Why do we drink, even when it harms us? Priyanka and Hari explore our complicated relationship with alcohol, from first drinks to long term habits. Colorectal surgeon and author Dr. Charles Knowles joins them to discuss the research behind his book, Why We Drink Too Much. They examine how alcohol hijacks the brain’s reward system, why some people are more vulnerable to dependency, and the long overlooked risks of moderate drinking. The conversation spans dating culture, marketing myths, and mental health. Dr. Knowles also shares his own journey to sobriety and evidence based approaches to changing drinking behavior, including self compassion, community, and education.

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On this mini episode, Dr. Priyanka Wali does a rapid fire health check to close out the year. She breaks down common symptoms and answers the questions we all worry about. Is it a cold or the flu? What to do when you suspect you have a UTI. What blood in your stool can mean. Why fatigue and anemia often get mixed up. And what to know about headaches, foot fungus, chest pain, dizziness, and blood pressure. This is your practical, no panic guide to the health stuff you want clarity on going into the new year.

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Hari and Priyanka are joined by Science Stuff host Jorge Cham to talk about advances in robotic-assisted surgery, including how robots are already helping surgeons operate with greater precision and what the future of automated surgery could look like. They also explore how artificial limbs are becoming more responsive and humanlike as AI systems learn to better interpret signals from the body. Finally, they dig into the downsides of these technologies, from growing data and energy demands to ethical questions about where AI belongs in medicine and who might be left out as it advances.

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