out of the basement / radiation medicine

Jason Beckta, MD, PhD
  • 4.1 (12)
  • MEDICINE

A sprawling mix of real-world education, armchair journalism, and scientific exploration, all anchored in Radiation Medicine. The Establishment™ has locked information behind towering ivory walls: consider this channel your nuclear Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to give to the poor; gadflies forcing radioactive truth into the spotlight. Of course, none of this is medical, legal, or financial advice.

  1. 03/17/2025

    ROCR Reloaded: The Clock’s Ticking on Radiation Oncology

    ROCR is back. From accreditation traps to Congressional risks, this episode breaks down the data and delivers six bold fixes to save patient access. Tune in to hear why time’s running out for Radiation Oncology’s underdogs. OOTB is produced by Photon Media. Contact: jason@becktamd.com

    48 min

  2. 03/05/2025

    Slow Motion Crash: How the AMA, Medical Professional Societies, and Flawed (Secret) Methodology Are Driving Radiation Oncology Off a Cliff

    Strap in for a wild ride through the Medicare mess threatening radiation oncology in 2026. From a bizarre AMA survey that thinks we’re just radiology’s quirky cousin, to ASTRO’s head-scratching distractions, we break down the...break down? Recorded at midnight in the Vermont Mountain Basements™, this episode unpacks the Byzantine world of CPT codes, RVUs, and a 40% practice expense gut punch that could turn off the lights. OOTB is produced by Photon Media. Contact: jason@becktamd.com

    48 min

  3. 10/27/2024

    Pediatric nasopharyngeal brachytherapy: a radioactive relic and the harmful myths surrounding it.

    In this episode, we step into a historical hornet’s nest, examining the controversial legacy of nasopharyngeal radium treatments once used for ear infections and adenoid issues in children. We unravel the convoluted data on radiation and cancer risks, hypothesizing about the academic intrigue behind a much-cited 2001 Hopkins study. Most importantly, we question how narratives - especially "radiation equals danger" narratives - shape research and publication. Join us for a thought-provoking dive into the world of radiation medicine, statistical hijinks, and the pressures of scientific storytelling. *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@becktamd.com

    58 min

  4. 10/20/2024

    Threshold of Deception: Stretching the Truth of Radiation Safety

    Let's takes a deep dive into the flawed foundations of the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model, a theory that has shaped radiation regulations for decades. We'll unravel the history of "radiophobia" and explore how fear of radiation, scientific ego, and regulatory inertia cemented the LNT model into public policy. The episode touches on the controversial decisions of Nobel laureate Hermann Muller, who may have let ambition and ideology steer his interpretation of radiation science. In visiting the...questionable...handling of contradicting evidence, we see parallels to modern scientific dogma and the need for transparency. An episode sure to leave you rethinking everything you thought you knew about radiation. *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@becktamd.com

    1h 18m

  5. 07/03/2024

    ROCR's magical trickle-down equity economics

    I've got a big HEART - can I have $500 too? *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@coldlight.org

    17 min

  6. 07/01/2024

    RVU University (RVUU): The origin of modern Medicare reimbursement, Chevron deference, and ROCR

    After the journal evidently had to rediscover, patent, and rebuild the printing press, my ROCR "Letter to the Editor" was finally published: https://t.co/dGKHQJoMQD To accompany and expand upon this content, we'll start with framing the entire conversation with a simple "why do we care"? Since the Supreme Court was feeling feisty and surprisingly overturned Chevron deference, we also discuss how in the world that has anything to do with ROCR. Don't you just love summer?? *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@coldlight.org

    41 min

  7. 05/29/2024

    High Yield LDRT for OA - Everything Under the Sun (Xstrahl Miniseries Capstone)

    Ever found yourself thinking, "Man, I wish there was a single podcast episode that summarized all the most helpful and practical information on low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis"? Well, good news! This episode is your ultimate guide to understanding the science, clinical efficacy, and practicalities of LDRT. We’re distilling the highlights of the entire “Xstrahl Miniseries” into one convenient digital treasure trove. Perfect for those looking to expand their modern practice with a treatment that's been in use for over a century, this capstone experience explores how LDRT can revolutionize not just OA management, but the entire field of Radiation Medicine in America. Specific highlights include tips on charming skeptical patients and colleagues, as well as navigating the labyrinthine world of insurance claims. Jam those earbuds into your external acoustic meatuses and discover why LDRT might just be the best-kept secret in Radiation Medicine…because who doesn’t love a good underdog story? *** High Yield - Mechanisms of Action in LDRT for Osteoarthritis https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25918756 *** Brought to you in part by Xstrahl, modern manufacturers of orthovoltage devices.  Visit them at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://xstrahl.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@coldlight.org

    56 min

  8. 05/18/2024

    The Nuclear Scare Scam - Galen Winsor (also known as "that physicist who ate uranium in the 1980s")

    Recently, a video of a physicist eating uranium while delivering a lecture appeared on my social media feed. While I ignored it once or twice, THE ALGORITHM knows me better than I know myself, and I eventually watched it. However, the short clip contained no information, and I couldn’t tell the context of why someone would do this, let alone if it was even real. Turns out…it’s very real. This is the full, unedited version of “The Nuclear Scare Scam”, a talk delivered by a man named Galen Winsor in 1985. The “uranium eating” takes place around the 1 hour 12 minute mark. Galen Winsor was a nuclear physicist who served in the Navy during World War II, returning home to help design and operate the first nuclear power plant in Hanford, WA – and many power plants thereafter. Winsor dismantles the exaggerated fears surrounding nuclear energy, revealing how strategic disinformation and vested interests have perpetuated a culture of radiophobia in America. Through personal anecdotes and historical context, he argues that the dangers of low-level radiation have been blown out of proportion. He critiques the overly cautious regulations driven by economic and political agendas, suggesting that these fears were deliberately cultivated to hinder the growth of atomic technology. Winsor makes some…potentially controversial points in this talk. Most notably, his opinion on Three Mile Island. Currently, I am neither supporting nor condemning any of his spicier ideas – that’s for future episodes. But: in the 1980s, Winsor traveled across America giving this same talk 77 times - and thus snacked on uranium dust 77 times. Winsor did eventually die… ...in 2008, at the age of 86, more than 20 years after “The Nuclear Scare Scam” was recorded. It’s hard to argue with the results. *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@coldlight.org

    1h 31m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.1
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

A sprawling mix of real-world education, armchair journalism, and scientific exploration, all anchored in Radiation Medicine. The Establishment™ has locked information behind towering ivory walls: consider this channel your nuclear Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to give to the poor; gadflies forcing radioactive truth into the spotlight. Of course, none of this is medical, legal, or financial advice.

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