Shows
Speaking of Kids...Dr. Liz Marnik Empowers Parents to Cut Through Health MisinformationIn this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe talks with Elisabeth Marnik, PhD about bridging the gap between science and everyday life, especially when it comes to kids’ health. Dr. Liz is a scientist, mom, and powerful science communicator who grew up in a fundamentalist, anti-science household and is now a trained immunologist translating research for everyday families. Together, Selley and Dr. Liz discuss why empathy works better than facts alone, how to navigate vaccine hesitancy with understanding, and ways parents can cut through misinformation to make informed choices. This conversation highlights the power of trust, curiosity, and compassion in keeping famili...
2025-10-0138 min
The MotherToBaby PodcastFolic Acid Facts & Fiction: What Every Parent Should Know – with Dr. Elisabeth Marnik (@ScienceWhizLiz)In this special Folic Acid Awareness Week episode of The MotherToBaby Podcast, host and genetic counselor Chris Stallman sits down with Dr. Elisabeth Marnik, PhD—a biomedical scientist, mom, and science communicator better known as @ScienceWhizLiz on Instagram. Together, they unpack the science behind folic acid, its critical role in early pregnancy, and why it's one of the most important (yet misunderstood) nutrients for people of childbearing age. From real talk on neural tube defect prevention to busting social media myths like “folic acid causes tongue ties” or “MTHFR mutations mean folic acid isn’t safe,” this episode is p...
2025-09-0934 min
Misguided: The PodcastMisguided: A Lunchtime Chat About Misinformation with Matthew Facciani and Elisabeth MarnikThank 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.su...
2025-08-1551 min
The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician MomFrom Hesitant to Hopeful: Why Some Parents Don’t Vaccinate—and How We Bridge the GapEver paused at a vaccine insert, googled an ingredient, or felt torn between fear and science?
Dr. Elisabeth Marnik (@sciencewhizliz) wasn’t vaccinated as a child. She grew up in an anti-vax household—but today, she’s a scientist, professor, and mom who vaccinates her own children and helps others feel informed, not fearful.
🧬 In this episode, we talk about what changed her mind—and how we move the conversation on vaccines away from shaming and toward shared values like protecting our kids.
We cover:
What it was like growing up unvaccinate...
2025-08-1346 min
Science FridayLithium May Have A Role In Causing—And Treating—Alzheimer’sThe mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease have eluded scientists for decades. But a new breakthrough points to lithium as a possible explanation—not only does it occur naturally in the brain, but a deficiency causes dementia in mice. This research is one of thousands of projects that have lost funding due to President Trump’s cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Host Ira Flatow speaks with Alzheimer’s researcher Bruce Yankner about this new finding, and then to epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina and immunologist Elisabeth Marnik about the country’s “quiet engine of science,” the NIH.Guests:
2025-08-0826 min
Science FridayLithium May Have A Role In Causing—And Treating—Alzheimer’sThe mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease have eluded scientists for decades. But a new breakthrough points to lithium as a possible explanation—not only does it occur naturally in the brain, but a deficiency causes dementia in mice. This research is one of thousands of projects that have lost funding due to President Trump’s cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Host Ira Flatow speaks with Alzheimer’s researcher Bruce Yankner about this new finding, and then to epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina and immunologist Elisabeth Marnik about the country’s “quiet engine of science,” the NIH.
Guests:
2025-08-0827 min
No One Told UsEpisode 89: Debunking Vaccine Myths: Making Choices with Evidence and Compassion with Dr. Elisabeth MarnikEpisode 89: Debunking Vaccine Myths: Making Choices with Evidence and Compassion with Dr. Elisabeth Marnik
In this episode, Rachael sits down with scientist, mom, and writer Dr. Liz Marnik to talk about one of the most emotionally charged topics in modern parenting: vaccines. Together, they explore how fear, misinformation, and anxiety shape parental decision-making—and why accessible, compassionate science communication matters more than ever.
Inside this episode:
Dr. Marnik’s personal journey from vaccine hesitancy to scientific advocacy
How anxiety and fear influence parents’ vaccine decision-making
What’s really in vaccines—and why it’s sa...
2025-05-1550 min
The Formicary - Conversations in ScienceThe Formicary - Dr. Elisabeth MarnikDonate to Girls Who CodeDr. Marnik’s SocialsInstagramHomepageSubstackAll things SciAnts can be found on our Linktree
2025-03-131h 04
Motherhood Meets MedicineNew COVID Boosters, Pediatric COVID Vaccine, and Monkeypox with Dr. Elisabeth MarnikGrowing up in an anti-vaccine household can give you some very interesting outlooks in life. Dr. Elisabeth Marnik was one of those children whose mother didn’t believe in vaccines. However, Liz went to school and received her Ph.D in Biochem genetics and Immunology which changed her viewpoint on vaccines and why they are important. Liz shares with the world her knowledge and her opinions on Instagram and expresses that vaccines are healthy to take. Dr. Elisabeth Marnik is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Biochemistry at a small university in Maine. In her spare time she...
2022-10-051h 04
She Found Motherhood PodcastUnderstanding the COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy and BreastfeedingWith the ever-evolving state of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have put together this current and timely episode for you to help navigate the often overwhelming world of the COVID-19 vaccine, Omicron variant, boosters, and how those might affect you in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Our guest, Dr. Elisabeth Marnik has a PhD. in genetics and immunology, is a scientist, professor, and a passionate science communicator. Please join her and Dr. Sarah as they break-down how the immune system works and changes during pregnancy, and how the vaccine and booster work in conjunction to give you and your baby the...
2021-12-2338 min
Maine Science PodcastOnline forum: COVID vaccines explainedIn our March 30, 2021 online forum, Elisabeth Marnik, Assistant Professor at Husson University, provided an overview of how these new vaccines work and addressed the current state of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Thanks to our online forum sponsors the BioScience Association of Maine and The Jackson Laboratory, and media sponsor Maine Public for supporting the Maine Science Festival and these forums.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Maine Science Festival has received sponsorship support for this Bonus Maine Science Podcast forum episode from the BioScience Association of Maine, The Jackson Laboratory and Maine Public. The Maine Science P...
2021-05-1756 min