Critically Speaking

On each episode of Critically Speaking, your host, Dr. Therese Markow, interviews foremost experts in a range of fields. We discuss, in everyday language that we all can understand, fundamental issues that impact our health, our society, and our planet. Join our weekly journey where we separate fact from fantasy for topics both current and controversial.

Critically Speaking is a science podcast hosted by Therese Markow, with 100 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.

Therese Markow hosts Critically Speaking, a science show with 100 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 #252

  Timothy Caulfield: The Certainty Illusion

  Aug 18, 202645 minS1

  Drowning in wellness hype, viral "experts," and five-star opinions that feel more real than facts? In this episode, law and public health scholar Timothy Caulfield exposes the certainty illusion — how "scienceploitation", predatory journals, and weaponized opinions quietly shape what we believe about our health. Today, Therese Markow and Timothy Caulfield discuss Tim's latest book, break down the misinformation drivers that are contributing to the delegitimization of scientific expertise, and the three illusions that are being used to distort public perception. From influencers and celebrities to predatory journals and politicians, it feels like "experts" are constantly bombarding us with information, but how do we know what is true? Listen in to find out more. Key Takeaways: So many of the misconceptions about health and science are now closely tethered to political ideological positions. Influencers are having a greater impact on beliefs around health than ever before. For example, the sale of Ivermectin spiked after a Joe Rogan conversation with Mel Gibson. Be aware of products and studies that are using scienceploitation and publishing in predatory journals. While they may look legitimate, they often do not have proper science behind the claim. Most health halos- words like "organic" or "natural" or, now, "protein" do not necessarily make the food or product healthy. But it does often convince people to buy. "Your personal identity, your personal community has just a tremendous impact. So if you can manipulate those opinions, you can manipulate people's perceptions, their beliefs, and maybe even their actions." — Timothy Caulfield Episode References: The Certainty Illusion: What You Don't Know and Why It Matters: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0735245886 Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger Documentary: https://gem.cbc.ca/harder-better-faster-stronger What is the manosphere? I went inside to find out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJzHZFv-Ezg Connect with Timothy Caulfield: Professional Bio: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/law/research/health-law-institute/people/timothycaulfield.html Threads: threads.net/@caulfieldtim Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/caulfieldtim.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caulfieldtim/ X: https://twitter.com/CaulfieldTim Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timothy.caulfield.792 Books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/authors/255688/timothy-caulfield Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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  Episode #251

  Dr. Aly Cohen: Killers in the Environment

  Aug 11, 202635 minS1

  The last few decades have seen a continuing rise in really serious and often fatal health problems. The list is long: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, infertility, autoimmune diseases, and autism, just to name a few. While vulnerability to disease often has an underlying genetic predisposition, there have to be environmental triggers to set these diseases in motion. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Aly Cohen discuss just these topics and what we can look for on a daily basis, as well as the small changes that we can, individually, do to make our lives a little healthier. Key Takeaways: It's estimated there are about 95,000 chemicals available on the US market for everything we use from cleaning products, makeup, and everything we use. The US has only banned 5 chemicals since 1976. European countries have banned around 1200, on average. There are resources out there to help you to vet the products you are using in your life, such as The Environmental Working Group and Skin Deep Database. "The goal is less is more - use fewer products, the products that you use, if you want to use them, just vet them." — Dr. Aly Cohen Connect with Dr. Aly Cohen: Website: https://thesmarthuman.com/ TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSCeP0hyuTI Show: https://thesmarthuman.com/podcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheSmartHuman Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574591840716 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb6NhglVIu6ruM19QNhpJDw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aly-cohen-md-facr-0b570749/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesmarthuman/ Book: https://thesmarthuman.com/dr-aly-cohen-and-dr-fred-vom-saals-new-book-available-now/ Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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  Episode #250

  Dr. Andrew Novick: Antidepressants and Mental Health

  Aug 4, 202648 minS1

  Have you or someone you loved considered taking antidepressants for mental health, but had concerns? Listen in as Dr. Andrew Novick talks about the research and the science behind these drugs and other options for those struggling with MDD and other mental health concerns. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Andrew Novick discuss major depressive disorder (MDD) and its treatment options. Dr. Novick explains the key characteristics of MDD and discusses some of the many treatment options, which include psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, and pharmacological interventions like SSRIs. He highlights the effectiveness of esketamine for treatment-resistant MDD, and also addresses the controversy surrounding SSRIs and the potential of new treatments like psilocybin, noting ongoing research and regulatory challenges. Key Takeaways: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) can begin in childhood, but can often show up as irritability rather than other traditional depressive symptoms that we would see in adults. It's also more common to see it manifest during puberty, rather than before. Treating MDD does not require starting with psychotherapy. Medication can help more immediately, especially because there is an obstacle to accessible therapy for a lot of people. It can also be a tool used in tandem with therapy. While there are no blood tests or simple diagnostic tests to see if you have depression, like with an infectious disease model, there are some brain scans that can show signs of depression, especially across wide populations of individuals. There is no one gene that is associated with MDD. However, through research, many different genes have been identified, often related to brain function and stress response. "If depression goes untreated, the most awful consequence of that is potential suicide." — Dr. Andrew Novick Connect with Dr. Andrew Novick: Professional Bio: https://som.cuanschutz.edu/Profiles/Faculty/Profile/29109 ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrew-Novick LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annovick Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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  Episode #249

  Dr. Justin Dubin: Men's Sexual Health Q&A

  Jul 28, 202657 minS1

  From testosterone craze headlines to myths about prostate cancer, fertility, and aggression, men are getting a lot of confusing messages about their sexual health. Today, urologist and men's health expert Dr. Justin Dubin cuts through the noise with science-backed answers to the questions men are often too embarrassed to ask. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Justin Dubin discuss listener questions regarding men's sexual health. Dr. Dubin explains the nuances of testosterone levels, noting that normal ranges vary and can impact overall health. He highlights the importance of addressing low testosterone, which can lead to significant health issues, including all-cause mortality. He dives into the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, emphasizing the need for proper medical guidance. Additionally, Justin addresses the stigma around men's health, the role of direct-to-consumer testosterone sales, and the impact of prostate cancer treatments on sexual function. Key Takeaways: Health is not just about living longer; it should also be about living better. There are different forms of testosterone. The majority of it, about 98%, is bound to other proteins. Free testosterone is what can bind to your receptors. There is really good data suggesting that men with low testosterone die at a younger age; they have a higher all-cause mortality. It's not just a mood; it's not just a sex thing. It is an overall marker for your health. If you are interested in future fertility and you have low testosterone, do not take real testosterone replacement therapy; there are alternative options. Before you go on any medication, you should know the risks and benefits of what you are thinking of taking. "If I can stop making men think with their penises and start making them think about their penises, I think we can get a lot more guys healthier, a lot more guys happier, and a lot more guys doing the things that they want to be able to do inside and outside the bedroom." — Dr. Justin Dubin Episode References: Guideline-Discordant Care Among Direct-to-Consumer Testosterone Therapy Platforms: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2799297 Connect with Dr. Justin Dubin: Professional Bio: https://baptisthealth.net/doctors/justin-dubin/5921802 Website: https://www.themanuppod.com/ Man Up Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FkEhH04XdxruNg1xxsEdo YouTube: http://youtube.com/@themanuppod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-dubin-m-d-9a9b7917/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindubinmd/?hl=en Linktree: https://linktr.ee/JustinDubinMD Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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  Episode #248

  Dr. Allison Daminger: Cognitive Labor in the Household: Is it Equal?

  Jul 21, 202637 minS1

  Do you ever feel exhausted by home life, even when the chores look "even"? This episode uncovers the hidden mental load running beneath every household and reveals how it quietly shapes stress, careers, and relationships. Today, Therese Markow and Dr. Allison Daminger discuss her research on cognitive labor, which reveals gender inequality in household decision-making. Allison interviewed 92 couples, and they discuss the results found between both queer and heterosexual couples throughout the study. These decisions were categorized into 10 domains, ranging from maintenance to health to childcare. Throughout the episode, Allison emphasizes the need for couples to recognize and address the imbalances, suggesting starting with low-hanging fruit and fostering a growth mindset to achieve a more equitable division of labor. Key Takeaways: In different-sex households, cognitive labor is overwhelmingly shouldered by women, with roughly 80% of such homes being woman-led across domains like schedules, childcare coordination, finances, and home maintenance. Same-sex couples tend to divide cognitive labor more deliberately and flexibly, often discussing who does what and viewing roles as changeable rather than fixed by gender stereotypes. Unequal cognitive labor carries real costs - chronic exhaustion, career compromises, and relationship strain - making it crucial for couples to name this work, question "it just happened this way" narratives, and experiment with small, intentional rebalances in specific domains. Women's lives changed dramatically in the second half of the twentieth century, in a way that men's lives did not. However, there is now an emerging trend that seems to show more men feeling a pull toward the traditional household cognitive load often carried by women. "One reason that my research has resonated with a lot of people is that it's given them language to explain something that they experience every day. People know that they're doing a lot, but until they recognize this as a form of work that is taxing, it can be easy to kind of downplay what you're contributing to your family, especially when it feels like you and your partner are sharing the physical work relatively equitably." — Dr. Allison Daminger Connect with Allison: Professional Bio: https://www.allisondaminger.com/about Substack: https://allisondaminger.substack.com/ Website: https://www.allisondaminger.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisondaminger Book: What's On Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life - https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-s-on-her-mind-the-mental-workload-of-family-life-allison-daminger/585e2aa7eac0a0ea Connect with Therese: Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net Bluesky: @CriticallySpeaking.bsky.social Instagram: @criticallyspeakingpodcast Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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