The sense of hearing is a finely tuned collaboration between physics and biology, transforming invisible sound waves into meaning, memory, and emotion. From the delicate mechanics of the middle ear to the neural pathways that help us localize danger, recognize voices, and enjoy music, hearing quietly shapes how we connect with the world. Yet it’s also one of our most vulnerable senses—affected by aging, noise exposure, infection, and even cardiovascular health. How benign are ear pain and ringing? Is there a limit to how loud we should listen to music? And what can we do to protect this sense before silence becomes noticeable?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Stacey Lim, AuD, PhD, CCC-A, an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)-certified audiologist and Professor of Audiology.

Dr. Lim received her BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders and German Language and Literature from Wooster College, her AuD (Doctor of Audiology) from the Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium at the University of Akron, and her PhD in Audiology from Kent State University. Currently, Dr. Lim is a Professor of Audiology at Central Michigan University, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from ASHA, and is a researcher focused on cochlear implants and aural rehabilitation, informed by her personal experience of bilateral, profound sensorineural hearing loss since birth. Previously, Dr. Lim was a Fulbright Scholar at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, studying hearing loss in Germany, a co-Principal Investigator in March of Dimes research on cognitive and linguistic skills related to hearing loss, and the Chapter President at the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Dr. Lim is also a co-curator of (dis)ABLED BEAUTY, a museum exhibition featuring creatively designed adaptive devices, assistive devices, and apparel for people with disabilities.

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Our ears, nose, and throat (ENT) work quietly together to shape how we hear, breathe, taste, and even defend ourselves against the outside world. From the often-misunderstood role of earwax to why dry air and seasonal changes make nosebleeds more common—and how inflammation and mucosal irritation contribute to sore throats—many everyday ENT issues are actually signs of smart protective design. But with such a complex system, how simple can effective treatments really be? Can warm tea with honey actually soothe throat irritation? Are cotton swabs really bad for our ears? Can spicy foods truly clear sinus infections?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Chris Park, MD (known online as ChrisP.MD), an Otolaryngology (ENT) - Head & Neck Surgery Chief Resident Physician.

Dr. Park received his B.A. in Biology and Computer Science from Dartmouth College and his M.D. with Distinction in Research from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he was a Researcher at the Laryngology Lab. Dr. Park is currently completing his ENT residency at the Indiana University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and recently matched into the Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Online, Dr. Park has amassed over 350,000 followers, beginning his journey on TikTok, sharing his life surrounding medicine.

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Vision is often described as our most dominant sense, but how often do we actually think about how it works? The sense of sight is a complex collaboration between the eyes, optic nerves, and brain, translating light into perception, depth, color, and meaning. It allows us to view the world around us and form images of our deepest memories. But what does it really mean to “see well,” and how can we protect one of our most powerful connections to the world? What does 20/20 vision mean? Do blue light glasses work, or are they just a marketing ploy? And the age-old question: Do carrots actually improve our eyesight?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jennifer Chinn, OD, a board-certified optometrist and Glaucoma Certified Optometric Physician, and the second-generation and co-owner of Dr. Chinn's Vision Care in San Diego, California.

Dr. Chinn received her OD from the University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry. Currently, Dr. Chinn serves as a Professional Affairs Consultant at Johnson & Johnson Vision, serves on the Board of the San Diego County Optometric Society, and is the Leader of the San Diego Chapter of the Young Optometrists of America.

Dr. Chinn has been featured on New York Post, Well+Good, Women in Optometry Magazine, and Vision Monday Magazine.

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