Misguided: The Podcast

In this discussion, Sander van der Linden, a social psychology professor at the University of Cambridge, delves into misinformation and how to counter it. He shares his unexpected journey from banking to academia, driven by early experiences with deception. Sander explains the concept of psychological inoculation—training individuals to identify misinformation before it's encountered—and the innovative Bad News game designed to enhance awareness. He also explores the economics behind fake social media accounts and emphasizes the need for media literacy and platform reforms while expressing cautious optimism about bipartisan efforts to combat misinformation.

Renée DiResta, a social media researcher and author of *Invisible Rulers*, dives into her journey from tech and finance to studying online influence. She identifies the concerning rise of anti-vaccine content on social media that sparked her research. Renée discusses the concept of ‘bespoke realities’—how communities, not just algorithms, shape public beliefs. She also explores the role of AI in information dissemination, highlighting the need for transparency in training sources and the challenges institutions face in maintaining credibility online.

Andy Norman, a philosopher and cognitive immunology expert, dives deep into the concept of mental immunity. He unpacks how harmful ideas spread like viruses and emphasizes the need for teaching critical thinking and skepticism in education. Norman shares insights from his experience fostering communities of inquiry where students actively test ideas. He argues that doubts can serve as cognitive antibodies, strengthening our reasoning skills. Ultimately, he champions the idea that thinking is not only powerful but liberating in our information-saturated world.

In this episode, I talk with sociologist and author Barry Markovsky about his path into social science and his career studying science vs. pseudoscience. Barry shares lessons from his hit “Sociology of the Paranormal” class, previews his forthcoming book Everyday Extraordinary, which pairs front-stage stories with back-stage analysis, and explains how social networks and identity shape what we believe. We also talk about writing, AI’s effect on thinking, and finding a sense of wonder through science instead of the supernatural. I was fortunate to take several of Barry’s classes in graduate school, and he also served as an advisor on my master’s thesis, so it was very cool to have him on my podcast.Barry’s forthcoming book: Everyday ExtraordinaryBarry’s websiteKeywords: Barry Markovsky, sociology, paranormal, critical thinking, education, pseudoscience, science, identity, beliefMisguided: The Podcast - Apple PodcastsMisguided: The Podcast | Podcast on SpotifyMisguided - YouTube This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit matthewfacciani.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I chat with educator, political scientist, and author Tim Redmond to discuss his path from a PhD in political science to a high school teacher building a standout course on critical thinking. Tim shares how discovering psychology after academia reshaped his approach, why identity sits at the center of our information habits, and how blending psychological literacy, media literacy, and scientific literacy helps teens (and the rest of us) think better. When talking to Tim, I actually summarized his work into those three pillars of literacy as they map onto my own work as well. Maybe I’ll teach my own course focusing on those pillars!Tim’s book: Political Tribalism in America: How Hyper-Partisanship Dumbs Down Democracy and How to Fix ItRead about Tim’s high school class on media literacy and critical thinking hereKeywords: Timothy Redmond, high school education, misinformation, critical thinking, media literacy, political science, identity.Misguided: The Podcast - Apple PodcastsMisguided: The Podcast | Podcast on SpotifyMisguided - YouTube This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit matthewfacciani.substack.com/subscribe

David Robert Grimes, a physicist and author known for his work in medical physics and science communication, takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of misinformation. He explains why mere facts often fail to change minds and discusses the emotional biases that shape our understanding. Grimes emphasizes the urgent need for media literacy and critical thinking to combat misinformation, especially in crises. He also explores healthcare disparities between the U.S. and Europe, highlighting systemic reforms for better public health outcomes.

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video with Elisabeth Marnik, PhD! We discussed my new book Misguided, the social science of misinformation, and how we can promote critical thinking and better media literacy. We also discussed the psychology and sociology behind false beliefs, the importance of trust and identity, and what actually works when combating misinformation and promoting science communication. Thanks to everyone who tuned in — more live chats to come! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit matthewfacciani.substack.com/subscribe

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Esha Lovrić, a social scientist and advocate for critical thinking, shares her transformative journey from Fiji to Australia. She delves into how navigating cultural identity impacts our perceptions. Esha explores the concept of liminality, discussing its emotional challenges and the susceptibility to misinformation in today's digital age. Emphasizing the importance of authentic connections, she highlights how emotions shape beliefs and the need for critical thinking to combat misinformation and ideological pulls.

Join Melanie Trecek-King, a biology professor turned science communicator, as she shares insights on critical thinking education and battling misinformation. She reveals how her frustration with traditional science teaching led her to focus on developing skills for assessing information rather than rote facts. The conversation touches on the psychological roots of biases, the challenges of engaging with misinformation on social media, and the essential role of personal connections in fostering trust in science—all served with a dose of humor!

In this episode of Misguided, I’m joined by Dr. Kevin Meuwissen, professor of education at the University of Rochester, to explore one of the most urgent questions in education today: how do we prepare young people to navigate a world overflowing with disinformation, political polarization, and fractured trust?We discuss Kevin’s journey from high school teacher to researcher, and how those experiences shaped his work training educators to tackle tough topics like conspiracy theories, fake news, and historical distortion in the classroom. He shares how his professional learning cadre helps teachers engage students in meaningful conversations about truth, credibility, and civic responsibility, all while contending with social, political, and institutional pressures.Keywordsmedia literacy, misinformation, disinformation, political polarization, civic education, critical thinking, information literacy, social studies, public trust, high school education, communication, Kevin MeuwissenKevin Meuwissen’s University of Rochester website‪Kevin Meuwissen‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬Kevin Meuwissen on Bluesky This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit matthewfacciani.substack.com/subscribe