Sister Doctor Squared

21. Muck up day 2022!

As we come to the end of another year, Aleena and Janine take things down a notch and bring back muck up day! Muck up day in Australia is the last day of school for the year where there are much laughs, huge pranks, and minimal productivity. Tune in for a very loose episode where you'll be treated to some insights, a *SURPRISE* or two, and much randomness: memes, rabbits, mullets, candles, plus more!

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website: https://sisterdoctorsquared.com/2022/12/15/muckupday2022

_{Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music, by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery: http://www.adriandiery.com/}

20. Is blue light at night really that bad?

What is all this fuss about blue light? You've probably heard about it having something to do with the backlighting on your smartphone or other electronic device. But what actually is blue light? What's it doing to your brain? Is it really that bad? In episode 20, Aleena and Janine are keen to see what the science says. They also have the final installment of the ever-popular segment: How's Aleena's Kitchen Renovation Going?!; Janine's holiday nerdery; plus gushing over Björk's new album AND podcast! OMG!

 

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

 

Mastering of this episode, plus Intro and Outro music by Dr Adrian Diery.

19. Aah, the feels... the link between music & emotion

Engaging with music, whether it’s listening to it, or creating it, is one of life’s great joys. Neither Aleena nor Janine could get through a whole day without listening to some music. Humans have a deep emotional connection with music. But just how does music affect our mood, and how does our mood affect the music we listen to, or the music we create? In episode 19, Aleena and Janine get into the links between music and emotion. Aleena also shares her newfound discovery: a dog with natural dreadlocks. Janine, on the other hand, is pleased to find out that her habit of hoarding books can be reframed as a Japanese artform!

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus Intro and Outro music by Dr Adrian Diery.

18. Firestarter: not just a song by The Prodigy

How amazing is it to sit around a campfire? Watching those beautiful, flickering flames; listening to the gorgeous crackle of firewood. It's mesmerising. Humans are innately fascinated by fire, but our relationship with fire is complex. Sometimes, fire fascination turns into something more dangerous. Sometimes, humans intentionally set fires. And guess what? It seems that some birds do this too! In episode 18 of Sister Doctor Squared, Aleena and Janine explore some research around firestarting behaviour. For the inner square segment, Janine continues in the theme of intelligent birds, while Aleena regales us around her recent experience of context-specific memory!

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus Intro and Outro music by Dr Adrian Diery.

17. Go with your gut? What does the science say?

Have you ever had a really strong gut feeling about something? You don't know why. You don't know where it's coming from, but it's telling you something very clearly. Should you trust it? In this episode, Aleena and Janine delve into the science behind gut instincts. Aleena then hijacks the inner square segment to update everyone on the latest kitchen renovation dramas, while Janine introduces a whole new segment to the podcast: what brought out her #InnerDumbass?!

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music, by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery

16. The truth about Tourette Syndrome with Seamus Evans

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week is running from 2 - 8 May 2022! So, Janine and Aleena are raising understanding and busting some myths around Tourette Syndrome, especially as Janine's little boy has this condition. The sisters are joined by their first ever guest - Seamus Evans! Seamus is an awesome TV and radio broadcaster and now passionate public speaker. As an ambassador for the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (TSAA), Seamus speaks about his personal experience with Tourette Syndrome, and how he has learned to manage the condition, and ultimately turn it into his superpower. Aleena and Janine share insights from the science on Tourette Syndrome, including the prevalence and underlying genetics. Aleena, Janine and Seamus all then stick around to nerd out in the inner square segment, which leads to much "Type 1 fun". You'll have to listen in to understand wtf that means ;)

Full show notes at Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music, by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery

15. Fight, flight, or... “freeze”?

WARNING: This episode contains discussion related to traumatic experiences that may be distressing for some listeners.

Janine excitedly shares details of her new pet dog Calli (#RescueGreyhound), who massively inspired this episode, since Calli displays a very strong "freeze response" in times of stress. Aleena and Janine take a look at some research into the freeze response, which is distinct from the fight or flight response, in both humans and other animals. Essentially, this is where the parasympathetic nervous system takes over during a stressful event, and there can be actual muscle paralysis. It has been documented when the brain assesses that fight and flight are not viable options. Janine also shares loads of cute and insightful stuff about her new rescue greyhound, and Aleena introduces a new segment to the podcast, without clearing it with Janine first...

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music, by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery

14. New Year’s Resolutions: can we use science to make them stick?

Welcome to 2022! You might have mixed feelings about what is to come in the year ahead... a new year often brings a lot of hope, excitement and promise, but with so much uncertainty in the world at the moment, many are feeling quite despondent, and justifiably so. It follows that many of us have been less successful with attaining resolutions and goals over the past few years, mostly due to Covid-related disruption. Aleena and Janine decided to check out the research literature around New Year’s resolutions – what can we learn that might be helpful in setting the right goals for us this year and in getting them to stick? They also square out about the world's first *true* millipede, and explore the most efficient way to change a doona cover.

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website

_{Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music, by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery.}

13. Muck up day 2021!

In the spirit of the traditional 'muck up day' on the last day of school in Australia, Aleena and Janine mix things up a bit in this episode... They reflect on Sister Doctor Squared turning 1, the many random and interesting things they've learned during the first year, and conduct the first ever Sister Doctor Squared Awards Ceremony, complete with lame and inexpensive sound effects - you don't want to miss those! Plus, they share the first ever Sister Doctor Squared music playlist - many hours of listening pleasure for you coming right up...

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery.

12. Scared of needles? Science has some answers.

With vaccination rates currently a topic of daily conversation, Aleena and Janine have been looking into what factors might be behind poor vaccination rates in some settings. They are surprised to find that fear or phobia of needles could be an important contributor to vaccine hesitancy. They also got their square on when voluntary primary-school level maths practice took over at their recent lunch date.  

Full show notes at the Sister Doctor Squared website.

Mastering of this episode, plus intro and outro music by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery.