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Joanna Monigatti

Hi, I am Dr. Joanna Monigatti. From the world of AskADoc and StoryPlanet. Because sometimes the truth about the human body is stranger than fiction. Ever wondered what’s weirder — real medicine or science fiction? Join me for a weekly adventure through medical mysteries, bizarre biology, and the sci-fi ideas that might not be fiction for long. Smart, funny, a little dark — and always true (mostly).Welcome aboard AskADoc / StoryPlanet.

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New What Your Earwax Color Can Tell You

Dear health-conscious friends, Tis week, we are back in ENT territory. That's ear Nose and Throat for the uninitiated. :) Earwax isn’t glamorous. Most of us only think about it when we see it on a cotton bud or feel our ears getting blocked. But medically speaking, earwax is actually fascinating. In fact, the color and texture of earwax can sometimes give clues about what’s happening inside your ear. Before we dive into the colors, let’s start with the basics. Earwax — medically called...

Storyplanet african folktales and sci-fi

Dear gorgeous readers, Stories often paint resistance in bold, heroic colors. The rebel stands against tyranny. The oppressed rise up. Freedom triumphs. But reality — and the world of Attack on Planet Falrus — is rarely that simple. On Falrus, civilians live under the constant presence of an occupying force. Patrol ships drift silently in the sky. Curfews dictate daily life. Conversations are whispered, because even a careless word can attract unwanted attention. In this kind of world,...

Storyplanet african folktales and sci-fi

Dear gorgeous readers, Long before books existed, stories travelled by voice. They moved from fireside to fireside, village to village, carried not by ink but by memory. Across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, storytellers were the living libraries of their people. Empires rose. Languages changed. Borders moved. But the stories survived. Why? Because oral storytelling was never just entertainment. It was a survival system for culture. Myths carried history, moral codes, and...

Dear health-conscious friends, Most vitamin deficiencies don’t announce themselves loudly. They creep in slowly, with subtle symptoms that many people dismiss as stress, aging, or simply “one of those things.” But sometimes your body is quietly asking for help. Here are a few silent warning signs of common vitamin deficiencies that are easy to miss. Constant fatigue If you feel tired even after a good night’s sleep, low levels of vitamin B12, iron, or vitamin D could be the culprit. These...

Storyplanet african folktales and sci-fi

Dear gorgeous readers, StoryPlanet is evolving — and if you’ve noticed a new look on the channel, you’re seeing the beginning of something bigger. From the very start, StoryPlanet was created to bring stories back to life — stories that carry wisdom, wonder, and imagination across cultures and generations. Now, the channel is becoming a true home for three worlds that belong together. 🕷️ The Wisdom of Anansi Anansi stories remain at the heart of StoryPlanet. These clever tales from West...

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Dear health-conscious friends, What if I told you medieval doctors accidentally discovered treatments we still use today? Yes — alongside the questionable potions and superstition, some medieval cures actually worked… and modern science has confirmed why. From garlic that fights bacteria to honey that heals wounds, people hundreds of years ago sometimes stumbled onto real medicine — even without understanding germs or chemistry. Here are four medieval remedies that sound strange… but were...

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Dear health-conscious friends, Have you ever felt a sudden sharp pain — in your chest, side, head, or abdomen — only for it to vanish seconds later? It’s surprisingly common, and in most cases, it’s not a sign of anything serious. These brief pains are often caused by muscles, nerves, or tiny spasms in the body’s tissues. A quick movement, a change in posture, stress, or even trapped gas can trigger a sudden jolt of discomfort that disappears just as quickly as it came. One well-known example...

Dear gorgeous readers, What if science fiction isn’t really about the future — but about the past repeating itself? In many sci-fi stories, we see powerful civilizations arriving on distant worlds, claiming resources, reshaping cultures, and rewriting history. These stories feel futuristic, yet the themes are deeply familiar. They echo real moments from human history — especially the colonial experiences across Africa. In Attack on Planet Falrus, colonization isn’t just a backdrop. It becomes...

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Dear health-conscious friends, I wanted to talk about this, because I had a patient who had this exact problem this week. So I went researching this topic to understand better how to advise her. And I am so glad I did! So much information about this topic since I left medical school :) If you’ve ever coughed up a small, white lump that smells absolutely terrible, you’ve likely encountered a tonsil stone. They’re surprisingly common, often harmless, and one of the most frequent hidden causes...

Storyplanet african folktales and sci-fi

Dear gorgeous readers, In many West African folktales, strength does not belong to the biggest animal. It belongs to the cleverest mind. At the center of these stories stands Anansi, the small spider who repeatedly defeats enemies far larger, faster, and stronger than himself. This idea—known as the Anansi Principle—teaches one of the most powerful lessons in storytelling and in life: wit can overcome brute force. Anansi is never the strongest creature in the forest. He cannot outrun Leopard....