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Serious Inquiries Only

seriouspod.com
Covid-19
Climate Change
Elon Musk
Mental Health
Neuroscience
Donald Trump
Synesthesia
Neuralink
Feminism
Capitalism
Philosophy
ADHD
Health and Human Services
Dinosaurs
Simulation Theory
Charlie Kirk
Chatbots
Autism
Atheism
Voting Rights

Join Thomas for some critical thinking on questions of science, philosophy, skepticism and politics. These serious topics are discussed with some serious guests, but in an entertaining and engaging way! This is not your typical interview podcast; it's a friendly dialogue, conducted thoughtfully and with plenty of humor. It's Serious Inquiries Only; but like, not boring or anything.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes840Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Serious Inquiries Only

Latest Episodes

... and other autism/ADHD research! So pleased to have Dr. Jenessa Seymour back - this time with a variety of studies in the Autism and ADHD realms.

• Jurek, L., Duchier, A., Gauld, C., Henault, L., Giroudon, C., Fourneret, P., … Nourredine, M. (... more

Part 2! Dr. Eric Jaffe returns to actually treat the cancer this time: why radiation is basically catching your kid smoking and making him finish the carton, how CRISPR turns your own T cells into an assassin squad, and why oncolytic viruses are just... more

Part 1! Dr. Eric Jaffe, the biology teacher who keeps naming proteins after cartoon characters, returns for a two-part cancer deep dive. Today: what cancer actually is at the cellular level, why elephants barely get it, why whales get it even less, a... more

Part 2! Thomas is joined again by David O'Brien, a higher education policy scholar with the California Community Colleges system, to finish dismantling The Daily's take on Trump's student loan crackdown. Reagan, Pell Grants, and decades of quiet stat... more

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Recent Guests

David O'Brien
Part-time higher education policy scholar
California Community Colleges system (state of California)
Episode: SIO521: The Daily Is Sane-Washing Trump's War on Higher Ed
Sari Altschuler
Professor, author of Before Disability: A History of American Citizenship
University of Maryland? (as discussed in episode)
Episode: SIO516: How a Botched 1840 Census "Proved" Freedom Made Black Americans Disabled, with Sari Altschuler
Doug Mills
New York Times photographer featured for eyewitness imagery and authoritative stills
The New York Times
Episode: SIO513: Debunking Butler Conspiracy Theories in Descending Order by Scope
Nick Shirley
Mormon out of Utah who creates YouTube videos; presented a testimony about fraud
YouTube creator / commentator
Episode: SIO506: Minnesota Fraud and the Death of Information
Teyana Gibson Brown
Whistleblower who testified about ICE actions and Fourth Amendment violations
ICE (Institute of Law Enforcement) witness
Episode: SIO505: The ICE Whistleblower Hearing Was Astonishing. It Needs More Attention.
Ryan Schwank
Former ICE instructor and whistleblower who described training to violate the Constitution
ICE Academy, Glencoe, Georgia
Episode: SIO505: The ICE Whistleblower Hearing Was Astonishing. It Needs More Attention.
Nick Fish
President of American Atheists
American Atheists
Episode: SIO499: Trump Is Weaponizing Government Against Political Enemies. Nick Fish, President of American Atheists, on How to Be Prepared
Dr. Alan Smerbeck
Professor of Psychology
Episode: SIO495: Can AI Chatbots Make You Delusional? A Psychologist Explains
Jenessa Seymour
Co-host, has ADHD
Episode: SIO493: Kids with ADHD/Autism Struggle with Mental Health. New Study Says Maybe It's the Stress of Being Different

Hosts

Thomas Smith
Host of Serious Inquiries Only
Lydia Smith
Co-host on Serious Inquiries Only

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Variety of science, culture, and political topics. Down to earth and trustworthy.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Bryan
    3 months ago
  • Casino and debt consolidation and shitty counselling services ads mar great insightful discussions. Change your ad service.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Zerotan
    a year ago
  • If you care about reality, listen to this podcast!

    Thomas has always delivered sharp thoughtful analysis but his latest batch of episode since the election has been on fire! If you recognize what’s happening in our government as the slow motion disaster it is, this is the podcast you need in your ears. If you think everything’s fine… Well, enjoy the view from under that rock.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    loving the podcast
    United States2 years ago
  • Love Thomas's take on science stuff.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Midwest Mom
    2 years ago
  • Great show

    Thomas is awesome

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IcenineCC
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests bring credible expertise and clear explanations.
Engaging balance of science and policy with sharp humor.
Some listeners crave deeper focus or less politics, but overall quality is solid.
Thoughtful, data-driven discussions that challenge assumptions.
Advertising frequency can be distracting for some listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#202
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#226
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#238
Ireland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

SIO523: What Cancer Actually Is, Part 1 (with Dr. Eric Jaffe)
Q: What are the two major ideas about how cancer develops and starts to manifest as a tumor?
The host asks about why cancer develops, and Dr. Jaffe explains two main hypotheses: the two-hit model, where initial mutations in protective genes or tumor suppressors prime cells for cancer, and adaptive oncology, which emphasizes changes in the microenvironment and developmental context that allow evolving cancer cells to outcompete healthy tissue.
SIO524: Why We Haven't Cured Cancer Yet, Part 2 (with Dr. Eric Jaffe)
Q: How does this target cancer cells without harming normal cells, and what are the limits of these therapies?
There is a balance between targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells and sparing normal cells; therapies differ in specificity and side effects, and many approaches work best when combined, with ongoing need to validate targets and manage resistance.
SIO524: Why We Haven't Cured Cancer Yet, Part 2 (with Dr. Eric Jaffe)
Q: Is there any cancer where you do just like cure it?
The guest explains that a universal cure is unlikely, and cures depend on removing or neutralizing the specific cancer and its drivers, with treatments personalized to each cancer subtype and patient context.
SIO522: College Is Impossibly Expensive. But It's Not Because of Bogus Degrees.
Q: What responsibility do colleges have to avoid saddling students with debt for low-value degrees?
The guest explains that colleges should be more accountable for program ROI and should align offerings with societal and civic needs, while acknowledging that many programs are essential for public welfare even if they don't immediately translate into high salaries.
SIO516: How a Botched 1840 Census "Proved" Freedom Made Black Americans Disabled, with Sari Altschuler
Q: How do you see the relationship between disability and citizenship evolving across the 19th century?
The discussion highlights a pendulum between restrictive, coercive uses of disability to police eligibility for rights and a more utopian vision where diverse bodies could participate in a republic, with race and gender repeatedly influencing which versions of citizenship prevailed.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Serious Inquiries Only

What is Serious Inquiries Only about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Analytical, skeptical discourse that blends science, philosophy, and politics with thoughtful humor. Episodes frequently critique media framing, explore misinformation, and unpack complex policy and scientific topics through rigorous analysis and guest expertise. Noteworthy is the host's habit of challenging sensational narratives while inviting credible guests to illuminate contested issues for a discerning, motivated audience.

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Which podcasts are similar to Serious Inquiries Only?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Serious Inquiries Only:

1. Where There's Woke
2. The Skepticrat
3. Opening Arguments
4. Dear Old Dads
5. The Scathing Atheist

How many episodes of Serious Inquiries Only are there?

Serious Inquiries Only launched 13 years ago and published 840 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Serious Inquiries Only?

Recent guests on Serious Inquiries Only include:

1. David O'Brien
2. Sari Altschuler
3. Doug Mills
4. Nick Shirley
5. Teyana Gibson Brown
6. Ryan Schwank
7. Nick Fish
8. Dr. Alan Smerbeck

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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