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.

Last refreshed: June 30th, 2025 at 4:13 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

107 Dr. Satchin Panda: When Versus What You Eat

Obesity and its accompanying health problems clearly are associated with overeating, especially of high sugar and fatty foods, and a sedentary lifestyle. But it turns out that while we need to be careful with respect to what we eat, when during our waking hours we are eating also has a significant effect on weight gain and general health. The same amount and types of calories can have vastly different health effects depending upon when they are consumed. The light-dark cycle influences our sleep...

May 12, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 107

106 Dr. Ryan Herringa: PTSD in Kids

When we hear the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, often the image of a combat veteran comes to mind, but a relatively new field is emerging - that of pediatric PTSD. This is a field of growing importance as we recognize that traumatized youth need treatment for this. Spearheading research in this area is Dr. Ryan Herringa. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Herringa discuss the history of PTSD, how it often manifests in both adults and children, as well as the types of traumas that can ...

May 05, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 106

105 Dr. Kris McGrath: Breast Cancer, Underarm Shaving, and Product Use

Breast cancer is on the rise, especially in women under 40. This is pretty scary and the increase points to something environmental. In today’s episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Kris McGrath talk about one of these environmental factors and how our individual underarm hygiene may play a role in our risk for breast (and prostate) cancers earlier in life. Dr. McGrath has had a long time interest in this trend and they discuss some of his work on the relationship between underarm shaving and the use ...

Apr 28, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 105

104 Q and A: Mosquito bites, regeneration

Audience questions answered Why are some people attacked by mosquitoes, while people sitting next to them aren’t bothered? This question, from Neil in Jupiter, Florida is something people wonder about. Mosquitoes are attracted to CO2 as well as body odors. Supposed remedies, like taking B vitamins or eating garlic, lack scientific evidence to back them up. The differences between people are largely genetic. Identical twins exhibit highly similar attractiveness or unattractiveness while fraternal...

Apr 21, 2021•6 min•Season 2Ep. 104

103 Ian Urbina: Where Your Fish Comes From

Most of us take for granted that the seafood we eat is healthy and better for the atmosphere. But there are hidden costs in our increasing consumption of seafood that we don’t see. Why? Because these costs are accrued on the high seas and under the sea, where few journalists endeavor to cover them. Sea slavery, overfishing, pollution, and loss of revenue for people already struggling to make a living are extensive, but not well known. Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times investigative reporter ...

Apr 14, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 103

102 Exploring the Paranormal

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. James Alcock to the show, this time, he is here to discuss the paranormal and parapsychology. Throughout their discussion, Therese Markow and Dr. Alcock explain what is meant by paranormal, different types of supernatural phenomena and paranormal abilities, and the types of experiments that attempt to prove these abilities exist. There is a long history of paranormal beliefs that has evolved throughout the years, culminating in what we now call parapsychology...

Apr 07, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 102

101 When are you really dead?

Dr. Adam Schiavi is an assistant professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine and neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His areas of clinical expertise include anesthesiology, neurological critical care, disorders of consciousness and brain death diagnosis, clinical ethics, critical care medicine, and traumatic brain injury. In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Adam Schiavi discuss how the definition of death has changed throughout history, what the current d...

Mar 31, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 101

100 Dr. Garrett Broad: Cultured Meat: Present and Future Considerations

Garrett Broad is an Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University and the author of More Than Just Food: Food Justice and Community Change (University of California Press, 2016). His research investigates the role of storytelling and communication technology in promoting networked movements for social justice. Much of his work focuses on local and global food systems, as he explores how food can best contribute to improved neighborhood health, environmental sustain...

Mar 24, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 100

099 Dr. Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer: Why Your Voice is Unique

When we hear someone call on the phone, we often recognize them by their voice. They don't even have to announce their name. So what exactly is a voice? How's it produced? Why is your voice different from other people? We take so much for granted about being able to speak and hear that we don't even stop to think about where voices come from what causes the uniqueness of a person's voice. In today’s episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer answer many of these questions and so muc...

Mar 17, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 99

098 Dr. Richard Phelps: No More College Admission Test?

Over the last few years, a number of colleges and universities have dropped the requirement for all or part of the SAT or ACT exam as part of their admissions requirements. This movement appears to be increasing. It's logical to wonder about the large-scale implications of eliminating the requirement of these tests, the benefits, and the downsides. In today’s episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Richard Phelps, discuss this trend of eliminating standardized tests, the origins of this movement, and th...

Mar 10, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 98

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