Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda Morgan McSweeney aka Dr. Noc: Earning trust, delivering truths
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Dec 23, 2025 Morgan McSweeney, aka Dr. Noc, is a biotech researcher and social media science communicator who started creating engaging videos during the pandemic to fight misinformation. He discusses his transition from formal scientific presentation to captivating storytelling, emphasizing the importance of blending entertainment with scientific fact. McSweeney shares his strategies for producing concise, impactful videos and the challenges of competing with sensationalism. He advocates for transparency among scientists and explains how evolving scientific guidance can build public trust.
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Personal Details Build Scientific Trust
- Building a personal relationship increases trust more than presenting data alone.
- Morgan McSweeney discovered audiences trust him after he shared a mundane personal detail about making dinner.
Match Platform Storytelling Styles
- Mirror the storytelling styles people already consume on social media to package scientific data.
- Use familiar formats and emotional hooks so science competes with sensational content.
Use Phone Prompts Like A Teleprompter
- Record with your phone using on-screen bullet prompts as a teleprompter.
- Edit on a computer afterwards to tighten pacing and clarity.