The House of Pod

Home Alone: A Trauma Review 02.06.2026 57мин

In this special episode, Dr. Kaveh Hoda is joined by guests Rebecca Watson (Skepchick) and Dr. Will Flannery (Dr. Glaucomflecken, ophthalmologist & comedian) to do what the film never asked for: a serious medical review of every injury inflicted on the Wet Bandits in Home Alone.From BB gun blasts to the groin, a blowtorch to the scalp, a hot iron to the face, a paint can to the head, and a nail through a bare foot — the trio rates each injury on a lethality scale of 1–10, debates whether Harry and Marv would actually survive, and asks the real question: why didn't Kevin just call the cops?Also on the docket: the tarantula hair ophthalmology incident (yes, it's real), the dangers of slipping on ice, skincare routines, aging, Zoom beauty filters, and the Jeremy Renner app — but for doctors.Featuring:- Rebecca Watson — skeptchick.org | patreon.com/rebecca- Dr. Will Flannery (Dr. Glaucomflecken) — glaucomflecken.com | Humor & Humanity in Medicine appThe House of Pod is hosted by Dr. Kaveh Hoda. Rate & review on iTunes! Merch at bonfire.com/hopmerch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deprescribing & Reparenting: Behind RFK Jr.'s Mental Health Agenda 26.05.2026 59мин

RFK Jr. has set his sights on antidepressants — and we're not stoked about it. In this episode, Kaveh is joined by Dr. Tyler Black, psychiatrist and suicidologist, and Melody Schreiber, award-winning healthcare journalist, to break down the federal push to curb SSRI prescribing and what it really means for patients.They cover:What "deprescribing" actually means — and who it will harm mostThe racist history of "reparenting" and why RFK Jr.'s use of the term mattersWhether SSRIs are truly linked to violence and school shootingsAre antidepressants really "harder to quit than heroin"?The statin wars, cholesterol misinformation, and the wellness-to-conspiracy pipelineWhat good deprescribing actually looks like when done by a real clinician🎙️ Enjoyed the episode? Please take 30 seconds to it makes a huge difference in helping new listeners find the show https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-house-of-pod/id1225096382🛍️ Rep the Pod — grab House of Pod merch! Pick up a shirt: Search "House of Pod" at bonfire.com or go to https://www.bonfire.com/hopmerchFind me Kaveh on Instagram or TikTok @thehouseofpod or email at hopquestions@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gulf: The Misinformation War in Iran 19.05.2026 1ч 4мин

Iran is one of the most important stories in the world right now — and one of the most distorted. Kaveh brings on AFP journalist Mariam Ishani Thompson, who reports from the only global news agency with a permanent bureau inside Iran, alongside returning guest Dr. Arghavan Salis, to talk about what's actually happening on the ground, why the information ecosystem around Iran is so broken, and what it means that most of us are getting our news from social media comments and partisan feeds.They get into the January massacres, the Strait of Hormuz, the diaspora's complicated relationship with the bombing, and how to find sources you can actually trust. House of Pod merch is here! Pick up a shirt: Search "House of Pod" at bonfire.com or go to https://www.bonfire.com/hopmerchFind me Kaveh on Instagram or TikTok @thehouseofpod or email at hopquestions@gmail.com And most importantly: Share with your firiends! Rate and review us at iTunes! Help the show grow! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-house-of-pod/id1225096382 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hantavirus: What You Need to Know 11.05.2026 54мин

A mysterious illness strikes passengers aboard a cruise ship off the coast of Cape Verde — and it's not the norovirus you'd expect. In this episode, Dr. Kaveh Hoda is joined by guest cohost Allen Liu and infectious disease physician and global health expert Dr. Krutika Kuppalli to break down the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, what it means for public health in the US, and why it has experts paying close attention, particularly with millions of visitors expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the US stepping back from the WHO. How prepared are we really? Not as much as you would hope, that's for sure.House of Pod merch is here! Pick up a shirt: Search "House of Pod" at bonfire.com or go to https://www.bonfire.com/hopmerch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Endometriosis: The Great Masquerader 05.05.2026 1ч 4мин

Endometriosis affects an estimated 10% of reproductive-age women worldwide — and yet it takes an average of 7 to 10 years to get diagnosed. In this episode of House of Pod, Dr. Kaveh Hoda sits down with two very special guests to break down one of the most misunderstood and chronically dismissed conditions in all of medicine.Dr. Camran Nezhat — pioneer of modern minimally invasive and robotic surgery, founder of the Worldwide EndoMarch, and one of the world's leading endometriosis specialists — joins the show to explain what endometriosis actually is, why it's so difficult to diagnose, and how it can affect virtually every system in the body, from the GI tract and urinary system to the lungs, eyes, and even the brain.Also joining is certified yoga therapist and women's health advocate Stacey Felice, who shares her own 10-year journey to diagnosis and how lifestyle practices have helped her manage symptoms over the years.Episode brought to you with limited commercial interruptionsHouse of Pod merch is here! Pick up a shirt: Search "House of Pod" at bonfire.com or go to https://www.bonfire.com/hopmerch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coverage Denied: How Insurers Drive Inequality 28.04.2026 1ч

Kaveh sits down with author/political scientist Miranda Yaver and ER doc Dr. Seth Trueger to dig into the broken machinery of insurance coverage denials in America and how the system is designed to say no.They discuss how insurers use prior authorization and claim denials not as isolated mistakes — but as a structural feature of the system. Discussion includes who gets denied, who fights back, why fewer than 1% of denied claims are ever appealed, and what you can do if it happens to you.House of Pod merch is here! Pick up a shirt designed by Bay Area artist Nigel Sussman Search "House of Pod" at bonfire.com or go to https://www.bonfire.com/hopmerch/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the HHS Still a Dumpster Fire? 21.04.2026 58мин

Yes. Of course. But maybe a slightly more competent one? This week, Dr. Kaveh Hoda is joined by virologist Dr. Angela Rasmussen and epidemiologist Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs to break down everything happening at the Department of Health and Human Services — and it's a lot. They dig into the surprise nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director (and why Aaron Siri hating her is maybe the strongest possible endorsement), RFK Jr.'s Congressional hearings and why he keeps slipping through, the re-parenting scandal and its ugly racial undertones, DEI and the Vaccines for Children program, the MAHA–MAGA alliance, and Trump's executive order fast-tracking ibogaine research because Joe Rogan sent a text.🛒 House of Pod merch is here! Pick up a shirt designed by Bay Area artist Nigel Sussman — no AI involved. Search "House of Pod" at bonfire.com or go to www.bonfire.com/the-house-of-pod-merch/If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on iTunes — it genuinely helps more people find us. And we'll see you next time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus 'Sode - Revisiting the Mistakenly Removed Liver 16.04.2026 1ч 22мин

A bonus replay episode of the case of the mistakenly removed liver, one of the most terrifying medical tales of recent years. House of Pod merch is here! Find it at https://www.bonfire.com/the-house-of-pod-merch/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two Kavehs Discuss the End of a Civilization. 14.04.2026 1ч 5мин

This week, Kaveh Hoda is joined by comic illustrator, podcaster, and fellow Kaveh, Kaveh Taherian, for a candid conversation about the week Trump threatened to wipe Iranian civilization off the map — and why neither of them can move on from it.They dig into the psychological and emotional toll this moment has had on the Iranian diaspora, the legal case that Trump's threats may violate the Geneva Conventions, and what polling data actually tells us about what Iranians inside and outside of Iran want. They also cover the latest on the failed JD Vance negotiations, Trump's proposed naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and why keeping Iranian civilians at the center of this conversation matters more than ever.House of Pod merch is here! Find it at https://www.bonfire.com/the-house-of-pod-merch/If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on iTunes — it really helps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rheumatology 101: Arthritis, Autoimmune disease and Detective Work 07.04.2026 1ч 3мин

Dr. Kaveh Hoda is joined by comic artist Kaveh Taherian and Rheumatologist Dr. Namrata Singh to learn what rheumatology actually is, why it's medicine's great mystery specialty, and everything you need to know about rheumatoid arthritis — from diagnosis and treatment to diet, supplements, the era of literal gold injections and what Wolverine has to do with all of this.Find me at Instagram or TikTok @thehouseofpod or email me at hopquestions@gmail.com unless you're really upset about this episode. then maybe wait a couple of days first and then email me.And most importantly: Share with your firiends! Rate and review us at iTunes! Help the show grow! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-house-of-pod/id1225096382 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poisoning the Well: Forever Chemicals 02.04.2026 44мин

Dr. Kaveh Hoda and guest cohost Kieran Hervold welcome investigative journalist Rachel Frazin, author of "Poisoning The Well," to discuss PFAS (forever chemicals) - the toxic compounds found in 97% of Americans' bloodstreams. Rachel reveals shocking details from internal corporate documents showing chemical companies knew about health risks as early as 1965, yet continued production for decades. The conversation explores how companies like DuPont attempted to dodge liability through corporate spinoffs, why these chemicals are so difficult to remove from our environment, and what's currently being done at the governmental level to regulate PFAS exposure. Find me at TikTok @thehouseofpod or email me at hopquestions@gmail.com unless you're really upset about this episode. then maybe wait a couple of days first and then email me.And most importantly: Share with your firiends! Rate and review us at iTunes! Help the show grow! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-house-of-pod/id1225096382 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Poop Episode: A GI Doctor Explains All 31.03.2026 1ч

After years of listener requests, Dr. Kaveh Hoda finally tackles the topic everyone wants to hear about: poop. Joined by comedian Turner Sparks, this episode dives into the science of bowel movements, why fiber is the unsung hero of digestive health, and whether the Squatty Potty lives up to the hype.From the physiology of pooping (featuring the star of the show: the puborectalis muscle) to squatting toilets in China, fiber maxing trends, and why Americans desperately need more vegetables in their diets—this conversation covers it all. Plus: Turner shares bathroom horror stories from his 12 years living in China, and Kaveh explains why he's trying to put himself out of business by getting you to eat more fiber.Find me at TikTok @thehouseofpod or email me at hopquestions@gmail.com unless you're really upset about this episode. then maybe wait a couple of days first and then email me.And most importantly: Share with your firiends! Rate and review us at iTunes! Help the show grow! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-house-of-pod/id1225096382 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fun New Age of Public Health Confusion 24.03.2026 1ч 4мин

Kaveh is joined by Journalist Melody Screiber and Dr. Terry Simpson to discuss recent reporting on the instability inside America's public health infrastructure. From the chaos surrounding ACIP and vaccines to the political hype behind the medication Leucovorin to how racism is impacting everyone's health in ways you might not have expected.Find me at TikTok @thehouseofpod or email me at hopquestions@gmail.com unless you're really upset about this episode. then maybe wait a couple of days first and then email me.And most importantly: Share with your firiends! Rate and review us at iTunes! Help the show grow! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-house-of-pod/id1225096382 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patterns of Thought: A Mental Health Conversation 17.03.2026 52мин

Dr. Kaveh Hoda sits down with child psychiatrist Dr. Chase Anderson and comedian Butch Escobar for an honest conversation about moving forward from suicidal ideation, breaking negative thought patterns, and finding joy in recovery. They discuss remission, triggers, therapy, spirituality, and how humor can be a powerful coping mechanism.Find me at TikTok @thehouseofpod or email me at hopquestions@gmail.com unless you're really upset about this episode. then maybe wait a couple of days first and then email me.And most importantly: Share with your firiends! Rate and review us at iTunes! Help the show grow! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-house-of-pod/id1225096382 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Episode: Survivor Talk 12.03.2026 44мин

A bonus episode with Survivor Super Fan Dr. Jeremy Faust and Shauhin Davari (season 48) spilling the tea on season 50 and how to get on, prepare for and win on the show Survivor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing: The Present Illness 11.03.2026 1ч 24мин

I want to share with you all a new podcast from friends of the show Dr. Arghavan Salles and Dr. Alyssa Burgart: The Present Illness. This episode is about the news in Iran and a primer on Iranian culture and food. Take a listen and find The Present Illness anywhere you get podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Influence vs. Evidence: Casey Means, Vaccine Skepticism & Tylenol 10.03.2026 1ч 10мин

What happens when presidential rhetoric becomes clinical reality? Dr. Kaveh Hoda sits down with ER physician Dr. Jeremy Faust and Survivor's Shaheen Dava to discuss Casey Means' controversial surgeon general nomination, the death of expertise in modern medicine, and Jeremy's new Lancet study showing how Trump's false autism claims immediately reduced Tylenol prescriptions for pregnant patients by 10-16%. The conversation explores why influence often beats evidence, the challenges of scientific communication, and whether maintaining dialogue with those spreading misinformation is worthwhile.Drop Your Bets Survivor Fantasy League: https://dropyourbets.comShauhin's Communication Training: https://youlouder.org Questions: hopquestions@gmail.com⭐ Rate & Review on iTunes - helps others discover the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Patriarchy in Medicine 03.03.2026 1ч 6мин

Dr. Kaveh Hoda sits down with Rebecca Watson (YouTuber, writer, person named for good reasons in the Epstein files ) and Dr. Kirti Patel (OB-GYN, host of The Gynarchy Podcast) to discuss how patriarchy infiltrates women's healthcare. From red pill ideology going mainstream to why women's pain is systematically dismissed, this conversation exposes the misogyny baked into medical systems.Topics covered: • How Rebecca ended up in the Epstein files (twice!) • Red pill ideology: from Reddit fringe to US government • Virginity myths and body count obsession debunked • Why women wait longer for pain treatment in ERs • The shocking lack of pain management for IUDs • Clinical trials that excluded women until the 1990s • The legacy of slave-era medical experimentationFind me at TikTok @thehouseofpod or at hopquestions@gmail.com unless you're really upset about this episode. then maybe wait a couple of days first and then email me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emergency Iran Pod 02.03.2026 59мин

In this emergency episode, Dr. Kaveh Hoda and Dr. Arghavan Salles discuss the massive US-Israel military operation in Iran and the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They explore what this means for the Iranian people, the complex reactions from both inside Iran and the diaspora, and the uncertain path forward. From misinformation circulating online to the infrastructure of power that remains intact, they offer Iranian perspectives often missing from mainstream coverage—while acknowledging the diversity of opinions within their community. A timely conversation about hope, fear, and what comes next for a people who've lived under 47 years of oppressionemail me at hopquestions@gmail.com unless you're really upset about this episode. then maybe wait a couple of days first and then email me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avalanche! The Psychology of Risk 24.02.2026 1ч 5мин

After a tragic avalanche in Lake Tahoe killed 9 people and multiple skiers died in the same week, Dr. Kaveh Hoda sits down with two wilderness experts to discuss what went wrong and how to stay safe in the backcountry.Joined by Scott Gaber (lead instructor at Teton Rescue, former Tahoe SAR team leader) and Michael Novak (PA, wilderness medicine instructor, 7-year SAR veteran), they break down:The Swiss cheese model of risk mitigationGroup dynamics that lead to dangerous decisionsEssential avalanche safety equipment (beacons, airbags, Avalon)Why 70% of avalanche deaths happen to trained peopleHow to have honest conversations about risk in high-pressure situations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.