Best Hosted by Dan Egan Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 186 Hypothermia Part 1: How it hurts 57:35

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1d ago57:35

57:35

For all our wondrous adaptations as a species - our big brains, our capacity for language, our opposable thumbs - we humans are not well-equipped to deal with the cold. Take us out of our insulated dwellings, take away our winter clothes, and things can get dicey fast. From frostbite to hypothermia, the cold can settle into our bones, leading us do…

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Special Episode: Lina Zeldovich & The Living Medicine 51:44

9d ago51:44

51:44

The development of antibiotics was one of the greatest turning points in the history of medicine. Bacterial infections that were once death sentences were cured within a matter of days after administration of these lifesaving compounds. But the honeymoon didn’t last long, as resistant bacterial strains emerged and spread. Now, antimicrobial resista…

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Ep 185 The Great Smog of London: “Thick, drab, yellow, disgusting” 1:14:18

16d ago1:14:18

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Some things just go together: peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs, milk and cereal, London and smog. Or at least, that’s the way things used to be until the Great Smog of 1952. (Don’t worry, the first three pairings are safe). If you’ve watched The Crown, you may remember an early episode in which a thick, noxious smog surrounded the entire cit…

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Champions Don't Sleep: How Detroit Dominated Every Sport in 1935 - Ep116 59:15

15d ago59:15

59:15

Send us a text The remarkable story of Detroit's 1935 "City of Champions" status stands as perhaps the greatest untold achievement in American sports history. When the Lions captured the NFL championship, the Tigers claimed the World Series, and the Red Wings hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup all in the same year – while Joe Louis began his meteoric rise …

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Ep 184 The Gallbladder: Humor us 1:22:41

23d ago1:22:41

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For most of us, there probably hasn’t been a good reason for you to think about your gallbladder. Ever. Much of the time, it sits there, silently storing, concentrating, and, when needed, churning out bile every day. But occasionally, this unassuming organ will announce itself through waves of unceasing, excruciating pain brought on by a blockage o…

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Coffee, Community, and Crafting a North Country Icon: Mad River Coffee 39:26

22d ago39:26

39:26

Ever wonder what it takes to build a thriving local business that becomes woven into the fabric of a community? Dave Levin's journey from basement coffee roaster to creating a New Hampshire landmark at Exit 28 offers a story in entrepreneurial grit, community building, and staying true to your vision. When David first started roasting coffee in his…

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Special Episode: Carl Zimmer & Airborne 49:04

30d ago49:04

49:04

In the first years of the COVID pandemic, a debate raged: was the virus transmitted via respiratory droplets, or was it airborne? For some, this distinction seemed overly technical, pedantic even. But for others, it represented decades of dismissal and missed opportunities - opportunities that had cost untold lives. In this week’s TPWKY book club e…

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Ep 183 SSRIs Part 2: Action 1:10:26

1M ago1:10:26

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Last week, we took you on a journey of discovery and innovation, and this week we’re gonna tell you how the heck it all works. That means a deep dive into the nitty gritty of SSRIs, from what serotonin does (A LOT, as it turns out), to why blocking its uptake has the effects it does, from the different side effects of SSRIs, to how effective they r…

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Ep 182 SSRIs Part 1: Origin 1:02:00

1M ago1:02:00

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Since first hitting the shelves nearly 40 years ago, SSRIs have become one of the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants around the world, as well as one of the most discussed and misunderstood. This and next week, we tell the story of SSRIs in two parts. In Part 1, we explore the origins of these medications and their predecessors, a …

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Special Episode: Wendy Chin-Tanner & King of the Armadillos 56:21

2M ago56:21

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We’ve got a very special episode of the TPWKY book club this week! We’re featuring our very first fiction book: King of the Armadillos by Wendy Chin-Tanner. This novel tells the story of a young man named Victor, who is sent from his home in New York City to a federal treatment facility in Carville, Louisiana after a diagnosis of Hansen’s disease (…

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Ep 181 PCOS: Beyond the cysts 1:26:36

2M ago1:26:36

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What’s in a name? What can you really tell from a label like “polycystic ovarian syndrome”? And how much of that is more misconception than truth? The answer, as it turns out, is the former. In this episode, we delve into the world of PCOS, a world that shows us how preconceived notions of health and disease, gender and sexuality can do far more ha…

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Ep 180 Food Dyes: It’s all marketing 1:25:32

2M ago1:25:32

1:25:32

This episode, we aren’t asking you to taste the rainbow, but we are scrutinizing the artificial dyes that give it its color. When you’re munching on brightly colored candies or dipping a french fry in purple ketchup, what exactly is it you’re tasting? In this episode, we take you through the story of food dyes, from their serendipitous discovery to…

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Special Episode: Professor Steven Mithen & The Language Puzzle 49:29

2M ago49:29

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From the earliest grunts and gestures to the complex sentences we use today to convey a multitude of concepts, language has evolved to become one of humanity’s most powerful tools. It allows us to connect, create, conspire, control, console, catch up, and so much more. How did we come to have this uniquely human trait? What anatomical changes or cu…

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Ep 179 Fluoride 2: Fighting tooth and nail 1:03:56

3M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

In last week’s episode, we traced the history of fluoridation (and the anti-fluoridation movement) to its roots in the early 20th century, but we left you wondering whether there’s anything to back up the health claims that anti-fluoridationists make. Today, we get deep into the weeds of the fluoride literature, explaining how this mineral works, t…

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Ep 178 Fluoride 1: The real tooth fairy 1:02:39

3M ago1:02:39

1:02:39

Is it just us, or does it seem like every other week there’s a new headline about some state or town banning water fluoridation? As it turns out, this has been going on for decades, basically since fluoride was first introduced. Why are some people opposed to fluoride? Is there any basis to their fears? What does fluoride actually do? And how the h…

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Special Episode: Dr. Wendy Kline & Exposed 56:56

3M ago56:56

56:56

For many of us, pelvic exams are a routine part of our healthcare. Of course, that doesn’t mean we don’t await them with some dread or anxiety; naturally, these exams evoke a wide range of emotions. But they are a cornerstone in gynecological preventative care - a relatively new one at that. In this TPWKY book club episode, we sit down with Dr. Wen…

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Preserving History: New Hampshire's Covered Bridges with Kim Varney Chandler 35:38

3M ago35:38

35:38

Join Dan Egan on the 603podcast as he interviews author and historian Kim Varney Chandler, who takes us through the history of New Hampshire's covered bridges, and her new book covering all the details of the state's beloved architecture. Chandler reveals the practical reason these bridges were covered and explains why communities have invested so …

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Ep 177 Toxic Shock Syndrome: A shock to the system 1:25:20

3M ago1:25:20

1:25:20

If you’ve ever read the little instructions pamphlet included in a box of tampons, you probably came across a paragraph calling attention to a condition called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). It describes the association between TSS and tampon use, symptoms of TSS, and guidance on how to reduce risk. This legally mandated warning label has formed an in…

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Ep 176 Strychnine: The WD-40 of Victorian Medicine 1:19:33

4M ago1:19:33

1:19:33

This week, we’re coming at you with a classic TPWKY episode on one of the most notorious poisons out there: strychnine. Although strychnine might not flash across too many headlines these days, it was once imported by the ton in certain regions of the world. What did people want with so much strychnine? Depends on who you ask. Maybe it was for a re…

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Special Episode: Dr. Adam Ratner & Booster Shots 52:32

4M ago52:32

52:32

For the past few months, measles has been in regular rotation in the news cycle here in the US, with outbreaks occurring across the country in regions with low vaccine uptake. These outbreaks represent a worrying trend in the rejection of scientific and medical expertise, with long-term consequences not only for those individuals refusing vaccines …

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Ep 175 What’s the deal with raw milk: Part 2 1:00:27

4M ago1:00:27

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Last week, we started this two-parter with a big picture view of pasteurization and the raw milk movement. In this episode, we address the alleged health claims made by proponents of raw milk and dive into the very real risks carried by its consumption. Is raw milk actually better for you? Does it have more vitamins or prevent allergies? What deadl…

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SIX03 Endurance: Trail Running in New Hampshire 32:25

4M ago32:25

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Join Dan Egan on the 603podcast as he interviews Founder of SIX03 Endurance, Tom Hooper. Hooper takes us through the remarkable evolution of a New Hampshire statewide running group with hundreds of members, nine major events, and pub runs in cities throughout the Granite State. "Nobody likes doing things alone," Hooper explains, revealing how the s…

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Ep 174 What’s the deal with raw milk: Part 1 1:09:33

4M ago1:09:33

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Seriously, what’s the deal? Lately, it seems like raw milk has started to pop up more and more frequently in our feeds, with influencers touting the alleged health benefits of raw milk over pasteurized milk. In this and next week’s episode, we explore the raw milk phenomenon as it has grown over the past few decades. We start this two-parter with a…

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Special Episode: John Green & Everything Is Tuberculosis 56:46

4M ago56:46

56:46

Tuberculosis, or consumption as it was once known, might conjure up images of huge sanitoriums or writers and artists from the late 1800s (Moulin Rouge, anyone?). But this deadly disease is far from an illness of the past. In many parts of the world, tuberculosis remains an insidious killer, despite the fact that we’ve had effective drugs to treat …

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Ep 173 Childhood Vaccine Schedule 2: Who’s making the call? 57:12

5M ago57:12

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After last week’s episode, we all know about each of the diseases that we’re protected against thanks to our childhood vaccine schedule here in the US. And after this week’s episode, we’ll understand more about the schedule itself - why it might look different from other schedules around the world, how it gets made, and who makes the recommendation…

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Ep 172 Childhood Vaccine Schedule 1: Let’s give it a shot 1:07:43

5M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

We’re already back with our first episode of season 8! This week and next, we’re exploring childhood vaccine schedules - what diseases they protect us from, how the schedule is arranged, and who decides on the vaccines to include and the timing of vaccinations. In this first episode, we start with a refresher on how vaccines work before running thr…

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Ep 171 Pregnancy: Act 4 1:57:33

5M ago1:57:33

1:57:33

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, traumatic birth experiences, and other potentially disturbing topics related to childbirth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. We close out our pregnancy series with a big picture view of how the childbirth experience has changed over the pas…

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Ep 170 Pregnancy: Act 3 1:55:06

5M ago1:55:06

1:55:06

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, traumatic birth experiences, and other potentially disturbing topics related to childbirth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. In Act 3 of our pregnancy series, we arrive at the big moment: childbirth. We begin the episode with a closer look …

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Hannah Kearney: The Granite State's Mogul Queen 39:26

6M ago39:26

39:26

Hannah Kearney's gold medal-winning run at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics wasn't just a display of athletic brilliance—it was the culmination of a journey marked by failure, resilience, and transformation. As the New Hampshire local tells host Dan Egan, her path to Olympic glory started in the most humble circumstances: skiing Jay Peak's challenging g…

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Ep 169 Pregnancy: Act 2 1:46:07

6M ago1:46:07

1:46:07

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, traumatic birth experiences, and other potentially disturbing topics related to childbirth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. The second episode in our pregnancy series kicks off with a tribute to one of the most amazing organs: the placenta…

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Ep 168 Pregnancy: Act 1 1:38:15

6M ago1:38:15

1:38:15

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, traumatic birth experiences, and other potentially disturbing topics related to childbirth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. With this and the next three episodes, we’re delivering a four-part series on pregnancy, trimester by trimester. We…

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Special Episode: Rachel Gross & Vagina Obscura 48:48

6M ago48:48

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For much of history, female reproductive anatomy has been studied only in the context of or in comparison to male reproductive anatomy. This shows in clinical trial design, in healthcare disparities, in the research questions we ask (or fail to ask), it’s even apparent in our language - the word “vagina” means “sheath”, as if vaginas only exist to …

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Ep 167 Viagra/Sildenafil: Raising the bar 1:13:51

6M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

Has a name brand prescription medication ever shot to notoriety as quickly as Viagra did? Within a few months of its arrival on the market, it seems like everyone knew about the little blue pill, whether through commercials featuring celebrity spokespeople or from endless jokes on late night talk shows. But while everyone understood that this medic…

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Ep 166 Amanita poisoning: Death Cap-tivating 1:10:27

7M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

In forests, in lawns, in city parks across the world lurks a small, pale, unassuming mushroom whose inconspicuous appearance belies its deadly nature. For within this mushroom dwelsl one of the deadliest poisons known to humans: amatoxin. It’s because of this toxin that the aptly-named ‘death cap mushroom’ (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for th…

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Ep 165 Fish Tongue Parasite: Parasite Appreciation Hour 1:02:31

7M ago1:02:31

1:02:31

Okay everyone, think about your tongue. Maybe move it around a bit, check in with it, consider what it means to you. Now imagine that your tongue suddenly shriveled up and fell off and that in its place is a tongue-sized isopod aka rollie pollie aka pillbug. Just there, hanging out, forever. How are you feeling? Horrified? Disgusted? Hey, we get it…

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Ep 164 Rift Valley Fever: Ruminating on ruminants 1:15:27

7M ago1:15:27

1:15:27

Hemorrhagic virus? Check. Deadly disease? Check. Mosquito-borne? Check. Affected by animal movement, human activity, and environmental change? Check. Rift Valley Fever has all the markings of a classic TPWKY episode. This week, we’re doing a deep dive on this deadly virus, taking a One Health approach to explore the intricate relationships between …

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Ep 163 Circadian Rhythm: Live from Perth, Australia 1:12:21

7M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

We are coming at you with our very first live episode from Perth, Australia! Here at the 2024 Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists Annual Scientific Conference and Exhibition, occupational hazards and exposures get top billing. And one of the most ubiquitous hazards, experienced by nearly every industry is fatigue, specifically fatigue c…

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Special Episode: Robert Alpert, Merle Eisenberg, Lee Mordechai & Diseased Cinema 46:15

8M ago46:15

46:15

Everyone’s got a favorite disease movie. What’s yours? Does it feature zombies like 28 Days Later (2002), or is it more grounded in reality, like Contagion (2011)? Does it end with a glimmer of hope or with a dose of despair? Who are the bad guys and who are the good guys? From the early days of disease movies like Panic in the Streets (1950) to mo…

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New Hampshire's Mogul and Freestyle Skiing Legacy at Waterville Valley: Insights from Nick and Suzi Preston 53:39

8M ago53:39

53:39

Join us on this episode of the 603podcast for an exclusive journey into the exhilarating world of mogul and freestyle skiing, featuring insights from the dynamic duo, Nick and Suzi Preston, who together founded the Freestyle America training program and coached at Waterville Valley for decades. Leading up to the FIS World Cup at Waterville Valley, …

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Ep 162 Allergies Part 2: Shots, pills, & pens 1:32:44

8M ago1:32:44

1:32:44

Yes, the world may be out to get us with allergens around every corner, but we’ve got some tricks up our sleeve to help us cope. Our allergy treatment toolkit includes an impressive suite of tools, and in the second episode of our two-part series on allergies, we focus on three in particular: antihistamine medications, allergy shots, and the epinep…

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Ep 161 Allergies Part 1: Pollens, nuts, & bugs 1:24:13

8M ago1:24:13

1:24:13

Sometimes it seems like the world is out to get us: bees in our garden, pollen in the air, nuts in our brownies, any number of other things that could trigger an allergic reaction ranging from itchy eyes and a runny nose all the way to anaphylaxis. Why must our bodies react in such over-the-top ways to these seemingly innocuous substances? In the f…

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Special Episode: Philip Eil & Prescription for Pain 1:00:02

9M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

In February 2012, Paul Volkman was sentenced to four consecutive terms of life imprisonment for his role in illegally prescribing and dispensing pain medications that resulted in the deaths of several individuals in his care. This was a remarkable case, both in terms of the lengthy sentence as well as the perpetrator. Paul Volkman was a highly-educ…

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Ep 160 Appendicitis: Don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone? 1:13:07

9M ago1:13:07

1:13:07

For decades, it seemed like the appendix would go the way of 8-track players, pagers, and the phonograph. Outdated, obsolete, not worth keeping around. Surgeons performed appendectomies like it was spring cleaning - when in doubt, cut it out. But then the tides began to turn as medicine started to question the long-held belief that the appendix is …

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Ep 159 Scabies: Tiny but Mite-y 1:07:22

9M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

Among the many conditions that creep under your skin and make scratching irresistible, scabies alone holds the honor of being called simply “The Itch” for centuries. In this episode, we examine how the burrowing scabies mites cause this extremely uncomfortable sensation, what we can do to halt their progress, and how contagious they really are (les…

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Ep 158 Scarlet Fever: You’ve changed 1:10:49

9M ago1:10:49

1:10:49

A mere 150 years ago, uttering the words “scarlet fever” was enough to strike fear into the hearts of many, especially parents of young children. For a brief period of time, this disease, caused by an infection with the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, reigned as a leading cause of childhood death in many parts of the world. It left its mark on gr…

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Special Episode: Dr. Emily Monosson & Blight 53:51

10M ago53:51

53:51

We really don’t give fungi the credit they deserve. Over the years of this podcast, we’ve covered only a handful of fungal pathogens, and pathogenic fungi themselves represent a teeny tiny proportion of the incredible diversity of fungal life on this planet. But with this book club episode, we’re attempting to correct this oversight, at least a lit…

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Ep 157 Retinoids Part 2: …how it’s going 1:02:25

10M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

That same little bottle of retinol serum sitting on your bathroom counter - how does it work? Does it actually work? Those are the questions we’re taking on in part two of our retinoids two-parter. The answers, as you might expect, are complicated. Because as it turns out, “retinoid” is a catch-all term for a bunch of different types of compounds, …

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Randy Pierce: New Hampshire-based Blind Mountaineer and Marathon Runner on Resilience and Achievement 50:16

10M ago50:16

50:16

Imagine suddenly losing your sight at the age of 22 and how you'd adapt to a world turned upside down. That's the incredible story of Randy Pierce, a blind mountaineer and marathon runner, who joins Dan Egan on the 603podcast to share his transformative journey from isolation to conquering mountains. With the loyal companionship of his guide dog, Q…

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Ep 156 Retinoids Part 1: How it started… 57:05

10M ago57:05

57:05

That little bottle of retinol serum sitting on your bathroom counter - what do you know about its history? This week, we’re digging deep into the man behind the medicine, renowned dermatologist Dr. Albert Kligman, and the unethical research he conducted at Holmesburg Prison in the mid-20th century. Kligman’s research program at Holmesburg spanned d…

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Special Episode: Kate Zernike & The Exceptions 55:50

10M ago55:50

55:50

When the Massachusetts Institute of Technology admitted in 1999 that they had discriminated against women on its faculty, it sent shockwaves throughout institutions of higher learning across the country. In this TPWKY book club episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kate Zernike joins us to discuss her book The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, a…

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