Tackling the Rise of Health Misinformation feat. Alanna Smith and Suzi Gage

Tackling the Rise of Health Misinformation feat. Alanna Smith and Suzi Gage

Author: The Cosmic Shambles Network September 22, 2026 Duration: 1:12:29
In today's age of social media algorithms and AI finding accurate and reliable health information online can feel like a losing battle. Someone who has recently published a masters research paper on this is Alanna Smith. Not just a Stanford psychology graduate, but also one of the top basketball players on the planet. Our producer Trent was lucky to sit down with the WNBA's reigning Defensive Player of the Year for a rare interview about her journey into psychology alongside her professional basketball career, what she's researching for her masters and her hopes for the future of tackling health misinformation online, particularly around dietary advice. Then we chat with epidemiologist Dr Suzi Gage to look an area where public health information has seen some success in recent times; cigarette packaging, and how this template might be used in other areas. A huge thanks to Alanna for taking the time to chat with us in the middle of the World Cup. And thanks to Michael and the team at Basketball Australia for helping make it happen as well. Buy signed copies of Suzi's book, Say Why to Drugs from our shop (https://cosmicshambles.myshopify.com) or get it from you favourite local indie via https://bookshop.org Follow Alanna on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alannas96 Follow Suzi on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soozaphone) or Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/soozaphone.bsky.social) And here's a link to that Marc Bolan ad Suzi mentioned - https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8782924/if-marc-bolan-kissed-you-would-he-feel-like-this-posters Support The Cosmic Shambles Network at https://patreon.com/cosmicshambles and watch the video version of this podcast plus loads of other goodies.

From the team behind The Cosmic Shambles Network comes Science Shambles, a podcast that sits at the delightful intersection of expert knowledge and genuine curiosity. This isn't a formal lecture series; it's a semi-regular gathering of minds where scientists from every conceivable field are welcomed for sprawling, engaging conversations. You might hear a cosmologist pondering the nature of dark matter one week, and a medical researcher explaining the intricacies of the immune system the next, all approached with a warmth and wit that makes complex ideas accessible. The tone is rooted in the belief that not knowing something is simply the starting point for a fascinating discussion, not a shortcoming. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in a lively pub where the topics just happen to be the fundamental workings of the universe, our planet, and ourselves. It's for anyone who enjoys the thrill of connecting dots between disciplines, finding that art, history, or philosophy often illuminate scientific truths in unexpected ways. By weaving comedy and medicine into its core science remit, this podcast from The Cosmic Shambles Network creates a uniquely human and entertaining listen, celebrating the messy, brilliant, and endlessly surprising process of discovery. Tune in for thoughtful, funny, and deeply informative chats that remind us all just how strange and wonderful reality really is.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

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Podcast Episodes
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Hosted by Robin Ince and Dr Helen Czerski this episode of the Science Shambles podcast is an audio recording of our weekly Sunday Science Q and A show that goes out at 3pm BST on our YouTube channel. This week Robin and…
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Jess Wade and Anna Ploszajski - Live Sunday Q and A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Hosted by Robin Ince and Dr Helen Czerski this episode of the Science Shambles podcast is an audio recording of our weekly Sunday Science Q and A show that goes out at 3pm BST on our YouTube channel. This week Robin and…
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Duration: 27:00
In her new book Overloaded, Cosmic Shambles Network regular Ginny Smith looks at how every aspect of our lives are influenced by our brain chemicals. One of the people she spoke to in researching the book, particularly f…
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Hosted by Robin Ince and Dr Helen Czerski this episode of the Science Shambles podcast is an audio recording of our weekly Sunday Science Q and A show that goes out at 3pm BST on our YouTube channel. Robin and Helen are…