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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
Pseudoscience
Royal Medical Household
Alternative Medicine
Dr. Michael Dixon
King Charles III
Vaccination
Free Will
Misinformation
Pew Research Center

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1055Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Latest Episodes

News Items: Conspiracy Physics, Cancer Misinformation, Improved Nuclear Thermal Propulsion, Oldest Mummies, Not The Screwworms; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Ethics in Research; Name That Logical Fallacy; Science or Fiction

Quickie with Evan: Earth's Quasi-Moon; News Items: Guiding Tiny Robots, Tylenol and Autism, Music Choices as we Age, Wearable for Subtle Communication, Decreasing Science Scores; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Gold Nanowire Gel Batteri... more

Quickie with Bob: Real Interstellar Technosignatures; News Items: Sexless Seeds, Spouses Share Psychiatric Disorders, CRISPR Improvement, Robotic Bee, Tin Man Syndrome Retraction, Super Wood; Who's That Noisy; Taxing Deductions; Science or Fiction

Why Didn't I Know This: First Portable Computer; News Items: Brightest Fast Radio Burst, Trash into Biochar, Declining Reading Rates, Most Americans Skeptical of Paranormal, Quantum Alternative to GPS; Who's That Noisy; From TikTok: Mammograms; Scien... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Andrea Jones Roy
Guest rogue
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1038 - May 31 2025
Adam Russell
Musician and podcaster, bass player in the band Story of the Year.
Thank the Maker Podcast
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1037 - May 24 2025
Melanie Trecek-King
Associate professor of biology at Massasoa Community College and activist skeptic
Thinking Is Power
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1034 - May 3 2025
Michael Marshall
Podcaster involved in discussions about skepticism and critical thinking
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1028 - Mar 22 2025
Cecil Cicirello
Podcaster and guest discussing skepticism and media analysis
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1028 - Mar 22 2025
Dave Farina
YouTube educator known as Professor Dave, focusing on scientific explanations and debunking misinformation
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1027 - Mar 15 2025

Host

Stephen Novella
Host of a scientific podcast engaging in discussions on a wide array of science-related topics, often merging humor with critical analysis.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 11.2k ratings
  • Done with this one

    What used to be a skeptical review of scientific news is slowly starting to feel like neoliberal sanewashing of non-scientific topics, such as AI chatbots. Audience criticism is met with “trust us, bro, we aren’t biased.” The only skepticism supported on these controversial new fad “technologies” is that which supports the status quo. The latest episode featuring a full-on rant defending the capitalist benefits a certain fascist billionare has contributed to a certain company is mind-blowing. Bu... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    mmmjjjmaria
    United Statesa month ago
  • AI Cult

    Sadly much of the SGU has been sucked into the AI cult. Seems they have forgotten the purpose of the show, and this makes them difficult to trust on any meaningful topic going forward.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dajaiz
    United Statesa month ago
  • Incredible show

    My favorite podcast by far. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mencotti
    United States2 months ago
  • Science /Fiction

    You are co

    Merely wrong regarding Malta.

    It does not have the world’s oldest man made free standing structure. Please do your homework. Look up Göbkeli Tepe located in southern Turkey, it’s about 11,000 years old

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    goodlife@64
    Canada2 months ago
  • I have a question…?

    It’s:What’s bigger the Earth or YouTube?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cool guy666!!!???
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critical feedback mentions a shift towards broader cultural and political discussions that might detract from the core scientific focus.
Loved for its ability to make complex scientific issues accessible and enjoyable, fostering a supportive community for critical thinking.
Some listeners express concerns about perceived biases on political matters or specific health topics, indicating a desire for more neutrality.
Highly rated for its engaging hosts and thought-provoking topics, blending humor with educational content.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#35
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#54
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#88
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#25
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#175
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#213
Germany/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Skeptics Guide #1039 - Jun 7 2025
Q: How do you deal with misinformation being pushed by the fossil fuel industry?
I focus my energy on getting actionable information out there rather than fighting misinformation.
The Skeptics Guide #1034 - May 3 2025
Q: How do you feel your science background prepared you for all of the content that is necessary to understand in order to fight misinformation in pseudoscience?
I feel like my science background prepared me for a little niche within science, but not necessarily to help understand the misinformation in the science.
The Skeptics Guide #1030 - Apr 5 2025
Q: What do you think about RFK Jr. and his approach to vaccines?
RFK Jr. is seen as a conspiracy theorist who undermines vaccine efforts and could significantly impact public health.
The Skeptics Guide #1030 - Apr 5 2025
Q: How do bats avoid collisions when leaving the cave together?
They optimize their echolocation by using higher frequency sounds and reducing volume, focusing on bats close to them.
The Skeptics Guide #1030 - Apr 5 2025
Q: Kara, how did your test go last week?
It went well; I passed the second of two exams required to become a licensed psychologist.

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?

Engaging listeners with a comedic take on current science issues, recent events, and societal trends, multiple hosts unpack complex topics ranging from innovative technologies to critical analyses of public health claims. Frequent discussions include critical thinking, medical controversies, and scientific misunderstandings, often utilizing humor to navigate serious subjects, which helps to underscore the importance of skepticism and rational discourse. The show is distinct for its broad appeal, making advanced science digestible and relevant to both casual listeners and those more well-versed in the scientific community, while encouraging a healthy questioning of information.

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How many listeners does The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe have?

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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. Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
2. Skeptics with a K
3. Skeptoid
4. The Scathing Atheist
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 1055 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. Justin Daab
2. Emily Schoerning
3. George Robb
4. Andrea Jones Roy
5. Adam Russell
6. Melanie Trecek-King
7. Michael Marshall
8. Cecil Cicirello

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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