Freakonomics M.D. Has A Heart; Neurodivergent Podcasts for You; A Study Of Strange Debuts

Freakonomics M.D. Gets To The Heart Of The Matter

This week's Freakonomics M.D. episode was inspired by a listener question:
"Hi Bapu, a few weeks ago, my father had a heart attack and triple bypass. This was a big surprise because he’s never had any signs that his heart was headed in this direction. What gave it away was an angiogram that showed 90 plus percent blockage in three of his arteries. My question is: why is the angiogram not considered a more routine procedure for heart health? Is it just too expensive to make part of a normal physical? Is it scarce resources? And can I actually make it part of my routine physical, so I can monitor my heart in a more detailed way?"

Finding answers for this specific listener leads host Dr. Bapu Jena, an economist and medical doctor, to a couple broader questions:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. But who is and isn't getting tested for heart issues? When is the right time to test? How do physicians decide which tests to use, and in what order? And what could be the risks of doing a test if it isn’t medically necessary?

Listen to "Who Gets a Heart Disease Test?" now at freakonomics.com or wherever you get podcasts.

Check out these Neurodivergent Podcasts

I wonder what it's like to crawl around in the mind of EarBuds Podcast Collective's founder and leader, Arielle Nussenblatt? She doesn't think in categories like other people. When most people define podcast genres, they do it simply: Technology, Arts, News, Health, etc.

Not Arielle. Every week at the EarBuds Podcast Collective, you're treated to five curated podcasts based on a theme. The beauty for you, listeners, is that it's like pulling the arm of a slot machine. You never know what you'll get. Just that it's deliciously good. 

This week, the curator is Joe Wells, who has chosen neurodivergent podcasts.

When asked why he chose this theme, Wells answered: "Podcasting is a platform on which autistic, ADHD, and otherwise neurodivergent people are finding their voice. It allows groups to talk about shared experiences and reclaim their narrative."

In the Aut-Hour podcast, Wells comments that, "host Sara Gibbs has written one of the funniest books about autism out there; Drama Queen. On this show, she talks to other autistic writers about their work. Check out the episode with brilliant children’s writer Elle McNicoll. Elle McNicoll."

In the Different Minds podcast, host John Offord speaks to all types of experts (including experts by experience) about neurodiversity and different types of brains. In the highlighted episode, he talks with Lydia Brown, who is an important campaigner for disability rights and has written about the intersection of neurodivergence and trans identity.

Check out the EarBuds Podcast Collective recommendations here.

A Study Of Strange Debuts

A Study Of Strange is not just another true-crime podcast. It's more of a truth is stranger than fiction crime podcast. It's the X Files TV show fried up with the Cold Case TV show.

Convergent Content, LLC, is thrilled to release their new podcast, A Study of Strange.  It is the production company's first podcast. 

A Study of Strange delves into the world of the unknown, covering cases of unsolved crimes and unexplained occurrences. The podcast attempts to debunk common misconceptions and introduce strange tales that are typically overlooked in the genre.

Hosted by Michael May, a filmmaker and host of the true-crime, automotive-themed shows Auto/Biography and Auto/Biography: Cold Cases on Motor Trend TV. Every week, Michael shares a strange tale with a different guest, and they both play a role in short reenactments throughout the episodes. Guests include entertainment industry insiders, friends, weirdos, randos, and more!

A Study of Strange starts off with a bang, releasing five episodes today for the premier of the podcast. Episodes include the mystery of a real locked-room murder, the story of the first spirit photographs, and a deep dive into the Biggie Smalls murder. Special guests thus far include novelist August Norman, filmmaker Tim Donahue, and Biggie Smalls expert and documentarian, Michael Dorsey.

“I’m fascinated by mysteries and my nighttime reading always includes whatever strange story I’m into at the moment,” says Michael May. “My experience researching for TV shows has taught me that there’s always more to a story than what you think, and we want A Study of Strange to present new information, or theories, when possible.”

You can listen to the podcast here.