Episodes

Episode 44: Kal Penn / Physician Burnout (Part 1)
Jan. 6, 2022

Episode 44: Kal Penn / Physician Burnout (Part 1)

Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the great Kal Penn (1:46). They discuss his early career all the way up to the release of his memoir, ‘You Can’t Be Serious”. They discuss his famous roles in ‘American Desi’, ‘Harold...

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Episode 43: Favourite Entertainment from 2021
Dec. 23, 2021

Episode 43: Favourite Entertainment from 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 abo...

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Episode 42: Top 1991 Albums / Why do we love music from our youth?
Dec. 16, 2021

Episode 42: Top 1991 Albums / Why do we love music from our youth?

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 ...

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Episode 41: What does it mean to be funny? / What does it mean to be healthy?
Dec. 9, 2021

Episode 41: What does it mean to be funny? / What does it mean to be …

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’...

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Episode 40: Larry David, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and Cringe Comedy / Andropause
Dec. 2, 2021

Episode 40: Larry David, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and Cringe Comedy / A…

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...

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Episode 39: ‘Badmotorfinger’ vs ‘Achtung Baby’ / OCD
Nov. 25, 2021

Episode 39: ‘Badmotorfinger’ vs ‘Achtung Baby’ / OCD

The guys start off the episode with Asif discussing the problems faced by men after trying on their suits after 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic (1:18). The guys then compare two albums released in the fall of 1991, Soundga...

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Episode 38: Kumail Nanjiani gets ripped / HGH and steroid use in Hollywood
Nov. 18, 2021

Episode 38: Kumail Nanjiani gets ripped / HGH and steroid use in Holl…

The guys start off the episodes by discussing Ali’s recent attendance at a Toronto Maple Leafs game and his ‘Sophie’s Choice’ of needing to choose whether to cheer for Toronto or the Boston Bruins (1:40). Asif then discusses ...

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Episode 37: TikTok and Tourette
Nov. 11, 2021

Episode 37: TikTok and Tourette

Today, the guys switch things around by discussing the medical topic first -- Tics and Tourette Syndrome (1:02). Asif discusses what the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome are, how you diagnose it and what causes it. He also talks...

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Episode 36: Coming up with material / Laughter & Medicine
Nov. 4, 2021

Episode 36: Coming up with material / Laughter & Medicine

On today’s episode, after a brief discussion of Jerry Seinfeld’s “Is this Anything?”, Ali discusses how he and other comedians come up with material (2:21). He talks about writing out jokes, practicing them at open mics and r...

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Episode 35: ‘Use Your Illusion’ vs ‘The Black Album’ / Vitamins
Oct. 28, 2021

Episode 35: ‘Use Your Illusion’ vs ‘The Black Album’ / Vitamins

Today, in honour of the 30th anniversary of the release of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Use Your Illusion 1 and 2’ and Metallica’s ‘Black Album’, the guys debate which album is better (and yes, we know UYI is 2 albums -- we’re counting th...

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Episode 34: Squid Game / Is it Ok for Doctors to Cry?
Oct. 21, 2021

Episode 34: Squid Game / Is it Ok for Doctors to Cry?

Today, the guys discuss the hit Netflix Show ‘Squid Game’ (1:13) and the influence of Korea on popular culture (BTS, ‘Parasite’) . They talk about how it was developed by writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuk , Netflix and Ted Sara...

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Episode 33: Are the Origins of Stand up Racist? / The ‘Hidden Curriculum’ in Medicine
Oct. 14, 2021

Episode 33: Are the Origins of Stand up Racist? / The ‘Hidden Curricu…

Today, Asif asks Ali about the controversial origins of stand up comedy (1:05). Ali explains that stand up comedy evolved from vaudeville and that vaudeville itself evolved from minstrel shows. With respect to minstrel shows,...

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Episode 32: ‘Seinfeld’ Top 5’s / Body Odour
Oct. 7, 2021

Episode 32: ‘Seinfeld’ Top 5’s / Body Odour

Today, the guys start off the pod with a bit of banter about ‘banter’. Then, in honour of ‘Seinfeld’ being released on Netflix this month, Asif and Ali discuss their thoughts and memories of the sitcom. Then they both debate ...

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Episode 31: Life on Set / Unconscious Bias in Healthcare
Sept. 30, 2021

Episode 31: Life on Set / Unconscious Bias in Healthcare

Today, the guys start off the pod by discussing 2 new television shows: Sandra Oh in ‘The Chair’ and FX’s ‘Y: The Last Man’ (0:43). Then Asif asks Ali about what life is really like on television and movie sets (8:53). Ali ta...

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Episode 30: ‘Nevermind’ vs ‘Ten’ / Cognitive Bias and Vaccine Hesitancy
Sept. 23, 2021

Episode 30: ‘Nevermind’ vs ‘Ten’ / Cognitive Bias and Vaccine Hesitan…

Today, the guys start off by discussing the recently departed Norm Macdonald (1:00). They talk about his unique comic voice and the tremendous respect Ali and other comics had for him. Then, since both albums were released 30...

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Episode 29: Emmy Awards Preview / Academic Publishing
Sept. 16, 2021

Episode 29: Emmy Awards Preview / Academic Publishing

To start the show, the guys discuss the sometimes murky issue of copyright claims on YouTube (1:30). Then the guys preview the upcoming 73rd annual Emmy awards and their picks in various categories (7:03). Then, Ali asks Asif...

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Episode 28: Life on the Road / Pharma influence on Doctors
Sept. 9, 2021

Episode 28: Life on the Road / Pharma influence on Doctors

The guys start with a serious debate about whether ‘drums’ or ‘flats’ are the better chicken wings (00:50). Ali then discusses life on the road as a comedian (5:11), including tips on how to get started in comedy touring. The...

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Episode 27: Increase in Eating Disorders During Covid-19 (with Dr. Megan Harrison)
Sept. 2, 2021

Episode 27: Increase in Eating Disorders During Covid-19 (with Dr. Me…

In this episode, Ali and Asif discuss the surging rates of eating disorders during the Covid-19 pandemic, with Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders expert Dr. Megan Harrison (who also happens to be Asif’s wife). Dr. Harri...

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Episode 26: 40th Anniversary of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’/ Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Aug. 26, 2021

Episode 26: 40th Anniversary of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’/ Spinal Mus…

To start the episode the guys give their thoughts on two recent summer movies; Asif talks about “The Suicide Squad” and Ali reviews “The Green Knight” (2:00). Then the guys talk about the 40th anniversary of one of the great...

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Episode 25: Can you teach ‘funny’? /ALS
Aug. 19, 2021

Episode 25: Can you teach ‘funny’? /ALS

To start the episode, Ali’s recounts a recent Drive-in comedy show he did with Shaun Majumder (1:03). Then Asif asks about the course Ali teaches at Queen’s University and whether you can “teach funny” (7:38). Ali then talks ...

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Episode 24: Interview with Dr. Glaucomflecken
Aug. 12, 2021

Episode 24: Interview with Dr. Glaucomflecken

In this very special episode, Ali and Asif interview ophthalmologist, comedian and social media sensation Dr. Will Flannary aka Dr. Glaucomflecken. In their hilarious and wide ranging chat they discuss: His comedic influences...

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Episode 23: Hecklers / 'Difficult' Patient-Doctor Relationships
Aug. 5, 2021

Episode 23: Hecklers / 'Difficult' Patient-Doctor Relationships

Today, after playing a clip of Will Ferrell ‘heckling’ Jimmy Fallon on the tonight show (1:52), Ali discusses heckling in comedy (2:25). He discusses the different types of interruptions that can occur and the ‘dangers’ of cr...

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Episode 22:  Send in the Clowns
July 29, 2021

Episode 22: Send in the Clowns

In this episode, Asif starts things off by discussing how he finally got around to seeing Zach Snyder’s Justice League (1:00) and they compare the viewing experience to Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. The guys then discuss clowns ...

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Episode 21: ‘Ted Lasso’ / Psychedelics in Medicine
July 22, 2021

Episode 21: ‘Ted Lasso’ / Psychedelics in Medicine

On today’s episode the guys first off start talking about last week’s Emmy nominations, including the surprises and snubs (00:54). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on ‘Ted Lasso’ (5:16). The guys talk about the developme...

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