The European Skeptics Podcast - The ESP
Episodes
TheESP – Ep. #425 – Millions of lives saved
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Every Swede has celebrated Valborg (Walpurgis / Walpurga) this week although no one really knows why, and András reports from Sicily&n...
TheESP – Ep. #424 – Flat Earth Homeopathy
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is European Immunization Week! Get your boosters and jabs folks, and make you and the people around you are safe! In TWISH this...
TheESP – Ep. #423 – Public Reiki
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The report on DISC analysis and Thomas Erikson from last week generated some good feedback, it’s time for the John Maddox p...
TheESP – Ep. #422 – Surrounded by lies
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A bit of a correction first, regarding earthquakes. Then we get some Vatican news with speculation about a Swedish ‘pa...
TheESP – Ep. #421 – Wishful Thinking
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are two great European skeptical events to sign up for this year – European Skeptics Congress in Lyon (30 May- 2 June) and...
TheESP – Ep. #420 – Happy vikings
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who knew that Hungarian intellectuals where numerologists – András reveals all! We have correction from last week and also reflect over t...
TheESP – Ep. #419 – London Eye is falling down
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flying unicorns exist in Portugal and you can vote for your favorites on the Portuguese Skeptics’ web site (COMCEPT) before 1 Ap...
TheESP – Ep. #418 – Fake cancer cures with Brian Eggo
16 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Eggo is certainly bo no stranger to this podcast. Relentless in his quest to spread the skeptical world, he is known as the main force behi...
TheESP – Ep. #417 – Mercator flattened the Earth
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We start with some listener feedback and corrections regarding Tridentinosaurus Antiquus – the origin of its name was ...
TheESP – Ep. #416 – The Science of Weird shit
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have the great pleasure to interview our friend Prof. Chris French! We hear a lot about his research into the paranormal – or...
TheESP – Ep. #415 – Artifact or Arti-fiction?
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’ve had some feedback regarding AI – always glad to hear from our listeners! In TWISH we hear about Charles Clermont-Ganneau, famous F...
TheESP – Ep. #414 – The Curse of King Tut
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Luna sits in for András(!) and we talk about conspiracy theories regarding the earthquake in Turkey last year, a new study about ...
TheESP – Ep. #413 – Don’t make up the data!
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
King Charles III is ill and although we seldom agrees with him we still whish him a speedy recovery. Marcus Wandt, the Swedish astronaut, to...
TheESP – Ep. #412 – Teapots in space
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We start with some listener feedback and ponder the wonders of European languages before we turn to TWISH, where we hear abou...
TheESP – Ep. #411 – The Collaborative Library
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we interview the fabulous Anja Harrison (no relation to any of the hosts) about a great initiative – The Collaborative Libr...
TheESP – Ep. #410 – Retract homeopathy!
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
By the time this episode comes out, Sweden hopefully has its third and latest astronaut in space! Marcus Wandt is schedule fo...
TheESP – Ep. #409 – Horoscope Humbug
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sorry for the delay guys, but we’re back! We have a host of tips for our listeners to get engaged in in the new year. In this week’s&nbs...
TheESP – Ep. #408 – A miracle for the season?
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Suddenly Poland emerges as a possible example against populism in Europe – strange times indeed. In TWISH we hear about Mar...
TheESP – Ep. #407 – Big Exorcism
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
First we mention that the prestigious Heinz Oberhummer Award has just been given to Die Sendung mit der Maus which we recently cal...
TheESP – Ep. #406 – The Charlatan Super-surgeon
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In TWISH this week we hear about Claude Lévi-Strauss who put together a structuralist theory to analyze myths. We also hear that&...
TheESP – Ep. #405 – Political shenanigans
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s TWISH we hear about Trofim Lysenko before we look into the news:EU: Glyphosate updateINTERNATIONAL: Nostalgia in ...
TheESP – Ep. #404 – The world is really old
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Despite the numerology, this episode CAN be found wherever you get your podcasts. We will give you tips about The Conspiracy Test, the Human...
TheESP – Ep. #403 – Retract homeopathy!
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After the normal meet and greet, we have an interview with Norbert Aust – German skeptic and one of the initiators of INH, Informatio...
TheESP – Ep. #402 – Crime and Punishment
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
– with Paula Dahlberg Full length episode, plus an interesting interview this week. We first note that science has discovered the “Pontus plate”...
TheESP – Ep. #401 – Dr. Cara Santa Maria
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Starting off our next 400 episodes, we interview the amazing Cara Santa Maria of Talk Nerdy and Skeptic Guide to the Universe fame. We get into things...
TheESP – Ep. #400 – A Degree in Magic and the Occult
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The band is back together for episode 400! Watch out for Gerson therapy, confusing Synods and of course, this week’s news:UK: Phones in schoolsPOLAN...
TheESP – Ep. #399 – Globuli mit der Maus
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
SkepKon 2024 is coming up in May 2024! It will be held in Augsburg and there is a call for papers out, see link in the show notes. This episode comes ...
TheESP – Ep. #398 – QED 2023, part 2
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second part of our reporting from QED 2023. Before we get into the interviews we comment on the brand new Nobel Prizes in Medicine, Physic...
TheESP – Ep. #397 – QED 2023, part 1
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last week was QED, and boy did we enjoy it! Fantastic talks, great happenings and wonderful people!This episode is part 1 of our interviews with some ...
TheESP – Ep. #396 – Florian Aigner
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…science communicator extraordinaire! This week we are talking to Florian Aigner, an Austrian physicist, science editor, author, science communicato...
TheESP – Ep. #395 – Correr es mi destino
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Annika has been to the esoteric fair and gives a report and dowsing is apparently used by employees at Scottish Water. In TWISH we celebrate the Inter...
TheESP – Ep. #394 – Pax Mongolica
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Several awards and gatherings to be on the look-out for: the Ockham Award, the Rusty Razor, the Bent Spoon and Das Goldene Brett. The feast of Santa R...
TheESP – Ep. #393 – Frankie goes 50/50
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…and Nessie goes ‘gloop’ We’re happy to announce that the ESP Shop is now available in the US, Canada and Australia. We also want you to know ...
TheESP – Ep. #392 – Flying Bat-people on the Moon
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…sleep restriction for insomnia? A lot of great talks are coming up for Skepticamp at QED in September – with András, Pontus and Claire among the...
TheESP – Ep. #391 – Proof of Aliens!
18 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…Uri Geller strikes again… There are now streaming tickets for QED! In TWISH we hear about the three wise guys, sorry, the three wise men, and how...
TheESP – Ep. #390 – No need for Nessie Nonsense
11 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…and the deep fakes grows deeper We start with listener feedback regarding burning the Quran and the best ways to boil a frog… We also announce ou...
TheESP – Ep. #389 – Playing footsie with the King
04 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…might get you pregnant?Another record with July being the hottest month ever. It may not matter since AI is here to finish us off before the climat...
TheESP – Ep. #388 – It’s climate ‘crisis’, not ‘change’
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…BTW, a ‘rutgängare’ uses a ‘slagruta’ in their professionThis week in TWISH we hear about Rosalind Franklin and Pope Frankie is on a diplo...
The ESP - Ep. #387 - The Board in front of the Head
22 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, as we are finally all back together to record, we start by lamenting on the latest heatwaves and why we might be doomed, especially when we...
TheESP – Ep. #386 – Furfy and Fairdinkum
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…holiday on Crimea? This war is no vacationSweden seems clear for NATO, but there is still time for Erdogan to trip things up. Two Skeptical awards ...
TheESP – Ep. #385 – It's getting hot out there
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…plus Nicola Throp tells all about QED!This week we’re saved once again by Brian Eggo, as we suddenly find ourselves very short on staff. What a g...
TheESP – Ep. #384 – Bishops out!
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…and someone is quacking in LatviaThis week we start by commenting on the strange developments in Russia and the Titan submersible. We call for spea...
TheESP – Ep. #383 – Nanotech and quantum dots
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…be mindful of MāņticībaWe see signs of climate change all over the place and it’s worrying. Taking bus 666 to ‘Hel’ is not even an option ...
TheESP – Ep. #382 – Don’t Smoke your Students!
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…anthroposophy on fire?Full episode this week folks, with the premier of a new segment to boot (see below). We talk about Hvaldimir the Russian spy ...
TheESP – Ep. #381 – Brian Deer and Andrew Wakefield
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have a real treat for you – an interview with Brian Deer, the journalist who more than anyone showed the world how fraudulent Andrew Wa...
TheESP – Ep. #380 – Susan Gerbic on skeptical activism
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We start by commenting on the sad passing of Tina Turner – even sadder since she at one point turned to homeopathy. That was a choice that she later...
TheESP – Ep. #379 – WHO’s giving sweet advice?
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…plus interviews from SkepKonPlease support Oliver Rautenberg in his defence against a SLAPP-suit! What’s up with the Turkish presidential electio...
TheESP – Ep. #378 – Heilpraktiker rubbish
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…FYI, that’s not James Randi talkingThis week we reflect a bit on the Eurovision Song Contest and how people misunderstand the news about a baby “...
TheESP – Ep. #377 – the So Called Alternative Monarch
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…or “SCAM”, if you willThis week we have lots of catching up to do, with sad news from Hungarian Skeptics, but also good news regarding skeptica...
TheESP – Ep. #376 – So much German nonsense
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…BTW, there was not a single monkey at the Scopes Monkey trialBrian Eggo is back to save the day once again! as András and Annika couldn’t make i...
TheESP – Ep. #375 – We’re Science Hooligans!
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…we also have a ‘defrogging’ for Pope Francis to look intoWe have Claire Klingenberg onboard this week and it means a packed show! We talk about...
TheESP – Ep. #374 – The Miracle of the Gnocchi
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…and it’s easy to lose you perpective of Loss NessWe remind everyone to sign up for SkepKon in Frankfurt 18-20 May. In TWISH we revisit the story ...
TheESP – Ep. #373 – We don’t know, but that’s fine
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…but we do know that hyper-electrosensitivity is not a thingIn TWISH we hear about a Finnish UFO sighting and later Pope Francis get to answer some ...
TheESP – Ep. #372 – Doctrine of Discovery
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
…and UK politicians orders police to go full on racistThere are several skeptical events to look forward to! In chronological order we recommend Ske...
TheESP – Ep. #371 – Fake Poutine?
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
… please don’t eat like Gwyneth PaltrowThe IPCC is out, but of course we all new it would be bad. We have listener feedback about acupuncture, Ske...
TheESP – Ep. #370 – Acu-punctured!
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
… also, Orgone energy is utter nonsenseFancy a coffee in Singapore with András? If you are quick you may get lucky! In TWISH this week we hear abou...
TheESP – Ep. #369 – A Pedophile-Protecting Pope
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
… and it’s time to start planning your QED trip!We are in the latest issue of the Australian Skeptics Magazine – thanks again dear friends for i...
TheESP – Ep. #368 – How is this, really?
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
… also, maybe “the Swedish Experiment” wasn’t such a bad idea after allThis week we start by acknowledging two skeptical initiatives: András ...
TheESP – Ep. #367 – Viktor Orbán strikes again
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
… and German bishops openly defies the popeWe’re all back together again and urge you to help out with translations and nominate people for the Jo...
The ESP - Ep. #366 - The frontline of disinformation
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We start this episode with talking about why earthquakes can not be predicted then ponder on the issues of resigning female leaders, before we move on...
TheESP – Ep. #365 – Planet X
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
… and religious zealot insists he’s needed at schoolThis week we have some listener feedback and hear about Annika’s WTF project before we dive ...
TheESP – Ep. #364 – Turkish tragedy
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
… and Francis strikes against the rebel nuns of RavelloThis week Brian and Pontus takes the lead and talks about the Turkish-Syrian earthquake as we...
TheESP – Ep. #363 – Televised remote healing
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
… and Frankie stands firm: no sex for gay peopleThis week the three hosts are finally back together. We start by congratulating Edzard Ernst on his ...
TheESP – Ep. #362 – Wild pregnancies
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
– but all’s well that ends PellThis week we start by recommending that you check out Annika’s Skeptical Inquirer’s article about our trip down...
The ESP - Ep. #361 - Unite behind the science!
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
... and nobody puts Greta in the corner!We start this week by commemorating Harriet Hall AKA "The SkepDoc" and talk about what a great loss her passin...
The ESP - Ep# 360 - Praise be to Wikipedia
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
... and someone please tell Prince Harry to act more responsibly.This week we start by lamenting over the launch failure of Virgin Orbit from Cornwall...
TheESP – Ep. #359 – The Death of Senator Palpatine
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
– also, never think with your royal penis!This week start with some listener feedback regarding the new Swedish Spaceport Esrange, look at the value...
TheESP – Ep. #358 – Vlad the Impaler
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– also be prepared for next year’s Christmas!We start by reflecting on Putin’s “war” against Ukraine now that he (by accident?) admitted tha...
TheESP – Ep. #357 – Psychic predicted death of 96-year-old
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– however, the other 1063 predictions failedThis week all the hosts are back from their adventures in foreign lands to record just before Christmas....
TheESP – Ep. #356 – Homeopathy works by law
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week in Pontus' absence we lament overt the possible future of Twitter and the stupidity behind the Reichsbürger movement before being joint by ...
TheESP - Ep. #355 - Live from down unda!
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
- with the Bent Spoon Award & a happy birthday to VoF!We start by exploring the anthroposophic connections of the Griffins, the founders of Canberra, ...
TheESP – Ep. #354 – Down unda, part 2
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– Brisbane Skeptics in the Pub!Our two-week long tour to Australia is soon coming to an end, but we have been lucky enough to be welcomed by lovely ...
TheESP – Ep. #353 – Down unda, part 1
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– Sydney Skeptics in the Pub!Our two-week long tour to Australia has begun, the main event of which will be the Australian Skeptics National Convent...
TheESP – Ep. #352 – COP27, is it worth it?
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– plus, the Princess who will never be Queen – and why that’s a good thingShould we all abandon Twitter and move to Mastodon? Call us contrarian...
TheESP – Ep. #351 – Camilla’s Queenly Cleanse
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– Czech / Slovak Skeptical TV-series ‘Investigátori’ renewed for second season!The gang is reunited and there’s so much to talk about – mem...
TheESP – Ep. #350 – Live at QED!
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– Claire and Brian joins us, while Luna fills in for AndrásAs we are joined by Claire Kroulik-Klingenberg and Brian Eggo, Luna steps up to fill the...
TheESP – Ep. #349 – All about Skepticon Australia!
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– and BTW, Elvis really has left the building – no matter what psychic mediums sayThis week we first chat about a “psychic medium” who is frie...
TheESP – Ep. #348 – Beware the ‘Rice Burger’ Movement
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– and get your flu shot, people!This week the full crew is back and we urge you to take the flu seriously. We recommend a video of a presentation by...
TheESP – Ep. #347 – The beginning of the end for German homeopathy?
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– Lauterbach takes on pseudoscienceBrian Eggo steps in to save the day as he covers for both András and Annika this week. We talk about listener re...
TheESP – Ep. #346 – Baby hatches
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– we’re back in the Dark AgesWe start this week with commenting on the winners of the two first Nobel Prizes this year – Svante Pääbo who won ...
TheESP – Ep. #345 – Turbo Cancer?
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– don’t listen to the fish and chips physicianThis week we have several things to get through before the actual show – the Swedish Skeptics at t...
TheESP – Ep. #344 – Krajewski. Cardinal Krajewski
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– Frankie has found his own 007!This week we reveal further plans about our travels and about Skepticamp at QED. We also have listener feedback abou...
TheESP – Ep. #343 – King of Homeopathy
16 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– but at least the bees were informed of the death of their queenWe’re back from ESC in Vienna! Thanks to all who came up and said hi to us, that ...
TheESP – Ep. #342 – Is the Earth moving for you too?
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– a carnival of Cardinals says it’s permittedThis week we are packing our bags for the ESC Vienna – hope to see you there! But we also have plan...
TheESP – Ep. #341 – Fake or real
02 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– and Francis flips the birdAndrás is back and we chat about next week’s upcoming European Skeptics’ Congress in Vienna – the ESC, and we’r...
TheESP – Ep. #340 – Ivermectin is a cult
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– speaking of cults, Mother Teresa wasn’t much of a saintTurns out the “hunger stone” found in Elbe is not a photo from this year. It’s alm...
TheESP – Ep. #339 – Papal bull through the ages
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– nepotism, bribes and orgies in the Vatican!We start the episode with some listener feedback that led us to look a bit deeper into Mindfulness and ...
TheESP – Ep. #338 – Religion is big business
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– a look into the Vatican’s hidden financesWe start by revisiting last week’s sad news about Dr Kellermayr and explore the reactions of other sk...
TheESP – Ep. #337 – Chief Franciscus
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– also, climate change is a ‘total meltdown’More confusion regarding the collaboration between Roscosmos and NASA, Tantra is back on the menu an...
TheESP – Ep. #336 – From the mouths of children
31 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– student writes bill for UK Parliament re climate change educationThis week we mention that Eurovision will be held in UK next year, that Steven Pi...
TheESP – Ep. #335 – Looking forward to QED 2020!
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– with special guests Alice and MarshThis week we have celebrity company in the form of Alice Howarth and Michael “Marsh” Marshall of Skeptics w...
TheESP – Ep. #334 – Space is for science!
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
– propaganda is for petty dictatorsThis week we celebrate the news of the return of QED Skepticamp, courtesy the lovely SITP online team. Space is f...
TheESP – Ep. #333 – Burnout, depression and death threats
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How was your day, fellow Skeptic?We’re half-way to hell (666), but not only is Pontus back, but we also have that lovely Queen of European Skeptics ...
The ESP - Ep. #332 - Frankie goes to... (Holyrood?)
03 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nope. But he gets a Really Right!We have a rare third host today! Luna is part of this episode.Starting with sad news about the Oslo shooting, we then...
The ESP - Ep. #331 - Bullshit all around!
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is humour allowed to do?Despite us still missing a cheery Hejsan Hejsan, we are back with a new episode! We talk about Nikil Mukerji (interviewed...
The ESP - Ep. #330 - "Outside the EU, we can follow the science!"
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
András and Annika are back and tell us all about upcoming events! The European Skeptics Congress in September in Vienna is sure exciting to go to, as...
The ESP - Ep. #329 - Don't be afraid of the light!
12 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
An unusually short episode this week brought to you by Annika and András, featuring the first record of a ball-lightning observation in the English s...
TheESP – Ep. #328 – Erratic Boulders
03 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Frankie appoints a carnival of CardinalsAndrás is back and tells us not how to stand on a volcano, we have some listener feedback about YouTube banni...
TheESP – Ep. #327 – Don’t let the doomers get to you
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We need to fight for abortion rights – againMonkeypox is coming – is that the new pandemic? Our favourite ESC is the European Skeptics Congress in...
TheESP – Ep. #326 – The truth needs you!
21 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nessie is back – unless the camera is onUkraine wins the Eurovision Song Contest and Putin is not happy about it. On the other hand the other ESC –...