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_SlantDr. 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: @SarObGynDr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

This week, Dr. Fran sits down with clinical pharmacist Dr. Melissa, PharmD (@Pharmomacist), whose online platform tackles postpartum mental health, vaccine data, over-the-counter medications, and skincare.Dr. Melissa walks through her path into ambulatory care pharmacy, including her work in cardiology and a pharmacist-run clinic focused on high-risk patients — and explains why pharmacists often spend as much time removing medications from a regimen as adding them.The conversation digs into the chaos of the children's medicine aisle, why "natural" and "homeopathic" labels on over-the-counter products don't mean regulated or evidence-based, and how something as simple as choosing Tylenol versus Motrin for a teething baby actually comes down to the science of inflammation.Dr. Mack also opens up about sharing her own postpartum SSRI use online, her decision to get Botox while breastfeeding (and what the actual research says about medications and breast milk), and why she felt compelled to respond to a viral video about vaccine refusals — even knowing the backlash it would bring. She and Dr. Fran talk candidly about misinformation, the responsibility that comes with influence, the importance of having these conversations with your provider before delivery day, and why taking care of yourself postpartum isn't selfish — it's part of being a good parent.Dr. Melissa's social media: @PharmomacistDr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Padget Skogman — Iowa-based pediatrician, mom of three, and medical content creator — for a wide-ranging conversation about modern parenthood, the pressure of too much information, and how to raise kids confidently in a screen-saturated world.They dig into why parents today are more anxious than ever (hint: it's not a lack of information — it's a firehose of it), and why trusting your own instincts within your family's values matters more than following every online trend.Dr. Skogman breaks down what the research actually says about screen time — including what the ABCD brain study is revealing about how different types of content affect developing minds differently.They also get into:Why picky eating is totally normal and what to actually do about itThe viral "declining interventions in labor" content trend — and why nuance matters when millions of people are watchingHow social media can be a genuine net positive for parents, patients, and physiciansPhysician burnout, processing hard days, and what The Pitt gets right about medicineThis one is equal parts science, real talk, and solidarity for anyone trying to parent thoughtfully in 2026.Dr. Skogman's social media: @DrPadgetSkogmanDr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

Dr. Fran sits down with Melinda French Gates — philanthropist and founder of Pivotal, a group of organizations she founded to accelerate the pace of social progress for women and young people in the U.S. and around the world. Following an announcement of new funding commitments that bring her total investment in women's health to over $600 million in the last two years. Melinda shares why she is doubling down on reproductive health while expanding her focus to midlife, menopause, and mental health — areas she believes have been chronically underfunded and overlooked for far too long.Together, Dr. Fran and Melinda dig into the frustrating gaps in women's healthcare, from the lack of research and dedicated treatments for conditions like PCOS, to the inadequate training physicians receive around menopause. Dr. Fran opens up about her own experiences as both a patient with PCOS and a physician who graduated residency with just one lecture on menopause, highlighting how these systemic failures leave both doctors and patients feeling stuck and without real answers.The conversation also takes a deep look at the mental health component of women's healthcare — including the sobering reality that suicide is the leading cause of maternal mortality — and why Melinda sees mental health not as a side issue, but as a core and fundamental part of women's wellbeing. Both women agree on one powerful truth: when women are well, they can do well. And that starts with giving them the right care at the right time.Melinda's social media: @MelindaFrenchGates Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

Dr. Fran sits down in person with Dr. Betsy Grunch, board-certified neurosurgeon and creator behind the popular Lady Spine Doc brand, recorded live at the Pinnacle Conference in Austin.Dr. Grunch shares the deeply personal story that drew her to neurosurgery — her mother's spinal cord injury as a police officer — and walks listeners through her path from the University of Georgia to a six-year residency at Duke. The two doctors unpack one of the most common medical complaints their patients share: back pain, and why nearly 90% of people will experience it at some point in their lives. Dr. Grunch explains why MRIs are frequently overutilized, why pathology on a scan doesn't always mean that scan explains a patient's pain, and why a rushed diagnosis can actually make symptoms worse.The conversation turns to women's health, exploring how pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period uniquely impact spinal health — and why pelvic floor physical therapy should be a universal part of postpartum care. Dr. Grunch also opens up about her own postpartum back injury, the lifestyle changes it inspired, and her journey with weight loss, strength training, and GLP-1 medications.Dr. Grunch's social media: @LadySpineDocDr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with registered dietitian and prenatal nutrition expert Jessica Monroe to unpack the complicated — and often oversimplified — world of fertility nutrition. From PCOS and endometriosis to IVF, supplements, and male factor infertility, they dive into what the evidence actually says versus what social media wants you to believe.Together, they discuss why there is no single “fertility food,” how extreme diet advice can become harmful, and why sustainable habits matter more than viral quick fixes. Dr. Monroe shares her journey from nutritional biochemistry to women’s health nutrition, explains what working with a registered dietitian actually looks like, and breaks down how nutrition can support — but not “cure” — chronic conditions like PCOS and endometriosis.They also tackle supplement overload, misinformation online, the difference between a registered dietitian and a self-proclaimed “nutritionist,” and why fertility care should always include both partners. Plus: antioxidants, seafood research, vitamin D, inositol, and an important reminder that patterns over time matter far more than any one “magic” ingredient.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by fertility advice online, this episode is a grounded, nuanced conversation about what we know, what we don’t, and how to approach nutrition without fear, shame, or extremes.Dr. Jessica's social media: @The.Prenatal.RDDr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with her sister, board-certified family medicine physician Dr. Victoria Hasselhof, for a conversation about practicing medicine across two countries, navigating medical misinformation online, and what patients are really looking for from doctors in the social media era.Dr. Hasselhof shares her unique path through medical school in Germany, residency in the United States, and five years working as a locums physician everywhere from rural South Dakota to remote Molokai, Hawaii. Together, the sisters compare the striking differences between the U.S. and German healthcare systems — including how physicians are regulated online, why German doctors can’t advertise products, and how access to care shapes the way patients seek medical information.They also dive into the realities of being physician content creators, the rise of wellness misinformation, vaccine myths, “low testosterone” content targeted at men, and why nuance in medicine rarely goes viral. Along the way, they make the case for family medicine as one of the most important — and misunderstood — specialties in healthcare.From bone-smashing TikTok trends to thoughtful conversations about trust, science, and patient care, this episode explores what happens when evidence-based medicine collides with the algorithm.Dr. Hasselhof's social media: @FriendlyFamDocDr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

Dr. Fran sits down with registered dietitian, researcher, and science communicator Kevin Klatt for a wide-ranging conversation about nutrition science, public health, and how misinformation thrives when complex problems get reduced to simplistic solutions.From the realities of becoming a PhD/RD and conducting actual nutrition research, to the rise of wellness influencers, functional medicine, and the MAHA movement, they unpack why “just eat better” has never been an effective public health strategy.Together, they explore the structural problems driving chronic disease, the lack of investment in nutrition research, the privilege embedded in many wellness narratives, and why blaming individuals for systemic failures helps no one.They also discuss the collapse of science communication online, how academia lost public trust, and why more researchers—not just influencers—need to engage directly with the public.Dr. Klatt's social media: @KCKlattDr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with labor and delivery nurse, social media educator, and chicken swaddler Jen Hamilton to unpack how birth conversations have evolved online—and what’s getting lost in the noise. Together, they challenge the growing narrative that all medical intervention is inherently harmful, reframing it instead as a set of tools that can be thoughtfully used to support safer, more positive birth experiences.Jen shares her journey from ER nurse to one of the most recognizable voices in maternal health, explaining how witnessing patient misunderstandings and birth trauma shaped her approach to education, advocacy, and storytelling. The conversation dives into the power of communication in the delivery room, the impact of social media on both patients and providers, and how “birth vibes”—the emotional and environmental experience of care—often matter more than any checklist birth plan.Blending humor, real-world clinical insight, and candid behind-the-scenes stories, this episode explores informed consent, elective inductions, and the importance of meeting patients where they are. It’s a nuanced look at modern birth culture, emphasizing that empowerment isn’t about rejecting care—it’s about understanding your options and choosing what’s right for you.Birth Vibes is now available here!Jen Hamilton's social media: @_Jen_Hamilton_Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran