Episodes 156
Avg. Duration 55m
Activity Sporadic
Apple Rating 4.9 (125)
Since Sep 2017
Latest Episode Oct 2025

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Hosting
populationhealthexchange.org

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Mad musings from the messy world of science

Podcasting 2.0 Features

episode medium podping

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

Episode 157: Hippocampal Encoding of Memories in Human Infants

Oct 30, 2025 27m

Jess, Matt, and guest host Marcia discuss a study that sheds light on how babies may form and retain memories. Study link: Hippocampal encoding of memories in human infants

Episode 156: Analgesic Effects of Non-surgical Treatments for Back Pain

Oct 30, 2025 31m

Jess, Matt, and guest Marcia discuss the efficacy of various methods of treating low back pain. Study link: Analgesic effects of non-surgical and non-interventional treatments for low back pain: a…

Episode 155: Probiotics and AI Chatbots

Apr 28, 2025 26m

Matt and Jess discuss the ethics of probiotics for children and whether AI chatbots can help reduce misinformation. Study link: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03971-5

Episode 154: Gun Violence and Maternal Morbidity

Apr 11, 2025 27m

Matt, Jess and guest host Jon discuss a study of the effect of experiencing gun violence and maternal morbidity. Study link: Fatal Police Violence and Maternal Morbidity Study

Episode 153: Time Waits for No One

Mar 27, 2025 24m

Matt and Jess and guest host Harold discuss the ways that we experience time (with a slight diversion into our dental traumas) and Matt explains why we can’t have nice things. Study link:…

Episode 152: Is Dark Chocolate Good for You? Really?

Mar 13, 2025 30m

Matt and Jess and guest host Harold discuss whether dark chocolate is really good for preventing type II diabetes, or if the research isn’t there yet, and we discuss the challenges of turning…

Episode 151: The Role of Advocacy and Activism in Public Health

Jan 17, 2025 27m

In an expansive, thought-provoking discussion ahead of the pivotal changes in Washington, DC, Matt, Jess and guest host Michael Stein discuss the role of advocacy and activism in public health and…

Episode 150: Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Role of Activism

Dec 23, 2024 57m

Matt, Jess and guest host Michael Stein discuss a paper that reviews the results of a series of trials that were highly influential in a move away from use of menopausal hormone replacement therapy,…

Episode 149 - Outdoor Light Pollution and Alzheimer’s disease

Nov 19, 2024 25m Transcript

In a new format for the “Free Associations” podcast, we split our usual podcast into two bite-sized morsels. In the first segment, Jess, Matt and guest host Salma discuss an article that examines the…

Episode 146 - The effects of early cessation of oxytocin

May 21, 2024 1h 1m

Matt, Jess, and guest host Salma Abdalla discuss a study of early discontinuation of oxytocin during delivery, they try to predict the future of journals alongside a mass editorial board resignation,…

Episode 145 - Tweets and changes in racial sentiments

Apr 23, 2024 54m Transcript

Matt, Jess, and guest host Allegra Gordon discuss a study using tweets to see if there have been changes in racial sentiment over time, they debate whether in-person or remote work is better for…

Episode 144 - Human mobility and economic segregation

Mar 26, 2024 58m

Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay discuss a study using cell phone data to see if living in cities gives us better economic integration, they explore whether AI will be developing our…

Episode 143 - Workplace interventions for cardiometabolic health

Feb 27, 2024 56m

Matt, Jess, and guest host Amruta Nori-Sarma examine a study testing the effect of a workplace intervention for cardiometabolic health, they discuss mental health as a human right, and Amruta tells…

Episode 142 - A blood-based screening for cancer?

Jan 30, 2024 54m

Matt, Jess, and guest host Salma Abdalla discuss a study testing the efficacy of a blood-based cancer screening tool, they debate the role of the workplace in mental health, and Salma sees if she can…

Episode 141 - Do taxes and warning labels affect meat purchases?

Jan 02, 2024 56m

Matt, Jess, and first-time guest host Allegra Gordon discuss a study of the effect of taxes and warning labels on purchases of red meat, they lament the impact of disinformation campaigns, and Matt…

Episode 140 - Neighborhood environment and childhood physical fitness

Dec 05, 2023 57m

Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay discuss a study on child opportunity in the built environment and physical fitness, they debate whether to get rid of discussion sections, and Jon invites us…

Episode 139 - Wildfires and medical visits

Oct 03, 2023 57m

Matt, Jess, and guest host Amruta Nori-Sarma examine a study of the effect of proximity to wildfires on medical visits, they discuss housing as harm reduction, and Matt goes to Olive Garden. Journal…

Episode 138 - Can hearing aids prevent dementia?

Sep 05, 2023 57m

Matt, Jess, and guest host Salma Abdalla examine a study on the use of hearing aids to prevent dementia, they discuss whether loneliness is a public health problem (and, as usual, descend into…

Episode 137 - A breakthrough for meningitis vaccination?

Aug 01, 2023 53m

Matt and Jess go solo and Jess hosts for the first time! They discuss a study of the effectiveness of a new meningitis vaccine, whether active shooter drills do anything more than scare kids, and…

Episode 136 - The Best of Amazing and Amusing V (Chris Gill Edition)

Jun 27, 2023 1h

We are taking a one-month break this summer. Please enjoy this “best of” episode celebrating Chris’ contributions to the podcast.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Free Associations have?

Free Associations has published 156 episodes since September 2017, covering topics in Health & Fitness, Life Sciences.

Is Free Associations still active?

Free Associations is currently sporadic with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 55m.

How do I contact Free Associations for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Free Associations, including email and social media links.

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