A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

ChatGPT image description: A bowl of Cajun red beans and sausage sits uncovered on a kitchen counter after being left out overnight. The thick bean mixture is surrounded by Louisiana-themed décor, including fleur-de-lis designs and a “N’Awlins” container.

980. Cooked Cajun Red Beans Left Out Overnight

September 14, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating cooked Cajun red beans left out overnight.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

Growth of Clostridium perfringens during Cooling of Refried Beans - ScienceDirect
Tyndallization - Wikipedia
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of Bacillus cereus in foods - ScienceDirect
The Occurrence of Bacillus cereus in some Dried Foods Including Pulses and Cereals - BLAKEY - 1980 - Journal of Applied Bacteriology - Wiley Online Library
821. Consuming a Fly in Wine, Twice — Risky or Not?

https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/toasting_marshmallows.png

979. Cooking S'mores With Marshmallows Over a Burning Circuit Board

September 11, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks cooking s'mores with marshmallows over a burning circuit board.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

ChatGPT image description: A man carefully deconstructs a wedge of iceberg lettuce, rinsing each leaf under running water. Individual leaves are laid out to dry before being meticulously reassembled into a wedge. Signs and labels emphasize the elaborate step-by-step washing process.

978. Not Breaking Apart Iceberg Lettuce to Wash Every Leaf

September 09, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from not breaking apart iceberg lettuce to wash every leaf.

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

ChatGPT image description: A clear plastic bag of boiled peanuts sits on a dark car seat in warm sunlight. The bag is damp with condensation and filled with dark, briny-looking peanut shells, suggesting it has been left unrefrigerated in the car for an extended period.

977. Boiled Peanuts Left in a Hot Car for Two Days

September 07, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating boiled peanuts left in a hot car for two days.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

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 👍🏼