Health Stuff

Earwax might seem gross, but it’s actually one of your body’s built-in defense systems. This week, Hari and Dr. Priyanka dive into the sticky science of cerumen: why your ears make it, why Q-tips feel so good, and why doctors desperately want you to stop using them. From impacted wax and hearing loss to ear candling and the surprising genetics behind body odor, this episode explores the strange world living inside your ...

STIs are common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. In this episode, Hari and Dr. Priyanka break down chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, how they spread, why many people don’t have symptoms, and how at-home testing is changing sexual health. They also talk openly about stigma, partner communication, and why getting tested is a normal part of caring for yourself and others.

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Priyanka and Hari explore the healing power of music with DJ Hesta Prynn, a DJ and therapist blending neuroscience, psychology, and music. From earworms and breakup songs to rave culture, lullabies, and ketamine-assisted therapy, they unpack why certain songs hit so deeply, how music shapes emotion and memory, and whether the songs we obsess over might be telling us something about ourselves.

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Priyanka shares her personal journey becoming a mother, from joyful anticipation to a birth experience that unfolded in unexpected and intense ways. She and Hari explore childbirth in modern hospital systems, from induction methods and labor progression to how routine care can escalate into emergency intervention. They discuss postpartum hemorrhage, NICU admission, and the emotional impact of early parent-newborn separation. The al...

Priyanka and Hari break down the history of poliovirus, how it spreads, and what it actually does to the body, from mild illness to permanent paralysis. They explore how the iron lung, early outbreaks, and decades of medical innovation shaped our understanding of the disease, and how the development of the polio vaccine became one of the greatest public health achievements in history. They address common concerns, misinformation, a...

Measles was once declared eliminated in the U.S. So why is it back and spreading fast?
Priyanka and Hari break down one of the most contagious viruses humans have ever faced, what actually happens in your body when you get infected, and why outbreaks are rising again today. They walk through the history of measles, how vaccines work, and the real risks versus the perceived ones. Along the way, they tackle common questions, misin...

On this mini episode, Dr. Priyanka Wali shares practical health tips to help you better understand your body and know when to seek care. She breaks down why unintentional weight loss can be a warning sign, what to know about blood sugar screening before pregnancy, how to monitor changing moles, why everyone should know their blood pressure, signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, how to tell food poisoning from a stomach virus, and the ke...

Priyanka and Hari explore the science of blood, blood transfusions, and why donated blood remains one of the most essential tools in modern medicine. They break down what blood actually does in the body, the different components of blood, and how blood types determine who can give and receive lifesaving transfusions. They also cover who can donate blood, the issue with blood shortages, and how blood donations save lives. Then they ...

Becoming a parent is a biological, psychological, and social transformation. Priyanka and Hari talk with science journalist Lucy Jones, author of Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood, about the concept of matrescence and why the transition into motherhood can feel so destabilizing, emotional, and overwhelming, even for people who deeply want children. From dramatic hormonal shifts to structural...

Priyanka and Hari explore the surprising connection between oral health and heart health. They break down gum disease, how it develops, and why plaque buildup can trigger inflammation throughout the body. They also cover the basics of brushing, flossing, and dental care, along with why access to dentistry remains a major public health issue. Then they unpack the growing research linking gum disease to cardiovascular disease. From b...

Hari recounts a brutal bout of food poisoning that turned one questionable meal into days of misery. Priyanka breaks down what might have caused it, from common food-borne bacteria to the incubation periods that can turn dinner into disaster. Then they dive into the basics of food safety. How can you reduce your risk when eating out? What mistakes do people make when cooking at home? And why should you never wash raw chicken? They ...

Why don’t we talk about our bones until something breaks? This week Priyanka and Hari take on osteoporosis, the silent disease that weakens bones long before you feel it. They break down how bones are built, why menopause accelerates bone loss, and what you can do now to protect your skeletal health. They also unpack why osteoporosis is often framed as a women’s issue, even though men are at risk and often overlooked. F...

Is being alone a punishment or a gift? Priyanka and Hari discuss the difference between loneliness and solitude with psychologist and researcher Dr. Robert Coplan, author of The Joy of Solitude. They explore why time alone can feel terrifying or deeply nourishing, how social media has changed our ability to truly be alone, and why solitude is essential for creativity, emotional regulation, and mental health. From “a-lonelines...

In part two of our series on hair, we turn to women’s experiences and explore how hair shapes identity, femininity, power, and perception. Priyanka and Hari unpack how hormones, stress, nutrition, and aging affect women’s hair, and what it means when thinning begins, even subtly. They also dig into the biology of hair, the history of grooming norms, the role of race and beauty standards, and the medical options availabl...

Priyanka and Hari dive into the surprisingly complicated world of drinking water, from tap water safety and filters to spring water, mineral water, and electrolytes. They unpack how water access and quality affect health, why some bottled waters are worth it and others are pure marketing, and what you should really be drinking day to day. Then Hari shares his pickleball injury story, and they discuss what draws people to the growin...

What is ayahuasca and what happens after the ceremony ends? Priyanka and Hari sit down with physician and plant-medicine guide Dr. Joe Tafur to explore the realities behind one of the world’s most talked-about sacred medicines. From first-time fears and safety concerns to spiritual healing, trauma, and integration, they unpack what ayahuasca is, who it may or may not be for, and why it is not a magic cure. Along the way, they...

Why does laughter feel so good, and why do we need it so much? Priyanka and Hari explore laughter as medicine, social glue, and survival instinct. From the science of Duchenne laughter to the strange magic of laughing in groups, they unpack how laughter can heal even when it is forced, awkward, or imperfect. They also share personal experiences with art therapy and discuss how creativity can help process pain, restore agency, and c...