I Did My Own Research

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...

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 unr...

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...

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: in...

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 co...

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...

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 bett...

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 con...

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

D...

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...

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:

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 su...

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...

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

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:

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 k...

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...

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 ho...

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...

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.

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 thei...

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...

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...

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 embe...

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 pati...

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with triple board-certified intensivist and pulmonologist Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim to unpack what’s really happening at the intersection of medicine, misinformation, and social media.

They explore how dismissing patients’ online research can backfire—and why listening first may be the most powerful tool clinicians have. From ICU misconceptions and vaccine hesitancy to the emotional pull of viral health content, Dr. Ibrahim shares what it’s like to confront misinformation at the bedside, where the stakes are highest.

Together, they dive into the...

Dr. Fran is joined by board-certified pediatrician Dr. Cerissa Key to unpack the overwhelming world of pediatric and parenting misinformation—and how social media is both fueling and fighting it. From viral “wellness” trends to dangerous supplement misuse, they dive into why “natural” doesn’t always mean safe, and how even vitamins can cause real harm when misused.

They explore the reality that parents often turn to the internet for guidance due to limited time in clinic visits—and how that gap is being filled by both credible experts and harmful misinformation. Dr. Key shares real patient s...

Diminished ovarian reserve can feel deeply personal—and often deeply misunderstood.

In this episode, Dr. Fran is joined by reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lucky Sekhon to break down one of the most anxiety-provoking fertility topics online. Together, they unpack why egg count does not equal fertility, and how misinformation—especially around supplements, hormones, and “natural” fertility fixes—can lead patients further from their goals.

They dive into the emotional toll of fertility testing, the dangers of unregulated supplements (including how some may actually work against conception), and why nuanced, evidence-based care matters more than...

This episode of I Did My Own Research dives into the world of nutrition misinformation and why it’s everywhere. Dr. Fran is joined by Colleen Sloan, PA-C and registered dietitian behind Exam Room Nutrition, to break down how social media has blurred the lines between evidence-based guidance and viral diet trends.

They discuss why “everyone eats” — and therefore everyone feels like an expert — and how that leads to oversimplified, one-size-fits-all advice that ignores nuance and personalization. Colleen shares her unique perspective working at the intersection of medicine and nutrition, including real patient stories that highlight...

In the first-ever in-person episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with pediatric emergency physician and viral educator Dr. Beachgem to talk about the real impact of medical misinformation—and what it’s like to fight it from both the ER and the internet.

From building a platform during COVID to reaching millions with life-saving content, Dr. Beachgem shares how social media has transformed not only her career, but the way she practices medicine. Together, they dive into the emotional reality behind viral health topics—from vitamin K and vaccine hesitancy to the...

This week on I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran is joined by pelvic floor physical therapist Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas (aka The Pelvic Dance Floor) to break down one of the most misunderstood areas of health online.

From the myth that everyone should be doing Kegels to the reality that pelvic floor dysfunction isn’t one-size-fits-all, they unpack how viral “quick fixes” often miss the mark. Alicia explains why some people actually need to relax—not strengthen—their pelvic floor, and how individualized assessment is key.

They also dive into the rise of social...

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Dr. Robin Roth, breast radiologist and creator of “The Boobie Docs,” to tackle the growing problem of medical misinformation on social media—especially around breast cancer screening. They break down myths about mammograms, thermography, and dense breast tissue, and discuss how financial incentives often fuel harmful disinformation online.

Dr. Roth shares her journey into social media, the challenges of speaking out against misinformation, and why educating patients before they enter the exam room is more important than ever. Together, they explore how ph...

Dr. Fran is joined by Dr. Olivia Richman to discuss the rise of physician influencers and the power of social media to drive real change in healthcare.

Dr. Richman shares her journey from educating peers about sexual health to building Docfluencer MDO—a growing community of medical creators using their platforms to combat misinformation, amplify public health messaging, and advocate for reform. Together, they explore what makes a doctor credible online, the challenges of navigating digital spaces, and how collaboration can turn influence into impact.

They also give a behind-the-scenes look at...

“Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist—but becoming a registered dietitian takes years of training.”

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran is joined by registered dietitian and PCOS educator Cori Ruth, also known online as The Women’s Dietitian, to break down the difference between evidence-based nutrition advice and the wellness misinformation circulating across social media.

Cori shares how her own PCOS diagnosis led her to build a platform educating more than a million followers about women’s health and eventually write her book, PCOS Is My Power...

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with pediatrician Sandeepa Raj to talk about what it’s really like practicing medicine—and parenting—in the age of social media. With over 20 years of experience in pediatrics across private practice, hospital systems, and volunteer work at free clinics, Dr. Raj shares how the landscape of pediatric care has changed and why misinformation has become one of the biggest challenges facing doctors today.

The conversation dives into the growing wave of vaccine misinformation online and how it has shifted real-l...

Longevity, biohacking, peptides, supplements—social media is full of promises about how to live longer. But how much of it is actually backed by evidence?

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran is joined by geriatrician Dr. Stephanie Rogers (Age Well with Dr. Steph), Associate Chief of Geriatrics Clinical Programs at UCSF. Together, they unpack what actually helps people age well—and what the internet is getting wrong.

They discuss why “longevity medicine” often misses the bigger picture, the reality that most of us will experien...

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran is joined by Dr. Emily Pfender, a PhD-trained health communication researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, to break down what’s actually happening with women’s health information on social media.

From viral birth control fear-mongering to preeclampsia misinformation shared by self-identified “medical providers,” Dr. Pfender walks us through how her team analyzes online content—and what they’ve found when they put that content in front of real patients.

They dive into why extreme, emotional videos outperform nuanced medical information...

When misinformation about decreased fetal movement nearly cost her nephew his life, Sarah RN (@Labor_Junkie_RN) knew she couldn’t stay silent.

In this powerful episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with Sarah—better known online as LaborJunkieRN—an experienced high-risk OB nurse with over a decade at the bedside and more than 1.3 million followers across social media.

Sarah shares the terrifying story that pushed her into online education, how social media both empowers and endangers patients, and what it’s really like navigating birth in the a...

The podcast 'I Did My Own Research' explores the impact of medical misinformation and the role of healthcare professionals in combating it. Dr. Fran shares her personal journey, the challenges of residency, and her engagement with medical content on social media. The podcast addresses the spread of misleading medical information, patient frustration, and the need for open conversations to combat misinformation.

Takeaways

Chapters