I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Esha Lovrić—social scientist, educator, and advocate for critical thinking—about how life transitions and emotional vulnerability shape the way we interpret the world around us.

Esha shares her personal journey as a Fijian Indian immigrant navigating Western culture, and how those early experiences led her to sociology—and eventually to teaching critical thinking as a tool for self-understanding. We explore the concept of liminal spaces—those uncertain, in-between phases of life—and how they can leave us more open to misinformation, conspiracy thinking, and ideological pull, especially in today’s hyper-connected digital landscape.

Esha’s insights reinforce a theme I return to often: confronting misinformation isn’t just about having the right facts—it’s about understanding the emotional, social, and psychological conditions in which beliefs form. Our emotional and relational needs shape how we process information in the first place—and understanding that is a crucial component of critical thinking.

Read about Esha’s work on her website and subscribe to her newsletter

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Keywords: Critical Thinking, Misinformation, Liminality, Social Psychology, Identity and BeliefVulnerability, Sociology, Culture, Cognitive Bias, Social Media and Trust

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