Sickboy
CBC Podcasts
Sickboy is determined to break down the stigma associated with illness and disease. Join Jeremie, Brian and Taylor as they tackle health taboos with people who have experienced them firsthand. Taking the lead from Jeremie's life long battle with Cystic Fibrosis, the three best friends help us understand that sometimes the best way to deal with illness, disease and life is simply to laugh.
- 1 hour 5 minutesIs Your Mental Illness Real? A Psychiatrist Says... Maybe Not.
Dr. Sami Timimi is a psychiatrist with a bone to pick with his own profession: he thinks we’ve fallen down a diagnostic rabbit hole, and he’s here to help us climb back out. This week, the boys sit down with the child psychiatrist who is effectively flipping the table on his own profession. We live in an era where everyone and their dog seems to have a diagnosis. But what if those labels (ADHD, Depression, Autism) aren't actually explaining why we struggle, but are just describing how we struggle? Dr. Timimi argues that modern psychiatry has fallen down a rabbit hole of "upside-down science," turning ordinary human distress into medical disorders without the biological proof to back it up. We get into the weeds on the "myth" of the chemical imbalance, why psychiatric diagnoses are nothing like diagnosing diabetes, and the potential harm of identifying too closely with a label.
Dr. Timimi's Work: Visit samitimimi.co.uk
Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!
3 December 2025, 5:10 am - 54 minutes 17 secondsTargeted: Why We Treat Gun Owners Like They’re Sick
Welp... Jer bought a gun. And let's just say his progressive friend group had some thoughts. This week, the boys are joined by Noah Schwartz, author of Targeted, to figure out why the topic of firearms immediately feels like a diagnosis. We dive into Jer's journey to getting his PAL (for the love of ethical moose meat, not a zombie apocalypse... probably), the massive cultural gap between Canadian and American gun owners, and the history of framing guns as a "public health crisis."
Is owning a firearm a symptom of sickness? Or is the way we talk about it the real problem?
About the Guest: Noah S. Schwartz is an assistant professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, BC. His research looks at the politics of the gun debate in Canada and the United States.
Resources:
Read the Book: Targeted: Citizenship, Advocacy, and Gun Control in Canada is available now.
Find Noah: Visit noahschwartz.ca
26 November 2025, 5:10 am - 58 minutes 39 secondsChildhood Trauma Caused a 'Software Glitch' in my Brain | Functional Neurological Disorder
Imagine your brain’s hardware is perfect, but the software is glitching so badly your body stops working.
We sit down with Erum, a biochemist who navigates the world with a rare and often misunderstood condition: Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). We Raw Dog into the fascinating science behind the diagnosis. Basically her brain has a "software glitch" but the hardware is pristine. So how, and why is it causing the left side of her body to physically fail during flare-ups? Erum shares her harrowing and resilient story, from a terrifying ER visit where doctors suspected a brain tumor or MS, to the "magic trick" test that finally led to her FND diagnosis. We discuss the profound connection between her condition and a history of severe childhood trauma, including growing up as a child of deaf adults (CODA) and surviving abuse. Plus, we talk about the healing power of boxing and how FND finally forced her to stop people-pleasing.
You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!
19 November 2025, 5:10 am - 1 hour 7 secondsSelf-Help is Bullsh*t (But I Still Feel Fat)
This week, we're joined by legendary filmmaker and noted curmudgeon Alan Zweig. He’s spent his career being unflinchingly honest about every insecurity in the book; loneliness, obsession, failure, but he’s always avoided the one thing he admits he thinks about most: his weight. Now, he's finally forcing himself to talk about it with his new podcast, "Tubby," which he perfectly describes as "a self-help podcast for those of us that can’t help ourselves." We get into the weeds of that "inner tubby" feeling, why the mirror is the "devil," whether this is all just a "character flaw," and if being uncomfortable in your own skin is the secret source of all our other hang-ups. This is a hilarious, sad, and deeply human chat about what it's like to feel fat, even when you're not.
Be sure to listen to "Tubby" wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow Sickboy:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sickboypodcast
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sickboypodcast
Discord: https://discord.gg/expeUDN
12 November 2025, 5:10 am - 1 hour 6 minutesHis Kidney, Her Cancer - Ain't that a kick in the head?
"My husband had a kidney transplant... I just got breast cancer. Ain't that a kick in the head?" This week, we're joined by Kacy and Thomas, a couple who knows what "in sickness and in health" really means. First, Thomas went through kidney failure, dialysis , and a life-saving transplant from his childhood best friend. Just as life found its new normal, the roles were completely flipped when Kacy was diagnosed with an aggressive, non-hormonal breast cancer. They share their incredible journey of being both patient and caregiver, the "oil spill" feeling of chemo , the power of being "too angry to die" , and the profound lessons they've learned about fighting with each other when you're healthy, not just when you're sick.
5 November 2025, 5:10 am - 1 hour 1 minuteThe Homicide Detective with Cystic Fibrosis
What's it like getting pepper-sprayed when you have a chronic lung disease? A homicide detective knows what’s up. This week, we sit down with a guest who defies expectations: Jeremy, a homicide detective living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). We dive into the unique challenges and surprising advantages of managing a demanding, high-stress career alongside a chronic illness. He opens up about the progression of his CF, the profound impact of the life-changing drug Trikafta, and his perspective on life expectancy before and after the medication.
You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube.
29 October 2025, 4:10 am - 47 minutes 27 seconds"My Doctors Said I'd Die at 19. I'm 32 & Fighting Back." | Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
"Society says it's better dead than disabled." This week, we sit down with Ryan Yellowlees , a counselor and activist who is living—and thriving—with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, decades past his initial prognosis. Ryan gets real about the progression of his condition , the systemic ableism he fights against , and why he's fiercely campaigning against the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), calling it modern-day eugenics. He shares his unique perspective on finding strength and purpose in disability and why, given the choice, he'd live this life all over again.
Find Ryan: https://www.lifeempoweredcounselling.ca
22 October 2025, 4:10 am - 1 hour 20 minutesMy Hand is Trying to Kill Me - LIVE From Podsummit in Calgary
What if your hand suddenly tried to choke you, or a microscopic parasite in your brain was making you horny for cat piss? From our live show at PodSummit in Calgary, the boys take a wild tour through the glitches in the human brain. We explore Alien Hand Syndrome, the brain-hijacking parasite Toxoplasma Gondii, and the profound ethical dilemma of Body Integrity Identity Disorder. Then, we're joined by our incredible new teammate, Paralympian Brock Richardson! Brock shares the powerful story of confronting his high school bullies head-on, the harrowing experience of being dropped by a support worker who wouldn't listen, and the hilarious story of his first date with his wife... who is not his sister. We think.
15 October 2025, 4:10 am - 56 minutes 15 secondsHow I Healed 15 Years of Grief With Psychedelic Cannabis | Psychedelic Therapy
After her father's sudden death, she carried a "calcified" grief for 15 years that traditional therapy couldn't touch—until one psychedelic cannabis journey changed everything. This week, we're joined by psychotherapist Angela, founder of Altered Healing, for a fascinating deep dive into the world of psychedelic therapy. Angela challenges the "Cheetos and cartoons" stereotype, making the case for cannabis as a powerful medicine for healing trauma when used with intention. We discuss her incredible personal story, the crucial difference between recreational and therapeutic use, and how cannabis compares to other medicines like ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA.
Find Angela's work and the organizations mentioned:
Altered Healing: https://alteredhealing.com/
Holos Integrative Health (Ketamine Therapy): https://holosintegrativehealth.com/
Bluestem Psilocybin Pilot Program for Vets: Bluestem.co/vets
You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!
8 October 2025, 4:10 am - 54 minutes 14 seconds"I Went In For Surgery & Woke Up Paralyzed" | Morquio Syndrome
Her vertebrae are shaped like footballs, and doctors told her parents she wouldn't live past the age of five. This week, we're joined by the incredible Natasha, who shares her story of living with Morquio Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. She takes us on the journey of her "two lives": the one before and the one after a spinal stroke during a routine surgery left her paralyzed at 16. Despite the immense challenges, Natasha's story is filled with shocking humor, unshakable positivity, and unforgettable moments (like meeting Taylor Swift for her Make-A-Wish). This is a conversation about resilience, adaptation, and finding joy in the most unexpected places.
You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube.
1 October 2025, 4:10 am - 1 hour 5 minutesI lost my dad to Lewy body Dementia: The Cyril Effect
What does it feel like to get your dad back for a few beautiful moments of clarity, only to have dementia snatch him away again? This week, we're joined by our dear friend Haley for a powerful and vulnerable conversation about losing her father, the beloved musician Cyril McPhee, to Lewy Body Dementia. Haley opens up about the "trickster" nature of the disease, the profound experience of "pre-grieving" a parent who is still alive, and the beautiful legacy he left behind, known as "The Cyril Effect." This is a deeply moving look at grief, family, and the enduring power of love in the face of a devastating illness.
Check out the episode on YouTube to see some of Haley's incredible photos of her father in his final days: You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!
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