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Doctor Vs Comedian
Doctor Vs Comedian
224 episodes
6 days ago
Is Laughter the best medicine? We attempt to answer this and other pressing questions in Doctor Vs Comedian. Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC‘s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject.We talk about serious subjects in an unserious way. If you want to hear about comedy, entertainment, health and wellness and don‘t want to have to choose between being entertaining AND informed, then this show is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Medicine
Health & Fitness
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Is Laughter the best medicine? We attempt to answer this and other pressing questions in Doctor Vs Comedian. Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC‘s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject.We talk about serious subjects in an unserious way. If you want to hear about comedy, entertainment, health and wellness and don‘t want to have to choose between being entertaining AND informed, then this show is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Medicine
Health & Fitness
Episodes (20/224)
Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 222: Stephen Colbert / Vertigo

Today Asif and Ali discuss late night host Stephen Colbert (1:12). The guys start off by going over when they first heard about Colbert as well as his early life and career. They go over his success on the ‘Daily Show’ and later the ‘Colbert Report’ (and his White House Correspondents dinner speech). After some more trivia, Asif and Ali discuss the recent cancellation of ‘The Late Show’ with Stephen Colbert. 


Then Ali asks Asif about a type of vertigo - called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - which Stephen Colbert suffers from (29:09). Asif talks about what vertigo is, the different causes and how BPPV is a specific type of vertigo. He discusses how common it is as well as the common symptoms. He then goes over how it is diagnosed and treated. 


The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 


Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay


Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com


Show Notes:


  • Pope Francis Hosts Chris Rock, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon in Comic Conclave: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/pope-francis-hosts-comedians-chris-rock-jimmy-fallon-1235922800/
  • Colbert on grief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB46h1koicQ
  • WTF Stephen Colbert: https://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1030-stephen-colbert
  • What the Cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” Means: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-television/what-the-cancellation-of-stephen-colberts-late-show-means
  • There’s a bigger story behind Colbert’s cancellation: https://www.vox.com/culture/420351/late-show-with-stephen-colbert-cancellation-political-comedy-trump
  • Samantha Bee on the Real Reason Colbert Got Cancelled | Breaking Bread with Tom Papa: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=599456826560054 
  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470308/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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5 days ago
43 minutes 59 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 221: Happy Gilmore 1 and 2 / Golf Injuries

Today, Ali and Asif discuss the original ‘Happy Gilmore’, as well as the new Netflix sequel ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ (1:50). They start off by discussing the original ‘Happy Gilmore’, which Asif only saw last week. They then go over the recently released ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ and in particular the numerous cameos in the movie. Then they discuss golf injuries (37:27). Asif talks about how common they are and the risk factors for injury. He then goes over the most common body parts injured as well as what golfers can do to prevent injury. 


The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 


Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay


Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com


Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian


Show Notes: 


  • Happy Gilmore 2 Cameos: See Every Celebrity Who Appeared in the Star-Studded Sequel: https://people.com/happy-gilmore-2-cameos-guide-11780081
  • Adam Sandler’s Secret Weapon: This ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Writer Shaped Decades of Comedy and Earned $3 Billion at the Box Office: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/happy-gilmore-2-adam-sandler-writing-partner-1236467146/
  • Systematic review of musculoskeletal injuries in professional golfers: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/1/13
  • Golf Injuries: https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/common-golf-injuries
  • Injuries and Overuse Syndromes in Golf: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03635465030310031901?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed
  • Cross-sectional study of characteristics and prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in 1170 male golfers: https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/9/1/e001504

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1 week ago
56 minutes 38 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 220: Hulk Hogan / Heart Complications from Steroids

Today, after a brief discussion on the recent deaths of Ozzy Osbourne and Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Asif and Ali discuss the career and complicated life of Hulk Hogan (7:15). They guys start off by discussing when they first heard of Hogan. They then go over his meteoric rise to become the most famous professional wrestler of all time. They then discuss his controversies including videos of Hogan using racist language and the Gawker trial, and the ongoing repercussions of these events. 


Hogan had a history of anabolic steroid use and died of cardiac arrest and so in the second half of the episode, Ali asks Asif about the heart complications of anabolic steroid use (34:30). He talks about how these steroids “build up” tissues and muscles and result in masculine-like effects (androgenization). He discusses how common anabolic steroid use is and how it has been linked to heart disease and heart failure in particular. Asif goes over the common symptoms that this type of heart failure would present with. He then goes over the testing that should be done as well as the treatment (mainly stopping steroid use). 



Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay


Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com


Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian


Show Notes:



  • Can You Mourn Hulk Hogan the Wrestler, But Not the Man? https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/hulk-hogan-legacy-remembrance-1235393582/
  • The Mortal Hulk Hogan: https://www.theringer.com/2025/07/24/wwe/hulk-hogan-obituary-wrestling-legacy
  • What Hulk Hogan Left Behind: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/opinion/hulk-hogan-gawker.html
  • Hulk Hogan's son arrested on DUI charge in Florida city where he was involved in a car crash 16 years ago: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hulk-hogans-son-arrested-dui-florida-city-was-involved-car-crash-16-ye-rcna125905
  • Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press review – Hulk v Gawker in portrait of wealthy arrogance: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jun/22/nobody-speak-trials-of-a-free-press-review-hulk-hogan-gawker-netflix
  • Anabolic androgenic steroids and cardiomyopathy: an update https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1214374/full#B11
  • Steroid-Induced Cardiomyopathy: Insights From a Systematic Literature Review and a Case Report https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ccr3.70171
  • Cardiovascular Toxicity of Illicit Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.116.026945



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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2 weeks ago
51 minutes 48 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 219: Superman Quiz / “Superhuman” Genes

Today Ali asks Asif about the new ‘Superman’ movie by James Gunn, which Asif saw recently (1:11). After Asif gives his near spoiler-free review, he then gives Ali a quiz on all things Superman. Then in the second half, Ali asks Asif about genes that can give people “superhuman” powers (22:56). Asif talks about tetrachromacy, where people have an extra type of cone cell in their retina. He then goes over LRP5 mutations which in theory can give unbreakable bones (but which can also cause some other unwanted side effects).  Asif follows this up by discussing how the same genetic mutation which causes red hair may also give people increased pain tolerance. Finally Asif discusses how a certain genetic mutation (DEC2) can result in people needing less sleep. 



The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 


Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay


Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com


Show Notes: 


  • James Gunn: Some people will take offence at my new Superman: https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/james-gunn-interview-superman-film-2025-david-corenswet-dhb3bw3rp
  • Useful Trivia - Superman Trivia: https://www.usefultrivia.com/comic_book_trivia/superman_trivia_index.html
  • 8 Super Cool Genetic Mutations Found In Humans: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/8-super-cool-genetic-mutations-found-in-humans.htm
  • Tetrachromacy: the mysterious case of extra-ordinary color vision: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://vision.psychol.cam.ac.uk/jdmollon/papers/JordanMollon2019Tetrachromacy.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwilzdql_8GOAxXMAHkGHdVjJFAQFnoECEoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0vrVwcBzi75OjUKPhzqRgV
  • The Women with Superhuman vision: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140905-the-women-with-super-human-vision: 
  • LRP5 high bone mass (Worth-type autosomal dominant endosteal hyperostosis): case report and historical review of the literature: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10474981/
  • Do redheads really need more anesthesia?  https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/living-well/do-redheads-really-need-more-anesthesia/
  • Scientists Discover How Gene Mutation Reduces the Need for Sleep: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2018/03/410051/scientists-discover-how-gene-mutation-reduces-need-sleep

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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3 weeks ago
42 minutes 6 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 218: Andrew Schulz / Male Infertility


Today, Ali and Asif discuss comedian and podcaster Andrew Schulz (1:05). They start off by taking about Schulz’ early life, his start in comedy and his successful podcasts. They then go into detail about a fascinating interview he did with the New York Times (and argue quite a bit about it). They then give their thoughts on Andrew's most recent special “Life”. 


Male infertility is a major topic in “Life” so in the second half, Ali asks Asif about this topic (35:25). Asif goes over what infertility is and how often it is due to male factors. He then goes of the long list of potential causes and how it is investigated. Finally, Ali asks Asif about treatment for male infertility. 


The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 


Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay


Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com


Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian


Show Notes: 


  • Andrew Schulz Wants to Talk About It All: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a64220942/andrew-schulz-life-interview/
  • Andrew Schulz, ‘Podcast Bro,’ Might Be America’s Foremost Political Journalist: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/21/magazine/andrew-schulz-interview.html
  • Andrew Schulz Was Quick to See Hypocrisy in This Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnsN7GiCOYE
  • Andrew Schulz on Interviewing Trump, Embracing Netflix and Finding Comedy in His Fertility Struggles: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/andrew-schulz-interview-trump-netflix-finding-comedy-fertility-struggles-1236154948/
  • Male Infertility: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/436829-overview
  • Male Infertility:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562258/



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1 month ago
56 minutes 20 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 217: Screen Acting / New Brunswick “Mystery” Illness

Ali recently taught a class on “acting for the screen” at Queen’s University, so in our first half Asif asks him about this (1:24). They discuss how he was approached to teach this class as well as his IMDB resume. Asif asks about how Ali structured the class, ‘scene study’, filming auditions and the main take-home “tips” for screen acting. 


Then, they discuss the mysterious New Brunswick neurological illness which has been in the news as of late (39:28). Asif talks about how the cases were initially described by a single neurologist in New Brunswick and the subsequent investigation into the cases. He then goes over a recent research article which essentially found that there was no mystery – the patients examined actually all had known neurologic diseases. They discuss how the initial doctor and many of his patients are still convinced they have an undiagnosed neurologic illness; Asif then discusses why this might be as well as cognitive biases in medicine.  



The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 


Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay


Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com


Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian


Show Notes: 


  • Mysterious Brain Syndrome Stumps Canadian Doctors: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/04/world/canada/canada-brain-disease-mystery.html
  • Clinical and Neuropathological Evaluations of the New Brunswick Neurological Syndrome of Unknown Cause: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2833783
  • Investigation of cases of undiagnosed neurological illness: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/neuro-cluster/investigation.html
  • Cognitive errors in medicine: The common errors: https://first10em.com/cognitive-errors/



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1 month ago
59 minutes 39 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 216: In-Flight Entertainment / In-Flight Medical Emergencies

Because Ali and Asif have been travelling a lot in the past few months, the guys chat about their favourite in-flight entertainment (5:17). They start off by talking about their typical “rituals” when flying. Then the guys discuss their go-to “comfort watches” when flying. They review movies and shows they have watched recently when flying. Finally, the guys each list their favourite movies related to air travel. 


Then, Ali asks Asif about in-flight medical emergencies (31:41). Asif describes how commonly these emergencies occur and what the most common types of emergencies are. He talks about what medical equipment is available on a plane and then discusses whether medical personnel have an ethical obligation to volunteer to help. Finally Asif tells a few stories about his physician friends who volunteered to aid in in-flight emergencies.  



The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 


Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay


Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com


Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian


Show Notes: 


  • Outcomes of Medical Emergencies on Commercial Airline Flights: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1212052
  • In-flight Medical Emergencies: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0501/p547.html
  • In-flight Medical Emergencies: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3789915/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1 month ago
57 minutes 17 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 215: Family medicine, private clinics…and Saturday morning cartoons? (w/ Dr. Danyaal Raza)

Today, Ali and Asif are joined by family physician and the inaugural Primary Care and Health Policy Scholar at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Dr. Danyaal Raza. The guys start off by asking Dr. Raza about how healthcare is structured. Then, they ask him about a recent article he wrote in the ‘Toronto Star’ regarding the privatization of family medicine clinics, data brokering and how these developments can be compared to Saturday morning cartoons we watched as children. After a brief aside about Transformers and other cartoons of our youth, they discuss the family medicine crisis in Canada and how privatization may not be the solution individuals have made it out to be. They also discuss potential solutions such as team based care, nurse practitioners, international medical graduates and virtual care. 


The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 


Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay


Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com


Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian


Show Notes: 

  • https://www.danyaalraza.com/
  • Private Health Care Reconds Increasingly For Care in Canada: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/your-private-health-care-records-may-be-sold-as-privatization-increases-in-ontario/article_f40f8616-87de-4a0b-b592-638c6f688677.html
  • Our Care: https://www.ourcare.ca/
  • Canadian Doctors for Medicare: https://www.canadiandoctorsformedicare.ca/



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1 month ago
49 minutes 49 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 214: ‘You’re My Hero’ / Hypoxic Birth Injury

Today, Asif asks Ali about Ali co-starring in the CBC Gem TV show ‘You’re My Hero’ (2:21). Ali talks about how he was offered the role and co-starring with professional wrestler Chris Jericho. They talk about creator Sean Towgood, “disabled” vs “differently abled” and the (lack) of representation of people with disabilities on television. Asif then gives his thoughts on the show and the cast (Spoiler: he liked it!). 

 

In ‘You’re My Hero’, the main character has cerebral palsy due to lack of oxygen to the brain at birth, so in the second half of the episode, Ali asks Asif about this (27:00). Asif explains the different terminology used – including the medical term “hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy”. He then goes over how common it is and the underlying causes. Ali then asks Asif about how it is diagnosed, the different ranges of severity and the tests that can be done to diagnose it. Finally, Asif talks about cooling therapy which has revolutionized the treatment of these infants. 

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes: 

  • https://youremyhero.ca/meet-the-cast
  • https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/you-re-my-hero-sean-towgood-1.7498876
  • Talk is Jericho: Heroes, Heels and Wheels - The Unique Comedy of You’re My Hero: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VlR3POIYV0wd0YVxdNtDx
  • Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/973501-overview

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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2 months ago
47 minutes 18 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 213: Interview with Addiction Medicine Expert Dr. Jason Giles

Today, on a special episode, Asif and Ali interview addiction expert Dr. Jason Giles. For over two decades, Dr. Giles has helped more than 10,000 patients overcome substance use disorders. Dr. Giles combines clinical expertise with personal experience, having navigated his own journey to recovery 25 years ago. Dr. Giles is the founder and Medical Director of Addiction Doctors, a leading telemedicine practice specializing in comprehensive addiction care.

 

Dr. Giles discusses his personal story with addiction and how this led him from anesthesiology to addiction medicine. Asif and Ali then ask Dr. Giles about whether certain jobs or personality types are predisposed to addiction, and then ask about some “hot button issues” including forced addiction treatment,decriminalization of illegal drugs, and if you should pay people to stay sober. They also discuss whether people need to “want” to stop using. They then ask Dr. Giles about inpatient versus outpatient treatment and the role of telemedicine and Ali asks about the role of organizations such as AA and NA. 



The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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2 months ago
53 minutes 13 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 212: Billy Joel / Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Today, Asif and Ali discuss the career of the legendary singer Billy Joel (1:08). They start off by discussing his accolades, how Joel is compared to his contemporaries and his early years. They then discuss some of his seminal songs that Ali and Asif experienced growing up, including ‘Vienna’, ‘Piano Man’, ‘My Life’, ‘Uptown Girl’, and ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’. Then the guys each list their favourite Billy Joel songs.

 

Joel recently cancelled several tour dates due to normal pressure hydrocephalus, so in the second half, Ali asks Asif about this disorder (31:06). Asif describes what it is and how it differs from hydrocephalus in children. He describes the symptoms, the causes and how common it is. Then, Asif reviews how it is diagnosed and treated. 

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • Billy Joel's Life in Photos: https://people.com/billy-joel-life-in-photos-8754102
  • The Stranger: https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/15/magazine/the-stranger.html
  • Billy Joel: Still a Stranger: https://www.avclub.com/billy-joel-still-a-stranger-1798214483
  • Even Billy Joel Mocked ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire.’ I Loved It: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/23/arts/music/billy-joel-we-didnt-start-the-fire.html
  • The 33 Things Wrong With Fall Out Boy’s Updated “We Didn’t Start the Fire”: https://slate.com/culture/2023/06/we-didnt-start-the-fire-fall-out-boy-lyrics.html
  • What is normal pressure hydrocephalus, the brain disorder affecting Billy Joel? https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/normal-pressure-hydrocephalus-1.7542276
  • Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1150924-overview#a3

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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2 months ago
45 minutes 53 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 211: Bill Burr, ‘Drop Dead Years’ and Sudden Cardiac Death

Today, Ali and Asif, after a digression about Paris restaurants and Reddit trolls, discuss the career of Bill Burr (7:33). They discuss his early life, starting out in comedy, his Philly rant and his podcast. They \then discuss his television cartoon ‘F is for Family’ and his acting roles, his film ‘Old Dads’  including his recent broadway turn in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’. They then discuss Burr’s standup style, whether comedians can be “happy and funny”, and Burr’s recent special ‘Drop Dead Years’.  They then (under duress) discuss the recent interview which Howie Mandel conducted with Bill Burr, where Mandel brings out Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) who is allegedly Burr’s half-brother. 

 

Based on some topics brought up in his special, the guys discuss sudden cardiac death (SCD) (50:44). Asif starts off by differentiating between heart attacks, sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. He then goes over how common it is and the major causes. Asif differentiates how the causes of SCD differ between young people and middle aged people. He then goes over the prognosis and first aid treatment if someone you know has a suspected sudden cardiac arrest. 



The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • Asif’s reddit post on Paris restaurants: https://www.reddit.com/r/ParisTravelGuide/comments/1kt1jt6/spent_a_month_in_paris_here_are_my_restaurant_recs/
  • Fresh Air, Comic Bill Burr [Extended Version]: https://www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1197998073/bill-burr-extended
  • Bill Burr Philly rant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7OBn5tU65Q
  • How Bill Burr Became a Voice of the People: https://www.gq.com/story/how-bill-burr-became-a-voice-of-the-people
  • Bill Burr Does Not Want to Talk About Politics: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/bill-burr-does-not-want-to-talk-about-politics
  • Bill Burr slams Howie Mandel for surprising him with possible half-brother Billy Corgan: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/01/28/bill-burr-howie-mandel-billy-corgan-half-brothers/77998404007/
  • Sudden Cardiac Death: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507854/
  • Sudden Cardiac Death Treatment & Management: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/151907-treatment
  • Sudden death in young people: Heart problems often blamed: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sudden-cardiac-arrest/in-depth/sudden-death/art-20047571#:~:text=Sudden%20cardiac%20death%20is%20the,sudden%20cardiac%20arrest%20(SCA).

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2 months ago
1 hour 9 minutes 16 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 210: ‘The Studio’ / Perception of Doctors

After a brief digression about popcorn throwing at ‘The Minecraft Movie’ and Ali’s connection to producer Evan Goldberg, Ali and Asif discuss the Apple TV hit series ‘The Studio’ (10:49). The guys start off by discussing the creation of the show by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and how it was influenced by ‘The Larry Sanders Show’.  They discuss the phenomenal cast and guest stars. Asif then gets Ali’s thoughts on the numerous “one take” shots, as well as the very small writers room. They then give their overall thoughts on the show. 

 

One episode of ‘The Studio' has Seth Rogen’s character feud with a group of pediatric oncologists at a charity event. This leads Ali and Asif to discuss the perception of doctors by the general public (32:52). After discussing their personal opinions. Asif goes into the studies regarding how patients view doctors, doctor ratings on the internet, and what patients desire in an “ideal” doctor. He then discusses how patients can sometimes perceive burnout in their doctors. 

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • Seth Rogen Lands The 'Tragic' Job Of Studio Head: https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/1239156802/fresh-air-draft-03-18-2025
  • Racing Golf Carts and Talking Hollywood With Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/seth-rogen-evan-goldberg-the-studio-sausage-party-strikes-interview-1235077161/
  • ‘The Studio’ Bosses Evan Goldberg And Seth Rogen Talk Hollywood, Inspiration & Killing Martin Scorsese’s Fake Movie: https://deadline.com/2025/03/the-studio-evan-goldberg-seth-rogen-interview-1236350819/
  • Seth Rogen on His New Series, “The Studio” & Writing From Life: https://sharpmagazine.com/2025/04/07/seth-rogen-the-studio-interview-2025/
  • Inside ‘The Studio’ - The Showrunners Peter Huyck and Frida Perez On Making "A Sexy Version Of ‘The Office’" [Interview]: https://www.nexuspointnews.com/post/inside-the-studio-the-showrunners-peter-huyck-and-frida-perez-interview
  • Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg Break Down the Best Celebrity Cameos in ‘The Studio’: ‘Who Would You Bend Over Backwards to Work with?’ https://www.indiewire.com/features/interviews/the-studio-seth-rogen-evan-goldberg-celebrity-cameos-1235114472/
  • Hilarity for Charity: https://wearehfc.org/
  • Findings at a glance: Medical doctors: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2019/08/02/findings-at-a-glance-medical-doctors/
  • Physician Gender and Patient Perceptions of Interpersonal and Technical Skills in Online Reviews: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2830232
  • How do patients' perceptions and doctors' images impact patient decisions? Deconstructing online physician selection using multimodal data: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024045948
  • Patients' Perspectives on Ideal Physician Behaviors: https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)61463-8/fulltext
  • Understanding how patients perceive physician wellness and its links to patient care: A qualitative study: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0196888

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2 months ago
1 hour 1 minute 23 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 209: A Quiz on French Culture and French Medicine

This week, Asif is in France on his sabbatical. To commemorate this, the guys give each other a quiz on France. Ali starts off by quizzing Asif about French culture and cuisine (4:55). They discuss croissants, Bouillabaisse,  Versailles, and French greetings. Then Asif quizzes Ali about medicine in France (22:57) including the advent of teaching in hospitals, pasteurization, the guillotine (!), as well as a lightning round. 



The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • Revolutionary hospital medicine: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/medicine/revolutionary-hospital-medicine
  • 10 Most Influential French Doctors Throughout History: https://medium.com/heritage-digest/10-most-influential-french-doctors-throughout-history-523cc4d99b15

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3 months ago
47 minutes 34 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 208: A Discussion on Suicide (w Dr. Daphne Korczak)

If you are in crisis or concerned about someone text 9-8-8 in the USA or Canada or visit suicide prevention.ca 

 

This week is children’s mental health week, and so today Asif and Ali welcome physician and researcher Dr. Daphne Korczak to discuss the important topic of suicide in children and youth. They discuss the changing language around suicide, how common it is and the complex risk factors for it. They guys also ask Dr. Korczak about how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted suicide rates, as well as the differences between males and females . Dr. Korczak then gives practical tips for parents about how to address thoughts of self harm in their children. They then discuss ongoing efforts regarding suicide prevention. They also discuss the link between cardiovascular health and depression

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: https://suicideprevention.ca/

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3 months ago
33 minutes 2 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 207: Val Kilmer / Throat Cancer

Today, Asif and Ali discuss the career of the late actor Val Kilmer (1:05). The guys start off by discussing the 2023 documentary about Kilmer entitled ‘Val’. They discuss Val’s early life and the tragic death of his younger brother from epilepsy. They discuss Kilmer’s early successes and how he was the youngest person admitted to Julliard in the drama department. They then go over their favourite Kilmer movies including ‘Top Secret’, ‘Top Gun’ (which Asif still hasn’t seen), ‘Willow’,’The Doors’, ‘True Romance’. 

‘Tombstone’, ‘Batman Forever’,  ‘Heat’, ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’, ‘The Saint’, ‘Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang’, and ‘MacGruber’. 

 

They then discuss his battle with throat cancer  27:06) and how Kilmer’s Christian Science beliefs influenced his treatment decisions. Ali then asks Asif about throat cancer. Asif describes what it is, how commonly it is seen. He then discusses the common symptoms and risk factors. Asif goes over how it is diagnosed, the treatment and the prognosis. 

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • Val: https://a24films.com/docs/val
  • WTF with Marc Maron: https://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-901-sean-penn-lynn-shelton
  • Val Kilmer, star of Top Gun and Batman Forever, dead at 65: https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/val-kilmer-obituary-1.7499709
  • Laryngeal Cancer: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526076/
  • Laryngeal Cancer: https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/laryngeal

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3 months ago
40 minutes 58 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 207: Snacks and Ultraprocessed Foods

Today, Asif and Ali discuss ultraprocessed foods (no medical topic today). To start off, Asif quizzes Ali about his favorite snack foods (1:29). Then Ali gives Asif a quiz on ultraprocessed foods from the New York Times. They then discuss the obesity epidemic and the the theory that ultraprocessed foods may have contributed to this (25;17). They then go over the NOVA food classification system and give examples of ultraprocessed foods. Asif discusses how often people consume ultraprocessed foods and the scientific evidence that these might be detrimental to health. Finally, Asif and Ali discuss recommendations for trying to decrease your intake of ultraprocessed foods. 

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian/

Instagram: doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • Are the Foods in Your Cart Ultraprocessed? https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/01/05/well/eat/ultraprocessed-foods-challenge-quiz.html
  • Why Is the American Diet So Deadly? https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/01/13/why-is-the-american-diet-so-deadly
  • Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31105044/
  • Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses: https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-077310
  • What doctors wish patients knew about ultraprocessed foods: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-ultraprocessed-foods#

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3 months ago
49 minutes 43 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 206: ‘Adolescence’ / Teenagers and Screens

Today, Asif and Ali discuss the phenomenal Netflix series ‘Adolescence’ (1:28). They discuss the creation of the film and how star and co-creator Stephen Graham came up with the concept for the show to address misogyny and knife violence in the UK.  The guys discuss incel culture, the book ‘The Game’ and Andrew Tate and how adolescence tackles these concepts. They then discuss the direction of the series, with each episode being filmed in one take. Then then discuss the tremendous acting in the series, including newcomer Owen Cooper. 

 

Then they discuss the effects of social media on teenagers (24:14). They start off by discussing Australia’s new ban on social media for children until 16 as well as Vivek Murthy’s Surgeon General Report from a few years ago on teens and social media. Asif discusses some potential benefits of social media for teens before discussing the potential harms. He then discusses the evidence that is out there regarding whether social media is harmful to teens. Finally the guys go over some practical tips for parents regarding social media and their children. 

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • The Rage of ‘Adolescence’: Inside the Single-Shot Sensation Blowing Up the Manosphere: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/adolescence-interview-stephen-graham-owen-cooper-netflix-1236182905/
  • ‘We’ve Got to Start Talking About This’: Stephen Graham on Making ‘Adolescence’: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/adolescence-stephen-graham-interview-1235299218/
  • How Stephen Graham Carried the Weight of Adolescence: https://www.vulture.com/article/adolescence-stephen-graham-eddie-finale-ending-scene-interview.html
  • ‘The younger me would have sat up and nodded’: Adolescence writer Jack Thorne on the insidious appeal of incel culture: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/18/adolescence-writer-jack-thorne-incel-culture-netflix
  • The Game at 10: Reflections From a Recovering Pickup Artist: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/neil-strauss-the-game/409789/
  • How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health: A Parent’s Guide: https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/social-media-teen-mental-health-a-parents-guide
  • Tween and teen health: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437
  • Social media brings benefits and risks to teens. Psychology can help identify a path forward: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/09/protecting-teens-on-social-media
  • Everyone Says Social Media Is Bad for Teens. Proving It Is Another Thing: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/17/upshot/social-media-teen-mental-health.html
  • The great rewiring: is social media really behind an epidemic of teenage mental illness? https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00902-2

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4 months ago
53 minutes 2 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 205: Period Pain (w/ Kate Downey)

Today Asif and Ali interview podcaster Kate Downey about period pain and her new podcast “Cramped”. The guys chat with Kate about why she wanted to start a podcast about period pain (dysmenorrhea) and her personal journey with what she calls ‘death cramps”. Kate then elaborates on why period pain is often treated differently than other types of pain and the relation between period pain and endometriosis. They then discuss how stigma and bias are intertwined with the lack of awareness of period pain. Finally Kate discusses new scientific breakthroughs in our understanding of period pain. 

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • https://www.katehelendowney.com/

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4 months ago
39 minutes 10 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Episode 204: ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ and Belle Gibson / Measles

Today, after a brief discussion of shows Ali and Asif have been watching lately – including ‘One Day’ and ‘Adolescence’ (as well as shows they bailed on… ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘The White Lotus’) – they discuss ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ and Belle Gibson (7:43). They go over Belle Gibson’s rise from Instagram “Wellness Warrior” to being exposed as faking having brain cancer. They then discuss the Netflix TV show based on Belle Gibson’s story ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’. They discuss how the show weaves in Belle’s story with the fictionalized character of Milla who is closely based on Jessica Ainscough, a prominent Australian influencer who billed herself as Wellness Warrior who did in fact have cancer. They then give their thoughts on the show including Kaityn Dever’s amazing performance. 

 

Then, based on the recent outbreaks in North America, Ali asks Asif about Measles (26:48). Asif talks about what it is and how it is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. Asif then talks about who is at risk of contracting measles including the unvaccinated, children under age 1 year and the immunocompromised. Asif goes over the symptoms and the potential fatal complications. He then goes over how it is treated. Then Ali asks Asif about the reasons for declining vaccination rates. 

 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

 

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

 

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

 

Show Notes:

  • Unmasking Belle Gibson: The real story of the infamous wellness scammer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fahOX8VBXCc
  • The Cancer Scams That Foreshadowed MAHA: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-cancer-scams-that-foreshadowed-maha
  • The Search for Instagram’s Worse Con Artist: https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/81987249
  • The rise and fall of the wellness warriors: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(18)30207-9/abstract
  • A play-by-play of how measles outbreaks can spiral out of control: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/measles-second-opinion-march-2025-1.7476500
  • Ask an expert: Why are we seeing measles outbreaks across Canada and who should get vaccinated? https://www.dal.ca/news/2025/03/27/measles-outbreak-expert.html
  • Measles: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448068/
  • Measles vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-12-measles-vaccine.html

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4 months ago
47 minutes 22 seconds

Doctor Vs Comedian
Is Laughter the best medicine? We attempt to answer this and other pressing questions in Doctor Vs Comedian. Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC‘s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject.We talk about serious subjects in an unserious way. If you want to hear about comedy, entertainment, health and wellness and don‘t want to have to choose between being entertaining AND informed, then this show is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.