Torie Bosch

This season I'll talk to two folks who pushed back against anti-vaccine legislation in a red state, someone who got dysentery for science, and more. Got ideas for who I else I should interview? Let me know!

You can find the First Opinion Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. (I'm an Overcast partisan myself.)
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...
open.spotify.com/show/3y7p5nB...

I’m a social media scientist with 3.5 million followers. Here’s what I’ve learned about public health communication “A scientific message will not resonate unless viewers have clear reason to care about the issue and, more importantly, to trust the messenger,” writes popular social media scientist dr.noc.

You can also read his @statnews.com essay on becoming a trusted science communicator online: www.statnews.com/2025/07/01/dr-noc-social-media-science-influencers-tiktok-data-relatability/

Science social media star Dr. Noc on the value of edutainment “I'm never going to speak to everyone. We need a much greater diversity of science communicators and researchers and experts making content,” Dr. Noc says on the “First Opinion Podcast.”

Dr. Noc avoids making content for people who already agree with him or are only looking for a fight. "The problem … is you’re not changing people’s minds at that point, you’re just making them emotionally engaged.” www.statnews.com/2025/10/01/d...

Science social media star Dr. Noc on the value of edutainment “I'm never going to speak to everyone. We need a much greater diversity of science communicators and researchers and experts making content,” Dr. Noc says on the “First Opinion Podcast.”

The @statnews.com First Opinion Podcast is back, baby. For this season's premiere episode, I spoke with Morgan "Dr. Noc" McSweeney, who has become a science communication rockstar on social media. www.statnews.com/2025/10/01/d...

The way we talk about dementia is about to change completely “The more we talk, debate, even sometimes argue, the more we can live well with a mind altered by these progressive, disabling brain diseases,” Jason Karlawish writes.

Today @statnews.com launches Neurotransmissions, a new opinion column by @pennmemorycenter.bsky.social's Jason Karlawish. Neurotransmissions will focus on the revolution in dementia diagnosis and treatment, and the questions it raises. Read the first column: www.statnews.com/2025/09/29/d...

& if you don't have access to any of the stories, we are running a promo for STAT+ subscriptions (ends this friday!!)

bsky.app/profile/stat...

STAT's 10-year anniversary sale Join us as we mark a decade of health, medicine, and science reporting and access award-winning journalism, discounted event tickets and merch, and more.

If you just cancelled Disney+ and you’re wondering what do to with that extra money, one option: STAT is running a big sale right now, you can get 10 months for $10 marketing.statnews.com/stat-10th-st...

I have feelings about the phrase "lived experience." Read more about them in the weekly First Opinion newsletter from @statnews.com www.statnews.com/signup/first...

The Trump admin’s cruel disbanding of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium My 12-year-old son died from brain cancer. The defunding of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium will deny treatments to children like him.

On the Trump administration's cruel disbanding of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium: my op-ed @statnews.com

My 12-year-old son died from brain cancer. This research would have helped children like him

www.statnews.com/2025/09/15/p...

Thank you so much!

Berlin Capital Program for Journalists The Berlin Capital Program is a one-week seminar offering US journalists a closer look at the German media landscape and German and European society.

Early career journalists, consider applying for Fulbright Germany's Berlin Capital Program. I did it back in 2011 and absolutely loved it. The program culminates with a weeklong trip to Germany in September 2026.

Learn more here: fulbright.de/en/grants/pr...

RFK Jr. ally’s ‘smoking gun’ study on vaccines and chronic illness is fundamentally flawed Bogus study on vaccines and chronic illness presented at Senate presents “a dangerous precedent for how science is weighed in policymaking,” infectious disease expert writes.

My thoughts on the unpublished study unveiled at today’s hearing on the state of vaccine safety science.
Big thanks to @thekibosch.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/09/a...

I'm so proud to be part of @STATNews, the definitive source for reporting (and dare I say opinion!) on health and medical news at a time when it is very much needed. Happy birthday, STAT!

Kennedy's case against mRNA vaccines collapses under his own evidence “This isn't scientific disagreement. It's either staggering incompetence or willful misrepresentation,” writes infectious disease physician Jake Scott.

RFK Jr’s “evidence” doesn’t support ending mRNA vaccine development. It makes the case for expanding it.

Thanks to @thekibosch.bsky.social @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/08/13/r...

Protecting pilgrims from infectious disease without diminishing their faith Over 660 million pilgrims gathered at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, this past February, and I'm now seeing the downstream consequences in my

"Over 660 million pilgrims gathered at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India, this past February, and I’m now seeing the downstream consequences in my California clinic."

New piece I wrote. Big thanks to @thekibosch.bsky.social and @statnews.com.

www.statnews.com/2025/07/03/m...

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!

"You Are Not Expected to Understand This" Leading technologists, historians, and journalists reveal the stories behind the computer coding that touches all aspects of life—for better or worse

First was "You are Not Expected to Understand This," edited by @thekibosch.bsky.social. This collection provides an enjoyable, whirlwind introduction to different topics in computing history

Full review: bookwyrm.social/user/bwaber/... (2/3)

I Can’t Stop Thinking About the First Chapter of This Climate Change Novel A conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson about The Ministry for the Future and this summer’s extreme heat.

Our A/C died last night, and now I keep thinking about how @rebeccaonion.bsky.social kept thinking about the first chapter of The Ministry for the Future: slate.com/technology/2...

If I owe you an email, I'm sorry. It's just that I worried it'd be weird if I responded too quickly, and now it's been too long, and now I have to disconnect from the internet forever

Thank you to @thekibosch.bsky.social for letting me highlight this aspect of the Medicaid debate in @statnews.com.

How Did Science Become So Polarizing? Join us on May 29, 2025 at 3PM ET for a discussion of why science is so divided, and how it can rebuild trust across the political spectrum.

If you missed our event on polarization over science with Cary Funk, Emily Garner, M. Anthony Mills, @scipolguy.bsky.social, and @thekibosch.bsky.social, watch the recording (and read the live chat transcript) here: issues.org/event/how-di...
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Stupid TV, Be More Funny This comprehensive account of the meteoric rise of The Simpsons combines incisive pop culture criticism and interviews with the show’s creative team that t...

The best news is that @alansiegella.bsky.social's new book Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television-and America-Forever, is out today! www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/alan-...

When The Simpsons Went to War With Fox One of the show’s best episodes is based on real behind-the-scenes drama.

Actual notes a Fox censor sent The Simpsons:
- “This Itchy & Scratchy cartoon goes too far. Please do not show a cat coughing up blood.”
- “Obviously we do not want to show the intimate details of a bris.”
slate.com/culture/2025...

On May 30, 1925, passersby were asked, "What is your opinion of the indictment of John T. Scopes for teaching the theory of evolution in the Tennessee public schools?" Would have loved to see Howard J. Meaney and Mrs. E. J. Novak Jr. debate www.reddit.com/r/100yearsag...

Starting soon! Register here: asu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

The Strange New Politics of Science The polarization of trust in science is a complex phenomenon shaped by—and increasingly also shaping—American political identities.

You can read the article that inspired this event here: issues.org/new-politics...

"Trust in science has emerged as a central dividing line in our society," says a recent @issuesinst.bsky.social piece. How did that happen, and what can we do about it? I'm moderating a panel tomorrow in which some very smart people will grapple with those questions. issues.org/event/how-di...

Tomorrow! How did science become so polarizing? At 3 p.m. ET, join us to talk about trust in science with Cary Funk, Emily Garner, M. Anthony Mills, and @scipolguy.bsky.social‬—moderated by @thekibosch.bsky.social‬. Register here: asu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

How did science become so polarizing? On Thursday, May 29, at 3 p.m. ET, join ISSUES for a conversation about trust in science with Cary Funk, Emily Garner, M. Anthony Mills, and @scipolguy.bsky.social‬—moderated by @thekibosch.bsky.social‬. Register here: asu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...