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

Pinworms

Phonics

Self-Care

Childhood Obesity

Nutrition

Whole Language Approach

Mediterranean Diet

Postpartum Depression

Obstetrics

Croup

Independence

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

661 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	111	Founded	4 years ago
Number of Listeners		Category	Health & Fitness

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Guests Hosts Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

What's the deal with alcohol?

This week, Emily and Perry raise a glass to alcohol: the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems. How does it actually affect our brains? How much should we, or should we not, safely be drinking? Why are studies about responsible consumptio... more

23 Jul 2026 • 1 hr • Most popular

What's the deal with pregnancy brain? (feat. Allison Williams)

This week, Emily and Perry are joined by actress Allison Williams to discuss all things pregnancy brain. Are the fog and forgetfulness due to actual brain shrinkage? Does it replenish itself postpartum? Do women ever actually "bounce back"? What's al... more

16 Jul 2026 • 1 hr 6 min

What's the deal with cortisol?

This week, Emily and Perry take on cortisol, the much-maligned stress hormone blamed for heart attacks and stubborn belly fat. But how much heat should cortisol really be getting? How do you know when yours is too high? Too low? Is it ever really wor... more

9 Jul 2026 • 55 min

What's the deal with mRNA vaccines?

This week, Emily and Perry explore RNA, a tiny molecule of extraordinary potential. What is it? How is it different from DNA? How have vaccines and an incredible array of potential medical treatments managed to unlock its magic? And what are the cons... more

2 Jul 2026 • 58 min

Key Facts

Contact Information

Podcast Host

Number of Listeners

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

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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 with economics and data-literacy expertise; frequently anchors discussions with data-driven analysis.

Perry Wilson

Co-host and medical doctor bringing clinical perspective and patient-centered insights.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 661 ratings

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 States12 days 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 Statesa month ago
There are better options
Their interactions with each other seem a little odd and holier-than-thou. I love research and would appreciate the podcast more if when they covered a topic, they reviewed the research and also had an expert in that field discuss current ongoing research advancements and patterns in care. They don’t seem to acknowledge that they don’t know everything. Plus there is a lot of ads.
Apple Podcasts
1
JD2019m
United Statesa month ago
Obsessed!
I’m not the most objective reviewer because I am obsessed with Emily Oster and would probably listen to her read the phone book (if those exist anymore?). That said, this podcast absolutely delivers. Emily and Perry have a unique ability to take complex topics, cut through the noise, and present information in a thoughtful, evidence-based, and approachable way. Every episode leaves me feeling like I’ve learned something useful, while being entertaining throughout the whole thing!
Apple Podcasts
5
Jessi9288
United States2 months ago
Love the content
Longtime fan of Emily’s books and podcasts. Perry and Emily are great together in this podcast! The information is relevant, up to date, and the discussion is the perfect amount of thorough. I, like many others here it seems, also wish that the ad breaks were shorter!
Apple Podcasts
5
cbod22
United States2 months ago

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Listeners Say

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

Episodes are praised for balancing skepticism with accessible explanations and real-world relevance.

Listeners appreciate data-driven, evidence-based analysis and the hosts' ability to translate complex studies into practical takeaways.

Guest selections and thoughtful debates on controversial wellness topics are frequently highlighted as a strength.

Ads are a common point of frustration, with many noting too-long or too-frequent ad breaks.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#138	United States/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts	#60	Canada/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts	#141	Australia/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts	#32	Philippines/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts	#76	South Africa/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts	#134	Switzerland/Health & Fitness

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.'

What's the deal with full body scans?

Q: What are the main risks of full body scans for individuals?

The main risks include false positives, incidentalomas that provoke unnecessary follow-up tests, anxiety, overtreatment, and high out-of-pocket and downstream costs that may not improve mortality or overall health.

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?

A data-driven health and wellness show that separates fact from fiction by examining new research and trending health topics. Two hosts, a best-selling author and a physician, dissect studies, discuss how to interpret data, and answer listener questions with a practical, evidence-based lens. Episodes cover buzzy topics—from hormone therapies to nutrition trends—alongside timely health news, always emphasizing causality versus correlation and individualized decision-making. A standout approach is the rigorous, skeptical analysis paired with accessible explanations and a light, ongoing banter between hosts, making complex medical literature more understandable for informed decision-making. The format is especially helpful for listeners who wa... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Wellness, Actually?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wellness, Actually:

1. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
2. Raising Good Humans
3. After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings
4. The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
5. Rattled: When New Parenthood Shakes You

How many episodes of Wellness, Actually are there?

Wellness, Actually launched 4 years ago and published 111 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Wellness, Actually?

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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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