Podcast Summary: That Can't Be True with Chelsea Clinton

Episode: No, You’re Not Messing Up Your Kids with Emily Oster
Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Chelsea Clinton
Guest: Emily Oster, Economist, Author, Data Expert (ParentData Newsletter, Brown University)

Episode Overview

This episode tackles the anxiety-inducing swirl of modern health misinformation, with a special focus on parents worried they're "messing up" their kids. Chelsea Clinton and Emily Oster, celebrated for her evidence-driven parenting books and data translation, debunk headlines and rumors on topics like Tylenol and autism, vaccine myths, toxins, food safety, and wellness trends. Throughout, Oster explains why much of parental panic is misplaced, where the real evidence lies, and offers reassurance (and a few laughs) for exhausted parents everywhere.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Debunking Tylenol and Autism Panic

• Misinformation Highlighted: President Trump claimed Tylenol in pregnancy increases autism risk, referencing places like Cuba where Tylenol use and autism rates are supposedly low ([03:01]).
• Oster's Evidence-Based Rebuttal:
  • The Cuba comparison is unfounded; both Tylenol (acetaminophen/paracetamol) use and autism diagnoses exist in Cuba ([03:34]).
  • Observational studies show a small correlation between frequent acetaminophen use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental issues, but are confounded by demographics and health conditions of those taking Tylenol ([05:21]).
  • Sibling comparison studies (notably in Sweden): No causal link between prenatal Tylenol use and autism when comparing siblings within the same family ([05:21]).
  • The biggest risk: high, sustained fever in pregnancy is more clearly linked to adverse outcomes; avoiding Tylenol could backfire ([08:10]).

Notable Quote

"Causal evidence is the thing that we should care about... and the data says that there is no causal link [between Tylenol and autism]"
— Emily Oster [07:12]

2. Why Autism Diagnoses Have Increased

• Main driver: Changed diagnostic criteria—broader definitions now include conditions like Asperger’s; plus, increased awareness and universal screening ([09:01]).
• Remaining increase may relate to smaller effects (older parental age, possible environmental factors, assortative mating), but most of the change is diagnosis—not actual prevalence shifts.

Notable Quote

"We are picking up diagnoses in kids that are probably more mild, but are in a wider variety of kids... so this kind of package explains a very large share of the increase."
— Emily Oster [10:00]

3. Vaccines and Autism: The Data and the Myth

• Origin traced to Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent study claiming a link between MMR vaccine and autism ([12:06]). Later data proven fraudulent and Wakefield was disbarred.
• Subsequent large-scale studies: No link between routine vaccinations and autism ([13:11]).
• The myth persists, often for ideological or personal gain, but sometimes sincerely held beliefs (e.g., RFK Jr.) ([14:48]).

Notable Quote

"Even in RFK's confirmation hearing, yet another 'new study' was raised... you visit that study, it's not in a journal, it's in an online blog."
— Emily Oster [13:45]

4. 'Panic Headlines' and Parental Worry

• Oster breaks down classic "panic headlines": e.g., "Hurried Child Syndrome" (rushing kids causes anxiety), toxins, tiny traces of lead in foods ([18:25]), social media amplification of minor risks.
• Lead example: U.S. regulations have drastically reduced harmful exposures, but current allowable levels are exceedingly conservative, fueling unnecessary fear ([21:23]).
• Key point: Most parents are anxious about marginal, almost meaningless risks, while larger public health gaps remain (e.g., lead crises like Flint are where focus should go).

Notable Moment

"We've taken something which is good... trying to limit lead, and turned it into something that's scaring people."
— Emily Oster [23:29]

5. Equity in Health and Parenting Advice

• Much panic over infinitesimal risks is a discourse where privileged parents dwell; meanwhile, basic needs (food, housing, safe environments) are unmet for many children ([24:18]).
• Shift the conversation to meaningful interventions—universal access to nutrition, safety, educational readiness ([25:11]).

6. Wellness Fads and Sleep

• Discussion of false wellness panics: toxins (body "cleansing"), fear-mongering about traces in foods, and microplastics ([18:25], [33:23]).
• Sleep: Underappreciated but crucial health pillar. Parents should prioritize children's sleep even over some activities ([27:54]).

Notable Quote

"Every animal has evolved to have a lengthy period of the day in which they are totally unprotected... so, wow, this must be so important if you are willing to get eaten to achieve it."
— Emily Oster [29:40]

7. Fact or Fiction Lightning Round ([31:35])

• Hepatitis B vaccine: NOT just for sexually transmitted risk; early infection (mother, household) is most dangerous ([31:56]).
• Vaccines and mercury/toxins: No, modern vaccines for kids do not contain mercury/thimerosal or unsafe toxins. Aluminum adjuvants are not tinfoil and are safe ([32:44]).
• Spacing out vaccine schedule: No evidence of benefit ([33:08]).
• Microplastics: The "credit card per week" claim is exaggerated, but microplastics are found in the body; health effect at current levels uncertain ([33:33]).
• Heavy metals in formula: Past contamination occurred, but the overall fear is unjustified; tight regulation is key ([34:16]).
• Creatine supplement: Oster personally takes it; evidence supports use for muscle building and older adults, but must pair with exercise ([34:49]).
• Multivitamins: "Stupid" for most; unless you have a diagnosed deficiency (notably iron), multivitamins are unnecessary ([36:07]).
• Continuous glucose monitors: Great for diabetics; healthy people generally don't need them ([36:57]).

8. Most Common Parental Question

• Can I get Botox while breastfeeding? Yes. Oster gets this question weekly, more than any other ([37:27]).

Final Parenting Advice & Reassurance

• Manage your attention and anxiety: It's okay to step away from news or parenting panic. You'll catch up when it matters; most "critical" info won't disappear overnight ([39:00]).
• On missing headlines: If it’s important, it will still be there when you come back. Anxiety over every alert is rarely justified ([39:54]).
• Genetics matter: Many traits attributed to tiny parenting acts are more about genetics and broad environment ([40:20]).

Standout Exchange

Emily Oster: "It's not that easy to mess your kid up... Every moment is not an opportunity to do it."

Chelsea Clinton: "You're like, nature. The more we learn, the more we actually understand how really dominating nature is."

([20:20], [40:29])

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Causal evidence is the thing that we should care about... the data says there is no causal link [between Tylenol and autism]." — Emily Oster [07:12]
• "Most of the increase [in autism]... is a result of changes in how we define autism." — Emily Oster [9:05]
• "We have large studies with millions of kids which show no link between routine vaccinations and autism." — Emily Oster [13:11]
• "Lead is toxic... we've gotten to a place where kind of people are afraid of even tiny amounts of lead." — Emily Oster [21:24]
• "If we could... make sure that every kid in America has enough to eat, a safe place to live, is not exposed to toxic levels of stress... we would have so much more impact." — Emily Oster [24:29]
• "Your kid needs to sleep more than you think... I'm completely militant about sleep in my house." — Emily Oster [28:24]
• "If it's actually important it will still be there next week. And if it's not important, it will be gone." — Emily Oster [39:54]

Useful Timestamps

• [03:01] — Tylenol, Cuba, and autism panic headline
• [05:21] — Explanation of sibling studies and causality in Tylenol research
• [09:01] — Dissecting the rise in autism diagnoses
• [12:06] — Origin of vaccine-autism myth (Wakefield)
• [14:48] — Persistence of vaccine myths and motivations
• [18:25] — 'Panic headlines' and misapplied anxiety for parents
• [21:23] — The lead panic and regulatory context
• [27:54] — The importance of sleep for kids and adults
• [31:35] — Fact or fiction rapid-fire round
• [37:27] — The most common question (Botox and breastfeeding)
• [39:00] — Mental health: permission to tune out panic
• [40:20] — Wrapping up: genetics and the limits of parenting anxiety

Tone and Style Reflected

• Conversational, witty, supportive, and deeply reassuring while rigorous about data—Chelsea and Emily balance warmth and humor with precise myth-busting and science-grounded advice.

For Listeners Who Haven't Heard the Episode

If you're a parent overwhelmed by conflicting online advice, this episode will reassure you: most "panic" headlines don’t hold up to scrutiny, while the evidence on major worries (vaccines, Tylenol, toxins) is far clearer and more reassuring than the headlines suggest. Focus your energy on your kids' basic needs (including sleep), pay attention to evidence (not noise), and don't stress if you miss the latest parental panic—real risks are few and often out of your hands.

Further Resources:

• Follow Emily Oster: Instagram, ParentData

Produced by Lemonada Media & The Clinton Foundation