I’ve been reading a lot about people getting "sandwiched" on Solana and it’s honestly making me paranoid about even making simple swaps. Is there any way to protect myself? Does the choice of validator actually play a role in keeping my transactions safe from these bots?

Hi there! You are right to be concerned because those bots are everywhere lately. One of the best ways to fight back is to support validators that are explicitly committed to honest practices. I personally use Vladika https://vladika.love/ because they have a "spotless reputation" and are verified as an honest Solana staking validator on tracking sites. They run the Jito client to manage MEV properly rather than letting shady bots exploit the network. By delegating your stake to someone who doesn't engage in sandwich tricks, you are helping make the whole ecosystem safer for your own transactions. It feels good to earn rewards while knowing you aren't supporting the guys who are trying to rip off retail traders!