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The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Dr. Steven Novella
Climate Change
Covid-19
Influenza
RSV
Thanksgiving
NASA
Alzheimer's Disease
Generative AI
Sickle Cell Disease
Artificial Intelligence
CRISPR
Royal Medical Household
Dr. Michael Dixon
King Charles III
Vaccination
Pseudoscience
Alternative Medicine
Free Will
Pew Research Center
Misinformation

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1084Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Latest Episodes

Dumbest Thing of the Week: Waffle House Teleportation; News Items: Artemis II Heat Shield, Fairness in the Brain, Genetic Engineering Humans, Self-Healing Composite; Who's That Noisy; Science or Fiction

Quickie with Bob: Transporting Antimatter; News Items: Artemis II Launches, Can AI Predict Science Replication, Smart Drugs, Nuclear Electric Propulsion, Underwater Fairy Circles; Who's That Noisy; Name That Logical Fallacy; Science or Fiction

Back To Basics: Confirmation Bias; News Items: NASA Announces New Moon Plans, The Limits of Cloning, Giant Insects, Pushing Exorcism, Update on 3I-Atlas; Who's That Noisy; Science or Fiction

Interview with Professor Kristian Andersen; Update on Conspiracy Teacher; News Items: Cannabis Review, AI Agents Breaks Out Of Testing Area, Life On Exomoons, Man Producing Carbon Fiber, Bigfoot Hoax Revealed; Who's That Noisy; Science or Fiction

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Ian Callanan
Regular guest on the Year End Wrap-Up show
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1068 - Dec 27 2025
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
Emily Schoerning
Founder and CEO of American Resiliency, a nonprofit focused on climate education.
American Resiliency
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1039 - Jun 7 2025
George Robb
Guest rogue
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1038 - May 31 2025

Hosts

Steven Novella
Host of the podcast and a neurologist who emphasizes critical thinking and skepticism in science.
Jay Novella
Co-host who brings a humorous and engaging perspective to scientific discussions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 11.3k ratings
  • What happened!

    Disappointing Decline
I’ve been listening to SGU for nearly 20 years, and unfortunately it’s clear the show is no longer what it used to be. What was once engaging, curious, and focused on science has slowly turned into something political, preachy, and frankly boring. The tone now feels heavily biased overtly left‑leaning and it often prioritizes ideology over genuine scientific exploration. Instead of thought‑provoking discussions, listeners get predictable talking points delivered with little... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Zbigniew Rusin
    United States17 days ago
  • Been listening for 13 years

    This is my all time favourite podcast. Everyone needs critical thinking skills, and science rocks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Werewerekokako
    New Zealand2 months ago
  • Fun trivia show with a sceptical lean

    It’s unfortunate that this group of critical thinkers don’t want to apply their critical thinking skills to today’s current events - I’m talking about the chaos that is US politics.

    That leaves this show as a light entertainment podcast showcasing current science trivia. Fun escapism.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    MickleMack
    Australia2 months ago
  • Love the Liberal

    I love that they stand up for vaccines and intelligence. Love that they are smart liberals!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    YupOkay
    United States2 months ago
  • Lost me

    I was an avid listener until covid came and they got everything wrong and just spewed the big Pharma narrative. It was gross and has me questioning anything I ever learned from them.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    NATECH
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its commitment to promoting critical thinking and skepticism towards pseudoscience and misinformation.
Overall, it is considered one of the top science podcasts available, providing valuable insights and entertainment.
Many praise the hosts for their entertaining delivery and depth of knowledge on scientific topics.
There are mixed feelings about the perceived increasing political slant of discussions in recent episodes, with some long-term fans expressing dissatisfaction.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#21
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#13
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#27
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#16
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#139
Germany/Science
Apple Podcasts
#231
Italy/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Skeptics Guide #1080 - Mar 21 2026
Q: What do we know about the origins of SARS-CoV-2?
The consensus is that the virus emerged from a zoonotic spillover, most strongly associated with the Huanan Seafood Market, though the precise upstream pathways remain uncertain and likely involve multiple factors in wildlife trade and human-animal interfaces.
The Skeptics Guide #1077 - Feb 28 2026
Q: What are the four hypotheses about COVID-19 origins discussed by SAGO?
They are spillover from animals, introduction of the virus via overseas animal markets, a true zoonotic spillover event near the market or in the region, and a lab-related hypothesis whether accidental or engineered, with the scientific consensus leaning toward zoonotic spillover despite ongoing debate.
The Skeptics Guide #1076 - Feb 21 2026
Q: What are some reasons that may be, for example, the AMA, which opposes direct to consumer advertising?
Getting people anxious and allowing less educated consumers to make decisions about medications.
The Skeptics Guide #1076 - Feb 21 2026
Q: Do you think that drug advertising is a good thing or a bad thing?
It has benefits, such as increasing awareness and treatment compliance, but can also lead to overprescribing and misinformation.
The Skeptics Guide #1068 - Dec 27 2025
Q: How do you break through denial among families dealing with terminal illness?
The process often involves candid conversations about death and coping strategies, aiming to prepare families early for the realities they face.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
Location
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Social Media Reach

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?

This podcast engages its audience by exploring a wide range of current science topics, critical thinking issues, and societal controversies. Regular discussions cover recent scientific advancements, pseudoscience, and how personal experiences intersect with broader scientific narratives. Notably, the program blends humor and personal anecdotes with rigorous scientific inquiry, appealing to those who appreciate a thoughtful examination of both familiar and complex issues. The hosts encourage listeners to think critically and challenge misinformation, maintaining a commitment to skepticism as a method for understanding the world. This unique combination of entertainment and education is designed to both inform and amuse, making it an appealin... 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 1084 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. Kristian Andersen
2. Parrish Knight
3. George Hrab
4. Ian Callanan
5. Andrea Jones-Roy
6. Lee Mosbacher
7. Justin Daab
8. Emily Schoerning

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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