The Health Deli

Today, we’re talking about a topic so big that we couldn’t fit it in a single episode...the Opioid Epidemic. This week, in part 1, join Ben and Mike as they talk with special guest Dr. Samantha Patton, pain management pharmacist extraordinaire, as they explore the history of the opioid crisis. By understanding where we came from, we can hopefully identify the best path forward!

Mike and Mark are back talking about everybody’s favorite topic, viruses! While most viruses like influenza and COVID-19 get most of the attention, the impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is being recognized. Join us this week at the deli as the gang talks about RSV and new vaccines against this important virus.

Mark and Mike are back in the deli with two special guests, Emily Mackler, and Colton Zwart, both are cancer pharmacists, and lead the gang as they talk about “POEM”, a program designed to improve care for patients with cancer, and “BiTE”, a new treatment that is still being researched but could completely revolutionize the way cancer is treated!

We have a pretty heavy topic here at the deli today, but it is well worth the discussion. To help keep us on track, we have a special guest, Abby Young! Abby is a pediatric and OB/GYN nurse with years of experience working with pregnant and postpartum patients. Oh, and she also happens to be Mark’s wife! Join Mark and Abby as they talk about this very serious topic...and Mike will also be there to...

Mike, Mark, and producer Andrew are still on location at the Canadian Lakes Pharmacy and now they are discussing cholesterol. Again, Mike is the guinea pig for the test, so buckle up and learn more about lipoproteins! Also, find out...is high cholesterol bad? And what is the difference between HDL and LDL?

In this episode, Mike takes the lead in discussing Lyme Disease with Mark. Is it transmitted from any kind of tick or should we be more worried about certain types of ticks? In fact, there are many types of ticks and the answer may surprise you. Do you want to stay safe when outdoors? Listen to learn tips and hear stories from Mike and Mark.

In this episode, Mike and Mark meet with Pharmacist Brent Beemer of Canadian Lakes Pharmacy. Then, joined by producer Andrew, they move onto the main topic of the day: Blood Pressure - and Mike's stress level is high. He shows off his guns (because we have video this week) and takes one for the team. Mark talks about potential risk factors and the team discusses Mike's impending doom.

Have you ever had a violent case of the poops? There's a high likelihood that was caused by our friend norovirus! Join Mike, Ben, and producer Andrew as they discuss one of the most common causes of infectious diarrhea in the United States. What is it? How is it treated? How can I avoid it? All this and more in this week's episode of The Health Deli!

Mike and Mark discuss student mental health after COVID-19 with Dr. Bill Pink, Ferris State University's 19th president.

Mark, Ben, and Mike are back talking about one of our most requested topics, marijuana! Join us as Mark recounts the history of using marijuana for medicinal purposes. Can marijuana really be used to treat everything!? Are there any proven side effects? Listen in to find out!

You had questions, we try to have answers! Join Mark, Ben, and Mike as they answer some questions written by our listeners. Is the placebo effect real? What is the difference between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria? Is there a risk when washing your hands too much? Get the answer to all of these and more in this week's episode!

DISCLAIMER: This episode uses specific anatomical terms when referencing the prostate, location of the prostate, etc. We all asked Mike to stop talking about prostates, but he could not be contained. Instead, he decides to make an entire episode about them! Join Ben, Mark, and producer Andrew as they try to reel Mike in. On the bright side, maybe we'll all learn a little something about men's heal...

Oh no, we accidentally asked Ben about antibiotics, and he took off like a rocket ship! Join Mike and Andrew as they try to contain Ben’s excitement. In this episode, the gang will talk about the dangers of overusing antibiotics, the ominously named “post-antibiotic era”, and what we can do to stop it. 

Ben and Mike have a special guest visiting the deli today! Join the gang as they talk with Travis MacFarlane, managed care pharmacist extraordinaire! Listen in as Ben and Mike ask Travis hard-hitting questions such as: Why do medications cost so much? And what are the pros and cons of our current health insurance system? Hear all this and more in this week’s episode of The Health Deli. 

Mike, Ben, and producer Andrew have brought us an episode we never thought we’d have to make. Polio is unfortunately making a small resurgence in the United States. How did we go from virtually eradicating Polio in 1994 to having a case of paralytic polio in New York in 2022? Join the gang for a very sobering episode of the Health Deli.

Mark, Mike, and producer Andrew chat about another popular topic, vaping! Smoking has been on the decline in recent years, but the popularity of vaping has skyrocketed. Is vaping a healthy alternative to smoking? What is vaping-related “popcorn lung” I keep hearing about? Join the gang as they try to get to the bottom of this in the newest episode of The Health Deli! 

Mark, Mike, and producer Andrew are asking the hard-hitting question that has been on everyone’s mind. Is alcohol good for you, actually? We’ve all seen the flashy headlines that having a few alcoholic drinks a day can actually help you live longer! How much of that is true, and how much of it is bad science? Join us on this episode of The Health Deli to find out! 

Mike and Mark are kicking off season 2 with a tried and true topic, COVID-19! It’s absolutely wild how many things have changed in just the past few months. Today, the gang will be talking about the new Bivalent COVID Boosters. What are they? Are they better than the original vaccine? Which should you get? Find the answer to all these questions and more, at The Health Deli! 

Listen up everyone: The Health Deli is back for a second season, stocking the shelves with fresh content. Make sure to subscribe with your favorite podcast app!

Mark and Mike round out their time at The Winery at Young Farms with a special guest, Dr. Brian McDowell! Join the gang as they talk about what it means to have diabetes and why knowing your HgA1c is so important. 

Listen up everyone: The Health Deli is back for a second season, stocking the shelves with fresh content. Make sure to subscribe with your favorite podcast app!

Mike and Mark are still playing hooky at The Winery at Young Farms, but today they are trying a variety of plant-based meat products available at local grocery stores. Will Mark, a self-described “meatatarian”, enjoy anything or just have a really bad time? 

Mark and Mike strike out on their own in an episode hosted over at The Winery at Young Farms! Here they will attempt to accomplish the impossible task of providing satisfying answers to questions asked by some precocious kiddos. Will eating dirt make me sick? What is ear wax and why does it taste so bitter? Learn the answers to all of this and more on today’s episode of the Health Deli!

Mike and Ben are joined today by an honest-to-goodness Infectious Diseases Pharmacist, Derek VanderHorst! Listen in as they discuss his experience working through the COVID-19 pandemic. If we’re lucky, we may learn his secret on how to finally end this pandemic.

Ben is at it again with calling out bad science! This time he is joined by Mike as they wax about real-life bad science that still affects our society to this day, including manuscripts falsely claiming vaccines aren’t safe and the use of ivermectin for COVID-19.