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The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Dr. Steven Novella
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
NASA
Covid-19
Critical Thinking
Misinformation
Black Holes
Kansas
Vaccines
Pseudoscience
CRISPR
Gravitational Waves
Science
Italy
Alzheimer's Disease
Evolution
Nightmares
Conspiracy Theories
Vaccination
Autism

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is a weekly science podcast discussing the latest science news, critical thinking, bad science, conspiracies and controversies. -The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe: Your escape to reality - Produced by SGU Productions, LLC: www.theskepticsguide.org

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1095Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Latest Episodes

Evan Leaves SGU; News Items: Paying attention, How Queen Bees are Made, Canceling Wind, Goodbye International Space Station, US Military Restores Flu Vaccine; Who's That Noisy; Science or Fiction

Guests George Hrab and Andrea Jones Rooy; SGU Down Under; News Items: Donut Lab Battery Follow up, Fungal Superhighway, Echochambers and Radicalization, Payam Method, Strength Training and Longevity; Who's That Noisy; ADIct game; Science or Fiction

Quickie with Steve: Ebola Update; News Items: Ben Franklin's Anti-Counterfeiting Innovations, Mars Maven, Human Cooperation, Pre Cambrian Animal Senses, Peudoscience Protection Bill; Your Questions and E-mails: Sucking, Audio Cables; Science or Ficti... more

Special Guest: Christian Hubicki; Quickie with Bob: Meteor over New England; News Items: While House Proposal on Science Funding, Medical Aid in Dying, AI Attention, Expensive Audio Cables; The Science of Survivor; Who's That Noisy; Science or Fictio... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Christian Hubicki
Director of Optimal Robotics Lab and associate professor of mechanical engineering at Florida State University
Florida State University, Optimal Robotics Lab
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1091 - Jun 6 2026
David Kyle Johnson
Philosopher, guest on the show to discuss expertise vs. authority
Lehigh University (as referenced in discussion)
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1087 - May 9 2026
Christina Cook
Artemis II Astronaut
NASA
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1084 - Apr 18 2026
Kristian Andersen
Professor of Infectious Disease Genomics, Director of Infectious Disease Genomics at Scripps Research Translational Institute
Scripps Research Translational Institute
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1080 - Mar 21 2026
Parrish Knight
Computer desktop support technician
NIH, NASA, The Mint
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1075 - Feb 14 2026
George Hrab
Musician and frequent special guest on the podcast.
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1070 - Jan 10 2026
Andrea Jones-Roy
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1064 - Nov 29 2025
Lee Mosbacher
Long-time listener and patron of the show
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1056 - Oct 4 2025
Justin Daab
Former brand strategist, now a fellow focusing on innovation and generative AI.
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1041 - Jun 21 2025

Hosts

Steven Novella
Neurologist and long-time host, central figure in scientific skepticism and public science communication.
Kara Santamaria
Neuroscience contributor and co-host, brings scientific commentary and communication skills.
Jay Novella
Co-host with broad range of science and skeptical discussion.
Bob Novella
Co-host known for skeptical analysis and engaging dialogue.
Evan Bernstein
Co-host contributing skeptical analysis and discussion.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 11.3k ratings
  • Politics… and I stop listening

    Listened to this show for many many years…. But now all the micro political “remarks” had turned this into something that is stressful to actually listen to… and then to remove a host because he has different political opinions…. No thank-you… and inferring he has a mental sickness… From the outside and in the past… the show was a-political … and now we are being talked down to and told what to think…. It’s all the micro-hinting at which political side a skeptic should be on… I’m so finished w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Film Lover 67
    United States3 days ago
  • Harder and harder to listen.

    Sadly what was once a great weekly science news show, the SFU has drifted into a left leaning political opinion show. Peri / Post covid the show has become overly partisan while proclaiming itself apolitical. If you are looking for a diversity of opinion this is not the show for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ricochet Karma
    United States4 days ago
  • Speaking truth

    I have listened to the SGU for 15 years and I have come to appreciate hearing the truth about science and skepticism.

    Being a skeptic means getting to the truth no matter how hard, painful, or relation to your personal views.

    The open conversation about Evan’s departure was heartfelt and honest. Thank you SGU for not hiding behind pedantic statements.

    Keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ammorifle
    United States6 days ago
  • Cancel Culture Dooms a Once Vibrant Show

    Haven’t checked in on SGU in months. After royally screwing the pooch on Covid-19, now they’ve cancelled one of their long-time hosts. Look elsewhere for truly skeptical content.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    NairbOU812
    United States7 days ago
  • So disappointed…

    Evan is gone. Revisiting my rating.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jerm'n
    United States7 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans value the clear critical thinking approach and room for humor.
Listeners praise longstanding reliability and rigorous science coverage.
Some listeners feel shifts in tone or politics have affected balance; overall sentiment is mixed but engaged.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#41
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#29
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#74
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#28
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#242
Germany/Science
Apple Podcasts
#21
Ireland/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Skeptics Guide #1093 - Jun 20 2026
Q: What did the battery testing reveal about the claimed solid-state battery?
Independent battery experts found the sample behaved like a lithium-ion battery, with voltage curves and an expansion fingerprint consistent with lithium, strongly suggesting fraud or misrepresentation at best.
The Skeptics Guide #1092 - Jun 13 2026
Q: Does the isopod study show a mechanism for true multitasking?
Yes, the study suggests that with extensive training and offloading of tasks to different brain regions, some multitasking can occur, though the frontal lobes still control core attention.
The Skeptics Guide #1092 - Jun 13 2026
Q: What is the biggest determinant of cooperation in the cross-cultural study they discussed?
The strongest predictor was belief in how many people cooperate; the more someone believes others cooperate, the more likely they are to cooperate themselves.
The Skeptics Guide #1092 - Jun 13 2026
Q: What is the likely spread of Ebola if isolation remains at 20 percent?
If isolation stays at around 20 percent, models project more than 20,000 cases in the next three months, indicating a much more severe outbreak.
The Skeptics Guide #1083 - Apr 11 2026
Q: What makes the Artemis II heat shield discussion important for mission safety?
The heat shield behavior was previously observed with some char loss and gas pockets; NASA says Artemis II will use a safer re-entry profile and that the anomaly does not compromise the core safety function, but Inspector General warnings suggest continued validation is needed.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

What is The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running science show that champions skeptical, evidence-based analysis across a broad range of topics. Episodes routinely blend deep dives into science, health, technology, and space with examinations of media representations, misinformation, and public understanding of science. The group maintains a collaborative, accessible approach, often featuring multi-topic panel discussions, interviews, and practical takeaways for critical thinking. A notable strength is its sustained commitment to rigorous reasoning and transparent discussing of uncertainties, making complex scientific debates approachable for a wide audience. Potential listeners who enjoy rigorous yet personable science conversation, skepticism-focused inquiry, and broad cov... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe:

1. Political Reality
2. Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
3. Skeptics with a K
4. Skeptoid
5. Cognitive Dissonance

How many episodes of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe are there?

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe launched 20 years ago and published 1095 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe?

Recent guests on The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe include:

1. Christian Hubicki
2. David Kyle Johnson
3. Christina Cook
4. Kristian Andersen
5. Parrish Knight
6. George Hrab
7. Andrea Jones-Roy
8. Lee Mosbacher

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