Episodes

  • The new year is a convenient excuse to change

    The new year is a convenient excuse to change
    Jan 12 2026
    Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – Invest in relationships. Reach out to estranged loved ones if safe to do so. Forgive. Ask forgiveness. Life is too short to live in permanent grievance. Give generously. Serve others, and you will find perspective. Set a faith or spiritual goal, even if it is a simple daily reflection. Write your goals down and share them. Finally, be kind to...
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    58 mins
  • Talking baseball with former Major Leaguer Greg Pryor

    Talking baseball with former Major Leaguer Greg Pryor
    Dec 29 2025
    Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – We set aside health care and politics for a festive Christmas and New Year conversation with former Major Leaguer and author Greg Pryor. He recounts an unlikely rise from undrafted teen to 10 MLB seasons and a 1985 champion with the Kansas City Royals. Pryor previews stories from *The Day the Yankees Made Me Shave*, packed with legends, games, and laughs...
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    57 mins
  • Despite 2020’s medical crises, vaccine mandates persist in California

    Despite 2020’s medical crises, vaccine mandates persist in California
    Dec 22 2025
    Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – Vaccine mandates continue across California despite the medical crises of recent years. Alix Mayer of the Free Now Foundation leads efforts to challenge mandates, expand exemptions, and defend medical freedom. Through legal action, public advocacy, and community programs, the organization works to protect parental rights and push state leaders toward voluntary...
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    Less than 1 minute
  • When the holidays hurt: Coping with Christmas sadness

    When the holidays hurt: Coping with Christmas sadness
    Dec 15 2025
    Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – Christmas is often portrayed as joyful, but for many it brings grief, loneliness, and emotional strain. This piece explores why the holidays can hurt and offers practical, compassionate ways to care for mental health, set boundaries, reduce isolation, and find meaning, connection, and hope during a difficult December season...
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    57 mins
  • How modern medicine lost public trust—and how to heal it

    How modern medicine lost public trust—and how to heal it
    Dec 8 2025
    Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – Medicine faces a crisis of trust, effectiveness, and purpose as chronic illness rises and life expectancy falls. Jeff and Mark speak with Dr. Aaron Kheriaty about what went wrong in modern healthcare, how the pandemic accelerated systemic failure, and what ethical, cultural, and institutional reforms are needed to heal medicine and restore public confidence...
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    57 mins
  • The testosterone gap shaping modern dating and masculinity

    The testosterone gap shaping modern dating and masculinity
    Dec 1 2025
    Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – A growing health crisis is reshaping masculinity and dating as young men experience historically low testosterone. Physicians explore cultural, lifestyle, and environmental drivers, from screens to substances, and outline practical solutions. From strength training to medical care and mentorship, healing men’s health may help restore relationships, purpose, and community...
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    58 mins
  • Inflammation, its causes, and how to prevent it

    Inflammation, its causes, and how to prevent it
    Nov 24 2025
    Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – Jeff explores inflammation with Dr. Barry Sears, revealing how chronic low-level immune activation silently damages bodies and minds. He highlights the AA to EPA ratio, the power of omega-3s, and a steady, protein-balanced, polyphenol-rich eating plan that supports AMPK and healing while warning against quick fixes like GLP-1 drugs that threaten metabolic health and...
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    57 mins
  • Pamela Garfield: The truthful therapist

    Pamela Garfield: The truthful therapist
    Nov 17 2025
    Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – A therapist challenges current trends in youth gender medicine, stressing honesty, holistic care, and family involvement. Physicians warn about rapid medicalization and urge careful evaluation. The piece emphasizes protecting children through truth, thoughtful therapy, and courage from parents, clinicians, and communities committed to their wellbeing...
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    56 mins