The Plasticity Podcast

Natural Medicine vs. Western Science — Or Is That the Wrong Question?

Hi, it's me, that girl that you met at a bar, hoping to learn about natural health and ended up being held hostage by her after as she went on and on about her own research, Santina. After attending an event that was openly critical of alternative and traditional medicine, I’m diving into the bigger question: who gets to decide what counts as “real” medicine? In this episode, I explore the tension between Western science and natural health, the plant origins of modern pharmaceuticals, Indigenous knowledge systems, the neuroscience of placebo, and why culture and context matter more than we think. This isn’t anti-science — it’s a conversation about humility, integration, and building a future of medicine that’s both evidence-based and culturally intelligent. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and I like everyone else, am really hoping that punch the monkey gets the love he deserves (im releasing this a week late so this statement may be dated, hopefully for the better).

Everyone Else Is Smarter Than Me (Apparently): A conversation about imposture syndrome

Hi, it's me, Santina, a 20-something-year-old woman who forcibly took you away from your cat parents and brought you into a tiny, cold apartment, and you kind of like it because she gives you churus. This week, we're talking impostor syndrome because oh boy do I (and most people I know) have it. Imposture syndrome is everywhere in academia, but it’s rarely talked about honestly. In this episode, we explore why so many capable scientists feel like they don’t belong—and how competitive systems, peer review, and chronic evaluation wire the brain for self-doubt. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and remember that as the horrors persist, so do you!

Your Paper vs. Three Strangers on the Internet; the process of publish or perish

Hi, its me, Santina, that girl in your class who shows up just to work and pay 0 attention to the lecture itself. In this episode, we break down how peer review works, why it exists, and how decisions get made behind the scenes. From editors to reviewers to revisions, we unpack the process that shapes what science gets published—and what never sees the light of day. It's publish or perish, baby, and we are in the thick of it. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and maybe this week incorporate some fibre in your diet instead of watching people torture sims on TikTok, that is a good place to begin, I think.

Why “Just Try Harder” Was Never the Answer: Bariatric Surgery + GLP-1 Medications

Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments we have for obesity—yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we break down what bariatric (metabolic) surgery actually does, why it works, and why the “easy way out” narrative is scientifically wrong. Using evidence from neuroscience, endocrinology, and long-term clinical outcomes, we explore how bariatric surgery changes appetite regulation, reward processing, hunger hormones, and energy balance at the biological level. We also discuss how modern weight loss medications fit into obesity treatment, why they work, and how surgery and pharmacotherapy are often complementary—not competing—tools. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening. I have also included some resources below if you are considering any bariatric surgery or pharmaceutical obesity interventions. Obesity Canada – Medications for Obesity Management + Bariatric Surgery https:// [https://obesitycanada.ca/]obesitycanada.ca [http://obesitycanada.ca]

Bias, BMI, and Bad Medicine: Neurobiological Struggles with Obesity

Obesity is one of the most misunderstood—and most stigmatized—medical conditions we treat. In this episode, we dismantle the idea that body weight is simply a matter of willpower, discipline, or personal responsibility and replace it with what the science actually shows. Using evidence from neuroscience, endocrinology, and metabolism research, we explore how the brain regulates weight, why the body fiercely defends stored energy, and why long-term weight loss through lifestyle intervention alone is statistically unlikely for most people. We also examine how medical anti-fat bias has shaped clinical care, research priorities, and patient outcomes—often causing more harm than the disease itself. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening. This week, if you are interested in any resources, please check out obesity.ca below, which has many incredible resources for understanding obesity and weight loss. Obesity Canada – Evidence-based resources, clinical guidelines, and patient education https:// [https://obesitycanada.ca/]obesitycanada.ca [http://obesitycanada.ca]