with @LadySpineDoc: what your MRI isn't telling you

With @Pharmomacist: Decoding the OTC Medicine Aisle

This week, Dr. Fran sits down with clinical pharmacist Dr. Melissa, PharmD (@Pharmomacist [https://www.instagram.com/pharmomacist/?hl=en]), 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 [https://www.instagram.com/pharmomacist/?hl=en] Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran

with @DrPadgetSkogman: What the Research Really Says About Screens & Raising Healthy Kids

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 it * The viral "declining interventions in labor" content trend — and why nuance matters when millions of people are watching * How social media can be a genuine net positive for parents, patients, and physicians * Physician burnout, processing hard days, and what The Pitt gets right about medicine This one is equal parts science, real talk, and solidarity for anyone trying to parent thoughtfully in 2026. Dr. Skogman's social media: @DrPadgetSkogman [https://www.instagram.com/drpadgetskogman/] Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran [https://www.instagram.com/pagingdrfran/]

with @MelindaFrenchGates: Why Women's Health Deserves Funding

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  [https://www.instagram.com/melindafrenchgates/?hl=en] Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran [https://www.instagram.com/pagingdrfran/?hl=en]

with @LadySpineDoc: what your MRI isn't telling you

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

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/]