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This Podcast Will Kill You

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Covid-19
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Epidemiology

This podcast might not actually kill you, but Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke cover so many things that can. In each episode, they tackle a different topic, teaching listeners about the biology, history, and epidemiology of a different disease or medical mystery. They do the scientific research, so you don’t have to. Since 2017, Erin and Erin have explored chronic and infectious diseases, medic... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes303Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for This Podcast Will Kill You

Latest Episodes

Imagine yourself as a 17th century English peasant or merchant or noble. Let’s say you’re dealing with some intense stomach pain or a cut on your leg that won’t heal. Where do you turn to for help? Today’s book club episode reveals that the answer de... more

This week, we’re picking up where we left off last episode in our exploration of ECT by examining how this therapy is administered, which conditions it’s used for, and what we know about why it works. To start off, we take you through the procedure s... more

For many, a mention of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) conjures images of torture or mind control from popular media like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest or Requiem for a Dream. Comparatively few know that ECT is not only still used today but is an i... more

Already this summer, heatwaves are causing thousands of deaths across the world, catastrophic flooding threatens millions, wildfires rage across enormous swathes of the globe, many regions face extreme drought conditions, and a very strong El Niño is... more

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Recent Guests

Leonardo Lopez
Expert in ECT, including use for catatonia and NMDA receptor encephalitis
Weill Cornell Medical College
Episode: Ep 221 Electroconvulsive Therapy Part 2: A current conversation
Clayton Page Aldern
Award-winning journalist and neuroscientist, author of The Weight of Nature
Grist
Episode: Special Episode: Clayton Page Aldern & The Weight of Nature
Dr. Deborah Cohen
Medically trained, award-winning journalist, broadcaster, editor
Author of Bad Influence
Episode: Special Episode: Deborah Cohen & Bad Influence
Alev Scott
Journalist and author of Cash Cow
Author, Cash Cow
Episode: Special Episode: Alev Scott & Cash Cow
Carl Elliott
Author and bioethicist at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Episode: Special Episode: Dr. Carl Elliott & The Occasional Human Sacrifice
Christina Kupka-Decker
Storyteller and motion sickness sufferer
Episode: Ep 211 Motion Sickness: It comes in waves
Olivia Weisser
Historian and Associate Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts, Boston
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Episode: Special Episode: Dr. Olivia Weisser & The Dreaded Pox
Adam Kucharski
Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Episode: Special Episode: Adam Kucharski & Proof
April Rideout
Sibling sharing story of ALL in 2017 and transplant journey
Personal account
Episode: Ep 205 Cancer Part 4: Where do things stand today?

Hosts

Erin Welsh
Host of This Podcast Will Kill You, disease ecologist and epidemiologist
Erin Allmann Updyke
Co-host; epidemiologist and disease ecologist

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 28.1k ratings
  • A must-listen for biology teachers abs students everywhere!

    I have been a regular listener since shortly after the first episodes in 2017, and alternate between running out of new episodes and binge-listening a backlog, depending on my workload. I’m a molecular parasitologist by trade, but now teach high school biology , specialising in IB. There would hardly be a lesson go by without recommending or even assigning episodes for students to listen to and I know many of my favourite ep numbers by heart. My entire family have become fans over the years, sta... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrG IB Bio
    Australia22 days ago
  • How can a show on diseases be this delightful?

    Another update! I love the books they include as well - they’ve directed me to some of the best reads I’ve had.

    Updated: I’m still a huge fan because they do an amazing job making very complicated information accessible and enjoyable!

    There are no words for how much fun this podcast is. The Erins have a real gift for distilling and explaining complicated topics with a sense of wonder and humor that is so engaging. I’m so grateful!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tofulish
    United States25 days ago
  • Such good information but hard to listen to

    Maybe a public speaking course would help. Way too much nervous giggling. Hosts sound like they are junior high students reading a cut and pasted paper they put together the night before their 7th grade presentation was due. Not professional sounding and their presentation skills fall far short of their education level.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JKMSJS
    United Statesa month ago
  • Recluse!

    Thank you for the great topics! I’m an outreach coordinator for a vector control district in CA and I have used your podcasts (mosquitoes, West Nile virus, screwworm) in my presentations as references and to encourage people to get more information. So many times when I’m out at presentations and events I get people who tell me they’ve been bitten by a recluse or a “west Nile mosquito”! I’m glad to have another resource to point folks to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bringriz
    United Statesa month ago
  • Excellent & Engaging Medical Pod

    These two women are brilliant and engaging. Learning so much from this deeply researched & deep in the weeds of medicine pod & gaining vocabulary and context pertinent to my own experiences in the medical system. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    La-oo-ra
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate breadth of topics, from historical cases to current public health issues, with strong evidence bases.
Listeners praise clear, engaging science communication and accessible explanations of complex topics.
Some critique occasional political commentary or humor that may not align with all listeners.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#18
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#22
United States/Science
Spotify
#25
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#14
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#36
United Kingdom/Science
Spotify
#22
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 221 Electroconvulsive Therapy Part 2: A current conversation
Q: How is effectiveness of ECT measured in patients?
Effectiveness is assessed by the resolution or improvement of depressive or other targeted symptoms using standardized questionnaires before and after a course of ECT, and then balancing these gains against potential side effects to decide subsequent treatment approaches like switching between bilateral and unilateral placements.
Ep 220 Electroconvulsive Therapy Part 1: A charged history
Q: What exactly is ECT and how does it work today?
ECT today involves controlled electrical stimulation under anesthesia and muscle relaxation to safely induce a brief seizure, with a high response rate and remission in many treatment-resistant cases, paired with informed consent and standardized procedures.
Special Episode: Clayton Page Aldern & The Weight of Nature
Q: What are the mental-health implications of climate disasters, and how can individuals respond?
Climate disasters are linked to PTSD-like symptoms and neuropsychiatric issues; strategies like mindfulness and breathwork can help recover some cognitive control, and awareness at individual and societal levels is crucial to integrating health considerations into climate response.
Special Episode: Clayton Page Aldern & The Weight of Nature
Q: What evidence links rising temperatures to changes in cognitive function and behavior?
Historical experiments from the 1940s through the 1980s show hotter conditions impairing performance, increasing impulsivity and aggression, with mechanistic explanations including fixed attentional resources and brain region dynamics (DLPFC and VMPFC) shifting under heat, leading to less rational decision-making.
Special Episode: Clayton Page Aldern & The Weight of Nature
Q: Can you take me through the journey of this book?
The author describes transitioning from neuroscience to environmental journalism, merging mechanistic neuroscience with climate science to explain how the brain processes environmental change, and outlining a framework that is not doom-and-gloom but seeks to understand and mitigate the brain-based effects of a warming world.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast Will Kill You

What is This Podcast Will Kill You about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two epidemiologists host a science-forward show that makes complex disease biology, history, and public health accessible through clear explanations, storytelling, and archival context. Episodes span statins, cholesterol, travel-related outbreaks, burn care, histoplasmosis, and dietary guidelines, often pairing rigorous science with historical moments and policy implications. A recurring strength is translating dense research into practical takeaways, with a personable, curious duo and a penchant for accessible, evidence-based discussion. Notably, guests include researchers, journalists, historians, and patient perspectives, providing diverse angles on how science intersects society. A distinctive quirk is the use of themed, sometimes whims... more

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This Podcast Will Kill You launched 9 years ago and published 303 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 This Podcast Will Kill You?

Recent guests on This Podcast Will Kill You include:

1. Leonardo Lopez
2. Clayton Page Aldern
3. Dr. Deborah Cohen
4. Alev Scott
5. Carl Elliott
6. Christina Kupka-Decker
7. Olivia Weisser
8. Adam Kucharski

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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