Spoonful of Sugar
A podcast for medical students, by medical students, that aims to make learning medicine more palatable. Each episode covers topics relevant to medical education in an engaging and accessible way.
Episodes
Congenital Infections
You think they are distinct, but the questions are written in such a way that they sound the same. MS4 Myra Akbar of NYITCOM returns to provide clarity to this very important topic.
Uterine Conditions
Ever get a question mentioning abnormal uterine bleeding and think, “Man, there’s no way I can meaningfully tell these apart. 😭” Well, now you can! MS4 Myra Akbar from NYITCOM has you covered.
Brain Death
MS3 Astrid Stanley of UICOM returns to cover a topic that is sure to get you some free points, especially for you Step 2 + Neuro shelf listeners.
Antiepileptics
Antiepileptics have you shaking in your boots? MS3 Astrid Stanley will help you relax those muscles, by guiding you through the high-yield intricacies of this daunting class of medications.
Calcium Homeostasis and the Parathyroid
PTH, PTHrP, Calcium, Phosphate, Vitamin D... it's a lot isn't it? After this episode by Larry Williams MS4, it won't feel that way :)
Eating Disorders
Do you frequently mistake anorexia vs. bulimia or forget about high yield concepts such as pica and refeeding syndrome? No problem, OMS4 Zoe Peltz will make sure you miss no points on these topics and more!
Bone Metabolism
Do your bones ache from learning about skeletal physiology/pathology? Don't take an NSAID, listen to this episode instead! MS3 Jess Wang has you covered with all the high-yield and VERY testable concepts. Don't miss this!
Lipids - Part 2
This is part 2 of OMS3 Trent Henderson's series to tackle Lipids!
Lipids - Part 1
Lipids are an incredibly dense subject that you've probably spent MANY hours to understand only to lose the big picture. OMS3 Trent Henderson aims to attack this problem in this high yield 2-episode series!
ADHD pharmacology
Can't pay attention? Well, you're gonna want to save SOME of that attention to learn about ADHD pharmacology, a surprisingly tricky topic made easy by OMS3 Ghazal Adibi!
Mechanical Ventilation
In this episode, OMS4 Julia Shepherd from UNECOM discussed an often-overlooked Step 2/Rotations relevant topic in an incredibly detailed manner! This MAY pop up on Step 1, so if you have the time, listen in :)
Genitourinary Cancers
From painless hematuria to paraneoplastic syndromes, GU cancers can get overwhelming very quickly. Fortunately, OMS3 Angelica Batholomew from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Cleveland will make this topic much easier!
Statistics Part 3
Final part of our 3-part statistics series! OMS3 Akiva Eleff has you covered.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
PVD is REALLY common. This episode by MS3 Sahil Sardesai will help you net several high yield points!
Bone Tumors
Osteomas... Osterosarcomas... Chondrosarcomas... they all sound so similar! MS3 Angia Chen will clarify these differences by discussing the high yield concept of bone tumors.
Statistics Part 2
This is part 2 to our review on high yield stats concepts. In this episode 3rd year medical student, Akiva Eleff, will be going over study designs and biases that are commonly tested on board exams. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
Statistics Part 1
In this episode 3rd year medical student, Akiva Eleff, will cover a common tough subject among medical students: Stats. It can be a very dense topic but it will be broken into a 3 part series to help break it down into bite-sized pieces. This episode will go over introductory concepts and equations. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
Vaginitis
In this episode, 3rd year medical student Tal Sherman will cover the most common causes of vaginitis—bacterial vaginosis (BV), candida vulvovaginitis, and trichomoniasis. We’ll also touch on noninfectious vulvovaginitis in children and considerations for infectious vulvovaginitis during pregnancy. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
Medical Ethics, Legal Principles, and Professionalism
In this episode of Spoonful of Sugar, Verity Lee, an M3 at Drexel University College of Medicine, takes you through the most critical ethics concepts for Step 1. From foundational principles like autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, to scenarios on informed consent, confidentiality, and mandatory reporting, this episode simplifies complex topics with practical examples and test-styl
Viscerosomatic Reflexes (OMM)
In this episode of Spoonful of Sugar, host Felina Thomas, a medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, tackles one of the most high-yield yet confusing topics for DO students: viscerosomatics. Felina breaks down viscerovisceral, somatovisceral, somatosomatic, and viscerosomatic reflexes with relatable examples and clinical vignettes to help you prepare for COMLEX exams. F
Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection
In this episode of Spoonful of Sugar, host Eishan Ashwat, a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh, dives into the essential yet often life-threatening topics of aortic aneurysms and dissections. Starting with a clinical vignette to set the stage, Eishan explores the anatomy, pathophysiology, and clinical presentations of these conditions. Tune in to learn about key risk factors, diagnost
Tick Talk: A Conversation on Lyme, Babesia, and Beyond
One thing possibly more annoying than tick bites is trying to study the various tick-borne illnesses and keeping them straight! Have no fear, in this episode 3rd year medical student, Alexis Seery, will discuss several high yield tick-borne illnesses. If this topic has you ‘itching’ to learn more, be sure to tune in and check it out!
Stages of Labor
In this episode, Drexel's Hayley Hart will walk us through the stages of labor, a helpful topic for Step/Level 1 and 2 listeners!
Headaches
In this episode, 3rd year medical student Hashim Aslam will start by looking at the primary headaches such as migraines, and then explore some warning signs of head pain and types of secondary headaches that tend to show up on boards.
Overview of Liver Diseases
OMS4 Rebecca Shaneck guides us through a rapid review of the high yield liver diseases you will see in board exams. If you find the liver confusing, start here to develop a foundation!
Appendicitis and Pseudoappendicitis
In this episode, 3rd year medical student Sahil Sardesai will discuss Appendicitis and Pseudoappendicitis as this is a heavily tested topic on Step and Level exams and comes up often on rotations! Be sure to tune in and check it out!
Neurocutaneous Syndromes
In this episode, third-year medical student Patrice Nguyen will discuss Sturge–Weber syndrome, Neurofibromatosis (Type 1 and 2), and Tuberous Sclerosis, which are three neurocutaneous syndromes that often get confused for one another. She will also provide some helpful dedicated advice at the end of the episode, so stay tuned!
Congenital GI Pathology
If the thought of trying to study the various congenital GI diseases has your stomach turning, you’re in the right place. In this episode, third-year medical student Vivian Zhong, will discuss congenital GI diseases as this is a heavily tested topic on Step and Level 2. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
Reintroduction & How to Get Involved
We can't believe this is our 100th episode of Spoonful of Sugar! Thank you so much to all of our listeners who have supported us along the way, and an enormous thank you to all of the medical students who have contributed to our team and helped create content. SoS is about building a community of medical students that continually teach and learn from one another. We are always looking for medical
Postoperative Fever
Wind, water, walking, wound, & wonder drugs. The infamous 5 W’s of your surgery rotation. Although this podcast is a bit more geared towards third-year shelf exams and Step 2/Level 2, its content is still super high-yield. In this episode, third-year medical student Maya Amy will discuss different etiologies and presentations of postoperative fever. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
Hair Loss
Hair loss is one of those topics that often tricks students on the USMLE exams. Don’t be fooled into thinking it isn’t high yield! In this episode, third-year medical student Zane Sejdiu will discuss different etiologies and presentations of hair loss. From alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia, tinea, and more, we cover it all. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
Rapid Review - Psychiatry
MS3 Bilal Rana goes over the highest yield topics for psychiatry for USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Level 1. Best of luck to everyone studying!
Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
In this episode, MS3 Bilal Rana will go over the most pertinent information regarding barbiturates and benzodiazepines, a topic that can be more confusing than it needs to be!
CSF Analysis Part 2 - Meningitis and Guillan-Barré Syndrome
Welcome to part 2! In this episode, Bilal Rana will go over easy ways to remember how to differentiate meningitis using CSF findings as well as touch upon high yield points about GBS.
CSF Analysis Part 1 - Hydrocephalus
You'll definitely run into questions about CSF. In this episode, Bilal Rana will go over some must know points about communicating and noncommunicating hydrocephalus, as well as hydrocephalus ex vacuo.
Anesthetic Agents
In this episode, MS4 Tania Mulherkar will review common anesthetic agents, their properties, usage, and side effects. This is an excellent Step 1 and 2 review!
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is arguably one of the highest yield topics on USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Level 1 exam. In this episode, third-year medical student Alexa Rae Churan will discuss HIV and all the critical facts you need to know. From basic biology, including genes, viral structure, and lifecycle, to clinical presentation, workup, and treatment, we cover it all. Be sure to tune in and che
Schizophrenia
Arguably one of the most complicated topics concerning the psychiatry questions seen on USMLE/COMLEX. In this episode, Bilal Rana will work through the differentials related to schizophrenia to clarify the pitfalls students find themselves in.
What Every Medical Student Should Know About Integrative Medicine
Have you heard of the specialty of integrative medicine? What is it, and how does an integrative medicine physician care for their patients? In this episode, Ria interviews Dr. Chiti Parikh, who is board certified in integrative medicine and is the executive director of the Integrative Health and Wellbeing Program at Weill Cornell Medicine. She also recently published a book called “Intentional He
Defense Mechanisms
There are a long list of mature and immature mechanisms. Our very own Bilal Rana will go over all of them!
Tips for Teaching Effectively
Everyone in medicine has to teach at some point - whether you’re educating peers, residents, medical students, or patients. Despite this expectation, most of us are never formally trained in how to teach. How do you pick a topic that’s salient and appropriate for the time and space you’ve been allotted, how do you structure the content in a way that makes sense, and most importantly, how do
Psychotherapy
There are quite a number of psychotherapy modalities discussed on USMLE/COMLEX. In this episode, Bilal Rana will be talking about the most high yield ones.
What Every Medical Student Should Know About Ophthalmology
Whether or not you’re going into ophthalmology, you’re likely to see a patient with an eye-related complaint at some point in your career. In this episode, Ria interviews ophthalmology resident Dr. Will Foos about his specialty - common consults he sees, when you should absolutely consult an ophthalmologist, and some specialty-specific advice for folks who are interested. Tune in to see what he ha
Prenatal Screenings
If these tricky trisomies have been giving you some trouble, you are in the right place! Third year medical students Michelle Troup, Carla Wyatt-Ingram host an episode on Prenatal Screenings. They’ll walk you through the high-yield concepts and have plenty of mnemonics and questions to keep you engaged!
Neuroembryology
Third year medical students Michelle Troup, Carla Wyatt-Ingram host an episode on Neuroembryology. “If the thought of parsing through neuroembryology sends a chill down your spine, you’re in the right place”. In this episode, they walk through important landmarks in neurodevelopment and explore the pathology that can present when that development goes wrong.
Sex Chromosome Disorders and Disorders of Sexual Development
Sex chromosome disorders and disorders of sexual development can be a tricky topic on boards. If you need a refresher, MS3 Rachel Garza is here to help you review and understand how to approach this topic! As always, we use lots of questions to keep you engaged.
Psychogenic Disorders
Curious about the mind-body connection? Elise Kao and Michelle Troup have you covered, as they will help us understand when this connection goes awry. Topics include conversion disorder, somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, pseudocyesis, as well as a discussion of the differences between factitious disorder and malingering.
Sleep Disorders
To start off the fourth season, third year medical students Darby Billing and Michelle Troup host an episode on sleep disorders. In this episode, they cover topics ranging from stages of sleep, features of sleep waves, night terrors, and other various sleep pathologies. Tune in for this short but packed review on all things sleep. As Michelle and Darby say, you better not “doze off” for this one!
Disorders of Sexual Development
For our Season 3 finale, MS3 students Darby Billing and Elise Kao host an episode on disorders of sexual development. They’ll cover topics such as 5-alpha reductase deficiency, Mullerian agenesis, androgen insufficiency, and more in our usual question-and-answer style format. Never feel bad for not knowing the answers when you’re listening to SoS! The point is to miss questions now so you’ll never
DNA Repair Mechanisms
DNA damage can result in single-stranded or double-stranded breaks, and you need to know the different mechanisms we have to repair them! This topic is relevant not just for board exams, but also if you choose to pursue an oncologic specialty down the road. Tune in now for an easy review of this important topic. We’ll be sure to include some silly mnemonics that help you remember some tricky conce
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer to occur in the United States (not including skin cancers) and THE most common cause of death! So, it’s naturally very important to know the different types of lung cancer, including their risk factors and how they manifest. Tune in for a short but sweet review on this commonly tested topic by MS3 Kate Spencer.
Personality Disorders
What are personality disorders? Do you remember the different clusters of personality disorders? (Hint: A, B, C). If you need a refresher, MS3 Bilal Rana is here to help you review and understand how to approach this topic! As always, we use lots of questions to keep you engaged.
How to Prepare for the USMLE Step 1
Most students take the USMLE Step 1 in the spring or early summer towards the end of MS2. If you’re in your second year, now might be a good time to start planning your approach to this daunting and monumental exam. Here, we lay out 5 steps that can help you prepare for the USMLE Step 1 while maintaining a positive mindset and trying to enjoy the process!
Pharmacology of Mood Disorders Part 2
Part 2 of 2 in our 2-part series on the pharmacology of mood disorders. In this second part, MS3 Bilal Rana covers mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. Tune in for a packed and powerful review!
Pharmacology of Mood Disorders Part 1
A few weeks ago, MS3 Bilal Rana hosted an episode on Mood Disorders. This is a two-part follow-up to that episode, with a packed and powerful review of the pharmacology of mood disorders – what are the drugs we use to treat mood disorders, and how do they work? In part 1, we cover SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, atypical antidepressants, MAU inhibitors. Let’s go!
Gout & Arthritis
What kind of crystals are seen in gout versus pseudo-gout? Which arthritis is worse in the morning, and which one at night? If you have trouble keeping these joint disorders straight, this episode is for you! MS3 Kate Spencer asks tons of questions to help you review gout and arthritis.
Anti-arrhythmic Drugs
Does the idea of choosing an anti-arrhythmic drug make your heart skip a beat? Fear not, for MS3s Darby Billing and Michelle Troup have a steady pulse on this challenging topic. With lots of questions to keep you engaged, they will make sure you remember the key points for the boards, and beyond!
Viral Hepatitis
The only thing harder than remembering details of all the hepatitis viruses is memorizing those pesky hepatitis B antigens. Lucky for you, our newest team member Alexa Rae (Lexie) Churan simplifies it in our classic Spoonful of Sugar style – lots of questions (but no pressure), and lots of repetition to make sure these commonly tested concepts get ingrained your memory.
Clinical Concepts - Pulmonary Nodules
At some point during clinical rotations, you’ll be asked about screening guidelines for lung cancer. It’s important to know these for sure, but it’s also important to know what to do if there are any abnormalities after you order that screening. Here, we’ll review the guidelines for how to classify and further work up pulmonary nodules!
Mood Disorders
Did you know approximately 21% of US adults experience a mood disorder at some point in their lives? This is an extremely important, not to mention commonly tested, topic that all medical students should be familiar with. In this episode, our newest team member MS3 Bilal Rana will review Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder, Adjustment D
Heart Block
In this episode, we’ll cover all things bradycardia, including sinus bradycardia, and all three degrees of heart block. We’ll review how they present, how to recognize them on an EKG, and basics of how to manage them. Hosted by MS4 Tania Mulherkar, this episode reviews everything about heart block that you’ll need for USMLE!
Parkinson's Pharmacology
The medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease can be complicated and hard to remember. In this episode, our newest team member MS3 Rachel Garza reviews the pharmacologic options for Parkinson’s treatment, including their mechanisms and side effects. We always try to explain concepts in a way that makes sense so that reviewing is fun and easy to remember!
Autoimmune Diseases Part 2
Part 2 of 2 in our series on autoimmune diseases with MS3 Alicia Podwojniak. In this episode, we review Sjogren’s syndrome, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis. These are commonly tested conditions which can be easy to confuse! Hopefully this review helps to clarify and lock in some key rheumatology concepts.
Autoimmune Diseases Part 1
In this 2-part series, MS3 Alicia Podwojniak is back to review the complex and commonly tested topic of rheumatologic autoimmune diseases. In part 1, we’ll review rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. Stay tuned for part 2!
Thyroid Disorders
Do you have a hard time keeping track of all the diseases of the thyroid? So many last names – Graves, Hashimoto, Reidel, De Quervain. It’s okay if you’re a little overwhelmed! In this episode, MS3 Kate Spencer is back to sort out the different thyroid disorders. Get ready for a fun but packed review.
Esophageal Disorders
Disorders of the esophagus are fairly straightforward, but there are quite a few and they can be difficult to keep straight. Packed with lots of quiz questions for a relaxing yet engaging review, this episode is just the ticket to organize these various conditions in your brain. Our newest team member MS3 Kate Spencer will drill these disorders into your memory!
Imaging Modalities
How does an X-ray work? How about a CT scan, or an MRI, or an ultrasound? How do you know which one to order? In this episode, our newest team member MS4 Mohit Bhide will review the fundamentals of different imaging modalities and explain how they work. Then, he’ll walk through some rapid-fire cases as tested on USMLE board exams to build on your knowledge. Let’s shed some light on diagnostic imag
Blistering Skin Disorders
Do you have a hard time differentiating two commonly tested autoimmune blistering skin disorders of pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid? Which one is associated with Nikolsky sign, and which one has antibodies against the hemi-desmosomes? If you feel like you need to review these concepts and find memory devices to make them stick, tune into this episode hosted by our newest team member MS3
Childhood Developmental Milestones
A major aspect of outpatient pediatric practice, and therefore also the shelf and board exams, is knowledge of childhood developmental milestones. This includes gross and fine motor skills, language, social and cognitive development, growth tracking, and sexual maturation. Review all of this material in this high-yield episode hosted by our newest MS4 team member Tania Mulherkar!
What Every Medical Student Should Know About Radiation Oncology
It is not the same as radiology! But believe it or not, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In this episode, we talk about how radiation therapy works, when it is indicated, what treatments look like for patients, and how to generally counsel them about short- and long-term side effects of radiation. At some point in your career you will definitely care for a patient who is getting radiation thera
Urinary Incontinence
Do you have trouble answering questions about urinary incontinence? There are so many different types, and it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. If so, tune into our latest episode hosted by MS4 Xia Liu on the different types of urinary incontinence. He’ll review the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment to help you answer these questions correctly, and more importantly help pat
Skin Cancer
In this short but sweet review on skin cancer, MS3 Julia May reviews the most common types of skin cancer, including their presentation, clinical features, and diagnosis. Tune in to review just how exactly these pesky tumors are tested on the boards.
Bleeding Disorders
In this episode, our newest team members and MS3s Laurel Parker and Kylie Schmitt review the primary and secondary disorders of hemostasis. They’ll talk about the steps and goals of primary and secondary hemostasis, and then get into the nitty gritty of various bleeding disorders. If you have a hard time remembering how bleeding time, platelet count, PT, and PTT are affected by all these disorders
Myasthenia Gravis & Lambert Eaton Syndrome
Myasthenia gravis and Lambert Eaton syndrome are two neuromuscular disorders that are commonly tested but can be easily confused due to their similar presentations. In this episode, medical student Divya Patel reviews the separate pathophysiology and presentation of each disease so that you can tell the difference on any exam!
Ascites
Aditi Kothari is back to host a thorough review of ascites – how to evaluate, diagnose, and manage ascites from various causes. If you don’t remember how to calculate SAAG, this episode is for you. After tuning in to this episode, you’ll definitely have a belly full of knowledge. Get it?
Brain Tumors
What’s the most common type of brain tumor? What’s the most common type of primary brain tumor? In this episode, our newest team member Oliver Mui reviews the presentation and pathophysiology of common brain tumors, including GBM, meningioma, schwannoma, ependymoma, and more. Tune in for a thorough, question-based review of this important USMLE topic!
Cancer Drugs
Board examiners love to test on cancer drugs, because they’re a great way to connect complex disease presentations to basic biochemical mechanisms and the phases of the cell cycle. In this episode, we’ll review various classes of cancer drugs, their mechanisms, and important adverse effects so that you can build a foundation on which to tackle USMLE level questions surrounding this topic.
Heart Sounds
Do you have trouble hearing and interpreting heart sounds? Systolic vs. diastolic murmurs, S3 vs. S4 gallops? In this episode, we’ll review strategies on how to listen to common heart sounds so you’re no longer intimidated by this topic on board questions or rounds. This episode pairs well with our Season 2 episode on Valvular Heart Diseases, which delves deeper into the physiology of common heart
Bacterial Endocarditis
We’re celebrating our season finale through a collaboration with hosts of a medical humanities podcast, What Brings You in Today! Leigh Burman & Mayra Betancourt Ponce host an interactive episode on bacterial endocarditis, reviewing the pathophysiology, presentation, and management of both acute and subacute presentations of bacterial endocarditis. Tune in for a thorough review of this highly
Clinical Concepts - Electrolyte Management
Electrolyte repletion is a rather well-known task typically assigned to medicine and surgery interns on a patient’s primary team. The specifics surrounding dose and formulation are things you will quickly pick up on the job, but as a medical student it is probably more valuable to understand the importance of managing electrolytes, as well as the consequences of dysregulated electrolyte levels. In
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