Misguided: The Podcast

• Thinking as Freedom: Building Mental Immunity in a Noisy World

  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 siteCIRCE- 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, 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

  --------  

  37:27

  --------

  37:27
• Everyday Extraordinary: Why We Believe in the Unbelievable

  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

  --------  

  1:02:49

  --------

  1:02:49
• Helping High School Students Think Critically About Media

  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

  --------  

  57:55

  --------

  57:55
• The Irrational Ape: Facts, Feelings, and the Spread of Misinformation

  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 websiteFollow David on InstagramRead David’s Book: The Irrational ApeKeywords: David Robert Grimes, misinformation, conspiracy theories, critical thinking, media literacy, public health communication, trust in institutionsMisguided: 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

  --------  

  57:50

  --------

  57:50
• Misguided: A Lunchtime Chat About Misinformation with Matthew Facciani and Elisabeth Marnik

  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

  --------  

  51:07

  --------

  51:07

Más podcasts de Educación

Podcasts a la moda de Educación

Acerca de Misguided: The Podcast