Risky or Not?

A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

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ChatGPT image description: A conflicted man stands beside a trash can in a dim movie theater hallway, hesitating over a large tub of leftover popcorn resting on top. His hand hovers uncertainly as other patrons walk away. A nearby sign urges proper trash disposal, underscoring the awkward, tempting situation.

925. Eating Someone Else's Leftover Popcorn at the Movies

May 08, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating someone else's leftover popcorn at the movies.

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

  • 316. Using Cups to Scoop Water Out of a Shared Bowl — Risky or Not?
  • Effect of Biting Before Dipping (Double‐Dipping) Chips on the Bacterial Population of the Dipping Solution - Trevino- 2009 - Journal of Food Safety - Wiley Online Library
  • Seven filthy food habits and how dirty they really are
925. Eating Someone Else's Leftover Popcorn at the Movies
Risky or Not
Download
May 08, 2026 /Don Schaffner
Popcorn, Cross-contamination, Double dipping

A realistic rocking-horse mascot in a “ROCKERS” jersey sits on a stadium bench, eating popcorn. The costume features lifelike horse details and hoof-like hands. A sunny ballgame crowd fills the background, capturing a playful yet convincing scene of mascot fun during a baseball game.

790. Eating From a Bag of Popcorn After Hype the Mascot Has “Eaten” From It

June 27, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating from a bag of popcorn that a sports team mascot has touched with their costumed hand,

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

  • High Point Rockers | Baseball Team | Mascot HYPE
  • High Point Rockers Mascot on Facebook
  • Salmonella Oranienburg Isolated from Horses, Wild Turkeys and An Edible Home Garden Fertilized with Raw Horse Manure - Jay‐Russell - 2014 - Zoonoses and Public Health - Wiley Online Library
  • An analysis of human pathogens found in horse/mule manure along the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon and Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks - PubMed
790. Eating From a Bag of Popcorn After Hype the Mascot Has “Eaten” From It
Risky or Not
Download


June 27, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Cross-contamination, Mascot, Costume, Popcorn

DALL·E Pot on the stove half filled with popcorn in the style of Edward Hoppers Highthawks

436. Zach's Day Old Breakfast Popcorn

March 24, 2023 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of leaving buttered popcorn with spices at room temperature overnight.

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

  • Leftover food triggered disease that left teen without legs, fingers
  • Case Challenge — A 19-Year-Old Man with Shock, Multiple Organ Failure, and Rash — NEJM
  • 20-Year-Old Dies Of 'Fried Rice Syndrome' After Eating 5-Day-Old Pasta | KFI AM 640
  • Sudden Death of a Young Adult Associated with Bacillus cereus Food Poisoning - PMC
  • What Is Tajin Seasoning? How Do You Use It?
436. Zach's Day Old Breakfast Popcorn
Risky or Not
Download
March 24, 2023 /Don Schaffner
Popcorn, Butter, Time temperature control for safety

373. Sharing Popcorn With a Fox

October 28, 2022 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of sharing popcorn with a fox.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • The Text of Green Eggs and Ham
  • Isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) in northern Italy - PMC
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases - PMC
  • What Would the Fox Say lyrics
373. Sharing Popcorn With a Fox
Risky or Not
Download
October 28, 2022 /Don Schaffner
Fox, Cross-contamination, Popcorn

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