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Standard Issue Podcast

Deborah Cohen explains how the internet hijacked health

Standard Issue Podcast

Standard Issue

Society & Culture

4.71.1K Ratings

🗓️ 24 February 2026

⏱️ 23 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When it comes to health, award-winning broadcaster and expert medical journalist Dr Deborah Cohen knows what she’s talking about. Unlike a lot of people on the internet.  And that’s because she puts the work in. Unlike a lot of people on the internet. In a world where wellness influencers and podcast bros hawking wearables and supplements are becoming more trusted than the NHS, Deborah’s fascinating book, Bad Influence: How the Internet Hijacked Our Health, is an essential exploration of modern medicine versus 21st century snake oil. Mick was champing at the bit to find out more. As ever, there's extra chat for our £5 and above patreons, and you can find out more about that here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hi, I'm Sam Baker and welcome to The Shift, the podcast that aims to tell the no-holds-bar truth about being a woman post-40.

0:07.6

I started the shift because I was so tired of the absence of older women's voices.

0:12.4

Where had all the women over 40 gone?

0:14.4

I mean, seriously, if you want to walk about in your pajamas for the rest of your life, we're invisible.

0:19.0

Each episode, I speak to an inspiring woman about

0:21.4

her shift. I feel very strong and think I genuinely don't care what anybody thinks of me.

0:27.1

Join me every Tuesday, wherever you listen to your podcasts. Standard issue for all women.

0:34.1

Hello and welcome fine listener of podcasts and what a fine podcast you've chosen to listen to.

0:40.3

Thanks.

0:41.3

It's Mickey and I am really excited to have caught up with award-winning broadcaster, expert medical journalist and total smasher, Dr Deborah Cohen for this episode.

0:51.7

Her book, Bad Influence, How the Internet Hijacks Our Health, is as fascinating

0:56.3

as that title might suggest. But before we get to why understanding chat, GPT isn't a natural GP,

1:04.1

there are, of course, other damn fine episodes to tell you about. Jen's been chatting which is

1:09.9

always one of our favourite subjects,

1:11.9

with A.K. Blakemore, author of best-selling novel The Manning Tree Witches, which has now been

1:16.6

adapted for the stage. They are joined by the play's director, Natasha Rickman, ahead of its

1:21.6

premiere at Colchester's Mercury Theatre. Tomorrow, we follow Goldie Horn's would-be football coach

1:27.3

into a ghetto school, where

1:29.4

pupils include Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson.

1:32.8

But she's a woman!

1:34.5

But she's white!

1:36.1

But these kids are in their mid-20s!

...

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