Critically Speaking

Sophie Lucido Johnson: KIN: Families of the Future

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Sophie Lucido Johnson discuss the evolution of family and the concept of "kin" in Sophie's book "Kin: The Future o...

Dr. Tami Rowen: Menopause, Mysteries, and Hormones

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Tami Rowen discuss menopause, perimenopause, and hormone therapy. She explains that menopause is defined as on...

Dr. Robert Klitzman: Anti-Obesity Drugs - What We Don't Know About Them

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Robert Klitzman discuss the implications of new anti-obesity drugs, initially designed for type 2 diabetes but...

Dr. Kevin Spencer: Magic Tricks - New Therapy for Autism

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Kevin Spencer discuss the innovative use of magic tricks as therapy for children with autism. Kevin found that...

Dr. Tami Rowen: Pregnancy and Tylenol

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Tami Rowen discuss the controversy surrounding the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and its potential link to a...

Dr. Lucas F.W. Wilson: Shame-Sex Attraction: Conversion Therapy Survivors

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Lucas F.W. Wilson discuss his book, Shame-Sex Attraction, which explores the experiences of conversion therapy...

Dr. Joe Pierre: False - Suicide by False Beliefs

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Joe Pierre discuss the phenomenon of false beliefs, as explored in his book, False. Joe explains the distincti...

Dr. Teresa Lynch: Gender Stereotypes in Video Games

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Teresa Lynch discuss the portrayal of women in video games and its impact on gender stereotypes. Teresa explai...

Jill Dixon: Rising Food Insecurity in America

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Jill Dixon discuss the rising food insecurity in the U.S., highlighting the critical role of food banks. Jill expl...

Irin Carmon: Unbearable

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Irin Carmon discuss Irin's new book, "Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America." 80% of mater...

Dr. James Michael Thomas: What's Critical Race Theory?

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. James Michael Thomas discuss Critical Race Theory (CRT). Dr. Thomas explains CRT as a framework for understand...

Anya Prince: Dangers of DTC Genetic Testing

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Law Professor Anya Prince discuss the pros and cons of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing. DTC testing, whic...

Dr. Dorothy Leidner: AI Romance - Boyfriends, Girlfriends

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Dorothy Leidner discuss the growing trend of personal relationships with AI, including AI-generated therapists...

P.E. Moskowitz: Breaking Awake

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and P.E. Moskowitz discuss P.E.'s new book, Breaking Awake, which explores their lifelong struggle with trauma and men...

Dr. Amaal Starling: Migraine News and New Treatment

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Amaal Starling discuss the prevalence and impact of migraines, affecting approximately 1 billion people worldw...

Richard Kirk: Necropolitics and inequality

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Richard Kirk discuss the rise of inequality and homelessness, highlighting the lack of access to healthcare and re...

Dr. Molly Hales: Children Use Antiaging Creams!!

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Molly Hales discuss the growing trend of young children using anti-aging skincare products, influenced by soci...

Dr. Eve Espey: End to Reproductive Rights

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Eve Espey discuss the impact of the US Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v Wade. Dr. Espey explains that 41 s...

Dr. Emily Callaci: Wages for Housework

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Emily Callaci discuss the Wages for Housework movement, highlighting the 1970s campaign demanding payment for ...

Dr. Peter Liang: Rise in Colon Cancers in the Young

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Peter Liang discuss the rise in colorectal cancer among younger people, those below the age of 50. While color...

Dr. Joshua Woolley: Psychedelic Treatments for Mental Health

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Joshua Woolley discuss his transition from neurology to psychiatry and his current focus on psychedelic drug t...

Maternal Obesity and Childhood Cancer

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow interviews Dr. Shaina Stacy about her studies on cancer risks in children depending upon the body mass index (BMI) of ...

Dr. Cheryl Hawkes: Maternal Obesity Harms Fetal Brain Development

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Cheryl Hawkes discuss the increasing scientific evidence that maternal obesity affects the developing fetal br...

Dr. Diane Tober: Egg Donation Can Exploit Donors

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Diane Tober discuss the global egg donation industry, highlighting its lack of regulations and exploitative na...

Kim Mutcherson: Millions of Frozen Embryos!

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Kim Mutcherson discuss the legal and ethical implications of the increasing number of frozen embryos and the compl...

Dr. Chris Beyrer: Cuts to USAID Harm the Health and Prosperity of US Citizens

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The opinions expressed by Dr. Beyrer are his own and not those of his employer. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Chris Beyrer discuss the impor...

Dr. Adam Berinsky: Political Rumors and Misinformation

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Adam Berinsky discuss political rumors and misinformation. Dr. Berinsky defines rumors as unsubstantiated clai...

Near Death Experiences

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. James Alcock discuss what near-death experiences are and the increase in them in recent years due to improveme...

Dr. Deborah Lang: What is Skin Cancer?

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Deborah Lang discuss the rise of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, and its causes. Dr. Lang explains that sk...

Dr. Anice Lowen: Bird Flu - Should We Worry?

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Anice Lowen discuss the bird flu outbreak, highlighting the virus's spread from birds to dairy cattle and reco...

Dr. Joshua Weitz: Asymptomatic COVID-19 Spreaders

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Joshua Weitz discuss his book "Asymptomatic: The Silent Spread of COVID-19 and the Future of Pandemics" and hi...

Dr. Ajit Nirmal: Arms Race Against Cancer

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When we hear the term tumor or cancer, the image that often comes to mind is a bunch of bad cells next to normal ones, and growing. Like many things, ...

Dr. Jodi Gilman: Cannabis and Your Brain

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Jodi Gilman discuss the implications of cannabis use on health and safety. Dr. Gilman explains that THC, the m...

Dr. Robert Meade: Health Dangers from Rising Heat

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Robert Meade, an expert in thermal physiology, discuss the dangers posed to human health by the rising heat. D...

Dr. Brandon Sparks: Incels - Involuntary Celibacy

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Brandon Sparks discuss the phenomenon of involuntary celibacy (incels). Dr. Sparks, an applied forensic psycho...

Harm from Cuts to Science and Education

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow discusses the impact of budgetary cuts on scientific research and the Nations Report Card from the Department of Educa...

Dr. James Alcock: Why We Believe

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We all believe in something, from Santa Claus, to the global shape of the earth, to babies needing to be taken care of for survival. While some of our...

Dr. Loretta Mayer: Contraceptive Rat Control

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Loretta Mayer discuss the growing problem of urban rat populations, exacerbated by climate change and the inef...

Charles Piller: Alzheimer's Treatments Slow in Coming

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Charles Piller discuss the slow progress of Alzheimer's treatments. Based on his research and findings as an inves...

Dr. Paul Offit: Hidden Dangers of Measles

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Paul Offit discuss the MMR vaccine, the history of it, and the current decay of measles herd immunity today. ...

Dr. Jamie Lo, MD: Marijuana and the Fetal Brain

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Jamie Lo discuss the complex topic of marijuana and the fetal brain. Dr. Lo explains some of the findings from...

Natalie Wexler: America's Knowledge Gap

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Natalie Wexler discuss the poor reading skills of American students, as evidenced by NAEP test results. Natalie hi...

Dr. Amy Cooter: Militias in the United States Today

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Amy Cooter discuss the complexities and variations within militia groups in the United States, citing examples...

Richard Conniff: Ending Epidemics

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Richard Conniff discuss his book "Ending Epidemics," which explores the history of infectious diseases and vaccine...

Dr. MacKenzie Pellin: Cancer in Your Dog or Cat

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. MacKenzie Pellin discuss the cancer rates in dogs and cats, the types of cancer we tend to see in our four-leg...

Dr. John Hutton: Reading to Babies Helps Their Brains

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. John Hutton discuss the impact of early reading exposure on brain development in infants and young children. H...

Dr. Adina Wise: Parkinson's - Environmental Risks

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Adina Wise discuss the complexities of Parkinson's disease, including its causes, symptoms, and the role of en...

What Do You Know About the Fish You Eat?

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us take for granted that the seafood we eat is healthy and better for the atmosphere.  But there are hidden costs in our increasing consumpti...

Can Your Deodorant Cause Breast Cancer?

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Breast cancer is on the rise, especially in women under 40. This is pretty scary and the increase points to something environmental. In today's episod...

Mark Greene: Mansplaining

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Mark Greene discuss the pervasive issue of mansplaining, a phenomenon where men explain things to women despite th...

Dr. Anna Stokke: Why Johnny Can't Add

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Anna Stokke discuss the decline in math education, noting that students lack basic arithmetic skills, hinderin...

Dr. Joel Gallant: HIV Today

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Joel Gallant discuss the history and evolution of HIV treatment and prevention. He highlights the changes of t...

Dr. MacKenzie Pellin, Dr. Laurie Malone & Dr. Patricia Ungar: Sniffer Dogs: Detect Cancer and COVID

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow, Dr. MacKenzie Pellin, Dr. Laurie Malone, and Dr. Patricia Ungar explore how dogs can detect early signs of cancer and...

Dr. Hussam Mahmoud: Preventing Wildfire Damage

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Hussam Mahmoud discuss the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires, citing the 2023 Maui fire and the 2...

Dr. Keith McCormick: Osteoporosis and You

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Keith McCormick discuss what you need to know about osteoporosis and bone health. Dr. McCormick explains what ...

Dr. Elizabeth Scott: Cognitive Distortions and Stress

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Elizabeth Scott discuss the impact of cognitive distortions on stress. Dr. Scott explains what cognitive disto...

Who Believes in Conspiracy Theories? (Rerun)

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a world full of media, which may contain misinformation or fake news, there are conspiracy theories abounding. However, conspiracy theories, and th...

Dr. John Sweller: Why Johnny Can't Read

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. John Sweller discuss the decline in student preparedness for college and how the modern education system, whic...

Dr. Hussam Mahmoud: Climate Change and Bridge Stability

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Hussam Mahmoud discuss the vulnerability of bridges to climate change. When we think about climate-related dis...

Dr. Ximena Lopez: Helping Transgender Youth

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Ximena Lopez discuss the challenges faced by transgender youth, emphasizing the importance of gender-affirming...

Janine LaSalle, Ph.D.: Detecting Autism Before Birth

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Janine LaSalle discuss Dr. LaSalle's research on autism, focusing on prenatal gene-environment interactions. S...

Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D.: Beware of Narcissists

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Scott,  discuss narcissism, its clinical definition and the characteristics of "malign...

Dr. Adam Schiavi: Defining Brain Death

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Adam Schiavi is an assistant professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine and neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medici...

Dr. Katie Pelch: Toxins in Our Bodies

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Katie Pelch discuss the harmful and pervasive effects of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." Found in var...

Dr. Alex Hinton: Genocide in the US??

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Alex Hinton explore the potential for genocide in the U.S., highlighting historical and contemporary atrocitie...

Dr. Alex Hinton: Genocide and Perpetrators

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Alex Hinton discuss the complexities of genocide, its definitions, and the role of perpetrators. Dr. Hinton gi...

Dr. Alan Rogol: Sex, Gender and the Olympics

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Alan Rogol discuss the complexities of gender, sex, and identity in elite sports, with a focus on the societal...

Dr. Charles Easley IV: Paternal Effects on the Fetus

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Charles Easley IV discuss the significance of a father's lifestyle before conception and its effects on prenat...

Daniel Aaron, M.D., J.D.: Food Safety Lack Of FDA Oversight

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Daniel Aaron discuss the inadequate oversight of food additives by the FDA, particularly the agency's GRAS or ...

Dr. Alexis Temkin: Pesticides in Your Body

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Alexis Temkin, Senior Toxicologist at the Environmental Working Group, discuss toxic chemicals we can't see or...

149 Dr. Tara Zimmerman: No More Misinformation

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Tara Zimmerman discuss how to "Fake News" proof children so that they can better interpret the vast amount of ...

148 Dr. Thomas Guinn: Safe to Fly? Turbulence

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A serious type of turbulence has been encountered during commercial airline flights has been in the news lately. "Pancake turbulence".  Hard to detec...

147 Dr. Mary Rysavy MD: Obesity in the Delivery Room

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Mary Rysavy discuss all aspects of obesity during pregnancy. This is a significant concern that is growing. A ...

146 Dr. Jerald Kay & Dr. Joel Yager: Ambition and Psychopathology

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow, Dr. Jerald Kay, and Dr. Joel Yager discuss the various forms of ambition. They discuss lack of ambition, mismatched a...

145 Fewer Sperm, More Infertility

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Infertility is on the rise, leading otherwise healthy young couples to seek a form of assisted reproductive technology appropriate for their particula...

144 Our Failing Education System

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Richard P. Phelps is founder of the Nonpartisan Education Group, editor of Nonpartisan Education Review (http://nonpartisaneducation.org), a Fulbr...

143 The mental health crisis: dreams and nightmares

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this culture where dreams and nightmares are such a part of our everyday language, the question becomes, what is dreaming? We all dream, so what do...

142 Cold and Colder

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Various forms of cold therapy, from ice on wounds to cold showers, have been successfully used for ages. And ice baths help athletes after an event. B...

141 Breast Cancer Risks: Underarm Products

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Breast cancer is on the rise, especially in women under 40. This is pretty scary and the increase points to something environmental. In today's episod...

140 Dr. Cheryl Rosenfeld: The Placenta and the Fetal Brain

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What's the placenta? Some people think of it as a bag filled with fluid that protects the fetus inside from accidental blows, or a structure that send...

139 Dr. Jon Lieff: Consequences of Head Injuries

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Just about everybody has bumped their head at least once in their life. A number of these bumps on the head, especially those resulting from more obvi...

138 Egg Donation: Long Term Risks?

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Millions of women are undergoing ovarian stimulation to harvest either their own eggs or to donate, for monetary compensation, to egg banks that can h...

137 Who Believes in Conspiracy Theories?

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a world full of media, which may contain misinformation or fake news, there are conspiracy theories abounding. However, conspiracy theories, and th...

136 Dr. Ryan Townley: Dementia Drug Trials

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Among the biggest health fears adults have are getting a diagnosis of cancer or developing Alzheimer's disease. An estimated 6.2 million Americans age...

135 Dr. Ajit Nirmal: How and Why Cancers Spread

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When we hear the term tumor or cancer, the image that often comes to mind is a bunch of bad cells next to normal ones, and growing. Like many things, ...

134 Fluoride: Your Teeth and Your Brain

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Evidence is emerging that fluoride, a chemical that helps prevent dental cavities or caries, also is a neurotoxin that can cross the placenta and ente...

133 Your Brain: How It Remembers

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when we remember something?  Therese Markow talks with neuroscientist Dr. Ben Albensi about how memory works, involving both chemical an...

132 Males at Risk: Sperm Declining

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Infertility is on the rise, leading otherwise healthy young couples to seek a form of assisted reproductive technology appropriate for their particula...

131 Dr. Amanda Giordano: Behavioral Addictions

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many people have addictions. While much of the time we think of substance addictions, such as drugs or alcohol, there is an increasing rise in behavio...

130 Science and Sexual Assault

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sexual assaults of women, men, and children are always in the news. We know a lot about this when it comes to little children, but for adults, especia...

129 Dr. Jason Maley: Long Haul COVID

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the world experiences the continuation of the COVID-19 virus, we see a growing number of COVID-19 survivors who continue to have symptoms for weeks...

128 Living to be 100

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some people live more than a hundred years with no health problems and very little cognitive decline.  How come?  While healthy lifestyles certainly...

127 Toxic!

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The last decades have seen a continuing rise in really serious and often fatal health problems. The list is long: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, inf...

126 Should Everyone Go To College?

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Should everyone go to college? Well, for years, this was considered an important goal in life - a college education. The idea being that with a colleg...

125 Q & A: Selling Plasma and Inflammation

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow answers questions from the listeners! Today, she discusses why you can sell plasma or semen, but not something like a ...

124 Depression: When Medication Doesn't Work

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Therese Markow talks with psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Daniel Blumberger about depression that does not respond to medications and behavioral c...

123 Lorraine Hightower: Dyslexia Can Take Its Toll

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With up to 1 in 5 people having dyslexia, dyslexia impacts people every single day. In this episode, Therese Markow and Lorraine Hightower discuss wha...

122 Autism on the rise

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. David Beversdorf discuss what exactly autism is, the theories of the causes of autism, and what we do know fro...

121 Dr. Felice Gersh: Hormones: BC Pills, Menopause

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The last few decades have been filled with confusing information about women's hormones and what's happening with them across a woman's lifetime. How ...

120 Maternal Obesity Harms Fetal Brains

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Cheryl Hawkes discuss the increasing scientific evidence that maternal obesity affects the developing fetal br...