Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition
Episodes
Why You Should Be More Skeptical the Next Time You Read a Health News Article by Rina Raphael
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Health news is increasingly driven by hype, as journalists often fail to critically assess studies, relying instead on press releases that exaggerate ...
Harry Houdini Debunked Claims of Abraham Lincoln’s Spiritualism by Jason Emerson
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Historian Jason Emerson explores claims that Abraham Lincoln was a believer in Spiritualism, which gained traction due to Mary Lincoln’s participati...
The Cranky Uncle Game: A Way to Logic-Check Misinformation about Climate Change by John Cook
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John Cook discusses the dangers of misinformation in shaping beliefs and behaviors, particularly regarding climate change, and highlights the limitati...
Unmasking the Claims of the Antinuclear Movement: Climate, Health, and Energy at the Crossroads by Amardeo Sarma
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Amardeo Sarma critiques common misconceptions about nuclear energy and its role in combating climate change. Read this article and find accompanying r...
Fringe Zoology: The (In)Convenience of Disappearing Evidence by Floe Foxon
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Floe Foxon examines cases where alleged evidence for cryptids, such as African dinosaurs, lake monsters, sea serpents, and mystery big cats, mysteriou...
Beyond Belief: Raising a Skeptical Kid (in the Misinformation Age) by Ronald Crouch
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ronald Crouch reflects on the challenge of teaching his young son critical thinking in an era saturated with misinformation. He shares insights from r...
It’s All Bullshit: The Common Ground between Pseudoscience and Pseudophilosophy by Massimo Pigliucci
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Massimo Pigliucci explores the common thread between pseudoscience and pseudophilosophy: "bullshit," as defined by philosopher Harry Frankfurt. Pigliu...
Quick Guide to Modern Video Analysis Techniques for UAP (and UFOs) by Mick West
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mick West discusses modern techniques for analyzing UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) videos, emphasizing the importance of original video qualit...
The Genetic Book of the Dead Masterfully Illustrates Science Is Brimming with Wonder and Curiosity by Bertha Vazquez
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Dawkins' The Genetic Book of the Dead explores the rich interconnectedness of evolution, illustrating how the traits and behaviors of living o...
A Triple Threat to Humanity: Climate Change, Pandemics, and Anti-Science by Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Hotez
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mann and Hotez identify three interconnected threats to humanity: climate change, pandemics, and anti-science campaigns and highlight the increasing e...
Bill Nye, the Climate Guy, Guest Edits a Special Section in Our 250th Issue by Stephen Hupp
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Hupp introduces the guest editor for the 250th issue of Skeptical Inquirer: Bill Nye! Read this article and find accompanying references at: ...
The Berkshire UFO Abduction Incident by Benjamin Radford
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Berkshire UFO incident of 1969, which allegedly involved hundreds of witnesses and reports of abductions in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, is re...
The Harm of So-Called Alternative Medicine by Edzard Ernst
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This article argues that so-called alternative medicine (SCAM), though often perceived as harmless, can cause harm on multiple levels, including physi...
Semi-Fake News: A Data-Driven Approach by Massimo Pigliucci
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pigliucci discusses the concept of "semi-fake news," misinformation that arises from the distortion of factual content rather than outright fabricatio...
The Cass Review: Are We Experimenting on Kids? by Robyn E. Blumner
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Cass Review, a report commissioned by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, raises significant concerns about the rapid medicalizatio...
Critical Thinking in the Classroom: How CFI’s Generation Skeptics Can Help by Bertha Vazquez
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bertha Vazquez highlights CFI’s Generation Skeptics program, which supports teachers by providing resources that address the influence of personal b...
Thinking Critically about Critical Thinking: What Do We Really Mean? by Melanie Trecek-King
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Melanie Trecek-King explores the concept of critical thinking in education, challenging conventional approaches that prioritize content knowledge over...
No Witches in Amityville? by Daniel Meyer
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Meyer explores the sensational claims connecting the Amityville Horror house to historical witchcraft, specifically the alleged involvement of ...
Is Science Progressive or Conservative? by Mathieu Beau
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mathieu Beau explores the complex relationship between science, progress, and conservation, challenging the perception that science is inherently prog...
Where’s the Science in Campaign Buttons? by Stephen Hupp
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Hupp reflects on how pro-science messages are missing from campaign buttons, despite America's founding presidents having embraced scientific ...
Science over Party: Five Tips for the Left and Right by Timothy J. Redmond
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Timothy J. Redmond discusses the partisan divide in attitudes toward science, with each political side selectively trusting or rejecting scientific fi...
Science and Pseudoscience in London: A Skeptic’s Tour by Stuart Vyse
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Psychologist Stuart Vyse describes his trip to London as part of his "Skeptics Tour of..." series. On this trip, he visits sites relevant to skeptics ...
Mysterious Mastermind: Conspiracy Theories and Taylor Swift by David Hahn
01 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The article explores how Taylor Swift, as a cultural icon, has become a focal point for conspiracy theories, driven by her immense fame and the nature...
The Truth about Sallie Winchester and the Mystery House That Never Was by Adrienne Hill
01 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This article explores the true story of Sarah "Sallie" Winchester and her home, dispelling myths fueled by sensationalized media and tourism. It highl...
Eye Movement Therapies, Purple Hats, and the Sagan Standard by Gerald M. Rosen and Loren Pankratz
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gerald Rosen and Loren Pankratz critique the popular therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), initially developed by Francine Sha...
Join Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia—and Help Us Find More Science Experts by Susan Gerbic
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Susan Gerbic highlights the 15-year-old GSoW project, which has created over 2,200 articles viewed 170 million times, focusing on science and pseudosc...
Critical Thinking Conference in Argentina by Stephen Hupp
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Critical Thinking Conference in Argentina, organized by Alejandro Borgo and the Center for Inquiry, brought together science communicators from So...
Are Plants Conscious? by Massimo Pigliucci
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Massimo Pigliucci critiques the notion of plant consciousness. While acknowledging the complexity and fascinating behaviors of plants, he emphasizes...
Ancient Aliens, Now Extra Cringey by Craig A. Foster
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Craig A. Foster critiques the ongoing popularity of the "ancient aliens" theory, tracing its evolution from 1978 sci-fi to today’s "cringeworthy" re...
The Useful Mandela Effect by Mick West
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mick West examines how the Mandela effect reveals flaws in human memory. West explains that this phenomenon underscores our brain's tendency to "fill...
Skepticism Saves the Mystery House by Stephen Hupp
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Hupp revisits the lore surrounding the Winchester Mystery House and its transformation from a reclusive homeowner’s project to a hub of ghos...
Progress in Treatment for Obesity by Reynold Spector
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This article discusses the breakthrough drug tirzepatide, which has been shown to significantly reduce body weight in people with obesity, offering a ...
Curing with Charm: Folkloric Faith Healing and the Power of Belief by Daniel A. Reed
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel A. Reed examines the persistence of faith healing traditions, especially in Appalachian communities, and how these practices continue due to cu...
From Gods to Gurus: The Evolution of Olympic Superstition and Pseudoscience by Nick Tiller
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Tiller explores how Olympic athletes have shifted from ancient religious rituals to modern pseudoscientific practices in their pursuit of peak pe...
The Eight-Cell Person, Religion, and the Legality of In Vitro Fertilization by Robyn E. Blumner
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Robyn E. Blumner discusses the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that recognized cryogenically preserved embryos as legal persons under state law, sparking...
Skeptical Heroes Unite: CSICon 2023 by Stephen Hupp
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Hupp recaps CSICon 2023. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/02/skeptical-heroes-unite-...
Avoiding Conflict Avoidance by Mick West
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mick West discusses strategies for skeptics engaging in contentious discussions, particularly with communities that hold fringe beliefs, such as UFO e...
Smoke and Mirrors: The 60 Minutes ‘Breakthrough’ on Havana Syndrome Exposed by Robert Bartholomew
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This article critiques how reporting on Havana Syndrome has leaned towards sensationalism, suggesting a narrative of foreign-directed attacks while di...
Pseudoscience: Do We Know What We Are Talking About? by Massimo Pigliucci
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Massimo Pigliucci examines the complexities of distinguishing science from pseudoscience. While there is agreement on clear examples like astrology an...
Summer Shenanigans: Olympics, Sharks, Blockbusters, Breaks, and Trips by Stephen Hupp
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Skeptical Inquirer editor Stephen Hupp previews Volume 48.4 - The Olypmic Games: From Gods to Gurus. Read this article and find accompanying reference...
Looking for the Bright Side of the AI Apocalypse by Guy P. Harrison
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Guy P. Harrison explores the potential dangers and disruptive effects of artificial intelligence (AI) while acknowledging that it could also lead to a...
Disney’s Wish: A Century of Wishing on Stars by Carli Yingling
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Disney’s Wish celebrates the studio’s centennial by revisiting the theme of wishing upon a star, first popularized by Pinocchio (1940). While inco...
Witchcraft-Based Violence and Persecution in Malawi by Wonderful Mkhutche
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Malawi, belief in witchcraft is widespread, affecting all demographics and fostering violence, especially against women, the elderly, and children....
Advocacy for Alleged Witches in Africa: 2023 Update by Leo Igwe
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leo Igwe's Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) works to protect individuals accused of witchcraft across Africa from abuse, injustice, and human r...
Astrology: Beast of No Burden by Craig A. Foster
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Astrology, despite being repeatedly discredited by empirical tests over decades, remains popular due to its accessibility, folklore appeal, and human ...
Analyzing Conspiracies through Folklore, Epidemiology, and Artificial Intelligence by Benjamin Radford
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Benjamin Radford discusses the rise of digital disinformation, particularly in the context of public health, and how computational folklore, epidemiol...
Practical AI for Skeptics by Mick West
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mick West discusses the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) from theoretical concepts to practical tools, emphasizing its usefulness for s...
Paranormal Investigation, Artificial Intelligence, and the Future by Stephen Hupp
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Hupp recounts his first paranormal investigation, during which various devices and phone apps attempted to communicate with spirits. While s...
Some People Just Want to Believe by Rob Palmer
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition is a production of Skeptical Inquirer and the Center for Inquiry. About the Author: Rob Palmer has had a diverse ca...
Why You Will Never Know What ‘Healthy Eating’ Is by Fred P. Abramson
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The concept of "healthy eating" remains elusive due to the lack of long-term, randomized controlled trials proving the benefits of any specific diet. ...
The MH370 Teleport Hoax by Mick West
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shortly after Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 vanished in 2014, speculative theories emerged, including a claim that it was abducted by UFOs. This the...
Stories That Should Be Handled with Care: The Subjects of Pseudoscience by Kendrick Frazier
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This article includes two excerpts from chapter 5 (titled “The Subjects of Pseudoscience”) of Kendrick Frazier’s fantastic new book...
Prophet of Oppenheimer’s Atomic Bomb by Brett Taylor
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John Hendrix, a self-proclaimed prophet from rural Tennessee, allegedly predicted the rise of Oak Ridge and its role in the Manhattan Project ...
There Be Monsters! Is it True We’ve Only Explored 5 Percent of the Oceans? by Benjamin Radford
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The claim that we've explored only 5 percent of the ocean is misleading, as it depends on definitions of "explored" and "known." While detailed hi...
Fitspiration, Pseudo-Healthcare Professions, and the First Amendment by Katie Suleta and Emily Hemendinger
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recent court cases highlight the rise of pseudo-healthcare professions, where individuals without proper credentials claim First Amendment protections...
Come for the Speakers, Return for the Community by Susan Gerbic
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Susan Gerbic recaps her experience at CSICon 2023 and makes the case for why you should attend our next conference! Read this article and find a...
Defending Science against Social Justice Dogmatism and Identitarianism by Robyn E. Blumner
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Robyn E. Blumner critiques the influence of social justice dogmatism and identitarianism on science, arguing that these ideologies hinder scientific...
What Happened to Chemtrails? by Mick West
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mick West explores the history of the chemtrails conspiracy theory and offers an explanation for why you might not have heard much about it lately... ...
When Pseudoscience Dies: A Biorhythm Case Study by Craig A. Foster, McKenna Duff, and Paige Hatfield
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Craig A. Foster, McKenna Duff, and Paige Hatfield enter the "Time Warp" and revisit Skeptical Inquirer Volume 2. Number 2 to discuss the phenomenon ...
Whodunit? The ‘Murder’ of Edgar Allan Poe Solved at Last by Joe Nickell
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Nickell's article investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding Edgar Allan Poe's death in 1849, which has spawned numerous theories, incl...
The Freedom of Speech Does Not Protect Healthcare Grifters by
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Katie Suleta explores the case of Heather Kokesch Del Castillo, which highlights the tension between free speech and professional credentialing in hea...
Child Rescue Group Used Psychic in (Not) Saving Children by Benjamin Radford
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Benjamin Radford critiques Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), the group depicted in The Sound of Freedom, for its misleading and u...
War on Cancer: An Updated Progress Report for Skeptics by Reynold Spector
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Reynold Spector provides a "progress report" on cancer, detailing the current scientific understanding of the disease and its treatements. Read this a...
A Skeptical Approach to Guilt and Innocence in the Judicial Realm by Matthew J. Sharps, Kyle Villarama, Frankie Rios, and Jana L. Price-Sharps
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sharps et al. examine anomalies in the judicial process where decisions deviate from pure evidence and logic, influenced by psychological factors such...
Is Bigfoot Dead? by Benjamin Radford
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Benjamin Radford reviews the evidence for the existence of bigfoot. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.o...
Bigfoot Is Dead! by Stephen Hupp
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bigfoot, a long-standing figure of folklore and cryptozoology, is declared symbolically "dead" in Ben Radford's Skeptical Inquirer cover story, which ...
WNYT Channel 13 Promotes Psychic in Kidnapping Case by Kenny Biddle
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition is a production of Skeptical Inquirer and the Center for Inquiry. About the Author: Kenny Biddle is the Chief Inves...
Abraham-Hicks: Motivational Speaking Spirits by Adrienne Hill
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition is a production of Skeptical Inquirer and the Center for Inquiry. About the Author: Adrienne Hill, a former high sc...