A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

A whimsical lasagna slice with mismatched layers—crispy and soft pasta, colorful sauces, varied cheeses, and mixed fillings—sits on a plate in a rustic kitchen. Each layer contrasts wildly, symbolizing change over time in a playful take on the Ship of Theseus paradox, now deliciously reimagined in pasta form.

753. Re-Heating Leftovers Indefinitely and the Lasagna of Theseus

April 02, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of re-heating leftovers indefinitely and the lasagna of Theseus.

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

Actual old sliced lamb’s liver. Not DALL·E.

752. Frozen Sliced Liver From the Last Century

March 31, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating frozen sliced liver from the last century.

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

A green juice bottle sits on a car seat, partially frozen with visible ice crystals. Frost covers the car windows, and condensation clings to the bottle. The early morning light casts a cold, bluish hue, emphasizing the chill of a winter night spent inside the vehicle.

751. Leaving Green Juice in the Car Overnight in the Winter

March 28, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from consuming Green Juice left in the car overnight in the winter.

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

A festive kitchen decorated for St. Patrick's Day features green streamers, shamrocks, and themed treats. In contrast, a shopping bag with a forgotten package of corned beef and bread sits quietly on the counter, slightly tucked away, hinting at a small oversight amid the celebration.

750. Corned Beef Left Out for a Couple of Hours

March 26, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating corned beef left out for a couple of hours.

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

Golden cookie-style lemon bars with glistening lemon curd sit on a rustic surface. Their edges are slightly dry and cracked, showing signs of age, yet they still look rich and tempting. The vibrant yellow curd contrasts beautifully with the soft, crumbly base, inviting a bite despite their two-week-old appearance.

749. Two Week Old Cookie Style Lemon Bars

March 24, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating two week old cookie style lemon bars.

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

A charming cartoon mouse in an apron stands on a stool, cheerfully churning butter in a rustic farmhouse kitchen. Warm lighting, wooden beams, and shelves filled with jars and herbs create a cozy, storybook atmosphere. The scene is whimsical, inviting, and full of delightful countryside detail.

748. Butter That a Mouse Churned

March 21, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating butter that a mouse churned.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

A modern home kitchen features an open oven with a small pile of rodent feces on the rack. In the background, a cute mouse with big eyes and a guilty expression peeks out, adding a humorous contrast to the otherwise clean and well-lit space.

747. Cooking in an Oven With Mouse Droppings

March 19, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from cooking in an oven with mouse droppings.

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

A man in a cozy kitchen stirs golden honey into creamy homemade peanut butter using a wooden spoon. Sunlight streams through a window, casting a warm glow on the glass jar. Peanuts and a honey jar sit nearby on the counter, enhancing the inviting, homemade feel of the scene.

746. Homemade Nut Butter Containing Honey

March 17, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating homemade nut butter containing honey.

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

The image shows a stainless steel pan with murky, dirty water sitting on a kitchen counter overnight. The water has a greasy film and floating residue. The pan has dried streaks on its sides. The counter has scattered crumbs and stains, illuminated by soft morning light filtering through a window.

745. Reusing Pasta Water That's Been Sitting Out Overnight

March 14, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks reusing pasta water that's been sitting out overnight.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

The image features a plate of freshly cooked shrimp with dipping sauce on a wooden table. In the background, a television displays a football game. A majestic owl with striking feathers perches nearby, gazing intently at the shrimp. The cozy living room setting has warm lighting, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

744. Superb Owl Shrimp That's Been Out of Temperature, Refrigerated and Reheated

March 12, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating Superb Owl shrimp that's been out of temperature, refrigerated and reheated.

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

The image depicts a blonde-haired, bearded man standing outdoors, gently kissing a raven. He has a peaceful expression, and the raven appears calm. The background is a soft, blurred natural setting with trees and sky. The lighting is serene, highlighting the man’s flowing hair and the raven’s sleek feathers.

743. Kissing a Raven

March 10, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from kissing a raven.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

The image features a small, vibrant parrot perched on a person's finger, holding a tiny spoon in its beak and stirring a steaming cup of coffee. The background is warm and cozy, with soft lighting. The parrot appears curious and focused, adding a whimsical touch to the charming scene.

742. Stirring Your Coffee With "Pickle" the Barrista Bird Daily

March 07, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of letting a parrot stir you coffee with a spoon every day.

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

The image shows an open dishwasher in a modern kitchen. Inside, along with regular dishes, sits a very dirty bird feeder covered in grime, dirt, and birdseed remnants. The scene looks unusual and messy, highlighting the contrast between household cleaning and outdoor grime in an unexpected setting.

741. Using a Dishwasher to Wash a Bird Feeder

March 05, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using a dishwasher to wash a bird feeder.

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

The image depicts a caring parent using a snot sucker to remove mucus from their infant's nose. The baby appears calm, while the parent has a concerned yet gentle expression. Virus particles swirl around, glowing to emphasize the presence of germs. The setting is a cozy home with soft lighting.

740. Using a "Snot Sucker" With Ones Mouth

March 03, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks posed by using a "snot sucker" with ones mouth.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

A blonde-haired toddler with chubby cheeks sits on the floor, mischievously placing a chicken nugget into their tiny slipper. They wear colorful pajamas, and the cozy home setting has scattered toys in the background. The child's playful expression and clear action make the scene both adorable and amusing.

739. Nugget Shoes

February 28, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from a toddler placing chicken nuggets in their shoes.

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

he image depicts a cheerful Girl Scout at an outdoor cookie-selling booth. Among the cookies on display, one features a bold hazardous-waste symbol, creating an eerie contrast to the otherwise wholesome scene. The background suggests a typical suburban or park setting, reinforcing the unexpected and unsettling detail.

738. Girl Scout Cookies

February 26, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from Girl Scout Cookies

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

A person is drying their hands with a slightly dirty, wrinkled hand towel in a home bathroom. The towel shows visible signs of frequent use, with light stains and a worn texture. The background features a bathroom sink and mirror, emphasizing an everyday, lived-in atmosphere.

737. Using a Bath Towel (Laundered Weekly) to Dry Hands After Using the Bathroom and Before Preparing Food

February 24, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of using weekly laundered bath towel to dry hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food.

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

A man in cozy pajamas stands in his softly lit bedroom, pouring a glass of water into a sleek white humidifier on the floor. The room features a neatly made bed, a bedside table with a lamp, and a window with slightly open curtains, creating a warm, calm atmosphere.

736. Reusing Old Sleep-Water in Cold Humidifiers

February 21, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of using water from a bedside glass to refill a humidifier.

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

A rugged, bare-chested Canadian man with a bushy beard smiles while holding a rice ball. His wild hair and visible chest hair add to his outdoorsy charm. In the background, a shy Japanese girl blushes, covering her face with one hand, standing in a cozy, traditional Japanese-style kitchen.

735. Armpit Riceballs

February 19, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of making riceballs in an armpit.

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

Chopped onions, ginger, and garlic are neatly sun-dried on a clean wire rack over a wooden table in a modern suburban patio. The bright, soft sunlight highlights the fresh produce. The backdrop features a well-maintained backyard with a green lawn, stylish outdoor furniture, and a serene, upscale ambiance.

734. Sun Drying Onions, Ginger and Garlic for 4 Days

February 17, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of sun drying onions, ginger and garlic for 4 days.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️