Overthinking About Doing Your Own Research

Magical Overthinkers

Amanda Montell & Studio71

Education, Science, Society & Culture

4.3 • 636 Ratings

🗓️ 1 April 2026

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

“Do your own research.” It sounds empowering… so why does it so often lead us straight into confusion, conspiracy, or complete information overload? This week, Amanda is joined by pharmacist and science communicator Dr. Harini Bhat (@tilscience) to overthink what it really means to “do your own research” in the age of the internet. They unpack how a phrase rooted in curiosity became a cultural catchphrase for skepticism, distrust, and DIY fact finding. Why do we feel so confident after reading a few threads or watching a couple of videos? How do algorithms, bias, and the illusion of understanding shape what we think we “know”? And where’s the line between healthy questioning and going down the rabbit hole? A brain bending spiral about knowledge, misinformation, and why thinking critically might be harder (and more necessary) than ever. Further Viewing: Today I Learned Science by Dr. Harini Bhat - Join the "Magical Overthinkers Club" by following the pod on Instagram @magicaloverthinkers. - To access early, ad free episodes and more, subscribe to the Magical Overthinkers Substack. - Pick up Amanda's book The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality, or listen to the audiobook. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at⁠ https://SHOPIFY.COM/⁠⁠magic⁠⁠al⁠ Shop plans at ⁠https://MINTMOBILE.com/magical Come see Sounds Like A Cult LIVE at The Bell House in New York on April 21st! Tickets at amandamontell.com/events Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hi, I'm Alex Goldman. You may know me as the host of Reply All, but I'm done with that. I'm doing something else now. I've started a new podcast called Hyperfixed. On every episode of Hyperfixed, listeners write in with their problems, and I try to solve them. Some massive and life altering, and some so minuscule it'll boggle your mind. No matter the problem, no matter the
0:21.7	size, I'm here for you. That's Hyperfixed, the new podcast from Radiotopia. Find it wherever you
0:27.1	listen to podcasts or at hyperfixedpod.com. I don't know about you, my sweet magical
0:36.4	overthinkers, but I like keeping my money where I can see it.
0:39.4	Unfortunately, traditional big wireless carriers like my money too.
0:43.0	That's why, after years of overpaying for wireless, I finally decided to try premium wireless
0:48.2	from Mint Mobile for just $15 a month. All plans come with high-speed data and unlimited talk
0:53.5	and tax delivered on the
0:54.6	nation's largest 5G network. Ditch overpriced wireless and get three months of premium wireless
0:59.7	service from MittMobile for just 15 bucks a month. If you like your money, MintMobile is for you.
1:04.8	Shop plans at mintmobile.com slash magical. That's mintmobile.com slash magical. Up front payment of $45 for three-month
1:12.3	five-gigabyte plan required, equivalent to $15 a month. New customer offer for first three months
1:16.4	only, then full-price plan options available. Taxes and fees extra, see MintMobile for details.
1:25.8	Welcome to The Magical Overthinkers podcast, a show for thoughts, viralers, exploring the
1:31.5	subjects we can't stop overthinking about, from confrontation to horniness.
1:37.1	If you ever get the feeling that despite living in the information age, the world only
1:41.7	seems to be making less sense, then you're in the right place.
1:45.9	This podcast is here to help us think less about the things that don't matter and more about the
1:50.9	things that do. I'm your host, Amanda Montel, today with the help of my very special guest,
1:57.2	Dr. Harini Bot, a pharmacist turn brilliant science educator and host of the YouTube
2:03.2	slash general social media series. Today I learned science. We're going to be overthinking
2:08.4	about the concept of doing your own research.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Amanda Montell & Studio71, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Amanda Montell & Studio71 and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.