Episodes

July 10, 2025

Episode 217: Screen Acting / New Brunswick “Mystery” Illness

Ali recently taught a class on “acting for the screen” at Queen’s University, so in our first half Asif asks him about this (1:24). They discuss how he was approached to teach this class as well as his IMDB resume. Asif asks ...

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July 3, 2025

Episode 216: In-Flight Entertainment / In-Flight Medical Emergencies

Because Ali and Asif have been travelling a lot in the past few months, the guys chat about their favourite in-flight entertainment (5:17). They start off by talking about their typical “rituals” when flying. Then the guys di...

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July 2, 2025

Episode 215: Family medicine, private clinics…and Saturday morning c…

Today, Ali and Asif are joined by family physician and the inaugural Primary Care and Health Policy Scholar at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Dr. Danyaal Raza. The guys start off by asking Dr. Raza about how healthcare is...

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June 19, 2025

Episode 214: ‘You’re My Hero’ / Hypoxic Birth Injury

Today, Asif asks Ali about Ali co-starring in the CBC Gem TV show ‘You’re My Hero’ (2:21). Ali talks about how he was offered the role and co-starring with professional wrestler Chris Jericho. They talk about creator Sean Tow...

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June 13, 2025

Episode 213: Interview with Addiction Medicine Expert Dr. Jason Giles

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 expertis...

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June 6, 2025

Episode 212: Billy Joel / Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Today, Asif and Ali discuss the career of the legendary singer Billy Joel (1:08). They start off by discussing his accolades, how Joel is compared to his contemporaries and his early years. They then discuss some of his semin...

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May 30, 2025

Episode 211: Bill Burr, ‘Drop Dead Years’ and Sudden Cardiac Death

Today, Ali and Asif, after a digression about Paris restaurants and Reddit trolls, discuss the career of Bill Burr (7:33). They discuss his early life, starting out in comedy, his Philly rant and his podcast. They \then discu...

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May 22, 2025

Episode 210: ‘The Studio’ / Perception of Doctors

After a brief digression about popcorn throwing at ‘The Minecraft Movie’ and Ali’s connection to producer Evan Goldberg, Ali and Asif discuss the Apple TV hit series ‘The Studio’ (10:49). The guys start off by discussing the ...

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May 15, 2025

Episode 209: A Quiz on French Culture and French Medicine

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 (4:55). They discuss croissants, Bouillabaisse, ...

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May 9, 2025

Episode 208: A Discussion on Suicide (w Dr. Daphne Korczak)

If you are in crisis or concerned about someone text 9-8-8 in the USA or Canada or visit suicide prevention.ca This week is children’s mental health week, and so today Asif and Ali welcome physician and researcher Dr. Daphne ...

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May 2, 2025

Episode 207: Val Kilmer / Throat Cancer

Today, Asif and Ali discuss the career of the late actor Val Kilmer (1:05). The guys start off by discussing the 2023 documentary about Kilmer entitled ‘Val’. They discuss Val’s early life and the tragic death of his younger ...

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April 24, 2025

Episode 207: Snacks and Ultraprocessed Foods

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...

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April 17, 2025

Episode 206: ‘Adolescence’ / Teenagers and Screens

Today, Asif and Ali discuss the phenomenal Netflix series ‘Adolescence’ (1:28). They discuss the creation of the film and how star and co-creator Stephen Graham came up with the concept for the show to address misogyny and kn...

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April 10, 2025

Episode 205: Period Pain (w/ Kate Downey)

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 wit...

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April 3, 2025

Episode 204: ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ and Belle Gibson / Measles

Today, after a brief discussion of shows Ali and Asif have been watching lately – including ‘One Day’ and ‘Adolescence’ (as well as shows they bailed on… ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘The White Lotus’) – they discuss ‘Apple Cider Vineg...

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March 28, 2025

Episode 203: ‘Deli Boys’ / Dangers of Ayurvedic Medicine

Today Asif and Ali discuss the new critically acclaimed Disney Plus /Hulu series “Deli Boys” (1:15). They discuss creator Abdullah Saee d’ background and how he came to develop the series. They discuss what they love about t...

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March 21, 2025

Episode 202: Gene Hackman / Hantavirus from Rodent Droppings

Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the late Gene Hackman (2:04). They discuss his early life, getting into acting and his friendship with Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall. They also discuss Hackman’s other interests ...

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March 13, 2025

Episode 201: Composer John Williams / Pacemakers

Today, after Asif admits that he saw “Home Alone” for the first time in December 2024, the guys discuss the prolific career of the composer John Williams and the recent documentary on his life “Music by John Williams” (5:33)....

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March 6, 2025

Episode 200: Interview with Misinformation Expert Tim Caulfield

Today, to celebrate 200 episodes, 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 backgr...

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Feb. 27, 2025

Episode 199: 97th Oscars Preview

After a brief discussion about plane crashes and measles outbreaks, Asif and Ali preview the upcoming 97th annual Academy Awards. taking place on March 2, 2025 (no medical topic this episode). After discussing the amazing sco...

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Feb. 21, 2025

Episode 198: ‘The Substance’ / Botox

Today Asif and Ali discuss the Oscar nominated movie “The Substance” (1:44) (mild spoilers follow). They discuss the overall genre of body horror and the classic Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg and how the end of the subs...

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Feb. 14, 2025

Episode 197: Christopher Reeve, Super / Man and Spinal Cord Injuries

After a truly inane discussion about ‘back slashes’ vs ‘forward slashes’, the guys discuss the career of the late Christopher Reeve and the recent documentary on his life ‘Superman / Man’ (2:41). They discuss Reeve’s early ca...

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Feb. 6, 2025

Episode 196: Anthony Jeselnik / Psychopathy and Antisocial Personalit…

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 ...

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Jan. 30, 2025

Episode 195; David Lynch / Emphysema

Groundbreaking director David Lynch passed away recently, so today Asif and Ali review his career (4:17). They review his classic movies and television shows including Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Dune, Blue Velvet, Twin Pea...

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