Rephonic
Artwork for Skeptoid
Skeptoid
Death Valley
Urban Legends
Skeptoid Adventures
Lead Poisoning
Critical Thinking
Conspiracy Theories
Nutrition
Bermuda Triangle
Skeptoid Media
Skepticism
Artificial Intelligence
Pseudoscience
Sleep Myths
Martin Luther King Jr.
Weight Loss
Health Myths
Recycling
Misinformation
Ufos

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1092Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesScience

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Skeptoid

Latest Episodes

Skeptoid Adventures "Mysteries of the Maya" guest expert Kurly Tlapoyawa was invited to speak at the inaugural SkeptiCamp New Mexico, and today we're sharing the lecture he gave, which covered the many ways that conspiracy theories and pseudoarchaeol... more

Four men in an Air National Guard helicopter had a terrifying UFO encounter in the skies above Ohio.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The true origin and purpose of Peru's famous Nazca Lines.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We dive into the Skeptoid mailbag to find your best listener feedback.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Skeptics with a K
Skeptics with a KSkeptic Media Limited
Political Reality
Political RealityPolitical Reality
MonsterTalk
MonsterTalkBlake Smith
Big Picture Science
Big Picture ScienceBig Picture Science

Recent Guests

Curly Tlapoyawa
Guest expert
Episode: Skeptoid #1057: The 1973 Mansfield UFO Encounter
Adrienne Hill
Premium membership promoter and Skeptoid contributor
Skookum Studios
Episode: Skeptoid #1054: Let Yourself Get Scammed
Lee Grunfeld
Science and technology writer who contributed a listener message
Palm Springs, California
Episode: Skeptoid #1051: The Humble Pie Report
Stuart Forman
Physician and Skeptoid supporter
Individual listener supporter
Episode: Skeptoid #1050: Does Torture Work?
John Hoopes
Professor with broad training in archaeology of pre-Hispanic indigenous cultures; expert on Maya and Olmec history
University of Kansas
Episode: Feed Drop! Tales From Aztlantis and "Remembering the Maya Apocalypse"
Dr. Flint Dibble
Mediterranean archaeologist
Episode: Sailing the Skeptical Seas! New Orleans Escapade! Mysteries of the Maya Cruise!
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
Flint Dibble
Archaeologist specializing in the archaeology of the Mediterranean world
Episode: Dr. Flint Dibble Interview: Our Resident Expert for Málaga to Nice!

Hosts

Brian Dunning
Host of Skeptoid; guides show in separating fact from fiction in science and history; Skeptoid Media
Adrienne Hill
Premium content promoter and host voice; Promotional/episode host and premium member advocate

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 4.8k ratings
  • 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 Podcasts
    1
    RDBJ97
    United Statesa month ago
  • Don't waste out time with these stupid ideas

    Podcast Addict
    2
    User1234
    a month ago
  • False science debunked

    Rational analysis of false science, legends, fake news etc… very useful in current days!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Another French fan!!
    France3 months ago
  • Definitely worth listening to.

    I been listening to this fantastic podcast for more years than I can remember and I’m not using hyperbole when I say that it’s not one that I’m ever going to stop listening to

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheR1CK5TER
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • 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 States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise rigorous research and clear explanations.
Many value corrections and updates to past episodes.
Ads and premium content prompts are noted by some as intrusive.

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

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Skeptoid

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

A rigorous, science-based podcast that examines urban legends, scientific myths, historical mysteries, and controversial claims through critical analysis and evidence. Episodes consistently explore how misinformation spreads, why beliefs persist, and how rigorous methodology debunks pseudoscience, with frequent emphasis on corrections, reproducible research, and responsible sourcing. Notable strengths include a broad topic range—from psychology to archaeology to health—along with a transparent stance on evidence and a willingness to update past claims. Sponsor reads and premium content are common, which may be a consideration for potential listeners and partners alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for Skeptoid?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Skeptoid. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Skeptoid and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Skeptoid get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Skeptoid, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Skeptoid?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Skeptoid, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Skeptics with a K
2. Political Reality
3. MonsterTalk
4. Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
5. Big Picture Science

How many episodes of Skeptoid are there?

Skeptoid launched 20 years ago and published 1092 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Skeptoid?

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

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Skeptoid?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Skeptoid. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Skeptoid?

Recent guests on Skeptoid include:

1. Curly Tlapoyawa
2. Adrienne Hill
3. Lee Grunfeld
4. Stuart Forman
5. John Hoopes
6. Dr. Flint Dibble
7. Susan Gerbick
8. Ian Bryce

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days