A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

Image of the actual butchering scene

976. Butchering a Legally Hunted Bear in a Communal Residence Hall Kitchen

September 04, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks associated with butchering a legally hunted bear in a communal residence hall kitchen.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

Image description: Actual image from the article

975. A Bottle of Guinness From a 162-Year-Old Shipwreck

September 02, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from drinking a really old bottle of Guinness found in a shipwreck.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: An open paperboard takeout container sits inside a car, filled with brown rice and mixed vegetables including broccoli, carrots, peppers, onions, and snap peas. The food appears slightly wilted and dried after sitting in the warm car for several hours.

974. Leftover Rice Transported Out of Temperature Control for About 5 Hours

August 31, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating brown rice held out of temperature control for about five hours.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Image description: Picture of the actual item

973. Out of Date $0.85 Jalapeno Snack From a Farmers Market

August 28, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks for eating an out of date discounted snack food purchased at a farmers market.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: A clear plastic container of corn chowder sits on a refrigerator shelf. The creamy soup contains visible corn and potato pieces and shows separation and discoloration on the surface, suggesting it has been stored for an extended period.

972. Corn Chowder in the Fridge for a Week

August 26, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating corn chowder stored in the refrigerator for a week.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Image description: Ben's actual bath, trimmed to be a square image and exclude personal items.

971. To Take a Bath at Ben's House Yesterday

August 24, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from taking a bath at Ben's house when the water is very dirty.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: A conspiracy-style corkboard uses red yarn to connect Bianca, a black-and-white Jack Russell mix with Addison’s disease, to President John F. Kennedy, who also had Addison’s, and vaccine skeptic RFK Jr. The board emphasizes that Bianca was vaccinated, but vaccines did not cause her disease.

970. Vaccines

August 21, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from vaccines, after Don concocts a bizarre red string conspiracy theory because he really just wants to talk about his poor little sick doggo.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: A cyclist kneels beside a quiet northern Minnesota road, squeezing a found McDonald's ranch dressing packet into his mouth. His road bike rests nearby, with evergreen trees and a "Northern Minnesota" roadside sign under a bright summer sky framing the humorous, unhygienic scene.

969. McDonald’s Ranch Found on the Side of the Road in Northern Minnesota in the Summer

August 19, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating McDonald’s ranch dressing found on the side of the road in northern Minnesota in the summer

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: A plate of French toast sits abandoned on a kitchen counter, with syrup residue and scattered crumbs suggesting it has been left out since yesterday's brunch. The cozy kitchen background contrasts with the forgotten meal, emphasizing the passage of time and potential food safety concern.

968. French Toast Left on Counter for Almost a Day

August 17, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating french toast left on counter for almost a day

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: An open countertop air fryer sits on a kitchen counter with only a few tiny browned chicken fragments and crumbs scattered across the basket. The appliance appears otherwise empty, suggesting small leftovers remained after cooking and serving.

967. Eating Small Pieces of Chicken Left Behind in the Airfryer, Reheated Days Later

August 14, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating small pieces of chicken left behind in the airfryer, reheated days later.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: An open blue portable toilet stands outdoors. From the toilet bowl, a single arm reaches upward holding a bottle of Mountain Dew, creating a surreal, humorous scene. A safety sign and chain-link fence are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

966. Drinking a Mountain Dew That You Accidentally Dropped in a Port-a-Potty

August 12, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from drinking a Mountain Dew that you accidentally dropped in a port-a-potty.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

ChatGPT image description: A sealed package of hot dogs floats in cloudy, dirty water in a stainless-steel kitchen sink. Food debris and bubbles surround the package, suggesting it was accidentally left soaking overnight.

965. Cooked Frozen Hot Dogs in the Package Left in Sink Basin Over Night With Water

August 10, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating cooked frozen hot dogs in the package left in sink basin over night with water.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: A man stands outside a Mexican fast-food restaurant, happily eating sliced jalapeños straight from a large plastic container. Holding the oversized tub in his arms, he appears to be snacking exclusively on peppers in front of the restaurant's entrance on a sunny day.

964. Eating Jalapeños Right Now

August 07, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating fresh jalapeños right now.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Actual tuna in questions, non-leaking version

963. Eating Shelf Stable Tuna With Garlic in Olive Oil if the Jar Is Leaking

August 05, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating shelf stable tuna with garlic in olive oil if the jar is leaking.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

Dane's actual cod liver

962. Dane's Cadmium Cod Liver

August 03, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating cod liver with a Proposition 65 warning about cadmium.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Don's actual letter

960. Drinking Water from a Source that Failed to Maintain Treatment for Removing Bacteria

July 29, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from drinking water from a source that failed to maintain treatment for removing bacteria.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Borough Public Notifications | Milltown, NJ

ChatGPT image description: Five bamboo toothbrushes stand in a rustic wooden holder on a weathered bathroom vanity. Four have colorful protective brush covers, while one exposed toothbrush is missing its cover. A pump soap dispenser, wood-framed mirror, and warm natural lighting complete the cozy, rustic setting.

959. Brushing Your Teeth With a Toothbrush That Was Not in a Toothbrush Protector

July 27, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from brushing your teeth with a toothbrush that was not in a toothbrush protector.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: The outline of Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas is formed entirely from crisp iceberg lettuce leaves, arranged on a dark textured background. The square, top-down composition highlights the state’s distinctive shape using layered pale-green lettuce pieces for a playful, food-inspired map.

958. Eating Lettuce in Michigan Right Now

July 24, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating lettuce in Michigan right now

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

ChatGPT image description: A person holds a labeled container of cooked mixed vegetables while removing it from a refrigerator. The vegetables appear thawed and ready for reheating, with bright colors and no visible ice crystals. Other refrigerated foods and fresh produce are visible on the surrounding shelves.

957. Reheating Refrigerated Cooked Frozen Vegetables

July 22, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from reheating refrigerated cooked frozen vegetables (when the package says not to).

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼