Podcast appearances and mentions of alok patel

In this episode, Dr. Mark Bonta sits down with pediatrician and medical journalist Dr. Alok Patel to unpack what it really means to keep kids healthy in a chaotic healthcare system and a distracted digital world. Starting with a story about Mark's nine year old getting injured at hockey, they dive into how parents can respond to injuries and illness without panicking, how to check your own emotions first, and when a situation truly belongs in the emergency department versus urgent care or a clinic visit.Drawing on his frontline pediatric experience, Dr. Patel breaks down practical red flags for parents to watch for, like increased work of breathing or changes in mental status, and explains why ER waits feel so brutal yet often reflect deeper system issues like staffing and bed shortages. He shares behind the scenes stories from “The Pitt” and his work on the official HBO companion podcast, highlighting how accurately the show captures social determinants of health and the emotional reality of modern emergency care.From there, the conversation moves into vaccines, flu season, and the very human fact that even doctors sometimes struggle to follow all their own advice. Mark and Alok talk candidly about phones, social media, Roblox, and why today's kids are essentially part of a live experiment in screen exposure. They close with a focus on what actually protects kids long term: safe, nonjudgmental adults, honest conversations about mental health, limits around screens, and a home environment that values connection over perfection.Dr. Alok Patel's https://www.alokpatelmd.com/Episode Takeaways1. Parent First, Patient Second: Kids borrow their reaction from you, so the first step in any injury or illness is to calm your own emotions before you decide what to do.2. ER vs Clinic: Not every vomit, bump, or fever is life threatening, and learning when to use urgent care or outpatient clinics can spare families long, stressful ER waits.3. Triage Reality Check: Emergency departments prioritize the sickest patients first, which means long waits for minor issues are frustrating but often a sign the system is doing its job.4. Medicine Behind the Camera: The Pit shows how accurate medical details can sit in the background while stories focus on the real emotional chaos of patients, families, and staff.5. Social Determinants in Real Time: Two kids with the same diagnosis can have completely different outcomes depending on housing, income, family support, and access to care.6. Doctors Are Human Too: Even physicians miss flu shots, struggle with habits, or feel guilty, which can actually make their public health messages more relatable, not less credible.7. Screens and Social Media: The real risk is not one device but a constant digital environment that shapes brain development, sleep, self esteem, and social skills in ways we are only starting to understand.8. Safe Adults Save Lives: The most powerful protection for teens is a nonjudgmental adult who listens, normalizes hard conversations, and gives kids a place to bring their worst thoughts without fear.Episode Timestamps02:06 – Hockey Rink Medicine: How Doctors Triage Their Own Kids04:07 – Parents First: Calming Yourself Before You React to Injury06:50 – ER, Urgent Care, or Clinic: How to Decide Where Your Child Belongs09:37 – Waiting Room Reality: Triage, Delays, and Why Sickest Kids Go First12:34 – Inside “The Pit”: TV Emergency Medicine, Accuracy, and Chaos24:50 – Flu Shots, Doctor Guilt, and Why Practice Often Lags Advice31:06 – Kids, Phones, and Social Media: The Live Experiment on Their Brains37:08 – Teen Mental Health Red Flags: Subtle Signs and Safe Adult Spaces >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (soundsdebatable.com) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe sits down with Dr. Alok Patel, a board-certified pediatrician and national medical contributor for ABC News, to have the real talk about vaccines—no fear, no judgment, just facts and empowerment. Together, they unpack the difference between vaccine hesitancy and being anti-vaccine, why open conversations matter, and how parents can confidently navigate their child's health choices. Dr. Patel breaks down what you actually need to know about vaccine schedules, ingredients like aluminum and thimerosal, and the incredible public health wins that vaccines have created. They also dive into hot topics like the RSV vaccine, the “tripledemic,” and how misinformation spreads faster than the truth (and what you can do about it). Plus, HeHe unveils her brand new course—Pushing Out Your Big Ass Baby—to help you shut down “big baby” scare tactics and advocate like the badass parent you are. This episode is packed with clarity, confidence, and evidence-based insight so you can make informed choices for your family—without the fear. 00:00 Introduction and Vaccine Hesitancy 01:00 The Myth of the 'Big Baby' 03:15 Introducing the New Course: Pushing Out Your Big Ass Baby 05:21 Vaccination Conversations: Should I or Shouldn't I? 06:57 Meet Dr. Alok Patel: Pediatrician and Media Contributor 11:26 The Science Behind Vaccination Schedules 16:36 COVID-19 Vaccine Controversies and Communication Issues 26:41 Global Vaccination Comparisons and Herd Immunity 43:39 Natural Immunity vs. Vaccination 46:45 The Impact of RSV on Children 49:20 The Triple Demic: Flu, RSV, and COVID 50:52 Healthcare System Strain During the Pandemic 51:49 Personal Trauma from COVID-19 57:17 The Importance of Accessible Healthcare Information 01:00:54 Ethical Considerations in Vaccine Studies 01:17:41 Addressing Vaccine Ingredients Concerns 01:23:24 Final Thoughts and Resources   Guest Bio: Dr. Patel is a board-certified pediatrician on faculty at Stanford Children's Health where he works as a pediatric hospitalist, taking care of everything from premature babies to adults and running into all sorts of medical conditions from the routine to bizarre to outright rare. He also serves as the department head of strategic communication. His passion outside the hospital is in journalism, on-air broadcast work, and consulting in both digital health and communications roles. He is a national medical contributor for ABC News, with a health show called "Patel It Like It Is". He's also worked throughout the media industry for CNN, PBS, NBC, and other outlets.    His ethos in medicine is meeting patients where they are and reminding everyone that at the end of the day, we're just humans talking to humans. Keep it laid back. INSTAGRAM: Connect with HeHe on IG  Connect with Dr. Patel on IG  BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!   Worried about a “big baby”? Pushing Out Your Big A** Baby busts the myths, shares the evidence, and gives you the advocacy tools you need for an empowered birth, no matter your baby's size. Pre-sale now open: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/bigbaby   LINKS MENTIONED: www.alokpatelmd.com

Measles - with Dr. Alok Patel! -Mogamulizumab > vorinostat for CTCL -Acquired congenital malalignment of the great toenails -Learn more about Dr. Patel at https://www.alokpatelmd.com/ or on social media @alokpatelMD -Join Luke's CME experience on Jak inhibitors! rushu.gathered.com/invite/ELe31Enb69Register for the U of U Practical Derm course!medicine.utah.edu/dermatology/educ…nities/practicalLearn more about the U of U Dermatology ECHO model!physicians.utah.edu/echo/dermatology-primarycareWant to donate to the cause? Do so here!
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Over the past two decades, life expectancy in rural areas has declined. One major reason is the prevalence of diabetes. With support from the Pulitzer Center and in collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center, special correspondent Dr. Alok Patel reports from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas for our series Rural RX. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Over the past two decades, life expectancy in rural areas has declined. One major reason is the prevalence of diabetes. With support from the Pulitzer Center and in collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center, special correspondent Dr. Alok Patel reports from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas for our series Rural RX. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The pandemic highlighted the power of local health departments and brought backlash from people who said these authorities were overreaching. In the wake of the turmoil, many were overhauled, leaving an outsized impact on rural parts of the country. With support from the Pulitzer Center and in collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center, Dr. Alok Patel reports for our series, Rural RX. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For episode 100, we're doing something a little different: chatting with some of the faculty from Hawaii Derm 2023! You can find the following luminaries at the indicated timestamps: 1:53 – Peter Lio – 7:20 – Linda Stein Gold – 19:27 – Natasha Mesinkovska – 29:56 – Alok Patel – 34:00 – Michael Kaminer – 47:24 – Larry Eichenfield – 55:34 – Alok Patel (the return!) – Connect with our guests! - Natasha Mesinkovska - @natashaderm – Alok Patel - @AlokPatelMD – AlokPatelMD.com– Michael Kaminer - @SCPDerm - skincarephysicians.net - Connect with us! - Web: https://dermaspherepodcast.com/ - Twitter: @DermaspherePC - Instagram: dermaspherepodcast - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DermaspherePodcast/ - Check out Luke and Michelle's other podcast, SkinCast! https://healthcare.utah.edu/dermatology/skincast/ Luke and Michelle report no significant conflicts of interest… BUT check out our friends at: - Kikoxp.com(a social platform for doctors to share knowledge) - https://www.levelex.com/games/top-derm (A free dermatology game to learn more dermatology!)

Three years ago, the Trump administration laid out a plan to drastically reduce new HIV infections. While cases are on the decline, the effort has faced significant setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Special correspondent Dr. Alok Patel reports in partnership with the Global Health Reporting Center. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Three years ago, the Trump administration laid out a plan to drastically reduce new HIV infections. While cases are on the decline, the effort has faced significant setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Special correspondent Dr. Alok Patel reports in partnership with the Global Health Reporting Center. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Alongside the United Nations General Assembly this week, a push for the fight against infectious diseases. Most countries signed on, but the U.K. is a holdout. As special correspondent Dr. Alok Patel reports, with governments' budgets tightening, there is concern that life saving programs might have to be scaled back. This story was produced in partnership with the Global Health Reporting Center. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Alongside the United Nations General Assembly this week, a push for the fight against infectious diseases. Most countries signed on, but the U.K. is a holdout. As special correspondent Dr. Alok Patel reports, with governments' budgets tightening, there is concern that life saving programs might have to be scaled back. This story was produced in partnership with the Global Health Reporting Center. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Alongside the United Nations General Assembly this week, a push for the fight against infectious diseases. Most countries signed on, but the U.K. is a holdout. As special correspondent Dr. Alok Patel reports, with governments' budgets tightening, there is concern that life saving programs might have to be scaled back. This story was produced in partnership with the Global Health Reporting Center. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Alongside the United Nations General Assembly this week, a push for the fight against infectious diseases. Most countries signed on, but the U.K. is a holdout. As special correspondent Dr. Alok Patel reports, with governments' budgets tightening, there is concern that life saving programs might have to be scaled back. This story was produced in partnership with the Global Health Reporting Center. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

"People don't want perfection. People want to see a human talking to them" Dr. Alok Patel is a pediatric hospitalist, medical correspondent for ABC News, and host of multiple cable TV shows. He joins Explore The Space Podcast to discuss processes for getting comfortable with public speaking, how speaking with patients actually helps us build fundamental skills for public communication and the value of improv comedy training. From the Explore The Space Podcast archive: Dr. Susmati Pati on improv training and communication training for scientists The Explore The Space Merchandise Store is open! Please check it out Please subscribe to and rate Explore The Space on Apple Podcasts or wherever you download podcasts. Email feedback or ideas to mark@explorethespaceshow.com Check out the archive of Explore The Space Podcast as well as our Position Papers and much more! Follow on Twitter @ETSshow, Instagram @explorethespaceshow Links Twitter @AlokPatelMD  Instagram @AlokPatelMD Sponsors Learn the highest-yield clinical skills to solve 90% of patient problems without the help of a senior colleague. Visit Medmastery  https://www.medmastery.com/explorethespace where Explore The Space Podcast listeners can get a 15% discount. The remarkable Women In Medicine Summit is coming September 16 and 17th in Chicago. Do not miss out on what will be a memorable and impactful experience. Go to https://www.womeninmedicinesummit.org now to register.

Newts is created by Ian Coss and Sam Jay Gold.  The Story Editor is Jonathan Mitchell and the Executive Producers are Jocelyn Gonzales and Jonathan Mitchell. Episode 1 featured: Chris Barron as Captain Van Toch Lindsay Nicole Chambers as the Narrator and Joseph Medieros as Mr. Bondy Additional roles were performed by Sarah Naughton, Juan Ignacio Sanguinetti, Alok Patel, Jon-Michael Reese, Putu Rekayasa, The music was composed and performed by Ian Coss, with Bill Carbone on the drums. Sid Iyer, Lenny Fiannaca, Sam Lapine and Varun Sasisekharan of the Tufts Beelzebubs laid down those sweet, sweet vocal harmonies — and shout out to Naomi Yang for her assist on the Captain's Sea Shanty. The artwork is by Caroline Hu and our recording engineer is Robin Buyer. Newts is a production of PRX and The Truth Podcast.  Find more information on Newts at the links and accounts below: Twitter: @newts_pod @ian_coss @SamJayGold Instagram: @slammydog @iancoss Website: newtspod.com Podcast Apps: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newts/id1621525265 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K7X2gY9MwYFWuXEdpyFC7 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/newts Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcHJveHkuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS9uZXd0c3BvZGNhc3Q Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/5kerq5l8 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/newts/PC:80522 RSS: https://feeds.feedburner.com/newtspodcast Newts continues in Episode 2: LOVERS ON PEARL ISLAND. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From PRX Productions and The Truth, Newts! is a surf rock audio drama about the end of the world. The six-part series is inspired by the pioneering science fiction of Czech author and playwright Karel Čapek, who is best known for coining the term “robot.” The first episode is premiering exclusively on The Truth. To hear the rest of the series, subscribe to Newts! wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit newtspod.com to stay in the loop. Created by Sam Jay Gold & Ian Coss Directed by Sam Jay Gold Music and sound design by Ian Coss Executive produced by Jocelyn Gonzales and Jonathan Mitchell Performed by Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Chris Barron, Joseph Medeiros, Juan Ignacio Sanguinetti, Alok Patel , Sarah Naughton , Jon-Michael Reese, Putu Rekayasa , Naomi Yang, Sid Iyer, Lenny Fiannaca, Sam Lapine, and Varun Sasisekharan. Newts! The Truth Instagram Twitter

Turns out your liver is quite a bit younger than expected. Plus, people with food allergies may be at a lower risk of catching COVID-19. Iceland's new campaign to help you rein in your work-life balance while on vacation. And, in very serious news, we seem to be running out of googly eyes and Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza. Sponsor:Shopify, Get a 14-day free trial at shopify.com/coolLinks:Your Liver Is Only About Three Years Old, Scientists Say (ScienceAlert)Most People's Livers Are Just 3 Years Old (Gizmodo)Your liver is just under three years old (ScienceDaily)People With Food Allergies Seem to Have Lower Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (ScienceAlert)Food allergy is associated with lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (National Institutes of Health)Some Types of Asthma Protect Against Severe COVID-19, And We May Finally Know Why (ScienceAlert)Food allergies & lower SARS-CoV-2 risk (Dr. Alok Patel, Twitter)Icelandic Horses Help Respond to Work Emails So Iceland Visitors Can Disconnect and See the Sights (Laughing Squid)OutHorse Your Email (Visit Iceland) App Lets You Destress By Screaming Into Icelandic Wilderness (NPR, 2020)Taco Bell is running out of Mexican Pizza (CNN)Did a Beloved Indie Movie Really Cause a Googly Eye Shortage? (Slate)DeLorean reveals Alpha 5, a performance EV with Back to the Future vibes (TechCrunch)Some quick photoshops of Doc Brown's new ride: the DeLorean Alpha5 EV (r/BacktotheFuture)Jackson Bird on TwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From PRX Productions and The Truth, Newts! is a surf rock audio drama about the end of the world. The six-part series is inspired by the pioneering science fiction of Czech author and playwright Karel Čapek, who is best known for coining the term “robot.” The first episode is premiering exclusively on The Truth. To hear the rest of the series, subscribe to Newts! wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit newtspod.com to stay in the loop. Created by Sam Jay Gold & Ian Coss Directed by Sam Jay Gold Music and sound design by Ian Coss Executive produced by Jocelyn Gonzales and Jonathan Mitchell Performed by Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Chris Barron, Joseph Medeiros, Juan Ignacio Sanguinetti, Alok Patel , Sarah Naughton , Jon-Michael Reese, Putu Rekayasa , Naomi Yang, Sid Iyer, Lenny Fiannaca, Sam Lapine, and Varun Sasisekharan. Newts! The Truth Instagram Twitter

Dr. Alok Patel, San Francisco-based pediatrician and journalist, is back on the podcast. This time, we dive into not only what COVID fatigue is doing to us adults, but also to our kids, and about finding silver linings. Alok's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alokpatelmd/ Become a member of our Patreon page: patreon.com/chooseyounow to have access to exclusive content and send us your questions and comments at chooseyounowpodcast@gmail.com. For more about my Nutrition services and resources, visit me at PlantBasedDietitian.com

For tens of thousands of years, humans have pondered eternal questions like “How does our world even exist?” and “Where did we come from?” Now, more than ever, scientists are finding answers within the Big Bang theory. About 13.8 billion years ago, in a fraction of a fraction of a second, the universe expanded into being. The event, astronomers believe, was less of an explosion than a transformation of energy into matter: As this so-called inflation slowed, it gave way to matter, radiation, and all we know today. But more questions loom. To learn how scientists came up with the Big Bang theory, Dr. Alok Patel hears from a physicist and a cosmologist about the forces that shaped our early universe and the tools researchers use to peer back in time. And, he learns what scientists' understanding of the universe's origins can tell us about its ultimate end.

Black holes: they're dense, elusive, light-absorbing pockets of spacetime that are critical to our understanding of the universe. But black holes are difficult to peer into, so there's a lot scientists still don't know. This leaves some room for science fiction to take over. Tall tales of galactic adventure may pair well with popcorn, but they also blur the lines between fact and fiction. To explore what humanity knows—and what we think we know—about black holes, Dr. Alok Patel and a theoretical cosmologist journey to Earth's closest black hole: the Milky Way's own Sagittarius A*, approximately 26,000 light-years away. (Don't worry; no scientists or science nerds were harmed in the making of this podcast.)

If television shows and movies are any indication, we humans spend a lot of our time subconsciously preparing for UFOs carrying maleficent aliens to descend on Earth. But should we rush to create an intergalactic battle plan? In actuality, finding otherworldly life won't be so easy (or, hopefully, so dangerous). Already, astronomers and other scientists are using a multitude of techniques to search for planets outside our solar system and any signs of life they carry. With 4,500 exoplanets identified out of what could be hundreds of billions in our galaxy alone, one thing is becoming clear: If we find extraterrestrial life, it likely won't be anything like Hollywood has imagined. Hearing from two exoplanet experts about the diversity of planets and life in the Milky Way, Dr. Alok Patel learns that Earth is incredibly unique—and surprisingly mundane.

Ten News Gets Extra:

ABC 7's Dan Ashley fills in for Mark today. He gets an update on Covid-19 from ABC 7 Medical Expert Dr. Alok Patel, discusses gun rights with Texas gun store owner Michael Cargill, talks to the San Francisco Marin Food Bank's Barbara Abbott about supply chain challenges, and finishes out the program discussing investments with Morgan Staney Wealth Advisor George Noceti. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When our ancestors looked up into the night sky, they too saw a great, glimmering band of light splitting the darkness. In Southeast Asia, people called it “the Silver River.” In Southern Africa, “the Backbone of the Night.” And in the West, around 2,500 years ago, it earned the name “the Milky Way.” Across the globe, civilizations had theories of what the band of light was and why it was there. But only recently have humans had the tools to get the full picture. Today we know the Milky Way is our galaxy: two spiral arms filled with more than 100 billion stars, all rotating around a supermassive black hole. And here on our little blue planet, we're in the middle of it all. Dr. Alok Patel speaks with two galaxy experts to find out how scientists have built the first high-resolution, three-dimensional map of the Milky Way—and what that map reveals about the formation and future of our galactic home.

The process that powers our sun was still a mystery about 100 years ago. Bit by bit, scientists have worked out that the fusion of hydrogen at a star's core can generate enough power to keep it shining for billions of years. Now, armed with this knowledge, researchers around the world are trying to figure out if we can recreate that fusion process here on Earth. (And yes, trying to kickstart fusion—and then contain superheated plasmas that reach temperatures up to 100 million degrees Celsius—is just as hard as it sounds.) If scientists can pull it off, the payoff could be huge: A deep understanding of stellar physics could one day lead to a virtually unlimited supply of clean energy. To discover just how, Dr. Alok Patel hears from an astrophysicist and a fusion scientist.

This is NOVA Now Universe Revealed, hosted by Alok Patel, a physician, science communicator, and somewhat of a space nerd. In this special 5-part podcast series, blast off with us to explore alien worlds, galaxies, stars, black holes, and the start of the universe itself, the Big Bang. NOVA Now Universe Revealed drops on Thursday, November 4th. This podcast has been made possible by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Produced by GBH and PRX.

You may think of insects as creepy-crawly pests. But for at least 2 billion people on the planet, they're a source of nourishment. Entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, has been around for thousands of years. But it isn't a global practice today; cuisine in Europe and the U.S. tends to exclude insects. Could that change? The culinary case for insects is a compelling one—but it's not the only one. A 2013 UN food and agriculture report proposed insect consumption as a possible solution to global food insecurity and a mitigator of climate change. Lately, efforts by scientists and entrepreneurs have pushed this agenda forward. To learn more about edible insects and what it might take for insects to take a more prominent place on people's plates, Dr. Alok Patel speaks with two entomologists and tours a Bay-Area based company specializing in protein-packed insect-based treats.

The internet revolutionized how we communicate and exchange information. Now, it's causing the ways in which we invest and spend money to change, laying the foundation for cryptocurrency. How this digital currency functions—much like the inner workings of the internet itself—is invisible to most. But the ongoing explosion of interest and investment in cryptocurrency is undeniable. In September, El Salvador became the first country to accept Bitcoin as legal tender. Meanwhile, China announced a ban on all crypto trading and mining. So what exactly is cryptocurrency, and how risky is it to invest in it? Is the future of money heading in a digital direction? With help from innovators paving the way for the future of money in a digital world, Dr. Alok Patel learns what the hype is all about.

The cannabis industry has flowered into a billion-dollar industry in the last decade. Now, cannabis is easier than ever to legally access for medical or recreational use in the majority of U.S. states. But does legalization mean that cannabis is actually safe to use? After all, cannabis is still federally classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, defined by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a substance with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” (Though the Senate's Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act proposes to end cannabis's federal prohibition.) But even under current restrictions, some researchers have interrogated assumptions about the addictive potential of cannabinoids, the chemical compounds of the cannabis plant, and investigated their therapeutic properties. With the help of leading cannabis researchers, host Dr. Alok Patel explores current studies to find out what science can tell us about the therapeutic potential, risks, and long-term effects of cannabis on your body and brain.

Dr. Alok Patel is a physician, journalist, and producer who firmly believes humor and relatability should drive science communication. We get real talking about being a new dad, a pediatric hospitalist, listening quietly, and speaking up loudly into a megaphone for what you believe in. https://www.instagram.com/alokpatelmd/ Send us your questions and comments at chooseyounowpodcast@gmail.com For more about my Nutrition services and resources, visit me at PlantBasedDietitian.com

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is half-way through and, like 2020, is expected to be another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season as estimated by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. As of September 14, 2021, there have been over a dozen named storms, including three major hurricanes, Grace, Ida, and Larry, that reached Category 3 status or higher. Climate computer models predict that rising ocean temperatures—warm water being fuel for hurricanes—impact storm activity; but does this mean that as our planet warms, hurricanes are actually becoming stronger and more destructive? Alok Patel speaks with climate scientists and a hurricane researcher to get inside the anatomy of tropical storms, and to better understand what the evidence shows, and what we can expect for the future.

I'm very excited to share an awesome show with you today, from the fine folks at PBS! God, I love PBS.  The show is called “NOVA Now” and I'm a longtime huge fan. This episode is near and dear to the moment we're in.  As the Western U.S. faces increasingly dry conditions, the show takes a look at the technologies and practices being developed to cope with drought — especially in vulnerable communities. Folks: 93% of land in seven Western states is affected by drought. We're transitioning into desertification.  We've talked about it, you've asked about it. But these increasingly dry conditions have widespread consequences, affecting everything from water quality to our national food supply. With the help of hydrologists on the ground and in the lab, Dr. Alok Patel digs deep — he learns about the traditional ecological knowledge of the Navajo Nation in the especially hard-hit Southwest. …and he talks with innovators applying advanced technology to agricultural practices, like drone surveillance and artificial intelligence, to cope with drought. There's some very cool stuff in here, and these practices are going to be an instrumental part of the West's coming decades. So. Please listen and enjoy today's episode from NOVA Now, and check out the show wherever you listen to your podcasts, and hit that subscribe button to get all new episodes from Important, Not Important soon! Have feedback or questions?http://www.twitter.com/importantnotimp ( Tweet us), or send a message to questions@importantnotimportant.com Links: Listen to more NOVA Now: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/podcast/ (pbs.org/wgbh/nova/podcast) Connect with us: Subscribe to our newsletter at http://importantnotimportant.com/ (ImportantNotImportant.com)! Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ImportantNotImp (twitter.com/ImportantNotImp) Follow Quinn: http://twitter.com/quinnemmett (twitter.com/quinnemmett) Follow Brian: https://twitter.com/beansaight (twitter.com/beansaight) Like and share us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/ImportantNotImportant (facebook.com/ImportantNotImportant) Intro/outro by Tim Blane: http://timblane.com/ (timblane.com) Important, Not Important is produced by http://crate.media/ (Crate Media) Support this podcast

Back-to-school jitters are in the air as many schools across the U.S. welcome students back to in-person learning for the 2021 to 2022 school year. But, after more than a year of pandemic-related disruption and the more recent emergence of the highly infectious delta variant, excitement to get back into the classroom is met by significant concern for student health. Dr. Alok Patel speaks with a leading expert in aerosol transmission of infectious disease, an education researcher and specialist in individualized instructional interventions for students, and a developmental psychobiologist studying stress in young people. They share insights into strategies to reduce viral spread in schools and mitigate the pandemic's effect on students' learning, mental health, and overall well being. To learn more about the science behind kids and parenting, check out the YouTube channel “Parentalogic” hosted by Dr. Patel and comedian and mom Bethany Van Delft.

Gasoline-powered passenger cars account for about 17% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Earlier this month, President Biden signed an executive order setting a goal that by 2030, half of all cars sold in the U.S. would be hybrid or electric. And major automakers have joined in support to make this a reality. But will a widespread switch to battery-powered cars ensure a cleaner future? And what does it take to make the shift from gas to electric? Dr. Alok Patel speaks with a leader in automobile battery development to learn the inner workings of electric vehicles, and checks in with an expert in energy and transportation systems to better understand the environmental impact and infrastructure requirements of a shift to electric.

With the emergence of new variants of the coronavirus, including Delta, COVID-19​​ continues to spread rapidly across much of the world. In most U.S. states, a surge in cases is reigniting conversations about the country's response to the pandemic. Dr. Alok Patel speaks with a leading epidemiologist and a specialist in infectious diseases to gain perspective on pressing concerns, from vaccine effectiveness and boosters to vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and inequity at a national and global scale.

Ever spotted a strange object in the sky? According to a recent report released by the U.S. government, nearly 150 aerial objects observed between 2004 and 2021 remain unidentified—with the exception of one large deflated balloon. The sightings of these objects, once called UFOs and now referred to as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), can have a number of reasonable explanations. Cloud formations, Venus shining brightly in the night sky, or the occasional recon aircraft or government-led missile test can all be mistaken for a UAP. But what if there's another explanation out there? Could extraterrestrial intelligence explain some sightings? To find out, Dr. Alok Patel explores the possibilities with an astrophysicist and a NASA engineer. Together, these space exploration and research innovators remind us that the truth is out there—we just need to look to science.

As temperatures continue to rise this summer, the U.S. is experiencing increasingly worse drought conditions with more than 93% of land in seven Western states affected. Though this decades-long dry spell is concentrated in the Western part of the country, droughts have widespread consequences, affecting everything from our national food supply to water quality. With the help of hydrologists and innovators on the ground and in the lab, Dr. Alok Patel learns about the traditional ecological knowledge of the Navajo Nation in the especially hard-hit Southwest. And he speaks with innovators applying advanced technology to agricultural practices, like drone surveillance and artificial intelligence, to prepare for and cope with drought.

Hey folks, it's been a minute. But now we're back and breaking down the science behind the headlines. This week, we're stretching it out and exploring the science of exercise and—after more than a year of unexpected interruption—getting back in the game. Dr. Alok Patel checks in with an expert in exercise physiology and an Olympic athlete, biomechanist, and chiropractor. Together, they talk about training under lockdown, what happens to the body and mind when taking time away from intense training, and how us amateurs can safely ease back into exercise—just in time to watch the 2021 Olympic games.

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NOVA Now is back! Join host Alok Patel for another season of new insights into the most pressing issues that are impacting our lives right now. From the PBS science series NOVA, this is a biweekly podcast using science to separate fact from fiction. New episodes start June 24th! Visit our website at: http://www.pbs.org/novanowpodcast

Dr. Alok Patel joins Dan Ashley, filling in for Pat Thurston. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Alok Patel, pediatric hospitalist, journalist, and host of podcast, NOVA Now – a scientific-based podcast featuring scientists, engineers, technologists, and mathematicians. Dr. Patel dives into information on the COVID vaccination, the importance of deciphering misinformation versus scientific facts, how COVID-19 has impacted different communities, and how to thrive in a world of contagion. This episode will also touch on ways to boost the immune system and the importance of better addressing social determinants of health.  More from Dr. Alok Patel:  Podcast - NOVA Now Instagram - @alokpatelmd

2020 is finally over. After the coronavirus pandemic and everything else the year's thrown our way, it's time to dust ourselves off and get ready for 2021. To do that, we need positive motivation (neurologically, that's how our brains prepare to get things done). First, we hear from a neuroscientist on the science of becoming and staying motivated. Then, we have a special auditory treat. All season, host Alok Patel has asked NOVA Now guests which songs motivate them to do their work, whether that's running COVID-19 tests in a hospital or conducting experiments in a lab. We took those songs and wrapped them up as a gift for you: a Nova Now Spotify playlist. Tune in for a taste of guests' music picks and to revisit some of our most memorable moments from the year.

In 2020, the world celebrated two decades of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station (ISS). As an orbiting laboratory that has provided astronauts with a view of Earth from outer space, the ISS may not seem very similar to other space innovations like CubeSats and NASA/USGS's Landsat. But all of these devices are satellites: objects orbiting objects larger than themselves. Satellites can be natural (like the moon and planets, including Earth) or human-made (like the ISS). Joined by two experts in this outer-worldly technology, host Alok Patel explores how satellites have shaped our understanding of the modern world, including the Landsat program's effort to create a space-based record of the surface of the Earth, and what lies ahead at the intersection of justice and space.

With a presidential election rapidly approaching and no indication that the COVID-19 pandemic is going anywhere, a record number of people will likely vote by mail. But what happens when we send that ballot off in the mail? And how do we make sure it gets counted? With the help of a former FBI agent-turned-forensic document examiner and a ballot tracking software insider, host Alok Patel follows the journey of a mail-in ballot from your kitchen counter to the election office.

Now is the time to go beyond the headlines and understand the science behind the most pressing questions of our time. From the PBS science series NOVA, a biweekly podcast separating fact from fiction—it's NOVA Now, hosted by Alok Patel. Visit our website at: http://www.pbs.org/novanowpodcast

Dr Alok Patel is a little bit of everything: pediatrician, CNN personality, public health crusader, charismatic bon vivant, and scientist on a mission, to name a few. In this episode, Dr Patel dispels for us five medical myths that, despite overwhelming scientific proof to the contrary, silly people still believe. Not only is this illuminating, and often terrifying, it's ultimately uplifting. And sometimes, it's downright hysterical. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.