We examine the current expensive, for-profit, private health insurance system in the U.S. and interview Ron Howrigon, an expert who has worked on both sides of the issue.

On March 25th, The LA Times ran an article on the front page of the Business section entitled: “SURPRISE! YOU’RE COVERED FOR THE HOSPITAL, NOT THE DOCTORS.” In this week's episode, we cover the other side of the story.

Three distinguished experts help us understand autism. Dr. Paul Wang is the Senior Vice President for Medical Research with Autism Speaks. Dr. Andrea Roberts is from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. And Dr. Jay Gargus is the Director of Center for Autism Research and Translation at the UCI School of Medicine.

Dr. Sweeny interviews several experts about autism, thimerosal, and the myths and benefits associated with vaccines.

Patient Safety Analyst, Michelle Feil, discusses distractions in the operating room including doctors taking personal phone calls, posting on social media, listening to loud music, and other distractions.

Dr. Frederick vom Saal discusses the harmful biological effects of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic compound found in everyday plastics.

Dr. Frederick vom Saal discusses the harmful biological effects of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic compound found in everyday plastics.

Dr. Kelley Tucker discusses a new approach to the treatment and prevention of heart disease and coronary artery disease.

Dr. Ray Casciari talks all things e-cigarettes, nicotine, and smoking in this week's episode of Straight Talk MD.

For the post-Valentine's Day blues, Dr. Anita Nelson talks about the real "love bugs", sexually transmitted infections.

Infectious disease expert, Dr. Philip Robinson, examines the latest CDC guidelines and recommendations about the Zika virus.

Based on current trends, colorectal cancer will almost double in young people between the ages of twenty to thirty-four years old by 2030. Dr. Craig Ennis is our guest expert who examines the causes, screening process, and steps you can take to prevent colon cancer.

Dr. Alberto Mendivil talks Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), warts (literally) and all. He also discusses the vaccine, cancer, and how men and women are both at risk.

Propofol gets a bad rap because it’s associated with the death of pop star, Michael Jackson, but it is still widely used in surgery centers all over the world. In this special episode of Straight Talk MD, Dr. Sweeny addresses various concerns and answers the question on everyone’s mind: Is propofol safe?

Dr. Paul Yost discusses anesthesia and its effects on children. He examines multiple exposure concerns and how it affects brain development, IQ, behavior and more. Sometimes surgery is necessary and the use of anesthesia is unavoidable, so how can we minimize the risk? Tune in to find out.

Dr. Bruce Blumberg discusses the harmful effects of environmental toxins on our health and how they are a contributing factor to the growing obesity epidemic. Dr. Blumberg takes an in-depth look at BPA, obesogens, endocrine disruptors, and more.

Can cell phones cause brain cancer? The majority of Americans think it's possible, and scientists are divided. In this special episode of Straight Talk MD, Dr. Frank Sweeny takes an unbiased look at the evidence, addresses some very unsettling science, and reveals shocking truths.

Professor John Cawley, the foremost expert on the economics of obesity, thinks outside the box in this discussion of the economic causes, consequences, and approaches to the treatment and prevention of obesity. Full podcast available on iTunes on Monday, January 4th!

Dr. Peter Fotinakes discusses sleep, its disorders, and why adequate sleep is so vital to our overall health. Also on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sleep-talk/id1060256849?i=359695465&mt=2

Plastic surgeon Josef Hadeed discusses a wide array of surgical options for trans folks wishing to make the complete transition. Also on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/transgender-transition-part/id1060256849?i=359329455&mt=2

In part one of our transgender series, Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy discusses the facts, complexities, and hardships for individuals with gender dysphoria.

Our guest, Dr. John West discusses all aspects of breast cancer awareness, treatment, and prevention.

Dr. Anita Nelson, a professor emerita at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the former medical director of the women’s healthcare program at Harbor-UCLA medical center, and esteemed author of Contraceptive Technology, reassures us that medical researchers are actively pursing ways to advance and improve contraceptive technology.

As a renowned physician of hematology and oncology in both pediatrics and adults, Dr. Leonard Sender shares his expertise on leukemia and other cancers.

Frank Sweeny and Dr. Jeffrey Johnsrud, a board certified general surgeon, break down the metabolic, physiological, and societal/cultural aspects of obesity.