Episodes Archive
Alcohol #40
January 01, 2010
In honor of your possible New Year's over-indulgence, we discussed alcohol with Dr. Rob Tarzwell and Dr. Ken Mukamal. How does intoxication work? When is alcohol actually good for you, and how much is too much? And of course... how to get rid of a hangover. Read More
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The Paradox of Choice #39
December 25, 2009
Barry Schwartz, psychologist and author, contends that although you may think you want more options, and that having those myriad alternatives will make you happier and more satisfied... you're wrong. It's actually making you miserable. Read More
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Microbiology #38
December 18, 2009
Lisa Hammett talks to us about pathogens, viruses, probiotics, antibiotics... if it's too small to be seen without a microscope, it's up for discussion. And on Speaking Up, we talk to Mike Meraz with Actually Speaking: Exploring the Human Side of Skepticism. Read More
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Radiation and Health #37
December 11, 2009
Dr. Marc MacKenzie, medical physicist, discusses radiation: why a little can be good, why a lot can be bad, and why radiation is more important than you think. And on Speaking Up, we discuss The James Randi Educational Foundation with Bart G. Farkas. Read More
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Belief and Education #36
December 04, 2009
We spoke to Martin Bridgstock and Kylie Sturgess, who recently completed one of the largest surveys of paranormal, pseudoscientific, superstitious and conspiracy theory beliefs in Australia. They've studied how age, gender, religion, and voting preference relate to belief in the paranormal, and whether there's a single underlying tendency to be "a believer". Some of their conclusions are quite different than what we've seen in other studies. What does this mean mean for skeptical education and outreach? And on Speaking Up, we talk to Richard Stelling with The Skeptic Exchange. Read More
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Punk Rock Skepticism #35
November 27, 2009
We spoke with Nicky Garratt, guitarist for the legendary punk band, the UK Subs, who also happens to be an outspoken skeptic. Does speaking out against pseudoscience, magical thinking and unexamined beliefs get in the way of damning the man? And, by popular demand, we introduced our new semi-regular segment "Ask a Pharmacist" with Scott Gavura. Answering all the questions you'd ask your own pharmacist, if the line wasn't so long. Read More
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Health Fraud #34
November 20, 2009
We spoke with Brent Homan from the Canadian Competition Bureau, about their attempts to combat health fraud. Questionable cancer cures, fake vaccines, miracle machines, creams and treatments. What's the government doing to educate consumers and smack down the bad guys? And is it working? Read More
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Human Research Ethics #33
November 13, 2009
Nancy Walton helps us explore the intricacies of human research ethics. The Millgram Experiment. The Stanford Prison Experiment. Randomized trials on orphaned and abandoned children. Stem cell research. Studying the effects of torture. Does "ethics" mean what you think it means? And on Speaking Up, we talk about chronic illness and alternative health with Joey Haban. Read More
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The Skeptical Alt-Heath Practitioner #32
November 06, 2009
Paul Ingraham is a Vancouver Registered Massage Therapist and science writer who criticizes questionable practices in alternative health care -- and his professional regulator calls it offensively unprofessional and wants to censor his website with tens of thousands of dollars in legal defense expenses at stake. Science-based alternative health? Rebellion within the alt-health ranks? And on Speaking Up, we about Science Online 2010 with Bora Zivkovic. Read More
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Science Fiction and Skepticism #31
October 30, 2009
Discussing the intersection of science fiction and skepticism with Derek Colanduno, co-host of the podcast Skepticality. Saying that "both involve science" is only scratching the surface. And on Speaking Up we talk about horror movie superstitions with Jill Powell. Read More
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Digital Footprints #30
October 23, 2009
Keith Schon of Cataphora discusses how computers can track behavior, and find out all your dirty little secrets. What are the limits on what your company is allowed to find out about you, and how are they doing it? How do we figure out, after the fact, whether "Yeah, go do that" means "Yes, grab me some lunch" or "Yes, perpetrate that multi-million dollar fraud scheme." And what do your online behavior patterns say about you? And on Speaking Up we discuss sports superstitions with Colin McIntyre. Read More
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Getting Noticed #29
October 16, 2009
From comedy and music, to scientific studies and how we respond to them, to blogging vs. mainstream media, to attention-grabbing stunts... is all publicity good publicity, or do our own efforts sometimes work against us? With Greg Laden, biological anthropologist and author of Greg Laden's Blog and Omar Mouallem, rapper and journalist. And on Speaking Up: Made With Molecules with Raven Hanna. Read More
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Canadian Skepticism #28
October 09, 2009
We discuss the challenges and successes of the Canadian evidence-based community with contributors to the new Canadian skeptical blog, Skeptic North. Guests include Steve Thoms from Ontario's Niagara Region, Jonathan Abrams from Ottawa, and Jesse Brydle from Vancouver. Read More
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Randall Munroe of xkcd #27
October 02, 2009
Randall Munroe, creator of the webcomic xkcd, discusses stick men, math, science, relationships and what it's like to be an internet meme. And on Speaking Up, Omar Mouallem with a Skeptical Ghost Story. Read More
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Science Comedian #26
September 25, 2009
Brian Malow, earth's premier science comedian, discusses using humour as outreach, why people are scared of science, and what's so funny about the second law of thermodynamics. And on Speaking Up we disucss H1N1 anti-vaccination paranoia with Scott Gavura. Read More
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Surprise Guest Adam Savage! #25
September 18, 2009
Adam Savage, co-host of the Discovery Channel's MythBusters will be on the show this week, to discuss skepticism, celebrity advocacy, and of course, the wildly popular TV show and its role in skepticism. And Derek Bartholomaus, creator of The Jenny McCarthy Body Count will discuss anti-vaccination advocates and the recent rise in treatable illnesses. Read More
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Richard Saunders #24
September 11, 2009
Richard Saunders, paranormal investigator and host of the Skeptic Zone podcast, will explain how we can properly use the scientific method to test psychic and supernatural claims, how to become a credible resource for mainstream news, and how to keep a straight face, even, and especially, when it's difficult. And on Speaking Up, Michael Kruse with the Darwin Lecture Series. Read More
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The Skeptical Actor #23
September 04, 2009
Kennedy Goodkey, writer of/actor in the new independent movie The Beast of Bottomless Lake will discuss Ogopogo, being a skeptic in the not-so-skeptical acting community,and what it's like to shoot a movie in a town where the tourism industry is built on the perpetuation of a myth. And on Speaking Up, we talk to K.O. Myers with Grassroots Skeptics. Read More
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Genomics #22
August 28, 2009
Fintan Steele discusses genetic information and research, and its implications for medicine, law and ethics. And on Speaking Up, The Skeptographers with Marion Kilgour. Read More
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Skeptical Education #21
August 21, 2009
Daniel Loxton, the editor of Junior Skeptic magazine, discusses how we can help to ensure that the next generation is thoroughly prepared for all the irrationality, pseudoscience and disinformation that the world will throw at them. And on Speaking Up: Notes from the Skepdad with Brad Salomons. Read More
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