The European Skeptics Podcast - The ESP
Episodes
TheESP – Ep. #325 – Salmon in Space!
13 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Covid death toll is more likely 15 million according to WHOAnnika is back! and after discussing stupid Putin and his failed war a little, we turn our ...
TheESP – Ep. #324 – The sky is green with purple elephants
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Russia takes post-truth to new levelsMostly bad news this week, but on the bright side we have The Skeptic’s Guide soon to come out with their new b...
TheESP – Ep. #323 – Péter Krekó
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Social Psychology and conspiracy theoriesIn quick news the Hungarian Skeptics has announced Gábor Varga as their Flat Earth Award winner for 2022 and...
TheESP – Ep. #322 – Russian warship is finally f–d
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In other news, don’t leave a mark on your pyjamasIn Hungary they are busy preparing for the flat Earth awards and András will be one of many excell...
TheESP – Ep. #321 – Huygens!
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Zelensky is not Soros’ cousinWe remind you again to sign up for the European Skeptics Congress! It’s going to be great!In other news, Darwin’s i...
TheESP – Ep. #320 – Propaganda
08 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tickets released for the European Skeptics Congress! Sign up!The Hungarian elections did not go well and that’s not a political statement but a skep...
TheESP – Ep. #319 – It’s always aliens!
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Blast from the past: Nobody Silences Simon Singh!The Hungarian election is coming up, with a lot of Russian propaganda polarizing the public. In TWISH...
TheESP – Ep. #318 – Cruciatus Curse against Russia
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t stare into the Sun! Both of the Earth’s poles are going through extreme weather at the moment. Does that mean the end of the planet is alrea...
TheESP – Ep. #317 – Doomscrolling
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t lose yourself in the bad newsLots of bad news out there at the moment but try to not let it get to you. A Ukrainian drone flies all over Hunga...
TheESP – Ep. #316 – Profiteers of disinformation
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
War and anti-vaxxersWe comment on some aspects of the war and also how you can best send help. In TWISH we celebrate good skeptic Massimo Polidoro and...
TheESP – Ep. #315 – ‘Shche ne vmerla Ukrainas’
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The first line of the Ukraine national anthem translates to ‘Ukraine is not dead yet’This episode is a special about the Russian war and invasion ...
TheESP – Ep. #314 – Meta says and Meta does
26 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Also, Benedict works in mysterious waysWe talk about the great new CFI fellows announced, wonder what happens to Ukraine (please note that we recorded...
TheESP – Ep. #313 – Bärbel Winkler
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Translating the works of Skeptical ScienceBärbel Winkler is the project coordinator for the translation projects at Skeptical Science and has been or...
TheESP – Ep. #312 – Charles, the Alternative Prince
11 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Edzard Ernst joins us to tell all about his new book.Before we get into the interview with Edzard Ernst we are a bit nostalgic about hearing that the ...
TheESP – Ep. #311 – Two years of Covid in Europe
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are all animalsAnnika is back in Europe and for unclear reasons we may all move to an uninhabited island in Sweden (don’t hold your breath). The ...
TheESP – Ep. #310 – Double Fault
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Djokovic wrong again, and both popes get pokedWe start with the fact that everyone and his uncle seems to have covid nowadays, and access to testing i...
TheESP – Ep. #309 – It’s a ‘League’ of Homeopaths
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
No mercy for No-vaxx DjokovicSweden had some unusual northern lights last weekend (which Pontus missed) and the Tonga volcanic eruption had an impact ...
TheESP – Ep. #308 – Elisabeth Bik
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Watch out researchers!This week we have a special treat for you – we’re joined by the one and only Elisabeth Bik! Our interview with her takes us ...
TheESP – Ep. #307 – What do people believe?
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Special report: Large Study Released by the Swedish Skeptics (VoF)We start out welcoming the new year and chatting about the James Webb telescope, Omi...
TheESP – Ep. #306 – Happy Hogmanay!
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With Eggman at the helm, we close the year.We hear about Brian’s adventures at “Scotland’s most haunted hotel“, hear about the passing of biol...
TheESP – Ep. #305 – Merry Christmas!
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Who was that Jesus-guy anyway?We get into the holiday season even as Sweden, Italy and other countries implement new covid measures. In TWISH we try t...
TheESP – Ep. #304 – There’s an octopus in my vaccine
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Also, Santa is not real and Annika pokes Christmas treesThe Ockham Awards have been announced, ESA helps a Chinese rover and the Belgian Skeptics, SKE...
TheESP – Ep. #303 – ‘Armed’ against the jab
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Also, Pope Francis is a hereticIt’s farewell to Jens Spahn and welcome to the new German health minister Karl Lauterbach – will he be the one to d...
TheESP – Ep. #302 – Dangerous denial
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Conspiracy theories are hazardous to your healthIn this episode we first reflect a little over the new governments in Germany and Sweden. Pontus had R...
TheESP – Ep. #301 – mRNA vaccines are NOT gene therapy
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’re back in the saddle for another 300!Before we start today we reflect on the COP26 fiasco, celebrate the recent golden thin-foil hat award and t...
TheESP – Ep. #300 – Special Listener Q&A
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
And if you didn’t know, Luna can be a bit of a DrongoFor six years and 300 episodes we’ve been doing this, and we won’t stop anytime soon!In thi...
TheESP – Ep. #299 – Petra Schling
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“If it looks like medicine, but it has ‘supplement’ written on it, it’s fraud!”In the episode we interview Petra Schling who is a biochemist...
TheESP – Ep. #298 – Susan's 100 million!
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Also, it's time for some #Metoo in the Vatican…This week we catch up with the fabulous Susan Gerbic whose Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia has hit ...
TheESP – Ep. #297 – Iris Hinneburg
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Which pill would you take?We start this week with handing Pontus a Really Wrong award for something he said last week. András is back and among other...
TheESP – Ep. #296 – Mandatory vaccination
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How hard can it be to get people to do the right thing?We start out with some exiting news about Annika’s upcoming online talk, a huge milestone for...
TheESP – Ep. #295 – Leo Burtscher and Climate Change
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we interview the German astronomer and climate activist, Dr. Leonard (Leo) Burtscher. Leo is a staff scientist at the observatory of L...
TheESP – Ep. #294 – Race to Space
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sixty years later, Captain Kirk is finally taking offWe’re happy to report that a special meeting of ESP hosts took place in Frankfurt this week. In...
TheESP – Ep. #293 – Where the Sun Don’t Shine
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Put it up your bum!Are people losing their wits as covid restriction are lifted? Elections and referendums are happening and András goes beyond space...
TheESP – Ep. #292 – Querdenker terrorists
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Radicalized anti-covid activists. After recent events in Germany and Italy we worry that anti-maskers now may be a terrorist threat. In This Week in S...
TheESP – Ep. #291 – Broken System, Broken Neck
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we catch up on last weekend with Hungaro Con and SkepKon. We also mention last week’s Ig Nobel Prizes and how the ISS do not seem to...
TheESP – Ep. #290 – Trypanophobia
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we first mention that Sweden just announced an end to Corona restrictions as per the end of this month and we question if that’s tha...
TheESP – Ep. #289 – Herd Immunity
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we first have a few events to plug: The launching of the book Fake! in Budapest, Congreso Esceptico in Spain, Skeptics in the Pub Onli...
TheESP – Ep. #288 – Fake! with Annemarie Bon
28 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we interview Dutch writer, science populariser and educator Annemarie Bon, who’s many works focus on helping children understand the...
TheESP – Ep. #287 – What’s Wrong with a Little Tantra?
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we first plug the upcoming Skeptics in the Pub Online about 9/11, Luc Montagnier is the topic This Week in Skepticism and the Pope get...
The ESP - Episode 286Plus - One Of Those Weeks…
17 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sorry, we missed our schedule for last week.But we'll be back soon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
TheESP – Ep. #286 – What Happened to Measles?
07 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we first chat about the Pegasus project and what implications it might have. We also note that the Russian Nauka module was a little t...
TheESP – Ep. #285 – Grow Up and Be a Skeptic!
31 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we note that skeptics in Germany has raised a lot of money to support victims of the floods. Formidable Dutch skeptic Frits van Dam pa...
TheESP – Ep. #284 – After the Flood
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we open up by discussing the terrible floods in Germany, the claims made by esoterics and how you can help. We also note that covid mi...
TheESP – Ep. #283 – Pavel Šmejkal
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode we start with an update on the successful Virgin Galactic flight and congratulate Natalie Grams for getting married(!), and a...
TheESP – Ep. #282 – Stupid Ideas
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Annika is back making sure we don’t run out of dad-jokes, András’ travel guide work is resuming while Pontus is just playing golf (and ...
TheESP – Ep. #281 – Schools of horror
02 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re joined by Brian Eggo who sits in for Annika. We talk about the Edinburgh Science Festival, skeptical events and the recent ESA astro...
TheESP – Ep. #280 – No Gays, Please! We’re Catholic
25 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we chat a bit about Madeira, covid scares and rainbow flags in Germany. In this week we highlight Karl Landsteiner who discovered the human ...
TheESP – Ep. #279 – On the Ark to Nowhere
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week summer is here (but András is not) and we get a tip from Bob on about good vaccine tracker. Blaise Pascal was born almost 400 years ago thi...
TheESP – Ep. #278 – Whatever It Is, I'm Against It
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we get a well deserved correction from listener Cyril on how to pronounce Marquis de Sade’s full name and we hear about German teenagers p...
TheESP – Ep. #277 – Climate Toddlers
05 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we find out what Pontus was up to last week, we honor the passing of the great skeptic Kees de Jager and note that covid vaccination for tee...
The ESP - Ep. #276 - Magnetically drawn to vaccines
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we first explore the magnetic properties of covid-19 vaccines and ponder the political meltdown of Alexander Lukashenko's Belarus. Then we c...
TheESP – Ep. #275 – Edzard Ernst Strikes Again
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Swedish vaccinations are not too well organised, András has debated homeopaths and the Swedish Skeptics have some cool events coming up. Ra...
TheESP – Ep. #274 – A Buffet of Vaccines
15 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we wish Annika all the best in recovering from her first vaccine shot, we learn how to properly pronounce Cardinal ‘Becchiu’ and hear ab...
TheESP – Ep. #273 – Monsters of the Sea
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we get to hear Marie Curie’s birthname properly pronounced, curtesy of listener Max (thanks!). One more of us are getting the vaccine and ...
TheESP – Ep. #272 – Flat Earth Award
01 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we first chat a bit and celebrate that we finally have new dates for QED, the fantastic skeptical conference in Manchester, before we mark t...
TheESP – Ep. #271 – The Harmful Episode
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we first celebrate the flight of Ingenuity on Mars, the first ever powered flight on another planet. In This week in Skepticism we hear abou...
TheESP – Ep. #270 – Ancient Astronauts
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we start by reflecting on the death of Prince Philip and just can’t help mention languages again since a listener sent us sound files to h...
TheESP – Ep. #269 – Spiders from Mars
10 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we first continue to ponder the strange topic of language and we congratulate the Portuguese Skeptics on the anniversary of founding their o...
TheESP – Ep. #268 – Papal Pay-cuts and Cheap Wine
02 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Pontus is still mad at English spelling but we hope our listeners will forgive him. In history René Descartes was born this week, the pope ...
TheESP - Ep. #267½ - Short Update
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a quick update to give you three extra news items: - Darwin was a misunderstood fantasy author - The famous drop bears in Austria not extinct aft...
TheESP – Ep. #267 – No rights for Turkish women
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we we mention the Icelandic volcanic eruptions and then a bit randomly reflect upon languages and spelling. Pontus asks people to check out ...
TheESP – Ep. #266 – Is AstraZeneca safe?
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we we start by checking out some science: travel faster than speed of light(?) and the wonderful 3D-model of the Antikythera mechanism. We l...
TheESP – Ep. #265 – Eva Fernandez
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we geek out some more about space, mention the demonstrations in Stockholm and the upcoming Cologne virtual skeptics in the pub. Some German...
TheESP – Ep. #264 – Frankie’s Faulty Finances
06 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we first marvel at the on-going Mars missions, mention Germany’s need to get a new haircut and are fascinated by the Mount Etna eruptions....
TheESP – Ep. #263 – This Podcast Cannot Be Shared
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we geek out a bit about the landing of Perseverance on Mars, we (again) ponder the chances to become an ESA astronaut. Facebook stupidly bel...
The ESP - #262 - A Little Room to Cry In
19 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are happy that the Covid-19 Communication Handbook have been translated into German. A Swedish translation is underway and hopefully many...
TheESP – Ep. #261 – the COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook with Philipp Schmid
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we talk to Philipp Schmid about the COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook. Philipp is a behavioural scientist at the Psychology and Infect...
TheESP – Ep. #260 – A little bit of Zeneca in my life
05 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we note that Martin Moder (see ep. #236) are making videos so well that anti-vaxxers want them taken down. The Swedish Skeptics has a great ...
TheESP - Ep. #259 - Fake Covid Certificates
29 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we get nostalgic about the days when we could travel. We marvel over the fact that some people still thinks it is okay to do so, since the S...
TheESP – Ep. #258 – Small Evil vs. Big Evil
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Annika has got some real nutty advice in the mail. She has also made a cameo on the Skeptic Zone, check it out!. Things are flying in the ai...
TheESP – Ep. #257 – “No! YOU’RE stupid!”
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Annika is back! We hear that Pontus apparently is the new Confounderer of the Year and that UK Skeptics in the Pub Online is back after the ...
TheESP – Ep. #256 – Bring On the Vaccines
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we start the new year with an update on the Swedish pandemic laws and recommend you check out the speech that András gave at Monterrey Skep...
TheESP – Ep. #255 – Happy New Year 2021!
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We are extremely happy to welcome the first ever ESP Skepti-baby! Annika and her newborn girl are doing very well and they send their regards to the l...
TheESP - Ep. #254 - Council for Inclusive Capitalism
26 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we start by recommending a German Podcast Christmas Special, we report that Sucharit Bhakdi won the Goldenes Brett award and talk about the ...
TheESP – Ep. #253 – Big Dicks and Aliens
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we talk about that alt-med and antivaxxers have been visible on TV and how a town in Austria had to change its rather unfortunate name. We c...
TheESP – Ep. #252 – Philosophy and Ethics w. Nikil Mukerji
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we talk to Nikil Mukerji, a German author, philosopher and skeptic. He has a position at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and acad...
TheESP – Ep. #251 – 1st of the Next 250
04 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we reflect a on the new vaccines that are coming. Annika sings(!) to celebrate the quiz performance of Pontus, Brian and Claire last week an...
TheESP - Ep.#250 - United Federation of Skeptical Podcasts
26 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we celebrate 250 episodes and five years on the road with the ESP. We invited all guest hosts who ever have sat in for a show and they all j...
TheESP – Ep. #249 – Homophobic Orbán
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Pontus is a bit under the weather so András and Annika send him their “thoughts and prayers” (don’t worry, he is fine). Then we menti...
TheESP – Ep. #248 – Skepti-baby Alert!
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we first chat a bit about Trump, having covid in your family and an opportunity to talk to Swedish MPs. We also mention the Vienna terror at...
TheESP – Ep. #247 – Stephan Lewandowsky
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we talk to Stephan Lewandowsky,professor of cognitive psychology and one of the drivers behind the Debunking Handbook 2020, the recently pub...
TheESP – Ep. #246 – RIP, James “the Amazing” Randi
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we remember James “the Amazing” Randi, a great skeptic and generous person who like no one else influenced the skeptic movement. His leg...
TheESP – Ep. #245 - Lust for Blood
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we notice the new I am Greta movie strangely so far is only in theaters and not online. Covid number are going up, especially in Germany whe...
TheESP – Ep. #244 – Go Women in Science!
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we start by celebrating that several women received the Nobel Prize this year. Well deserved and a good trend! We also look at the latest Gl...
TheESP – Ep. #243 – Belgian Skeptics Sued!
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we start by urging you to register nominations for the Ockham Awards, handled by The Skeptic. The deadline is 31 October. That’s the same ...
TheESP - Ep. #242 - Stefanie Handl, the Skeptic Vet
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we interview veterinarian Dr. Stefanie Handl from Vienna, Austria. Her special fields are nutrition and diets for pets. She is a member of t...
TheESP – Ep. #241 – One Million Unanswered Prayers
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we first chat about András lending his voice acting skills to a sketch in the Skeptic Zone, Pontus teases the coming release of his sci-fi ...
TheESP – Ep. #240 – SARS-CoV2 Virology w. Gábor Kemenesi
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we interview Hungarian researcher and virologist Gábor Kemenesi. He is a research fellow at the Virological Research Group within the Szent...
TheESP – Ep. #239 – “Gossip is Worse than Covid”
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we start off with having a quick chat with our old buddy Michael (“Marsh”) Marshall regarding the relaunch of the UK magazine called the...
TheESP – Ep. #238 – Brian Deer and The Doctor Who Fooled the World
03 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we interview none other than Brian Deer, the investigative journalist that spent years digging up how the discredited ex-doctor Andrew Wakef...
TheESP - Ep. #237 - Plandemic II - worst movie ever
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week András returns to the mothership to hear us discuss the UFO sighting in Cussac in France. Francis gets a pass this week and then we dive in...
TheESP - Ep. #236 - Martin Moder of the Austrian Science Busters
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we interview molecular biologist, science communicator and overall cool guy Martin Moder, who is one of the Austrian “Science Busters” a...
TheESP - Ep. #235 - Show Me a Real Acupuncturist
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Brian is back(!) as András has gone missing(?) We chat again about the wonderful online events out there: you should definitely check out t...
TheESP - Ep. #234 - Lysenkoism, science and BS
06 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we first chat about some of the great current skeptical online events, like NECSS and Skeptics in the Pub. We also enjoy the good news that ...
TheESP - Ep. #233 - Homeomathematics
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week starts with the wonderful news that Annika is now a full time ESP member and co-host. We couldn’t be happier!We start with a minor correct...
TheESP - Ep. #232 - Assisted Death
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we welcome Annika back and first chat a bit about comets and astronomy and about some of the excellent online skeptical events there now is ...
TheESP – Ep. #231 – How to Argue with a Racist, with Adam Rutherford
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are joined by the brilliant British geneticist, broadcaster, science journalist and author, Dr Adam Rutherford.He’s written several boo...
TheESP - Ep. #230 - Tinfoil hats against nonsense
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Europe has lost a star in the sky and we hear about how Louis Pasteur managed to create a rabies vaccine back in 1885 (he wasn’t even a me...
TheESP - Ep. #229 - Reality vs politics, lies and fairy tales
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we can't help but mention the Polish presidential elections and Susan Gerbic's latest interview with Pontus. We commemorate Ignaz Semmelweis...
TheESP - Ep. #228 - Let Science Take the Lead
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Pontus and András bring you the latest from all over Europe mixed with some history and a little bit of Poking the Pope(s).This week marks ...