Knock Knock, Hi! with the Glaucomfleckens

Ever had to wait 45 minutes in the lobby just to wait another 30 in the exam room while imagining your doctor is in the back watching YouTube? In this episode, I break down what’s really going on behind the scenes of a chaotic clinic day—and no, it’s not lunch. Plus, a very satisfying rant about healthcare corporatization, a strangely relaxing moment involving blood in the eye (someone else’s, not...

Okay, so I made one comment about Kristin’s coffee-making skills and instantly became the villain. And then she replaced me—with Family Medicine. Like, actually replaced me. For an entire segment. This episode, we talk about the real heartbreak behind Medicare's decision not to cover GLP-1 medications for weight loss and diabetes, and the wider implications for access, affordability, and the ongoi...

I don’t cry often. Not because I’m especially tough—more because medicine does a pretty good job training that out of you. But sometimes? It happens. In this episode, I walk through four times I cried as a doctor (yes, one of them involves Rugrats), what led up to those moments, and what came after. There’s also a side quest into diagnosing The Sandlot’s Mr. Myrtle, a few shoutouts to comment-sect...

So this episode started with a Reddit post about a guy who thinks his poop smells like his patients’ poop... and I wish I could say it gets less weird from there, but no—it really doesn’t. Kristin and I spiral into the science (and total lack of science) behind smell memory, hospital food, and whether we’re all just walking around slowly absorbing our work environments. Spoiler: if you're in ophth...

What do 19th-century vampires, corneal scarring, and rampant chlamydia have in common? Possibly more than you'd think. I Nosferatu and spiraled (in a good way) into diagnosing one of film’s creepiest figures using real ophthalmology. Along the way, I breaks down the leading causes of corneal blindness, unpack the wild world of corneal transplants, and imagine what kind of eye care Nosferartu might...

In this episode we welcome back Dr. Kaveh Hoda—gastroenterologist, musician, podcaster, and accidental poop ambassador. We discuss what life is really like as a GI doc (spoiler: it’s not all about poop), how Match Day can go terribly wrong—or surprisingly right—and why some residents get influenced by... ultimate frisbee. Kaveh also opens up about his path into medicine, his Persian music backgrou...

In this episode, I dive into a mix of strange eye conditions, pop culture moments, and one very public showdown between a doctor and a group of anti-vaxxers on Jubilee’s Surrounded. But beyond the headlines, there’s a deeper conversation here—about what it costs to stay online, stay visible, and speak up. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and you might even check your eyelids before bed. Takeaways: A S...

In this episode we ask a deceptively simple question: Would you let your kid become a doctor? What starts as a heartfelt reflection on medicine, sacrifice, and identity quickly unravels into a chaos-filled ride through policy disasters, parenting hypotheticals, and bone-based controversy. We touch on the NIH budget freeze and massive proposed Medicaid cuts—and why they’re not just headlines, but r...

In this episode I share one of the more difficult days in the OR—when a routine cataract surgery didn’t go according to plan. I walk through the moment everything shifted, how I kept my cool, and what came after—both technically and emotionally. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be a surgeon in that moment, this episode is a rare, honest window into it. Takeaways: Sometimes, Even “Rout...

In this episode we are joined by a long-awaited guest—the one, the only, Emergency Medicine Doctor. Known for his mile-a-minute energy, caffeine addiction, and refusal to slow down, he makes his first-ever in-person podcast appearance… and it’s just as chaotic as you’d expect. Takeaways: He’s caffeinated. He’s chaotic. And now he’s got a microphone. What happens when a fictional ER doctor enters a...

In this episode I dive deep into the chaotic world of Match Day, exploring the emotional rollercoaster for medical students who match—and those who don’t. I share insights into why family medicine and pediatrics residency spots are going unfilled at alarming rates and what this means for the future of primary care. I also review the medical drama The Pitt, breaking down one of its most realistic e...

In this episode we invite Dr. Ryan Marino, a triple-board-certified toxicologist, addiction specialist, and emergency physician known for his relentless battle against medical misinformation—particularly myths about fentanyl and drug policy onto the podcast to share his shocking experience of being targeted by Tucker Carlson, which led to online harassment, real-life threats, and even attempts to...

In this episode I go on a private equity rant, breaking down how corporate takeovers are ruining healthcare—just like they’ve wrecked other industries, including Southwest Airlines. I explain how profit-driven ownership models are prioritizing revenue over patient care, forcing doctors into impossible situations and leading to worse outcomes for everyone. Takeaways: Private Equity is a Disaster fo...

In this episode we dive into one of the most debated topics in medical education—should medical students have to work overnight shifts? We break down both sides of the argument, from whether it builds necessary skills to whether it just reinforces unnecessary suffering. Takeaways: Med students doing night shifts remains a heated debate, with strong opinions on both sides about whether it actually...

In this episode I unpack the wildest eye surgery you’ve never heard of—a procedure that uses a patient’s tooth to hold an artificial cornea in place. This rare surgery restores vision in people with severe corneal damage. I also react to Goldie Hawn mentioning her cataracts at the Oscars, discussing why cataracts are a normal part of aging and why most people should have them removed by their 70s....

In this episode we cover a little bit of everything—from childhood misconceptions about adult life to the latest terrible UnitedHealthcare news. Also, Kristin opens up about her official ARFID diagnosis and they revisit the infamous "The Dress" optical illusion 10 years later—has science finally settled the debate on white and gold vs. blue and black? Takeaways: Some kids believe adults don’t have...

In this episode I share a wild VA investigation story involving misplaced suspicion, misinterpreted medical images, and seven months of wasted time. I also dive into measles-related eye complications, explaining how this highly contagious virus can lead to conjunctivitis, corneal scarring, and even blindness. Takeaways: The VA’s Seven-Month Investigation Fail: Dr. Flanary tells the almost unbeliev...

In this episode we discuss a controversial topic that could shake the foundations of medicine: NIH budget cuts. With proposed funding reductions for medical research, we explore what this means for scientific innovation, medical education, and residency funding. Could these cuts limit opportunities for new doctors? Will private corporations step in to fill the gap—and at what cost? We break down t...

In this episode I answer frequently asked eye health questions, tackling topics like why your eyes hurt after removing contacts, whether it’s possible to reverse pupil dilation with Rizumvi, and how UV light therapy for seasonal depression affects eye safety. Takeaways: Why Contact Lenses Should Never Hurt: If your eyes hurt after removing contacts, it’s a sign of severe dryness, poor oxygen flow,...

In this episode we take a deep dive into fear—caving, the deep ocean, cruise ships, and even horseback riding. We discuss the internet’s obsession with terrifying survival stories and why people voluntarily put themselves in dangerous situations. I also recounts the time I fell off a horse… into the ocean, proving yet again that I have somehow escaped death multiple times. But it's not all fun and...

In this episode I break down the latest research on Ozempic and its potential link to NAION (non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy), a rare condition that can lead to sudden vision loss. I also reflects on UnitedHealthcare’s continued public relations missteps, including its latest legal threats against physicians and anybody on social media, speaking out about the company. Takeaways: The Ozempi...

In this episode we dive into the quirks of daily life and the unexpected moments in medicine. We debate the merits of keeping texts unread—Will's inbox is chaos—before sharing our latest adventures in pet ownership, including the struggle to bond with our new kittens while preventing our dog from eating them. We also discuss the hilarious things patients say under light sedation. Takeaways: Unread...

In this episode I explore the science behind eye dilation and whether there’s a way to reverse it (spoiler: there isn’t). I also discuss space blindness, a phenomenon astronauts experience due to fluid shifts in microgravity, and what NASA is doing to combat it. Takeaways: You Can’t Reverse Eye Dilation (Safely): Dr. Flanary explains why pilocarpine, a medication that constricts pupils, isn’t an e...

In this episode, Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser—Olympic gold medalist, NHL executive, and emergency medicine physician talks about how her experience as a professional athlete prepared her for the high-stakes world of medicine and how she balances working in emergency medicine with her role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Takeaways: Balancing two demanding careers—Dr. Wickenheiser manages a full-time role...

In this episode I break down a congressman’s recent comments blaming physicians for the high cost of healthcare—and why that take is completely misguided. I explain where healthcare dollars actually go and why doctors aren’t the ones driving up costs. In addition I share a fascinating case of trochleitis, a rare but painful eye condition, and explain the difference between macular wrinkles and mac...