Sickboy

This week the fellas chat with Andrea Dunlop to discuss Munchausen by Proxy (MBP), a condition that has been misunderstood and misrepresented in popular culture. Andrea, an expert in the field, sheds light on the complexities of MBP and helps us understand whether it is a mental illness or a crime. Andrea explains that MBP encompasses two separate things: Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another, which is the official DSM diagnosis, and Medical Child Abuse, which is a crime. The term is often misunderstood and misused, leading to confusion and misconceptions about the condition. One of the biggest questions surrounding MBP is how common it is. Andrea explains that despite its depiction as rare in popular culture, it is actually more common than we might think. She also outlines the warning signs of MBP, which can help people recognize the abuse in their communities, particularly parents and those who work with children. For a resource of warning signs of MBP check out this link provided by Andrea - https://www.munchausensupport.com/faq/ Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

This week the fellas chat with Jen Kish - the former captain of Canada's Olympic bronze medal-winning rugby sevens team and now a coach on Canada's Ultimate Challenge. Jen's got some wild stories to share about her days on the sevens circuit and how she used her lightning-fast skills and tenacious defence to leave opponents in the dust. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. The guys dive into heavy topics like Jen's bipolar diagnosis and how it impacted her personal relationships, as well as her commitment to donating her brain to further research on the effects of trauma on women's brains. Tune in while Jen Kish opens up about her life, mental health, and the importance of fitness as an outlet. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

Did you hear the latest relationship trend? Apparently, one in five couples are ditching the traditional shared bed and opting for separate bedrooms. According to a survey of 2,200 Americans, the reasons for this new trend include snoring, differing schedules, and general sleep disturbances caused by bed-sharing. I guess some people just can't handle the heat (or the snoring)! Sex therapists and marriage counsellors are raising their eyebrows at this trend, suggesting that it may signal deeper relationship issues or a lack of sexual desire. Could sleeping solo be a red flag that you're headed towards a sexless, loveless marriage?! In our cute content for the week a cat in Turkey was born with 4 ears and it's straight up #awww. Finally Jer hits us with a top 10 list of epic proportions. 10 wacky medical treatments that doctors actually used to believe in. You know how we look back at leech therapy and think, "What the heck were they thinking?" Well, someday we'll probably do the same with Botox injections, which is basically injecting lethal toxins into your face in the name of youthfulness. Barbaric? Maybe. Effective? Sure, if you're trying to paralyze your wrinkles to oblivion. But hey, let's not judge our ancestors too harshly. After all, they did the best they could with what they had. Even if that meant smoking a pack a day to cure their asthma (spoiler alert: it didn't work). Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

Dr. Brian Goldman takes listeners through the swinging doors of hospitals and doctors' offices, behind the curtain where the gurney lies. In this episode, you’ll hear about how it took more than a year and five delays for 16-year-old Nathan Gilson to get the scoliosis surgery he needed. As Nathan waited, the curvature to his spine got worse, making him uncomfortable and self-conscious. He was teased. He didn’t understand the delay: “They don't care about me, mom.” Across Canada, there were 600,000 fewer operations during the first 18 months of the pandemic. Then, the tripledemic of COVID, flu and RSV forced pediatric hospitals to postpone non-urgent operations. Nathan is recovering well now, but it will take time to truly move on. Meanwhile, 12,000 kids in Ontario are still on the waitlist. You can learn more about Nathan’s story at: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/they-don-t-care-about-me-mom-teen-s-scoliosis-surgery-delayed-five-times-1.6755073 More episodes of White Coat, Black Art are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/Kx7CcGLz

In this episode, the guys sit down with Daniel Nowoselski, Advocacy Manager for Hospice Palliative Care at the Canadian Cancer Society. Daniel shares his passion for palliative care and the importance of advocating for access to it. He reflects on his own experiences as a caregiver and the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the major gaps in palliative care and the need for investment from our society and government to ensure everyone has access to it. This conversation will give listeners an understanding of why palliative care matters and what can be done to ensure that it is available for all who need it. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

This week we go deep and explore the challenges of loss and grief and how to overcome them. The boys chat with Christy Wopat, a 4th-grade teacher, writer, and award-winning author. Christy has faced the unimaginable loss of her two children, Sofie and Aiden, and has since dedicated her life to helping others who have experienced the same heartbreak. She has published several books, including the award-winning memoir "Almost a Mother: Love, Loss, and Finding Your People When Your Baby Dies," "Mas Ours," an illustrated picture book about remembering loved ones, and "After All: Pregnancy After Your Baby Dies”. Christy shares her personal story of loss and grief, including how she navigated the difficult decisions that come with infant loss, the things people say that can be hurtful, and how grief following the loss of an infant is a forever thing. She will also discuss the role of community and humor in coping with loss, and how it has affected her relationship with her husband. Tune in to hear Christy's journey and hear her tips for finding hope and healing after experiencing loss. Let's support each other as we continue to find our people and never feel alone. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

Scientists are puzzled by a recent study that found the average erect penis length has increased by 24 percent worldwide over the last few decades. The researchers speculate that global environmental causes, including a sedentary lifestyle and exposure to hormone-disrupting substances, could be contributing to the increase. A man in his 50s diagnosed with prostate cancer developed an "uncontrollable 'Irish accent" despite not having one before, according to a report by researchers from Duke University and Carolina Urologic Research Center. The researchers suspect that the man's case is a rare instance of Foreign Accent Syndrome, which basically means that your speech changes in a way that makes it sound like you have a foreign accent. And in this case, it was the luck of the Irish. Apparently, the CDC has tied the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears to a multi-state cluster of Pseudomonas aeruginosa patients. The CDC is investigating at least 50 cases in 11 states that have led to hospitalization, permanent vision loss, and even one death. Yikes. For WHAT THE HELLTH Jer shows us a wild simulation of what it feels like to live with schizophrenia and let's just say it's not not scary. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

Join the dudes as they delve into the current state of the addiction and mental health system with Todd Leader, a multiple-award-winning consultant, social worker, and psychologist. Todd will share his unique perspective and real-life experience of leading a system transformation, which he documented in his book "It's Not About Us; The Secret to Transforming the Mental Health and Addiction System in Canada." In this episode, you'll learn about the reasons behind the failures of the system, key solutions, and how you can play a role in advocating for change. Additionally, Todd will share his personal and shocking experience of a medication-induced severe mental illness and the unique lessons he learned about the rarely discussed side effects of meds, suicidality, and stigma. He'll also share his insights on creating a client-centred system to prevent patients from falling through the cracks. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

The Heart is an audio art project about power and love. From CBC Podcasts, Mermaid Palace and Radiotopia. SISTERS is a 5 episode series that follows the journey of an older and younger sister from birth to adulthood. Natalie and Kaitlin went from being childhood rivals to being best friends. When the sisters decide to work together to create the very podcast series you are about to listen to, they face challenges they never anticipated. Sibling rivalry, mental health struggles and the daunting task of creating an audio series about it all: can these women overcome the patterns they learned in childhood and live in harmony as adults? More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/s-FhEE6O

The guys welcome Larry Gifford, a man on a mission to raise awareness and find a cure for Parkinson's disease. Diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease at 45, Larry didn't let it slow him down. Instead, he co-founded PD Avengers, a global alliance working towards ending Parkinson's disease. Larry and his wife Rebecca also host the podcast "When Life Gives You Parkinson's," sharing their journey and inspiring others. Join us as Larry discusses his role as Ambassador for the World Parkinson Congress 2023 in Barcelona, his involvement with the World Health Organization, and his advocacy for stem cell research. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the impact of Parkinson's disease and what you can do to help. Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN