Rephonic
Artwork for Squaring the Strange
Skepticism
Public Health
Folklore
Bigfoot
Misinformation
Cryptozoology
Artificial Intelligence
Urban Legends
Body Mass Index
Gef the Talking Mongoose
Ufos
Critical Thinking
Scooby Doo
Obesity
Christmas
Berkshire UFO Abduction Incident
Conspiracy Theories
Donald Trump
West Palm Beach Killer Clown Case
Gargoyles

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 monthlyEpisodes299Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScience

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Artwork for Squaring the Strange

Latest Episodes

First, Ben and Celestia chat about current events involving clowns, Noah's ark, psychics, measles, moon hoaxes, and more. Then we welcome Sharon Hill and Darren Naish, both of whom published books on cryptozoology and monster hunting around a decade ... more

After some current events discussion about AI images in real estate and RFK Jr. mentioning chemtrails, we welcome friend of the podcast Amy Frushour Kelly. She's a longtime editor turned AI writing consultant, and has watched what the new models have... more

First, we recount a tiny bit of the beautiful chaos that was Dragon Con. Then, after a few current event tidbits related to 9-11, we are joined by Andy Taylor of Geekshock and (retired Klingon) Paul Mattingly of Matt & Mattingly's Ice Cream Social. W... more

First, housekeeping about our upcoming visit to DragonCon in Atlanta next week (come say hello if you plan on going!). Ben and Celestia lament the latest measles news, pay respects to Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, and discuss the ever-present "rule of ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Darren Naish
Paleozoologist, author and cryptozoology researcher
Tetrapod Zoology / University of Southampton
Episode: Episode 290 - Monsters and Cryptozoology Today, with Darren Naish and Sharon Hill
Amy Frushour Kelly
Editor extraordinaire; AI policy consultant and AI-writing editor
Frushour AI Consulting and Editorial (Skeptical Inquirer context)
Episode: Episode 289 - The Ethics and Worries of AI Writing, with Amy Frushour Kelly
Andy Taylor
Fact check Andy, journalist and podcast guest
Episode: Episode 288 - Dragon Con, 9-11 and Sci-Fi Skepticism with Paul and Andy
Paul Mattingly
Podcaster from Ice Cream Social, former Klingon
Episode: Episode 288 - Dragon Con, 9-11 and Sci-Fi Skepticism with Paul and Andy
Bob Nygaard
Private investigator specializing in psychic scams
Self-employed private investigator
Episode: Episode 286 - Bob Nygaard, psychic-busting investigator
Lara Benham
Australian Skeptics member
Australian Skeptics
Episode: Episode 285 - Grab Bag! Jimothy and Dr. Fauci walk into a bar...
Richard Saunders
Australian Skeptics member
Australian Skeptics
Episode: Episode 285 - Grab Bag! Jimothy and Dr. Fauci walk into a bar...
Elizabeth Shreeve
Children's book author and skeptic
Shreeve Books / Dinosaurs to Dragons
Episode: Episode 284 - Author Elizabeth Shreeve on Dinosaurs to Dragons
Susan Gerbick
Contributor with resources on skeptics camps and speakers
Episode: Episode 280 - Conspiracy rumors about Trump staging his assassination attempts

Hosts

Celestia Ward
Co-host of Squaring the Strange; affiliated with Two Heads Studio and Center for Inquiry.
Ben Radford
Host of Squaring the Strange; known skeptic and researcher.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 166 ratings
  • Very well done. Fascinating subjects.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dallas
    a year 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 States2 years ago
  • Great podcast

    These people pour passion and knowledge into a great finished product

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nimbocrux
    Australia3 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 States3 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 States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show for offering informative, entertaining skepticism with discipline and humor.
Some reviewers criticize perceived bias or ego, but many still find it engaging and insightful.
The podcast is valued for its approachable deep-dives and diverse guest mix.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 290 - Monsters and Cryptozoology Today, with Darren Naish and Sharon Hill
Q: How has cryptozoology evolved since then, particularly with scientification and the role of folklore?
Darren explained that the field has shifted toward scientification of folklore, with a zoological lens applied to narratives and eyewitness accounts, while recognizing that much of what is claimed remains unproven and that cultural narratives shape interpretation.
Episode 290 - Monsters and Cryptozoology Today, with Darren Naish and Sharon Hill
Q: Could you describe what you tackled about cryptozoology in your book around ten years ago?
Sharon described her focus on science communication in paranormal investigations and cryptozoology, explaining how groups claimed to use science but did not always meet scientific standards, which set the stage for a more skeptical, evidence-based examination.
Episode 284 - Author Elizabeth Shreeve on Dinosaurs to Dragons
Q: How did you decide which mythical creatures to include in the book?
She explains a global, multicultural selection process, balancing land, water, and air creatures and prioritizing archetypes with cultural significance, rather than focusing on cryptids.
Episode 284 - Author Elizabeth Shreeve on Dinosaurs to Dragons
Q: First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Elizabeth Shreeve shares her background as a children's author and science communicator, discussing her transition from architecture to writing, and how her curiosity drives her work across science and myth.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Squaring the Strange

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

A thoughtful, accessible show that applies critical thinking and evidence-based analysis to a wide range of topics, from paranormal claims to current events. Episodes commonly feature deep-dive interviews with skeptics, scientists, and investigative storytellers, along with lively discussions on media literacy, logical fallacies, and how misinformation spreads. Noteworthy is the blend of rigorous analysis with engaging, conversational banter, plus a strong emphasis on real-world impact for victims of scams and the public understanding of science. Listeners can expect well-reasoned skepticism, practical event-building insights, and a community that values curiosity and constructive critique.

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How many listeners does Squaring the Strange get?

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What are the audience demographics for Squaring the Strange?

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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. MonsterTalk
2. The Skeptic Zone
3. Skeptics with a K
4. Skeptoid
5. Cognitive Dissonance

How many episodes of Squaring the Strange are there?

Squaring the Strange launched 10 years ago and published 299 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?

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What guests have appeared on Squaring the Strange?

Recent guests on Squaring the Strange include:

1. Darren Naish
2. Amy Frushour Kelly
3. Andy Taylor
4. Paul Mattingly
5. Bob Nygaard
6. Lara Benham
7. Richard Saunders
8. Elizabeth Shreeve

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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