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The true science behind our most popular urban legends. Historical mysteries, paranormal claims, popular science myths, aliens and UFO reports, conspiracy theories, and worthless alternative medicine schemes... Skeptoid has you covered. From the sublime to the startling, no topic is sacred. Weekly since 2006.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1059Founded19 years ago
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ScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for Skeptoid

Latest Episodes

Time is running out to grab one of the few remaining cabins for Málaga, Spain to Nice, France on the SV Royal Clipper AND announcing our next adventure to New Orleans followed by the Mysteries of the Maya cruise to the Yucatán Peninsula!

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An exploration of the validity of the Silurian hypothesis, which posits the existence of a pre-human intelligent race on Earth.

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As a gentle reminder that you will have an hour of sleep robbed from you tonight, enjoy this episode on Daylight Saving Time Myths from the archives!

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This secretive device has been promising to deliver clean, free energy for more than 15 years — but so far nobody's been allowed to examine it.

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Recent Guests

Susan Gerbick
Listener and skeptic affiliated with the Grill of Skepticism on Wikipedia Project
Grill of Skepticism (Wikipedia Project)
Episode: Gentle Reminder: Daylight Saving Time Starts Tomorrow
Ian Bryce
Engineer and physicist invited as a skeptical investigator
Australian skeptics
Episode: Skeptoid #1030: Testing the Rossi E-Cat
Ben Radford
Contributor to Skeptical Inquirer and Squaring the Strange
Skeptical Inquirer
Episode: Skeptoid Adventures: Bermuda Triangle 2025
Blake Smith
Host of Monster Talk
Monster Talk
Episode: Skeptoid Adventures: Bermuda Triangle 2025
Hal Bidlack
Friend of James Randi and a mentor in skepticism
Episode: Skeptoid #968: Waldorf Schools
Richard Saunders
Host of The Skeptic Zone podcast and spokesperson for the skeptical movement
Skeptic Zone
Episode: Skeptoid #917: DDT, 13 Years Later

Host

Brian Dunning
Host of a prominent skeptical podcast discussing urban legends, science myths, and paranormal claims, with a unique blend of humor and critical analysis.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 4.8k ratings
  • offers survey, entry level information; and employs logical fallacies. still entertaining

    I've recently discovered this podcast and I really do appreciate the breadth of topics covered, this is a good podcast to introduce you to a lots of different ideas. assuming that is what this podcast is sent out to do then it fulfills its mission. It is a good survey with minimal research. For the most part, the analysis brings about intelligent approaches to think through these questions however the narrator himself liberally makes assumptions about situations and human behavior to draw conclu... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    NathancW7
    United Statesa month ago
  • Immigration facts

    I’m a long-time fan of the show, but I became a Skeptoid fanboy when I heard the episode on immigration. As the child of immigrants, I am glad that Brian has the courage to speak to the benefits that immigrants bring to the US. Thank you Brian!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pocho_del_ocho
    United States2 months ago
  • Thumbs up!

    Schrödinger’s Cat and The Bomb Detector completely blew my mind! It’s a great science based skeptical podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JPSEA
    United States5 months ago
  • Skeptoid is informative, well researched, and verifiable - giving sources when they're needed. I think this podcast should be played in schools to help the younger generation to learn critical thinking and logic. Highly recommended.

    Podchaser
    5
    lmcg23
    6 months ago
  • Fraudster

    I’m a sceptic and that means I’m also capable of applying sceptical thinking to the self-serving excuses a convicted fraudster comes up with to try to defend himself from those who, rightly, criticise him.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Radionoush
    United Kingdom7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many praise the podcast for its educational value and for promoting scientific literacy, while others express concerns about perceived biases in certain topics.
Listeners appreciate the research and engaging storytelling, often noting the ability to challenge their beliefs.
There are mixed feelings about the increasing emphasis on advertising, with some suggesting it distracts from the main content.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gentle Reminder: Daylight Saving Time Starts Tomorrow
Q: What is the core historical origin of daylight saving time?
Originally tied to energy and leisure-time considerations, with early proposals by thinkers like Willett and Hudson aimed at creating more daylight after work, the concept evolved as different regions tested whether shifting clocks saved energy or improved daily life; the modern understanding acknowledges that energy savings are variable and context-dependent.
Skeptoid #966: Student Questions
Q: What are the truths behind brain fingerprinting?
While brain fingerprinting can show neurological responses to stimuli, its application in courts lacks robust support.
Skeptoid #966: Student Questions
Q: Does blood appear different colors based on oxygen levels?
While blood does change from bright red to darker red depending on oxygen levels, it never turns blue.
Skeptoid #966: Student Questions
Q: Is there a link between red dye in food and ADHD?
The connection is very tenuous, and studies have shown inconclusive results.
Skeptoid #966: Student Questions
Q: Can you explain the phenomenon of exploding teeth?
Exploding teeth are often a result of historical misunderstandings, with limited credible evidence to support such events occurring.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Skeptoid

What is Skeptoid about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners can expect a comprehensive exploration of popular myths and urban legends, where scientific skepticism meets intriguing storytelling. Key themes include paranormal claims, conspiracy theories, and misconceptions surrounding alternative medicine. Each episode offers rigorous analysis and research-driven content to debunk common beliefs, with a diverse range of topics from historical mysteries to contemporary myths. The format balances education and entertainment, making it appealing to those who appreciate critical thinking and scientific literacy alongside compelling narratives.

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How many listeners does Skeptoid get?

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How many subscribers and views does Skeptoid have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Skeptoid has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Skeptoid?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Skeptoid:

1. Radiolab
2. Unexplainable
3. Science Vs
4. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
5. 99% Invisible

How many episodes of Skeptoid are there?

Skeptoid launched 19 years ago and published 1059 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Skeptoid?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Skeptoid from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Skeptoid?

Recent guests on Skeptoid include:

1. Susan Gerbick
2. Ian Bryce
3. Ben Radford
4. Blake Smith
5. Hal Bidlack
6. Richard Saunders

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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