Bonus episode #33: Can we trust science?

Bonus episode #33: Can we trust science?

Author: Hannah Wright & Victoria LaFont June 9, 2025 Duration: 1:20:59

In this bonus episode, Hannah & Victoria hang out with Geoff Futch, a science-loving stats nerd (we say that with love!) who has a remarkably balanced take on research, science, and how we should approach an admittedly faulty process that supplies a huge chunk of the information we use in health sciences and our day-to-day lives.

They cover:

* Geoff’s bio and our long-term relationship and trust in his thought processes

* Why people trust the sources they do

* Does “good science” even exist due to outside influences like funding, government manipulation, or other forms of bias?

* How unscupulous practices and messy science have undermined our trust

* A great example of how the game of “science telephone” happens and can lead to misinformation

* The role of nuance and subtlety in our ability to navigate information

* Why we distrust experts and how social media and influencer culture have filled that vacuum

* Geoff’s recommendation to meet a scientist and become more involved in the way information comes about in your topic of interest

* The real-world ways that poor information becomes accepted and intertwined as a trusted belief

* Evolutionary reasons why humans are captive to their biases and what we can do to break out of siloed thinking



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com

Navigating the endless scroll of wellness advice can feel like a full-time job, and a dangerous one at that. Influenced to Death, hosted by Hannah Wright and Victoria LaFont, is your critical companion in the chaotic landscape of health trends and social media gurus. This podcast digs into the often-absurd, sometimes alarming world of wellness influencing with a sharp comedic lens, because sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying over a $100 "detox" tea. Each episode unpacks the latest fads, questionable supplements, and pervasive myths peddled online, blending researched health commentary with relatable humor. You'll hear them dissect the language of influencers, separate fleeting trends from actual science, and share their own misadventures in trying to keep up. It’s a health and fitness podcast that acknowledges the comedy in our collective pursuit of better living, while seriously questioning the forces trying to sell it to us. Tune in for a dose of reality that’s far more refreshing than any juice cleanse. Find more from the podcast naturally on their Substack.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Influenced to Death
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