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Oh Gross!

Oh Gross!

Written by: Oh Gross LLC
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 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.All rights reserved. 2024 Parenting Relationships Science
Episodes
  • Kratom Under the Microscope with Dr. Chris McCurdy

    Kratom Under the Microscope with Dr. Chris McCurdy
    Feb 18 2026
    Kara and Jennie sit down with kratom researcher and University of Florida medicinal chemistry professor Dr. Chris McCurdy for a no‑BS look at how a traditional Southeast Asian leaf turned into today’s potent “gas‑station” products. He explains where leaf‑only kratom may actually help with pain and opioid withdrawal, what changes when companies crank out 7‑OH shots and other concentrates, and why unregulated products are now tied to ER visits, deaths, and even newborns in opioid‑like withdrawal. You’ll also hear his take on brain development, why he doesn’t want anyone using kratom, alcohol, or cannabis before around age 25, and what smart regulation, not prohibition, could look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • 2026 Trailer

    2026 Trailer
    Feb 11 2026
    Oh Gross! is back with a new season. This is where the questions people avoid actually get answered. Real conversations. Real experts. No topic is off-limits, because the things we’re most uncomfortable asking about are usually the things we need to understand the most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    7 mins
  • Gas Station Heroin: The Kratom Crisis

    Gas Station Heroin: The Kratom Crisis
    Feb 5 2026
    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
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    56 mins
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