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Wellness, Actually with Emily Oster & Perry Wilson, MD

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Parenting
Mental Health
Pregnancy
Child Development
Ultra-Processed Foods
Vaccines
Reading Instruction
Sperm Counts
Social Media
Phonics
Pinworms
Self-Care
Childhood Obesity
Public Health
Whole Language Approach
Nutrition
Mediterranean Diet
Postpartum Depression
Obstetrics
Croup

A staggering amount of health and wellness news and information is bombarding us everywhere we look – and who’s got time to parse it out, to verify it, and then to actually do the work of improving our health?

We do! We are Emily Oster, best-selling author and data expert, and Perry Wilson, a medical doctor. And unlike the influencers, we actually know how to read a medical paper. This podcast se... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes115Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Health & Fitness

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Artwork for Wellness, Actually

Latest Episodes

This week, Emily and Perry explore the creepiest, crawliest topic yet: ticks! What's the deal with these little bloodsucking jerks? How do they infect us? What are the differences between tick-borne illnesses, and which ones do you really need to wat... more

This week, Emily and Perry take on fluoride, a mineral with proven benefits for your teeth and an army of skeptical influencers ready to fight their municipal water supplies, (weakened) tooth and nail. What is fluoride? When did we start putting it i... more

This week, Emily and Perry explore gluten, the protein responsible for everything that makes bread, bagels, pasta, and all of their other favorite foods chewy and delicious. Why has gluten gotten such a bad rap lately? Is it really responsible for al... more

This week, Emily and Perry discuss the Sun. Sure, it’s necessary for life on earth and occupies over 99% of our solar system’s mass, but seriously, what’s its deal? Specifically, with respect to vitamin D and sunscreen, two oddly controversial topics... more

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Allison Williams
Actor and podcaster, guest on pregnancy brain episode
Self/Guest of Wellness, Actually
Episode: What's the deal with pregnancy brain? (feat. Allison Williams)
Dr. Breonna Slocum
Reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist
Episode: An Expert Roundtable on Trying to Conceive
Marea Goodman
Licensed midwife, author, and founder of Pregnant Together specializing in LGBTQ+ community
Pregnant Together
Episode: An Expert Roundtable on Trying to Conceive
Dr. Yael Schonbrun
Clinical psychologist and author focused on relationships and mental health.
Episode: How to Baby-Proof Your Relationship: Navigating a new marital landscape
Dr. Adam Davis
Community pediatrician in San Francisco
SF Bay Pediatrics
Episode: All About Vaccines: Why they’re important, and how to make them more tolerable for your child
Dr. Sara Reardon
Board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist and author, also known as The Vagina Whisperer.
Episode: It’s Never Too Late for Pelvic Floor Therapy: Why it’s about more than Kegels
Tamron Hall
Two-time Emmy Award-winning talk show host and mother.
Episode: Tamron Hall's Late-Night Panic Google
Bapu Jena
Economist, physician, and professor at Harvard Medical School.
Harvard Medical School
Episode: Understanding Panic Headlines: How studies that influence your parenting choices get published
Dr. Katherine Ahrens
Epidemiologist and Associate Research Professor
University of Southern Maine
Episode: Researching the Importance of Paid Leave: A look into how studies are conducted

Hosts

Emily Oster
Host of Wellness, Actually; economist and data expert
Perry Wilson
Host of Wellness, Actually; medical doctor

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 673 ratings
  • Really Fun Weekly Listen

    I love listening and I’ve started listening every Thursday when they come out. I appreciate the news updates and the helpful dialogue around current issues.

    I’ve loved the topics so far and the information shared has been helpful in my day to day life

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    erigrimm
    United States22 days ago
  • Way too many ads

    Good podcast content but the ads make it nigh on unlistenable. I don’t begrudge a podcast some ad revenue but there are so many here and so repetitive!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    SilverSpiralStyle
    Canada25 days ago
  • My Favorite Podcast

    I love this podcast and look forward to it every week. As a psychotherapist specializing in chronic illness, the data and researched based information that is discussed every week truly helps me in my professional and personal life. Thank you Emily and Perry for all your thoughtful work and please don’t stop!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rachael A.B.
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love

    Love this show and have recommended it to so many people. Listening to science adjacent podcasts as a scientist can be very painful but Emily and Perry do a stellar job (though I have notes on the lsd episode). My only qualm is the latest episode featuring someone that is not a medical/science/data expert… I hope this doesn’t become a pattern.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stacylala
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best Health show out there- and funny too!

    I am loving this podcast! Totally entertaining while giving excellent evidence based information on the latest health trends. Listen, laugh and learn!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Slowrunner69
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many praise the hosts' balanced skepticism and clear explanations.
Ads and pacing receive mixed feedback, impacting listening experience.
Audience appreciates data-driven health coverage and practical guidance.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#159
United States/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts
#159
Canada/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts
#110
Italy/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts
#98
Chile/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts
#188
South Africa/Health & Fitness

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What's the deal with gluten?
Q: Is coffee really bad for kids?
The hosts explain that coffee does not stunt growth in children, but excessive caffeine can affect sleep and tolerance development, so moderation and ensuring adequate sleep are key.
What's the deal with cortisol?
Q: What is cortisol and why does it matter for health?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that helps mobilize energy and resources in response to stress, with a normal circadian rhythm and fluctuations; it should not be viewed as simply good or bad, and context matters for health effects.
What's the deal with pregnancy brain? (feat. Allison Williams)
Q: What can partners do to support a new mom during this period so she can get the rest she needs?
The panel suggests practical, unobtrusive support like bringing water, sharing responsibilities, and acknowledging the hormonal changes and fatigue without judgment. They stress respect for the partner's experience and the importance of tangible help (e.g., assisting with infant care and sleep support) to protect the mom's well-being.
What's the deal with pregnancy brain? (feat. Allison Williams)
Q: Allison, you said you had postpartum depression. Can you talk about that? Are you open to sharing what you experienced and how you sought help?
Allison describes recognizing depression after delivery as part of a broader, often overlapping postpartum experience, including intense emotions, sleep disruption, and feelings of isolation. She emphasizes that screening and getting appropriate treatment is important, and that the experience can begin during pregnancy or postpartum, sometimes requiring support beyond immediate medical interventions.
What's the deal with alcohol?
Q: Perry, how much is OK to drink?
Moderation is individual, with a general guideline of up to two drinks a day for men and up to one for women, but the hosts emphasize self-experimentation and listening to sleep, energy, and mood as part of defining 'just enough.'

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Wellness, Actually

What is Wellness, Actually about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show takes a data-driven, skeptical approach to health and wellness topics, translating medical and scientific literature into practical takeaways. Episodes regularly critique hype, explain study design, and compare correlations versus causality, all while entertaining with banter between two hosts who balance expertise with approachable storytelling. Recent topics span alcohol, sleep, vaccines, hormone therapy, and provocative wellness trends, often paired with listener questions and real-world scenarios to help listeners make informed decisions without getting overwhelmed. A standout feature is the host duo's commitment to scientific literacy and clear explanations, making complex topics accessible for curious, health-conscious audien... more

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How many episodes of Wellness, Actually are there?

Wellness, Actually launched 4 years ago and published 115 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Wellness, Actually?

Recent guests on Wellness, Actually include:

1. Allison Williams
2. Dr. Breonna Slocum
3. Marea Goodman
4. Dr. Yael Schonbrun
5. Dr. Adam Davis
6. Dr. Sara Reardon
7. Tamron Hall
8. Bapu Jena

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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