"So" and "Is"

There is a new and annoying figure of speech in vogue. You hear it often when an expert is interviewed.

"Dr. Smith, how did you happen upon this phenomenon?" "So...we were conducting a series of experiments and we discovered it."

What is the "so" for? "So" means "therefore", or "for this reason", or "accordingly", or "thus". It is also used for emphasis, as in "so lovely". You have other expressions, such as "so-called...so-and-so...so be it...and so forth...so long...so what." But it is not to be used as a pause before starting a sentence. I can't stand it.

The "is" deal is even more irritating. People everywhere are repeating the word "is". Stop me if I have gone on about this before. "The thing is is that..." Why do people repeat the word "is"?! There's a little catch inserted and they repeat "is". Even worse...."The thing was is that..." Seriously. Open your ears and you will hear it ad nauseum. It is so common I bet you don't notice it. Notice it. It will start to drive you crazy.