Oh Gross!

Oh Gross, LLC

Don’t let the “ick” factor hold you back—we get to the bottom of life’s toughest and grossest moments, so nothing is off-limits or unspeakable. So if you are tired of asking awkward questions on Social Media or spiraling down a misinformation Doctor Google rabbit hole, welcome to the Oh Gross! Community.  Ever wonder how many times the average person gets bitten by a spider? Or what to do about germs on a plane?  We pull back the curtain on life’s most unnerving mysteries by having real conversations with science to takeaways—that help you face the “ick” with clarity (and maybe a laugh). So don't worry about that fuzz on your fruit in the fridge or panic about what to put in your "Bug Out Bag" for emergencies. We do the research so you can skip the stress—and get the answers you didn’t know you needed. Each episode Kara, Jennie and Molly dive into a squeamish or scary subject, blending expert-driven interviews, practical tips, and plenty of personal stories and wit to help you handle whatever life (or your leftovers) throw your way. We explain the science, delve into the history, and debunk the misinformation so you can tackle life’s sticky realities with confidence. No topic is too taboo—and yes, we’ll even tell you how many times you’re likely being bitten by spiders in a year. In each episode, journalist and crime expert Kara Kurcz investigates the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, scientist Jennie Wickham breaks down the methodology behind the answers, and pop culture guru Molly Lucas shares relatable anecdotes that make even the gross stuff easier to digest. Together, these three friends make sure listeners walk away informed, intrigued, and ready for whatever creepy-crawly scenario comes their way because knowledge is the best antidote to “gross.”  Tune in to Oh Gross—we'rer here to make life’s messy moments more manageable.

  1. Kratom: An Interview with Emmy-Nominated Producer Joanne Rubino

    MAR 6

    Kratom: An Interview with Emmy-Nominated Producer Joanne Rubino

    In the final installment of our special kratom series, Kara and Jennie speak with Emmy-nominated producer Joanne Rubino, creator of the documentary Kratom: Side Effects May Include. After a friend lost her 27-year-old son, Wyatt Wheeler, Joanne spent years investigating the growing and largely unregulated kratom industry. Her research uncovered a complicated story—one that includes passionate supporters, heartbreaking loss stories, and serious questions about safety, addiction, and consumer protection. In this episode we explore: • The Regulatory “Wild West” – How kratom remains unapproved by the FDA and largely unregulated by the DEA• The Human Cost – The tragic death of Wyatt Wheeler after purchasing a kratom product off the shelf• A Growing Epidemic – The dramatic rise in kratom use across the United States• The Danger of Extracts – Concentrated products that can be up to 50x more potent than the raw plant• The National Debate – Supporters who claim benefits vs. families and experts raising serious safety concerns Kratom is marketed as a natural supplement, but this conversation reveals how little most consumers actually know about its risks. Learn more about the documentary Kratom: Side Effects May Include:https://kratomsideeffectsmayinclude.com/ At Oh Gross!, we ask the questions others won’t—especially when health topics live in the uncomfortable space between promise and risk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min
  2. Gas Station Heroin: The Kratom Crisis

    FEB 5

    Gas Station Heroin: The Kratom Crisis

    Kratom is sold as a “natural” sleep aid, mood booster, and pain reliever—sometimes right next to energy drinks at gas stations—yet there is no consistent regulation, no standard dosing, and deeply conflicting information online about how safe it really is. In part one of this two-part Oh Gross! special, Kara and Jennie unpack the fast-growing world of kratom and its synthetic offshoots like 7-OH, exploring how an herbal tree from Southeast Asia turned into an unregulated high‑concentration supplement linked to overdoses, heart issues, and breathing suppression, especially when mixed with alcohol. You’ll hear the heartbreaking story of Hunter, an otherwise healthy 18‑year‑old who took kratom he believed was safe—recommended by a registered nurse and marketed like a harmless alternative to ibuprofen—and never woke up. His mom, surgical technologist Randy Baker‑Mead, walks us through the night he died, the shock of a toxicology report showing only kratom in his system, and her fight to warn other families and push for stronger laws after learning teens can still buy kratom in some states like an energy drink. Kara and Jennie also break down what we do know so far: how kratom interacts with brain receptors in ways similar to opioids, why state laws are all over the map, and why health officials in places like California are now issuing public warnings after a cluster of deaths tied to synthetic kratom products mixed with alcohol. This episode does not offer medical advice or tell you what to think about kratom; instead, it opens up the conversation parents, teens, and anyone considering “natural” supplements need to be having about risk, regulation, and the myth that “herbal” automatically means safe. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, you can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357) for free, confidential, 24/7 support and treatment referrals. Tune in now, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss part two with kratom researcher Dr. Christopher McCurdy, who will dig into what the science actually shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min

Trailers

4.9
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About

Don’t let the “ick” factor hold you back—we get to the bottom of life’s toughest and grossest moments, so nothing is off-limits or unspeakable. So if you are tired of asking awkward questions on Social Media or spiraling down a misinformation Doctor Google rabbit hole, welcome to the Oh Gross! Community.  Ever wonder how many times the average person gets bitten by a spider? Or what to do about germs on a plane?  We pull back the curtain on life’s most unnerving mysteries by having real conversations with science to takeaways—that help you face the “ick” with clarity (and maybe a laugh). So don't worry about that fuzz on your fruit in the fridge or panic about what to put in your "Bug Out Bag" for emergencies. We do the research so you can skip the stress—and get the answers you didn’t know you needed. Each episode Kara, Jennie and Molly dive into a squeamish or scary subject, blending expert-driven interviews, practical tips, and plenty of personal stories and wit to help you handle whatever life (or your leftovers) throw your way. We explain the science, delve into the history, and debunk the misinformation so you can tackle life’s sticky realities with confidence. No topic is too taboo—and yes, we’ll even tell you how many times you’re likely being bitten by spiders in a year. In each episode, journalist and crime expert Kara Kurcz investigates the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, scientist Jennie Wickham breaks down the methodology behind the answers, and pop culture guru Molly Lucas shares relatable anecdotes that make even the gross stuff easier to digest. Together, these three friends make sure listeners walk away informed, intrigued, and ready for whatever creepy-crawly scenario comes their way because knowledge is the best antidote to “gross.”  Tune in to Oh Gross—we'rer here to make life’s messy moments more manageable.

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