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Skepticality - The Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine

Paranormal

We're tired of pertinent social and science news being buried by claptrap. Our podcast is here to bring you relevant, under-reported current events, as well as in-depth discussions from a scientific, critical, skeptical, and humorous point of view. Derek and Swoopy are your hosts, filling your pod and your brain with skeptical insight and conversation, sometimes heated, on a plethora of topics that are ripe for critical examination. Bringing truth to podcasting, and all who choose to listen. In our travels we will tackle the beasts of pseudoscience; the paranormal, supernatural, ufo / alien encounters, misunderstood history, and overwrought legends - urban or otherwise. Our interview shows feature notable skeptics including; leading astronomy speakers, scientists, philosophy experts, and other scientific, secular, humanist, and skeptical book authors, and critical thinkers.

Location:

Roswell, GA

Description:

We're tired of pertinent social and science news being buried by claptrap. Our podcast is here to bring you relevant, under-reported current events, as well as in-depth discussions from a scientific, critical, skeptical, and humorous point of view. Derek and Swoopy are your hosts, filling your pod and your brain with skeptical insight and conversation, sometimes heated, on a plethora of topics that are ripe for critical examination. Bringing truth to podcasting, and all who choose to listen. In our travels we will tackle the beasts of pseudoscience; the paranormal, supernatural, ufo / alien encounters, misunderstood history, and overwrought legends - urban or otherwise. Our interview shows feature notable skeptics including; leading astronomy speakers, scientists, philosophy experts, and other scientific, secular, humanist, and skeptical book authors, and critical thinkers.

Language:

English

Contact:

The Skeptics Society P.O. Box 338 Altadena, California 91001, United States 1-866-800-2121


Episodes

Skepticality #285 - Houdini's Final Incredible Secret

5/9/2017
This episode Derek talks with Bob Loomis, librarian at the Magic Circle, and scholar of the history of stage illusion. His latest work is the book "Houdini's Final Incredible Secret", which is a detailed account of Bob's obsession with figuring out how one trick was performed.

Duration:01:22:03

Skepticality #284 - Son of a Buffett - Interview: Peter Buffett

3/14/2017
This episode Derek sits down with Peter Buffett, the son of the famous investor, Warren Buffett. Peter became famous not for his investing and banking skills but for his work in music and composing. He and his wife now run a non-profit charity, NoVo, which works to empower women and girls as the primary agents of change throughout the world. Find out more about what it was like to grow up as a Buffett, and more about how he and his wife decided to spend so much of their time, money, and...

Duration:01:10:03

Skepticality #282 - Britt Hermes Diary

1/2/2017
For the new year episode of Skepticality, Derek presents an interview he recorded with Britt Hermes, a former Naturopath turned evidence based medicine advocate. Find out what happens when you go from licensed alt-med practitioner to evidence based medicine champion.

Duration:00:59:56

Skepticality #281 - The Clades

12/22/2016
This episode Derek has another conversation with Jonathan Tweet, game designer, book author, and past Skepticality guest. After the success of his last book, 'Grandmother Fish', a book aimed at teaching pre-school children about Evolution, his follow up is a card game, Clades. Clades is a kids card matching game which centers around the evolutionary concept of Clades. Find out more about the new game, and maybe some updates on the status of Grandmother Fish.

Duration:00:40:49

Skepticality #280 - Drawing The Skeptics

11/15/2016
This episode Derek has a conversation with Tini Howard, writer of graphic novels and former comics contributor for Paste Magazine and Teen Vogue. Just a couple weeks ago Tini released her newest comic book series 'The Skeptics'. The series is a political adventure about a pair of hip, clever, teens who fool the world into believing they have superpowers. Loosely based on the real events surrounding 'Project Alpha' and other skeptical investigation tales.

Duration:00:45:49

Skepticality #279 - Dream On

10/25/2016
This week Skepticality starts out with a touching message about friend of the show and past contributor to Skepticality, Bob Carroll. Then Derek talks with comedian, talk show host, and political commentator, John Fugelsang about 'Dream On', a PBS Documentary about the American Dream, and a road trip across the country to find out if it still is alive.

Duration:01:13:21

Skepticality #278 - Medical Nonsense

10/18/2016
This episode Derek plays one of the lectures from this past Dragon Con. There is a lot of misconceptions about what can actually heal, and what is *actually* medicine. Find out what some of the most common, and sometimes funny, treatments that seem to crop up in doctors offices and Emergency Rooms. ER Doctor Angie Feazel Mattke gives a talk aimed at explaining just how far reaching some of these 'unscientific' medical ideas can go.

Duration:01:30:26

Skepticality #277 - Illustrating Women in Science

9/20/2016
This week Derek talks with Illustrator/Author Rachel Ignotofsky. Once a illustrator for Hallmark Greeting cards, she now focuses her talent for creating easy to understand and attractive art on creating works that inform others about science and history. Her first book is just now out, "Women In Science", a illustrated encyclopedia of historical women who made significant contributions to science who are both well known, and those who more people should know. Find out more about Rachael, and...

Duration:01:03:17

Skepticality #276 - HALmilton

8/16/2016
This episode Derek hands over most of the episode to Swoopy who conducts an in-depth interview with Hal Bidlack, a Hamiltonian scholar and performer who gives Chautauqua performances as Hamilton himself. They discuss how Hal ended up living a double life as Hamilton, and his importance in American history. As well as a bit about the resurgence of Hamilton's popularity due to the smash-hit Broadway play named after the founder. Bet you didn't know there are even folks who are 'skeptical' of...

Duration:01:14:55

Skepticality #275 - Exodus

7/26/2016
This episode Derek has a chat with David Person and Chuck Miller about their new documentary project, 'Exodus', a feature-length documentary about the growing number of African-Americans leaving religion. Chuck is a regional director for the American Atheists, and David is a journalist, radio host and a Christian. Find out how two unlikely friends came together to work on a project which looks into the rejection of religion by one of the most religious demographics in the United States.

Duration:01:11:09

Skepticality #274 - Science Tales

6/28/2016
kppn2u3r Derek has discussion with artist/writer, Darryl Cunningham, about his work and how a health care assistant/cartoonist decided to take on the job of educating the public about misconceptions surrounding psychiatry, science, and even world financial affairs.

Duration:00:41:27

Skepticality #273 - A Fishy Evolution Update

6/14/2016
Derek does a quick update discussion with Jonathan Tweet, the author of 'Grandmother Fish - a child's first book of Evolution'. Since last Jonathan was on Skepticality to discuss his Kickstarter project to create a book which appeals to the youngest of us that also teaches about the scientific theory of evolution, his book has been finished and is now in the hands of many families. Find out if the story was a success in getting kids more interested in evolution and how all life on Earth is...

Duration:00:29:37

Skepticality #272 - The Invention of Science

5/31/2016
Derek grabs some time with Professor of History, David Wootton, to talk about his latest book 'The Invention of Science: A New History of the Scientific Revolution', a book about the early years where the modern methods of inquiry and scientific thinking came to be. Find out about how a teacher who once focused on historical topics about politics and atheism ended up writing books about science and medicine.

Duration:01:10:01

Skepticality #271 - Viewing the World with a Rational Eye

5/17/2016
Derek nabs some time with Dr. Micheal Shermer, the man in charge of Skeptic Magazine and the Skeptics Society for a little update and chat about his new book highlighting his fifteen years writing a regular column for Scientific American magazine, followed by some discussion about how science factors into the current United States presidential election.

Duration:01:11:57

Skepticality #270 - Watching Science

4/12/2016
This episode Derek has a discussion with Dr. Ivan Oransky, MD. Dr. Oransky is the global editorial editor for MedPage Today, and co-founder of Retraction Watch, a site which reports on scientific integrity, fraud, and other issues. He previously was executive editor of Reuters Health and held an editorial position at Scientific American and The Scientist. His main passion is the promotion of science based medicine and encouraging those in the medical field to use a more common sense approach...

Duration:00:58:57

Skepticality #269 - The Man, The Myth, The Legend

3/27/2016
A special Easter day episode with Raphael Lataster. Raphael is a writer and Religious Studies expert who focuses on the history of religion. Raphael recently has been working with Richard Carrier on the historicity of Jesus, and the likelihood of his existence. So, take a listen while you hunt your colored eggs!

Duration:00:53:01

Skepticality #268 - A Numerate Life

3/15/2016
This week Derek sits down with the author of "A Numerate Life: A Mathematician Explores the Vagaries of Life, His Own and Probably Yours", John Allen Paulos. The author has written books weaving math into facets of life with book topics ranging from math and humor, to the stock market. This new work takes a more 'personal' look at the intersection of math, numbers, and personal stories and histories.

Duration:00:52:18

Skepticality #267 - Bad Clowns

2/16/2016
This episode Derek chats with Ben Radford, a Skepticality past guest, author, and investigator. Ben has just released his latest book, "Bad Clowns". Clowns might not be your usual idea for a skeptical topic, but Ben thinks you might just change your mind once you delve into the history and stories in his new work. So, turn off the lights, snuggle your favorite creepy clown and join in for some Bad Clown fun.

Duration:01:14:36

Skepticality #266 - Breakfast Cereal Skepticism

1/19/2016
This episode Derek has a conversation with Zack Wienersmith, the creator/author of the popular web comic series 'Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal' (SMBC). Zach was a speaker at The Amazing Meeting 13, so while they were both in the same building Derek was able to get some time with Zack to discuss how he got interested in science, skeptical thinking, and how the two relate... or not.

Duration:00:54:30

Skepticality #265 - A Moment With Edell

12/16/2015
Derek presents another interview from his trip to The Amazing Meeting 13, a recorded interview with Dr. Dean Edell. Dr. Edell had an impressive array of popular media shows on radio and television over the course of his career. He promoted science based medicine to the masses and fought against shoddy medical reporting and pseudoscience throughout his time communicating to the public. Back in 2010 he announced his retirement from his media career, Derek got to catch up with Dr. Edell at TAM...

Duration:01:00:16