Shows / Skeptoid
Skeptoid
The true science behind our most popular urban legends. Historical mysteries, paranormal claims, popular science myths, aliens and UFO reports, conspiracy theories, and worthless alternative medicine schemes... Skeptoid has you covered. From the sublime to the startling, no topic is sacred. Weekly since 2006.
Episodes
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #663: Pop Quiz: Urban Legends
Test your knowledge of popular urban legends, and the science underlying them. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #662: Vaccine Denial: Failure Mode Analysis
The surprising history of how medical science's greatest success has become vilified by so many people. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #661: Rapping with the Fox Sisters
Myth and mystery surrounds the sisters said to have founded the modern spiritualism industry. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #660: Feedback and Followups
A handful of updates to past Skeptoid episodes... eyebrow raising to say the least. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #659: Killing Castro
It's proven the CIA tried to assassinate Castro, but the number of claimed attempts differs wildly. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #658: Ong's Hat
An urban legend tells of a group of scientists who successfully escaped into another dimension. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #657: Illuminating the Illuminati
The surprisingly humble beginnings and even more surprising modern rebirth of the Illuminati. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #656: And Bigfoot Said...
We compare vocalizations attributed to Bigfoot with the sounds of real animals known to be in the area. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #655: Stonehenge and the Scope of Uncertainty
There are things we don't know about Stonehenge, but does that mean we know nothing at all? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #654: Pop Quiz: Consumer Ripoffs
How well do you know your Skeptoid? Today's pop quiz focuses on consumer ripoffs. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #653: The Great Kentucky Meat Shower
A rain of meat is said to have fallen in rural Kentucky one day in 1876. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #652: The Cash-Landrum UFO Incident
The UFO story seems to defy debunking because of the physical injuries suffered by witnesses. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #651: The Electric Universe Theory
Some believe that everything we know about the universe is wrong — and it's all electric. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #650: I Believe
Your beliefs are fallible and can fool you. Be willing to change your mind based on new information. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #649: George Soros Conspiracy Theories
George Soros remains the focus of many anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #648: Pop Quiz: Aliens and UFOs
How well do you know your Skeptoid? Today's pop quiz focuses on aliens and UFOs. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #647: All About Mindfulness
An examination of this super-trendy meditation technique to see whether it lives up to the hype. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #646: Animal Earthquake Prediction
Many people believe animals have the ability to predict earthquakes. The facts tell a different story. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #645: Pop Quiz: Ancient Mysteries
How well do you know your Skeptoid? Today's pop quiz focuses on ancient mysteries. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #644: Parts Unknown: Foreign Conspiracy Theories
A roundup of conspiracy theories from various countries all around the world. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #643: The Mysterious Stone Chambers of New England
Some believe these stone structures in New England to be evidence of ancient cultures. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #642: Pop Quiz: Cryptozoology!
How well do you know your Skeptoid? Today's pop quiz focuses on cryptozoology. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #641: Alternative Veterinary Medicine
Even in the 21st century, vets and pet owners are turning to prescientific, magic-based medical care. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #640: Draining the Baghdad Battery
Many people believe this ancient scroll container was actually an early type of battery. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #639: An Exorbitance of Emendations
Once again, Skeptoid corrects another round of errors found in previous episodes. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #638: Cueva de los Tayos and the Lost Metal Library: Part 2
A closer look at how bad the evidence is that a cave exists filled with golden alien wonders. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #637: Cueva de los Tayos and the Lost Metal Library: Part 1
Some people believe that this cave in Ecuador harbors an alien library etched on metallic plates. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #636: Epigenetics Woo
This exciting new(ish) field in genetics has brought with it a slew of snake oil claims. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #635: The Effects of Mandated GMO Labeling
We have good evidence for what to expect from mandated labeling of GMO foods, and it's not good. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #634: More Alcohol Myths
The last show on alcohol myths wasn't good enough for many of you, so here are some more. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #633: The Horsey History of Clever Hans
This early-1900s horse appeared to be able to do math and other feats, and we learned a lot from him. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #632: Lucid Dreaming
Some people can control their dreams and do anything they want in them -- or can they? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #631: Listener Feedback: Death of the Lefties
Skeptoid gets some interesting letters from listeners pertaining to radioactive skeletons and lefties. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #630: The Apes Who Learned Sign Language
Although many regard Koko as an ape who used sign language, science tells us that ability probably doesn't exist. Learn about your ad choices…
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #629: Three Big Macs a Day
When we set aside pop food woo, we find that even multiple Big Macs can be part of a healthy daily diet. Learn about your ad choices…
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #628: The Swedish Ghost Rockets
This rash of UFO sightings over Sweden in 1946 has long been considered to be Soviet missile tests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #627: Gremlins
These mischievous creatures that sabotage airplanes are claimed by some to be actual physical beings. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #626: Numerology
We put this ancient system of divination based on numbers to the test. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #625: Your Weird Turn
We try to figure out some of the creepiest stories ever sent in by Skeptoid listeners. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #624: Zuma, The Phantom Satellite
The malfunction said to have doomed this spacecraft may have just been a cover story. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #623: Environmental Working Group and the Dirty Dozen
This company's annual press releases are intended to frighten you into buying organic. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #622: Are You Living in a Simulation?
An exploration of the thought experiment that seeks to determine whether we're living in a computer simulation. Learn about your ad choices…
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #621: The Pentagon's UFO Hunt
The Pentagon gave $22 million to a very unlikely group of UFO proponents. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #620: Listener Feedback: Provisos, Addenda, and Quid Pro Quos
Listeners write in with extra information that adds a whole new dimension to some past shows. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #619: Alcohol Myths
We point the skeptical eye at five popular beliefs about alcoholic beverages. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #618: Are They Real, or Are They Fictional?
Another round of famous names from the past: Can you guess whether each is real or fictional? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #617: 10 Great Science Hoaxes
A look at those few times when hoaxers came closest to fooling those who knew better. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #616: Abiotic Oil
Some believe that oil comes from geological processes rather than from ancient biomass. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #615: Titanic Myths
Three of the most popular conspiracy theories surrounding the sinking of the Titanic. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #614: The Inflammatory Diet
Why no, in fact you should not avoid certain foods to reduce your body's inflammation. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #613: The Kids Who See Blindfolded
Children throughout India are being taught to see while blindfolded... apparently. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #612: The Boy Who Thought He Was Reincarnated
This boy thought he had lived a past life as a fighter pilot. He had some help getting there. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #611: All About Grounding
Some New Agers believe that you can heal virtually any ailment simply by taking off your shoes. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #610: The Keepers of Flannan Light
Mystery clouds the story of what happened to these three vanished lighthouse keepers. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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Skeptoid #609: Were There Irish Slaves in America?
Online articles claiming the first slaves in the Americas were white are fictional and racially motivated. Learn about your ad choices…
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #608: Palm Oil Facts and Fiction
Is it a medical miracle, an environmental disaster, both, or neither? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #607: Do Lobsters Feel Pain?
What the science says on whether we need to change the way we eat crustaceans. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #606: The Murder in the Red Barn
A murder was said to have been solved by the intervention of the victim's ghost. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #605: The Civil War Pterosaur
This famous Internet photo of Civil War soldiers posing with a pterosaur has a surprising source. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- Skeptoid
Skeptoid #604: Net Neutrality Reexamined
A skeptic's guide for organizing the issues raised by Net Neutrality. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices