(Guest episode) Matt wants to know how to tell if he’s being scammed by his dentist. To find the answer, we open up the surprising history of dentistry, ask why it seems so different from internal medicine, and drill down on why dental insurance doesn’t really feel like insurance. Explain It To Me's host Jonquilyn Hill talks with journalist Mary Otto and Dr. ... Show More
Apr 21
White vs. Wheat: The Food Fight of the Centuries
White or whole wheat: while today the question is most frequently asked at the sandwich counter, the debate over the correct answer goes back literally thousands of years. This episode, we dive into the world's longest-running, highest-stakes food fight. Along the way: the invent ... Show More
52m 35s
Apr 7
Protein, Pyramids, and Politics: The Forgotten Stories and Controversial Science Behind Government Dietary Advice
ICYMI, our old friend the food pyramid has been flipped on its head. The Trump administration recently issued new dietary guidelines that it says will "revolutionize our nation's food culture." It's a bold claim—but since when has the government been in the business of telling us ... Show More
55 m
Mar 24
Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime
Sushi is everywhere these days—in grocery stores and gas stations, at buffets and birthday parties, in Europe and Latin America and all over the United States. This popularity is especially astonishing when you remember that, just a few decades ago, the idea of eating nuggets of ... Show More
45m 29s
Sep 2024
Is my dentist scamming me?
Matt wants to know how to tell if he’s being scammed by his dentist. To find the answer, we open up the surprising history of dentistry, ask why it seems so different from internal medicine, and drill down on why dental insurance doesn’t really feel like insurance. Host Jonquilyn ... Show More
42m 49s
Apr 2025
188 - 5-Minute English: Going to the Dentist (+ Orthodontist)
Have you ever gone to the dentist and thought, “Can I really explain what’s happening here in English?” Well, if you’ve struggled in the past with describing anything related to going to the dentist or dental care, then you're in the right place! In today’s episode, we’re going t ... Show More
36m 45s
Dec 2021
Episode #42: Should You Trust TikTok Dental Advice?
With the rise of social media, there has also been a rise in so-called clinical advice and home health hacks, many of which are harmful. Today, Dr. B addresses the issue of tooth shaving, and why it's a dangerous trend. We hear why the serrations (mamelons) at the edge of your te ... Show More
14m 4s