Rephonic
Artwork for Squaring the Strange
Bigfoot
Folklore
Cryptozoology
Gef the Talking Mongoose
Skepticism
Scooby Doo
Gargoyles
Misinformation
Paranormal Investigation
Artificial Intelligence
Giant Penguins
Isle Of Man
Gothic Architecture
Animal Trafficking
Dallas Zoo
Animal Rights Activism
Genetically Modified Food
Generative AI
Folklore Podcast
False Memory Syndrome

Not just another "skeptical" podcast, it's a show about critical thinking and evidence-based analysis, using science and critical thinking to examine the world around us, from the mysterious and paranormal to the mundane.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes285Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScience

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Squaring the Strange

Latest Episodes

First, Celestia gets her aura read at a trade show, and then we talk about National Science Appreciation Day, Banksy being unmasked, and the continued fallout from Marq Evans' movie "Capturing Bigfoot." For our main segment, we dive into micronations... more

First, we have a few current events items that hit our skeptical radar -- and a Bigfoot bombshell drops at SXSW film festival! (For more on that, see Ben's just-released piece in Skeptical Inquirer online, "Documentary's Devastating Bigfoot Debunking... more

First, we chat about Havana Syndrome and a rumored "discombobulator," Trump releasing the UFO files, a new poll on belief in aliens and cryptids, and RFK doing a 180 on glyphosate. Then we meet up with Kenny Biddle, chief investigator for the Center ... more

First, we hit on news items: Epstein file firehose, the Guthrie kidnapping, Scouting America not aligning with administration values, a different kind of drone panic, and RFK again not making sense. Then, a grab bag! Celestia examines the ugly produc... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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.

The Skeptic Zone
The Skeptic ZoneRichard Saunders
Skeptoid
SkeptoidBrian Dunning
MonsterTalk
MonsterTalkBlake Smith
Skeptics with a K
Skeptics with a KSkeptic Media Limited

Recent Guests

Leo Igwe
Activist working to end witchcraft accusations in Africa
Advocacy 4 Alleged Witches (AFAW)
Episode: Episode 275 - Bigfoot Bombshell and Leo Igwe on fighting witchcraft accusations in Africa
Dr. Grant Ritchey
General dentist with nearly 40 years of experience, practicing in Tonganoxie, Kansas.
Self-employed in dentistry
Episode: Episode 269: Fluoride fallacies and dentistry weirdness with Dr. Grant Ritchie, DDS
Daniel Reed
Counselor and founder of the West Virginia Skeptics Society
West Virginia Skeptics Society
Episode: Episode 268 - Daniel Reed on Vegetable Man and Gray Barker
Cody Polston
Ghost story enthusiast and ex-ghost hunter
Episode: Episode 265 - The Alleged ghosts of the Territorial House, with Cody Polston
Brian Brushwood
Magician and host of Scam School
Scam School, World's Greatest Con, Modern Rogue
Episode: Episode 264 - SCAMPOCALYPSE with Brian Brushwood
Brian Dunning
Well-known skeptic and podcaster
Skeptoid.com
Episode: Episode 263 - The Tylenol Presser and Sailing Stones with Brian Dunning
Matt Crowley
A Bigfoot researcher and performer, known for his unique contributions to Bigfoot discussions.
Episode: Episode 262 - Bigfoot Tracks with Matt Crowley
Sarah Lohman
Food historian and co-host of City Cast Las Vegas
City Cast Las Vegas
Episode: Episode 260 - Food History and Flavor Myths with Sarah Lohman
Jeff Wagg
Skeptic and organizer of the Skeptoid Adventures
Skeptoid
Episode: Episode 258 - A ship of skeptics in the Bermuda Triangle!

Hosts

Celestia Ward
Co-host of Squaring the Strange; frequent guest and host focusing on skepticism, folklore, and critical thinking.
Ben Radford
Co-host of Squaring the Strange; longtime skeptic, writer, and speaker with a focus on scientific inquiry and critical thinking.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 164 ratings
  • Very well done. Fascinating subjects.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dallas
    8 months ago
  • A favorite- informative and engaging

    I’ve learned a lot about folklore, logical fallacies, and investigating supernatural/paranormal claims. The podcast covers a lot of different topics, like ghosts, the chupacabra, psychics, Bigfoot, UFOs, and the hosts discuss certain current events from a skeptical perspective. I enjoy this podcast a lot and I love it when the hosts each bring their area of expertise—investigator, writer, musician, artist—to topics they discuss.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crimson247
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast

    These people pour passion and knowledge into a great finished product

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nimbocrux
    Australia2 years ago
  • Avoid at all costs.

    First of all this podcast is somehow erasing reviews that are critical of them. Which you cant just do, so apparently their status exists outside of a “regular podcast”. Disinformation agents. I would say. I will continue to leave bad reviews as long as they continue to poison the well

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Chuck Dumpster
    United States2 years ago
  • Not particularly cool. -OR- NPC

    3 yahooz with degrees from some schools, therefore they are somehow arbiters of the “final word” on any topic they decide falls within parameters of science. Or should i say “Psi-ence” This podcast spends most of its time blurring the lines between authoritative/research-derived conclusions and CNN-like commentary-passed off- as-objective-reality.

    These college graduates ,turned game show/podcast hosts, reference Smithsonian museum as though it is a “shrine of truth”. This should tell yo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Chuck Dumpster
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the show is seen as a valuable resource for critical thinking and debunking misinformation.
The hosts bring a broad range of expertise and a fun, engaging approach to skepticism and folklore.
Some listeners perceive biases or tone as strong, but the depth of analysis and humor are appreciated by many.
Guests often provide credible, evidence-based perspectives that deepen listeners' understanding.
High-quality conversations with knowledgeable guests; the show is entertaining and informative.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
What I survived
What I survivedJack Laurence
The Determined Society with Shawn French | Mindset, Adversity & Growth
The Determined Society with Shawn French | Mindset, Adversity & GrowthShawn French | Adversity & Determination Expert
Focus: Adults in the Room
Focus: Adults in the RoomKUOW News and Information
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 275 - Bigfoot Bombshell and Leo Igwe on fighting witchcraft accusations in Africa
Q: How does the legal environment in Nigeria affect accused witches?
Laws against witchcraft accusations exist, but enforcement is often weak due to police inadequacies, corruption, and scarce resources, allowing abuses to persist while advocating for proper enforcement and justice.
Episode 275 - Bigfoot Bombshell and Leo Igwe on fighting witchcraft accusations in Africa
Q: What is Advocacy 4 Alleged Witches aiming to achieve over the next decade?
A decade-long activism campaign from 2020 to 2030 to ensure witch hunting becomes history by 2030, through legal reform, public education, and empowering affected communities, especially women.
Episode 270 - Listener Questions and Looking Back at 2025
Q: What are your opinions on debating anti-vaxxers, flat earthers, etc.? Useful, waste of time?
It depends; engaging in debates can be useful for practice and to speak to others on the fence, but actual debates rarely occur and often result in misinformation.
Episode 270 - Listener Questions and Looking Back at 2025
Q: Do you have any cause for optimism or anything you're looking forward to?
Despite the pessimism about 2026, there's hope that the pendulum will swing back towards valuing science and rationality, as many Americans value these principles.
Episode 270 - Listener Questions and Looking Back at 2025
Q: What was a claim or myth that you kind of wish were true, even though it probably isn't?
Facilitated communication, as it would give disabled kids and non-verbal autistic kids a voice and be a breakthrough for humanity.

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 Squaring the Strange

What is Squaring the Strange about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show presents a rigorous take on mysteries, folklore, and everyday claims through critical thinking and evidence-based discussion. Episodes frequently explore paranormal topics, cryptids, urban legends, and public misinformation, while also examining data, science communication, and media literacy. The hosts bring diverse expertise—from skepticism and folklore to data analysis and food history—creating a conversational, approachable format that challenges assumptions without losing wit or accessibility. A standout aspect is the long-running, chemistry-filled rapport among well-educated hosts who balance skepticism with curiosity, often inviting guests who contribute specialized knowledge or colorful perspectives. Potential listeners wh... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Squaring the Strange?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Squaring the Strange. 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 Squaring the Strange and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Squaring the Strange get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Squaring the Strange, 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 Squaring the Strange?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Squaring the Strange, 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 Squaring the Strange have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Squaring the Strange 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 Squaring the Strange?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Squaring the Strange:

1. The Skeptic Zone
2. Skeptoid
3. MonsterTalk
4. The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
5. Skeptics with a K

How many episodes of Squaring the Strange are there?

Squaring the Strange launched 9 years ago and published 285 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 Squaring the Strange?

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 Squaring the Strange?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Squaring the Strange 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 Squaring the Strange?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Squaring the Strange. 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 Squaring the Strange?

Recent guests on Squaring the Strange include:

1. Leo Igwe
2. Dr. Grant Ritchey
3. Daniel Reed
4. Cody Polston
5. Brian Brushwood
6. Brian Dunning
7. Matt Crowley
8. Sarah Lohman

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