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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1093Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Latest Episodes

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

I Learned Today: How Toilets Flush; News Items: Autism Clinics, Errors in Climate Change Database, Weekly Exercise, Why Birds Fear Women, Latest Ebola Outbreak; Who's That Noisy; Science or Fiction

News Items: Sleep and Aging, Mental Number Maps, Digital Privacy, ArXiv Bans AI Produced Work, T-Rex Leather; Who's That Noisy; Obsoletely; Name That Logical Fallacy; Science or Fiction

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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
  • Nothing skeptical about SGU

    Every podcast is filled with facts, science, critical thinking, and humor. I enjoy these so much. Thank youđź’«

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    weriseup2020
    United States13 days ago
  • Love The Book.

    Love the podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Clayton Hollingsworth
    United Statesa month ago
  • Medically biased

    I’m sorry, but after listening to you all for years, it seems you are in support of the current medical system. I know they use helicopters to usher patients around for big dollars. If you guys aren’t going to directly confront that, yet talk about human regeneration? I’m sorry, but we don’t deserve regeneration. Axolotl give their limbs to fish, nature gave them regeneration. Current medicine is literally farming asthmatic patients for secure overtime. How does that equate into nature ch... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    AlexakaXela
    United States2 months ago
  • All - Time Fave

    Always find myself coming back to this show, it was my first podcast and will always be one of my favourites

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grey889
    Canada2 months ago
  • Still among the best podcasts out there, though slipping

    When the hosts are on-subject, five stars. Sometimes when they’re off-subject, also five stars. But in the last few years I find myself hitting the skip-forward button more often.

    This tends to happen more often in two parts of the show. First, the intro, which sometimes veers into looong off-topic chatting. Sometimes a lot of fun, but sometimes insufferable. (If I hear another extended travelogue of Steve’s most recent lavish vacation, I will just delete the episode on the spot….bleh.) Second... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    That guy in the hat
    United States2 months 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
#47
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#40
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#75
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#35
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#30
Israel/Science
Apple Podcasts
#33
New Zealand/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

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 1093 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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