Sickboy

What if the secret to fixing your brain was as simple as a thousand tiny sound beams and a really close shave? In this special live episode from the CTO Conference in Toronto, the fellas sit down with Rima, a clinical trial participant who traded Lysol face wipes for focused ultrasound treatment in her battle against debilitating OCD. Dr. Nir Lipsman, a neurosurgeon at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, joins to explain how his team is revolutionizing brain surgery by making precision "strikes" without ever opening the skull. From Chuck E. Cheese anxiety attacks to groundbreaking clinical trials, this episode explores the intersection of mental health innovation and patient care. Dr. Lipsman drops the mic with "It's better to have no brain than bad brain" - a statement that's both terrifying and oddly reassuring. Stick around to hear how a thousand tiny sound beams and one brave patient are changing the future of mental health treatment.Hear our previous fascinating chat about OCD here.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

Breaking the silence around infertility isn't easy—but neither is pretending you're fine when Karen from accounting suggests "just relaxing" will help you get pregnant. This week, Dr. Vaneeta Sandhu, founder of the Fertility Wellness Collective, brings her expertise as both a clinical psychologist and someone who's walked the infertility path herself. From navigating the emotional minefield of IVF to dealing with well-meaning but clueless friends, we dive deep into the psychological impact of fertility challenges. Taylor shares his own IVF journey, while Jeremie explores the reality of future family planning with CF. Plus, we tackle the uncomfortable truth about how expensive it is to make a baby when your body needs a little extra help. Whether you're in the thick of it or supporting someone who is, this episode strips away the awkwardness and gets real about what it means to face infertility.Check out our previous episode about fertility struggles here.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

Nature doesn't just heal—it teaches, tests, and transforms. This week, we paddle into the breathtaking Alberta Badlands with filmmaker Mike Lang and Sam Taylor, a cancer mom turning caregiving on its head. Together with Jeremie, stand up paddled 60 KM down the Red Deer River over three days. The whole adventure was documented on Caregivers in the Wild, a web series that throws caregivers into nature to help them find themselves again. From SUP adventures to deep talks about letting kids face their fears, we explore how the wild helps us heal. Plus, Jeremie shares the intimate moment of making eye contact with a deer while peeing in the wilderness—because nothing says "finding yourself" quite like that.Be sure to check out Jer & Sam's episode of Caregivers in the Wild on Youtube!Check out Sam's previous conversation with us here.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

Not all hangovers leave you blind, but Ashley King’s did. In this episode, the actor and playwright shares her harrowing experience of methanol poisoning after being served a contaminated beverage while on vacation in Bali. Unlike ethanol, the alcohol found in drinks, methanol is highly toxic and can cause severe health issues. This tragedy left Ashley with irreversible vision loss. From the life-saving medical intervention in New Zealand to navigating daily life with a disability, Ashley’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. She opens up about the emotional toll, shifting social circles, and the internalized ableism that kept her from even telling a date she was blind. Ashley also dives into her creative process for Static, a darkly comedic play (and podcast) inspired by her journey. With humour and heart, she sheds light on the hidden dangers of homemade alcohol and the power of storytelling in healing.Be sure to check out Ashley's new podcast Static: A Party Girl's Memoir.Check out some of our other episodes where guests share their experiences with blindness here, here and here.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

Blood isn’t just thicker than water—it’s a lifeline, and sometimes it needs saving. In this special three-part episode, we explore leukemia and lymphoma from every angle. First, survivor Leanne Kean opens up about the grit, hope, and humour it took to reclaim her life after cancer. Next, Dr. Mani Larijani reveals the groundbreaking research reshaping blood cancer treatment and offering new hope to patients. Finally, Daniel Blacquiere from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada highlights how donations power these life-saving advancements. It's an emotional, eye-opening journey into the science, stories, and spirit of the fight against blood cancer.For more information on how you can support those battling Leukemia & Lymphoma visit: https://www.bloodcancers.ca/Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube.Follow Sickboy on TikTok, Instagram and Discord!

If we’re so close to gender equality, why does it still feel like women are running a marathon in heels? In this episode, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Liz Renzetti breaks down the illusion of progress when it comes to gender equality. She schools the boys on why caregiving—mostly done by women—is undervalued, how NDAs silence victims of harassment, and why the rise of “tradwives” has patriarchy patting itself on the back. From the eerie silence surrounding NDAs to the tech world’s need for more female voices, Renzetti’s insights challenge the status quo with wit and candor. Listen in for a fresh take on allyship, accountability, and the uphill trek toward true gender parity.Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube here! Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

From "Why me, God?" to "Well, this is awkward..." Joel goes deep on his decade long tango with a rare cancer diagnosis. No inspirational background music or heartwarming montages here - just raw, unfiltered real talk about what happens when life serves you a hot steaming plate of garbage. Joel takes the fellas through his journey with a cancer, exploring how it rattled his faith, redefined his identity, and made him question everything he thought he believed in. Openly shedding light on the emotional and physical toll, the power of family support, and the strength he found in awareness and acceptance. Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

They needed certainty. They got chaos. For over a decade, countless people from at least five different countries put their trust in a company offering prenatal paternity tests. It promised clients “99.9% accuracy” — but then routinely, for over a decade, identified the wrong biological fathers.Investigative journalists Jorge Barrera and Rachel Houlihan track down the people whose lives were torn apart by these bad results, the shattered families and acrimonious court cases that followed, and the story behind the company that continues to stand by its testing and is still operating today.More episodes of Uncover are available at: https://lnk.to/7IRiRnqd

Pain doesn’t always look the way people expect it to. Watercolor artist KYRIANNA delves into the reality of living with chronic pain—a sensation she likens to a broken bone that refuses to heal. Art, for her, is more than a passion; it’s a lifeline and a voice for the often invisible struggles of chronic illness. In this episode, she shares how painting helps her express and validate her symptoms while tackling the disbelief and gaslighting that can come with an invisible condition. KYRIANNA opens up about the unique catharsis of translating pain into portraits, shedding light on chronic illness and the healing power of creativity.Be sure to check out KYRIANNA'S upcoming art exhibit if you're in the area! 1078 Gallery, Chico California - November 1-24 2024.Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTubeFollow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

Solitary confinement isn't just a punishment; for some, it's a childhood reality. In this episode, author Lisa Moore discusses her powerful collaboration with Jack Whalen on Invisible Prisons, a book that reveals the traumatic experiences of children in reform schools, focusing on Jack's harrowing story of isolation. The conversation explores the systemic issues of child abuse, the deep psychological impact of solitary confinement, and the pivotal role of love and family in healing. Lisa reflects on the transformative power of empathy in storytelling and her personal journey through the writing process.Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

When science and ethics clash, the results can be mind-boggling—and a little unsettling. This week Jer takes the fellas on a Cloning deep dive. It all begins with the recent story of Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, an 81-year-old rancher imprisoned for illegally cloning sheep for trophy hunting, sparking a deeper look into the ethical maze of cloning. From Dolly the sheep's groundbreaking role as the first mammal cloned from an adult cell to the controversial revival of extinct species like the woolly mammoth, cloning's potential is both awe-inspiring and alarming. Along the way, the discussion tackles fringe theories, human-animal hybrids, and the growing trend of cloning pets—raising big questions about our future with biotechnology.Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

Even the strongest athletes need a game plan. This week, we dive into the world of endurance sports and type 1 diabetes with Dr. Anne Marie MacDonald, a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete who's been navigating the condition for over 35 years. From nutrition to insulin management, she shares how she juggles the demands of high-intensity training while managing her health. Plus, we explore the latest research on diabetes treatments that could reshape the future. In the wrap up Jer tackles a shocking medical story about an 84-year-old doctor, a botched colonoscopy, and how a simple failure to wear hearing aids spiraled into a disastrous outcome for the patient.Tune in to our other fascinating conversations about Type I diabetes here, here and here.Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord

They say parenting is the hardest job in the world—now imagine doing it with a disability in a world that often deems you "unfit." This week, author and essayist Jessica Slice joins the fellas to reflect on her experiences with POTS and how disability has shaped her views on attraction, relationships, and parenting. She dives into the societal fear of weakness, offering fresh perspectives on accepting vulnerability as part of the human experience. From navigating discrimination against disabled parents to finding creative ways to connect with her kids and partner.Be sure to check out Jessica's work here.Check out our previous discussion about POTS right here!Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTubeFollow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

When it comes to living longer, it's not just about adding years to your life, but life to your years. In this episode, Dr. Fady Hannah-Shmouni, CEO of HealthSpan Digital, dives into the cutting-edge world of precision health and longevity medicine. From AI-powered disease detection to personalized health interventions, he unpacks how modern tools are shaping the future of healthcare. The secret to optimizing healthspan? It's a hell of a lot simpler than you might think. Sleep, movement, and nutrition! Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTubeFollow Sickboy on Instagram & TikTok!

You can't choose your scars, but you can choose your hairstyle—just ask the guy with a leaky head on a flight. In this episode, the conversation takes off with a story about a man fresh from a hair transplant who causes quite the stir aboard a plane. What follows is a dive into the wild world of hair transplants, from follicles to faux pas, with a few unexpected turns along the way. The fellas also delve into the ingenuity of a 15-year-old inventor making waves in skin cancer treatment. 15 years old folks. What the hell were you doing at 15?Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

Personal Best is a podcast that celebrates small ambitions, half-wins and the quiet satisfaction of getting less bad at things. Each week they help ordinary people work through the little things they’d never bring to a life coach — like having the courage to dine alone at a fancy restaurant or getting less awkward at handshakes. Let them be your self-improvement sidekicks! More episodes from the brand new season of Personal Best are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/-kMRnPZ1

Managing life’s highs and lows is hard enough without your blood sugar joining the rollercoaster. Annie Arnone joins the boys to dive into her experiences living with type 1 diabetes and borderline personality disorder (BPD), highlighting the often-misunderstood differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Diagnosed at 16, Annie faced challenges that went far beyond managing insulin levels. From navigating stigma and bullying in high school to confronting the deep connection between chronic illness and mental health, her story is one of resilience. Annie’s journey toward acceptance sheds light on the importance of self-advocacy, awareness, and building supportive relationships while living with chronic illness.Check out past episodes on BPD and Diabetes:Borderline Personality Disorder: Sometime I Act CRAZYBPD and the Power of DBT: One Asian Mans Struggle with Mental HealthSweet & Sour: Life with Aggressive Type 1 DiabetesThe Holy Trinity of Diabetes: Exercise, Nutrition, and Blood Sugar ManagementMaking Porn & Fighting Diabetes The Not-So-Sugarcoated Truth: Diabetes Stigma with Laura Syron, President & CEO of Diabetes CanadaCatch the full video version of this episode on YouTube!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord

When it comes to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), understanding is key, but misconceptions often get in the way. In this episode, Sickboy sits down with Judy Heilik to shed light on the realities of living with FASD. They tackle the stigma and blame that often surround the condition, emphasizing the need for empathy and support. Judy explains how alcohol consumption during pregnancy can impact brain development, leading to a range of challenges from emotional regulation to social interactions. She also delve into the barriers that make accessing resources difficult and highlight the importance of a holistic approach to care. This conversation is a call to action for increased awareness and a more compassionate perspective on FASD.Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

When the fight against HIV meets the resilience of Indigenous communities, advocacy becomes a lifeline. Trevor Stratton, a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, shares his journey from diagnosis to becoming a powerful voice in the Indigenous HIV community. As the International AIDS Conference looms, Trevor dives into the pressing need for culturally safe education and messaging to combat stigma and discrimination. He sheds light on the importance of being "undetectable" and the unique epidemiological challenges faced by Indigenous populations. His story is a testament to the power of trust, community, and advocacy in breaking down the barriers to healthcare access.Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTubeFollow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

They say the only constant in life is change, but what happens when the change you're given feels like a double-edged sword? In this episode, the boys sit down with Connie, a young woman whose life with Cystic Fibrosis has taken a sharp turn thanks to Trikafta. She shares the raw realities of navigating a new chapter where her body, mind, and future are all in flux. From the ripple effects of this life-altering drug to the unexpected burden of added years, Connie explores the challenges of redefining herself and seeking community in a world that suddenly feels both more hopeful and isolating.Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord