I Did My Own Research

Franziska Haydanek
  • 4.9 (110)
  • Medicine
  • 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. 1d ago

    With @DrAlexis_MD: Why Autoimmune Patients Are Prime Targets for Online Misinformation

    In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with her friend Dr. Alexis Barbut, a board-certified rheumatologist who specializes in lupus and reproductive rheumatology. The two share how they met (a persistent DM and a coffee date that turned into a real friendship) and discuss Dr. Alexis’s non-traditional path to medicine, from a history degree to hospitalist work to returning for a rheumatology fellowship. Dr. Alexis explains what rheumatologists actually do, how biologics work, and why inpatient consults for conditions like new lupus diagnoses and vasculitis can be so complex. They also dig into reproductive rheumatology and why preconception counseling matters for patients with autoimmune disease who want to become pregnant. The conversation also tackles the misinformation that thrives online around autoimmune conditions, and why patients with these diseases are such a vulnerable audience. Dr. Alexis and Dr. Fran break down red flags to watch for, including promises of a “cure,” oversimplified advice, and claims that doctors are hiding something. They also clear up common questions about methotrexate and off-label medication use. The episode wraps with a lighthearted rapid-fire round, a look at life as a physician couple (Dr. Alexis is married to Gal, the baby doc), and a conversation about the value of having an equal partner while balancing medicine, motherhood, and content creation. Dr. Alexis's social media: @DrAlexis_MD Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

  2. Nov 2

    with @DrAlexSundermann: 1 in 31 Hospital Patients Get an Infection. Here’s Why

    In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down in person with Dr. Alex Sundermann, an infectious disease epidemiologist and assistant professor who studies pathogenomics, hospital outbreaks, and healthcare-associated infections. He shares how he went from a microbiology undergrad who had never heard of public health to working as an infection preventionist and then a researcher, and how whole genome sequencing acts like “CSI for hospitals,” uncovering outbreaks that standard care misses, including a hidden VRE outbreak traced to a single unsterile radiology procedure. They also dig into why about 1 in 31 hospitalized patients develops a hospital-acquired infection, why infection preventionists are not the “police,” and why sinks have become his latest fascination. The conversation also turns to the current Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks, how incubation periods shape contact tracing, and how public health and research funding cuts affect both outbreak response and the next generation of scientists. Dr. Sundermann explains how to communicate this kind of science online without sacrificing accuracy, and what viewers can do to take action. Dr. Sundermann's social media: @DrAlexSundermann Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

  3. Oct 26

    with @SoCalGastroDoc: Your Parasite Won't Respond To An Amazon Cleanse

    Most people don’t have parasites, and if you do, it’s probably not the kind that a cleanse from Amazon will fix. This week, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Wendi Lebrett, a gastroenterologist and creator behind SoCal Gastrodoc, to separate gut health facts from internet noise. They start with the liver, which gastroenterologists care for too, and dig into why fatty liver disease affects 1 in 4 Americans. Dr. Wendi explains the new treatments now available, including the first approved medication for fatty liver with fibrosis and the emerging role of GLP-1s, plus the lifestyle changes that make a difference, from cutting back on alcohol and exercising to controlling blood sugar (and yes, coffee). They also get into why rectal bleeding in young people shouldn’t be brushed off as “probably hemorrhoids,” why a second opinion is always okay, and how patient stories are changing the conversation around rising colon cancer rates. They tackle parasites, which symptoms to watch for, and why parasite cleanses are a waste of money, before breaking down where GI doctors really stand on probiotics and prebiotics and who should be cautious with high-fiber foods. Dr. Wendi's social media: @SoCalGastroDoc & Modern Gut Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

  4. Oct 19

    with @KLKilleen: Plastic Surgeon vs. Cosmetic Surgeon: Does It Matter?

    What’s the difference between a board-certified plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon? And how can patients protect themselves from medical misinformation, unqualified practitioners, and lucrative treatments that put profits ahead of safety? In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Kelly Killeen, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in complex breast revisions, breast reconstruction, and aesthetic surgery. They discuss the importance of surgical training, how to verify a surgeon’s credentials, and why before-and-after photos don’t always tell the whole story. They also dive into the dangers of unregulated med spas, unnecessary IV treatments, hormone pellets, and medical grifting that can lead patients away from evidence-based care. This conversation explores what happens when medical expertise, patient safety, and profit collide—and how to make more informed decisions about your health. Dr. Kileen's social media: @KLKilleen Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

  5. Oct 12

    with @DocEMurray: The Internet Is Changing How We Keep Kids Safe

    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

  6. Oct 5

    with @DrElisabethPotter: When Doctors Have to Fight the Healthcare System

    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

  7. Sep 28

    with @DrMakkani: Medicine Has Nuance. The Internet Hates That.

    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

  8. Sep 21

    with @DrPelvicPainDO: Is the Internet Making Endometriosis Care Better—or Worse?

    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

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Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
110 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
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Franziska Haydanek
  • Show Website
    I Did My Own Research

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