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The Medical Dads Podcast

The Medical Dads Podcast

By Stuart Harman & David Hsu

A weekly parenting podcast by two Canadian dads who happen to be medical doctors. Dr. Stuart Harman is a Paediatric ER Doc from Ottawa, Ontario and Dr. David Hsu is a Family Physician from Toronto, Ontario. Join them as they discuss medical issues related to parenting and share stories about their own experiences as dads.
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Working From Home in a Covid Winter

The Medical Dads PodcastJan 18, 2021

00:00
47:23
Interviews

Interviews

This week, the Medical Dads ponder the topic of school and job interviews. What are the typical questions one gets asked? What are the correct response to give for questions that by design have no right answers?

Apr 22, 202459:52
The Medical Dads Fix It!

The Medical Dads Fix It!

This week, the Medical Dads gather to discuss home repair and all the various things that can happen in your household that require repair work when you become a busy dad.

Apr 01, 202452:04
Deadbeat Dads - Who Gets The Championship Belt?

Deadbeat Dads - Who Gets The Championship Belt?

This week, the Medical Dads take a break from all the usual optimistic chatter and try to determine what type of deadbeat dad is the worst type of dad.

Feb 05, 202450:59
Parachute Kids

Parachute Kids

This week, Stu and Dave meet to talk about Parachute Kids. Inspired by the graphic novel, they talk about what happens when a family leaves their children in a different continent to grow up, a common phenomenon amongst Asian immigrant families in the 80s and 90s.

Jan 28, 202447:30
The Medical Dads Holiday Special Edition

The Medical Dads Holiday Special Edition

Merry Christmas from the Medical Dads. The dynamic duo convenes for a classic, holiday episode!

Dec 17, 202345:52
Can I Get a Doctor's Note? (Audio Edited!)

Can I Get a Doctor's Note? (Audio Edited!)

As we get deep into the flu season, Stu and Dave examine the phenomenon of sick leaves, sick notes, and the doctors who write them. What does your doctor really think when you are asking them to write you a sick note for an illness you may or may not actually have? Stick around and find out!

Dec 12, 202346:31
Running With Scissors

Running With Scissors

This week, the Medical Dads talk about three medical topics involving scissors, two of which are over-prescribed and one which is a basic human necessity. From tongue tie to circumcision to haircuts, the Medical Dads are back at the cutting edge of parenting talk!

Nov 14, 202345:00
School - What is it Good For?

School - What is it Good For?

As parents settle into the fall routine with their children, the Medical Dads wonder, what is the point of it all?

Oct 23, 202343:39
Early Retirement

Early Retirement

The Medical Dads reconvene for the season premiere of Season 5! The topic for the discussion: retirement, and more specifically, early retirement. Now squarely in middle age, the Medical Dads ponder the abyss that is early retriement and think about what it might mean for them to hang up their stethoscopes in the near future. Rest assured, they are not retiring from podcasting!

Oct 10, 202345:12
Children

Children

By definition, children are what defines a parent. This week, we close out our series on relationships by talking about our relationship with our children, from cradle to adulthood and beyond.

Sep 29, 202358:02
Spouses

Spouses

This week, the Medical Dads get ready to talk maybe the most important relationship for every parent, their relationship to the other parent.

Sep 11, 202349:57
Friends, What Friends?

Friends, What Friends?

On your deathbed, supposedly you will be thinking about your friends. But how is a busy parent supposed to stay connected to their friends while life is pulling them in every other direction?

Sep 05, 202349:41
In-Laws - You Gotta Love 'Em

In-Laws - You Gotta Love 'Em

This week, the Medical Dads take a look at probably one of the most misunderstood and made-fun-of relationships of all: your relationship with your in-laws!

Aug 28, 202348:10
Parents of Parents

Parents of Parents

This week the Medical Dads are talking about parents. Is Chinese filial piety really a thing? Do westerners care about their parents at all? As busy parents ourselves, this week we explore relationships with our own parents as we ease into adulthood and beyond.

Jul 19, 202347:25
Never Hate Your Enemies...

Never Hate Your Enemies...

This week, the Medical Dads are talking about enemies. We all have them. We all wish we didn't. What do we about them?

Jul 07, 202347:42
Brothers and Sisters, Why Can't We Just All Get Along?

Brothers and Sisters, Why Can't We Just All Get Along?

This week, the medical dads resume after a brief hiatus to break down one of the key relationships in many people's lives: the sibling relationship.

Jun 27, 202354:32
The Physician Shortage Part 5 - Solutions

The Physician Shortage Part 5 - Solutions

This week, the Medical Dads finish their dissection of the physician shortage crisis by discussing some potential solutions, both real and imagined!

May 30, 202301:08:45
The Physician Shortage 4 - Doctor Burnout

The Physician Shortage 4 - Doctor Burnout

As our discussion of the physician shortage rolls on, we break down the whole concept of doctor burnout. To the Medical Dads, it feels like more doctors are burning out than ever before, but why does it happen and what does it all mean?

May 08, 202301:03:27
The Physician Shortage Episode 3 - Why Is It Happening?

The Physician Shortage Episode 3 - Why Is It Happening?

This week, the Medical Dads continue their look at the physician shortage crisis by looking at some of the causes for why it is happening now. An aging work force, physician burn out, and much more in this week's deep dive on Canada's health crisis.

Apr 19, 202359:30
The Physician Shortage Episode 2 - What Happens to the Patient?

The Physician Shortage Episode 2 - What Happens to the Patient?

As we continue our discussion about the physician shortage in Canada, we take a look at what actually happens to patients when there aren't enough doctors around. We examine a compromised health care system, from walk in clinics, to over-worked emergency rooms and the results aren't pretty.

Mar 27, 202352:23
The Physician Shortage Episode 1 - Where Did All the Doctors Go?

The Physician Shortage Episode 1 - Where Did All the Doctors Go?

The Medical Dads begin a discussion about the physician shortage crisis in Canada. What is going on and what can be done about it? This week, on the first episode, the Medical Dads lay out the basis of the physician shortage and discuss how it's affecting their work.

Mar 18, 202357:28
Talking Tests and Exams

Talking Tests and Exams

This week, Stu and Dave reminisce about their memories of a lifetime of test taking, and wonder if there is a point to all the tests and exams that their children have to go through.

Feb 27, 202344:59
The Medical Dads Enter Middle Age

The Medical Dads Enter Middle Age

This week, its official! The Medical Dads are officially middle aged. Or are they? Depends on who you ask, perhaps1 In any case, Stu and Dave break down some common middle aged dad problems and discuss how to cope with them.

Feb 20, 202346:40
Side Gigs

Side Gigs

In this episode, the Medical Dads talk about side gigs-those jobs on the side that people do to make a little extra money, and how sometimes, side gigs aren't the best way to go if you are looking for car repairs, or regular timely episodes of the Medical Dads!

Jan 24, 202342:47
Books 2023

Books 2023

Recorded just before Christmas, the Medical Dads talk about what books they and their kids are reading of late.

Jan 12, 202353:59
The Presence of Christmas Presents on Christmas Present

The Presence of Christmas Presents on Christmas Present

Stu and Dave sit down to unwrap the realities of Christmas presents.

Dec 20, 202250:32
What do you want to be when you grow up?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

The Medical Dads ponder the serious issue of what they should do with their lives when they finally grow up.

Dec 15, 202251:15
The Scariest Medical Dads Episode

The Scariest Medical Dads Episode

This week, the Medical Dads sit down to share some scary stores. Like really, really scary stories.

Nov 26, 202242:32
An Ode to Hockey Dads

An Ode to Hockey Dads

Stu and Dave talk about a particular Canadian institution/caricature: the hockey parent. Stu reflects on his time as a hockey dad, while Dave looks forward to many cold hours standing behind the glass.

Nov 14, 202251:53
Back to School Season 4 Premiere

Back to School Season 4 Premiere

The Medical Dads podcast returns for year 4 with their season premiere, going back to school in a time when Covid has been conquered... sort of.  Note: this episode was recorded in September 2022 and was supposed to air then, but somehow didn't upload on time, so get ready for a trip down memory lane... to last month!

Nov 08, 202249:43
Anxiety Part II

Anxiety Part II

This week, Stu and Dave continue their discussion on anxiety with a focus on older children and how to approach these issues as parents,

Nov 01, 202258:29
Anxiety and School Phobias

Anxiety and School Phobias

The Medical Dads sit down to talk about mental health this week. They share frustrations about the health care system when it comes to mental health, then examine a few common anxiety disorders that parents might have to face including school refusal in young children.

Oct 19, 202250:39
Thanksgiving 2022 - What is there to be thankful for?

Thanksgiving 2022 - What is there to be thankful for?

For Thanksgiving 2022, the Medical Dads sit down to ponder all the things that we really aren't so thankful for about the world in 2022 while looking for a silver lining through it all.

Oct 09, 202243:27
Behind the Scenes of the Medical Dads

Behind the Scenes of the Medical Dads

The season finale of the 3rd season of the Medical Dads is finally upon us. Join us as we take a peek under the hood of everyone's favourite not quite so medically inclined parenting podcast. We talk a bit about how the show got started, and how the show has evolved from how it was first conceived.

Then, see you all in a few weeks for the beginning of season four!

Aug 30, 202247:54
Your Time or Your Money

Your Time or Your Money

This week, the Medical Dads talk about work life balance-what they learned about it from their parents, and the life principles around it that they would like to pass on to their children.

Aug 15, 202251:47
The Medical Dads on Dad Friendships

The Medical Dads on Dad Friendships

The Medical Dads explore why being a dad is a lonely business. Whether its meeting people through their children's playdates, or through athletic endeavours, its not easy to for dads when it comes to friendships.

Jul 27, 202255:42
The Medical Dads at the Movies: Turning Red and the Batman

The Medical Dads at the Movies: Turning Red and the Batman

Finally, the Medical Dads are proud to present their own take on Sickle and Ebert's movie reviews. For your listening pleasure, a deep dive review of two movies of vital, global importance (also known as the only two movies Dave has watched this year): Pixar's Turning Red and then, a spoiler laden review of The Batman.

Jul 20, 202257:59
Summer Plans with the Medical Dads

Summer Plans with the Medical Dads

In this episode (recorded a few weeks earlier in June), Stu and Dave talk about their plans for the upcoming summer, and why the summer of 2022 promises to be more interesting than just another COVID summer.

Jul 13, 202247:26
Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

The Medical Dads are here to ring in the biggest day of the year! 

Jun 17, 202241:53
The Medical Dads Guide to What You Need To Know Before You See Your Family Doctor

The Medical Dads Guide to What You Need To Know Before You See Your Family Doctor

This week, in a continuation of the discussion about life in the Pediastric ER, the tables turn and Stu puts Dave in the hot seat to find out what people should know before they book an appointment with their family doctor.

Jun 07, 202253:09
The Storm of 2022

The Storm of 2022

The Medical Dads survived the great spring thunderstorm of 2022 and live to tell the tale! 

May 29, 202242:42
Sacrifice: Happy Mother's Day to Our Moms

Sacrifice: Happy Mother's Day to Our Moms

For Mother's Day, Stu and Dave sit down to share some stories about the long winding road their moms took to get where they are today. Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there!

May 08, 202248:24
 What You Need To Know Before You Go to the ER

What You Need To Know Before You Go to the ER

Stu and Dave give a primer on what parents should know about emergency rooms. When is a good time to go the ER? Should they bring food with them? What exactly constitutes an emergency? If you've ever been confused by all the various health care options out there, from family medicine clinics to walk in clinics to the ER, this episode is for you! 

May 05, 202251:30
Junk Food Part 2 - The Potato

Junk Food Part 2 - The Potato

In a continuation to the last conversation on junk food, the Medical Dads have a serous, medical talk about potato chips, before sharing their thoughts about sugar snacks and ice cream.

Apr 15, 202255:23
Medical Dads Guide to Junk Food

Medical Dads Guide to Junk Food

Where else in the world will you get a long form discussion by medical doctors about the merits of junk food from McDonald's to fried chicken.  Just like quality junk food, this episode will leave you happy and satiated but perhaps not much better off in the grand scheme!

Apr 04, 202249:52
This Movie is Not For Kids

This Movie is Not For Kids

For the 30th anniversary of Basic Instinct, the Medical Dads talk about movies that are definitely not appropriate for their kids... yet.

Mar 23, 202252:20
Medical Dads in War Time

Medical Dads in War Time

Dave and Stu reflect on the state of the world while war rages in the Ukraine. Is the world simply one big exercise in playground diplomacy? How does one process war as a parent? How do they talk to their children about the realities of the world we live in? The Medical Dads do their best to wrap their heads around some serious topics this week.

Mar 15, 202251:30
The Endemic - Not the End of the Pandemic

The Endemic - Not the End of the Pandemic

The Medical Dads ponder the Endemic. Is it the end of the pandemic or is it the beginning of something else? Is it time to make plans for the summer? How worried are we about COVID as we had into spring? As COVID nears the two year mark, the Medical Dads get ready to talk about the end!

Mar 08, 202238:01
Graphic Novels - In Praise of Sequential Art

Graphic Novels - In Praise of Sequential Art

Stu and Dave stay on the topic of books, as they make time to talk comic books, graphic novels and Manga. Where else can you get a discussion about the Slam Dunk manga, Popeye, Calvin and Hobbes and Demon Slayer?  Nowhere else.

Mar 01, 202245:51
Books - What Our Children are Reading

Books - What Our Children are Reading

Where else are you going to get a discussion about Demon Slayer manga, Anne of Green Gables and Paw Patrol books all in the same hour? I didn't think so!

Feb 22, 202251:58