Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health
Claim This Podcastby Dr. Johnny Lieberman
Podcast Overview
<p>Welcome to Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health—a podcast for smart, curious listeners who are tired of being misled by clickbait headlines and not always sure which headlines to believe. Hosted by Dr. Johnny Lieberman—internist, infectious diseases physician, accidental dog dad, and now with an Animal Law Degree - this show pulls back the curtain on the interconnected and opaque systems that shape our food, medicine, environment, and public health. From factory farms to pharmaceutical labs, from the dog in your home to the label on your lunch meat—what’s marketed as “healthy” or “humane” is often anything but. Each episode investigates the real stories behind the headlines: the science, the policy, the ethics, and the consequences. Dr. Lieberman brings a sharp, witty, no-fluff perspective—armed with over 20 years of medical experience and a deep drive to uncover truth. Through solo episodes, expert interviews, and roundtable discussions, you’ll learn how to navigate misinformation, advocate for better systems, and make decisions that align with your values. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really in your food, how pandemics emerge, or whether you’re accidentally supporting abusive industries—this is the podcast for you.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/1/2025
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Recent Episodes
June 24, 2026
Factory Farming Is Polluting America’s Water and Nobody’s Stopping It | Ep22
<p>EPISODE SUMMARY</p><p>Factory farming produces 98% of the meat Americans eat, and its environmental damage runs far deeper than most people realize. Ken Swensen, founder of Inside Animal Ag, breaks down how industrial animal agriculture has become the primary driver of water pollution in the United States, contaminating drinking wells, killing aquatic life, and creating dead zones in our oceans.</p><p>IN THIS EPISODE</p><p>- Why 98% of animal products in the U.S. come from factory farms, despite misleading packaging</p><p>- How concentrated manure and fertilizer runoff cause nutrient pollution in waterways</p><p>- The link between factory farming and the Gulf of Mexico dead zone</p><p>- Nitrate contamination in private wells and why 1.5 million Americans drink unsafe water</p><p>- Health effects of nitrate exposure, including blue baby syndrome, cancer, and birth defects</p><p>- Agricultural exceptionalism and why regulators look the other way</p><p>- How meat labels deceive consumers into thinking they're buying humane products</p><p>KEY TAKEAWAYS</p><p>1. Factory farming is the primary cause of water pollution in the United States, driven by excess manure and fertilizer from feed crops.</p><p>2. Even nitrate levels at half the EPA's legal limit can cause serious health problems, including cancer and birth defects.</p><p>3. Most consumers believe they're avoiding factory farm products, but deceptive labeling keeps them in the dark.</p><p>4. Aquatic species are the most threatened animals in the U.S., largely because of nutrient pollution from industrial agriculture.</p><p>5. The health and environmental costs of factory farming are quietly transferred from corporations to rural communities who never agreed to bear them.</p><p>KEYWORDS</p><p>Ken Swensen, Inside Animal Ag, factory farming, industrial animal agriculture, water pollution, nutrient pollution, nitrates in drinking water, Gulf of Mexico dead zone, manure runoff, feed crops, agricultural exceptionalism, food labeling, public health, environmental health, rural communities</p>
June 10, 2026
Behind the Label: How Industries Shape What We Believe About Animals | Ep21
<p>In this episode of <i>Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health</i>, Dr. Johnny Lieberman talks with Ashley Frohnert, Director of Social Media at PETA, about humane-washing, consumer psychology, and the hidden realities behind products marketed as ethical, humane, or compassionate. From her childhood in 4-H to leading one of the world’s most influential animal advocacy social media teams, Ashley shares how questioning deeply held beliefs can lead to unexpected discoveries about animals, industry, and ourselves.</p>
May 27, 2026
Humane Washing: The Labels Consumers Trust and the Truth Behind Them with Amber Canavan | Ep20
<p>Amber Canavan joins Dr. Johnny Lieberman to discuss humane washing, the marketing tactics used to make industrial animal agriculture appear ethical and compassionate. Together, they explore consumer psychology, public perception, animal advocacy, and the growing role of social media in exposing hidden realities behind food labeling and animal welfare claims.</p>
23 total episodes available
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- What is Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health?
<p>Welcome to Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health—a podcast for smart, curious listeners who are tired of being misled by clickbait headlines and not always sure which headlines to believe. Hosted by Dr. Johnny Lieberman—internist, infectious diseases physician, accidental dog dad, and now with an Animal Law Degree - this show pulls back the curtain on the interconnected and opaque systems that shape our food, medicine, environment, and public health. From factory farms to pharmaceutical labs, from the dog in your home to the label on your lunch meat—what’s marketed as “healthy” or “humane” is often anything but. Each episode investigates the real stories behind the headlines: the science, the policy, the ethics, and the consequences. Dr. Lieberman brings a sharp, witty, no-fluff perspective—armed with over 20 years of medical experience and a deep drive to uncover truth. Through solo episodes, expert interviews, and roundtable discussions, you’ll learn how to navigate misinformation, advocate for better systems, and make decisions that align with your values. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really in your food, how pandemics emerge, or whether you’re accidentally supporting abusive industries—this is the podcast for you.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Information about guest appearances is not available.
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