Funny Medicine Podcast

by Julia Brunet and Yvette Gonzalez, D.O.

Pneumonic Plague: Should You Actually Be Worried? | Funny Medicine Podcast

Pneumonic plague vs. bubonic plague: what’s the difference, and should the Russia headlines have you worried? Yvy and Julie break down plague symptoms, how it spreads, and what modern treatment looks like in Episode 137 of Funny Medicine. From the Black Death to modern U.S. cases, we’re digging into the science behind the headlines without turning every rumor into an outbreak. Expect plain-English medical explanations, historical rabbit holes, and the usual Funny Medicine side conversations. In this episode: Bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic plague explained Yersinia pestis and the history of the Black Death Fleas, rodents, pets, and how people can become exposed Pneumonic plague transmission: what close contact actually means Plague symptoms, antibiotics, and why early treatment matters U.S. plague cases and practical prevention The Russia reports: what was known and what remained unconfirmed Plague is treatable with antibiotics, but prompt medical care is essential. For the medical guidance behind our treatment and transmission discussion, see the CDC’s evidence-based recommendations. Subscribe to Funny Medicine for more medical deep dives with science, context, and a sense of humor. Before this episode, did you know there was more than one form of plague? Tell us in the comments. Recorded October 9, 2026. The Russia discussion reflects information available at recording, including the WHO’s October 7 briefing, which did not confirm plague in the reported incident. This episode is for general education and entertainment, not personal medical advice. THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. * 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode → https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine 💬 Tell us in the comments: Have you tried peptides? What was your experience? 📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine New episodes every other Tuesday. Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories 🔔 Subscribe: https://bit.ly/FunnyMedicineSubscribe Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast SOURCES LISTED IN YOUTUBE IN VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE. #PneumonicPlague #BubonicPlague #FunnyMedicinePodcast #MedicalPodcast #HealthPodcast #FDANews #GutHealth #MedicalEducation

E137

Oct 16, 2026

42:40

Vampire Facials: Do They Actually Work? PRP, Microneedling & Young Blood

Vampire facials sound like something we should be discussing during spooky season, not at a med spa... and yet here we are. 🧛‍♀️🩸 In Episode 136 of Funny Medicine Podcast, we’re diving into the science, history, hype, and very weird cultural obsession behind **vampire facials, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), microneedling, facial rejuvenation, and “young blood” for anti-aging. So what actually happens during a vampire facial? Your own blood is drawn, separated in a centrifuge, and the platelet-rich portion may be applied or injected into the skin, often alongside microneedling. Sounds extremely scientific. But does it actually make your skin look younger? That answer gets complicated. We look at what current research says about PRP for facial aging and acne scars, why some studies show possible benefits while others find little advantage over microneedling alone, and why combining multiple treatments makes it harder to figure out what is actually responsible for the results. And because this is Funny Medicine, somehow we also end up going from ancient bloodletting and leeches to modern med spas, beauty marketing, celebrity trends, biohacking, and people still chasing the fountain of youth thousands of years later. We also get into the part that deserves way more attention: safety. Your own blood does not automatically mean zero risk. Sterile technique, proper blood handling, trained clinicians, single-use equipment, and infection control matter when needles and blood are involved. Then we go even further down the rabbit hole into young plasma, longevity biohacking, Bryan Johnson, mouse studies, and whether “young blood” actually has evidence behind the anti-aging claims. Spoiler: fascinating science does not automatically equal proven human age reversal. So... vampire facial: science, skincare, marketing masterpiece, or a little bit of everything? 🎧 Watch the full episode and tell us in the comments: Would YOU try a vampire facial? And if you’ve already had PRP or microneedling, we want to hear what your experience was. THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode → https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast Sources listed in video version of this episode on YouTube.

E136

Oct 1, 2026

45:07

Burnout Isn’t Just Being Tired — Here’s What It Actually Feels Like | Funny Medicine Podcast

Burnout isn’t just being tired, and apparently it also isn’t magically cured by a yoga class, better time management, or the sacred workplace pizza party. 🙃 In Funny Medicine Podcast Episode 135, we’re breaking down what burnout actually is, what workplace burnout can feel like, how chronic stress can affect you mentally and physically, and why the solution isn’t always telling exhausted people to become “more resilient.” And somehow… this episode also turned into an unexpected therapy session about medical residency. We have regrets. 😂 We get into: 🔥 What burnout actually means according to the WHO 🧠 Burnout symptoms including mental exhaustion, brain fog, cynicism and feeling unlike yourself ⚖️ Burnout vs. depression, and why the distinction matters 🏥 Physician burnout, healthcare worker burnout and medical residency 💼 Workplace stress, overwhelming workloads and staffing shortages 📱 Why being constantly reachable can make disconnecting from work nearly impossible 🛑 Workplace boundaries and the “right to disconnect” 😵‍💫 Why burnout can make capable people suddenly feel like they can’t function normally 🧘 Why individual wellness strategies aren’t enough when the workplace itself is the problem 👩‍💼 Leadership, management and creating healthier work environments 👵 Millennials, Gen X, Gen Z and how different generations approach workplace boundaries ✅ What research suggests may actually help with burnout and chronic work stress We also get VERY personal about what burnout looked like during medical school and residency, including brutal schedules, working day after day without enough recovery time, feeling emotionally detached, losing appetite, mental fog, workplace pressure and reaching the point where you simply have nothing left to give. Basically: “I’m fine”, but in burnout font.** Burnout is real, but it’s also complicated. It isn’t a character flaw, it isn’t proof that someone “isn’t resilient enough,” and it shouldn’t automatically be used to explain every symptom someone experiences. Sometimes the question isn’t: “Why can’t I handle this?” It’s: “What has changed that is making it so hard for me to function?” And sometimes the answer is that no amount of color-coded planners can fix doing the workload of three people. 🎧 Watch the full episode and tell us in the comments: What was the first sign that made you realize you were actually burned out—not just tired or having a bad week? ⚕️ Educational Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical or mental health care. Persistent, severe or concerning symptoms deserve evaluation by an appropriate healthcare professional. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or is in immediate danger, seek emergency assistance. In the U.S., you can call or text 988** to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. #Burnout #WorkplaceBurnout #FunnyMedicinePodcast THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode → https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast 📚 Sources listed in YouTube video version of this episode.

E135

Sep 15, 2026

1:03:31

Sleep Divorce: Why 1 in 3 Couples Are Choosing Separate Beds | Funny Medicine Podcast EP 134

Sleep Divorce: Why Couples Sleep Separately (Snoring, Insomnia, OSA, RLS) | Funny Medicine Yvy and Julie discuss “sleep divorce,” the choice for couples to sleep in separate beds or rooms to improve rest without ending the relationship, noting it’s common and growing in the U.S. They review survey data showing about one-third of Americans sleep separately at least occasionally, with millennials leading, and cite a ResMed survey reporting widespread partner sleep disruption from snoring. They explain sleep stages, how partners influence sleep, and the pros and cons of co-sleeping, including oxytocin benefits versus health harms from disrupted sleep. Medical drivers covered include obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder, insomnia, and mismatched chronotypes, plus relationship effects of sleep deprivation on conflict, stress hormones, and inflammation. They recommend addressing underlying causes first (OSA screening, sleep study, CPAP, CBT-I), trying practical fixes (separate duvets, white noise, earplugs), and making any sleep separation intentional. 00:00 Awkward Cold Open 00:14 Introducing Sleep Divorce 00:50 Rebranding The Term 01:41 What Sleep Divorce Means 02:44 Origins And History 03:31 Scandinavian Sleep Method 04:46 How Common It Is 07:10 Science Of Co Sleeping 09:24 Medical Causes OSA 11:30 Restless Legs And Kicking 13:51 Insomnia And Circadian Mismatch 14:58 Chronotypes and Sleep Divorce 16:04 Sleep Loss and Fighting 17:00 Science of Sleep Relationship Loop 18:54 Benefits of Sleeping Apart 20:45 Risks and Loneliness Tradeoffs 23:03 Medical Steps Before Divorce 24:19 Making It Intentional 25:59 Bottom Line and Rebrand 28:06 Wrap Up and Goodbye THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode → https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast 📚 SOURCES are listed on the YouTube on the video version of this episode.

E134

Sep 1, 2026

28:48

Hormone Pellets Explained: Injections & What Doctors Won't Tell You | Funny Medicine Podcast

Hormone Pellets: Benefits, FDA Warnings, Side Effects & What ACOG Says | Funny Medicine On the Funny Medicine podcast, Yvy and Julie return to discuss hormone pellets, a controversial wellness trend popular on social media and in cities like Miami. They explain what pellets are, how they’re implanted under the skin for 3–6 months, and why the inability to remove or titrate dosing drives major medical concerns. They review the history of pellets from 1930s research, contrast pellets with standard hormone replacement therapy, and describe how perimenopause/menopause symptoms and the 2002 WHI backlash contributed to demand. They cite studies showing supraphysiologic hormone levels with pellets, higher side-effect rates than FDA-approved therapy, and FDA/NASEM concerns including thousands of unreported adverse events. They summarize positions from ACOG, the Menopause Society, and the Endocrine Society, and share questions patients should ask before considering pellets. THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode → https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast 📚 SOURCES listed in video version of this episode on YouTube.

E133

Jul 8, 2026

56:33

What Your Pediatrician ACTUALLY Thinks About You (And Your Google Searches)

Ever wondered what your child's doctor REALLY thinks during your appointment? Board-certified pediatrician Dr. Yvy sits down with co-host Julie in this unfiltered, zero-notes, totally impromptu conversation that every parent NEEDS to hear before their next pediatric visit. 🩺👶 From the ideal patient vs. the nightmare one, to parents showing up with AI-generated lab requests from ChatGPT and Claude — this episode covers it ALL. We're talking well-child checks, vaccine questions, Munchausen by proxy, real hospital stories, and the raw truth about what it's like to see 40+ patients in a single day. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE: ✅ What makes an ideal pediatric patient (hint: come PREPARED) ✅ Why skipping well-child checks is a bigger deal than you think ✅ The truth about AI-generated doctor visit lists 🤖 ✅ Real Munchausen by proxy cases — and how doctors catch them ✅ What happens when patients knock on the door mid-appointment ✅ Hospital vs. clinic life: which is better for doctors AND families? ✅ The broken insurance system and prior authorizations explained ✅ Why your pediatrician may have "let you go" (and it's not personal) 💬 Whether you're a parent, a medical professional, a med student, or just someone who loves real talk about healthcare, this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and eye-opening insight straight from the doctor's office. 📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Threads & LinkedIn: @FunnyMedicinePodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms 🔔 Subscribe + hit the bell so you never miss an episode! 👇 DROP YOUR QUESTIONS for Dr. Yvy in the comments below! THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode → https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine 💬 Tell us in the comments: Have you tried peptides? What was your experience? 📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine New episodes every other Tuesday. Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories 🔔 Subscribe: https://bit.ly/FunnyMedicineSubscribe Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast #Pediatrician #KidsHealth #ChildDoctor #PediatricMedicine #ParentingTips #WellChildCheck #DoctorLife #MedicalPodcast #HealthPodcast #FunnyMedicine #MunchausenByProxy #VaccineQuestions #DoctorBurnout #HealthcareSystem #InsuranceDenial #PriorAuthorization #MedicalHumor #PodcastForParents #NewMom #ParentingAdvice #PedsLife #BoardCertified #MedStudent #PreMed #NursingStudent #HealthEducation #DoctorTalk #PatientAdvocacy #MomPodcast

Jun 10, 2026

54:39

Peptides Explained: Injections & What Doctors Won't Tell You | Funny Medicine Podcast

Explicit

Are peptides the future of medicine, or the most overhyped wellness trend on the internet? In this episode of Funny Medicine Podcast, we break down everything you need to know about peptides: what they actually are, how they work inside your body, and why they're suddenly everywhere — from your doctor's office to your Instagram feed to RFK Jr.'s policy agenda. 🔬 We cover the real science behind trending peptides like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), BPC-157, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, thymosin alpha-1, and epithalon, including what the clinical evidence actually says vs. what influencers are claiming. 💉 From subcutaneous injections to nasal sprays to oral peptides, we explain how these compounds are taken, why most can't survive your stomach, and why that matters. ⚠️ PLUS: the gray market and black market peptide boom; contamination risks, counterfeit Ozempic warnings, infection dangers, and what happens when you buy peptides from unregulated online vendors. 🏛️ We also cover the 2026 FDA regulatory battle and RFK Jr.'s controversial push to expand compounding pharmacy access to peptides, and what it means for you. 📌 WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: - What peptides are and how they work (lock-and-key receptor science) - 120+ years of peptide history, Nobel Prizes, insulin, and beyond - GLP-1 receptor agonists: semaglutide vs. tirzepatide; weight loss, cardiovascular outcomes, muscle loss risks - BPC-157: compelling animal data, zero completed human trials, FDA status - CJC-1295 + ipamorelin: the growth hormone stack and its real risks - Thymosin Alpha-1: approved in 35+ countries, what it does for immunity and aging - Epithalon and telomere science: real or hype? - How peptides are administered: injectable vs. oral vs. nasal spray vs. topical - Gray market dangers: contamination, mislabeling, counterfeit GLP-1 drugs - The FDA vs. compounding pharmacy battle of 2026 - Evidence-based takeaways: what to actually do T HIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode → https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine 💬 Tell us in the comments: Have you tried peptides? What was your experience? 📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/funnymedicine New episodes every other Tuesday. Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories 🔔 Subscribe: https://bit.ly/FunnyMedicineSubscribe Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast

E131

May 26, 2026

1:01:34

The Raw Milk Trend Needs to Be Studied… Literally | Funny Medicine Podcast

Explicit

Raw milk is having a very loud wellness-internet moment… so naturally, we had to talk about it. In this episode of Funny Medicine Podcast, we break down the raw milk craze, why people are suddenly obsessed with it again, what pasteurization actually does, and why the “natural is always better” argument gets very questionable once bacteria, foodborne illness, and bird flu enter the chat. We’re talking about the history of milk safety, Louis Pasteur being the MVP, raw milk claims vs. actual science, the risks of pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and why H5N1 bird flu in dairy cattle has made the raw milk conversation even more urgent. Also discussed: raw milk laws, herd share loopholes, wellness influencer marketing, pregnancy risks, kids and foodborne illness complications, probiotics, lactose intolerance myths, and one deeply upsetting cow udder video that none of us emotionally consented to. This episode is for anyone who has seen raw milk trending on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, or YouTube and wondered: “Wait… are people really drinking that?” Spoiler: yes. And we have thoughts. Subscribe for more funny, science-based conversations about medicine, health trends, wellness claims, public health, medical misinformation, and the weird things people put on the internet. Follow Funny Medicine Podcast for more evidence-based health conversations with a side of chaos. THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. New episodes every other Tuesday. Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories 🔔 Subscribe: https://bit.ly/FunnyMedicineSubscribe Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast Sources listed in video version of this episode on Youtube.

E130

May 12, 2026

51:11

GLP-1 Update 2026: What Ozempic, Wegovy & Zepbound Are Doing to the Body | Funny Medicine Podcast

What’s new with GLP-1 medications in 2026? In this episode of Funny Medicine Podcast, we break down the latest updates on Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, semaglutide, tirzepatide, and next-generation GLP-1 drugs. We first covered this topic when GLP-1s were just starting to dominate the conversation. Now, a few years later, we’re looking at what happened next: the benefits, the concerns, the research updates, and why these medications have become one of the biggest health topics in medicine, wellness, and pop culture. In this episode, we talk about: • what GLP-1 drugs actually do in the body • semaglutide and tirzepatide updates • Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound differences • weight loss, food noise, metabolism, and appetite changes • GLP-1s and sleep apnea • GLP-1s and addiction, reward pathways, and brain effects • muscle loss, protein intake, and strength training • side effects, safety concerns, and who should avoid them • cancer questions, pancreatitis concerns, vision changes, and ongoing research • oral GLP-1 pills and what may be coming next We also get into the real-world conversation around these medications: why some people see them as life-changing, why others are skeptical, and what science actually says right now. If you’ve been curious about Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, GLP-1 side effects, GLP-1 benefits, GLP-1 risks, or the latest weight loss drug updates, this episode is for you. THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. New episodes every other Tuesday. 📱 Follow Funny Medicine Podcast on all social platforms for bonus content, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Support the show • Drop a comment with your questions or stories 🔔 Subscribe: https://bit.ly/FunnyMedicineSubscribe Instagram & Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast References listed in video version of this episode on Youtube.

E129

Apr 28, 2026

49:30

Havana Syndrome: Brain Fog Mystery Scientists Can’t Explain

Explicit

What is Havana Syndrome, and why are scientists, doctors, and intelligence agencies still arguing about it nearly a decade later? In this episode of the Funny Medicine Podcast, we break down one of the strangest modern medical mysteries: the reports of a loud metallic sound, sudden head pressure, brain fog, headaches, dizziness, hearing changes, and other symptoms that came to be known as Havana Syndrome, now also called Anomalous Health Incidents. We get into: • how the first cases were reported in Havana in 2016 • why the symptoms sounded unbelievable at first • the eerie detail that some people said the sound came from one specific spot in a room • why doctors took it seriously once multiple patients described similar experiences • the debate between directed energy / microwave exposure and functional neurological disorder • what studies in JAMA, the NIH, and other major investigations have found • the cricket theory, and why it did not fully explain the health symptoms • the Russia connection, intelligence reporting, and the recent reporting around a suspected $15 million microwave device • why this case sits at the crossroads of neurology, psychology, physics, geopolitics, and spycraft This episode is classic Funny Medicine Podcast: real medical science, a genuinely fascinating mystery, and just enough sarcasm to keep things fun without losing the facts. If you like medical mysteries, neurology, brain health, science podcasts, health news, strange case studies, and spy-story-level weirdness, this one is for you. Watch until the end and let us know in the comments: Do you think Havana Syndrome was caused by directed energy, functional neurological disorder, a mix of both, or something else entirely? Subscribe to the Funny Medicine Podcast for more episodes on: medical mysteries brain health weird science health news medicine explained simply controversial medical questions fascinating true medical stories Follow Funny Medicine Podcast on all our socials for more clips, new episodes, and behind-the-scenes content.

E128

Apr 14, 2026

37:55

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