Oysters can be risky to eat raw, but what microbes are actually responsible? Is there more to it than just chance? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Rachel Diner, Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis researching aquatic microbes, to find out.

Here, we discuss the hidden world of bacteria in oysters, exploring the roles these organisms play in the environment and their impact on human health. Our conversation digs into the complexities of Vibrio bacteria and the environmental conditions that influence their prevalence, but it’s also full of practical advice.

Listen to the episode to learn how there’s a lot more to the story when it comes to oysters and the bacteria they harbor.

Topics covered in this episode:

• How Rachel got interested in microbiology and became an Assistant Professor researching aquatic microbes at the University of Memphis
• How we get sick from oysters and what microbes are involved
• Can you tell if oysters will make you sick from smelling them?
• How does Vibrio get into oysters?
• How much Vibrio will make us sick?
• The roles of Vibrios in the environment
• How environmental factors (water temperature, salinity, and nutrient levels) influence the prevalence and virulence of microbes in oyster populations
• Are there certain times of year when it’s safer to eat oysters? (Only months that end in R)
• Rachel’s advice as a microbiologist when it comes to oysters
• Microbiology misconceptions
• Shifts in the field of non-model systems’ microbiomes
• At-home microbiology activity: Winogradsky columns (learn some helpful tips on running these columns)

JOYFUL MICROBE SHOW NOTES: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/oyster-microbiology-rachel-diner/

AT-HOME MICROBIOLOGY ACTIVITY: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/winogradsky-column/

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Can drinking alcohol impact our gut health? It sure can. Since our gut health is so crucial for our overall health, this episode focuses on the connection between alcohol consumption and the microbial component of our gut health, the gut microbiome. In this episode, I spoke with microbiology researcher Andrew Day about how alcohol disrupts the gut microbiome and mycobiome — the fungal community in the gut — causing changes that affect the body and brain.

We explore whether quitting alcohol can heal the gut and the potential of future therapies like probiotics or fecal transplants to aid recovery. Join us to learn about the gut microbiome’s surprising role in addiction and what science is uncovering about this complex relationship. By understanding these connections, we gain insight into the broader impacts of alcohol on health and behavior.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The role of fungi in the microbiome
• Impact of alcohol on the gut microbiome (and mycobiome)
• Recovery and microbiome restoration
• The gut microbiome and addiction
• The gut-brain axis and alcohol consumption
• Potential of microbial therapies for recovery: probiotics, prebiotics, fecal transplants
• At-home microbiology activity: Grow a biofilm

JOYFUL MICROBE SHOW NOTES: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/alcohol-gut-microbiome-andrew-day/

JOYFUL MICROBE TWITTER: https://twitter.com/joyfulmicrobe/

JOYFUL MICROBE INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/justineldees/

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Gut health has become a major topic in wellness, influencing everything from grocery choices to discussions on social media. Research increasingly shows the gut microbiome’s role in digestion, immunity, and even mood. But with so much information available, it’s hard to separate science from trend. In this episode, I talk with Kristina Campbell, a science writer known for her expertise in the microbiome. As the author of Gut Health for Dummies, Kristina shares practical, research-based insights to help readers understand what gut health really involves — and how to make confident, informed choices.

Topics covered in this episode:

• How Kristina got interested in microbiology and her path to becoming a science writer and gut health ambassador
• What is gut health and how does it relate to the gut microbiome?
• What does the gut microbiome do for us?
• What motivated Kristina to write Gut Health for Dummies
• How lifestyle factors can impact gut health
• How diet impacts gut health
• Overview of “Biotics” - probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics
• A common myth about probiotics
• Why microbes can’t necessarily be labeled strictly as good and bad
• Gut health trends
• How to assess scientific information
• At-home microbiology activity: Kid-Friendly Gut Health Activity: Make Your Own Emulsifier-Free Dressing

JOYFUL MICROBE SHOW NOTES: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/gut-health-kristina-campbell/

AT-HOME MICROBIOLOGY ACTIVITY: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/gut-health-emulsifiers-activity/

JOYFUL MICROBE TWITTER: https://twitter.com/joyfulmicrobe/

JOYFUL MICROBE INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/justineldees/

SUPPORT JOYFUL MICROBE: https://ko-fi.com/joyfulmicrobe/