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 | February 12th, 2019

Peanut allergy desensitization

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study of a desensitization treatment for those with peanut allergy, the gang discuss whether artificial intelligence will replace us, and Matt learns how quickly he can put us all to sleep with a boring conference talk.

Free Associations Podcast | January 29th, 2019

A breakthrough for Alzheimer’s treatment?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study that used an antibody to treat Alzheimer’s disease, the gang goes back to the well to talk about conflicts of interest, and Matt tells us the secret to good course evaluations!

Free Associations Podcast | January 15th, 2019

One week break: back in two weeks!

We took a break from recording this week as we have a lot going on – the holidays, end of semester crunch, and Matt relocating for a 6 month sabbatical to the UK. We’ll be back in 2 weeks with another episode so tune in!

Free Associations Podcast | January 1st, 2019

Is ADHD over-diagnosed?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study using month of birth to explore whether attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is over-diagnosed, the gang discusses a study on how patients feel about having their clinical trial data shared, and Don enlightens us on which Legos taste best.

Free Associations Podcast | December 18th, 2018

Are organic foods the answer to cancer?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study of the effects of eating organic foods on risk of cancer, the gang discusses the role of data safety and monitoring boards in clinical trials, and Matt gives his shortest amazing and amusing ever.

Free Associations Podcast | December 4th, 2018

Herpes virus and dementia

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study of whether herpes virus is associated with dementia, the gang discusses a new database of retracted studies and what it tells us, and Don gives us the ICD10 codes we never knew we needed.

Free Associations Podcast | November 20th, 2018

Is more better? The asthma dosing episode

Matt, Chris, and Don look at two studies on asthma medication dosing, the gang discusses whether ad hominem attacks on science are more effective than attacks on the science itself, and Matt finally figures out which host is more popular.

Free Associations Podcast | November 6th, 2018

The born to run episode: Exercise and mental health

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a massive cross-sectional study on the relationship between exercise and mental health, the gang discusses whether critiquing science gives fodder to those who wish to dismiss science, and Don finally solves all our manuscript issues.

Free Associations Podcast | October 23rd, 2018

The target trial episode: The case of diclofenac and cardiovascular disease

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study that used a unique approach to look at the effect of a common NSAID on cardiovascular disease, the gang discusses a study attempting to reproduce results originally published in Nature and Science, and Chris, yet again, finds a way to talk about bees.

Free Associations Podcast | October 9th, 2018

The sleep episode: melatonin for a sleep disorder

Matt, Chris, and Don look at whether melatonin can help people with a sleep disorder, the gang discusses nutritional epidemiology, and Chris learns the dangers of ignoring Matt’s emails.

Free Associations Podcast | September 25th, 2018

Is smog really affecting our minds?

Matt, Chris, and Don take on a study from China on the relationship between smog and cognitive function, the gang discusses a new EU funding policy on publishing in paywalled journals, and Chris insists he gets two Amazing and Amusings.

Free Associations Podcast | September 11th, 2018

The best of Amazing and Amusing

It’s our one year anniversary! Chris and Don are away this week so rather than have Matt talk to himself, we thought we’d go back and revisit some of our favorite Amazing and Amusing segments from the past year.