Episodes
-
Anthrax Lab Leak: Russia's Biological Chernobyl
Send us Fan Mail On this episode the guys travel back to 1979 Russia to better understand a devastating lab leak that actually occurred. Conspiracy theorist eat your heart out. In true Russian fashion it was cold, calculated, there was needless death and it was a well kept secret until it wasn't....
-
AI Bioterrorism: Do androids dream of biowarfare?
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of viral load the guys jump into the wonderful world of AI. Believe it or not even for those who absolutely hate this new world of tech there are some undeniable use cases that could save millions of lives, but what if that power lands in the wrong hands? What if...
-
Measles Mania
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Viral load the guys get back to business unpacking what our lovely Home Health Secretary has been up to since we last spoke and what effect it's having on our healthcare system. Spoiler alert it's not great. If you despise the current admin approach to…
more -
RFK Jr.'s Tylenol Files
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Brett (PhD, Epidemiology) and Andy break down the viral claim by President Trump and RFK Jr. that Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism. They cut through the noise: What the White House actually said (nothing close to confirmation) What the JAMA studies show...
-
Polio Part 2: Managing Misinformation
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we tackle the dangers of celebrity-driven vaccine misinformation, focusing on figures like Alicia Silverstone, who may still be Clueless. We also explore the continued influence of Andrew Wakefield, whose discredited study sparked the anti-vaccine movement, and…
more -
Polio Part 1: Paralysis Analysis
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the concerning potential for the return of polio, a disease that once terrified the world before vaccines brought it to the brink of eradication. What's behind the recent reports of poliovirus in wastewater and isolated cases? And how do vaccine gaps,...
-
Hendra Virus: We can't stop here. This is bat country
Send us Fan Mail Australia's got a reputation for dangerous creatures, but Hendra takes it to a whole new level. This week, we dive into the bat-sh*t crazy world of the Hendra virus—an outbreak that started in horses and quickly spread to humans in a way that’s both horrifying and weird. We’ll...
-
The Real RFK Jr.: Department of Health and Human Services
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we venture boldly into the unsettling future of American healthcare as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. steps into the most controversial cabinet role of the new administration: Secretary of Health and Human Services. With a track record of questioning vaccine safety and...
-
Disease X: Navigating the Conspiracy Theory Maze
Send us Fan Mail Dive into the mystery of Disease X, the hypothetical pathogen poised to trigger the next global pandemic. Amidst a sea of conspiracy theories, from government cover-ups and the New World Order to clandestine experiments, we sift through the noise to uncover the truth. Join the…
more -
Origins of HIV/AIDS
Send us Fan Mail Delve into the complex origins of HIV in our latest episode, unraveling the web of misinformation surrounding this global health crisis. Join us as we uncover the truth behind the virus, challenging misconceptions and shedding light on its historical context. . . . . . . . . ....
-
Epidemic Enigma: Bird Flu Prophesies & 5 Strange Diseases
Send us Fan Mail Dive into the ominous with some of the world's weirdest diseases. An is it finally the year of the Bird Flu? In this Viral Particle or Mini-sode. Uncover the eerie stories behind 5 peculiar diseases.. Join us on this unsettling journey through pandemic prophecies and the strange...
-
Artificial Intelligence & Human Health: Rise of the Disease Machines
Send us Fan Mail Is it a system that creates a world where Instagram models and regular folks become indistinguishable . A revolutionary solution to blank page syndrome ? An epic tale of an artificial boy's quest for humanity? Or perhaps we are just talking about a complex machine that will...
-
Time-Traveling Pathogens: Update from Siberia
Send us Fan Mail This week the guys jump back to a topic that started it all in 2019 (episode 1). We're talking zombie viruses and melting permafrost. What are scientists finding beneath the thawing ground? Listen to this week's episode to find out! . . . . . sources...
-
War in Ukraine: Cholera and Combat Mosquitoes
Send us Fan Mail Is Putin puttin' something in the water supply? Is Zelensky secretly an an evil mastermind using monster mosquitos to squash the Russian Regime? Is the U.S. funding bio labs in the Ukraine to undercut the Russians? Is it all simply political posturing? Or is there something a bit...
-
Viral Load Reviews The Last of Us
Send us Fan Mail A fungal infection turning the entire human race into mushroom headed zombies...of course the guys from Viral Load are all in. On this episode Brett and Andy take a look at the fungal series that is causing an HBO Pandemic. Could Cordyceps really mutate and take over the human...
-
Bird Flu Outbreak: Pandemic Predictions
Send us Fan Mail While we may not have a Delorean or a magic crystal ball; Brett is a doctor of epidemiology, an astronomy aficionado and now perhaps able to see into the future (Brett-stradamus )? After 2 years of bird flu prognostication are we finally seeing the first signs of the next…
more -
TB Sniffing Rodents: HeroRATS
Send us Fan Mail This week the guys take you on a trip down the rat hole. They discuss the incredibly accurate TB sniffing rats and how humans began domesticating animals for our benefit. So sit back relax and picture Linguini sniffing out TB instead of making delicious Disney dishes. . . .…
more -
RSV and the Tripledemic
Send us Fan Mail What's that? The holidays are just around the corner. Well Brett and Andy have got just the topic for discussion around the ol' dinner table. This week the guys dive into the deep end of the latest pandemic that is RSV. In doing so we must once again venture into the dregs of...
-
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and Frozen Zombie Viruses
Send us Fan Mail Same old new years resolutions and brand new set of terrifying disease predictions. This episode is a viral particle or mini-sode where Brett and Andy each choose a story and the other one has no clue what to expect. Brett dives into the deep end of the swirling trash pile that…
more -
Fecal Transplants Part 2 : Golden Soup
Send us Fan Mail It's finally arrived the long awaited sequel to our foray into fecal fodder. Do you or someone you love have gastrointestinal distress? or did you simply eat bad street meat at 1 am that sent you down a Youtube rabbit hole that has you thinking maybe a DIY fecal transplant is for...
-
Fecal Transplants Part 1 : The Microbiome
Send us Fan Mail Wandering through the fecal fodder of 2022 has at times felt like a flummoxing failure. The good news is on this episode of Viral Load we show you the upside of your downtown business and how it could one day save your life.
-
Monkeypox Rave 2022
Send us Fan Mail Planning to hit up your local rave? You may want to hold off on dropping the beat until you listen to this week's episode. We discuss the emergence of monkeypox in non endemic areas and why Marshmallow, Skrillex, and Deadmau5 may be responsible.
-
Rabies: Destroy the Brain
Send us Fan Mail On this episode we cover why that possum is really chasing it's tail, if you should invite those pesky raccoons into your home for some tea, and ponder just what is the best name for a Swedish metal band. That's right the deadliest disease on earth and old Yeller's demise this…
more -
Omicron Persei 8: A Variant of Concern
Send us Fan Mail What happens when anti-vaxxers, a promiscuous virus, and maybe some infected rodents get together? A new episode of Viral Load Podcast, of course. Also, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. . . . . . sources . . https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1126-B11-529-omicron.html...
-
Viral Particle: May the Quartz be with You
Send us Fan Mail Why would a rare tropical disease outbreak emerge in America’s heartland? Get your crystals out and make sure your chakras are aligned, because Jupiter is in retrograde and Viral Load is on the case! . . . sources...
-
Monkeypox: Furious George
Send us Fan Mail We are back from the grave for this halloween episode. On the 2 year anniversary of Viral Load we dive into the wonderful world of monkeypox. Tune in to find out why you should care about this boil inducing disease. And whatever you do this hallows eve don't pet prairie dogs!...
-
Revenge of the Variants: Delta, Lambda, Omega-Mu
Send us Fan Mail "The Variants They Are A-Changin' " - Bob Dylan & SARS-CoV-2. What happens when an RNA virus meets an unevenly vaccinated planet? Tune in to our latest COVID-19 episode to find out! . . . sources . https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html...
-
The Bird Flu Cometh
Send us Fan Mail Move over COVID, there’s a new sheriff in town. While the COVID-19 continues to garner international attention, strains of avian influenza (“bird flu”) are lurking - ready to spark the next pandemic. Is BIRD-FLU-22 next? . sources ....
-
Hansen's Disease (Leprosy): MMMBop
Send us Fan Mail Leprosy probably brings to mind skin falling from the bone and people cast away into quarantined colonies. It is among the most stigmatized diseases in history, that I can think of. In this episode, we cover the past, present, and future of this ancient foe. . sources...
-
COVID-19: Pandemic Origins
Send us Fan Mail The search continues for the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19—and the pathway that it took to leap from animals to humans, resulting in 129 million infections and more than 2.8 million deaths....and counting. The World Health Organization recently released a report from…
more -
Viral Particle: Stay Out of the Forest
Send us Fan Mail Brett and Andy dive into the hot topics in the world of diseases for this viral particle (minisode). In an homage to the My Favorite Murder pod, each host chooses a recent disease story and presents without the other knowing what the subject matter will be. Tune in to find out…
more -
Transmitted Infections Part 2: Interview with a Love Doctor
Send us Fan Mail On part 2 of our STI saga we sat down with occupational therapist and real life love doctor Karen McCarthy PhD. We discuss dating in the age of apps and the stigma of the gifts that keep on giving. For dating advice and more info on our guest head over to...
-
Sexually Transmitted Infections Part 1: Consider the Merkin
Send us Fan Mail In the words of the late Charles Bukowski, "Sex is kicking death in the ass while singing." Join us as we embark on a journey of sex, pathogens, and in our first episode, we explore the world of sexually transmitted infections. sources -...
-
Tuberculosis: Consumption Gumption
Send us Fan Mail Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest diseases in the world infecting over 100 Million people annually. Every episode we end by asking listeners to send in any episode suggestions they'd like to hear about in the future. Well ask and the disease guys will deliver! Tulane…
more -
Vaccination Station: Herd immunity, Misinformation, and the next pandemic
Send us Fan Mail Out with the old and in with the new! The 2020 dumpster fire is over and COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out. So, only one question remains: what new disease horrors does 2021 have in store for us? . . . sources . ....
-
Chronic Kidney Disease Part 2: A Survivor's perspective
Send us Fan Mail This week we're continuing our nephrotic odyssey with a special interview with a kidney failure survivor and recent kidney transplant recipient Joe Mcguiggin. Joe pulls back the curtain on what it's like to be a recovering addict with kidney failure and we learn about a...
-
Chronic Kidney Disease Part 1: Nephrons, Ship Breakers, and Transplant Tourism
Send us Fan Mail We’re dipping our toes in the sea of non-communicable diseases. Join us as we venture into the surprisingly strange world of chronic kidney disease. We’ve got science, a special guest, and Snapple facts that will leave you thirsty for more. What do mangrove forests and cargo…
more -
Pilgrim Pathogens: The Diseases of Thanksgiving
Send us Fan Mail We may not all agree on side dishes or which dessert is best, but the one thing we do know: Thanksgiving and diseases go together like turkey and gravy. On this episode of Viral Load, we cover the diseases, both past & present, of the Thanksgiving holiday (or the last Thursday in...
-
You Died of Dysentery: Diseases of the Oregon Trail (game)
Send us Fan Mail Take a trip down memory road (or trail?) with us. We're discussing the disease-riddled icon computer lab mainstay, 'The Oregon Trail' . . . sources PLAY THE GAME ***https://classicreload.com/oregon-trail.html *** https://oregontrailcenter.org/pioneers-talk...
-
Viral Particle: Saved by the Bell
Send us Fan Mail We know what you're thinking "2020 has been less than optimal". Well try and find solace in the fact that you aren’t waking up today only to find yourself buried alive. On this particle we discuss the devastating Yellow Fever Outbreak in Savannah Georgia in 1820. As well as the...
-
Halloween Special: Dracula Origins and Walking Corpses
Send us Fan Mail In honor of Halloween, we’ve put together a spooktacular sampler of some of the diseases that are the real reason for the season! First, we explore the pathogen-riddled, Irish origins of Dracula. Then, we discuss Cotard Syndrome, otherwise known as the “Walking Corpse Syndrome”.…
more -
Brain Eating Amoebas
Send us Fan Mail I know what your thinking 2020 has been a piece of cake and you have nothing to worry about. Well you're in luck this week we dive into the stagnant waters of your nightmares and bring you Naegleria the brain eating amoeba! Sources:...
-
Mr. COVID Goes to Washington
Send us Fan Mail COVID-19 knows no bounds! After prancing around Parliament with Boris Johnson COVID decided to hit the big time and took a romp in the White House rose garden. Donald Trump President of the United States tests positive for COVID-19. On this episode we chronicle the COVID-19...
-
Viral Particle : Bring Out Your Dead
Send us Fan Mail What is the Million Death Study? How has Africa navigated COVID-19 relatively unscathed and for God’s sake can someone give us some Happy Science news? All that and more on this week’s Viral Particle mini-sode. . . . Sources ....
-
Tis the Season...for Twindemics
Send us Fan Mail What is the flu? What does the flu do? Are there any flu socks? Is anyone listening to me? What happens when the world is up in flames, a Pandemic continues to rage on and Flu Season comes a knockin'? Buckle up kids because like it or not we're all strapped into the 2020...
-
Viral Particle: Vultures and the Shadow Pandemic
Send us Fan Mail On this Viral Particle minisode, we discuss the drastic rise in domestic violence globally since the shutdown and we celebrate vultures, the unsung heroes of the public health world. . . . . sources...
-
West Nile Virus: Counting Crows
Send us Fan Mail Are birds real? Do crows really remember faces? How hard is a Sentinal chicken's day at work? And what the hell does any of that have to do with West Nile Virus? Tune into this week's episode of Viral Load to find out. . . . sources...
-
Viral Particle: Socks on Fire
Send us Fan Mail Earthquakes, Hurricanes, COVID, and now wild fires. 2020 you're incorrigible. On this viral particle we check in on the California wildfires and cap it off with a simple case study about a man and his socks. . . . sources . ....
-
Nipah: The Worst Disease Nobody's Heard Of
Send us Fan Mail What is the worst disease no one has ever heard of? Nipah! Ever heard of it? Join Andy and Brett as they discuss the Nipah virus, the inspiration for the 2011 blockbuster hit Contagion, bat urine, and date palm wine. All fun facts that are sure to make you a hit at your next Zoom...
-
COVID-19: Operation Warp Speed!
Send us Fan Mail It's been 8 months since the first case of the virus formally known as the Novel Coronavirus was found in Wuhan China. That number has grown in 8 months to over 20 Million cases. How do we escape this warped reality that is COVID-19? The answer just might be Operation Warp Speed.…
more
About this show
The disease podcast for a diseased world! Hosts: Brett Bayles (a professor) & Andy Pupa (not a professor) gleefully explore the weird and wacky world of diseases on a changing planet.
Hosted by
Brett Bayles (a professor) / Andy Pupa (not a professor)