Skeptoid
Brian DunningThe 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.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 1102 | Founded | 20 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Social SciencesScience | |||
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Latest Episodes
Checking in on how we're doing with major weather events attributed to human-caused climate change.
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Today we have a special bonus treat for you: A look back at episode 98 about the most famous of all the world’s crystal skulls. This December, Skeptoid Adventures is taking you into the jungles of Belize, where a 20th century British adventurer claim... more
Some common logical fallacies frequently misused or misdefined — and how to use them properly.
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Are all those stories you heard about razor blades hidden in Halloween candy true, or just more urban legends?
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Reviews
Love this podcast - it makes me think more deeply about things. Being skeptical helps me see fact from fiction and realise that a lot of sensationalist stories in the media really do need a dose of skeptical thinking!
Podcast Addict5a month agoRicardo- 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. I’m equally alert to whether podcasts are just a thinly-veiled attempt to rinse money out of credulous listeners. As someone whose specialist field is T.S. Eliot, I’m able to recognise when an episode which refers to his work in passing is error-strewn and to recognise that all the other epi... more
Apple Podcasts2Radionoush
United Kingdoma month ago - Really good Show, but …
The „You also might like“ episodes, especially the newest one, are so much trash based not on the normal high quality and accuracy, they devalue Brian’s work.
Apple Podcasts2KannSelbstTippen
Germany2 months ago - Let Yourself Get Scammed
That’s the title of this week’s episode.
I truly cannot fathom the hubris required to research, write, and record this topic and to put SCAM in the title and say nothing of your fraud conviction.
To be clear, Mr. Dunning doesn’t argue that scamming is good.
And there is nothing stated in the “free” version of the episode that I would disagree with.
But, if you are going to argue that some level of scamming is just the cost of doing business in a free society, you had damn well mention yo... more
Apple Podcasts1RDBJ97
United States3 months ago Don't waste out time with these stupid ideas
Podcast Addict23 months agoUser1234
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #7 | United States/Science/Social Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #74 | United States/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #6 | United Kingdom/Science/Social Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #9 |  Canada/Science/Social Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #80 | United Kingdom/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #85 | Canada/Science |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Skeptoid
What is Skeptoid about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Weekly, evidence-focused investigations examine the science and history behind urban legends, paranormal claims, conspiracy theories, health misinformation, and other disputed ideas. Episodes are usually narrated by Brian Dunning, with Ashley Hamer Pritchard also presenting, and combine historical research, scientific findings, and clear evaluation of competing explanations. Topics range from UFO reports and cryptids to medical claims, archaeology, technology, and social panics.
The distinctive approach is to explain not only whether a claim holds up, but how it arose and why it persists. The format is primarily scripted and host-led, with occasional expert voices, listener feedback, corrections, and practical takeaways. It suits listeners... more
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How many listeners does Skeptoid get?
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Which podcasts are similar to Skeptoid?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Skeptoid:
1. Skeptics with a K
2. Political Reality
3. Cognitive Dissonance
4. Big Picture Science
5. MonsterTalk
How many episodes of Skeptoid are there?
Skeptoid launched 20 years ago and published 1102 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?
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What guests have appeared on Skeptoid?
Recent guests on Skeptoid include:
1. Chris Pearley
2. Curly Tlapoyawa
3. Blake Smith
4. Kurly Tlapoyawa
5. Adrienne Hill
6. Lee Grunfeld
7. Stuart Forman
8. John Hoopes
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