Free Associations Podcast

With a sense of humor and a healthy dose of skepticism the hosts talk us through popular health studies and hyperbolic news headlines while teaching us how to ask the right questions.

Free Associations Podcast | May 4th, 2021

More walkies for health? Pets and diabetes

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study that asks whether pets and humans get diabetes in pairs, they debate who got the best of the new deal between Elsevier and University of California, and Chris and Matt share a love of a specific food.

Free Associations Podcast | April 20th, 2021

Is the key to concussions in saliva?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at some new research on whether a saliva test can detect concussions, they discuss how to take down the anti-vaxx industry, and Matt gets saucy.

Free Associations Podcast | April 6th, 2021

The self-controlled podcast

Matt, Chris, and Jess examine a study that looks at whether opioids increase the risk of fractures, they discuss what is likely to happen with measles when COVID is over, and Matt worries about lawsuits.

Free Associations Podcast | March 23rd, 2021

Quit clowning around

Matt, Chris, and Jess may be freaked out by clowns but apparently they help kids with pain, they discuss the ethics of paying people to get vaccinated, and Chris goes out of this world.

Free Associations Podcast | March 9th, 2021

Would you take half a vaccine?

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a study that looks at whether smaller doses of yellow fever vaccine do just as well, they discuss whether one of the COVID vaccines is related to allergic reactions, and Chris gives us his best take on vaccines.

Free Associations Podcast | February 23rd, 2021

Getting spicy! Does spicy food cause or prevent GI cancers?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study that looks at whether spicy foods prevent gastrointestinal cancers in China, they debate the role of social media in public health messaging, and Matt repeats himself, yet again.

Free Associations Podcast | February 9th, 2021

Cannabis in the driver's seat

Matt, Chris, and Jess examine a study that looks at whether cannabis reduces the ability to drive well, they discuss whether COVID is affecting just the elderly, and Jess shows us she’s an animal lover.

Free Associations Podcast | January 26th, 2021

The C-section implications

Matt, Chris, and Jess discuss a study that looks at whether babies born by C-section are more likely to have infectious illnesses after birth, they debate who should be allowed to critique public health (and who even is public health?), and Chris quizzes us on traffic.

Free Associations Podcast | December 29th, 2020

Short break: back in two weeks!

Happy Holidays! We took a break from recording this week. We’ll be back in 2 weeks with another episode. Wishing you all the best in the new year!

Free Associations Podcast | December 15th, 2020

Live with Dean Sandro Galea

Matt, Chris, and Don are joined by Dean Sandro Galea for a live episode where we discuss a study that looks at whether decreases in COVID mortality are due to improvements in treatment, take audience questions, and Don measures our ears.

Free Associations Podcast | December 1st, 2020

Survival after bariatric surgery

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study that looks at whether survival after bariatric surgery is increasing, they lament patterns of prescribing hydroxychloroquine, and Matt gets prideful.