Strange Health: Debunking Viral Health Trends with The Conversation – Episode 1 Preview

Strange Health is a video podcast from The Conversation that brings together journalists and academics to explain health topics that are trending on social media. In this premiere episode, host Katie Edwards, a health editor, teams up with Dan Baumgart, a Bristol-based lecturer and GP, to explain what the body can do and why certain online health claims may be misleading. They outline the show’s goal of testing health trends against science and inviting expert input. Episode 1 includes a teaser of topics like detox myths, chlorophyll, and the liver's regenerative capabilities, and it invites viewers to submit questions for future episodes. The show promises clear explanations and a fearless look at the body's mysteries.

Overview

Strange Health is a new video podcast from The Conversation that aims to debunk health trends going viral on social media by examining the science behind them. The format pairs journalists with academics to bring rigorous research to a broad audience, making complex physiology accessible without sacrificing accuracy.

Meet the Hosts

Katie Edwards is The Conversation's health editor, and Dan Baumgart is a University of Bristol lecturer in health and life sciences who also works as a GP. Their collaboration blends journalistic clarity with academic expertise, focusing on explaining how the body works and separating truth from myth.

Episode Format and Mission

Each episode centers on a health trend that has gone viral, then scrutinizes the underlying science. The hosts discuss common claims, such as detox regimens or supplements advertised to improve appearance, and they explore broader questions about the body's healing abilities and limits. They emphasize an evidence-based approach and welcome expert input to thrash out truths and myths.

Episode 1 Preview: What to Expect

In the premiere, the team previews several upcoming topics, including chlorophyll detoxifications and other popular health shortcuts. They highlight the liver as an example of the body's remarkable regenerative capacity and share their excitement about exploring even disgusting or surprising body phenomena in a thoughtful, educational way. The episode also underscores the show's aim to make science approachable and trustworthy while inviting viewer questions at strangehealth@theconversation.com.

Putting Science First

Beyond entertainment, Strange Health intends to provide reliable, research-backed explanations of body functions and the science behind everyday health decisions. The hosts promise to invite experts to explain complex topics, and to explain why some health trends are harmless, while others may be misguided or even harmful.

Engagement and Access

Episode 1 announces the release date, urges audiences to follow on YouTube or subscribe to podcasts, and invites questions from viewers to shape future episodes. The show positions itself as a trustworthy source of concise, accessible science about the human body, aligned with The Conversation’s mission to connect research with the public through expert collaboration.