In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Dr. Joel Gator Warsh, a pediatrician known for his refreshingly transparent and evidence-based approach to children’s health. Together, they unpack one of the most emotionally charged topics in parenting—vaccines.
HeHe and Dr. Gator talk openly about the gaps in vaccine research, the importance of truly informed consent, and what every parent deserves to understand before making decisions for their family. They explore everything from the new RSV vaccine and alu...
In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Dr. Joel Gator Warsh, a pediatrician known for his refreshingly transparent and evidence-based approach to children’s health. Together, they unpack one of the most emotionally charged topics in parenting—vaccines.
HeHe and Dr. Gator talk openly about the gaps in vaccine research, the importance of truly informed consent, and what every parent deserves to understand before making decisions for their family. They explore everything from the new RSV vaccine and aluminum adjuvants to SIDS and medical ethics—all through the lens of curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking.
This isn’t about fear or finger-pointing—it’s about facts, trust, and empowering you to make confident, informed choices for your baby.
00:00 Introduction to Vaccine Debate
01:16 The Birth Lounge Podcast Introduction
01:23 Debunking the 'Big Baby' Myth
03:32 Introducing the 'Pushing Out Your Big Ass Baby' Course
05:29 Vaccine Exploration Series Recap
05:50 In-Depth Vaccine Discussion with Dr. Joel Gator
07:46 Challenges in Vaccine Research and Public Trust
12:21 Ethics and Future of Vaccine Studies
45:42 Pushback Against Vaccines
46:18 The Need for Open Dialogue
47:30 Personal Experiences and Public Trust
50:16 Ethical Dilemmas in Pediatric Care
57:33 Herd Immunity and Vaccine Efficacy
01:06:13 The Quest for Clean Deodorant
01:13:14 Complexities of Vaccine Safety
01:19:35 Chronic Disease and Medical Humility
01:29:00 Questioning Vaccine Safety Standards
01:30:28 The Controversy of Vaccine Skepticism
01:33:09 The Need for Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated Studies
01:39:31 SIDS and Vaccines: A Complex Relationship
01:46:07 Aluminum in Vaccines: Concerns and Debates
01:53:16 The New RSV Vaccine: What You Need to Know
02:01:03 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
Guest Bio:
Joel Warsh aka DrJoelGator of the popular parenting Instagram account and substack is a Board-Certified Pediatrician in Los Angeles, California who specializes in Parenting, Wellness and Integrative Medicine. He is the author of multiple books including his latest, Between a Shot and a Hard Place: Tackling Difficult Vaccine Questions with Balance, Data, and Clarity,
He grew up in Toronto, Canada and completed a Master’s Degree in Epidemiology before earning his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College.
He completed his Pediatric Medicine training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and then worked in private practice in Beverly Hills before founding his current practice, Integrative Pediatrics.
Dr. Gator has published research in peer-reviewed journals on topics including childhood injuries, obesity and physical activity.
He has been featured in numerous documentaries, films, summits, podcasts and articles.
INSTAGRAM:
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Connect with Dr. Gator on IG
BIRTH EDUCATION:
Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!
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LINKS / RESOURCES MENTIONED:
www.theshotbook.com
Listen to our vaccine series here
An inconvenient Study documentary
