Podcast From Toni Teixeira| Therapist Toni Teixeira

S2E08| The Replication Crisis: Can We Trust Science in the Age of Tech?

How much of what we believe about science actually holds up? In this ...

How much of what we believe about science actually holds up?

In this solo episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie explores the growing conversation around the replication crisis - the ...discovery that many published scientific studies fail to produce the same results when researchers try to repeat them.

With co-host Toni away for a couple of weeks, Jackie takes a closer look at how trust in science has become a recurring topic in conversations with friends, colleagues, and listeners. If the research keeps changing, how do we know what to believe?

To unpack the issue, this episode reacts to and analyzes key moments from a recent Planet Money from NPR episode hosted by Mary Childs and Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi, which follows economist Abel Brodeur and his innovative project called the Replication Games. These events bring researchers together to test whether published social science findings actually reproduce.
Check out the planet money episode here: https://www.npr.org/2026/02/27/nx-s1-5720653/replication-crisis-games-abel-brodeur

Through short clips and commentary, Jackie explores:

• What the replication crisis actually is
• Why incentives in academia can reward “significant” results
• How researchers sometimes unintentionally manipulate data
• Why transparency and replication are essential for trustworthy science
• What this means for everyday people trying to navigate health, technology, and mental health advice

This episode also connects the issue to a broader theme we discuss often on the show: how systems and incentives shape behavior, whether in academic research, tech platforms, or social media.

Most importantly, Jackie shares practical ways listeners can think about scientific claims without becoming cynical or overwhelmed.

Science is not broken - but understanding how it works can help us build better trust in research, technology, and the information we rely on every day.
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TOPICS COVERED
* The Replication Crisis
* Scientific reproducibility
* Research incentives and publication pressure
* Tech and trust in science
* Mental health and information overload
* How to interpret scientific studies
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PODCAST
Therapy, Tech & Takeout explores the intersection of technology and mental health, how tech shapes our mood, and what it means to be human in an always-online world.

Hosted by Jackie and therapist Toni Teixeira, the show blends real conversations about tech mental health, emotional regulation, leadership, parenting, and modern work with thoughtful analysis of current research and cultural moments.
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SOURCE EPISODE REFERENCED
Planet Money from NPR

Hosts: Mary Childs and Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi

Topic: Economist Abel Brodeur and the Replication Games

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S2E07| CES 2026: The AI Hype Cycle vs. Real Tech Progress

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S2E06 | Moltbook and Moltbots: What You Need to Know About these AI Agents and Social Media

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S2E05| Addicted by Design: The Trial That Could Change Social Media for Kids

Summary Are social media platforms secretly designing your brain for ...

Summary
Are social media platforms secretly designing your brain for addiction? The groundbreaking lawsuit making headlines could change everything we know about how tech manipulates our minds — especially kids’. If ...you’ve ever wondered how endless scrolls, dopamine loops, and sticky algorithms are reshaping our mental health, you can't miss this episode.

Join Toni and Jackie as they unpack the seismic shakeup happening in social media law. This isn’t just about content — it’s about the design behind the screens that keep us hooked. They break down how companies weaponize behavioral science, neurobiology, and greed to maximize profits at the expense of our well-being. You’ll learn how addictive patterns are formed, why children are most vulnerable, and what "harm reduction" could mean for the future of digital life.

Discover the ins and outs of this landmark lawsuit: from the companies involved, the tactics that trap us, to the ethical debates that could reshape regulation. They explore questions like: Should social media have guardrails? How do algorithms target young brains? And what role do we, as users, play in protecting ourselves and the next generation?

This episode is a wake-up call for parents, policymakers, and anyone fed up with the big tech trap. It’s a rallying cry for change — because what’s at stake is not just mental health, but our autonomy in a hyperconnected world. If you care about your kids’ future, your own peace of mind, or the ethics behind the screens we swipe daily, turn up the volume.

The fight against social media’s addictive design starts now. Will change come from lawsuits, regulations, or us? Hit play to find out — the future depends on it.

Takeaways

* Social media addiction can have long-term impacts on mental health and behavior.
* The ethical implications of social media algorithms and their impact on children are a growing concern.

Media Covered

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-media-on-trial/id1200361736?i=1000747163999
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-to-know-about-a-trial-that-will-test-tech-giants-liability-for-child-social-media-addiction#:~:text=A%20California%20woman%20alleges%20she,be%20addictive%2C%20especially%20to%20children.

Chapters

* 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
* 09:59 The Impact of Social Media Addiction on Mental Health
* 17:02 Harm Reduction and Ethical Considerations in Addressing Addiction
* 24:10 Settlements and the Future of Social Media Regulation
* 28:58 Conclusion and Next Week's TopicShow More

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Podcasts From Toni Teixeira

S2E08| The Replication Crisis: Can We Trust Science in the Age of Tech?