Side effects. Adverse reactions. That folded-up piece of paper in your medication box with the tiny type nobody can read. That laundry list of horrible things in every drug commercial. This week, co-hosts Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard break down what all of it really means.

We start with the definitions: all side effects are adverse reactions, but not all adverse reactions are side effects. We explain how clinical trials sort side effects from coincidences with terms like “common,” “rare,” and “incidence not known.” We break down the actual numbers behind these categories and walk through a real medication’s side effect lists.

There is no medication without side effects, but side effects shouldn’t be your only consideration. We cover how to weigh benefits against the risks of doing nothing, when to stop a medication and call your doctor, and practical pharmacy tips: similar-sounding drug names, brand vs. generic, expiration dates, and why your medicine doesn’t belong in a steamy bathroom or your checked luggage.

It's pumpkin spice season, which means it's sugar season, so cohosts Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard are talking about why we love sweet things so much and what's really going on in the body when we eat them. We start with why humans evolved to crave sugar, then break down what "sugar" means: glucose, fructose, lactose, and the "ose" family. Does it really matter which form you eat, for your health? Why do some foods spike blood sugar and send you on a craving roller coaster, while others don't? The answers may surprise you. We also cover high fructose corn syrup and why food companies love it, whether raw sugar, honey, or agave are any better, what artificial sweeteners do in the body, and how alcohol fits in. Uncover the truths behind the endless hype about the sweet stuff.

This week we tell you what the Women's Health Initiative actually studied, why the hormone therapy trial was stopped, and how the headlines shaped menopause care for decades.

The Women's Health Initiative was the study that made a generation of women toss their hormone therapy in the trash. Co-hosts Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard dig into one of the largest and most comprehensive studies of women's health ever done: more than 160,000 women, multiple clinical trials, an observational study, and millions of stored specimens that researchers are still mining today. We break down what was tested (hormone therapy, low-fat diets, and calcium plus vitamin D), and why it was never about treating menopause symptoms.

We explain why the hormone therapy trial stopped, share the real numbers behind the breast cancer headlines, and talk about what the real data. We also cover the lasting fallout, including a generation of women whose menopause symptoms went untreated, and what all of this says about how we fund and study women's health.

Co-hosts Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard tackle one of the wilder phenomena in science: The Placebo Effect. It’s real, but why and how? What’s happening in our brains and bodies when we take a medication (or a fake one)? How does it relate to things like positive thinking or mindfulness? Join us for a discussion of one of the most basic yet fascinating building blocks of medical science.

In this episode of The Savvy Patient, cohosts Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard welcome their very first guest: Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Stephanie Mueller. With nearly 20 years of experience in the field, Stephanie helps break down autism spectrum disorder (ASD), clearing up common misconceptions and explaining how diagnostic criteria have evolved over time to significantly expand access to vital insurance coverage and care. Stephanie outlines the core diagnostic markers and the push within the field to distinguish profound autism for individuals requiring lifelong care. We tackle persistent myths—reaffirming that vaccines do not cause autism—and offer guidance for parents on seeking care. Plus, we discuss how teens and adults may receive a later diagnosis as life changes affect coping skills. 

Stephanie introduces the core modalities of support (Occupational, Physical, Speech, and Behavioral Therapies). Then we delve into modern Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), discussing historical criticisms of ABA, and how it should look for families. Plus, Stephanie gives us real-life examples of how ABA’s core concepts—like positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and functional communication—offer powerful, practical strategies that every parent can use to encourage positive behaviors in everyday family life.

Your period is over. Congratulations! But cohosts Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard have news for you: hormonal health care isn’t over! Let us introduce health during your second act, and life after menopause. We cover what happens to your hormones, why vaginal estrogen may still matter, when to think about bone density, thyroid and blood sugar testing, and why you should keep up with cancer and cardiovascular screening. We also make the case for things that may be just as important as any lab test: using your brain, learning new things, making friends, and staying socially connected. Because menopause is not the end of the road, it’s just a new turn!