What Doesn’t Kill Us with Scott Carney

What Doesn’t Kill Us » Listen Now

Date: June 19, 2017

Episode Description for “What Doesn’t Kill Us“

Investigative journalist Scott Carney took his skepticism about Wim Hof’s method of cold exposure, breath-holding, and meditation to tap into our primal selves.  He journeyed to Poland and put these methods to the test.  In this interview discussing his book “What Doesn’t Kill Us” he lays out his personal investigations on these controversial methods.

 Dr. Risk’s Thoughts

I enjoyed this episode way more than I thought I would.  Before it aired, my Dad started to ask questions on how to have cold showers, and I had a couple before the interview.  I wasn’t doing them right at the time, but could see the benefits.  When I learned about the studies on Wim Hof’s method, I was intrigued.  I now recommend this therapy to all my patients, as it is an inexpensive way to boost their immune system and reduce pain.  There has been a trend of shows trying to understand why being uncomfortable (as with cold exposure) helps us to live longer.  I will leave those theories for the experts, but in the mean time I will enjoy the benefits of my daily cold showers.

Guest Information

Scott Carney

Investigative journalist and anthropologist Scott Carney (scottcarney.com) has worked in some of the most dangerous and unlikely corners of the world. His work blends narrative non-fiction with ethnography. Currently, he is a senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism and a 2016-17 Scripps Fellow at the Center for Environmental Journalism in Boulder, Colorado. “What Doesn’t Kill Us” is his most recent book; other works include “The Red Market” and “A Death on Diamond Mountain.”