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Artwork for The Present Illness
Public Health
SNAP
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Iran
Healthcare Access
Food Insecurity
Wealth Inequality
RFK Jr.
Election
Vaccine Misinformation
CDC
Relationships
Billionaires
Malnutrition
Welfare Programs
Poverty
Child Welfare
Economic Consequences
Epstein Files
Government Shutdown

Society’s running a fever, and two sharp-witted physicians are on the case. Surgeon-scientist Arghavan Salles dives into social media’s wildest trends, while anesthesiologist-bioethicist Alyssa Burgart follows news and legal cases for their ethical twists. Together, they examine the cultural, political, and public health symptoms of our time with scalpel-sharp analysis, unflinching questions, and ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes43Founded10 months ago
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Health & FitnessSociety & CultureMedicine

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Artwork for The Present Illness

Latest Episodes

Too much public health news for two doctors to narrow it down. An update on cyclosporiasis, measles, raw milk, and Ebola, all with a side of Todd Blanche forgetting he’s not supposed to still be the president’s lawyer and Pete Hegseth’s begging for w... more

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Explosive diarrhea? The Clown Car of the Apocalypse is at it again. ICE keeps killing people. Millions give up their health insurance because it’s too expensive. 

• Update on potential cyclosporiasis source

• Public health cuts impacting outbreak

... more

YouTube

Is Mitch McConnell dead or alive? Let's talk about out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and critical illness in older folks. Graham Platner drops out of Maine race in wake of credible sexual assault allegations. There were plenty of red flags. 

Trump at N... more

YouTube

The Supreme Court let America keep birthright citizenship for it’s birthday. Trump’s 250th Independence Day celebration is a flop. Surprise!

• Pew: Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology

• Gallup: Data on pride in being American

• What’s happen... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jennifer Lincoln
Board-certified OB-GYN, lactation consultant, author
The Birth Book / The Birth Book author
Episode: Birth Autonomy with Dr. Jen Lincoln
Lara Jones
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, pediatric advocate
San Francisco medical community
Episode: Shut Down Dilley Detention Center with Dr. Lara Jones
Kaveh Hoda
Special guest, longtime podcaster
The House of Pod (guest appearance)
Episode: Persian Politeness with Dr. Kaveh Hoda

Hosts

Arghavan Salles
Host of The Present Illness; surgeon-scientist
Alyssa Burgart
Co-host of The Present Illness; anesthesiologist and bioethicist

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 24 ratings
  • Give it a listen

    Really enjoyed this last episode with Dr. Kaveh! Always fun to hear him and Arghavan chat

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Trillest567
    United States5 months ago
  • One of my favorite new podcasts

    Drs Salles and Burgart are informative and funny and appropriately disgruntled/enraged. If you’re interested in the intersection of science, healthcare, and politics, check this one out.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Not Seeing It
    United States6 months ago
  • The Doctor is in

    The Doctor is in! The hosts help digest difficult issues and bring to light some of the lesser known health and political issues in modern day America.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wuzer Bruzer
    United States7 months ago
  • Just what the doctor(s) ordered!

    The hosts grace us with insightful commentary, delightful banter and incisive wit. The Present Illness shines a light on what’s ailing us with just the right mix of seriousness, compassion and levity. A real treat to listen to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    funkdrmephd
    United States9 months ago
  • A sharp perspective

    The Present Illness brings together two physicians with diverse perspectives to talk about healthcare in our society in a way that is equally intelligent while also feeling like you are gossipping with your healthcare best friend. It is both informative and refreshing. Highly recommend listening!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MorganLevy
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The hosts make complex health-policy topics feel accessible and timely.
Listeners appreciate the humor and sharp, well-sourced analysis.
They balance medical ethics with political realism in a way that's engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Birth Autonomy with Dr. Jen Lincoln
Q: Could you highlight three things you really recommend for readers?
Three key recommendations are to avoid unnecessary interventions when possible (such as penicillin avoidance in GBS-positive patients), to consider routine vitamin K for newborns due to its safety and historically reduced brain bleeds, and to use Pitocin after birth to prevent hemorrhage, recognizing that each decision should be tailored to the individual and discussed openly with the care team.
Birth Autonomy with Dr. Jen Lincoln
Q: Why did you write the book?
I wrote it because a book like this didn't exist, and there wasn't one that was written by a clinician who centers autonomy and provides practical, evidence-based guidance for birthing people. The aim was to level the playing field and give readers accessible, trustworthy information.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Present Illness

What is The Present Illness about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two physician-hosts provide sharp, human-centered analysis of health policy, medicine, and politics, blending ethical critique with accessible science communication. Episodes thread together public health topics, medical ethics, and current events—often with humor and personal anecdotes—to illuminate how policy, media, and culture shape everyday health outcomes. Noteworthy is the duo's willingness to tackle controversial issues with rigor and wit, spotlighting accountability, equity, and citizen participation. This show is likely to appeal to listeners who want thoughtful, informed takes on how health systems intersect with society, law, and technology, delivered in an approachable, often provocative voice.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Present Illness?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Present Illness:

1. The House of Pod
2. Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
3. Cancel Me, Daddy
4. Citations Needed
5. Behind the Bastards

How many episodes of The Present Illness are there?

The Present Illness launched 10 months ago and published 43 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 The Present Illness?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Present Illness?

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What guests have appeared on The Present Illness?

Recent guests on The Present Illness include:

1. Jennifer Lincoln
2. Lara Jones
3. Kaveh Hoda

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