I Did My Own Research

Franziska Haydanek
  • 4.8 (58)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

I Did My Own Research is a podcast hosted by OB-GYN and medical educator Dr. Fran, digging into what happens when medical misinformation goes viral—and what it takes to fight it. Each episode features conversations with doctors, healthcare professionals, and scientists who create content online, breaking down the myths they see every day, how they got pulled into content creation, and why having evidence-based voices on the internet has never mattered more. From trending health claims to behind-the-scenes creator stories, this podcast is about reclaiming “research,” one expert conversation at a time.

  1. 2d ago

    with @DrSaraMargolin: How Inevitable is Dementia?

    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

  2. Aug 10

    with @DocHollyPedsGyn: What Even is a Pediatric Gynecologist?

    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

  3. Aug 3

    With @Diary_of_A_Doctor_Mom: The Truth About Medicine & Motherhood

    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

  4. Jul 27

    with @DrShazmaMithani: Why "Natural" Doesn't Mean Safe

    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

  5. Jul 20

    with @SleepDrChris: Does the Viral Sleepy Girl Mocktail Actually Work? And More!

    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

  6. Jul 13

    with Liam (@ThePlantSlant): The Rotisserie Chicken Discourse Must Be Stopped

    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

  7. Jul 6

    with @SarOBGYN: Birth Control Doesn't Ruin Your Life — Here's What Does

    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

  8. Jun 29

    With @Pharmomacist: Decoding the OTC Medicine Aisle

    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: @Pharmomacist Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
58 Ratings

About

I Did My Own Research is a podcast hosted by OB-GYN and medical educator Dr. Fran, digging into what happens when medical misinformation goes viral—and what it takes to fight it. Each episode features conversations with doctors, healthcare professionals, and scientists who create content online, breaking down the myths they see every day, how they got pulled into content creation, and why having evidence-based voices on the internet has never mattered more. From trending health claims to behind-the-scenes creator stories, this podcast is about reclaiming “research,” one expert conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Franziska Haydanek
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Franziska Haydanek
  • Show Website
    I Did My Own Research

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