The Present Illness

40 Episodes
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By: Alyssa Burgart & Arghavan Salles

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 enough humor to keep us all going.

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Veterans are struggling to get healthcare. Here's why.
Veterans are struggling to get healthcare. Here's why. episode artwork
#59
Today at 3:00 AM

Community Care Isn’t a Simple Fix for Veteran Care - One Veteran’s Emergency Reveals the Cost of VA Cuts.

Scott Colom wins Senate seat in Mississippi - first Black senator in state since ReconstructionLynching in America databaseMississippi Couldn’t Stop Scott Colom’s Victory—but It Wasn’t for Lack of Trying

Event: Alyssa will be at Books, Inc. in Palo Alto on Tuesday, November 17, in conversation with Matt O’Hara talking about his book The Flying Death: Poison, Plunder, and The Quest for A Miracle Medicine in the Amazon.

VA Hospit...


Midterms Healthcare Wins!
Midterms Healthcare Wins! episode artwork
#58
11/06/2026

So many firsts in the Midterms! Big Healthcare wins! The HELP Committee has a lot of changes ahead!

Note: Russell Brand verdict

Big Firsts in the Midterms

Women governors make historyBlack governors make history10 governors make historyTrans and non-binary people elected to officeAge of current members of CongressJD Vance’s post about the election


Health Committee

HELP Committee and the Health Subcommittee - PoliticoMeet the Doctors and Scientists Who Won in the Midterms - TIME


💊Take Two and Call...


The One with Matthew Perry
The One with Matthew Perry episode artwork
#57
11/01/2026

Matthew Perry spent $7 million on rehab. The doctors who sold him ketamine charged $55,000. Plus, Tennessee execution physician thinks he’s like Jesus.

Note: This episode is a couple of days later than usual due to unforeseen circumstances.

Sir Patrick Stewart’s deathA round up of reactions to Sir Patrick Stewart’s death

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry’s autobiographyFive people charged in Matthew Perry’s deathMatthew Perry’s earlier hospitalization

Mark Fowler

New Yorker interview with Mark Fowler “I’m not incompetent.”Unmasked: the doctor who helps put pris...


You Can See... Everything?!?!
You Can See... Everything?!?! episode artwork
#56
10/23/2026

What do we really see in You Can See Everything? Never forget that Elizabeth Holmes is a lying liar.

You Can See Everything

Wired’s interview with Nathan FielderQ&A with Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim at the New York Film FestivalWhistleblower Tyler Schultz’s essay for STAT NewsJohn Carreyrou’s essay about You Can See EverythingReporter Matthew Herper’s essay

💊Take Two and Call Me in the Morning💊

2 Frog 601: muppet Les Mis parodyPerla Soleil’s Dog on Neighborhood watchRichard Scarry’s Busytown with Marxist quotes

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Poisoned his coworker, but walks free? Plus, get ready to watch You Can See Everything.
Poisoned his coworker, but walks free? Plus, get ready to watch You Can See Everything. episode artwork
#55
10/16/2026

Woman collects mountain of evidence that her co-worker poisoned her - now his criminal record has been expunged! Plus, we help you get ready to watch You Can See Everything about Elizabeth Holmes

Note: Summary of the new White House press secretary’s debut

Cadmium Poisoning

Rong Yuan poisoned by David XuRong Yuan’s reportXu’s conviction expungedVideo of David Xu poisoning Yuan’s waterTexas attorney poisoned wife

You Can See Everything

You can see everythingFall of TheranosWhistleblower Tyler ShultzThe Dropout - fictionalThe Dropout Podcast - investigative journalismThe Inventor: Out for Blood in Silic...


Is the plague back?
#54
10/09/2026

Are we all going to get the plague? Why did Tennessee’s execution of Christa Pike “fail”? Unethical hep B research from RFK Jr continues. Measles update.

Note: Reactions to the president’s calls for attacking LA and SD (and his speech on Monday) are here

Plague

Initial reports about person who died in RussiaWhat Russia says about the person who diedWhat was known as of 10/6/2026Dr. Angela Rasmussen’s overview of the situationWhy Annie Jacobsen may not be the best source on this2015 article Inside America’s secretive bi...


Why is Jane Doe suing Cornell and Seven Students?
Why is Jane Doe suing Cornell and Seven Students? episode artwork
#53
10/02/2026

Why do universities protect rapists? What happened at Cornell? Why was there so much ketamine? What is Title IX?  All that and more as we discuss Cornell and seven students being sued by survivor Jane Doe.

Stumbling in from:

MAHA Summit agenda

Fact check:

We call for the DA in the Cornell case to be replaced. NY Governor did so between recording and publication.The latest story to spark protest in India relates to the girl attacked in the park, but it is the latest in a series of attacks o...


Ms. Rachel Defends Kids
Ms. Rachel Defends Kids episode artwork
#52
09/26/2026

Good news only for our First Anniversary of The Present Illness! Ms. Rachel’s Invitation to Moral Courage. Door Dash settlement for workers. Gondwana Supercontinent.

Arghavan’s post with videos of the president without audio

Ms Rachel Advocates for Kids’ Safety

Profile of Ms. Rachel in The GuardianProfile of Ms. Rachel in Rolling StoneMs. Rachel’s support of Black-owned businessesMs. Rachel’s Subway TakesOur episode on ICE detention with Dr. Lara Jones

More Good News Stories

Pelican asks for helpTrumpeter saves songMiley Cyrus on Dolly Parton mentorshipDolly Parton AirportGondwana Supercontinent - studies one and twoThe hol...


Our Host Sues the Feds
Our Host Sues the Feds episode artwork
#51
09/18/2026

Arghavan is suing the National Institutes of Health. Sydney Sweeney’s ads fuel sports betting. Ed Sheeran fires Macklemore from tour to appease a billionaire, Epstein-connected stadium owner. Mitch McConnell would probably fail a capacity assessment. Hyrox poop challenge.

Salles v NIH lawsuitACLU press release re: NIH lawsuitDon’t forget to check your voter registration!

Advertising, Sports, and Violence Against Women

Sydney Sweeney’s adWomen athletes respond to the adCalloway golf club adSteve Sarkisian is dismissive of Holly RoweArch Manning’s commentsSteve Sarkisian’s statement

Macklemore Fired for Promoting Peace

Mack...


Math Attack and Mifepristone
Math Attack and Mifepristone episode artwork
#50
09/13/2026

Mamdani releases 9-11 files. Open AI takes the credit for math program solve. Whose work did they steal? Louisiana tries to get the Fifth Circuit hears to impose national restrictions on Mifepristone.

Note: Mamdani releases over 170,000 pages of documents on 9/11

Falling Man essayEssay about Bobby McIlvaine and his family’s grief after his deathHumans of New York shares Tyree Bacon’s story of how rescuing a burn victim saved his lifeThe story of the so-called Dust Lady (Marcy Borders)Some moving audios to listen to, if so inclined:Linda Gronlund called her sister from flig...


Measles and Misconduct
Measles and Misconduct episode artwork
#49
09/04/2026

Measles ramps up in Pennsylvania; RFK Jr. interferes with public health reporting; Dan Arielly’s fraud expands - he’s never faced scrutiny like Jason Arday faced; Lindsay Clancy trial drags on; Fake NFL player arrested

Daejon Love charged by DOJOne hour of Daejon Love videosA parody by KevOnStageA parody by CamoA parody by Been DatA parody by Anthony Adams, a former NFL playerA parody by comedian Michael Blackson


Measles

Pennsylvania Department of Health data and guidanceRFK Jr asks for measles deaths not to be countedCDC Measles Data (Aug 30, 2026 excl...


Farewell Dolly plus AOC's Eggs
Farewell Dolly plus AOC's Eggs episode artwork
#48
08/28/2026

We mourn Dolly Parton. We discuss Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s egg freezing and what it means for reproductive justice in America. Plus, the baby born from the California-Texas surrogacy case.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination LibraryDonate to support Imagination LibraryTop Movies with Dolly Parton


AOC Egg Freezing

One of AOC’s blogs on egg freezingArghavan’s essay on egg freezingFetal Personhood lawsArghavan’s substack essay with links to data on egg freezingArghavan’s research on parental leave during residencyArghavan’s research on the costs of family buildingArghavan’s research on barriers to family buildingSystemat...


How Racism (Not Plagiarism) Killed Dr. Jason Arday
How Racism (Not Plagiarism) Killed Dr. Jason Arday episode artwork
#47
08/21/2026

The flagrant racism in the recent death of Cambridge scholar, Dr. Jason Arday; Also, how new technology hasn’t stopped attempts at medical knowledge gatekeeping

Note: Alex Vindman raised $16 million compared to the $1 million raised by Angie Nixon. Nixon won.

Chocolate with viagra recalledSourdough bread recalledBlueberries recalled (brand is GreenWise)Granola recalledClear Eyes eye drops recalledList of recalled foods


Jason Arday

Peter Thiel-backed network targeted Jason ArdayFact check on Arday’s storyNathan Cofnas under investigationNathan Cofnas says vigil for Jason Arday is about himKate Manne: Gossipy Acad...


We'd like to jump to a new timeline, please
We'd like to jump to a new timeline, please episode artwork
#46
08/14/2026

We cover the latest on Trump’s vaccine executive order and catch you up on some major abortion stories.

AOC’s public egg-freezing shouldn’t feel radical. But in today’s US, it does.

Executive Order on Vaccines

Presidential executive order on vaccinesArghavan’s post that includes videos from the press conferenceFact check of the press conferenceFDA head’s lies about Covid vaccines and kids

Pregnancy Surveillance and Criminalization

Pregnancy Justice new report on Pregnancy CriminalizationErika Schwartz on “abortion surveillance”Todd Blanche wants to make abortion illegal in every statePolic...


Fauci's Diary and RFK Jr's Misinformation Meltdown
Fauci's Diary and RFK Jr's Misinformation Meltdown episode artwork
#45
08/07/2026

Fauci’s diary entries, Rand Paul loses it when Fauci uses his Fifth Amendment right, RFK Jr melts down when Dana Bash asks him about measles; McConnell Watch Update

The Clown Car of Public Health is at it again!

Fact Check: The index measles case in the Chihuahua, Mexico outbreak was a child from Mexico who visited Gaines County Texas and brought measles back to his community, infecting his class (not a Gaines County resident who traveled to Mexico)

Fauci Takes the Fifth:

Rand Paul’s “unhinged obsession” with FauciRand Paul wan...


The Future of Consent with Dr. Zed Zha
The Future of Consent with Dr. Zed Zha episode artwork
#44
07/31/2026

Physician and consent-advocate, Dr. Zed Zha, joins the pod to share her new book: Consented: A Doctor's Call to End Medical Violence and Reclaim Patient Autonomy


Zed Zha's Consented

Get your copy of ConsentedDr. Zha’s newsletter Ask The PatientMy Mother was a Thief - Essay about Dr. Zha’s mom


💊Take Two and Call Me in the Morning💊

Dr. Zha loves her dog Moshi MoshiNarrating dogs in the poolBTS for narrating animals underwater“Sometimes there’s a dog”Stress Advice from a Goose

Text u...


(Mis)Adventures in Public Health
(Mis)Adventures in Public Health episode artwork
#43
07/24/2026

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 war-machine money while children go hungry.

Fact check: Taylor Farms may not be the only brand with the code TF

Tate brothers arrestedWho wore it better?Arghavan’s Tate brothers round-up


A Smorgasbord of Public Health Problems

Number of cases of cyclospo...


So Much Poop, So Little Healthcare Access
So Much Poop, So Little Healthcare Access episode artwork
#42
07/17/2026

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 sourcePublic health cuts impacting outbreakArghavan’s IG post about cyclosporiasis

Mitch McConnell essay by Moira Donegan


ICE's Extrajudicial Killings

ICE kills Lorenzo Salgado AraujoICE kills Joan Sebastian GuerreroSusan Collins and ICEJoin Ice by Jesse Welles (lyrics)


ACA Enrollment

HHS Report on ACA Exchange EnrollmentKFF 2026 ACA Market Enrollment analysis


...


Rigor Tortoise? Mitch McConnell’s Health and Bye-bye Graham Platner
Rigor Tortoise? Mitch McConnell’s Health and Bye-bye Graham Platner episode artwork
#41
07/10/2026

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 NATO


Mitch McConnell - proof of life?

McConnell’s cardiac arrest at homeMcConnell supposedly speaks with GOP leadersIleana’s McConnell highlightsArghavan’s carousel with McConnell highlights


Graham Platner

Graham Platner’s Reddit historySearchable archive of Platner’s Reddit postsPlatner’s Totenkopf (“Death’s Head”) Nazi tat...


Supremely Bad Birthday Gifts for America
Supremely Bad Birthday Gifts for America episode artwork
#40
07/03/2026

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 TypologyGallup: Data on pride in being AmericanWhat’s happening with the Great American State Fair?Yellow substance oozing from arch at the Great American State FairMt. Olive Pickles withdraws from the Great American State Fair

Note: Trump said he will give a speech in 107 degree weather on the 4th of July (not on the 6th)


SCOTUS Season Closes: 90 cases in 202...


Aliens, Propaganda & Lessons from New York Primaries
Aliens, Propaganda & Lessons from New York Primaries episode artwork
#39
06/26/2026

Dem Establishment hell bent to learn nothing from Mamdani and NY Primaries; Trump Admin’s dirty propaganda comparing immigrants to alien creatures; Join Team Algae in the Reflecting Pool drama; Hegseth can’t even lift; Alyssa makes a mixtape

Note: the memo labeling many people “terrorists” is NSPM-7, not NPSM-7

Four years after the fall of Roe


The Reflecting Pool

Some background on the Reflecting Pool renovationArghavan’s first and second carousel about the Reflecting Pool saga


Lessons From NY Primary

Mamdani’s candidates...


Pride Under Trump 2026
#38
06/19/2026

It’s the second Pride Month of this Trump administration, and things are rough. San Francisco Giants’ pitchers anti-Pride stunt; gender as a weapon; Rainbow washing and corporate backstabbing.

Note: Dana White is the president and CEO of UFC

Summary of MOU with Iran

Pride Under Trump + Juneteenth:

What happened at the Giants’ Pride NightJD Vance says “Trump won we don’t have to do this anymore”Josh Hokit calls Michelle Obama a manReactions to Josh Hokit’s commentDad takes daughters to the bathroom, police are called1 year-old Kohen Wiley killed by police in Miss...


Birth Autonomy with Dr. Jen Lincoln
Birth Autonomy with Dr. Jen Lincoln episode artwork
#37
06/12/2026

The Birth Book with OB-GYN Dr Jennifer Lincoln. Pro-autonomy! Pro-Consent! Pro- vitamin K for babies! Anti-shame and coercion! She hopes folks name their babies "OG" Anunoby.


The Birth Book

Get your copy of The Birth BookResources for The Birth BookFollow Dr. Lincoln on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram


💊Take Two and Call Me in the Morning💊

Jen’s book recommendation: Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryMarcus Tudrick on InstagramPaper Pepper healing Van Gogh


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Flesh Eating Flies and Project 2025 "Efficiency" Destroys Science
Flesh Eating Flies and Project 2025 "Efficiency" Destroys Science episode artwork
#36
06/05/2026

Flesh eating flies (disgusting!); Project 2025 budget cuts (despicable!); sterile flies; non-standard healing crystals from a crystal scientist; Hunter Biden is a natural poster


Note:

New data from ASCO regarding melanoma indicate those with Stage 3b to 4 melanoma had longer time to recurrence and longer time to metastasisAlyssa accidentally called the screwworm fly as a “screw-tape.” Oops!


New World Screwworm Fly

Texas Tribune: What to know about screwworm in TexasScrewworm LifecycleSterile fly production facilitiesHow sterile flies are used in mitigation


Disa...


Pope Leo takes on AI; Ashley St. Clair Spills Hot MAGA Tea
#35
05/29/2026

Pope Leo takes on AI in first encyclical; Ashley St. Clair spills hot MAGA tea; UFC fight at the White House; Ronnie Chieng commencement speech

RFK Jr and snakesPreparations for the UFC fight at the White HouseEbola updates from the WHOUS sends exposed citizens to KenyaDemocrats respond to Stephen Miller

Fact check: The study Arghavan referenced regarding students learning with AI vs without demonstrated changes in brain connectivity (based on EEGs), not amount of learning. 

Pope’s First Encyclical:

Magnifica Humanitas text, promo videoArghavan’s Instagram post with excerpts from the encyclicalUC Berke...


Replay: The Professor Will See You Now (If they still have a job)
Replay: The Professor Will See You Now (If they still have a job) episode artwork
#34
05/22/2026

Replay: Academic freedom under attack; viral case of an Oklahoma pre-med student's targets her transgender professor; Erika Kirk's terrible NYT interview; 

Our hosts investigate the alarming trend of politically-motivated complaints against university professors. From Indiana University to Texas A&M, faculty are experiencing acute cases of administrative panic when confronted with student outrage—often resulting in terminal employment outcomes.

Here’s more about Samantha Fulnecky and the story at the University of OklahomaHere’s more about the instructor (Jessica Adams) who was removed from teaching her class at Indiana UniversityHere’s more about the instructor (Melissa McCoul) w...


Rich Folks Complain About Helicopters Carrying Sick Kids and Shingles Vaccine May Prevent Dementia
Rich Folks Complain About  Helicopters Carrying Sick Kids and Shingles Vaccine May  Prevent Dementia episode artwork
#33
05/15/2026

Seattle’s Laurelhurst community vs. Seattle Children’s Hospital; Shingles Vaccine may reduce dementia; Hantavirus scare; American dialects; Zaffron Bloom restaurant

NEJM article on hantavirus (no paywall)


Rich Folks Complain About Seattle Children’s Helicopters

Seattle Children’s-Laurelhurst helicopter situation explainedLaurelhurst “old money” Seattle neighborhood1992 Complaint about “noisy neighbor”Satirical take on LaurelhurstHelicopter landing dataSeattle Children’s Statement on Helipad Agreement

Shingles Vaccine and Dementia

The three research articles mentioned: NatureJAMACellHerpes Zoster explainer video (Osmosis)


💊Take Two and Call Me in the Morning💊

Rick A...


Telehealth Abortion under Attack, plus Bedside Betrayal in Canada Court’s Sloka Case
Telehealth Abortion under Attack, plus Bedside Betrayal in Canada Court’s Sloka Case episode artwork
#32
05/08/2026

5th Circuit Mifepristone chaos heads to Supreme Court; Canadian judge let’s off doctor for SA; Clit art; Golden Tempo; and bee huts!

Hunter Peterson tries to launch Spirit 2.0

Passengers stranded after Spirit Airlines shut down


Mifepristone

Fifth Circuit Decision Directs FDA to Restrict Mifepristone AccessSupreme Court puts decision on hold, for now“Nuclear option” used to normalize requiring only simple majority to confirm judges - 2013 by Democrats and 2017 by Republicans.Personhood: The New Civil War Over Reproduction by Mary ZieglerFetal personhood and access to contraceptionLouisiana law consid...


Surgeon Takes Out Liver by "Accident"?!
Surgeon Takes Out Liver by "Accident"?! episode artwork
#31
05/01/2026

Surgeons need to know anatomy; Voting is good; SCOTUS conflicts of interest; pediatric society hosts unscientific panel on trans kids

SCOTUS decision on the Voting Rights Act (Arghavan reacts)Lawsuit against John Roberts due to conflict of interestSlow Burn on Clarence Thomas

Death during surgery:

Summary of “accidental” liver removalState medical board order suspending Shaknovsky’s licenseInvestigation into the hospital/interviews of Shaknovsky and staffArghavan’s video going over the anatomyArghavan’s video going over the operative report


Unscientific Conference Panel:

PAS hosts anti-trans panelProtestsScientific take down of HHS rep...


Everybody Pees + Abuse Academy
#30
04/24/2026

Where’s the bathroom?; digital sexual violence; Buck v. Bell turns 99; RFK Jr’s hearings; Bhattacharya is actually fine with censorship;

RFK Jr: Trump Math, glyphosate, “re-parenting,” wants to eliminate chronically ill people

Everyone Just Needs to Pee

Trans Legislation TrackerTrans bathroom billsNex Benedict (he/him/they/them)CA requires gender neutral bathrooms (Note: schools must have at least one such bathroom)Tawana WilliamsRefuge RestroomsInterAct’s guide to advocacy

Digital Sexual Violence

CNN’s report on the “rape academy”Telegram channelDominique Pelicot’s website relaunchedApple & Google help users find nudify apps.Collien Fernandes’s husban...


Shut Down Dilley Detention Center with Dr. Lara Jones
Shut Down Dilley Detention Center with Dr. Lara Jones episode artwork
#29
04/17/2026

Pediatrician Dr. Lara Jones discusses advocating to free children from ICE detention facilities. Follow her @AskLaDoctora.

Kids in ICE Detention

The 19th: These pediatrician moms have a shared message: Release all children in immigration detentionLetter to DHSThe Marshall Project April 2026: Data on child detentionFamilies describe conditions at DilleyMore on Drs. Jones, Patel and CozzoCore Civic: the private prison company raking in cash running ICE detention facilitiesFind out if your representatives have taken cash from the companies fueling ICE’s mass deportation effortsCheck out our previous episodes (E20 & E25)

Get kids out of IC...


We're Overwhelmed Too, But We'll Take the Cool Moonshots
We're Overwhelmed Too, But We'll Take the Cool Moonshots episode artwork
#28
04/10/2026

Crossing our fingers to avoid nuclear war; Pentagon goes after the pope; Artemis sends back dope pictures of the moon and earth

Iran

Trump violates international law, says unhinged stuffIranian government offers citizen sacrifice23% Americans support Trump on IranUS bombs Pasteur Institute, Sharif UniversityIsrael bombs Lebanon

Sampler of Bad Things

Nazi Kanye WestGrocery, fuel pricesInsider tradingPentagon threatens Pope (Avignon Papacy)ICE denies/delays medical careJD Vance for Orban

Sampler of Good Stuff

Dems call for impeachment/25th amendmentElection winsDriscoll fights HegsethArghavan’s post with Jim Lovell’s co...


Forced Sex Testing and Forced C-sections
Forced Sex Testing and Forced C-sections episode artwork
#27
04/03/2026

IOC resumes harmful sex gene testing; forced c-sections with zoom court rooms; The Lancet profiles our host!; A woman goes to the moon; Alyssa recommends bioethics books

The Lancet profiles Arghavan!

Sally Ride, 100 tampons (song)

IOC sex testing

International Olympic Committee’s new policy Andrew Sinclair’s essay Tested podcast Caster SemenyaImane KhelifEero MäntyrantaSteven van de Velde allowed to compete in 2024Fact Check: The Namibian runner is Christine, not Christina, Mboma. Also, astronaut Victor Glover is the first Black person to reach the moon!

Forced C-sectio...


Mayo Med Student + ICE at the Airport
Mayo Med Student + ICE at the Airport episode artwork
#26
03/27/2026

Mayo medical student’s videos go viral in the bad way; medical misogyny; Match Day memories; ICE at the airports; husbands learn about pelvic exams

Mayo Medical Student:

Dr. Chloe Nazra Lee on Nick Baumel and medical misogynyGynogirl on DSM5Dr. Shannon ClarkDr. Jenn LincolnFeminist Midwife on pelvic careDr. Milhouse’s videoLindsey Shelton’s videoAlyssa’s Ethics ConsultMen trying to understand stirrups

ICE in America's Airports:

SAVE America ActThe Brennan Center puts the SAVE America act into contextLongest TSA wait times in historyWoman detained by ICE at SFOProject 2025Arghavan’s round-up o...


A Testosterone Filled Nothing Burger (Plus Rare Good News!)
A Testosterone Filled Nothing Burger (Plus Rare Good News!) episode artwork
#25
03/20/2026

RFK loses ACIP lawsuit; Pediatricians fight ICE; Boy Boss Documentary disappoints us (Review of Inside the Manosphere); WNBA players get a raise

March madness: Women’s tournament, men’s tournament

Fire celebration: Chaharshanbe suri

gatherings in IranPersian New Year

Fact check: Arghavan misspoke when she said the name of one of the manfluencer/boy bosses. His name is Justin, not Jeremy. 

Peds vs. ICE; ACIP Lawsuit Victory:

Pediatricians demand children be removed from ICE detentionsHere is the letter Drs. Patel, COzzo, and Jones sent to Kristi Noem last month...


Pro-Iran Hackers Attack US Healthcare Giant Stryker
Pro-Iran Hackers Attack US Healthcare Giant Stryker episode artwork
#24
03/13/2026

Stryker cyber attack by Handala Hackers; Iran’s new supreme leader - is he even alive?; DOGE dummy Justin Fox can’t explain DEI; Timmy Chalamet messes with the wrong opera house

DOGE & DEI:

Arghavan’s video about the DOGE bro who can’t even define DEI

Stryker Attack:

Ransomware Attacks and Data Breaches in US Health Care SystemsAl Jazeera reportingHow ‘Handala’ Became the Face of Iran’s Hacker CounterattacksCybercrime integration in Iran’s government

Iran Power:

Summary of Mojtaba Khamenei’s statementEnglish translation of Mojtaba Khamenei’s full st...


Persian Politeness with Dr. Kaveh Hoda
Persian Politeness with Dr. Kaveh Hoda episode artwork
#23
03/09/2026

Our first guest is Dr. Kaveh Hoda of The House of Pod! Persian Tarof culture; a new supreme leader in Iran; the US can't decide on its war messaging; a disagreement over favorite Persian foods.

Iran episode on The House of PodIsraeli oil strikes in TehranAll the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East TerrorIranian women's soccer players labeled traitorsChurchill’s Hiccup/ Winston's SneezeSamin Nosrat’s top 10 Persian recipes

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New War with Iran and Bad Energy with Casey Means
New War with Iran and Bad Energy with Casey Means episode artwork
#22
03/06/2026

Overnight war with Iran; Casey Means’ confirmation hearings; Newsom sucks

Hillary & Bill ClintonNewsom diminishes trans peopleKansas revokes trans people’s driver’s licenses

War in Iran

Iranians celebrateSchool bombing; gravesGolestan Palace damagedIRGC threatsLatest tally of deathsUS sinks unarmed Iranian shipWH's video gameBreaking Veteran's arm

Casey Means

Senate confirmation hearingCarte BlancheStrong’s The Bad Science of Casey Means’ Good EnergyMeans’ exit from residencyMAHA, Means, and Money

💊Take Two & Call Me in the Morning

Tiny Chef wins multiple Emmys; acceptance speech; dances/exercises;


Men's Hockey Goes From Hero to Zero
Men's Hockey Goes From Hero to Zero episode artwork
#21
02/27/2026

State of the Union bingo card; US Mens Hockey squanders the good vibes; RFK Jr’s HHS gets sued yet again for illegally messing with vaccination; Punch updates; Angry Quilters; Gen Z slang

Men’s Hockey Squanders Good Will

Some of the US men’s hockey team reactions to the response to their “locker room talk”Ellen Hughes’s commentsHilary Knight’s reaction to the US men’s hockey teamArghavan’s post about the US men’s hockey team cavorting with the presidentHockey mom Sara WilesAndy Murray knows how to stand up for women

Another Lawsuit Against Anti...


ICE's Dystopian Daycare (+ Gisèle Pelicot)
ICE's Dystopian Daycare (+ Gisèle Pelicot) episode artwork
#20
02/20/2026

Go Team USA! Weird Workout with RFK Jr; ICE harming kids in detention; Gisele Pelicot speaks out about her husband's abuse

Hilary Knight is the greatest US women’s hockey scorer everRFK Jr and Kid Rock working out

Dystopian Daycare in Dilley

Hundreds of kids detained > 20 day Flores rule limit.Two measles cases confirmed at the Dilley family detention center2-month-old Juan Nicolás developed respiratory illness requiring hospitalization. Family deported immediately after hospital release.18 month old Amalia, also sick with respiratory illnesses, discharged back to ICE custody and allegedly denied needed meds after hos...