In this episode, I talk with philosopher and author Andy Norman, founder of the Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative and author of Mental Immunity. Andy shares how a provocative 1990s essay by Richard Dawkins sparked his lifelong pursuit to understand how bad ideas spread, and how we can protect our minds from them.

We unpack what it means to build mental immunity, why sketchy ideas behave like mind-viruses, and how habits of curiosity, humility, and self-reflection strengthen our cognitive defenses. Our conversation spans from the philosophy of reasoning to practical education reform, teaching students to “debug their minds,” recognize manipulation, and build communities of inquiry that value truth over tribalism.

Together we explore how critical thinking, critical ignoring, and cognitive germ theory can help us navigate today’s polluted information ecosystem, and why thinking is not only power, but freedom.

Do Minds Have Immune Systems? (article)

Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think (book)

Andy Norman’s site

CIRCE- The Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative (Institute)

Declaration of CIRCE’s Blue-Ribbon Panel (vision statement and call to action)

The Mental Immunity Project (educational resources for strengthening mental immune systems)

Keywords: Andy Norman, cognitive immunology, critical thinking, critical ignoring, education, mind viruses, inoculation, belief

Misguided: The Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Misguided: The Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

Misguided - YouTube

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 Extraordinary

Barry’s website

Keywords: Barry Markovsky, sociology, paranormal, critical thinking, education, pseudoscience, science, identity, belief

Misguided: The Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Misguided: The Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

Misguided - YouTube

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 It

Read about Tim’s high school class on media literacy and critical thinking here

Keywords: Timothy Redmond, high school education, misinformation, critical thinking, media literacy, political science, identity.

Misguided: The Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Misguided: The Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

Misguided - YouTube

Physicist and author of The Irrational Ape, David Robert Grimes, joins me to explore why facts alone rarely change minds. Drawing on his background in medical physics, statistics, cancer research, and public health—as well as his work in science communication—David explains how conspiracies spread, why the “information deficit” model falls short, and what effective media literacy actually looks like.

The conversation also dives into the deeper social and structural forces that shape our health, why changing your mind should be celebrated rather than stigmatized, and how to rebuild trust in institutions without simply demanding it. Along the way, David and I reflect on the challenges of science communication in the digital age and the urgent need for critical thinking to protect our information ecosystem.

If you’re interested in critical thinking, public health, and navigating misinformation in the age of AI, this episode is for you.

Read about David’s work on his website

Follow David on Instagram

Read David’s Book: The Irrational Ape

Keywords: David Robert Grimes, misinformation, conspiracy theories, critical thinking, media literacy, public health communication, trust in institutions

Misguided: The Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Misguided: The Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

Misguided - YouTube

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!

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

Follow Esha on Threads

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

Misguided: The Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Misguided: The Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

Misguided - YouTube

In this episode, I talk with Melanie Trecek-King — biology professor, science communicator, and creator of Thinking Is Power. I’ve been a fan of her content for years, and it was great to finally chat with her on my podcast. We discuss her journey from teaching biology and ecology to developing a critical thinking course that teaches skills, not just facts. Melanie shares how her frustration with traditional science education inspired her to focus on critical thinking education, skepticism, and understanding our own biases. We also talk about the challenges of engaging with misinformation online (and social media), building trust in science, and how to teach critical thinking without triggering defensiveness — all with a healthy dose of humor.

Keywords

critical thinking, science communication, misinformation, skepticism, media literacy, cognitive biases, trust in science, education, social media, identity and belief, Thinking Is Power

Thinking is Power website

Thinking is Power on Facebook

Thinking is Power on Instagram

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 Meuwissen

Kevin Meuwissen’s University of Rochester website

‪Kevin Meuwissen‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬

Kevin Meuwissen on Bluesky

Today’s guest is Dr. Claire Wardle, a professor in the Department of Communication at Cornell University and one of the world’s leading experts on misinformation, media literacy, and public trust in science. Over the past two decades, she’s trained journalists around the globe, worked with organizations like the UN and the BBC, and co-founded both the nonprofit First Draft and the Information Futures Lab at Brown University.

In this conversation, we dive into the challenges of defining and labeling misinformation, the importance of clear communication during times of uncertainty, and the emotional and social reasons people share content online. We also explore what it would look like if institutions—and academics—communicated in more human, engaging ways.

I’ve cited Dr. Wardle’s work many times, so it was great to speak with her directly. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!

Keywords

media literacy, misinformation, public trust, communication, social media, information sharing, community engagement, science communication, AI

Claire Wardle’s Cornell Website

Claire Wardle on Bluesky

First Draft

Information Futures Lab at Brown University

In this episode of Misguided, Matthew Facciani speaks with historian and Analog Social founder Shae Omonijo about making history accessible, the importance of community, and how digital culture is reshaping human connection. Shae shares what inspired her to pursue a PhD in history, her efforts to bring historical knowledge to the public, and the origins of Analog Social, a project focused on reclaiming real-world interactions in a digital age. They also discuss how history is shaped, erased, and distorted—and how those lessons can help us combat misinformation today.

Shae’s Harvard Website

Shae’s Personal Website

Shae the Historian Substack

Analog Social

keywords

history, public history, misinformation, community, social connection, digital life, humanities, Analog Social, critical thinking, historical narratives

00:13 – Introduction01:13 – What Inspired Shae to Study History?03:26 – Making History Public & The Power of Representation06:20 – Shae’s “100 Historic Black Women” Series09:22 – How History Gets Distorted & Misinformation in Historical Narratives13:16 – The Rise of Analog Social & Reclaiming Human Connection18:30 – The Future of Analog Social20:18 – Social Isolation & Misinformation: Are They Connected?23:37 – Why We Hold on to False Beliefs25:19 – Final Thoughts: The Future of History & Social Connection