Death, Sex & Money - Why Autopsies Are in Decline and Why it Matters

Death, Sex & Money - Why Autopsies Are in Decline and Why it Matters

In the 1950s, about 50% of patients who died in a hospital in the U.S. received an autopsy. Today, that figure is in the single digits, which is a big loss according to two people who care a lot about this topic:


One is Dr. Alex Williamson, an forensic and pediatric pathologist who performs autopsies and talks to families of the deceased about what he learned in the process. The other is Sam Ashworth, a novelist who went looking for a storytelling device and found an obsession. This week, both men explain why autopsies are important and what they can teach us about living.


Sam Ashworth’s novel ⁠The Death and Life of August Sweeny⁠ is available now.


This episode was produced by Cameron Drews.


Get more Death, Sex & Money with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of DSM and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Death, Sex & Money show page on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ or ⁠Spotify⁠. Or, visit ⁠slate.com/dsmplus⁠ to get access wherever you listen.

If you’re new to the show, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here. Find us and follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and you can find Anna’s newsletter at annasale.substack.com. Our email address, where you can reach us with voice memos, pep talks, questions, critiques, is deathsexmoney@slate.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avsnitt(2971)

ICYMI - Wikipedia Is The Most Human Place On The Internet

ICYMI - Wikipedia Is The Most Human Place On The Internet

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by creator Annie Rauwerda, who runs the popular @depthsofwikipedia account, to talk about 25 years of Wikipedia and the platform’s recent decision to ba...

11 Apr 30min

Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia - The Queen of Disco Edition Part 1 (Encore)

Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia - The Queen of Disco Edition Part 1 (Encore)

Donna Summer was a hit-maker for two decades and a dance floor deity for more than three. Her collaborations with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte were formative in dance, electronic, and rock music,...

10 Apr 31min

Culture Gabfest - The Drama Surrounding The Drama Edition

Culture Gabfest - The Drama Surrounding The Drama Edition

What’s the worst thing Steve, Dana, and Julia have ever done? And would you still love them if you knew the answer to that question? That’s not a subject for today’s episode, but these three do get in...

8 Apr 1h 2min

Decoder Ring - Who Was Lonelygirl15?

Decoder Ring - Who Was Lonelygirl15?

In the summer of 2006, a teenage girl began posting video diaries to a then-new site called YouTube under the handle lonelygirl15. Within weeks she was a phenomenon—even though no one knew the truth o...

8 Apr 58min

ICYMI - The AI Book Scandal Rocking Publishing

ICYMI - The AI Book Scandal Rocking Publishing

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Slate contributing writer Imogen West-Knights to talk about Shy Girl, the controversial novel whose U.S. publication was cancelled over suspected AI ...

8 Apr 30min

Hang Up and Listen - A March Without Madness

Hang Up and Listen - A March Without Madness

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh recap a chalky March Madness marked by coaching drama and uncertainty about college basketball’s future. Then Alex and Lindsay ask Ben about the e...

7 Apr 1h 16min

Death, Sex & Money - Doree Shafrir On The Out Of Control IVF Train

Death, Sex & Money - Doree Shafrir On The Out Of Control IVF Train

When Doree Shafrir started fertility treatments in her late thirties, she thought it would be relatively simple. It ended up taking multiple rounds and sinking her family into debt. Doree and her husb...

7 Apr 44min

ICYMI - The Internet Loves To Hate Chappell Roan

ICYMI - The Internet Loves To Hate Chappell Roan

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by writer and content creator Josh Lora, who goes by TellTheBees on Substack, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. After yet another meaningless Chappell Roan...

4 Apr 43min

Populärt inom Nöje

mellan-himmel-och-jord-med-jlc
filip-fredrik-svarar
mardromsgasten
dialogiskt
badfluence
chilla-med-de-vet-du
mannen-utan-spar
rss-p3-musikdokumentar
schulman-show
fem-i-topp
gott-snack-med-fredrik-soderholm
skandal
rss-rockpodden
hemma-hos-strage
vardagsmysterier
karatefylla
sexet
podme-bio-4
rss-bl-metal-podcast
nordmark-pod