Sickboy

In the analog corners of Utah, Libby Slem navigates the digital age with a Luddite's charm and a warrior's grit, facing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This isn't your everyday pain; it's a journey through a rare nerve disease that transforms every facet of life, from motherhood's joys and trials to the heart's metallic beats, courtesy of an atrial septal defect. Libby's candid conversation...

Isobel's journey isn't just about battling Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS); it's a deep dive into resilience and self-discovery amidst the challenges of chronic illness. Facing skepticism and navigating a world not built for her, she shares the highs and lows of her path to recovery. Isobel walks the fellas through her mission to challenge the st...

Forget everything you thought you knew about the birds and the bees because this episode dives deep into the world less spoken of, yet equally vital: anal health. Dr. Gary Bucher, a pioneer in HIV medicine and an advocate for HPV-related disease awareness, illuminates the shadowy misconceptions surrounding HPV and its implications beyond the cervix. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Bucher demystif...

Who knew that a backache could lead you on a journey through the depths of sorrow and the heights of artistic creation? Meet Rhonda, a spirited soul entangled in the web of chronic pain and depression due to a misdiagnosed herniated disc. But Rhonda's story isn't just one of suffering; it's a testament to the transformative power of art. In this episode, she unveils her "Deep Cuts" series, an artf...

In a world where health meets digital narrative, Dr. Mike Lang and Kristy Wolfe turn the mic to the unsung heroes of healthcare: storytelling. This episode dives deep into the heart of healthcare, illuminated by the guiding lights of digital storytelling. Dr. Lang, a filmmaker and health researcher, along with digital storyteller and photographer Kristy Wolfe, unveil the transformative power of di...

They say home is where the heart is, but what if too many hearts are left without a home? In a riveting dialogue with Zach Churchill, Opposition leader and MLA for Yarmouth, the boys dive deep into the complex world of homelessness and the urgent cry for affordable housing. As the fabric of Nova Scotia's societal needs unfolds, Churchill sheds light on the intricate dance between the high cost of...

Maybe it’s steroids? Maybe she’s born with it? Wait… no, she’s definitely born with it. It’s HAE. How fitting is it that Rare Disease Day falls on a fairly rare day, Feburary 29th! In this episode, the fellas sit down with Jordyn Campbell, who not only shares her eye-opening journey with hereditary angioedema (HAE) but also how she's punching back with advocacy and awareness. What the hell is HAE?...

In this heart-tugging episode, the fellas dive into a tale of resilience, love, and the complexities of kidney transplantation with one ultimate goal - finding a Kidney for our dear friend, Ellie. Ellie is a rockstar nurse battling kidney disease. She opens up about her journey through kidney failure, dialysis, and the quest for a second transplant after her first one has hit a rough patch. Ellie'...

This is it. The end of Sickboy... as you've come to know it that is. This is the final FGF episode but fear not! We're not going anywhere. We're just evolving. It’s been almost ten years and hundreds of episodes since we sat down and recorded our first episode, which is crazy. For those of you who’ve been listening from the start, we love you so much! And today we have some big news. Starting next...

Are those late-night snacks whispering secrets about your swimmers? In this episode, the fellas dive deep into the world of baby-making, but not in the way you might think. They sit down with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack and Lily Nichols, the brilliant minds behind "Real Food for Fertility," a book on how preconception nutrition and lifestyle choices support your health and vitality and lay the essential...

In a world where the only thing scarier than a monster under the bed is a diagnosis you can't pronounce, Sam Taylor steps into the Sickboy studio to unravel the tale of her journey as a caregiver for her 12 year old daughter Ellie, who is battling rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of sarcoma. Amid the whirlwind of treatment schedules and medical jargon, Sam found solace in yoga mats and breathwork, proving...

Who knew your period could be your personal health detective? Picture this: A period pad that does more than just catch blood—it catches diseases, too! Enter the Q-pad, a brainchild of biotech innovation that's transforming the way we approach personal health screenings. With over a thousand tweaks and the aid of a menstruating robot named Betty, this FDA-approved marvel allows for easy at-home di...

A new generation of bright minds is storming academia, and Emmy Schuler is leading the charge, armed with innovative ideas to mend the cracks in our fractured healthcare system. This week on Routine Checkup, the boys dive into the world of psychosocial support with Emmy Schuler, a Master's student and researcher who’s turning the spotlight on the hidden struggles of living with chronic illness and...

Imagine a world where your very identity is challenged by your body—this is where Rima Zigaitis reshapes the narrative. In today's episode, the boys sit down with Rima Zigaitis, a beacon of hope and empowerment for women grappling with life-altering diagnoses. Founder of Sumaavi Coaching, Rima's own journey through the maze of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome—a condition that left he...

"BREAKING NEWS - You heard it here first! Your laptop is killing your sperm! Strap in (or strap-on in taylors case?) for a wild ride on Feel Good Friday as the boys dive headfirst into a world where science fiction meets reality, sweaty naked dreams blur into revelations, and history takes a hop into the absurd. First up, we've got a tale that's rhino-sized in both heart and hope. Scientists are p...

Laurel and Brendan are a film making duo and creators of the award winning comedy drama short film CHRONIC! The film follows Frankie, played by Nadine Bhabaha (Letterkenny), who struggles to ​accept the harsh reality of a recent brain injury. Her denial persists until she reluctantly attends a birthday party from hell thrown by her inconsiderate best friend. This event becomes a wake-up call, prom...

In the world of human complexity, laughter and wisdom intertwine unexpectedly. Buckle up! The moment you’ve all been waiting for is finally here. Recorded live from the Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver, the boys sit down with the legendary Dr. Gabor Maté for a live recording that's nothing short of a rollercoaster of emotions and insights. Dr. Gabor Maté, a maestro of emotions and connections, joins...

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but could a vein busting fit of rage do the same, depending on your time zone? This Feel Good Friday, the fellas are dissecting a mind-bending study that shows how getting angry in the USA could be messing with your health, while in Japan, it might just be the secret sauce to feeling great. The beauty of cultural differences. Now don’t go raging out j...

Ever wondered how a topic as natural as menstruation became a cocktail of myths and misinformation? Buckle up, because today, the fellas dive deep with the fearless Dr. Jen Gunter, a true crusader in demystifying women's health. Best known for her groundbreaking books 'The Vagina Bible' and 'The Menopause Manifesto,' Dr. Gunter is back to debunk myths with her latest masterpiece, 'BLOOD: The Scien...

What happens when life throws a curveball straight after the final inning? This Monday, the boys sit down with Alexis Simon, a superhero mom who's been catching life's toughest pitches. After a picture-perfect pregnancy, Alexis's world turned upside down when her son, Theo, was born with a constellation of rare and complex health issues. Imagine finding out your newborn, who seemed perfectly healt...

Roses are red, violets are blue, the magic school bus is yellow, and thanks to science, now we know why your piss is too. What's in a generation? Turns out, it's not as clear-cut as you might think! This Feel Good Friday, the boys dive headfirst into the chaotic, fascinating world of generational names. There's no secret council deciding who gets to be a Millennial or who falls into Gen Z; it's a...

"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any point". In today's Routine Checkup, the fellas sit down with a duo that's bringing dreams to life in the most extraordinary way. Dr. Mike Bennett, a social work professor from the University of Texas at Arlington, and Jay Soulliere, a high-flying talent agent at The Feldman Agency, join forces in an u...

Ever thought of treating your brain bugs with a pinch of tech and a dash of psychedelics? The boys sit down with Joel Muise, the co-founder of Tranquility and a mastermind in internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT). Picture this: a world where managing anxiety and depression is as easy as clicking a button. Joel shares his personal journey, growing up with untreated anxiety and the sil...

Is the key to someones heart located somewhere in their sweaty armpits? Jeremie is grappling with the existential crisis of turning 36, but the boys are there to remind him that age is just a number - albeit one that keeps getting bigger. In a twist of science meets sci-fi, researchers at Indiana University have birthed "Brainoware," a biohybrid brainchild blending human neurons with AI. It's not...

Spell 'dyslexia' five times fast – a challenge even for the word wizards among us! Now, to dive into the real talk about dyslexia! The boys dive deep into the world of dyslexia with none other than Alicia Smith, the Executive Director of Dyslexia Canada. Alicia, who navigates life as a dyslexic individual and as a parent of a child with dyslexia, brings a rich, personal perspective to the table. S...