They needed certainty. They got chaos. For over a decade, countless people from at least five different countries put their trust in a company offering prenatal paternity tests. It promised clients “99.9% accuracy” — but then routinely, for over a decade, identified the wrong biological fathers. Investigative journalists Jorge Barrera and Rachel Houlihan track down the people whose lives were torn apart by these bad results, the shattered families and acrimonious court cases that followed, and t...
Nov 04, 2024•35 min
Pain doesn’t always look the way people expect it to. Watercolor artist KYRIANNA delves into the reality of living with chronic pain—a sensation she likens to a broken bone that refuses to heal. Art, for her, is more than a passion; it’s a lifeline and a voice for the often invisible struggles of chronic illness. In this episode, she shares how painting helps her express and validate her symptoms while tackling the disbelief and gaslighting that can come with an invisible condition. KYRIANNA ope...
Oct 30, 2024•49 min•Ep. 472
Solitary confinement isn't just a punishment; for some, it's a childhood reality. In this episode, author Lisa Moore discusses her powerful collaboration with Jack Whalen on Invisible Prisons, a book that reveals the traumatic experiences of children in reform schools, focusing on Jack's harrowing story of isolation. The conversation explores the systemic issues of child abuse, the deep psychological impact of solitary confinement, and the pivotal role of love and family in healing. Lisa reflect...
Oct 23, 2024•43 min•Ep. 471
When science and ethics clash, the results can be mind-boggling—and a little unsettling. This week Jer takes the fellas on a Cloning deep dive. It all begins with the recent story of Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, an 81-year-old rancher imprisoned for illegally cloning sheep for trophy hunting, sparking a deeper look into the ethical maze of cloning. From Dolly the sheep's groundbreaking role as the first mammal cloned from an adult cell to the controversial revival of extinct species like the woolly ...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Even the strongest athletes need a game plan. This week, we dive into the world of endurance sports and type 1 diabetes with Dr. Anne Marie MacDonald, a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete who's been navigating the condition for over 35 years. From nutrition to insulin management, she shares how she juggles the demands of high-intensity training while managing her health. Plus, we explore the latest research on diabetes treatments that could reshape the future. In the wrap up Jer tackles a sh...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 469
They say parenting is the hardest job in the world—now imagine doing it with a disability in a world that often deems you "unfit." This week, author and essayist Jessica Slice joins the fellas to reflect on her experiences with POTS and how disability has shaped her views on attraction, relationships, and parenting. She dives into the societal fear of weakness, offering fresh perspectives on accepting vulnerability as part of the human experience. From navigating discrimination against disabled ...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 468
When it comes to living longer, it's not just about adding years to your life, but life to your years. In this episode, Dr. Fady Hannah-Shmouni, CEO of HealthSpan Digital, dives into the cutting-edge world of precision health and longevity medicine. From AI-powered disease detection to personalized health interventions, he unpacks how modern tools are shaping the future of healthcare. The secret to optimizing healthspan? It's a hell of a lot simpler than you might think. Sleep, movement, and nut...
Sep 25, 2024•50 min•Ep. 467
You can't choose your scars, but you can choose your hairstyle—just ask the guy with a leaky head on a flight. In this episode, the conversation takes off with a story about a man fresh from a hair transplant who causes quite the stir aboard a plane. What follows is a dive into the wild world of hair transplants, from follicles to faux pas, with a few unexpected turns along the way. The fellas also delve into the ingenuity of a 15-year-old inventor making waves in skin cancer treatment. 15 years...
Sep 18, 2024•35 min•Ep. 466
Personal Best is a podcast that celebrates small ambitions, half-wins and the quiet satisfaction of getting less bad at things. Each week they help ordinary people work through the little things they’d never bring to a life coach — like having the courage to dine alone at a fancy restaurant or getting less awkward at handshakes. Let them be your self-improvement sidekicks! More episodes from the brand new season of Personal Best are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/-kMRnPZ1...
Sep 16, 2024•39 min
Managing life’s highs and lows is hard enough without your blood sugar joining the rollercoaster. Annie Arnone joins the boys to dive into her experiences living with type 1 diabetes and borderline personality disorder (BPD), highlighting the often-misunderstood differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Diagnosed at 16, Annie faced challenges that went far beyond managing insulin levels. From navigating stigma and bullying in high school to confronting the deep connection between chronic i...
Sep 11, 2024•57 min•Ep. 465
When it comes to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), understanding is key, but misconceptions often get in the way. In this episode, Sickboy sits down with Judy Heilik to shed light on the realities of living with FASD. They tackle the stigma and blame that often surround the condition, emphasizing the need for empathy and support. Judy explains how alcohol consumption during pregnancy can impact brain development, leading to a range of challenges from emotional regulation to social interact...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min
When the fight against HIV meets the resilience of Indigenous communities, advocacy becomes a lifeline. Trevor Stratton, a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, shares his journey from diagnosis to becoming a powerful voice in the Indigenous HIV community. As the International AIDS Conference looms, Trevor dives into the pressing need for culturally safe education and messaging to combat stigma and discrimination. He sheds light on the importance of being "undetectable" and the ...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 462
They say the only constant in life is change, but what happens when the change you're given feels like a double-edged sword? In this episode, the boys sit down with Connie, a young woman whose life with Cystic Fibrosis has taken a sharp turn thanks to Trikafta. She shares the raw realities of navigating a new chapter where her body, mind, and future are all in flux. From the ripple effects of this life-altering drug to the unexpected burden of added years, Connie explores the challenges of redef...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 31 min
When a rabbit hole becomes a black hole, entire lives can be sucked into the void. This episode unravels the tangled web of QAnon, exploring its origins, spread, and devastating impact on individuals and families. Journalist Jesselyn Cook joins the fellas to dissect how a fringe conspiracy theory infiltrated mainstream culture, offering a false sense of belonging to those who feel lost. Through personal stories, the discussion sheds light on the psychological needs these theories fulfill and the...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 461
Unlocking the vault of generational pain can be the first step toward healing. In this episode, Scott Armstrong, founder of Mentl and the Mentl Awards, shares his deeply personal journey, shaped by his father's struggle with depression and his own experiences with trauma. Scott emphasizes the importance of creating safe emotional spaces for children and the transformative power of therapy. He highlights the progress in addressing mental health stigma in the UAE, advocating for empathy, compassio...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 460
What do Justin Bieber, Pirates, and Grief all have in common? In part one of this two-part special, Dr. Julia Samuel delves into the gritty reality and personal trials of battling shingles and Ramsey Hunt syndrome. She opens up about the profound grief and identity shifts that accompany facial paralysis, emphasizing the power of resilience, support, and humour in the face of adversity. She shows the fellas how navigating illness can redefine one’s sense of self and why being present for others i...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 459
What if the path to freedom meant leaving behind everything you've ever known? Anna Lopes, a survivor turned advocate, takes the boys on a rollercoaster ride from the opulent streets of the UAE to the depths of domestic violence and back to the heights of healing. Anna peels back the layers of her past, revealing the invisible chains of manipulation that once bound her and the heart-pounding moment of her escape. She explores how childhood trauma shapes adult relationships and navigates the cult...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 458
Shedding light on the invisible enemy, Dr. Nicholas Lobel reveals the illuminating potential of photodisinfection to transform healthcare. Dr. Loebel serves as President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Ondine Biomedical. Beyond the growing ineffectiveness of antibiotics, Dr. Loebel delves into the brilliance of using light to zap harmful microbes. Get ready to nerd out with the guys as they learn about how photodisinfection targets bacteria with laser-like precision on various surfaces and...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 457
They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but what if it leaves scars that run deeper than the skin? This episode dives into Tulsi's incredible story of surviving a plane crash at age 10, which claimed her entire family and left her with severe burns. Tulsi recounts the harrowing impact of the tragedy, exploring themes of trauma, grief, and self-acceptance. Her journey underscores the importance of positive representation and challenges societal norms about beauty and inclusivity. Tulsi...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 456
What happens when your family thinks you're haunted but it's all in your head? In this powerful episode, Adel BinHdaya AlFalasi shares his deeply personal journey through mental health challenges, from hearing voices and believing he had superpowers to suffering a stroke at just 30 years old. Initially turning to video games for escape and misled by his family’s belief in supernatural causes, Adel eventually sought medical help and was diagnosed with a neurological condition. His story sheds lig...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 455
Who knew a ring could hold the secret to unlocking better health and pleasure? Buckle up folks, This week Dr. Elliot Justin, CEO and founder of FirmTech, introduces the world's first objective monitor for men's erectile fitness—a discreet, wearable cock ring that tracks nocturnal erections to provide critical insights into erectile health. It’s like a FitBit, but for your weiner. This cutting-edge device can identify potential health issues like diabetes and hypertension while enhancing sexual e...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Not all tackles happen on the field. Che Morales, once on the brink of a promising CFL career, found his life upended by a surprising diagnosis. What started as shortness of breath, initially thought to be COVID, led to the shocking discovery of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). This episode delves into Che’s journey from being a university football powerhouse to grappling with a condition that thickens the walls of the heart’s left ventricle, ending his athletic dreams. As Che navigates this u...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 453
They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but sometimes, it illuminates the darkness within. In this episode, the fellas are joined by Denise Chong, the best selling author, to chat about her latest book, Out of Darkness. This gripping narrative follows the harrowing journey of Rumana Monzur, a Bangladeshi professor whose life was shattered by a brutal domestic assault. Chong discusses the global scourge of domestic violence, amplified during the pandemic, and the cultural clashes that often ...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 452
OH OH OH OZEMPIC! You knOooOooOoow, never believe it’s not so. This week the fellas get to check off a long time dream guest. Johann Hari, a wildly successful and beloved author and journalist, who pops by the studio to do a deep dive into the new form of weight loss drugs that are taking the world by storm! Johann delves into the concept of satiety and how processed foods undermine our ability to feel full while exploring the tension between body positivity and the health risks associated with ...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 451
Clarification : The median age of survival in Canadians born with cystic fibrosis is 60 years of age. The median age of death in Canadians with CF is 37 years of age. When science fiction becomes a medical reality, the journey is anything but simple. Kelly Grover, CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, dives into how Trikafta, the breakthrough CF drug, is revolutionizing treatment by targeting its root cause. While Trikafta brings significant physical health benefits, Kelly and Jeremie discuss the emoti...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 450
This week is all about 4 things. Ambition, Resiliency, Adventure and Poop! Our guest Bradley lives with Crohn's disease and despite facing huge health challenges (including a horrific and lengthy hospital admission) he’s done some wildly impressive things. Bradley crossed the Sahara Desert, swam the English Channel, and even raced 14 dogs in the Iditarod across Alaska. And if that isn’t enough to make you feel like you’ve done nothing with your life, his latest goal is to become an astronaut. St...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 449
Humor isn't just medicine for the soul; it's also a scalpel that dissects the complex anatomy of our mental and physical health. This week Jer and Tay are joined by best-selling author and psychiatrist, Dr. Damon Tweedy. From discussing the stigmas that shadow mental health in marginalized communities to the transformative power of integrating mental health care into everyday medical practice, the conversation covers significant ground. Dr. Tweedy shares his evolution from cardiology to psychiat...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 448
When the game ends but the battle just begins, former NHL player Daniel Carcillo lays bare the hard-hitting truth about sports concussions and the healing journey beyond the rink. Carcillo joins the fellas for a compelling chat surrounding his intense struggle with mental health following repetitive head trauma and the lack of proactive education and support from the NHL and its Players' Association (NHLPA). Delving deeper, he underscores the necessity of informed consent and advocates for the c...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 447
In a dance designed for two, what happens when the music stops for one? This week Jer and Tay go OG FGF mode. After introducing the newest member of the team, Haeley, Jer delves into the complex world of conjoined twins, particularly focusing on the rare and heartbreaking scenario where one twin dies but the other lives. We explore the various types of conjoined twins and the medical intricacies involved, from shared organs to separate sensations. Modern medicine offers some the possibility of s...
May 01, 2024•40 min•Ep. 446
Sometimes, the world we see isn't just defined by light and shadows, but by the stories we tell and the voices we hear. Mara Hutchinson offers the fellas a candid glimpse into her life with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a rare eye disease that affects the retina. She’s lived a journey marked not just by challenges but also by profound resilience. Mara delves into how navigating the world with a white cane (or white stick, depending who you ask) is more than an exercise in mobility—it's a statement ...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 445
