Best Joseph J Alexander Podcasts (2025)

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Thinking Historically: Francis J. Gavin on What History Can Do for Policymakers...and the Rest of Us 30:08

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2d ago30:08

30:08

It might seem obvious that the study of history ought to improve the crafting of public policy. Surely if we understand the past, we should be able to make better decisions in the present—especially in the high-stakes worlds of statecraft and strategy. But that assumption raises deeper questions: How should history be used? What history should be u…

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I'm an adult! Why do I have acne? | CBC's The Dose 23:27

3d ago23:27

23:27

While most people think of acne as a skin condition for adolescents, it can also develop in adults. In this bonus episode from CBC’s The Dose, host Dr. Brian Goldman speaks with the head of dermatology at Dalhousie University, Dr. Kerri Purdy. She shares some of the risk factors for acne (genes and hormones, not necessarily diet) as well as the lat…

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Catharsis Episode 12 - Grifters Begat More Grifters 49:45

9d ago49:45

49:45

On this edition of Catharsis, JJ addresses the recent news of the Warrens Occult Museum being sold to comedian Matt Rife. JJ gives his personal recollections of dealings with The Warrens and the subsequent people who have tarnished their legacy. Make sure to like, subscribe and share the channel with your friends.…

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Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries (or More!) of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire, with Barry Strauss 30:32

9d ago30:32

30:32

In 1960 Yigael Yadin, formerly chief of the Israeli general staff and by that year a prize winning archaeologist, visited the home of Israel’s president David Ben-Gurion, and said to him “Mr. President, I have the honor to tell you that we have discovered 15 dispatches written or dictated by the last president of ancient Israel over 1800 years ago.…

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Interview: Why daylight is the secret to great sleep | Christine Blume 31:21

10d ago31:21

31:21

Does the type and amount of light you’re exposed to during the day change how well you sleep at night? Diving into the effects of daylight on your internal biological clock, sleep scientist Christine Blume shares practical tips for making natural light part of your daily routine — and shows why stepping outside might be the simplest, most impactful…

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Wild Card Cinema Season 2 Episode 11 1:52:31

11d ago1:52:31

1:52:31

On our season finale, we go out with a bang as we review and indie horror flick, a cult lassc splatter fest, and the final wild card pull of the season.Greg's pick: The Battery (2012)Mark's pick: Slither (2006)JJ's pick: In the Name of the King [Extended Cut] (2007)The Battery is currently available on: YouTube, Tubi, Pluto, Prime, Fandango, SlingS…

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Wild Card Cinema S2 Episode 10 2:08:25

11d ago2:08:25

2:08:25

On the penultimate edition of Season 2, we cover 3 films two of our panelists have never seen, and we delve into why some cult classics don't work for every viewer.JJ's pick: Frozen (2010)Mark's pick: Dark City - The Director's Cut (1998)Greg's pick: Hudson Hawk (1991) Frozen is currently available on: Tubi, Plex, Prime, Pluto, Roku Dark City is cu…

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White Heat REDUX - The Memory Remains 1:39:37

11d ago1:39:37

1:39:37

On the continuing "Memory Lane" series of White Heat Redux, JJ and Matt are once again joined by the lovely Joanna to tell some more old war stories from their time in the wrestling business. This one sheds some light on a past incident that garnered some national attention as well as some truth bombs being dropped about former cohorts.…

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Amanda Roper, Public Historian 30:46

16d ago30:46

30:46

Amanda Roper is a public historian who has spent her career working to preserve historic places and share traditionally underrepresented stories from America's past. She has been Director of the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Sr. Manager of Public Programs & Interpretation at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House, both in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2018, Amand…

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Why your body fights weight loss | Katherine Saunders 13:20

17d ago13:20

13:20

Why does losing weight often feel like an uphill battle? Physician Katherine Saunders unpacks how our bodies are wired to store fat, revealing that obesity isn’t simply a lack of willpower — it’s a complex, chronic disease rooted in evolutionary biology. She shares the science behind the latest breakthroughs in treatment, from lifestyle interventio…

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The Ramos Gin Fizz: A New Orleans Liquid History, with John Shelton Reed 23:47

23d ago23:47

23:47

Join Al Zambone and guest John Shelton Reed (author of The Ramos Gin Fizz, for the LSU Press series on iconic New Orleans cocktails) for a deep dive into the history, culture, and legend of the Ramos Gin Fizz—a cocktail that’s as much a symbol of New Orleans as it is a drink. From its 19th-century origins and the city’s cosmopolitan mix, to Prohibi…

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The science of taste and smell with Rachel Herz | from ReThinking with Adam Grant 35:18

24d ago35:18

35:18

Do you hate the taste of cilantro and chocolate? You might be a super taster! Rachel Herz is a neuroscientist at Brown University who specializes in taste and smell. In this episode, Adam, Rachel, and Adam’s wife Allison Sweet Grant investigate the sources of their different food preferences, uncover the overlooked power of smell, and analyze the e…

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Thomas Jefferson and the Fight Against Slavery, with Cara Rogers Stevens 34:08

1M ago34:08

34:08

In the past we’ve had entire conversations on Historically Thinking–indeed, many conversations, a whole series of conversations–on intellectual humility and historical thinking, often asking “how have you changed your mind?” Today’s guest makes me confront the fact that there is probably no person in the historical past about whom I have had a grea…

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Why social health is key to happiness and longevity | Kasley Killam 11:27

1M ago11:27

11:27

You know it's important to take care of your physical and mental health. But what about your social health? Social scientist Kasley Killam shows how feeling a sense of belonging and connection has concrete benefits to your overall health — and explains why it may be the missing key to living a longer and happier life. For a chance to give your own …

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Spellbound: Molly Worthen on Charisma, Four Centuries of American History, and the Search for Meaning 33:54

1M ago33:54

33:54

Hello: Autumn, 1949. Fortune editor Bill Furth, flinty-eyed gatekeeper, scans a manuscript from 30-year-old whiz kid Daniel Bell. Spots the word “charisma.” Snorts. Blue pencil meets page. Word dies swiftly, without much appeal. Fast forward ten years: charisma is everywhere. Eggheads bandy it, pundits quote it, preachers peddle it. Bell—vindicated…

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How I make vegan food sexy | from TED Talks Daily 20:06

1M ago20:06

20:06

At the plant-based burger chain Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole is flipping the script on vegan food with bold style. In conversation with host of "TED Radio Hour" Manoush Zomorodi, she shares the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey, from her roots in Baltimore to the grease fire that took her first storefront in Harlem. Learn more about the aut…

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White Heat Episode 130 - Calm Dafuq Down! 1:33:17

1M ago1:33:17

1:33:17

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GGClick on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order!On this edition of White Heat, JJ and Matt talk about the fallout from TNA Slammivrsary, the hypocrisy of the IWC as a whole, and Matt talks a bit about his experience at this past week's Awesome Championship Wrestling event. Unfortunately, …

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The Great Museum of the Sea: A Human History of Shipwrecks, with James Delgado 31:25

1M ago31:25

31:25

Shipwrecks as events are probably humanity’s most common form of disaster”, writes my guest James Delgado “As such, shipwrecks–aside from epidemics, warfare on land, or great natural disasters—have been the cause of the greatest number of human deaths throughout history. Thanks to ships and other watercraft, humanity did not just walk across the gl…

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Wild Card Cinema Season 2 Episode 9 1:52:34

2M ago1:52:34

1:52:34

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GG Click on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order! On this edition, we review 2 films none of us have actually seen before, and have wildly different opinions on the third. We discuss the triumphs and pitfalls of a few directors and the blurred lines of reality and fantasy inside the film …

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Wild Card Cinema Season 2 Episode 8 (reupload) 1:57:50

2M ago1:57:50

1:57:50

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GGClick on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order! On this edition, we tackle our second Wild Card pull of the season, as well as discuss a ;esser known visual masterpiece that has recently gotten a 4K upgrade, and an homage to the zany romantic comedies of the 1960s.Mark's pick: CATS (2019…

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Interview: The razor-thin line between contagion and connection | Dan Taberski 29:37

2M ago29:37

29:37

After a mysterious wave of tics and twitches swept through a small-town high school in New York, documentary podcaster Dan Taberski set out to investigate what was really happening. Drawing on extensive research and intimate interviews with the people involved, he explores the roots of mass hysteria — and what it reveals about the line between illn…

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Phantom Fleet: U-Boats, Codebreakers, and the Daring Capture of U-505, with Alexander Rose 36:02

2M ago36:02

36:02

There is a U-boat in the middle of Chicago. It’s attached to the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park. Generations of Chicagolanders, and their cousins from far away, have walked through U-505, but they don’t always ask how in the world it got to Chicago. A crucial moment in the journey of U-505 to its permanent berth was on June 4, 1944. On…

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How to make anxiety your friend | David H. Rosmarin 15:42

2M ago15:42

15:42

When anxiety rears its head, we often just want it to go away. Clinical psychologist David H. Rosmarin asks us to consider instead the positive role anxiety can play in our lives, sharing four practical steps to transform it from your enemy into your ally. For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasea…

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Light on Darkness: The Untold Story of the Liturgy of the Western Christian Church, with Cosima Clara Gillhammer 29:55

2M ago29:55

29:55

The liturgy of the Christian church is often dismissed today as archaic, arcane—or dead. But as Cosima Clara Gillhammer shows in her new book Light on Darkness: The Untold Story of the Liturgy, these ritual forms were once the very heartbeat of Western culture and continue to shape not only our cultural memory but even contemporary cultural practic…

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How to talk about your body without shame (w/ Anita Rao) | from How to Be a Better Human 34:58

2M ago34:58

34:58

Why is having the sex talk, admitting you passed gas, or being open about your body hair so seemingly uncomfortable for all of us? Journalist and host of the podcast, Embodied, Anita Rao, joins Chris this week to discuss why having open conversations about taboo topics like sex, relationships, and our bodies can help us understand ourselves better …

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Londoner, Lawyer, Humanist, Husband, Statesman, Saint: The Life of Thomas More, with Joanne Paul 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

His friend the great scholar Desiderius Erasmus referred to Thomas More as “a Man for all seasons.” But which season? Or which Thomas More? Is he an advocate of conscience? A heroic defender of the Catholic faith? A saintly martyr? A fanatical zealot unwilling to listen to cool reason? An amateur inquisitor who lit the night with burning Lutherans …

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Interview: 1 simple question that could improve women's health | Meryam Sugulle 34:47

2M ago34:47

34:47

There's a reliable indicator of a woman's future likelihood of cardiovascular disease — but it rarely gets asked about, says obstetrician and researcher Meryam Sugulle. She delves into the role of the placenta in pregnancy, how it can predict health outcomes and the single question that should be worked into routine health screenings. After the tal…

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The Accidental Tyrant: Kim Il-Sung’s Rise to Power, and How He Kept It, with Fyodor Tertitskiy 31:07

2M ago31:07

31:07

In September 1945, various factions within the Soviet state were determining how the new nation of North Korea would be ruled, and who would be its leader. In late September a list was generated of potential leaders, and passed to higher authorities. The name Kim Il-Sung was not on it. At the time the future dictator of the Democratic Peoples’ Repu…

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Why do some bodies respond differently to disease? | Erika Moore 5:42

2M ago5:42

5:42

TED Fellow and equity bioengineer Erika Moore investigates how cells controlling inflammation behave differently depending on a patient's background. By focusing on the "who" behind the disease, Moore is uncovering why certain diseases disproportionately affect certain ethnicities, paving the way for more inclusive and effective health care. For a …

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Wild Card CinemaSeason 2 Episode 7 2:08:07

3M ago2:08:07

2:08:07

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GGClick on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order! On this edition, we delve into the first Wild Card pull of the season, as well as discuss a lesser known popcorn flick from an unsung director as well as a very polarizing biopic. Greg's pick: Drive (2011) JJ's pick: Ricochet (1991) Mark's …

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Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet, with John G. Turner 38:41

3M ago38:41

38:41

Joseph Smith was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, known by those outside the church during his life and today as the Mormons. But Joseph Smith was many things besides: the child of a struggling family gradually moving westward in search of opportunity, a day laborer, visionary, seer; treasure hunter; translator; revel…

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Information Inoculation: Defending Against Medical Myths: The real reason polio is so dangerous | Dan Kwartler 34:45

3M ago34:45

34:45

In 1952, polio was everywhere: killing or paralyzing roughly half a million people annually. Yet just 10 years later, paralytic polio cases in the US dropped by 96% and we were on track to get rid of polio for good. But in recent years, the virus started striking back. So, what’s behind these recent spikes? Explore the dangers of poliovirus and the…

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Wild Card Cinema Season 2 Episode 7 1:57:50

3M ago1:57:50

1:57:50

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GGC lick on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order! On this edition, we tackle our second Wild Card pull of the season, as well as discuss a ;esser known visual masterpiece that has recently gotten a 4K upgrade, and an homage to the zany romantic comedies of the 1960s.Mark's pick: CATS (201…

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White Heat Episode 126 - Corporate Divorce 1:39:49

3M ago1:39:49

1:39:49

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GGClick on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order!On this edition of White Heat, JJ and Matt are joined by friend of the show Marie Shadows of The Squared Circle Podcast. We discuss the fallout of the apparent Ron Killings release/return, the announced corporate split of Warner Brothers Dis…

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Revolution to Come: Dan Edelstein on Thinking About Revolution...and History 31:19

3M ago31:19

31:19

“How we think about revolution,” writes my guest Dan Edelstein, “is ultimately conditioned by how we think about history.” Classical philosophers viewed history as chaotic and directionless, and sought to keep historical change—especially revolutions—at bay. “Revolutions,” so far as Greeks and Romans were concerned, “were more likely to bring about…

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Information Inoculation: Defending Against Medical Myths: Why do you need to get a flu shot every year? | Melvin Sanicas 30:33

3M ago30:33

30:33

All year long, researchers at hospitals around the world collect samples from flu patients and send them to top virology experts with one goal: to design the vaccine for the next flu season. But why do we need a new one every year? Vaccines for diseases like mumps and rubella offer a lifetime of protection with two shots early in life; what’s so sp…

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Catharsis Episode 11 - Pride and Prejudice 1:10:13

3M ago1:10:13

1:10:13

In what has now become another installment of "Catharsis - The Bristol CT saga," JJ once again has to address this thin-skinned immaturity an outright bigotry of Mayor F*ckbuckle. Ol' Jeff decided to have a proverbial dick-measuring contest, JJ exposes his lies regarding "new businesses" in town, and an ongoing crusade is once again renewed. Make s…

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Stephen Aron and Barry Strauss on History, Engaging a Wider Public, and Intellectual Humility 1:03:05

3M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

This week’s episode features not one but two conversations—with Aron and Strauss—which, while it may sound like a jazz-age songwriting duo, is in fact a pairing of two distinguished historians: Stephen Aron and Barry Strauss. They join our ongoing series of interviews exploring historians’ early love of the past and the essential role of intellectu…

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Information Inoculation: Defending Against Medical Myths: Why we need to fight misinformation about vaccines | Ethan Lindenberger 44:23

3M ago44:23

44:23

Ethan Lindenberger never got vaccinated as a kid. So one day, he went on Reddit and asked a simple question: "Where do I go to get vaccinated?" The post went viral, landing Lindenberger in the middle of a heated debate about vaccination and, ultimately, in front of a US Senate committee. Less than a year later, the high school senior reports back o…

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What happens as we die? | Kathryn Mannix (re-release) 23:19

3M ago23:19

23:19

Have we lost the practical wisdom of what happens as people die? With lessons from a career witnessing thousands of people's final breaths, palliative care expert Kathryn Mannix urges us to demystify the experience of death, sharing how a better understanding of what actually happens can reduce fear in the final days, for you and your loved ones. A…

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White Heat Episode 124 - Competition Weekend 1:43:53

4M ago1:43:53

1:43:53

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GGClick on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order! On this edition of White Heat, JJ and Matt discuss the utterly packed weekend of wrestling approaching. Some subjects broached include:- The catastrophic build towards Double or Nothing- The bloated WWE schedule leading to a change in venue…

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Wild Card Cinema S2 Episode 6 2:13:31

4M ago2:13:31

2:13:31

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GGClick on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order!On this edition, we serendipitously have all somehow chosen films that revolve around music in some way, shape or form. We discuss an previously unreleased documentary, a neo-noire cult classic, and a movie that almost 40 years later is stil…

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Why smell matters more than you think | Paule Joseph 6:56

4M ago6:56

6:56

TED Fellow and chemosensory researcher Paule Joseph unveils the hidden power of a sense that's too often overlooked: smell. She delves into the science behind smell — from how it evokes memory and emotion to its potential for early disease detection — and advocates for the creation of a baseline test for taste and smell that could open the door to …

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Interview: Aging, menopause, and rethinking fashion for comfort in midlife | Stacy London 52:11

4M ago52:11

52:11

“My lens around style doesn’t have anything to do with style anymore — it’s about physicality,” says stylist and fashion consultant Stacy London. “What do I want to be able to do? How do I keep myself strong?” Stacy’s message has resonated for many women, and for this episode, she joins Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, host of TED Health, at TED2025 for a…

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White Heat Episode 123 - Spring Cleaning 2025 1:15:05

4M ago1:15:05

1:15:05

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GG Click on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order! On this edition of White Heat, JJ and Matt discuss the recent post-WrestleMania WWE releases, as well as the hypocrisy of the IWC when it comes to how things are handled with each company. Don't forget to like, subscribe and hit the bell f…

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Interview: Why you shouldn't trust boredom | Kevin H. Gary (re-release) 27:16

4M ago27:16

27:16

Are you actually bored, or is something else going on? Educator Kevin H. Gary shares three practical takeaways to deal with the doldrums, so you can take control of your attention, figure out which feelings to trust and name the real problem. After the talk, join Shoshana for a sweeping conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Harstad on the relationship be…

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Episode 406: Rogue Agent 1:18:10

4M ago1:18:10

1:18:10

Robert Bruce Lockhart was at various times in his life a diplomat, a conspirator, an gatherer of intelligence, and a propagandist. He was always a maverick, a charmer, a bit of a cad with a touch of the bounder, and a devotee of the high life when he could afford it, and often when he could not. In his busy life he ran a Malaya rubber plantation; s…

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Wild Card Cinema S2 Episode 5 2:09:15

4M ago2:09:15

2:09:15

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GGClick on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order!After an unexpected hiatus, we’ve officially hit the midway point of Season 2 here at Wild Card Cinema! On this episode, we discuss a well-known found footage flick, an early A24sleeper, and a black comedy fitting for the holiday season. Mar…

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White Heat Episode 122 - Mercedes Got Scammed 1:07:05

4M ago1:07:05

1:07:05

This episode brought to you by DUBBY.GGClick on this link or use code FULLCIRCLERADIO for 10% off your order!On this edition of White Heat, JJ and Matt are joined by our friend AEWful as we discuss an issue that originally arose on Tooney Talk Wrestling a few weeks ago....surrounding everyone's (not so) favorite CEO Mercedes Monė. Don't forget to l…

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Interview: 3 reasons why medications are so expensive in the US | Kiah Williams 28:56

4M ago28:56

28:56

A century after its discovery, insulin remain essential in treating diabetes, and has a relatively low production cost, with a vial generally costing less than $6 to make. But those in the US pay on average 10 times more than those in other countries— leading some patients to take less than prescribed. Kiah Williams takes a look at the US supply ch…