Alternative Truth

Mei Ling Doery is a lifestyle-curious medical doctor, public health expert and strategist. One thing she has learnt is that what we think is right often isn’t. In this series Mei talks with some of the world’s most esteemed medical experts and frontline innovators from the realm of health and wellbeing to find out the Alternative Truth.

Most of us assume our tap water is safe - to drink, bathe in and cook with.  Yet increasingly questions are being asked about contamination. What is the impact of pharmaceutical residue? Of microplastics? Of fertiliser run-off? What is the impact of the chlorine and fluoride used to treat tap water? What else might be in it that we don’t even know about?   We talk with two experts from the field -  A/Professor Matt Hopcraft, leading Australian dentist and public health advocate and Professor Marc Cohen, pioneer of wellness and integrative medicine, and founder of Beautiful Water company.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve come to accept that covid-19 has no quick fix. Whilst many countries have successfully suppressed numbers with distancing, lockdowns and masks, a wildly successful vaccine or silver bullet seems unlikely in the short term. Given this, how will we move? What does living with covid-19 look like for the months and potentially years ahead look like?  We talk to Dr Mark Chan - a leading Clinical Microbiologist who has been on the frontline of covid-19 testing here in Australia.  We then speak to Dr Mukesh Haikerwaal AO - former State and National President of the Australian Medical Association. (Disclaimer: Both Dr Chan and Dr Haikerwaal's expressed views are their own) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the west, children and adolescents, particularly females, identifying as ‘trans’ has increased exponentially over the past decade. In parallel, trans-activists have lobbied for puberty blockers and affirmative hormones to be available to minors. In some instances, without full exploration of associated comorbidities.  What are the health implications of treating gender dysphoria in young people?   In part 1, we sit down with three passionate experts Dr Helen Joyce - Author, Researcher & Executive Editor - The Economist, Dr Ada Chueng - Endocrinologist & transhealth expert and Dr Sav Swicki - Non-binary transgender researcher and LGBTIQA+ community worker.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part 2 of our two part special, we revisit the subject of trans kids and the role of nature in nurture. As is stands, gender dysphoria is increasingly being reframed from a psychiatric condition to identity.  At the same time it’s an identity warranting, in some cases, long term pharmaceutical and surgical intervention.   So, what are the long-term effects of gender affirmation? What does the experience of de-transitioners tell us about how we frame care moving forward? In this episode we sit down with Walt Heyer Former transgender male-to-female, De-transitioner and Sex Change Regret advocate and  A/Prof Ramin Shayan - Leading Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon and Director of The O’Brien Institute. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Covid-19 global pandemic has raged on, the race to find a Covid vaccine has dominated headlines. Politicians have taken hold of promising leads as hope for a return to normal. Yet for many, it’s a prospect that is met with both scepticism, cynicism and in some cases anger. So is an effective Covid-19 vaccine realistic? Or are we investing in the wrong direction? We talk to Professor Terry Nolan AO - Paediatrician, Clinical epidemiologist and ​Head of Vaccine and Immunisation Research Group​ at the Peter Doherty Institute in Melbourne, Australia and Professor Marc Cohen - medical doctor and trailblazing thought leader from the world of wellness and integrative medicine.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Covid-19 global pandemic has raged on, the race to find a Covid vaccine has dominated headlines. Politicians have taken hold of promising leads as hope for a return to normal. Yet for many, it’s a prospect that is met with both scepticism, cynicism and in some cases anger. So is an effective Covid-19 vaccine realistic? Or are we investing in the wrong direction? We talk to Professor Terry Nolan AO - Paediatrician, Clinical epidemiologist and ​Head of Vaccine and Immunisation Research Group​ at the Peter Doherty Institute in Melbourne, Australia and Professor Marc Cohen - medical doctor and trailblazing thought leader from the world of wellness and integrative medicine.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mental illness is a leading cause of morbidity globally. Examining clogged emergency rooms and justice systems, one must ask - at what point is this epidemic a disaster of our own making?  From justifying family violence and anti-social behaviour through to more extreme instances of homicide - Is mental illness used to  weaponise the vulnerability of others? To what extent is the symptom of a sick society? Join the conversation with Dr Raj Darjee Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Dr Anthony Tzannes Emergency Medicine Physician as we examine sharp edges of our relationship to mental illness and the collective path back to health.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why has “Breast is best” verses “Fed is best” become such a battleground worldwide? For an increasing number of new parents - how do we address the stress, guilt and in some cases deep sense of inadequacy that comes with feeding choice?  We talk to Emma O’Callaghan - midwife, IVF nurse specialist and founder of Baby Sleep Expert and Margaret Grove - President and acting CEO of the Australian Breastfeeding Association. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Body positivity’ says we should have a good self image no matter what. So what happens in a world when so many of us are so out of shape? or less than mentally well? What is the impact of abstracting body image from body reality? We ask Jess Curl, Trainer and Founder of Project Better and Amelia Trinick - Clinician & National Team Leader for Butterfly Foundation to take us into a deep dive into our relationship between our health and our bodies.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It would seem that not eating (despite being an ancient practice) is being hailed as a new gateway to health. Still, others would argue that a healthy and sustainable relationship with food means integrating what we consume with how we relate. We talk with Clinical Dietician and Founder of Nutrition Plus Melanie McGrice and Matthew Landsown - Scientist, Health and Nutrition Coach and host of podcast series ‘How to not get sick and die’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cancer and promises of a cure dominate the health press. Yet, for so many sufferers mainstay treatment experiences fall short of this holy grail - in some cases accelerating demise or even death. Many have come to question whether modern treatment, replete with deadly side-effects, is worse than the disease? We talk to Dr Mark Dawson - a leading researcher and frontline clinical oncologist and Tanya Wells, a naturopath who works to holistically optimise health in the face of cancer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We swim in an a stream of pornography. Some say this is enriching our erotic lives, but is the mainstreaming of pornography is damaging our behaviour? Join Research Fellow Dr Gemma McKibbon and Sexologist Dr Nikki Goldstein in exploring the implications of this new sexual world order.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decades on many are left asking whether these have played a role in an epidemic of fertility issues and chronic ailments? The advent of The Pill and IUDs marked women’s liberation. Join holistic health coach Holly Sinclair  and Sexual Health Physician Dr Terri Foran as we unpack the real impact of contraceptives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are what we eat. But is the worm-kissed organic produce really better than perfectly formed, genetically modified and cold-chain protected supermarket strawberries? Join biodynamic farmer and Raw Eatables founder Dave Ei Ora and Agribusinessman and Chris Russell to plough the facts about what produce is really doing for our health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Reiki the answer or is believing necessary to see? Join renowned Energy Healer Charlie Goldsmith and Evidence based medicine expert and practising GP Dr Justin Coleman in unpacking this increasingly popular practice.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When does being cut and injected equal mutilation? “Self-esteem is reflected in the mirror of our relationships”, but experience deformity and you’ll know rejection. JoinPlastic Surgery Dr Anh Ngyuen and Mel Ward as we explore the line between self-improvement vs self-harm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Modern mental illness parallels a world with talking therapies and medication. Yet, at the very serious end, the trajectory of mental illness sufferers through our hospitals, social services and courts demand the question - does real recovery demand a different approach? Host Dr Mei Ling Doery talks to Ryan Hassan - one man that escaped jail to found the Melbourne Centre for Healing and Psychiatrist Dr Anthony Barnes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cancer strikes fear into most of us - and provokes people to try (almost) anything to escape it’s grasp. Yet as it turns out, many of us could be doing more now to hack our health odds. Join host Dr Mei Ling Doery, Professor of Oncology Eva Segalov and cancer survivor Asher Packman as we explore the latest in cancer prevention, therapy and lifestyle hacks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can we feel good about our pursuit to look good? We spend billions on the attempt for better skin and often setting ourselves up for other health issues down the track. Host Dr Mei Ling Doery asks green cosmetic pioneer Mukti (Founder, Mukti Organics) and luminary of the dermatology world Dr Michael Rich for the absolute close up and personal of great skin care. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.