Shows
UndisciplinaryBeyond Bleeding: How Period Tracking Apps Redefine HealthSend us a textDr. Andrea Ford, cultural and medical anthropologist, explores the fascinating world of femtech and period tracking apps, revealing how these technologies are transforming our understanding of bodies, health, and gender. The conversation examines how these digital tools function within surveillance capitalism while promising personal empowerment through data collection.• Period tracking has evolved beyond fertility planning to become a comprehensive approach to "hormonal health"• Femtech represents a $50 billion industry that includes apps, wearables, and AI-driven health platforms• Users track not just bleeding but hundreds of metrics including mood, energy, and physic...
2025-08-2254 minUndisciplinaryThe COVID Memory Gap: Reflections Five Years LaterSend us a textFive years after COVID-19 upended our lives, we've developed a curious collective amnesia. When was the last time you seriously reflected on playground closures, door-to-door testing teams, or the "disappointing Dan" press conferences? These once-extraordinary interventions now seem like strange artifacts from another era.Jane Williams shares how COVID researchers now apologetically preface their ongoing work with self-deprecation, as though examining one of history's most significant social and medical disruptions is somehow passé. "I've made the decision to quite actively try not to be rude about my own work," Jane explains, p...
2025-07-3033 minUndisciplinaryFive Years of Undisciplinary!Send us a textWe celebrate five years of Undisciplinary by reflecting on our journey and the changing academic landscape since our podcast began in July 2020.• Chris and Jane discuss recent conference experiences, noting the different atmospheres between academic gatherings• We listen to and react to our original five-minute teaser episode from July 23, 2020• Reflections on Courtney Hempton's contributions and impact on the podcast's development• Discussion of how Twitter's transformation has changed how we source topics and connect with others• Clarification about our independent funding model and thoughts on academic freedom challenges• Expl...
2025-07-1925 minUndisciplinaryDecolonizing Health: Why "Global" Health Is a Problematic Concept with Seye AbimbolaSend us a textA/Prof Seye Abimbola explores how global health as a concept reinforces colonial power structures and argues for decentering Western institutions in health governance. His critique reveals how aid flows primarily benefit donor countries while creating dependencies that hinder meaningful health system development in recipient nations.• The term "global health" itself is problematic, describing an industry with colonial roots rather than a truly global approach to health• Much international aid functions as "tied aid," where donor countries require recipients to purchase overpriced products from them, limiting actual benefits• 84% of major...
2025-06-071h 01Undisciplinary"Worst Dinner Guest Ever?" Food intolerances, gut issues, and the ethics of hosting. Dr Megan Dean Pt2Send us a textPart 2 of our conversation with philosopher Megan Dean. We explore the ethics of hosting and the tensions that arise when accommodating guests with dietary restrictions. We dive into her paper "The Worst Dinner Guest Ever" to understand why people with food allergies and gut issues often face skepticism and judgment when sharing their needs.• Megan was inspired by a blog post about accommodating guests with multiple dietary restrictions and the heated debate in its comment section• "Epistemic humility" means acknowledging people as authorities on their own bodies and experiences• Many f...
2025-05-1737 minUndisciplinaryPhilosophy of Food: Discussing food restrictions, identity, and care with Dr Megan Dean Pt1Send us a textPhilosopher Megan Dean joins us to explore the complex ethics of food restrictions, from hospital feeding tubes to revealing how deeply our identity and relationships are intertwined with what and how we eat.In this episode we discussCase of mushroom attempted mushroom poisoning - Ask Polly: My In-Laws are careless about my deadly food allergy! Smuggled Doughnuts and Forbidden Fried Chicken: Addressing Tensions around Family and Food Restrictions in Hospitals by Megan A. Dean, Laura Guidry-GrimesThe Culinary Mind - Center for the Philosophy of Food
2025-05-0250 minUndisciplinaryBeyond the Scales: Obesity Ethics and Weight StigmaSend us a textChris and Jane kick off 2025 discussing their recent publication in the British Medical Bulletin titled "Obesity: Ethical Issues" and exploring how conversations about weight stigma have evolved in recent years.• Jane shares her experience appearing on ABC Radio National's "God Forbid" program where the topic shifted from "thinness and morality" to focusing entirely on obesity• Even as medical institutions acknowledge weight stigma is harmful, they continue to pathologize bodies outside narrow parameters• Public health messaging has evolved from fear-based "toxic fat" campaigns to more positive approaches focused on moveme...
2025-04-0732 minUndisciplinarySummer Edition: Re-post of 2023 conversation with Patty Thille on Obesity, Weight Stigma and Big PharmaSend us a text**Below is AI generated**This episode discusses weight stigma as a systemic issue deeply rooted in healthcare practices, often leading to misdiagnosis and mistreatment of individuals based on their body size. Dr. Patty Thille highlights the dangers of medicalization and pharmaceuticalization - especially the popularity of drugs like Ozempic - in addressing obesity and encourages a more holistic approach to health that considers broader societal contexts. • Weight stigma as both a personal and systemic issue • The impact of bias in healthcare settings • Personal experiences leading to critical perspecti...
2025-01-131h 00UndisciplinarySummer Edition: Re-post of 2021 conversation with Bryan Mukandi on Race and Medical PowerSend us a textUndisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health. Follow us on Twitter @undisciplinary_ or email questions for "mailbag episodes" undisciplinarypod@gmail.com
2024-12-301h 29UndisciplinaryGood Take Bad Take Xmas Special: Keep your fingers out of other peoples' food!Send us a text**Below is AI generated**Ever found yourself secretly despising a beloved Christmas classic or questioning the charm of a holiday favorite as you share it with the next generation? Join us as we navigate the highs and lows of 2024, starting with a comedic dissection of Christmas music and films. We take a cheeky swipe at Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time," while debating the timelessness of "Christmas in New York" and "Carol of the Bells." Our scrutiny doesn't stop there; "Love Actually" gets a modern reevaluation, showing the inevitable cracks that appear when...
2024-12-2318 minUndisciplinaryLove, Grief, and Empathy: Undisciplinary reflections on 2024Send us a text**Below is AI generated**This episode explores the complexities of grief during festive seasons, focusing on the interplay between love, loss, and holiday traditions. Insights from bell hooks highlight the importance of love as an action, while discussions on technology's impact on mourning encourage listeners to consider their relationships with grief and community.• Discussing the emotional landscape of holiday traditions• The contrast of summer festivities in Australia with feelings of grief• Exploring the concept of death bots and digital mourning• bell hooks' perspective on love as a verb
2024-12-2134 minUndisciplinaryGood Take/Bad Take: Cheeky chat about cancer donations & ozempic jabs for the unemployedSend us a text**Below is AI generated**Is "cheeky" the most overused word in our everyday vocabulary? We kick things off with a humorous exploration of this label being slapped on everything from muesli bars to sports drinks. As we chuckle through language missteps, we also tackle an advertisement from the Victorian Cancer Council that boldly claims "one in two is too many." This prompts a serious reflection on the effectiveness of such messaging in cancer awareness and the potential for these tactics to oversimplify complex issues. Switching gears, we dive into the e...
2024-12-1025 minUndisciplinaryBullshit and Misinformation in Healthcare: talking with Peter West-OramSend us a text**Below is AI generated**Is solidarity in healthcare a double-edged sword? That’s the intriguing question we explore with our returning guest, Pete West-Oram. In this episode, we dissect how solidarity can both unite and divide, especially when misinformation—what Pete candidly refers to as "bullshit"—pervades public discourse. With a focus on healthcare ethics, we discuss the destabilizing power of dishonest communication and its impact on societal issues like the genocide in Gaza, where language is often wielded to distort reality.The conversation broadens to consider global solidarity in tim...
2024-11-1239 minUndisciplinarySolidarity, Ethics, and Global Justice with Peter West-Oram Part1Send us a text**Below is AI Generated**What if the key to equitable healthcare lies in the power of solidarity? Join us as we explore this profound question with Dr. Peter West-Oram, a senior lecturer in bioethics, who offers a nuanced perspective on the intersections of history, ethics, and politics in healthcare. Through his expertise, we tackle the pressing issues of systemic racism laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the philosophical underpinnings of global health justice. Dr. West-Oram sheds light on the social determinants of health and the complex web of responsibilities...
2024-10-311h 02UndisciplinaryHorseshoe Crabs: Unknown and abused guardians of global health?Send us a text**Below is AI generated**What if the key to safer medicines lies in the blood of an ancient, alien-looking creature? Join us as we uncover the fascinating world of horseshoe crabs with our special guest, Richard Gorman. Rich's journey from human geography to animal ethics opens up a riveting discussion about the ethical implications of using animals in healthcare and the pivotal role horseshoe crabs play in pharmaceuticals. You'll be surprised to learn how these ancient creatures, often overlooked, are indispensable to the safety of vaccines and injectable medicines.We...
2024-08-2956 minUndisciplinaryGood Take/Bad Take: Monash IVF $56 million settlement dealSend us a text**The below is AI generated**What if bringing cake to work is as harmful as passive smoking? Join us for a thought-provoking exploration with our special guest, Sarah Attinger, as she shares her innovative approach to workplace treats. We dive deep into the public health implications of these sweet gestures and navigate a moral dilemma involving found cigarettes, debating the ethics of discarding them versus giving them to a smoker. Sarah, a research assistant at Sydney University and Macquarie, offers her unique perspective on these everyday ethical quandaries.Moving from...
2024-08-2339 minUndisciplinaryEmbryo Adoption and the Intersection of Religion, Politics, and Reproductive JusticeSend us a text** Below is AI generated**What happens when religion, politics, and reproductive rights collide? Join us in this thought-provoking episode of Undisciplinary, featuring Risa Cromer, an Associate Professor in Anthropology at Purdue University. Risa takes us on her unique journey from a secular upbringing to studying the powerful intersections of religious politics and reproductive rights. Together, we explore the complex landscape of reproductive justice, revealing how reproductive capacities become battlegrounds for power and control.Ever wondered what sets embryo adoption apart from sperm or embryo donation? We break down its origins...
2024-07-261h 21UndisciplinaryFireside Chat: Send us a text! Plus some random thoughts & announcementsSend us a text**Below was generated by AI and doesn't really have much to do with what we actually talked about!**Curious about how American English phrases like "it's been a minute" are shaping everyday language? Join us as we explore this playful debate and kick things off with an engaging discussion. We also introduce an exciting new feature that lets you send us anonymous text messages through Apple Podcasts and Spotify, making it easier than ever to share your thoughts. Plus, don't miss my shout-out to Pat McConville's new podcast, "Concept Art,"...
2024-06-1530 minUndisciplinaryCommercial Determinants of Health: Dr. Mélissa Mialon on the power & politics of food corporationsSend us a text**Below is AI-generated (with some editing) **Discover the commerical forces shaping our health as Dr. Mélissa Mialon describes the intricate web woven by large agri-food companies to influence health policies and sway public opinion. Our latest episode is a deep dive into the world where corporate interests meet public health, uncovering the stealthy methods these corporations use to assert their agenda. Dr. Mialon guides us through the labyrinth of systemic racism and the convolutions of the current healthcare system, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, while offering actionable strategies to dismantle t...
2024-05-1654 minUndisciplinaryStandpoint theory and bioethics: An Interdisciplinary Exploration with Supriya SubramaniSend us a text**The below is AI generated**Have you ever navigated the intricate dance of power and humility within the walls of a healthcare institution? Our latest episode features Dr. Supriya Subramani, shedding light on the ethical ballet between patients and doctors, infused with moral emotions and identity politics. As we weave through her interdisciplinary insights, Jane's battle with COVID offers a raw, firsthand perspective on these health research themes, grounding our discussion in the reality of patient experiences.Tackling the heavy lifting in academia, this episode isn't afraid to question...
2024-03-221h 31UndisciplinaryGood Take/Bad Take: Gyms, compulsory ethics, and revisionist COVID takesSend us a text**Below is AI Generated**Is clinging to "Happy New Year" wishes well into January a charming tradition or a sign of time slipping by? We dive into this seasonal conundrum before taking a hard look at the world of gym culture, where the quest for health often morphs into a pursuit of the perfect body. Our discussion unpacks an eye-opening critique of high-intensity interval training, challenging the notion that exercise should be a grueling endeavor rather than a source of joy. Join us as we unravel the complexities of fitness fads...
2024-02-2338 minUndisciplinaryBioethics in dark times: Israel's attacks on the Gazan health systemSend us a textJoin us for a thought-provoking conversation as we explore the intricate layers of the Israeli-Gaza conflict with the help of Tamara Kayali Browne and Zohar Lederman. Their unique insights as a Palestinian bioethicist and an Israeli emergency medicine physician with a bioethics background guide us through the turbulence of war, politics, and the ethics of healthcare under fire. The moral maze of warfare challenges us to confront harrowing bioethical dilemmas, from the deliberate targeting of medical facilities to the withholding of life-sustaining resources. The experiences of vulnerable populations, like pregnant women a...
2024-02-161h 30
Past ForwardCedric TaiCedric Tai is an undisciplinary artist born in Detroit, Michigan, residing in Los Angeles. They have an Art Education BFA from Michigan State University, and an MFA from the Glasgow School of Art. Their artwork and teachings focus on neurodivergent experience, labor, and politics. The artist also shares their perspectives through printed brochures such as 'How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctors Office' and 'An ADHD Zine for/by Artists'. In their exhibit, @fakingprofessionalism, Tai gives experimental, provisional, and non-clinically proven answers that provide a middle ground between social media hot takes and inaccessible scientific discourse. Tai shares th...
2023-12-2632 minUndisciplinaryWrapping Up 2023: Fatphobia, Holiday Food Politics & the War on GazaSend us a text**The below is AI generated**Ever been cornered at a family feast by Aunt Marge, who can't help but comment on your third helping of pavlova? We've all been there. Join Chris and Jane as we stir up a candid conversation about the holidays and the unwanted side dish of fatphobia they bring. From the cultural anthems like Paul Kelly's "How to Make Gravy" that bind us, to the personal and societal pressures on body image that divide us, we're unpacking the complexities of festive food politics. We reflect on our...
2023-12-2040 minUndisciplinaryLive from AABHL! Talking about antinatalism, psychedelics at work, and reflexive bioethicsSend us a text**Below is AI Generated**Eager to explore the complex world of reproductive choices? Buckle up as we journey through this invigorating discussion with Elinor Pryce, a formidable scholar from the University of Adelaide. With her, we grapple with the nuances of pro-natalism and anti-natalist policies in Australia, and their intricate interplay with immigration and environmental concerns. Elinor’s insights illuminate the need for a comprehensive approach that respects diversity, while also addressing population growth and sustainable development.Riding on the wave of our enriching dialogue with Elinor, we steer towards th...
2023-11-2235 minUndisciplinaryReflections: The Impact of Preconception Health and Societal Pressures on Reproductive OutcomesSend us a text**The below is AI generated**What would it feel like to constantly plan for something as life-changing as pregnancy, but feel ill-equipped to prepare for it? What if we told you that your health decisions pre-conception could impact not just your child, but generations to come? In today's episode, we're diving headfirst into the complexities of pregnancy planning and the repercussions of insufficient preparation. We're dissecting a recent study that found a shocking disparity between the women who plan their pregnancies and those who take active steps to prepare for them...
2023-11-1514 min