Hot Mic, Cold Virus

In this episode of Hot Mic Cold Virus, I dive into the sticky, sweaty world of infection prevention during summer fun. Whether you're hitting the lake, grilling in the backyard, or sending your kids to camp, summer brings a whole new set of germ risks.

We unpack the most common summer infections—from poolside pathogens like Naegleria fowleri to foodborne illnesses, bug bites, and everything in between. You’ll hear practical tips on...

In this episode, Rochelle is joined by Charlie Stillings for a deep dive into the often-overlooked world of Environmental Services (EVS). They talk about how EVS teams are essential to infection prevention, what gets in the way of collaboration, and why it's time we stop treating their work like background noise. From navigating ever-changing protocols to managing high-risk cleaning tasks, EVS professionals are doing critical, high...

In this solo episode, Rochelle tackles some of the most common health myths — and sets the record straight with science. From whether cold weather actually gives you a cold, to the truth about sweating out a fever, food safety myths, and that old claim about dog mouths being cleaner than ours — it’s time to separate fact from fiction. Quick and clear — this myth-busting mini-session is public health you’ll want to remember. Resourc...

In this episode of 🎙️ Hot Mic, Cold Virus, Rochelle is joined by the brilliant hosts of This Podcast Will Kill You to talk all things science communication. We chat about the origins of their hit podcast, the tightrope walk of making science both accurate and engaging, and the ongoing challenges of reaching audiences in a world flooded with misinformation. We also dive into the real and rising threats facing science communication ...

History is full of legendary figures and pivotal moments—but behind many of them lurked an unseen force: disease. The Sick & Significant episodes dive into the infections that shaped history and the illnesses that afflicted the famous. From epidemics that altered the course of nations to the unexpected ailments of icons, each episode dives into the fascinating intersection of sickness and significance.

Measles—often dismissed a...

Welcome to the third episode of Hot Mic, Cold Virus! 🎙️ Today, Rochelle is joined by Meg Sorg—Doctor of Nursing Practice, pediatric nurse practitioner, assistant professor, and a current medical student. Together, they take a deep dive into measles, one of the most contagious viruses of all time. They explore its history, examine the latest outbreaks making headlines, and uncover the serious complications that make this disease fa...

Welcome to Episode 2 of Hot Mic, Cold Virus! (The podcast formerly known as Let's Talk About It). 🎉 This time, Rochelle is diving into the fascinating world of infection prevention in behavioral health! 🏥💭She sits down with an IP who also has a background as a behavioral health nurse to unpack the unique challenges, fast-paced changes, and creative problem-solving that come with keeping patients and staff safe in this dynamic en...

Welcome to the first episode of the new series, Hot Mic, Cold Virus! 🎉 In this kickoff episode, Rochelle sits down with a Kentucky-based Infection Preventionist to dive into her experience managing a Candida auris outbreak. 🦠 They talk about how she first discovered the outbreak, the key steps of an outbreak investigation, and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. You won’t want to miss this fascinating behind-the-scene...