Bad Batch: Can't get enough of that medical true crime
www.podcastlibrarian.com/post/dr-deathThe Premise (from Apple Podcasts):
Patients are offered a miracle cure, but instead they end up rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The race is on to track down what went wrong with several patients in Texas before more people get hurt. The trail leads to a stem cell company with a charismatic CEO, and to an entire multibillion dollar industry where greed and desperation collide. Laura Beil, the award-winning host and reporter of “Dr. Death,” returns for this six-part investigative series from Wondery.
Series or standalone:
Series
Begin listening to:
The Cure to Everything
Format:
Investigative reporting
Host(s):
Laura Beil, whom you know from the hit pod, Dr. Death
Sound/production quality:
Very good
Rating/age suitability:
Adult
Approximate length of episodes:
30-40 minutes
Curricular ties:
None
Similar recommended pods:
Podcast Librarian’s Review:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Bad Batch is the highly-anticipated follow-up to Laura Biel’s smash hit, Dr. Death. Using her skills as a Dallas medical reporter, Laura once again reveals the dark side behind a “miracle cure” that actually caused more harm than good. This time, the focus is on stem cell injections, which were purported to cure pain and conditions that can usually only be solved through surgery. The patients interviewed in the series often sound optimistic directly after the injections, but the aftermath is truly awful. What follows is the discussion of who is to blame and how these patients were never advised that the “miracle” procedure is not FDA-approved. Laura digs to find out who is really at fault and exposes a frightening lack of accountability. Though the podcast launched a couple months ago, I purposely waited until all the episodes had all been released because I like to listen to a series like this as a binge. Although it didn’t have quite the shock effect of Dr. Death for me (because that was a truly wild story!), I really enjoyed this series; as always, the pod boasts thorough reporting, heartbreaking accounts, shady dealings, and the right dose of suspense. I heartily recommend BB and can’t wait to see what Laura digs up next!
