The Doc Talk Podcast
Dr. Shazma Mithani and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe have spent years navigating the health care system. Not just as doctors for their patients, but as moms for their kids, and patients themselves. And they know it's not always straightforward.
Every two weeks they'll take a real question from a real patient, and provide in-depth answers with a clear path to action, with help from other trusted experts.
No jargon. No time wasted. Just real talk about real issues from two doctors who've seen it all. And they'll give you the inside scoop on how to navigate the health care system like a pro.
This is The Doc Talk.
Disclaimer: The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs.
Episodes
36 episodes
The Doc Talk × The Pitt: Season 1 Finale Recap (Episodes 14 & 15) × Dr. Jacob Lentz
We’ve reached the end of Season 1 of The Pitt — and what a shift it’s been.In this finale episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jacob Lentz, one of the medical advisors for The Pitt, who took time while filming Season 2 t...
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32:10
23. How to Avoid Medical Mishaps Over the Holidays
The holidays look cozy online, but in clinics and emergency rooms, this time of year can be really hard if you're sick or injured.In this episode, we break down what actually spikes over the holidays: GI flare-ups, slips and falls, viral...
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28:10
The Doc Talk × The Pitt Recap: Episodes 12 & 13
In this recap, we dive into The Pitt’s intense two-hour mass-casualty arc, episodes that capture the overwhelming pace, emotional weight, and coordinated chaos of real emergency medicine.We break down what mass casualty incidents ...
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32:44
22. Is it time to rethink alcohol?
The holidays are around the corner, and for many people, that means more conversations about drinking. In this episode, Shazma and Sheila answer a listener question, explore what the newest evidence says about alcohol, and reflect on how it sho...
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Season 2
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23:10
The Doc Talk × The Pitt Recap: Episodes 10 & 11 with Special Guest Dr. Fran
Before we jump into the details of episodes 10 and 11, we're joined by the brilliant OB-GYN and medical educator Dr. Fran @pagingdrfran, to discuss the intense delivery case, a chaotic shoulder dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage that had...
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39:38
21. Little Bodies, Big Questions: Understanding Eczema in Childhood
In this special episode, we're tackling a skin condition that affects 1 in 5 Canadian children: eczema. From the very first patch to long-term management, we’re breaking it all down with one of Canada’s leading pediatric dermatologists...
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47:27
Behind the Scenes with Fiona Dourif aka Dr. McKay! The Doc Talk x The Pitt Recap: Episodes 8 & 9
We dive into two of The Pitt’s most emotionally charged hours exploring grief, moral distress, and the impossible pace of emergency medicine.A special conversation on advocacy and authenticity with Fiona Dourif, th...
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57:17
20. Are Febrile Seizures Dangerous?
In this episode, Dr. Shazma Mithani and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe tackle one of the scariest moments for parents — when a child has a seizure during a fever. They break down what febrile seizures are, why they happen, what to do in the moment, an...
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Season 2
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13:30
The Doc Talk × The Pitt Recap: Episodes 6 & 7
These two powerful episodes of The Pitt take us into the heart of moral distress in medicine, from abortion care and teen consent to burnout, privatization, and the emotional cost of caring deeply in a strained system. We break down th...
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32:16
19. Should I Worry About a Fever?
Fever is one of the most common reasons parents bring their children to the ER and family medicine clinic. We break down what every parent should know about fevers in kids: when to worry, when to relax, and how to keep your child comfortable at...
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Season 2
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17:27
The Doc Talk × The Pitt Recap: Episodes 4 & 5
In this double recap, we deep dive into The Pitt Episodes 4 and 5, two back-to-back hours in the ER that capture everything from humour to heartbreak.We discuss the powerful storylines like end-of-life care and caregiver burnout...
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37:25
18. How to Avoid a Trip to the ER (Part 2 - Adults)
ER wait times in Canada are longer than ever, but many visits are preventable. In this episode, we break down the red flags that do require the ER, the common injuries and habits that don’t, and practical ways to stay out of h...
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Season 2
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35:44
The Doc Talk × The Pitt Recap: Episodes 2 & 3
We’re back with our parallel season of The Doc Talk Podcast, where we recap Season 1 of The Pitt, the medical drama we can’t stop talking about.This week’s a double-header: Episodes 2 and 3. The pace slows down but the stories hit ...
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38:27
17. Brittlestar × The Doc Talk
This week, we’re joined by our very first guest of Season 2, Canadian comedian, writer, and viral sensation Brittlestar (Stewart Reynolds).If you’ve scrolled TikTok or Instagram lately, chances are you’ve laughed at one of his sha...
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Season 2
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44:34
Heart and Stroke: Risk Screen Tool
In this mini episode, we team up with Heart & Stroke’s Dr. Christine Faubert to introduce Risk Screen: a quick, evidence-based tool that helps Canadians understand their risks for heart disease and stroke — including helping women understan...
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10:43
The Doc Talk × The Pitt Recap: Episode 1
We’re kicking off our recap series with the pilot episode of The Pitt. our favourite medical drama that’s already sweeping awards season. In this first look inside the ER, the tone is set with a jam-packed morning shift, quick-fire dec...
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33:23
16. How to Manage Back-to-School Illnesses: Flu, Lice, HFMD, Gastro, and Medicine Cabinet Essentials
Welcome to Season 2 of The Doc Talk Podcast! We’re Dr. Shazma Mithani (ER doctor, Edmonton) and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe (family doctor, Toronto) two physicians, moms, and friends here to bring you no-nonsense, evidence-based health inf...
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Season 2
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31:09
15. What the Doc?! Season 1 Recap
We’re wrapping up an incredible first season of The Doc Talk Podcast! From the best sleep tips to practical advice on tackling loneliness, advocating for yourself as a patient, and why teamwork really does make the dream work—we’re hig...
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Season 1
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25:34
14. PCOS: More Than Missed Periods
Episode Summary: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common—but misunderstood—hormonal conditions. In this episode, Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe (family doctor) and Dr. Shazma Mithani (ER physician) break down what PCOS really...
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Season 1
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21:18
13. Breaking the Cycle of Loneliness with Dr. Jody Carrington
Episode Summary: In this powerful conversation, Drs. Shazma and Sheila sit down with psychologist and author Dr. Jody Carrington to unpack the loneliness epidemic. Why are women more prone to loneliness? How can we be more intentional in...
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Season 1
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41:03
12. It's Not Just a Bad Period
Menstrual pain, heavy periods, absent periods—what’s normal and what’s not? In today’s episode, we tackle the many types of menstrual disorders that impact millions but often get dismissed.From painful periods (dysmenorrhea) and heavy bl...
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Season 1
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30:30
11. How Cancer Screening Could Save Your Life
In this episode of The Doc Talk Podcast, Dr. Shazma Mithani, an ER doctor, and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe, a family doctor, tackle an important listener question: How can I stay up to date with cancer screening to reduce my risk?
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Season 1
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32:01
10. Think It’s Not Your Heart? Think Again.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in Canada.In this episode of The Doc Talk Podcast, we dive into what heart disease can look like in women, how it’s too often overlooked, and what you can do to protec...
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Season 1
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31:21