Sickboy

Have you ever wanted to be a nurse but were too scared to handle the pressure of real-life clinical practice? Well, fear not, because new research suggests that virtual reality (VR) training could be the answer to your fears! Speaking of fears - The Bizarre Life Cycle of a Female Adactylidium is something straight out of a horror movie. We're not clowning around here, folks! A new study has revealed that uncertainty of harmful intent, media influences, and unpredictability of behaviour are the key factors behind this fear. Who knew that a red nose and big shoes could be so scary? Keeping the fears going the fellas then dive into the gruesome details of the calamitous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, which completely obliterated nearby Roman towns and turned their inhabitants into eerie, preserved specimens. Scientists have now discovered new evidence of a cloud of hot gas that essentially vaporized countless victims and turned their brains to glass. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

In this episode, Bri and Jer speak with Michael Weber, a Texas police officer with 38 years of experience, including 15 years as a Crimes Against Children Detective and Investigator. Michael is a national expert on Medical Child Abuse, commonly known as Munchausen by Proxy, and a member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children's (APSAC) Committee on Munchausen by Proxy. They discuss how a caregiver can get an unneeded surgery performed on a child just by lying about their medical history. Michael shares insights into the prevalence of this abuse and dispels false narratives about it that are often perpetuated in the media. He also highlights legislative efforts in Texas to pass a law specific to this abuse. Michael's experience investigating over 50 reports of Medical Child Abuse and his unique "how-to" training for CPS, law enforcement, prosecutors, make for a fascinating conversation on a critical topic. Tune in to learn more about this form of child abuse and what can be done to prevent it. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

This week the fellas are joined by Hailey. They dive into a deep conversation about chronic illness and how it can shape one's identity. Hailey shares her experience with stage 3 HS, a disease so advanced that even healthcare professionals were left scratching their heads. For Hailey however she absolutely MUST NOT SCRATCH OR PICK FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful, long-term skin condition that causes abscesses and scarring on the skin. The exact cause of hidradenitis suppurativa is unknown, but it occurs near hair follicles where there are sweat glands, usually around the groin, bottom, breasts and armpits. She also reveals the struggles of trying to manage a serious illness without proper healthcare in the U.S. Hailey is an absolute warrior and a champ who's bright and uplifting demeanour is infectious and we are grateful to have had this conversation with her.

Short Kings rise up. But first, researchers in Boston have created an AI tool called Sybil (not Sybian) that can predict whether a person will develop lung cancer in the next year with 86% to 94% accuracy. And the best part? It can detect early signs of lung cancer years before doctors would typically find it on a CT scan. Move over, Doc, Sybil's got this! A game of Monopoly in Brussels has turned into something out of a samurai movie. Two men landed in the hospital after a disagreement over noise levels, of all things. It seems that a group of Monopoly players were disturbing their neighbors, who then approached them with a katana sword. As you do. Naturally, things got heated, and before you knew it, the Monopoly players were embroiled in a sword fight. And in a mind-blowing scientific discovery, donor lungs last far longer if they are held in 10 degrees Celsius rather than 4 degrees Celsius. How we haven't figured this out sooner is beyond us. In another fascinating discovery: one study finds men (Dutch? Danish? Who knows.) will exaggerate when self-reporting masculinity-related traits, especially penis size. Tune in to hear two short kings and one tall guy chime in on the matter. Finally the history of "rough and tumble" fighting is BRUTAL and hella interesting. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

This week the fellas are joined by Sara (an NP) and Teale (PHD in International Studies) from AccessBC. They discuss the high cost of prescription contraception in British Columbia and how it impacts access for those who need it the most. They highlight the significant cost of different methods, including the intrauterine device, oral contraceptive pills, and hormone injections. Lucky for us, AccessBC promotes universal coverage for prescription contraception. The campaign believes that providing access to free contraception is not only the right thing to do for vulnerable populations, but it also reduces gender inequality, improves health outcomes for parents and children, and makes good fiscal sense. The good news is that the policy has been included in the 2023 provincial budget, and as of April 1, 2023, prescription contraception in BC will be free! Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

This week the fellas sit down with Jon Archambault. Jon shares his story of serving in the military for 11 years, including 5 in Special Forces, and then transitioning to a career in law enforcement. Unfortunately, Jon had to leave the uniform due to a diagnosis of CPTSD with dissociation and major depressive disorder. But Jon didn't let his mental health struggles define him. Instead, he wrote a book to break the stigma surrounding mental health injuries in the uniform and founded Wired Differently, an outdoor apparel company that encourages people to connect with nature and ground themselves. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

Green Shirt Day is upon us! Organ donation is important and Sickboy is here to spread the word. Who knew that getting busy between the sheets can lead to such tragic consequences? In this episode, the fellas discuss the latest estimates from WHO on congenital syphilis and how it's still causing over 200,000 stillbirths and neonatal deaths every year. Also, have you ever wondered why holes feel bigger with your tongue than they do with your finger? What kind of holes do you ask? You know exactly what kind of holes… Finally the boys wrap up this week with a lengthy discussion about navigating sex and consent with those who suffer from dementia. It’s a cloudy space and hopefully this is a topic that can be investigated further in the future with a professional. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

In this episode, Jer and Tay are joined by the delightful Brooke Manning, who's not just a poet, musician, and owner of the art space Likely General in Toronto, Canada. Nope, she's also a certified death doula! Brooke chats with the guys about all things death, from her Death Meditation Ceremonies (we promise it’s a lot more relaxing than it sounds) to the history of the funeral industry and how it turned death into a capitalist nightmare. But fear not! Brooke is here to bring death back to its roots and make it a more holistic, earth-forward experience. We also get into the nitty-gritty of grief - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Brooke reminds us that death can be beautiful and awakening and that bringing awareness to our impermanence can actually be enlivening. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

In this episode, the fellas are joined by the hilarious and inspiring mental health podcaster and advocate, Kyle Moore. Growing up in rural Atlantic Canada, Kyle learned the hard way that mental health stigma is alive and well, especially for young men. But after experiencing severe suicidal ideation and reaching out for help, he realized that sharing his story and experiences can be a powerful tool for healing. Kyle also shares his experience of competing on Big Brother Canada, where he had to handle his OCD and anxiety in an environment designed to cause stress and paranoia. And let's not forget the "villain edit" he got, leading to some intense online harassment, including death threats and attacks on his family and friends. But with his humor, genuine curiosity, and unending passion for understanding people's stories, Kyle has used his podcast to reduce stigma, spread awareness, and champion unheard voices in the world of mental health. So join us for a conversation that will make you laugh, inspire you, and remind you that no matter what life throws your way, you can always find a way to keep moving forward. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

The boys tackle the hilarious and often mortifying topic of the "middle-aged groan." You know the one — that strange noise you make when you bend over to pick something up, or stand up from a chair? Did you hear about the latest scientific discoveries from Beethoven's hair which has been preserved for almost 200 years? It turns out that Beethoven's chronic drinking, hepatitis B infection, and genetic risk for liver disease were likely the culprits behind his demise. Endo makes sex painful so someone made a product called an OhNut to help. It looks kinda fun! Total Recall is just around the corner — GET INTO THE CHOPPA... oh wait that's Predator. Finally, we go down a CRACKING good rabbit hole. RingDinger baby. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN