, since people are likely tired of talking about the Covid-19 pandemic. Ali starts off by talking about his favourite books he read last year (1:44). Then Asif discusses new music he got into in 2021. The guys then compare notes on their favourite movies of 2021 and disagree intensely about Wes Anderson and ‘The French Dispatch’. Then the guys discuss their thoughts on best TV shows they saw in 2021.
NB: The pod will be taking next week off. We will see all of you in the new year!
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 doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Show Notes:
- Asif’s fave music from 2021 playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4K3Z1XgNFU&list=PLh7rgup-OZBcIjrILdZ7in5hFZ_2uv1uJ
- Canada Reads: https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Episode 42: Top 1991 Albums / Why do we love music from our youth?
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Today, Ali and Asif each list their top albums from one of the greatest years for music, 1991 (2:01). The guys go over their top albums, their honourable mentions and their lowlights of that year. Then, Ali asks Asif why the music from our youth connects so much with us (47:59). Asif discusses the research by Daniel Levitin on music and the brain and discusses why the songs from when we are young are “burned into our brains”. Asif then goes over the sociological reasons why we remember certain life events (we wouldn’t otherwise think about) when we hear a particular song.
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 doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Show Notes:
- Ali’s 1991 Top Album Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPJ2rcYQC88&list=PLh7rgup-OZBfxVyZVEg9YLAquqI538k36
- Asif’s 1991 Top Album Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM0zINtulhM&list=PLh7rgup-OZBdHLoGtlLM-4nmV1BUcFMdp
- Was 1991 one of the greatest years in rock? Alan Cross votes ‘yes’: https://globalnews.ca/news/8195404/rock-music-greatest-year-1991/
- 1991: The Most Important Year in Pop-Music History: https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2015/05/1991-the-most-important-year-in-music/392642/
- Daniel Levitin – This Is Your Brain on Music: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/298964/this-is-your-brain-on-music-by-daniel-j-levitin/
- This Is Your Brain on Music: https://www.salon.com/2006/09/05/levitin/
- Musical nostalgia: The psychology and neuroscience for song preference and the reminiscence bump: https://slate.com/technology/2014/08/musical-nostalgia-the-psychology-and-neuroscience-for-song-preference-and-the-reminiscence-bump.html
- Why we're obsessed with music from our youth: https://theconversation.com/why-were-obsessed-with-music-from-our-youth-154864
- Why our teenage music listening has a life-long impact: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/bring-the-noise/music-from-our-teens/zvfphbk
- Q & A With Psychological Scientist Daniel Levitin (Part 2): https://www.psychologicalscience.org/uncategorized/q-a-with-daniel-levitin-part-2.html
- Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music: https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.2726#citeas
Friday Dec 10, 2021
Friday Dec 10, 2021
In response to a listener's question, the guys attempt to answer the questions: “What does it mean to be funny?” and “What does it mean to be healthy?”. After a brief digression about humour in rats, Ali discusses how ‘funny’ laughter and active listening are intricately linked (2:21). He outlines the 4 major concepts that people find amusement in: 1) the misfortunes of others; 2) expressions of otherwise forbidden emotions; 3) juxtaposition of incompatible concepts; 4) realizing that certain expectations have been violated. He discusses how something is more funny if geographical or emotional remoteness lends a bit of distance. He also discusses the old adage of ‘humour is tragedy plus time’, as well as the concept of timing, ‘too soon’ and how comedy is tension and release. Then, Asif discusses how “healthiness” to him means optimizing your health and reducing your risk of disease (30:13). He then describes the two easiest ways to stay healthy: eat in moderation and exercise regularly. Asif then discusses the importance of mental and emotional health and learning to ‘live’ with stress. He also discusses not ignoring signals with regards to your emotional and mental well being.
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 doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Show Notes:
-
What’s So Funny? The Science of Why We Laugh: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whats-so-funny-the-science-of-why-we-laugh/
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Science deconstructs humor: What makes some things funny?: https://theconversation.com/science-deconstructs-humor-what-makes-some-things-funny-64414
- Colin and Brad - Mousetrap Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAZcJ2gCpEo
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Friday Dec 03, 2021
The guys start off this episode with Asif reviewing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2:40). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on Larry David, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and cringe comedy (12:16). Ali talks about the influence of Ricky Gervais (The Office) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Da Ali G Show) on cringe comedy. After an aside about the new Willow TV show, the guys talk about Larry David and why he is shocked that ‘Curb’ makes people cringe. They guys then talk about their favourite moments and characters from the show. Then Ali asks Asif about ‘male menopause’ (39:34) and they discuss why the preferred terms are Andropause or Male Hypogonadism. Asif goes over the symptoms and how one can be tested for it. Asif then goes over the options for treatment for diagnosed individuals, as well as some of the side effects of treatment.
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 doctorvcomedian@gmail.com
Follow us on Social media:
Twitter: @doctorvcomedian
Instagram: doctorvcomedian
Show Notes:
-
How Larry David Makes You Cringe: https://medium.com/wisecrack/how-larry-david-makes-you-cringe-f6c1a1fa9ae4
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Watch the Evolution of Cringe Comedy in 9 Clips: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/arts/television/larry-david-curb-your-enthusiasm-cringe-comedy.html
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Larry David Is ‘Shocked’ That ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Makes People Cringe: https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2020/01/larry-david-shocked-curb-your-enthusiasm-makes-people-cringe
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Every Episode of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ Ranked: https://www.theringer.com/tv/2020/3/23/21188827/curb-your-enthusiasm-episode-rankings-updated
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Sharing the Enthusiasm: https://www.theringer.com/tv/2021/11/19/22789464/curb-your-enthusiasm-cameos-oral-history
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Male menopause: Myth or reality? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056
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Male hypogonadism: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-hypogonadism/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354886
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Is testosterone therapy safe? Take a breath before you take the plunge: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/is-testosterone-therapy-safe-take-a-breath-before-you-take-the-plunge
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Testosterone Therapy for Hypogonadism Guideline Resources: https://www.endocrine.org/clinical-practice-guidelines/testosterone-therapy#2
- Testosterone Treatments: Why, When, and How? https://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0501/p1591.html