Medical Media Mixer: The Perfect Cocktail- your go-to health and wellness podcast, shaken with cocktails and stirred with entertainment and media.

Ep 43 The Activator: Body Horror, Body Dysmorphia & the Dark Side of Transformation

In this week’s episode of the Medical Media Mixer Podcast, we dive into The Substance (2024) — a haunting exploration of body horror, identity, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. From Teeth (2007) to Nightbitch (2024), we unravel how film and medicine intersect in their portrayals of body dysmorphia, feminine transformation, and cultural beauty standards.
We’ll discuss how psychological conditions like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) are mirrored through disturbing cinematic metaphors — from the myth of vagina dentata to the grotesque metamorphoses seen on screen. Our featured cocktail, The Substance Martini, adds a touch of dark glamour to a conversation that blurs the line between science, self-image, and horror.
🎙️ Join us as we sip, analyze, and confront what it really means to inhabit a body in a world obsessed with perfection.
🧠 We Discuss:
✅ The evolution of body horror and its psychological symbolism ✅ How Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) manifests and impacts self-perception ✅ The Substance, Teeth, and Nightbitch as mirrors of societal pressure and gender politics ✅ The intersection of film, feminism, and medicine ✅ Coping with body image struggles and promoting body positivity
🍸 Featured Cocktail:
The Activator Martini — a luxurious cocktail inspired by the film’s haunting aesthetic. 🔗 Recipe from Tasting Table
🎬 Films Mentioned:
The Substance (2024)
Teeth (2007)
Nightbitch (2024)
Vagina Dentata Myth
🩺 Medical & Psychological References:
Hopkins Medicine – Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Anxiety & Depression Association of America – BDD Overview
The Jed Foundation – Tips for Body Positivity
🪄 Pop Culture & Self-Care:
Shop inspired self-care and witchy wellness at Practical Magic
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website  

Ep 42 The Hershey Kiss Cocktail: Chocolate’s Sweet Role in Medicine, Culture & the Movie Chocolat

The Hershey Kiss Cocktail: Chocolate in Medicine, Culture & the Movie Chocolat
This week on the Medical Media Mixer Podcast, we indulge in the sweet side of history, health, and pop culture with our featured drink—the Hershey Kiss chocolate martini. Inspired by the iconic Hershey’s treat, this cocktail pairs perfectly with our exploration of chocolate as both a cultural delicacy and a medicinal remedy. We dive into the role of chocolate in medicine, from theobromine and heart health to ancient healing practices, and examine how films like Chocolat (2000) romanticize it as a source of transformation and desire. Along the way, we highlight pop culture moments featuring chocolate—from Gilmore Girls and Legally Blonde to House M.D. and Victoria—while uncovering the surprising connections between indulgence, health, and history.
 
📚 References
Books & Articles
Coe, S. D., & Coe, M. D. The True History of Chocolate
Grivetti, L., & Shapiro, H. Chocolate: History, Culture, and Heritage
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Dark Chocolate and Health
Buijsse et al. (2010), European Heart Journal
Mastroiacovo et al. (2015), American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
NIH MedlinePlus – Theobromine: Link
Media
Chocolat (2000)
Gilmore Girls
Legally Blonde (2001)
House M.D. – “Unfaithful”
Victoria (PBS)
Apocalypto (2006)
Cocktail : https://savoryreviews.com/2024/07/hershey-kiss-chocolate-martini/
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website  

Ep 41 The Schizophrenia: A Tale of Lexicography, Madness & Mixology

 
In this episode of the Medical Media Mixer Podcast, we shake up history, psychology, and mixology with our featured drink—the Schizophrenia cocktail. Inspired by the movie and book, The Professor and The Madman, the incredible true story of Dr. William Chester Minor and the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, we explore the fine line between genius and madness, the impact of schizophrenia on creativity, and how the media portrays mental illness. Sip along as we uncover how a troubled surgeon behind asylum walls helped shape one of the greatest works in the English language.
 
Film & Literature
The Professor and the Madman (2019 film): Wikipedia
The Surgeon of Crowthorne / The Professor and the Madman (book by Simon Winchester): Wikipedia
Amazon listing for The Professor and the Madman: Amazon
“The Strange Tale of the Dictionary” (Accuracy Matters): Link
Catchplay article: EDSays
Historical Figure
William Chester Minor biography: Wikipedia
Psychiatry & Genius
Schizophrenia overview (APA): Psychiatry.org
Five Types of Schizophrenia: Columbia Psychiatry
“Association Between Major Mental Disorders and Geniuses”: Psychiatric Times
“Thin Line Between Genius and Insanity”: Psychology Today
Cocktail Inspiration
Instagram cocktail post: Instagram
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website  

Ep 40 The Royal Remedy: Celebrating National PA Day with TV Portrayals & PA History

In this special birthday + National PA Day episode of Medical Media Mixer, we explore how Physician Assistants (PAs) have been portrayed on screen, from Royal Pains’ Divya Katdare to ER’s Jeanie Boulet, and even real-life astronaut PA Hayley Arceneaux. Beyond Hollywood, we dive into the fascinating history of the PA profession, its evolution, certification process, and what makes PAs such an essential part of modern medicine. Plus, we’re raising a glass with a refreshing themed cocktail—The Royal Remedy. 🍸✨
🎬 Media Portrayals of PAs
Royal Pains – Wikipedia
Divya Katdare – Royal Pains Fandom
Jeanie Boulet – Wikipedia
Hayley Arceneaux – Wikipedia
👩‍⚕️ PA Profession – History & Role
AAPA – What Is a PA?
AAPA – PA History Overview
NCCPA – National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
PAHx – NCCPA History Article
📚 Book Reference
Wild Ride by Hayley Arceneaux – Amazon
🍸 Cocktail of the Week: 
The Royal Remedy
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
1 oz fresh cucumber juice
0.5 oz elderflower liqueur
0.75 oz lime juice
0.5 oz mint syrup
Splash of tonic or sparkling water
Garnish: thin cucumber ribbon + mint sprig
Instructions:
Shake vodka, cucumber juice, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and mint syrup with ice.
Strain into a chilled coupe or large rocks glass over ice.
Top with tonic or sparkling water.
Garnish with cucumber ribbon and mint sprig.
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website  

Ep 39 Distilled Truths and Trivia Duels: Vodka Tasting, Fun Facts & Drinking Games at Tree City Distillery

This week on Medical Media Mixer, we step out of the studio and into the tasting room at Tree City Distillery in Kenilworth, NJ. Join us as we sip vodka, share quirky health and psychology fun facts, and dive into some hilarious drinking games. From cocktail trivia to offbeat book discoveries, this episode mixes science, spirits, and just the right amount of silliness. 🍸✨
 
The full video is available on Patreon- head over there and sign up for exclusive content!
🎙️Support your local Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries!
ℹ️ Sources & References
📖 Why Do Men Have Nipples? – Amazon
🎲 Cocktail Table Topics – Amazon
📖 WTF (Weird True Facts Psychology) – Amazon
🎲 Psychobox: Psychological Games – Amazon
🥂 Tree City Vodka
📸 Tree City Distillery Instagram
🎵 Tree City Distillery TikTok
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website  

Ep 38 Truth & Lies: The Girl Who Wasn’t Dead – The Natasha Ryan Mystery

In this episode of Medical Media Mixer, we uncover the chilling yet unbelievable story of Natasha Ryan—the Australian teenager who shocked the world when she was found alive after being presumed dead for years. Dubbed “The Girl in the Cupboard,” her case blurs the lines between truth and lies, media frenzy and reality. We also explore broader issues of missing persons, global statistics, and how families and organizations continue the fight to bring missing children home.
 
📚 Sources & Further Reading
 
🎬 The Girl Who Wasn’t Dead – IMDb
📰 Natasha Ryan Story – Wikipedia
📰 The Guardian: Queensland woman Natasha Ryan remembered as more than just the girl in the cupboard
🌍 Missing Children Resources
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Global Missing Kids
International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children – Statistics
AMBER Alert Information
🍸 Cocktail Connection
Truth & Lies Cocktail – Recipe
 
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website  

Ep 37 The Galactic Cloudburst: Space Medicine, Astronaut Health, and Sci-Fi Insights

In this episode of Medical Media Mixer, we dive into the fascinating intersection of science fiction and real-life space medicine. From Andy Weir’s novels (Artemis, The Martian, and Project Hail Mary) to NASA’s rigorous astronaut training and health standards, we explore what it really takes to survive and thrive beyond Earth. How do astronauts prepare their bodies for zero gravity? What medical risks do they face on long-term missions? And how does fiction mirror the challenges of real space travel? 🚀✨
 
📚 Sources and Further Reading
📘 Fictional Novels Referenced
Andy Weir – Artemis 🔗 Artemis (Wikipedia)
Andy Weir – Project Hail Mary 🔗 Project Hail Mary (Wikipedia)
Andy Weir – The Martian 🔗 The Martian (Wikipedia)
📚 Astronaut Physical Requirements
NASA – Astronaut Selection and Training Standards 🔗 NASA PDF
NASA – Medical Standards for Human Spaceflight (NASA-STD-3001) 🔗 Exercise Countermeasures Overview
NASA – Spaceflight Human-System Standard Volume 1 (Crew Health) 🔗 NASA PDF
🧑‍🚀 NASA & Health in Space
NASA – FAQ: The Real Story About Astronaut Health Care in Space 🔗 NASA Astronaut Health FAQ
NASA – Twins Study (Scott & Mark Kelly) 🔗 NASA Twins Study Summary
NASA – Astronaut Biographies (Scott Kelly, Valery Polyakov, Peggy Whitson, and more)🔗 NASA Astronaut Biographies
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website  

Ep 36 The Innocent One: Abducted in Plain Sight, A Friend of the Family & The Dark Reality Behind the 70s Story

 
*** Trigger warning for SA***
 
Title The Innocent One
 
In this week’s episode of Medical Media Mixer Podcast we cover:
The documentary Abducted in Plain Sight 📺
The dramatization Friend of the Family 🎬
We discuss:
✅The wild story that could only happen in the 70s
✅The true seriousness of the actual events- trigger warning for SA/Child abuse
 
🎙️Have you seen the memes with Jan’s dad? 🤷‍♂️
 
#abductedinplainsight #SA #afriendofthefamily #aliens #survivorsupport
#medicalmediamixer #womeninmedicine #medical #media #cocktail #podcast
 
ℹ️ Sources:
 
Abducted in Plain Sight and Friend of the Family
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abducted_in_Plain_Sight 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Friend_of_the_Family_(miniseries) 
 
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/10/jan-broberg-bob-berchtold-real-life-a-friend-of-the-family?srsltid=AfmBOoqys_89IRJZyYBhWfqm_iW5yhJluz5EAvbwYBj3OWnp8Rw0ku6m 
 
https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Innocence-Jan-Broberg-Story/dp/0974515205 
 
Innocent one cocktail - https://www.backporchsomm.com/mimosa-cocktail/ 
 
Statistics - https://rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem 
 
Resources - https://rainn.org/
https://enoughabuse.org/get-help/survivor-support/ 
https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org/ 
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website  

Ep 35 The Army & Navy: Kristin Hannah’s The Women, Military Nursing History & PTSD in War

Episode 35   released  Sept 1
 
Title The Army & Navy
 
In this week’s episode of Medical Media Mixer Podcast we cover:
 
The Women, by Kristin Hannah 📖
 
We discuss:
✅The role of nursing in military history
✅The recognition of PTSD as a diagnosis
🎙️We would love to hear from any military nurses/medical personell
ℹ️ Sources:
📚Sources 
📖 Book
Goodreads – The Women by Kristin Hannah https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127305853-the-women
🏥 History of Military Nursing
Health.mil – Military Medical History Timeline https://www.health.mil/About-MHS/Military-Medical-History/Historical-Timelines/Nurses
JHU School of Nursing – History of Nurses in the U.S. Armed Forces https://nursing.jhu.edu/magazine/articles/2024/11/the-history-of-nurses-in-the-united-states-armed-forces/
Vietnam Center & Archive – Women in the Vietnam War https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/exhibits/nurses/
CBS News – Veteran Army Nurses Share Experiences https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/veteran-army-nurses-share-experiences/
VA News – Women Veterans in Vietnam https://news.va.gov/86001/women-veterans-bravely-served-vietnam-war/
⚕️ Medical Realities & Injuries in Vietnam
PMC – Battlefield Case Fatality Rates in Modern Wars https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586048/
🧠 Psychological Trauma & PTSD
VA.gov – History of PTSD as a Diagnosis https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/history_ptsd.asp
Psychology Today – Moral Injury and the Vietnam War https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/head-strong/202501/moral-injury-and-the-vietnam-war
Cocktail: https://www.foodandwine.com/army-and-navy-cocktail-recipe-11737140
 
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website  

Ep 34 The Chi-Chi Chowchilla: 1976 Kidnapping, HBO Documentary & Childhood Trauma Research

Episode 34  released  August 25
 
Title The Chi-Chi Chowchilla 
 
In this week’s episode of Medical Media Mixer Podcast we cover:
Max (HBO) – Chowchilla Documentary Film 🎬
CNN – Chowchilla Kidnapping Escape Feature (2023) 📺
We discuss:
✅The true crime story of the Chowchilla kidnapping of 1976
✅How this helped shape the research into childhood trauma
 
🎙️Have you ever heard of this case?
ℹ️ Sources:
 
🚍 Chowchilla Kidnapping – News, Documentary, and Historical Accounts
City of Chowchilla – Official Historical Summary https://www.cityofchowchilla.org/300/1976-Bus-Kidnapping
CNN – Chowchilla Kidnapping Escape Feature (2023) https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/02/us/chowchilla-kidnapping-escape-cnn-film
Max (HBO) – Chowchilla Documentary Film https://www.max.com/movies/chowchilla/35e6ffd5-2cb1-4bd4-b2f3-62064f73a7a2
Wikipedia – 1976 Chowchilla Kidnapping https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Chowchilla_kidnapping
📚 Books & Trauma Research
Goodreads – Too Scared to Cry by Lenore Terr, M.D. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/787568.Too_Scared_To_Cry
PMC – Research Article on Childhood Trauma https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7163898/
NCTSN – About Child Trauma (National Child Traumatic Stress Network) https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/about-child-trauma
🧠 Therapeutic Approaches
Psychology Today – Sandplay Therapy Overview https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/sandplay-therapy
🍸 Pop Culture & Themed Drink
Boomer Magazine – Mixology & Murder: Chi-Chi Chowchilla Cocktail https://www.boomermagazine.com/mixology-and-murder-chi-chi-chowchilla-cocktail/
 
 
New episodes every Monday → Hit that subscribe button! 🔔 ⭐️ Rate and Review 🍸 Cocktail recipes drop on socials every weekend before the episode airs 🍹 If you love the podcast, please join our 💳 Patreon to support our continued success! If you don't want to commit to a monthly contribution, you can always donate on ☕️Buy Me a Coffee 🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita For updates visit our 💻 Website