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Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
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Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Author: Justin McElroy, Dr. Sydnee McElroy

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Join Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy for a tour of all the dumb, bad, gross, weird and wrong ways we've tried to fix people.
538 Episodes
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TikTok has become enthralled with the idea of Thalassotherapy... which is basically going to the ocean to feel better. Dr. Sydnee talks about the history of this "sea cure" and Dr. Richard Russell, the man who popularized it in the second half of the eighteenth century.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/National Immigration Project: https://nipnlg.org/about/who-we-are 
Justin has gathered all the strangest listeners (questions) to quiz Dr. Sydnee with all of your weird and fun medical questions! Is Gatorade actually salty and NOT sweet? Are people with cat allergies allergic to big cats? Can you fart and spread norovirus? Can a fetus taste? And the most important question of all: who are Justin and Dr. Sydnee's favorite fictional doctors?Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/National Immigration Project: https://nipnlg.org/about/who-we-are
What medical drama does a doctor on a cruise ship get involved in? Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about Dr. Odyssey: Shark Attack!, and the follow-up,  Dr. Odyssey: Shark Attack! Part 2: Orca. It's a wild ride, but some of the medical beats are surprisingly accurate.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Harmony House: https://harmonyhousewv.com/
Sawbones: The Pitt

Sawbones: The Pitt

2025-03-1840:005

Dr. Sydnee brings a little levity as she talks about a new medical show, The Pitt. Following fictional doctors in real-time(ish), Dr. Sydnee discusses how it compares to working in an actual ER, as well as it how it compares to the 1990s show ER.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Harmony House: https://harmonyhousewv.com/
It’s not MaxFunDrive without a wild kickoff spectacular! Former real-life VJ and host of MTV's Spring Break 1999, Dave Holmes, takes your favorite MaxFun hosts through some wacky ‘90s- and Spring Break-themed mini games!! Featuring: Dave Holmes, Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya, Dimitry Pompée, Tom Lum, Ellen Weatherford, Alex Schmidt, Brenda Snell, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, Dan McCoy, Jordan Morris, Manolo Moreno, Ella Hubber, Caroline Roper, Ella McLeod, John-Luke Roberts, Justin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Mike Cabellon, Sierra Katow, Hal Lublin, Danielle Radford, John Moe, Christian Dueñas, Christian Duguay. 
Sawbones: Henry VIII

Sawbones: Henry VIII

2025-03-1140:136

How dangerous is jousting? Just look into the example of King Henry VIII of England. The Tudor king is infamous for his six wives, but Dr. Sydnee explains how a jousting injury may have changed his behavior – and changed the course of history.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Harmony House: https://harmonyhousewv.com/
Sawbones: Kleptomania

Sawbones: Kleptomania

2025-03-0442:494

Kleptomania is defined by an undeniable compulsion to steal, so it has wavered between legitimate diagnosis and flimsy criminal defense to somewhere in between since its inception. This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee unpacks the facts from fiction while Justin tries to steal the show.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Harmony House: https://harmonyhousewv.com/
The recent semi-fictionalized Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar explores the world of wellness following bloggers Belle Gibson and Milla Blake. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about what factors in the world and in peoples' lives could lead to fame and success in the pseudo-scientific alternative medicine world.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/
Sawbones: Frostbite

Sawbones: Frostbite

2025-02-1146:223

It's been bitterly cold in our region lately and that's got Dr. Sydnee thinking about frostbite. This week, we'll gain a better understanding of this malady and even stage a brief theatrical selection about it.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/
There has been a lot going on in the United States in the last few days that might affect what's going on with health, medicine, and other sciences. Dr. Sydnee talks about the implications of all of these now and in the immediate future, and what we can do about it.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/
Sawbones: Whooping Cough

Sawbones: Whooping Cough

2025-01-2840:012

Depending on where you live, you might be hearing a lot lately about Pertussis or Whooping Cough, even in Dr. Sydnee and Justin’s home county. Dr. Sydnee talks about the long history of this disease, its symptoms, and how the vaccine eventually came about.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Palestine Children's Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net/
Imagine if your doctor could go on strike in the middle of a treatment. That’s the most popular argument against physicians’ unions, but there’s a lot more to the issue. Dr. Sydnee talks about the process of training doctors in the United States, why doctors would want to unionize, and what a doctors’ union might look like.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Palestine Children's Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net/
It's a real medical (with a lower-case m) mystery, as Dr. Sydnee tries to find the source of a trick on TikTok that reportedly helps alleviate constipation. Join Sydnee on her surprisingly difficult journey to find what exactly this "trick" is to determine whether or not it does anything at all.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Palestine Children's Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net/
Sawbones: Book Club

Sawbones: Book Club

2025-01-0844:594

Dr. Sydnee and Justin are easing back into the swing of things after the holidays by discussing what they’ve been reading, both apart and together. So cozy up with some tea to hear some good book recommendations from your favorite health professional and clown husband.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Palestine Children's Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net/
Happy Candlenights! We've got for you a double-feature of the original A Medicine Called Christmas 1 and 2.Medicine Called Christmas: Live from Candlenights 2018, we're so proud to present a staged reading of the new Hallmark Christmas movie written by Justin and Sydnee McElroy: A Medicine Called Christmas. Music: Adam Sakiyama CAST:   Narrator: Rachel McElroy Daniel: Tommy Smirl Tabitha: Sydnee McElroy Phil: Griffin McElroy Chris: Justin McElroy Ms. Crimble: Teresa McElroy Mr. Frankson: Dwight Slappe Mr. Cameron: Travis McElroy Beth: Teylor Smirl Mandy: Rileigh Smirl Mr. Golfberg: Michael Meadows Santa: Clint McElroy    Medicine Called Christmas 2: Royal Pain: Just in time for Christmas, we've got another extremely special holiday film created by Justin and Sydnee McElroy. Gather the family and prepare for A Medicine Called Christmas 2: A Royal Pain. NARRATOR: Rachel McElroy PHIL: Griffin McElroy TAB: Sydnee McElroy JESUS: Dwight Slappe SORIANO: Travis McElroy CHRIS: Justin McElroy WAITER: Michael Meadows  MR. BIG CITY: Tommy Smirl BETH: Teylor Smirl MANDY: Rileigh Smirl QUEEN: Mary Smirl SANTA: Clint McElroy 
As a gift to the audience, we have another Sawbones Q and A, answering strange questions submitted by listeners! How does a menstrual disk work? How should we ACTUALLY clean our ears? Are cat biscuits bad for pregnancy? And why does Justin have the old man cough?Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Harmony House: https://harmonyhousewv.com/
It’s nearly winter, which means the return of mycoplasma or “Walking Pneumonia” on this hemisphere. This week Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about how this infection was discovered, the questionable way it was researched and how it differs from “typical” pneumonia.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Harmony House: https://harmonyhousewv.com/
Sawbones: Tesla Medbed

Sawbones: Tesla Medbed

2024-11-2645:321

Somehow the Tesla medical bed, or Tesla Biohealing Wellness Hotel and Resort is not related to Elon Musk. It is also not really related to actual medical care. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about another wellness product and what this harnesser of biphoton energy is supposed to do.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/
Sawbones: Project 2025

Sawbones: Project 2025

2024-11-1945:523

Needless to say it’s going to be a long four years for the United States. This week’s episode of Sawbones offers some guidance on what we might expect for medicine and health care going forward and what pro-active steps you may want to consider.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/
It's Election Day in the United States of America, and so we present this Sawbones episode on the history of abortion from May 2022. Go vote!With the recent news about Roe v. Wade, it’s important to talk about the history of abortion in the United States. The right to autonomy over one’s own body in regard to medical care is one of the basic tenets of medical ethics; but no matter what anyone personally believes, banning abortion doesn’t stop abortion. It just makes it unsafe.  Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ 
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Comments (680)

ID19619055

I’m old…they weren’t supposed to be asking relationship questions back then…but every single program asked me whether my husband would move. I was married to a woman. Every.time.

Apr 14th
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BC

I'll slap on a mask as soon as any pollen kicks up because I forgot to buy Claritin at Costco every time I've gone, but I have masks at work.

Mar 28th
Reply

Sheena Martin Svitich

what a powerful episode

Mar 4th
Reply

Andi-Roo Libecap

This was a much-needed and extremely hopeful episode during these very dark days. I'm so grateful for the creators and influencers using their platforms to speak out on important issues like healthcare, trans awareness, vaccines, racism, etc.

Mar 3rd
Reply

Tammy Buchanan

Oh, and, our Louisiana state surgeon general is ending vaccination stations even for those who wish to receive vaccinations.

Feb 23rd
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Tammy Buchanan

Louisiana just enacted policy to remove public recommendations to vaccinate. This is going to be a cultural disaster that will take perhaps generations to correct. No public service announcements, no posters or recommendations from school counselors, no posters at public health and benefits locations. from what I see now, schools do have minimal vaccination requirements, but the opt out on these have become so flimsy as to make them laughable.

Feb 23rd
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ID19619055

Thank you for highlighting the attacks on the trans community.

Feb 22nd
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Shanonymous

Holy fuck, the husband is AGGRAVATING. Just let Sydney talk! I'm more than halfway in and they haven't said ANYTHING about the topic. This guy is the WORST, and the way this episode is heading (if anywhere) remains to be seen.

Feb 18th
Reply

WolfG4M3r

I missed this one. Glad I listened. My brothers didnt wanted vaccines for family during covid. Even tho I still don't agree, I can sympathized when considering their family. I hope Americans view on plubic health policies can be more supported when science can help show why they can help.

Feb 1st
Reply

Jochen Granja

Yg7jod no gssse

Nov 17th
Reply

ID19619055

HEY!! What happens in fight club STAYS in fight club!!!

Oct 24th
Reply

R

I was doing the growl at a sensitive time unwittingly

Oct 21st
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ID19619055

I mean…we need to blast the music!! How else will we stay awake in the quiet, dark reading room??

Oct 3rd
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ID19619055

Justin is on point with this one. Trying to be empathetic to understand “the other side”.

Oct 3rd
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Gus

If you preserved the audio you should release the attempted Spleen Episode 2 as bonus content 😂

Sep 17th
Reply (1)

BC

oh, metals in tampons is horrifying.

Aug 9th
Reply (11)

BC

I can do the growl, I do it when singing Crawling by Linkin Park. it absolutely destroys my throat lol

Aug 9th
Reply

WolfG4M3r

ha! New heart pump got released July 26th: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNQbp3PW/

Jul 29th
Reply

ID19619055

Yeah…testosterone and accessing it and levels, etc…welcome to the trans male experience.

Mar 30th
Reply

Laura Bogart

ooh they should also do a House Of Pod crossover

Mar 4th
Reply