Knock Knock, Hi! with the Glaucomfleckens

This week, we tackle the emotional roller coaster of Match Day and the precarious "new frontier" of medical professionalism on social media. Kristin and I reflect on my Match experience, including the moment Kristin cried after finding out we were moving to Iowa, and offer a heartfelt word of encouragement for students navigating the heartbreak of not matching. We discuss why "it can always get worse" is only a comforting thought to those without medicated anxiety.

The conversation then shifts to the "prehistoric" social media guidelines currently governing the medical profession. With the AMA's code of ethics last updated in 2017, the Glaucomfleckens argue that modern doctors are operating without a roadmap in an era of TikTok, viral comedy, and AI. We explore the ethical minefield of medical influencers, from the exploitation of med students by predatory brands to the dangers of ridiculing patient conditions online.

Finally, I get "worked up" over the slow pace of academia when it comes to addressing private equity in healthcare. While organizations wait years for data, corporate interests are "swallowing up everything," leaving physicians and patients to fight the battle one bite at a time.

Takeaways:


Why Kristin believes her "impeccable memory" was finally defeated by a combination of kids, medical trauma, and perimenopause.


The "Med Student in Therapy" skit that Will reposts every year to support those who didn't find their name on a Match list.


Why the AMA’s social media guidelines are essentially "dinosaurs" that haven't kept pace with the rise of the medical influencer.


The specific financial offers being sent to med students that prove they are being exploited by corporate sponsors.


A "Glock Talk" perspective on why science and academia need to move faster than their current "Medieval" pace to combat private equity.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

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Put down the study guides for a second because I’m taking you back 20 years to my own medical school application, back when the MCAT was still paper and pencil. I’m breaking down my 4.0 GPA, my "31S" test score, and why I spent my interviews pretending to be passionate about the phylogenetics of North American fruit bats just to check a box. We’re also diving into the high-stakes Department of Justice investigation into diversity initiatives at major med schools and why turning admissions into a "pure numbers game" is a massive mistake for the future of compassionate medicine.

After the break, we’re back with Thing I Love, Thing I Hate. I’ll explain why I’m obsessed with OCT imaging, technology that lets us see all nine layers of the retina at a microscopic level. Then, we tackle the "Thing I Hate": the history of "Radial Keratotomy" (RK). It was the precursor to LASIK that involved cutting 80% through the cornea with a knife, and it serves as a cautionary tale for why I’m a "slow adopter" of the latest, most expensive surgical fads today.

Takeaways:


The Sliding Doors of Dartmouth: How a last-minute application and a persistent string of update letters changed Will’s life and eventually saved it.


The Wealth Gap in Admissions: Why expensive prep courses and the ability to study without working are creating a homogenous group of doctors that doesn't reflect America.


Retinal Micromapping: A look at Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and how imaging a 500-micron tissue allows us to prevent blindness before it starts.


The RK Mistake: Why a surgery that seemed like a "miracle" for myopia in the short term ended up destabilizing corneas for thousands of patients years later.


The "Wait and See" Philosophy: Why Will chooses to avoid being an early adopter of $5,000 "light-adjustable" lenses until the long-term data is undeniable.

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

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A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

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This week, we are talking about the busiest "real estate" in the human body, the neck. Dr. Tali Lando, a pediatric otolaryngologist who spends her days (and many terrifying nights) operating on the tiny, fragile airways of babies and children, joins us to talk about being chased by police while rushing to an emergency to the precision required to remove a peanut from a toddler's lung, Dr. Lando shares what it's really like to live on the brink of medical catastrophe.

The conversation dives into the "turf wars" of emergency intubation and why Dr. Lando has zero hubris about telling everyone else to get out of the way when a child can't breathe. She also reveals the inspiration behind her new book, Breathless, including the bizarre Saturday night case of the "cocaine condom" and the structural parallels between a surgery "timeout" and the life lessons learned in the OR.

Beyond the high-stakes surgeries, we discuss the heavy toll of the "surgeon's psyche". Dr. Lando opens up about her personal battle with stage 3C breast cancer and why the medical system’s tendency to prioritize risk management over physician mental health is a systemic failure.

Takeaways:


The specific reason Dr. Lando once encouraged a police officer to chase her all the way to the hospital.


Why the "Pants Patient" is the most feared phrase in a consultant’s vocabulary.


The "Eureka moment" in a shower that led to a surgical book structured like a medical "timeout".


Why Dr. Lando believes surgeons should stop "compartmentalizing" and start practicing "emotional regulation".


The miracle of nebulized TXA and how it's turning surgical "murder scenes" into stable recoveries.

Want more Dr. Tali Lando:

@drtalilando

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information.

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We need to talk about the "Doomsday Scenario" currently haunting the radiology department. A prominent CEO of a major public health system recently went on record saying he is ready to replace radiologists with AI "at this moment". As someone who spent my pre-med days doom-scrolling on StudentDoctor.net twenty years ago hearing these same rumors, I can tell you the fear is real, but the reality is much more complicated.

We’re diving into why the tech world’s view of radiology as simple "pattern recognition" is dangerously reductive. A radiologist doesn't just look at a picture; they synthesize a patient’s entire clinical history, prior surgeries, and complex diagnoses. I’m breaking down the terrifying shift in liability that could happen if hospital administrators get their way: a future where a tiny handful of "safety check" physicians are on the hook for thousands of AI-generated reports just to keep the throughput moving

Takeaways:


The Reductive Trap: Why viewing radiology as mere "image interpretation" ignores the vital clinical synthesis that AI currently can't replicate.


The Liability Weasel: How AI companies and hospital systems might dodge the legal "hook" for missed cancers and strokes.


The 20-Year Echo: A look back at the original AI panic of 2006 and why today’s momentum feels different to the medical community.


Skeleton Crew Medicine: The pessimistic future where a few radiologists are forced to sign off on an exponential number of studies they didn't actually read.


The Standard of Care Question: Why the medical community is still waiting for a high-quality, head-to-head study that proves AI is an adequate substitute for a physician.

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information. 

Go to Cozy Earth now for a Buy One Get One Free Pajama Offer from 1/25-2/8! Yes, go to cozyearth.com they are doing a BOGO pajama promo. Just use my Code: KNOCKKNOCKBOGO

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This week, the Glaucomfleckens are feeling a bit "spicy" as they navigate the grogginess of daylight savings and the fallout of their recent trip to New Orleans. Will shares a harrowing story from a recent live show where an ad-libbed joke about sperm banking and "the sisters" nearly cost him the audience, only to be saved by the laughing nuns in the front row. Between beignets and redfish, the conversation turns to the high-stakes world of healthcare policy.

The gloves come off as Will discusses his recent viral collaboration with Senator Elizabeth Warren regarding the "Breakup Big Medicine Act". He addresses the social media backlash from universal healthcare advocates, offering a "realist" perspective on why incremental progress and bipartisan bills are necessary in a capitalist-minded country. It’s a candid look at the friction between utopian ideals and the legislative grind.

Finally, the discussion hits home with an update on the Eugene Emergency Physicians in Oregon. Will recounts his trip to the state capitol to support local doctors fighting a corporate takeover by an Atlanta-based firm. From the "moral weaponization" used to prevent doctor strikes to the PR nightmares that keep hospital administrators up at night, this episode is a call to action for patients and providers alike to be "loud and obnoxious" in the face of corporate greed.

Takeaways:


Why a front row of nuns ended up being Will’s favorite audience for jokes about testicles.


The bipartisan bill in 2026 that aims to stop giant conglomerates like Optum from taking over your local doctor's office.


Will's "spicy" take on why demanding "Universal Healthcare or nothing" might actually be hindering medical progress.


The "David and Goliath" battle in Eugene, Oregon, where local legislators found their hands tied by a 2,000-mile-away corporation.


Why your doctor is likely terrified to tell you what’s actually happening behind the scenes at their hospital.

—

To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live 

We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [email protected]

Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/

If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken

If you want more information on models I use:

Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15

--

A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information.

Go to Cozy Earth now for a Buy One Get One Free Pajama Offer from 1/25-2/8! Yes, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cozyearth.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ they are doing a BOGO pajama promo. Just use my Code: KNOCKKNOCKBOGO

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