I Did My Own Research

with @The.Prenatal.RD: What Actually Helps Fertility? An RD Explains

In this episode of I Did My Own Research, Dr. Fran sits down with registered dietitian and prenatal nutrition expert Jessica Monroe [https://www.instagram.com/the.prenatal.rd/] 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.RD [https://www.instagram.com/the.prenatal.rd/] Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran [https://www.instagram.com/pagingdrfran/]

with @FriendlyFamDoc: Why Doctors in Germany Can’t Create Content Like U.S. Physicians

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: @FriendlyFamDoc [https://www.instagram.com/friendlyfamdoc/] Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran [https://www.instagram.com/pagingdrfran/]

with @KevinKlatt: Why MAHA Gets Nutrition Wrong & Big Wellness Keeps Missing the Point

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: @KCKlatt [https://www.instagram.com/kcklatt/] Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran [https://www.instagram.com/pagingdrfran/]

with @JenHamilton: Labor Interventions, Birth Vibes & Social Media's Impact on Birthing

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 [https://a.co/d/01ZzkBoC]! Jen Hamilton's social media: @_Jen_Hamilton_ [https://www.instagram.com/_jen_hamilton_/] Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran [https://www.instagram.com/pagingdrfran/]

with @ICUBoy_MedEd: How Misinformation Can Land You In The ICU.

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 ethics of medical content creation, the challenge of making evidence-based medicine engaging, and the growing distrust in expertise. They also tackle the bigger picture: how systemic barriers—not individual failures—drive poor health outcomes, and why blaming doctors misses the mark. This conversation is a candid look at modern medicine in the digital age—and a call for clinicians to meet patients where they are, not where we wish they’d be. Dr. Ibrahim's social media: @ICUBoy_MedEd [https://www.instagram.com/icuboy_meded/] Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran [https://www.instagram.com/pagingdrfran/]