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The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Dr. Steven Novella
Climate Change
Covid-19
RSV
Influenza
Thanksgiving
NASA
Generative AI
Sickle Cell Disease
Artificial Intelligence
CRISPR
Alternative Medicine
Vaccination
Pseudoscience
Dr. Michael Dixon
Royal Medical Household
King Charles III
Free Will
Misinformation
Pew Research Center
3D Printing

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1067Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Latest Episodes

News Items: Young Cancer, Adapting to Modern Life, Safety of mRNA Vaccines, Cosmic Rays Ground Aircraft, Reverse Aging Claim; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: EU Gene Editing; Who Said That; Science or Fiction

News Items: Cognitive Legos, China's Planting Lots of Trees, Misinformation and Birth Control, Dark Matter Detection, Asteroid Bennu Ingredients for Life; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Climate Denial, Calcium Cardiac Scans; Science or... more

Quickie with Bob: Helion Fusion Update; News Items: CRISPR Wheat Sources Nitrogen, LLMs and Collective Intelligence, Origins of Theia, Holiday Scams, Hypervelocity White Dwarves; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Cellulose Correction; Sci... more

Dumbest Thing of the Week: Noah's Ark; News Items: Using AI to Design Viruses, Creatine for Cognitive Function, Earth Digital Twin, Quiet Supersonic Jet, Tet For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Wolf Tool Use; S... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Andrea Jones Roy
Guest rogue
Episode: The Skeptics Guide #1038 - May 31 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

Hosts

Steven Novella
Host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, known for his expertise in neurology and critical thinking.
Bob Novella
Co-host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, who brings a practical and humorous perspective on discussions.
Evan Bernstein
Co-host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, adding depth to the panel's conversations.
Jay Novella
Co-host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, recognized for his engaging discussions and humor.
Kara Santa Maria
Co-host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, known for her expertise in science communication and critical discourse.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 11.2k ratings
  • Egotistical arrogance

    I was excited to try this podcast as somebody who is in a technical healthcare field and looking for informational listening material. Immediately upon trying this show out, they start kissing the boot of unquestioned vaccine mandates and talking down about everybody (including their own friends) who even dares to ask questions about mandated vaccines. They do this without providing a shred of evidence to support their perspective. Boo. Science is not about pretending to have all the answers. It... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sweavs97
    United States10 days ago
  • I must listen every week

    For me, this podcast has been hugely influential over the past decade. Entertaining too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mal000000000000000001
    Australia25 days ago
  • Still the Best Science Podcast After 20 Years

    I’ve listened to The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe since 2006, and it remains one of the very few podcasts I’ve never dropped. Few maintain such consistently high quality for so long. The production is polished, the discussions are sharp and interesting, and the cast—with Cara Santa Maria’s addition years ago—has only gotten stronger.

    What sets the SGU apart is its commitment to scientific skepticism as a method, not a worldview. The hosts examine claims of all kinds—scientific, cultural, or ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mike Friebel
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great content, with 1 major issue

    I have to say as much as I used to really enjoy this show, Cara’s vocal fry is absolutely so utterly grating and annoying I can’t even make it through the show anymore. I don’t understand why she puts on this voice, and I started to listen again today to see if she was still doing it. Yep! Still there! And I know it’s not just me, as the individual that recommended this show to me five years ago said he had to stop listening for the same reason.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SteveDTNYC
    United States2 months ago
  • Best science and critical thinking podcast

    This podcast has been active for about two decades and remains the best critical thinking and science podcast out there. It’ll help sharpen your thinking skills, keep you up to date on science and many technology areas, and keep you entertained. The podcasters are held in high esteem in the field.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mac2Maverick
    Canada2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critiques about host dynamics have emerged, particularly voices and speaking styles that some find less appealing.
Many admire the humor and camaraderie shared among the hosts, enjoying the balance of entertainment and information.
The podcast is often lauded for its engaging content and real-world applications of scientific discussions.
There are mixed feelings about the quality of content in recent episodes, with some noting a decline regarding skepticism.
Listeners appreciate the depth of discussions on critical thinking and the importance of scientific literacy.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#44
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#30
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#67
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#37
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#212
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#219
Germany/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Skeptics Guide #1056 - Oct 4 2025
Q: What do you think are the implications of the Genius Act on venture capital?
It has the potential to allow more people access to venture capital investments through retirement plans, but it also carries risks due to the early-stage nature of the investments.
The Skeptics Guide #1056 - Oct 4 2025
Q: You mentioned ALS earlier; what do you think about the recent paper claiming is it an autoimmune disease?
The evidence presents that inflammation in ALS may not be the cause but rather a response to dying motor neurons, though this new study claims otherwise.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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?

The content revolves around topics in science and critical thinking, often discussing the latest scientific news, dissecting claims of bad science, and addressing various conspiracies and controversies. The hosts engage with both lighthearted and serious subjects, often reflecting on their personal experiences while humorously navigating complex scientific phenomena and societal trends. Noteworthy is the community aspect and camaraderie among the hosts, which likely contributes to an engaging and dynamic listening experience, while emphasizing the importance of skepticism in evaluating scientific claims and public discourse.

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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. Skeptics with a K
2. Skeptoid
3. The Know Rogan Experience
4. The Scathing Atheist
5. The Skepticrat

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

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe launched 20 years ago and published 1067 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. Andrea Jones-Roy
2. Lee Mosbacher
3. Justin Daab
4. Emily Schoerning
5. George Robb
6. Andrea Jones Roy
7. Melanie Trecek-King
8. Michael Marshall

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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