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Serious Inquiries Only

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes843Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Serious Inquiries Only

Latest Episodes

Dr. Tania Lombrozo, professor of psychology at Princeton University (affiliated with its philosophy and cognitive science departments), joins Thomas to discuss her forthcoming book Why We Ask Why: The Science of Explanation and the Human Drive to Und... more

David O'Brien, higher education policy scholar with the California Community Colleges System, is back to answer the question Thomas posed last time: why is college so expensive?

They get into tuition vs. total cost of attendance, the dirty little s... more

I cannot stop thinking about Cody from Some More News's video in which he could not stop thinking about Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Cody is INCREDIBLY sure that you're an idiot incapable of watching movies or consuming art if you don't agree with his ... more

... 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

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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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
Dr. Eric Jaffe
Biologist, dinosaur enthusiast, friend of the show
Episode: SIO518: Biological Definitions Do Not Do What Richard Dawkins Says They Do
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
Eric Jaffe
Biologist
Episode: SIO509: What Project Hail Mary Gets Right (And Very Wrong...) About Biology
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

Host

Thomas Smith
Host of Serious Inquiries Only; leads thoughtful, skeptical discussions on science, philosophy, and politics; known for clear reasoning and humor

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
    5 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.

Hosts mix rigorous analysis with engaging, accessible dialogue.
Ads can feel intrusive to some listeners, but content stays compelling.
Thoughtful, evidence-based discussions that challenge assumptions.
High-quality guests and clear debunking when needed.
Some listeners wish for less politics and more pure science deep-dives.

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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?

This show pairs a thoughtful, skeptical host with engaging guests to explore questions at the intersection of science, philosophy, skepticism, and politics. Across episodes, topics range from biology and cancer biology to higher education policy, media literacy, conspiracy theories, and public discourse about science and society. The tone stays rigorous but accessible, often featuring expert guests who help illuminate complex ideas, while the host contribute with sharp, humorous commentary and clear reasoning. Notable strengths include a strong emphasis on evidence, careful debunking, and a willingness to cover controversial or politically charged topics with nuance. The format often blends scientific explanation with policy critique and me... more

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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. Dear Old Dads
4. Opening Arguments
5. Cognitive Dissonance

How many episodes of Serious Inquiries Only are there?

Serious Inquiries Only launched 13 years ago and published 843 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. Dr. Eric Jaffe
3. Sari Altschuler
4. Doug Mills
5. Eric Jaffe
6. Nick Shirley
7. Teyana Gibson Brown
8. Ryan Schwank

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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