Episodes
261
May 20, 2026
The Roast of Kevin Hart; plus Peptides!
Today, Ali and Asif discuss ‘The Roast of Kevin Hart’ on Netflix (2:06). The guys go over host Shane Gillis and their thoughts on each of the roasters. They then discuss some of the controversies associated with the roast, including their thoughts on the sets of Tony Hinchcliffe, Pete Davidson and Katt Williams. Then the guys discuss peptides (38:45). Ali asks Asif about what exactly they are and why they have become so hyped as of late. Asif then discusses what they are used for and in particu...
260
May 11, 2026
What is Hantavirus? (Remix)
Most of you have heard about the recent outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship, so today Asif and Ali revisit that topic (no entertainment topic for today). We will go over the facts of the outbreak and then splice in our conversation from last spring about all things hantavirus. Ali asks Asif about this rare infection and how it is transmitted by exposure to rodent droppings. Asif discusses how people contract it, how common it is and where in North American you can be exposed to it. He then ...
259
May 7, 2026
Staying up with “SNL UK” and Sleep Studies
Asif and Ali, after a brief digression about Halifax and indie-band ‘The Lowest of the Low’, the guys discuss ‘SNL UK’ (4:25). They discuss how the show came about, the involvement of Lorne Michaels, and other failed SNL franchises in other countries. They then discuss the similarities and differences between the show and classic SNL. Finally they go over their thoughts on the cast and the show as a whole. Then Ali tells us the story about his recent sleep study (22:50). Asif then goes over sle...
258
April 30, 2026
Riz Ahmed’s ‘Bait’ (plus psychosis)
Today Asif and Ali discuss the career of Riz Ahmed and his new Prime series ‘Bait’. They start off by discussing Ahmed’s rap career, his early roles, how he broke the colour barrier for South Asian actors, and their favourite Riz Ahmed movies. They then discuss his genre bending new series ‘Bait’. Then they discuss psychosis (a theme in ‘Bait’). Ali asks Asif about what it is, how commonly it is seen, and what the symptoms are. Asif then describes how psychosis is different from schizophrenia a...
257
April 24, 2026
‘The Pitt’ and PTSD in Healthcare
Today, Asif and Ali discuss the hit TV show ‘The Pitt’. They discuss how it was initially developed as an ‘ER’ follow-up and how it evolved into its final form as a real-time show, with each season taking place over a single ER shift. They then go over the filmmaking style and the phenomenal cast. Finally they discuss their overall thoughts on the show and whether it is an accurate portrayal of the medical world. Then Ali asks Asif about a major theme of ‘The Pitt’ – PTSD in health care. Asif t...
256
April 14, 2026
Top Canadian Movies
Today, Ali and Asif (after a digression about Ali’s recent trip to Mexico) in Celebration of National Canadian Film on April 15, the guys list their favourite films by Canadian directors (no medical topic today). Listen to hear where they rank movies by Atom Egoyan, Denys Arcand, Denis Villeneuve, Jean-Marc Valle, Kevin Tierney, Celine Song, James Cameron and Ivan Reitman. The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and websit...
255
April 9, 2026
What is Looksmaxxing? Plus The Return of ‘Scrubs’
Today, Ali and Asif discuss the revival of ‘Scrubs’ (do not call it a reboot). The guys discuss their thoughts on the old version of Scrubs, the non-stop comedy, their favourite moments, the amazing finale and the much-maligned season 9 (2:04). The guys then discuss the recent revival and how Zach Braff and Donald Faison’s podcast helped to influence the trajectory of the new season. Then they discuss the recent social media trend of “Looksmaxxing” (26:21). They discuss what it is, how it is th...
254
April 2, 2026
The Timothee Chalamet Controversy, plus Raw Milk Dangers
Today Ali and Asif discuss the career of Timothee Chalamet (2:22). Asif starts off by quizzing Ali about Chalamet’s early life. Then they go over their favourite Timothee Chalamet performances. Finally they discuss the recent controversial remarks that Chalamet made regarding ballet and opera. Then Ali asks Asif about the dangers of raw milk (32:43). Asif starts off by discussing pasteurization and the history of food preservation. Then Ali goes over the various talking points of raw milk advoc...
253
March 26, 2026
Why Dr. Casey Means is a Terrible Choice for U.S. Surgeon General
Today Asif and Ali discuss the nomination of Dr. Casey Means for the position of U.S. Surgeon General (no entertainment topic). They discuss her early background (including why Ali thinks he is a nepo baby) and how she went to Stanford medical school and left partway through residency. They then go over the (very few) positive aspects of her nomination. However, they spend most of the rest of the podcast discussing why she is a terrible choice for surgeon general, including her inability to prac...
252
March 19, 2026
Remembering Rob Reiner and Catherine O’Hara, plus Situs Inversus
The guys were on hiatus when two prominent entertainers passed away – Rob Reiner and Catherine O’Hara – so today Ali and Asif discuss their careers. They guys start of by discussing Rob Reiner (3:43), his early career and when they both first heard of him. They discuss ‘All in the Family’, This is Spinal Tap’, and Rob Reiner’s unprecedented run of movies beginning with ‘Stand By Me’ to ‘A Few Good Men’. Finally they discuss Reiner’s life outside of entertainment, including his political activis...
251
March 11, 2026
The BAFTA’s and Tourette Syndrome, plus Oscar picks
The boys are back! After a brief discussion about their hiatus, the guys discuss the recent situation that occurred at the BAFTA awards regarding John Davidson and Tourette Syndrome (2:24). The guys go over exactly what happened at the BAFTA’s and what occurred prior to Davidson yelling a racial slur at actors Micheal B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. Ali then asks Asif about Tourette syndrome, how common obscenities are in this disorder and how the movements and noises are involuntary (9:44). They th...
250
March 5, 2026
Best of DvsC: Anthony Jeselnik and Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of comedian Anthony Jeselnik and his special ‘Bones and All’ (1:54). They discuss his early life, when they first saw him (Ali actually met him person!) and an insightful interview with Jeselnik in ‘Cracked Magazine’. They discuss Jeselnik’s success as well as his admiration for Norm MacDonald. The guys then discuss (31:31) psychopathy and antisocial per...
249
Feb. 26, 2026
Best of DvsC: A Quiz on French Culture and French Medicine
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. This week, Asif is in France on his sabbatical. To commemorate this, the guys give each other a quiz on France. Ali starts off by quizzing Asif about French culture and cuisine. They discuss croissants, Bouillabaisse, Versailles, and French greetings. Then Asif quizzes Ali about medicine in France including the advent of teaching in hospitals, pasteurization, the guillotine (!), as well as a l...
248
Feb. 20, 2026
Best of DvsC: Louis CK, ‘Sorry / Not Sorry’ and Hair Transplants
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. Today, Ali and Asif review the new documentary about Louis CK, ‘Sorry / Not Sorry’ (1:53). They start off by discussing Louis CK’s background, his blockbuster success as a stand up comedian and how he changed the financial model of stand up comedy specials. Then then discuss his sexual impropriety as outlined in the New York Times as well as in the documentary. The guys go over what they perce...
247
Feb. 12, 2026
Best of DvsC: Period Pain (w/ Kate Downey)
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. Today Asif and Ali interview podcaster Kate Downey about period pain and her new podcast “Cramped”. The guys chat with Kate about why she wanted to start a podcast about period pain (dysmenorrhea) and her personal journey with what she calls ‘death cramps”. Kate then elaborates on why period pain is often treated differently than other types of pain and the relation between period pain and end...
246
Feb. 5, 2026
Best of DvsC: Endometriosis (with Dr. Sony Singh)
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. Since March has been endometriosis awareness month, on today’s episode, Asif and Ali welcome gynecologist Dr. Sonhy Singh to discuss this common and often debilitating disease.. Dr. Singh explains what it is and how it affects at at least 10% of women. He discusses how it is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed how this delay in diagnosis can have long term impacts. He then discusses some test...
255
Jan. 29, 2026
Best of DvsC: Tylenol and Autism
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. After debriefing about the return of Jimmy Kimmel (1:15), in the second emergency podcast in as many weeks, Asif and Ali discuss President Trump’s recent press conference linking autism to Tylenol use. Ali starts off by asking Asif about autism (8:27). Asif discusses what it is, how common it is, and the theories about why the prevalence of autism has been increasing over the past 2 decades. ...
244
Jan. 22, 2026
Best of DvsC: Snacks and Ultraprocessed Foods
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. Today, Asif and Ali discuss ultraprocessed foods (no medical topic today). To start off, Asif quizzes Ali about his favorite snack foods (1:29). Then Ali gives Asif a quiz on ultraprocessed foods from the New York Times. They then discuss the obesity epidemic and the the theory that ultraprocessed foods may have contributed to this (25;17). They then go over the NOVA food classification system...
243
Jan. 16, 2026
Best of DvsC: Interview with Misinformation Expert Tim Caulfield
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. Today, Ali and Asif interview misinformation expert Timothy Caulfield about his new book, ‘The Certainty Illusion: What You Don’t Know and Why It Matters ’. They start off by discussing Tim’s background and how he became involved in the battle against misinformation and how he deals with internet trolls. Ali then asks Tim about certain topics he addresses in his new book including gluten, fres...
242
Jan. 8, 2026
Best of DvsC: Interview with Addiction Medicine Expert Dr. Jason Giles
For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. Today, on a special episode, Asif and Ali interview addiction expert Dr. Jason Giles. For over two decades, Dr. Giles has helped more than 10,000 patients overcome substance use disorders. Dr. Giles combines clinical expertise with personal experience, having navigated his own journey to recovery 25 years ago. Dr. Giles is the founder and Medical Director of Addiction Doctors, a leading teleme...
241
Dec. 24, 2025
Bonus Episode: Favourite Holiday Movies
NB: We will be off on Dec 26 and Jan 2 and will return with new episodes on Jan 9, 2026. As a special bonus for our loyal listeners, Ali and Asif present a special episode discussing their favourite Christmas/Holiday movies. Listen to hear what they think about ‘Elf’, ‘Scrooged’, ‘Home Alone’, ‘Christmas Vacation’ and other holiday classics. Also find out if they think ‘Die Hard’ is a actually a Christmas movie and why one of them hates ‘Love Actually’ with a passion. The opinions expressed are...
240
Dec. 18, 2025
Favourite Entertainment from 2025
NB: We will be off on Dec 26 and Jan 2 and will return with new episodes on Jan 9, 2026. Today, Ali and Asif review their favourite entertainment from 2025. They discuss the best movies, TV shows, movies and books from the year (2:32). Listen to hear what they thought about ‘Fantastic 4: First Steps’, ‘Happy Gilmore 2’, ‘Sinners’, ‘Weapons’, ‘One Battle After Another’, ‘A Nice Indian Boy’, ‘Once Upon a Time Gaza’, ‘Adolescence’, ‘Mo’, ‘The Pitt’, ‘The Chair Company’, ‘The Studio’, ‘North of Nort...
239
Dec. 11, 2025
Best Movies and Albums of 1995
Today, Asif and Ali discuss their favorite movies from 1995 (2:07) and then they debate the best albums from that same year (23:33) (no medical topic today). Listen to hear what made their list, what didn’t and what overlap, if they had. PLUS, they do a mini-medical topic, speaking about the stroke that musician Matthew Sweet had last 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 ...
238
Dec. 4, 2025
Donald Glover had a Stroke!
Recently, actor Donald Glover announced that he had a stroke, so today Ali and Asif start off by discussing Glover’s career (1:16). They start off by discussing his early background and getting his break writing for ‘30 Rock’. They then talk about his breakthrough role on ‘Community’ and other acting roles such as Lando Carlissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. Ali then speaks about Donald Glover’s alternate career as rapper “Childish Gambino. Finally they discuss Glover’s critically acclaimed sh...