Best Biostatistics Podcasts (2025)

A conversation with Kaspar Rufibach Why You Should Listen: ✔ By the end of this episode, you’ll: ✔ Pick up concrete steps to improve your presentation skills over time: feedback, recordings, formal training, and deliberate practice. ✔ See why communication is leadership – and why “you can’t lead if you can’t communicate” really applies to statistic…

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Holiday Survival Guide Part 2: The survey study edition 1:04:01

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8d ago1:04:01

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Does the temperature of your coffee six months ago really predict whether you feel gassy today? This week we dissect a new nutrition survey study on hot and cold beverage habits that claims to connect drink temperature with gut symptoms, anxiety, and more—despite relying on year-old memories and a blizzard of statistical tests. It’s the perfect cas…

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External control arms - how to get to a good one 26:51

12d ago26:51

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A conversation with Deepa Jahagirdar Why Listen ✔ You want a clearer understanding of when and why ECAs make sense. ✔ You’re dealing with real-world data and need a practical framework for selecting the right source. ✔ You’ve heard the term target trial emulation, but want to understand how it’s applied in real projects. ✔ You want to strengthen th…

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From Lived Experience to Life-Changing Innovation: How Praxis Reimagines Spinal Cord Injury Solutions 59:53

14d ago59:53

59:53

In this powerful episode of Research Renaissance, Arushi Raina and John Chernesky from the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute pull back the curtain on what it really takes to innovate in spinal cord injury—and why the future of neurological care depends on integrating technology, science, and most importantly, lived experience. Rather than treating indiv…

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Holiday Survival Guide: How to talk about scientific studies around the dinner table 1:01:46

22d ago1:01:46

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Does a little alcohol really make you speak a foreign language better? This week we unpack a quirky randomized trial that tested Dutch pronunciation after a modest buzz—and came to the opposite conclusion the researchers expected. We use it as the perfect holiday case study: instead of arguing with Uncle Joe at the dinner table, we’ll show you how …

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#57 Presentation of the «Strong Kidneys Task Force», with Charles Ferro 19:50

27d ago19:50

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In this episode, Charles Ferro from Birmingham, United Kingdom, presents the ERA’s Strong Kidneys Task Force. Learn how this Task Force is raising global awareness about kidney health, building partnerships with national societies, and inspiring people to take care of their kidneys.By European Renal Association

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#55 Diet and hyperkalemia, with Alice Sabatino 16:26

27d ago16:26

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In this episode, we chat with Alice Sabatino from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden about diet and hyperkalemia. How have new potassium binders and RAAS inhibitors changed the way we manage potassium? And do patients really need to cut out fruits and vegetables anymore? Alice shares practical diet tips and fresh insights from recent res…

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#56 Hepatorenal syndrome, with Juan Carlos Q. Velez 20:53

27d ago20:53

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In this episode, we head to New Orleans, USA where Juan Carlos Q. Velez helps us unravel the mystery of hepatorenal syndrome. We’ll explore its mechanisms, the two distinct types, and evolving treatment strategies that might finally improve outcomes for patients with advanced liver disease.By European Renal Association

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Top 9: Non-parametric analyses - much more than just the Wilcoxon test! 40:19

29d ago40:19

40:19

Interview with Frank Konietschke Why You Should Listen: Why this episode made our all-time Top 9: If you’ve ever thought “non-parametric = Wilcoxon/Mann-Whitney and that’s it,” this conversation will happily destroy that myth. Frank shows how rank-based methods unlock rigorous analyses for skewed data, outliers, ordinal endpoints, small samples, co…

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Trailer Presentation of the «Strong Kidneys Task Force», Diet and hyperkalemia and Hepatorenal syndrome 1:22

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By European Renal Association

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Shingles Shot and Dementia: Could one vaccine protect your brain? 1:12:58

1M ago1:12:58

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What do chickenpox and shingles have to do with your brain? This week, we dig into two 2025 headline-grabbing studies that link the shingles shot to lower dementia rates. We start in Wales, where a birthday cutoff turned into the perfect natural experiment, and end in the U.S. with a multi-million-person megastudy. Featuring bias-variance Goldilock…

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How to communicate results from adaptive studies simple, but still correct 24:20

1M ago24:20

24:20

A Conversation with Kaspar Rufibach Why You Should Listen: ✔ You need clear, defensible language for papers, conferences, and labels when your study had interims and stopping rules. ✔ You’ll learn practical rules-of-thumb for when “naïve” estimates are okay—and when to adjust. ✔ You’ll hear what regulators typically focus on vs. what patients and c…

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Introduction to adaptive designs and ICH E20 29:36

2M ago29:36

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A Conversation with Kaspar Rufibach Why You Should Listen: If you’ve ever wondered what adaptive designs really are, when they make sense, and how ICH E20 will influence our work as statisticians, this episode will give you a clear, practical overview. You’ll learn: ✔ Why adaptive designs often save valuable time—and what organizational barriers ke…

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Scary Bridge Study: Can fear make you horny? 1:04:33

2M ago1:04:33

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What if a haunted house makes your date look hotter? This week we dive into the infamous Scary Bridge Study — the 1970s classic that launched a thousand pop-psych takes on fear and lust. It’s the one with the swaying bridge, pretty “research assistant,” and phone number scrawled on torn paper. The study became legend, but how sturdy were its stats?…

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#53 Antibody-mediated rejection treatment – now and in the future, with Georg Böhmig 33:40

2M ago33:40

33:40

In this episode we navigate another difficult disease to treat, that is antibody-mediated rejection of kidney transplants, a disease that currently has no effective standard treatment. Luckily, new therapy is on the horizon, and the sunrise will be coming soon. Georg Böhmig has been involved in most of the exciting new research done in this field a…

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#52 Primary hyperoxaluria type 1, with Justine Bacchetta 23:53

2M ago23:53

23:53

In this episode we explore a very rare, but devastating disease called primary hyperoxaluria, which usually destroys the kidneys when patients are still very young and afterwards, the calcium oxalate crystals deposit in the bones, joints, vessel walls, the heart and other organs, leading to a dramatic shortening of life. Effectively the patient is …

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#54 Sustainable nephrology, with Ivo Laranjinha and Susi Knöller 42:23

2M ago42:23

42:23

Ivo Laranjinha and Susi Knöller from the ERA Sustainable Nephrology Task Force share insights on practical actions that can make a measurable difference in nephrology. By the end of the conversation, it became clear that green nephrology isn’t boring, it represents the opportunity of this generation. In this episode, we refer to an article featured…

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Ultramarathons: Can vitamin D protect your bones? 58:50

2M ago58:50

58:50

Ultramarathoners push their bodies to the limit, but can a giant pre-race dose of vitamin D really keep their bones from breaking down? In this episode, we dig into a trial that tested this claim – and found a statistical endurance event of its own: six highly interchangeable papers sliced from one small study. Expect missing runners, recycled figu…

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Trailer Primary hyperoxaluria type 1, Antibody-mediated rejection treatment – now and in the future and Sustainable nephrology 2:05

2M ago2:05

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By European Renal Association

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Leadership, Influence & Presenting: Human Skills That Make Statisticians Effective 36:15

2M ago36:15

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A conversation with Alexander Schacht and Alun Bedding Why You Should Listen: ✔ Hear my personal reflections on 456 episodes and the evolution of this podcast. ✔ Learn a simple, values-based view of leadership that applies no matter your level. ✔ Discover how to influence people—not departments—and build trust. ✔ See why contextual teaching beats g…

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P-Values: Are we using a flawed statistical tool? 1:14:21

3M ago1:14:21

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P-values show up in almost every scientific paper, yet they’re one of the most misunderstood ideas in statistics. In this episode, we break from our usual journal-club format to unpack what a p-value really is, why researchers have fought about it for a century, and how that famous 0.05 cutoff became enshrined in science. Along the way, we share st…

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Top 8: The Single Arm Studies and What are the Alternatives? 45:32

3M ago45:32

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Interview with Anja Schiel Why You Should Listen: f you’ve ever wondered whether single-arm studies are “good enough” for regulators or HTA bodies, this episode will challenge your assumptions. Anja Schiel, one of Europe’s leading voices at the regulator–HTA interface, explains why comparisons matter, where single-arm designs break down, and what s…

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#50 Onconephrology: A huge subject, with Kenar D. Jhaveri 15:48

3M ago15:48

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In this episode we dive into the rapidly expanding world of onconephrology with Kenar D. Jhaveri. He explains the scope of this emerging subspecialty, identifies the top oncologic agents linked to kidney complications, and shares resources to help nephrologists stay ahead in this ever-changing field.…

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#51 Monoclonal gammopathy with renal significance, with Jolanta Małyszko 28:47

3M ago28:47

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Jolanta Małyszko takes us through a condition that sits at the crossroads of hematology and nephrology. She explains how these protein abnormalities can quietly damage the kidneys, why early recognition is essential, and how collaboration between specialties can improve outcomes.By European Renal Association

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#49 Obesity and CKD, with Marieta Theodorakopoulou 23:17

3M ago23:17

23:17

Marieta Theodorakopoulou reveals why excess weight is a silent but powerful driver of chronic kidney disease. With obesity rates soaring, especially among younger generations, she guides us through the mechanisms of obesity-associated renal lesions, how to tailor treatments for obese CKD patients, and what we know about the renal safety of anti-obe…

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Top 7: How to work with a physician within Pharma to become a valuable partner 26:40

3M ago26:40

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Discussion with Benjamin Piske and Alexander Schacht Why You Should Listen: Working with physicians isn’t always easy. Different mindsets, expectations, and communication styles can get in the way. In this episode, you’ll hear how to: ✔ Build trust and respect with physicians in pharma ✔ Communicate effectively across disciplines ✔ Know when to sup…

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Exercise and Cancer: Does physical activity improve colon cancer survival? 49:59

3M ago49:59

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Exercise has long been hailed as cancer-fighting magic, but is there hard evidence behind the hype? In this episode, we tackle the CHALLENGE trial, a large phase III study of colon cancer patients that tested whether prescribed exercise could improve cancer-free survival. We translate clinical jargon into plain English, show why ratio statistics ma…

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Trailer Obesity and CKD, Onconephrology: A huge subject and Monoclonal gammopathy with renal significance 1:52

3M ago1:52

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By European Renal Association

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Top 6: What is EU HTA and why should statisticians care? 36:08

3M ago36:08

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Interview with Lara Wolfson and Anders Gorst-Rasmussen Why You Should Listen: ✔ EU HTA is becoming reality: Joint Clinical Assessments begin soon with oncology/ATMPs and will expand to all medicines over the next years. ✔ Statisticians are central: Re-analyses, indirect comparisons, RWE, and quality-of-life analyses will be required—often beyond wh…

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Top 5: The analysis of adverse events done right 52:45

4M ago52:45

52:45

Interview with Kaspar Rufibach & Jan Beyersmann What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why analyzing adverse events differently from efficacy endpoints creates problems. ✔ How differing follow-up times and censoring bias AE results. ✔ The role of the Aalen–Johansen estimator and why it should be standard practice. ✔ What the SAVVY collaboration achieved by uniting p…

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Age Gaps: How much does age matter in dating? 50:37

4M ago50:37

50:37

Are we all secretly ageist when it comes to dating? We put the stereotype that older men prefer younger women under the microscope using data from thousands of blind dates. What we found surprised us: the “age penalty” was real but microscopic, women wanted younger partners too, and hard age cutoffs weren’t so hard after all. Along the way, we unpa…

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Transforming Communities Through Resilience Science with Dr. Wendy Ellis 47:21

4M ago47:21

47:21

In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Wendy Ellis, Assistant Professor of Global Health at George Washington University and Founding Director of the Center for Community Resilience. Together, they explore how resilience science and systems-level thinking can drive lasting change for communities impacted b…

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Replay: R vs SAS - which is the better tool in pharmaceutical research 42:29

4M ago42:29

42:29

Interview with Sam Gardner & Thomas Neitmann What You’ll Learn: ✔ How Thomas and Sam were first introduced to SAS and R — and how their early experiences shaped their preferences. ✔ Key differences in learning curves and the resources available for beginners. ✔ How each tool fares in day-to-day work and long-term maintainability. ✔ Strengths and we…

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Your Brain on AI: Is ChatGPT making us mentally lazy? 1:15:02

4M ago1:15:02

1:15:02

ChatGPT is melting our brainpower, killing creativity, and making us soulless — or so the headlines imply. We dig into the study behind the claims, starting with quirky bar charts and mysterious sample sizes, then winding through hairball-like brain diagrams and tens of thousands of statistical tests. Our statistical sleuthing leaves us with questi…

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Ataxia, Advocacy, and Accelerating Research: Inside the National Ataxia Foundation 51:33

4M ago51:33

51:33

Welcome back to Research Renaissance, presented by the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust. In this episode, host Deborah Westphal explores the cutting edge of rare disease research with special guests Andrew Rosen, CEO of the National Ataxia Foundation (NAF), and Dr. Lauren Moore, NAF’s Chief Scientific Officer. Together, they unpack how the NAF has ev…

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Replay: The Chimp Paradox 41:35

4M ago41:35

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Interview with Stuart McGuire What You’ll Learn: ✔ How to recognize when your “chimp” is in control — and what to do about it ✔ The difference between emotional, rational, and programmed brain responses ✔ How to manage anxiety and fear in high-stakes situations like meetings and presentations ✔ Why we often overwork out of tribal guilt — and how to…

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Unlocking Parkinson’s Potential: The Brain-Immune Link with Dr. Adithya Gopinath 35:16

4M ago35:16

35:16

In this groundbreaking episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal reconnects with Dr. Adithya Gopinath, University of Florida, to explore a game-changing discovery in Parkinson’s research: a direct connection between dopamine neurons in the brain and the peripheral immune system, specifically the spleen. Dr. Gopinath shares how his lab’…

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Replay: Is data science something for you? 26:19

4M ago26:19

26:19

Interview with Yannis Jemiai & Rajat Mukherjee What You’ll Learn: ✔ How two leading statisticians transitioned into data science ✔ The key differences (and overlaps) between data science, statistics, big data, and machine learning ✔ Why data science is more than hype—and why statisticians are needed more than ever ✔ The role of visualization and st…

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The Backfire Effect: Can fact-checking make false beliefs stronger? 59:20

4M ago59:20

59:20

Can correcting misinformation make it worse? The “backfire effect” claims that debunking myths can actually make false beliefs stronger. We dig into the evidence — from ghost studies to headline-making experiments — to see if this psychological plot twist really holds up. Along the way, we unpack interaction effects, randomization red flags, and wh…

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The AI Cure: How Drug Repurposing is Saving Lives 51:03

5M ago51:03

51:03

In this episode of Research Renaissance, Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Grant Mitchell, co-founder and CEO of Every Cure — a nonprofit revolutionizing how we treat disease using artificial intelligence and drug repurposing. You’ll hear the incredible true story behind the organization’s founding: a rare disease, a near-death diagnosis, and the…

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Replay: Things we would like to have known before we started with RWE 48:53

5M ago48:53

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Interview with Rachel Tham What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why “index date” is more complicated than it sounds ✔ Common mistakes around exposure definitions ✔ The importance of understanding how RWE data is generated ✔ What programmers should know about timing, variables, and algorithms ✔ Why project management in RWE must be iterative and stakeholder-driven …

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Unlocking Sex-Based Differences in Alzheimer’s Risk with Dr. Rachel Buckley 48:10

5M ago48:10

48:10

In this powerful episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Rachel Buckley, Associate Professor of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Together, they explore a growing body of research that challenges long-standing assumptions about sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Buckle…

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Dating Wishlists: Are we happier when we get what we want in a mate? 1:06:25

5M ago1:06:25

1:06:25

Loyal, funny, hot — you’ve probably got a wish list for your dream partner. But does checking all your boxes actually lead to happily ever after? In this episode, we dive into a massive global study that put the “ideal partner” hypothesis to the test. Do people really know what they want, and does getting it actually make them happier? We explore s…

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How Regenerative Biology Could Help Treat Alzheimer’s with Dr. Prabesh Bhattarai 45:23

5M ago45:23

45:23

In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Prabesh Bhattarai, Associate Research Scientist - The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease, the aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and a 2024 Toffler Scholar. Dr. Bhattarai shares his groundbreaking work on regenerative biology and ho…

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Decoding Alzheimer’s: Breakthroughs in Neural Recording using and Biostatistics & Machine Learning 49:57

5M ago49:57

49:57

In this exciting episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal speaks with Dr. Ted Zwang, Assistant Professor of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Andrew Holbrook, Assistant Professor at UCLA and Jasen Zhang, PhD student in biostatistics in Holbrook’s lab. Together, they share how novel neural reco…

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AI and Statistics Start-ups: Opportunities and Challenges 43:32

5M ago43:32

43:32

Keynote by Manjari Narayan | The Effective Statistician Conference 2024 What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why the 21st century is truly the "century of biology" and what that means for statisticians ✔ The untapped opportunity for statisticians to innovate before clinical trials begin ✔ How AI-guided experiments are changing drug discovery—and the statistical ch…

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Stats Reunion: What have we learned so far? 56:54

5M ago56:54

56:54

It’s our first stats reunion! In this special review episode, we revisit favorite concepts from past episodes—p-values, multiple testing, regression adjustment—and give them fresh personalities as characters. Meet the seductive false positive, the clingy post hoc ex, and Charlotte, the well-meaning but overfitting idealist. Statistical topics Bar c…

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How Childhood Stress Shapes the Brain with Dr. Heather Brenhouse 53:39

6M ago53:39

53:39

In this fascinating episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Dr. Heather Brenhouse, professor of psychology and director of the Developmental Neuropsychobiology Lab at Northeastern University—and a 2024 Toffler Scholar. Together, they explore the deep connections between childhood adversity, brain development, and long-…

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Combining RCT and RWD – applications in rare diseases and practical recommendations 47:05

6M ago47:05

47:05

Keynote by Prof. Tim Friede | The Effective Statistician Conference 2024 What You’ll Learn: ✔ When and how to combine RCTs with real-world data (RWD) ✔ The CJD study: lessons from combining registry and trial data ✔ Hierarchical Bayesian meta-analysis and shrinkage estimators ✔ Robustness of these approaches in the face of heterogeneity ✔ Practical…