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What does it actually mean to keep our kids safe in a world full of medical misinformation, social media, and rapidly evolving technology? In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, child abuse pediatrician, and child health and safety communicator, to discuss what parents need to know about protecting their children. From car seats and choking hazards to online safety and AI, Dr. Murray explains how parents can reduce preventable risks without expecting themselves to control everything. They also dive into the dangers of medical misinformation, why parents can be vulnerable to fear-based messaging even when they're trying to do the best for their children, and how to evaluate the sources behind the health information we encounter online. Dr. Fran and Dr. Murray discuss the life-saving impact of vitamin K and vaccines, the importance of credible medical voices on social media, and why pediatricians need to meet families where they are rather than retreat from online conversations. This conversation is a reminder that good parenting isn't about avoiding every intervention or eliminating every risk. It's about making informed decisions, asking questions, and knowing who to trust when your child's health and safety are on the line. Dr. Murray's social media: @DocEMurray Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

What happens when being a good doctor means pushing back against the healthcare system? Dr. Fran sits down with plastic and reconstructive breast surgeon Dr. Elisabeth Potter to talk about breast reconstruction, healthcare advocacy, and what happens when insurance companies start getting between doctors and their patients. Dr. Potter shares the story of being pulled out of the operating room by United Healthcare during a breast reconstruction case—and how that experience pushed her to become an even more vocal advocate for patients and physicians. They also dig into the bigger problems facing American healthcare: insurance, access, transparency, pricing, monopolies, physician burnout, and the fear many healthcare professionals have of speaking publicly about what they see every day. Dr. Potter explains why she believes physicians need to stop being afraid to challenge a system that isn't always acting in the best interest of patients—and why she isn't interested in simply opting out of insurance, but in helping fix the system itself. Dr. Potter's social media: @DrElisabethPotter Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with internal medicine physician and medical creator Dr. Sarwat Makkani to talk about what happens when nuanced medicine meets the internet. Dr. Makkani shares her journey from immigrant, young mother, and medical student to independent private practice owner—and why she ultimately chose to build a practice centered around metabolic health, obesity, and long-term patient relationships. She also explains how her own experience with insulin resistance and weight management shaped the way she approaches both patient care and medical education online. The conversation dives into why so much medical misinformation isn’t necessarily completely false—it’s often incomplete information presented with far too much certainty and without the context or nuance that medicine requires. They discuss insulin resistance, obesity, GLP-1 medications, PCOS, and the judgment surrounding weight-loss treatment, as well as the role physicians can play in making complex medical information more understandable. Plus, they talk private practice, aesthetic medicine, vaccines, physician creators, and why putting yourself online as a doctor can be both incredibly vulnerable and incredibly valuable. Dr. Makkani's social media: @DrMakkani Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

What happens when patients become experts in their own endometriosis—and the internet becomes their second opinion? Dr. Fran sits down with gynecologic surgeon Dr. Jill Ingenito (@DrPelvicPainDO) to unpack the complicated world of endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and the information patients find online. They discuss why specialized training in complex benign gynecology matters, where general OB-GYN care has limitations, and how patients can tell when it’s time to seek a surgeon with more specialized expertise. They also dig into the good—and messy—parts of online endometriosis communities: doctor bashing, patient advocacy, Facebook groups, echo chambers, and the ways patients are pushing medicine to address gaps that have existed for years. Dr. Ingenito shares practical advice for vetting an endometriosis surgeon, including questions about surgical volume, complications, what happens when no endometriosis is found, and—perhaps most importantly—what the plan is after surgery. Plus, they tackle the online villainization of birth control, emerging approaches to diagnosing endometriosis without surgery, GLP-1 medications and endometriosis, nerve-sparing surgery, and why physicians acknowledging their own limitations can ultimately lead to better patient care. Dr. Ingenito's social media: @DrPelvicPainDO Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with retired general surgeon and medical mythbuster Dr. Terry Simpson to talk about his journey from bariatric surgery and culinary medicine to becoming a prominent voice online fighting medical misinformation. Dr. Simpson shares his personal experience with obesity, GLP-1 medications, and the “food noise” he never realized he had—and why his experience changed the way he thinks about weight, willpower, and long-term treatment. Together, they tackle common myths about obesity and GLP-1s, including the idea that people simply need to “eat better” or exercise more to lose weight. They also discuss the challenges of being physicians on social media, how to push back against misinformation without becoming part of the problem, why providing the actual evidence matters, and the growing role doctors can play in a world where so many people get their health information online. Dr. Simpson's social media: @DrTerrySimpsonMD Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

What does a pediatric psychologist actually do—and how can psychology help children and families navigate chronic illness, sleep, parenting, and the mind-body connection? In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with pediatric psychologist Dr. Julia Kovalenko to break down what psychologists really do, how they work alongside medical teams, and why the brain and body can’t always be separated when it comes to health. They dive into parenting advice online, including the fear-mongering and sweeping statements that can leave parents feeling like they’re constantly getting it wrong. Dr. Kovalenko explains why individualized, evidence-based guidance matters, and they discuss practical approaches to everything from screen time and sleep to communicating with children who have very different personalities. They also talk about the challenges of being medical professionals and content creators—from sharing evidence-based information and navigating professional ethics to dealing with online criticism and misinformation. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by parenting advice online or wondered what psychologists actually do, this episode is for you. Dr. Kovalenko's social media: @Dr.JuliaKovalenko Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mary McDaniel to unpack some of the biggest skincare and dermatology myths circulating online. They discuss sunscreen safety, beef tallow, Accutane, acne “root causes,” questionable gut and allergy testing, hair-loss supplements, and the risks of high-dose biotin. They also talk about medical misinformation, the responsibility physicians have on social media, and why being honest about what medicine doesn’t know is just as important as sharing what we do. Dr. McDaniel's social media: @DrMaryMcDaniel Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Jeremy Bryner, a bariatric surgeon and board-certified obesity medicine physician, to discuss the many options available for treating obesity—and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Dr. Bryner explains how modern obesity care has evolved beyond simply “diet and exercise,” and discusses the role of lifestyle changes, GLP-1 medications, endoscopic procedures, and bariatric surgery. He addresses the stigma surrounding bariatric surgery, why many people still view it as an extreme option, and how today’s procedures and long-term follow-up have changed dramatically from previous decades. The conversation also explores how insurance coverage can dictate treatment decisions, the challenges patients face accessing GLP-1 medications, and the importance of true informed consent when discussing obesity treatment options. Dr. Bryner also tackles the misinformation patients encounter online, including vitamin patches, supplements, peptides, and wellness products that may not have the evidence behind them. He shares why comprehensive, lifelong obesity care matters and how healthcare professionals and patients can work together to make informed decisions. Dr. Bryner's social media: @DrJeremyBryner Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Sarah Margolin — cognitive scientist, associate professor, and creator behind @DrSarahMargolin — to talk about what the science of aging actually says, and why so much of what circulates online gets it wrong. Dr. Margolin studies cognitive aging and reading comprehension, and she's built a following by taking on viral myths about getting older — from the false idea that "aging is a disease" to the assumption that memory lapses always signal dementia. In this conversation, she breaks down: The real difference between normal age-related forgetfulness and dementia, including what a basic cognitive screening (like the MMSE) actually tests forWhy the biopsychosocial model — nutrition, exercise, mental engagement, and social connection — matters more than any single supplement, peptide, or "hack"What the Mediterranean diet really means How mindset around aging and menopause can measurably affect symptoms, and why cross-cultural research shows attitude mattersWhy older adults are more tech-capable than we give them credit forWhat it's like to design and run a research study from the ground up, and why "doing your own research" is a lot more rigorous than reading a headline The two also get into the broader mission behind Dr. Margolin's In Plain Science series — an effort to demystify how research funding, peer review, and scientific ethics actually work, so people can better evaluate the claims they see online. Dr. Margolin's social media: @DrSaraMargolin Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

What's it like to be a gynecologist for patients who've never had a gynecology visit before? Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Holly Hoefgen, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist and fellowship-trained physician, to talk about a specialty that even OBGYNs often know little about. Dr. Hafgen shares how she landed in a field that lets her combine her love of pediatrics with gynecology, and explains what her day-to-day practice actually looks like — from managing ovarian cysts and menstrual concerns in teens to caring for patients with congenital differences like MRKH, gender-diverse patients, and childhood cancer survivors navigating fertility preservation. The conversation digs into why a patient's first gynecologic visit sets the tone for their relationship with their body and the medical system for years to come, and how prioritizing education and autonomy can undo a lifetime of fear and misinformation. Dr. Hafgen and Dr. Fran also get into the messy world of medical misinformation on social media — from viral videos about painful IUD insertions to persistent myths about the HPV vaccine — and how they've each used their own platforms to counter it, often by handing patients the very videos they make for TikTok and Instagram as real clinical resources. Along the way, they discuss the field's long-overdue reckoning with gynecologic pain management, why cervical cancer remains an underappreciated threat, and what it means to build trust with patients who are stepping into a gynecologist's office for the very first time. Dr. Holly's social media: @DocHollyPedsGyn Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Nancy Githere-Thande — family medicine resident, mom of two, and the voice behind Diary of a Doctor Mom . Dr. Githere-Thande shares her journey from public health research at UCSF to medical school and residency, all while navigating marriage, motherhood, and the birth of her daughter at 27 weeks. She opens up about the hesitation many trainees — especially women of color — feel about being visible online, and why she decided the benefits of sharing her real life outweighed the risks. The conversation dives deep into her personal weight loss journey (125 pounds, including bariatric surgery), and how sharing that story has transformed the way she connects with patients around sensitive topics like obesity, GLP-1s, and body image. She and Dr. Fran also talk about the power of "boring" health stories — from uncomplicated IUD insertions to routine colonoscopies — and why the internet's appetite for extreme outcomes can distort what most patients actually experience. A heartfelt, funny, and deeply honest episode about what it really looks like to be a doctor, a mom, and a person — all at once. Dr. Githere-Thande's social media; @diary_of_a_doctor_mom Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Shazma Mithani — a pediatric and adult emergency medicine physician, and co-host of The Doc Talk Podcast. Together, they discuss How Dr. Mithani's path from ER doctor to online misinformation-buster took shape during COVIDWhat The Pitt gets right (and wrong) about emergency medicine, from missing consultants to unrealistic single-coverage EDsThe real-world impact of vaccine hesitancy on pediatric ER workups, and why declining immunization rates change how doctors approach diagnosisWhy "natural" doesn't always mean safe — from risky detoxes and cleanses to supplement-induced hyperthyroidismThis episode is brought to you by Vim & Vigor compression socks — use code RESEARCH for 20% off at VimVigr.com. Dr. Mithani's social media: @DrShazmaMithani & @TheDocTalkPod Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Christopher Allen — pediatric neurologist, sleep medicine specialist, and creator behind "Sleep Doctor Chris" — for a deep dive into everything we get wrong about sleep. From debunking the idea that snoring is "just sleeping deep" to explaining why sleep studies aren't as scary as they sound, Dr. Allen breaks down the science of rest in plain, practical terms. They cover: What actually happens during a sleep study (in-lab and at-home versions)Why obstructive sleep apnea is so often mistaken for anxiety or depression — and how treating it can mean coming off medication entirelyWhy women are chronically underdiagnosed with sleep apnea, and the questions doctors should be askingThe truth about melatonin: the right dose, the right timing, and why more isn't better Whether you're a chronic snorer, a new parent, a night shift worker, or just someone who doom-scrolls in bed, this episode is packed with real, actionable advice to help you finally get the sleep you deserve. Dr. Chris's social media: @SleepDrChris Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

This week on I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Liam, the creator behind The Plant Slant, who's built an audience of over 3 million by championing a simple message: eat mostly plants, but not only plants — and don't let internet extremism ruin your relationship with food. Liam and Dr. Fran dig into why the rotisserie chicken discourse won't die, how comedy became one of the most effective tools for debunking nutrition misinformation, and why "black and white" advice sells better online than the boring truth (eat fiber, get protein, sleep more — groundbreaking, we know). They talk about spotting the tell-tale sign of a grifter — an Instagram bio stuffed with $45 supplements — and why fear-mongering about affordable staples like seed oils, chicken, and cottage cheese disproportionately hurts people who can least afford the "clean" alternative. The conversation gets personal too, as Liam opens up about growing up on WIC and food stamps, why he's tired of hearing people call struggling families "moochers," and how privilege shapes so much of the wellness advice we see online. Plus: rapid-fire questions, the worst thing anyone has ever done to cottage cheese, and an origin story involving MADtv, grocery store debunking videos, and a guy who thinks broken bells are making us sick. Liam's social media: @The_Plant_Slant Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Sara Neill (@SarOBGYN), a complex family planning specialist, to unpack the flood of misinformation swirling around birth control and abortion care. Dr. Neill walks through what complex family planning actually involves — abortion care, contraception, and pregnancy loss care — and shares what a typical (if unpredictable) week looks like between clinic, telehealth, teaching residents, and labor and delivery. The conversation dives into some of the most persistent myths circulating online right now, including the claim that hormonal birth control "makes your body think it's pregnant" and viral theories linking teenage birth control use to adult infertility. Dr. Neill and Dr. Fran talk about how they gently push back on these narratives with patients, why curiosity works better than confrontation, and how being active on social media has actually made them better clinicians. They also get into the harder-to-talk-about topics: the political weight of discussing abortion online, algorithm suppression of reproductive health content, and the role of crisis pregnancy centers in steering patients away from real care. Dr. Neill shares a firsthand account of a patient hesitant to share an ultrasound from one of these centers — and what that might say about how CPCs are coaching patients. Dr. Neill's social media: @SarObGyn Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran