Radio Health Journal

Each week, Radio Health Journal breaks down important news in medicine, science and technology with the help of world-renowned experts. Our three weekly segments will help guide you to a happier, healthier life – with some fun facts to share at dinner parties. Can magic mushrooms cure your depression? Have we outrun natural selection? Hosted by Elizabeth Westfield, Greg Johnson and Maayan Voss de Bettancourt and produced by Kristen Farrah and Amirah Zaveri. New shows posted each Sunday by 5 a.m. EST. Subscribe, listen, and rate. If you’re looking for older episodes, you can find our entire segment catalog on our website radiohealthjournal.org. Also, check out the latest on Facebook and Instagram @radiohealthjournal and on X @RadioHealthJrnl.

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Episodes

• Bertolotti’s Syndrome: The Under-diagnosed Cause Of Back Pain

  Sunday, June 29, 2025

  13 minutes

  When Jakki Maser’s back pain started at 13, doctors brushed it off as a minor injury. Years of unrelenting pain and dead-end appointments led her to uncover the real cause herself – Bertolotti’s syndrome, an underdiagnosed spinal condition. This week, our experts explain how to accurately catch this condition and the best treatment methods for a full recovery. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/bertolottis-syndrome-the-under-diagnosed-cause-of-back-pain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Future Of Medicine Pt.2: A New Era Of Healthcare Focuses On Prevention

  Sunday, June 29, 2025

  10 minutes

  New technology like AI offers promise, but experts say true healthcare reform starts with prevention, not just innovation. The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other nation, yet outcomes lag because we focus on expensive treatments instead of early care. Our expert explains how real change will require prioritizing prevention to keep people healthier from the start. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-future-of-medicine-pt-2-a-new-era-of-healthcare-focuses-on-prevention Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Medical Notes: The Science Behind Your ‘AURA’, The Fluoride Debate, And The Real Reason Behind Your Yawn

  Wednesday, June 25, 2025

  4 minutes

  Your ‘aura’ may just be a mixture of oils and fats on the skin. Scientists still don’t fully know why we yawn—but they’re getting closer. The debate over fluoride is back in the spotlight. Urban rats may be more than just an annoying pest. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-the-science-behind-your-aura-the-fluoride-debate-and-the-real-reason-behind-your-yawn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Mental And Physical Toll Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  Sunday, June 22, 2025

  13 minutes

  For people with inflammatory bowel disease, daily life can be painful, unpredictable, and isolating. The successful management of IBD means addressing both physical and mental symptoms. Our experts discuss treatment approaches and a new program aiming to end the stigma and offer support for patients. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-mental-and-physical-toll-of-inflammatory-bowel-disease Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Future Of Medicine Pt.1: Do We Want Free Or Innovative Healthcare?

  Sunday, June 22, 2025

  10 minutes

  Most Americans don’t have a clear picture of what universal healthcare really means. Dr. Marschall Runge says we’re unlikely to see fully free, unlimited care – but a model based on preventive, team-based medicine is possible. In his new book, The Great Healthcare Disruption, Runge outlines how AI, better access, and more shareable medical records could revolutionize care – if we also prioritize our own health. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-future-of-medicine-pt-1-do-we-want-free-or-innovative-healthcare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Medical Notes: How Fish Oil Slows Aging, The Loneliness Epidemic, And How To Better Understand Autism

  Wednesday, June 18, 2025

  3 minutes

  Is there a new brain region for our senses? Why are so many adults feeling alone? Can fish oil really slow down aging? Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-how-fish-oil-slows-aging-the-loneliness-epidemic-and-how-to-better-understand-autism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Producer's Cut: Wombs For Rent - The Legalization of Commercial Surrogacy

  Tuesday, June 17, 2025

  15 minutes

  This segment is part of a new, podcast exclusive series called Producer's Cut. We'll be revisiting past shows that've left a lasting impact on the RHJ team, and providing behind-the-scenes insights on how the story came together. Commercial gestational surrogacy allows parents to have a biological child that’s carried and birthed by another woman who receives a salary. Though many countries have outlawed commercial surrogacy, states in America are beginning to legalize it. Experts weigh in on the ethical implications of commercialized surrogacy.   Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org...

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• ‘GRAS’-FED Loopholes: Why Your Diet Is More Toxic Than The FDA Knows

  Sunday, June 15, 2025

  14 minutes

  For the most part, food companies are allowed to police themselves when introducing new food additives to market. This gap in oversight is the product of a GRAS loophole, a decades-old FDA policy. Jennifer Pomeranz explains how the status-quo is threatening public health and offers innovative solutions for reform. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/gras-fed-loopholes-why-your-diet-is-more-toxic-than-the-fda-knows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• More Than Growing Pains: The Hidden Toll Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

  Sunday, June 15, 2025

  10 minutes

  Rheumatoid arthritis is tough to diagnose and even harder to treat effectively. Thankfully, researchers are creating more precise tests that can match patients to the right treatment plan on the first try. Our experts explain the challenges of rheumatoid arthritis and a new test that can bypass the trial-and-error approach to medicine. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/more-than-growing-pains-the-hidden-toll-of-rheumatoid-arthritis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Medical Notes: The Brain’s Secret Microstructure That Has Powerful Impacts, Why Kids Should Play Sports, And How A Diabetes Drug Can Fight Off Alzheimer’s Disease

  Wednesday, June 11, 2025

  3 minutes

  A diabetes drug may be helpful in the fight against alzheimers. A tiny part of the brain may be the key to treating addiction. Kids should join a sport to boost their mental health. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-the-brains-secret-microstructure-that-has-powerful-impacts-why-kids-should-play-sports-and-how-a-diabetes-drug-can-fight-off-alzheimers-disease Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• One on One: Dr. Edgardo Padin-Rivera Exposes The Mental Challenges Of Military Service

  Tuesday, June 10, 2025

  26 minutes

  In this podcast-exclusive episode, you'll hear the original interview audio between Radio Health Journal producer Kristen Farrah and psychologist and Vietnam War veteran Dr. Edgardo Padin-Rivera. The two have a conversation about military indoctrination, the mental health of soldiers, and the challenges of navigating life after service. They also dive into Padin-Rivera’s personal experiences of war, addiction, and his journey to find peace.  Trigger warnings: racial slurs, violence, trauma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Why Everything Is Tuberculosis To Best-Selling Author John Green

  Sunday, June 8, 2025

  11 minutes

  Even though we have developed fantastic antibiotics for tuberculosis, the disease continues to devastate communities – especially lower-income populations in developing countries. John Green, a best-selling author, dives into the disparities that exist within the world of tuberculosis and how we can get life-saving treatment to the millions that need it. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-everything-is-tuberculosis-to-best-selling-author-john-green Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Why We Should Experiment On Pregnant Women

  Sunday, June 8, 2025

  13 minutes

  Experimenting on humans can be a dangerous and scary endeavor, but we’ve created guidelines to make sure that our clinical trials are the safest they can be. However, all of this effort is lost when it comes to pregnant women. We have very little data on how some of the most-used medications affect this population simply because it’s not researched. Our guest explains why we need to start including this population in clinical trials and how it can be done safely and effectively. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/why-we-should-experiment-on-pregnant-women Learn more about your ad ...

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• One on One: Author John Green’s Mission to End Tuberculosis

  Friday, June 6, 2025

  20 minutes

  In this podcast-exclusive episode, you'll hear the original interview audio between Radio Health Journal producer Polly Hansen and best-selling author John Green. The two have a conversation about his new book, Everything is Tuberculosis, and dive into Green’s personal experience traveling around the world to fight for TB awareness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Medical Notes: The Mood Benefits Of Social Media, A New Tax For Food Companies, And Better Treatments For Your Ulcerative Colitis

  Wednesday, June 4, 2025

  3 minutes

  A new breakthrough in ulcerative colitis treatment. Should food companies pay the FDA? The agency collects ‘user fees’ from pharmaceutical companies to help fund its safety research. Can doom scrolling actually benefit us? Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-the-mood-benefits-of-social-media-a-new-tax-for-food-companies-and-better-treatments-for-your-ulcerative-colitis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Does A Colombian Community Hold The Key To Curing Alzheimer’S Disease?

  Sunday, June 1, 2025

  11 minutes

  Researchers have been on a long journey to discover what may cause Alzheimer’s disease. Looking all over the globe, they thought the answer would lie in a mountain town in Columbia. Our expert explains the decades of research and drug testing, as well as the unassuming clue they now think could be the key to finding a treatment for this condition. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/does-a-colombian-community-hold-the-key-to-curing-alzheimers-disease/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Reducing The Trial-And-Error Approach To Antidepressant Medication

  Sunday, June 1, 2025

  13 minutes

  Imagine being able to find the best medication for your body on the first try. That’s what the field of pharmacogenomics is working towards. Our expert explains how our genes can predict a drug’s effect on our system and minimize the ‘trial-and-error’ approach to medicine. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/reducing-the-trial-and-error-approach-to-antidepressant-medication Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Medical Notes: How The Beauty Industry Is Threatening Your Pregnancy; The Best Test For Fertility Planning; And How Eating Veggies Helps Your Cells

  Wednesday, May 28, 2025

  4 minutes

  Should pregnant women stay away from beauty products? A new saliva test that can help cancer patients. A promising step in understanding menopause. Here’s one more reason to have an abundance of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-how-the-beauty-industry-is-threatening-your-pregnancy-the-best-test-for-fertility-planning-and-how-eating-veggies-helps-your-cells Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Re-framing Excuses: How Mental Weakness Sabotages Your Success

  Sunday, May 25, 2025

  10 minutes

  For many people, staying consistent is the hardest part of accomplishing goals. Dr. Haley Perlus, a sports psychologist, believes that the core of this issue is mental toughness. She explains how to trick yourself into staying consistent even when your motivation runs out. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/re-framing-excuses-how-mental-weakness-sabotages-your-success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Aging Like An Olympian: The Exercises That Keep You Healthy And Independent

  Sunday, May 25, 2025

  13 minutes

  More than two decades after retiring, Joetta – a 4x Olympic athlete – laced up her spikes to get back into racing at age 62. This week, She explains how her training has adjusted to accommodate for her aging body, while our exercise expert lists the reasons why older adults need to be weightlifting and training fast-twitch muscles fibers. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/aging-like-an-olympian-the-exercises-that-keep-you-healthy-and-independent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Producer's Cut: How To Provide Support in the Wake of a Traumatic Loss

  Thursday, May 22, 2025

  16 minutes

  This segment is part of a new, podcast exclusive series called Producer's Cut. We'll be revisiting past shows that've left a lasting impact on the RHJ team, and providing behind-the-scenes insights on how the story came together. This segment focuses on grief. It can be difficult to figure out how to comfort someone dealing with a traumatic loss. Often, there’s a fear of not knowing what to say, which can leave the grieving person feeling more alone. Two bereaved mothers recount their experiences of losing their children, and detail what good support looks like. Learn more at: radiohealt...

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• Medical Notes: How Our Genetics Can Predict Our Future, Climate Change Is Worsening Seasonal Allergies, And Why Research Excludes Pregnant Women

  Wednesday, May 21, 2025

  4 minutes

  Why more pregnant women need to be in clinical trials. Scientists are helping us see the future. Does our DNA know our future? Have your seasonal allergies gotten worse? Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-how-our-genetics-can-predict-our-future-climate-change-is-worsening-seasonal-allergies-and-why-research-excludes-pregnant-women Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS): A Fatal Curse Passed Down Through Generations

  Sunday, May 18, 2025

  13 minutes

  We’re all born with a special gene that’s job is to seek out and destroy cancer cells. But when some people are born with a mutated version, it lets cancer run rampant throughout the body – sometimes even helping tumors spread. Lawrence Ingrassia details his family’s battle with this mutation and the tragedies left in its wake. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/li-fraumeni-syndrome-lfs-a-fatal-curse-passed-down-through-generations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How To Rewire Your Brain For Happiness And Success

  Sunday, May 18, 2025

  11 minutes

  Have you been feeling stuck in your career or personal life? Though it can take some time and effort, it’s possible to rewire our brains for the better. Dr. Greg Hammer, author of Gain Without Pain, reveals the best tricks to form healthier habits that’ll lead to more happiness and success. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-happiness-and-success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Medical Notes: How Vitamin D Can Fight Your Allergies, America’s Impending Population Shortage, And The Care Disparity With Dementia Patients

  Wednesday, May 14, 2025

  3 minutes

  Why is there a care gap for dementia patients? Is sunlight good for your nose? Will America soon be facing a population shortage? Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-how-vitamin-d-can-fight-your-allergies-americas-impending-population-shortage-and-the-care-disparity-with-dementia-patients Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Genetic Justice: How Your DNA Can Help Solve Cold Cases

  Sunday, May 11, 2025

  13 minutes

  Genetic genealogy has completely changed how law enforcement catches criminals. Cold cases can now be solved by a genetic match to the perpetrator’s sibling, parent or distant relative. Our experts explain the revolutionary technology and how you can help catch these violent criminals. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/genetic-justice-how-your-dna-can-help-solve-cold-cases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How The Primary Care Physician Shortage Is Draining Your Health And Wallet

  Sunday, May 11, 2025

  11 minutes

  There’s a primary care shortage and it’s only expected to worsen in coming years. Some experts have proposed using non-physician practitioners as a substitute to fill the gap. And though it may sound promising, our expert explains why this will only worsen physician burnout, patient health outcomes, and medical debt. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/how-the-primary-care-physician-shortage-is-draining-your-health-and-wallet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Medical Notes: The Best Place To Live For Your Brain Health, Reducing Animal Testing, And Why You Should Skip Your Afternoon Nap

  Wednesday, May 7, 2025

  3 minutes

  How the environment affects brain health. Will science ever move away from animal testing? Should you skip your afternoon nap? Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-the-best-place-to-live-for-your-brain-health-reducing-animal-testing-and-why-you-should-skip-your-afternoon-nap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Pitt: How A Television Medical Drama Is Saving Lives

  Sunday, May 4, 2025

  10 minutes

  Healthcare professionals across the nation have been applauding television’s new medical drama, The Pitt, for its accurate portrayal of medicine. Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah explains why this accuracy is so important and how it could help strengthen patient-doctor relationships. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-pitt-how-a-television-medical-drama-is-saving-lives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Hysterical And Exaggerated: How Women’s Pain Is Viewed In Healthcare

  Sunday, May 4, 2025

  14 minutes

  This week, our experts dive into the hard facts of healthcare’s internal biases against women’s pain. Across all age groups and pain levels, women are given less medication for their pain than men. Our experts explain their research and why they believe this bias exists. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/hysterical-and-exaggerated-how-womens-pain-is-viewed-in-healthcare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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