Prove It To Me - Real Research, Real Data, No BS

Dr. Matt Law
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Do you get tired of big ideas, exorbitant pitches, inactionable concepts, and empty promises? Cool, me too. I’m Dr. Matt Law, and I’m the host of ”Prove It To Me”. This podcast aims to put theories to the test and bring good research to light by showcasing evidence-based solutions. Guests will be challenged to identify things that actually work, provide research and data to back up their claims, and tell us how to measure and manage real solutions. You’ll hear about a lot of environmental health and occupational safety theories and concepts, but you’ll also learn about general business solutions and maybe even some everyday things that you can apply to your life. We’ll also cover general topics about research, whether it be about measurement tools, statistics, or what differentiates good research from, well, the not so good information out there. ”Prove It To Me” is nerdy. It is serious. It is jovial and fun. It is optionally explicit, but your kids will probably be asleep before we get to any bad stuff anyway. If you’re ready to cut through the BS, maybe learn a little bit about research, and get into the nitty gritty of whether big ideas work or not, you’re in the right place. Have some evidence-based research to share? Send an email to contact@proveitpod.com today! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and its guests and do not necessarily represent the official position, opinion, or strategies of their employers or companies. Examples of research and data analysis discussed within this podcast are only examples. They should not be utilized in the real world as the only solution available as they are based on very limited, often single-use case, and sometimes dated information. Assumptions made within this discussion about research and data analyses are not necessarily representative of the position of the host, the guests, or their employers or companies. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the creator of the podcast. The presentation of content by the guests does not necessarily constitute an active endorsement of the content by the host.

  1. Ep 217 - Toxic Tonics: The Lethal Science of Viral Hydration Hacks

    2d ago

    Ep 217 - Toxic Tonics: The Lethal Science of Viral Hydration Hacks

    Is the viral "drink of the summer" a heat-stress hack or a cardiovascular nightmare? After a gas station cocktail of Red Bull, Electrolit, and chili powder candy went viral, Dr. Matt Law decided to put the recipe through the scientific wringer. In this episode, we strip away the industry-funded sports drink propaganda and look at three unbiased, peer-reviewed studies to dissect exactly what happens to your body when you mix massive doses of caffeine, sodium, and synthetic sugar in extreme heat. We break down the failure of the human thirst mechanism, the dehydrating reality of hypertonic "gut bombs," and how caffeine unplugs your body’s biological warning lights. Finally, we provide actionable takeaways for Occupational Safety and Health professionals to protect their outdoor crews from deadly viral trends. #studyfinds #proveitpod #heatstress #safetyculture #hydration References: Li, H., Early, K. S., Zhang, G., Ma, P., & Wang, H. (2024). Personalized hydration strategy to improve fluid balance and intermittent exercise performance in the heat. Nutrients, 16(9), 1341. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091341 Ly, N. Q., Hamstra-Wright, K. L., & Horswill, C. A. (2023). Post-exercise rehydration in athletes: Effects of sodium and carbohydrate in commercial hydration beverages. Nutrients, 15(22), 4759. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224759 Specht, J. W., Ramirez, M. R., Quintana, A., Bailly, A. R., Peña, A., Schmidt, E., de Castro Magalhães, F., McKenna, Z. J., Schlader, Z. J., & Amorim, F. T. (2026). Caffeine increases core temperature without altering markers of kidney or gut injury after physical work in the heat in caffeine-habituated adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 58(7), 1493–1506. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003981

    18 min
  2. Ep 216 - You’re Not Funny (The Data Science of Dad Jokes)

    Jul 3

    Ep 216 - You’re Not Funny (The Data Science of Dad Jokes)

    Can you statistically prove why your dad jokes are terrible? A team of researchers scraped over 32,000 jokes from Reddit to find out. In this #StudyFinds episode of #ProveItPod, Dr. Matt Law breaks down the anatomy of a dad joke, exploring the semantic distance and linguistic markers that make them succeed or bomb. We also do a critical peer-review of this unpublished preprint, looking at the limitations of Reddit data, the problem with hypercube subsampling, and the hazards of letting the media run with pre-registered findings. Finally, we pull out some practical takeaways for OSH professionals on how to use concreteness to make your safety training actually stick. References: Chesterton, G. (2026, May 19). Even science can’t make my dad jokes funny. The Telegraph. Silvia, P. J., & Burnett, M. I. (2025). What's brown and sticky? Peering into the ineluctable comedic mystery of dad humor with a handful of machine learning models, hundreds of humans, and tens of thousands of dad jokes [Unpublished preprint]. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst. https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/ex2q7_v1

    17 min
  3. Ep 215 - The Cannibal Brain Myth (What Sleep Deprivation Actually Does to Your Neurology)

    Jun 26

    Ep 215 - The Cannibal Brain Myth (What Sleep Deprivation Actually Does to Your Neurology)

    Have you seen the viral meme claiming that a lack of sleep causes your brain to "eat itself"? On this #StudyFinds episode of #ProveItPod, Dr. Matt Law tracks down the actual science behind the sensationalism. We look at the original mouse study that sparked the panic, map it onto three massive human studies, and explain the mechanical reality of your brain's glymphatic system. Spoiler alert: your brain isn't eating itself, but your biological janitorial crew is aggressively dismantling your neural hardware. We break down the implications of acute sleep loss, the 25-year risk of dementia, and how untreated sleep apnea is the ultimate silent hazard for the modern workforce. References: Bellesi, M., de Vivo, L., Chini, M., Gilli, F., Tononi, G., & Cirelli, C. (2017). Sellp loss promotes astrocytic phagocytosis and microglial activation in mouse cerebral cortex. Journal of Neuroscience, 37(21), 5263-5273. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3981-16.2017 Benedict, C., Blennow, K., Zetterberg, H., & Cedernaes, J. (2020). Effects of acute sleep loss on diurnal plasma dynamics of CNS health biomarkers in young men. Neurology, 94(11), e1181-e1189. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000008866 Eugene, A. R., & Masiak, J. (2015). The neuroprotective aspects of sleep. MEDtube Science, 3(1), 35–40. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4651462/ Hopp, M. (n.d.) Sleep deprivation & brain health: Is your brain really eating itself? Daybreak. https://www.thedaybreak.com/resources/sleep-deprivation-and-brain-health-is-your-brain-really-eating-itself Sabia, S., Fayosse, A., Dumurgier, J., van Hees, V. T., Paquet, C., Sommerlad, A., Kivimäki, M., Dugravot, A., & Singh-Manoux, A. (2021) Association of sleep duration in middle and old age with incidence of dementia. Nature Communications, 12(1):2289. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22354-2

    27 min
  4. Ep 214 - Cognitive Submission, Metacognitive Laziness, and the AI Panic

    Jun 5

    Ep 214 - Cognitive Submission, Metacognitive Laziness, and the AI Panic

    We've all sat through the fearmongering presentations about how #AI is going to ruin human intelligence. On this #StudyFinds episode of #ProveItPod, Dr. Matt Law tears apart a new study on how ChatGPT impacts learning and thinking. Does it actually make us lazy? We look at the trace data of how people use AI, why it creates beautiful products with zero actual learning, and how #safety professionals can avoid "rubber-stamp syndrome" when using AI to write safety programs and assess the likelihood of workplace risks. References: Fan, Y., Tang, L., Le, H., Shen, K., Tan, S., Zhao, Y., Shen, Y., Li, X., & Gašević, D. (2025). Beware of metacognitive laziness: Effects of generative artificial intelligence on learning motivation, processes, and performance. British Journal of Educational Technology, 56, 489–530. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13544

    19 min
  5. Ep 213 - Boiling Point – When Heat Causes Trauma, Not Just Stroke

    May 29

    Ep 213 - Boiling Point – When Heat Causes Trauma, Not Just Stroke

    We all know heat causes heat exhaustion and heat stroke. But what happens to the likelihood of getting run over by a tractor or falling off a ladder when the temperature spikes? In this #StudyFinds episode of #ProveItPod, we dive into a recent study out of South Korea that shows a staggering 200% increase in severe traumatic injuries when the thermometer crosses 86 degrees. We also discuss why the media summary missed the mark by focusing on pesticides instead of the actual physical trauma highlighted in the data. References: Cho, S. (2026). Heat and harm: The effect of temperature on severe agricultural trauma in South Korea. Safety and Health at Work, 17, 91-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2025.12.001 American Society of Safety Professionals. (2026, April). Study finds increase in traumatic injuries for farmers in extreme heat. Professional Safety Journal.

    17 min
  6. Ep 212 - Scooters, Skinned Knees, and the Rest of the Story (E-Scooter Injuries & OSH)

    May 22

    Ep 212 - Scooters, Skinned Knees, and the Rest of the Story (E-Scooter Injuries & OSH)

    Electric scooters have taken over our sidewalks, our bushes, and our commutes. In this #StudyFinds episode of #ProveItPod, we dive into a recent news brief from Safety and Health Magazine highlighted a study on pediatric e-scooter injuries, focusing heavily on boys getting hurt and the need for helmets. But a 300-word news brief can only tell you so much. Dr. Matt Law pulls the original Johns Hopkins study to find the rest of the story: socioeconomic disparities, infrastructure failures, and the massive limitations of national injury databases. We break down the real data and how pediatric scooter injuries tie directly into Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) for last-mile commuting and corporate campus mobility. Key Takeaways: The Highlight Reel vs. The Full Game: Trade magazines are fantastic for quick awareness, but safety professionals must read the primary source to catch the nuance—like the fact that the study didn't actually track helmet usage! The Demographics of Danger: The primary focus of the original study was actually on health equity and how poor urban infrastructure disproportionately impacts certain demographics. Campus Mobility Nightmares: If your company provides e-scooters for employees to get across campus, you aren't just providing a perk—you are adopting a massive occupational hazard that requires strict governance and environmental engineering.   References: Howard, M. B., Prichett, L., & Cohen, J. S. (2026). Disparities in incidence and severity of electric scooter injuries in children. Injury, 57, Article 113175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2026.113175 S+H Staff. (2026, May 7). Younger boys are most likely to be injured on e-scooters, study finds. Safety and Health Magazine. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/younger-boys-are-most-likely-to-be-injured-on-e-scooters-study-finds/

    17 min
  7. Ep 211 - Reading the Construction Worker's Mind (And Why We Aren't There Yet)

    May 1

    Ep 211 - Reading the Construction Worker's Mind (And Why We Aren't There Yet)

    In this #StudyFinds episode of #ProveItPod, we dive into the complex world of measuring workplace safety technology and cognitive awareness. Can we use brain-scanning technology (fNIRS) to determine if a worker actually perceives a hazard, rather than just looking at it? Having spent years researching occupational risk perceptions, Dr. Matt Law breaks down the massive real-world hurdles of this new study—from the 5-to-10-second latency of blood flow to the physical impossibility of wearing a brain scanner under a hard hat on a 95-degree day. Key Takeaways: The Hardware Hurdle: Why the gap between a pristine, climate-controlled laboratory and a chaotic jobsite makes fNIRS monitoring a non-starter for field use. The Auditory Contradiction: The study proves hearing is critical for spatial awareness and risk perception. So, how does standard safety PPE (hearing protection) impact a worker's neurological ability to identify hazards? Actionable Risk Perception: You don't need a brain scanner to improve safety. We discuss how understanding your workforce's demographics—like birthplace and age—can help you tailor training and improve risk perception organically.   References: Lee, K., Pooladvand, S., Esmaeili, B., & Hasanzadeh, S. (2024). Understanding construction workers' risk perception using neurophysiological responses. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 38(6), Article 04024039. https://doi.org/10.1061/JCCEE5.CPENG-5906 Law, M. E. (2023). Occupational risk perceptions among foreign-born construction workers in central Florida (Publication No. 30493718) [Doctoral study, Walden University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.

    21 min
  8. Ep 210 - The Fear-Pleasure Paradox (And Why I Still Hate the C-Word)

    Apr 3

    Ep 210 - The Fear-Pleasure Paradox (And Why I Still Hate the C-Word)

    In this #StudyFinds episode of #ProveItPod, Dr. Matt Law brings back the conversation from Episode 106 regarding the industry's toxic obsession with "Complacency." Thanks to a clinical psychology study sent over by his wife, we look at the fMRI neuroscience of "Recreational Fear" to validate why the C-word is a myth—it’s just the brain's Default Mode Network (DMN) achieving cognitive efficiency. We revisit the failure of "Scare Tactics" (Threat Appeals) from Episodes 108/109, and discuss how replacing gory safety videos with high-arousal, controlled simulations (like VR or escape-room style drills) can actually train the brain to safely sever the DMN and snap into the Salience Network (active hazard recognition) without causing defensive avoidance. References: Petrova, K. (2025, October). Controlled fear might temporarily alter brain patterns linked to depression. PsyPost. https://www.psypost.org/controlled-fear-might-temporarily-alter-brain-patterns-linked-to-depression/ Zhan, Y., & Ding, X. (2025). Fear-pleasure paradox in recreational fear: Neural correlates and therapeutic potential in depression. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 18, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S529004

    16 min
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Do you get tired of big ideas, exorbitant pitches, inactionable concepts, and empty promises? Cool, me too. I’m Dr. Matt Law, and I’m the host of ”Prove It To Me”. This podcast aims to put theories to the test and bring good research to light by showcasing evidence-based solutions. Guests will be challenged to identify things that actually work, provide research and data to back up their claims, and tell us how to measure and manage real solutions. You’ll hear about a lot of environmental health and occupational safety theories and concepts, but you’ll also learn about general business solutions and maybe even some everyday things that you can apply to your life. We’ll also cover general topics about research, whether it be about measurement tools, statistics, or what differentiates good research from, well, the not so good information out there. ”Prove It To Me” is nerdy. It is serious. It is jovial and fun. It is optionally explicit, but your kids will probably be asleep before we get to any bad stuff anyway. If you’re ready to cut through the BS, maybe learn a little bit about research, and get into the nitty gritty of whether big ideas work or not, you’re in the right place. Have some evidence-based research to share? Send an email to contact@proveitpod.com today! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and its guests and do not necessarily represent the official position, opinion, or strategies of their employers or companies. Examples of research and data analysis discussed within this podcast are only examples. They should not be utilized in the real world as the only solution available as they are based on very limited, often single-use case, and sometimes dated information. Assumptions made within this discussion about research and data analyses are not necessarily representative of the position of the host, the guests, or their employers or companies. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the creator of the podcast. The presentation of content by the guests does not necessarily constitute an active endorsement of the content by the host.

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