Causes or Cures

"For the Nerds and the Nerd Nots" Causes or Cures is a public health podcast hosted by Dr. Eeks (ErinKate Stair, MD, MPH). It's an independent, offbeat, grassroots show driven by curiosity and a passion for breaking down complex health topics into bite sized, easy to understand insights. There are no institutional affiliations. Dr. Eeks is a public health professional specializing in applied epidemiology and health communication. She works on complex and timely national public health issues and is all about making the science relatable...often using a blue collar (probably irreverant) sense of humor to drive the message home. She interviews experts from around the world—including physicians, researchers, public health professionals, authors, clinicians, and other fascinating guests—to make complex science understandable for the nerds and the nerd-nots. The show also features recurring segments like Public Health is W

Causes or Cures is a health podcast hosted by Dr. Eeks, with 265 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Dr. Eeks hosts Causes or Cures, a health show with 265 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #282

  Why Are Middle-Aged Americans Doing So Much Worse? With Dr. Frank Infurna

  Aug 7, 202649 min

  Send us Fan Mail Why do so many middle-aged Americans feel like they're barely keeping their heads above water? In this episode, Dr. Eeks is joined by Dr. Frank Infurna, Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University and lead author of a recent paper examining historical changes in midlife well-being in the United States and Europe. His research paints a concerning picture: today's middle-aged Americans appear to be faring worse than previous generations—and worse than many of their counterparts across Europe—in areas ranging from physical health and memory to loneliness and depression. During the conversation, Dr. Infurna explains why these patterns are emerging, why they seem to be largely unique to the United States, and what they might tell us about the way we live, work, and age. We explore whether Americans are experiencing cognitive decline earlier or simply feeling mentally overwhelmed, how financial stress and "job lock" may be shaping health, why living farther from family could be taking a greater toll than many realize, and why spending more on healthcare hasn't translated into better midlife outcomes. We also discuss the challenges of interpreting these trends, whether today's generations are truly struggling more or simply more willing to talk about it, and what evidence-based strategies may help people navigate midlife more successfully. Whether you're in your 40s or 50s, care for someone who is, or are simply interested in the intersection of psychology, aging, and public health, this episode offers an insightful look at one of the most important—and underappreciated—health trends facing Americans today. In this episode, we discuss: Why middle-aged Americans appear to be doing worse than previous generations Why these troubling trends are largely unique to the United States The growing roles of loneliness and depression during midlife Memory, cognitive health, and the difference between decline and mental overload Why education hasn't protected against worsening well-being The impact of financial stress, healthcare costs, and "job lock" Whether living farther from family affects health and resilience What the U.S. can learn from European countries Practical, evidence-based advice for improving well-being during midlife You can follow Dr. Infurna's Substack here! Work with Eeks? Perhaps you are a good match. Keep Causes or Cures Ad-Free with Listener Support You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com. Follow Eeks on Instagram here. Follow on X. Or Facebook here. On Youtube . Or TikTok . SUBSCRIBE to the Eeks Weekly here! (the bits not posted on socia media) Support the show

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  Episode #281

  Exploring the Spiritual Realm: Can We Communicate with Angels? With Alisha Das

  Aug 2, 202654 min

  Send us Fan Mail Exploring the Spiritual Realm Where spiritual belief meets health, culture, and skepticism Disclaimer: This episode discusses spiritual and metaphysical beliefs that are not evidence-based public health methods or medical treatments. Nothing in this conversation is medical or health advice. If you have a health concern, please seek care from a licensed clinician. This is entertainment only. In this episode of Causes or Cures , Dr. Eeks chats with Alisha Das, author of Angelic Ancestry . Alisha shares her personal story and discusses how her experiences shaped her understanding of angels, healing, intuition, and what she describes as our spiritual ancestry. During the conversation, they discuss: Alisha's personal journey and what led her to write Angelic Ancestry What she means by "angels" and how she understands them Why belief in angels appears across cultures and throughout history The concept of "angelic ancestry" Whether she believes people can communicate with loved ones who have died What she believes happens after death What "angelic language" is and how she experiences it Her personal healing journey and how it influenced her worldview Whether someone must follow a particular religion to connect with these ideas How she responds to skeptics and those who question her experiences This conversation explores ideas that exist outside mainstream science and medicine. It is intended as an exploration of one person's beliefs and experiences rather than an endorsement or validation of those claims. Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or simply curious, we hope you'll find the conversation interesting and thought-provoking. Work with Eeks? Perhaps you are a good match. Keep Causes or Cures Ad-Free with Listener Support You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com. Follow Eeks on Instagram here. Follow on X. Or Facebook here. On Youtube . Or TikTok . SUBSCRIBE to the Eeks Weekly here! (the bits not posted on socia media) Support the show

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  Episode #280

  Eeks Speakeasy: Seasonal Blues, Melancholy, and the Winter Splinter

  Jul 29, 202615 min

  Send us Fan Mail Seasonal Blues, Melancholy, and the Winter Splinter... Do you only get the Winter Blues? Lucky you. In this episode of Eeks Speakeasy, Dr. Eeks confesses to suffering from the entire seasonal collection—from the Autumn Bottom and Spring Sting to the Summer Bummer and the newly diagnosed Winter Splinter. Along the way, she explores why our moods seem to shift throughout the year, why spring doesn't bring optimism for everyone, why daylight saving time continues to confuse humans and dogs alike, and why melancholy might deserve a little more respect than it gets. This isn't an episode about diagnosing depression or treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It's a short, lighthearted take on the many ways seasons shape our emotions, complete with bad puns, Greek medicine, philosophical detours, Jack and his "Winter Jollies," and her dog Barnaby's unwavering belief that breakfast should never be a political decision. If you missed the first episode of Eeks Speakeasy, it's here: The Long Whatever. Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. Keep Causes or Cures Ad-Free with Listener Support You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com. Follow Eeks on Instagram here. Follow on X. Follow Public Health is Weird Or Facebook here. On Youtube . Or TikTok . SUBSCRIBE to the Eeks Weekly Here! Support the show

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  Episode #279

  Do Bananas Make Your Smoothie Less Healthy? With Professor Gunter Kuhnle

  Jul 26, 202640 min

  Send us Fan Mail Can bananas change the nutritional value of your smoothie? Bananas are often considered one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. But what happens when they're blended with berries or other foods rich in beneficial plant compounds? In this episode, Dr. Eeks talks with Professor Gunter Kuhnle, Professor of Nutrition and Food Science, about his research examining how bananas may affect the absorption of flavan-3-ols—naturally occurring compounds found in foods like berries, cocoa, tea, and apples that have been associated with cardiovascular and cognitive health. Together, they discuss: What flavan-3-ols are and why researchers study them The enzyme in bananas (polyphenol oxidase) and why it matters How the smoothie study was conducted Why the banana smoothie resulted in lower flavan-3-ol absorption than the berry-only smoothie Why this doesn't mean bananas are "bad" or that they destroy nutrients Whether other fruits may have similar effects The challenges of measuring diet and nutrient intake in nutrition research—and why nutrition studies can be difficult to interpret Common misconceptions about nutrition research and what individual studies can (and cannot) tell us Tips for building a smoothie if maximizing flavan-3-ol intake is your goal How food combinations—not just individual foods—may influence nutrition Take-home message: Bananas remain a nutritious food. This study simply suggests that if your goal is to maximize absorption of flavan-3-ols, it may matter what foods you combine together. More broadly, this episode explores why nutrition science is often more complex than headlines suggest—and why interpreting nutrition research requires careful measurement and context. Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. Keep Causes or Cures Ad-Free with Listener Support You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com. Follow Eeks on Instagram here. Follow on X. Or Facebook here. On Youtube . Or TikTok . SUBSCRIBE to her Newsletter here! (the bits not posted on socia media) Support the show Support the show

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  Episode #278

  Can We Prevent Muscle Loss While Taking GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs? With Dr. Richard Pratley

  Jul 8, 202646 min

  Send us Fan Mail Can We Prevent Muscle Loss While Taking GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs? GLP-1 medications like Zepbound have changed the way we treat obesity. But as more people lose significant amounts of weight, another question has emerged: What happens to your muscle? It's normal to lose some lean mass—including muscle—during weight loss. But researchers are now asking whether preserving more muscle could improve long-term health, particularly as we age. In this episode, Dr. Eeks speaks with Dr. Richard Pratley, lead author of a new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating whether an investigational antibody called apitegromab can help preserve lean mass in people taking tirzepatide (Zepbound). Together they discuss: • Why people lose lean mass during weight loss • What "lean mass" actually means—and why it matters • Why muscle preservation has become one of the biggest new questions in obesity medicine • How apitegromab works by blocking myostatin—a protein that acts like a brake on muscle growth • The results of the study and how much lean mass participants preserved • Why preserving lean mass doesn't automatically mean preserving strength • Whether concerns about muscle loss on GLP-1 medications have become exaggerated • The importance of resistance training and adequate protein during weight loss • Whether future obesity treatment will focus less on body weight and more on body composition • The bigger question: Are we entering an era where one medication leads to another—or is there a better path??? This conversation explores one of the most interesting—and practical—questions in obesity research today: Can we lose fat without sacrificing too much muscle? Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. Keep Causes or Cures Ad-Free with Listener Support You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com. Follow Eeks on Instagram here. Follow on X. Or Facebook here. On Youtube . Or TikTok . SUBSCRIBE to her Newsletter here! (the bits not posted on socia media) Support the show

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