A Skeptic’s Guide to Podcasts D.J. GROTHE s most of the readers of the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER probably know, pod- a survey of some of the best and most popular. They vary in length and format: casts are audio shows that are made available as downloadable some are very short and feature just one person; others are long-format inter- A digital files, often through free subscription services such as Apple’s view programs. While almost all are free, some require a paid subscription or a iTunes. Over the last few years, the podcast has be come an exciting medium fee to listen to its archives. Some of the skeptical podcasts are humorous and for skeptics to reach out to new audiences while continuing to educate their existing mem bers. Magazines, books, and television shows are no longer involve a lot of banter, and some have specific themes, such as cryptozoology the only ways that people can get their regular fix of critical thinking and or conspiracy theories. The thing they all have in common is that they reach skeptical inquiry. out to new people with a critical, rational, and scientific point of view toward While there are so many great new podcasts promoting skepticism, here is pseudoscientific and paranormal claims. The Conspiracy Skeptic ticism. Hrab doesn’t apply his skepticism Logically Critical (www.logicallycritical Started in late 2007, The Conspiracy merely to the paranormal or the pseudo- .net) was “intended to encourage critical Skeptic (www.yrad .com/cs/) is hosted by scientific; he often turns a skeptical eye thinking in everyday situations without Canadian Karl Mamer, an expert in con- on religion with his regular humorous the hassle of checking facts at the li brary.” spiracy theories. The show focuses on feature “Religious Moron of the Week.” The podcast ceased production in late various conspiracy theories, such as those This podcast is very funny, often contain- 2007, but all previous shows are still promulgated by Alex Jones about the New ing adult humor. With episodes running archived online and available for free. The about an hour in length on a weekly basis, World Order, those on the Moon landing show often focused on one theme per epi- this show is a favorite among skeptical hoax, and HIV/AIDS denialists’ theories sode and featured the host speaking on the podcast lovers. that HIV/AIDS is a government plot. He topic at hand. Skep tically themed episodes included shows on ghosts, ancient mon- also has had shows about The Illuminati, The Infidel Guy Show the Bilderberg Group, vaccine conspiracy sters, the power of suggestion, the Law Started by trailblazer Reginald Finley in theories, and many more. Most shows of Attraction, and the best-selling New 1999, The Infidel Guy Show (www.infi- Age book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. are about a half hour and feature Mamer delguy.com) paved the way for Internet speaking on various topics rather than Each episode is about a half hour and still audio outreach about skepticism and worth a listen. featuring expert guests on a regular basis. related subjects. Most shows feature a The Geologic Podcast listener call-in interview with an author- Point of Inquiry ity in a given field. While the major- As the host of Point of Inquiry (www. Hosted by musician and comedian George ity of episodes focus on skepticism of point of inquiry .org), the weekly podcast Hrab, The Geologic Podcast (www.geolog- religion and on atheism, many episodes of the Center for Inquiry (of which the icpodcast.com) features a monologue by have explored topics more central to the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry is a vital Hrab, comedy sketches, and news about organized skeptical movement’s interests: part), I often assume the role of “devil’s general developments in science and skep- psychics, ghosts, cryptozoology, and the advocate” with my guests. The podcast D.J. Grothe is vice president like. Although listening to recent episodes was founded in late 2006, and almost and director of outreach is free, one must become a gold member programs for the Center for ($8.50 monthly or $75 annually) to hear two hundred episodes are available for Inquiry, associate editor of most of the episodes from over the last free online as well as through iTunes and Free Inquiry magazine, and decade. other podcatchers. While the program a professional magician and frequently focuses on topics in religion, “mindreader.” Logically Critical ethics, philosophy, and public policy, it 30 Volume 33, Issue 6 Skeptical Inquirer also concentrates on traditionally skepti- Reality Check Podcast views with famous skeptics, such as James cal topics such as Bigfoot, ghosts, UFOs Randi, Ben Radford, and Joe Nickell, in Considered a Canadian version of the and alien abduction, pseudoarchaeology, addition to skeptical and science news Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe (see below), psychic investigation, and alternative and extemporaneous chit chat between the Reality Check Podcast is produced by the medicine in addition to a number of co-hosts. Ottawa Skeptics and features skeptical shows on conjuring and its relationship to banter from some of the group’s mem- skepticism. Each episode features a long- The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe bers, including Jonathan Abrams and form interview with a leading thinker in Xander Miller. The show focuses on var- One of the top skeptical podcasts on science, skepticism, or philosophy, and ious skeptical topics, such as the Moon iTunes, The Skeptic’s Guide to the Uni- most of the biggest names in the skeptical landing hoax conspiracy theory, Bigfoot, verse (www.theskepticsguide.org), is a one- movement have appeared on the show, various alternative medicine claims, pyra- hour weekly talk show produced by the including Michael Shermer, James Randi, midology, and feng shui, and also features New England Skeptical Society, in asso- Joe Nickell, Ray Hyman, and Kendrick regular interviews of some of the leaders ciation with the James Randi Educa tional Frazer, as well as a number of Nobel in the skeptical movement. Reality Check, Foundation. It is hosted by Dr. Steven Prize-winning scientists and other leading like many of the other podcasts listed here, Novella, professor of neurology at Yale public intellectuals. is a great example of what independent University, along with his two brothers, Pseudo Scientists skeptical groups can accomplish even if Bob and Jay Novella, Rebecca Watson they lack the resources of a national skep- (founder of skepchick.org), and Evan The podcast of the Young Australian tical organization. Bernstein. Each episode features many Skeptics, Pseudo Scientists (www.youn- segments, including a guest interview and gausskeptics.com), has a pronounced fun The Skeptic Zone a segment called “Science or Fiction,” in and youthful vibe. The show begins with addition to a lot of light and witty conver- an often humorous short audio clip of Sponsored by the organization Australia sation. The show covers a broad range of some purveyor of pseudoscientific non- for Science and Reason, The Skeptic sense followed by a shout of “That’s Zone (http://skepticzone.tv/) is hosted by skeptical topics but generally avoids apply- Im possible!” It is hosted by Alastair Tait Richard Saunders. Each episode generally ing skepticism to religious faith claims and features Jason Ball (a Center for runs over an hour with multiple segments. except during some of the satire and jokes, Inquiry campus leader who recently spoke Saunders frequently interviews luminaries which are a popular component of the at CFI’s World Con gress), Jack Scanlan, of the skeptical movement, such as Joe banter among the co-hosts. Jacqui Williams, Elliot Birch, and others. Nickell, and engages in news reports and Skeptoid The podcast airs a couple times a month; panel discussions with co-hosts Rachael each episode is over an hour in length and Dunlop, Joanne Benhamu, and Eran Started in October 2006, Skeptoid (www. includes interviews, book reviews, and Segev, among others. The Skeptic Zone skeptoid.com) is a “weekly pro-science, other segments, including witty banter shows how the new medium of podcast- anti-pseudoscience podcast” hosted by among the hosts about skepticism and ing allows for worldwide skeptical out- Brian Dunning. Episodes average about irrational trends in Australia and around reach with minimal investment relative to ten minutes in length, and each features the world. print publishing. Dunning expounding on a topic of inter- est to skeptics, such as pseudoscientific Skepticality Quackcast products and consumer frauds, urban leg- Quackcast’s Web site (www.quackcast. The skeptical movement owes a lot to ends, alternative medicine, and conspiracy com) declares it “A podcast review of “Derek and Swoopy,” hosts of the first theories. His short episodes are well-re- Quacks, Frauds and Charlatans. Oops. skepticism podcast, which started in searched, and when taken collectively, That’s not right. That should be Supple- April 2005. Skepticality is now the official very comprehensive. Dunning’s podcast ments, Comple mentary and Altern ative podcast of Michael Shermer’s Skep tical is a shining example of what one skeptical Med icine i.e. SCAM.” Generally running Society. In September 2005, Steve Jobs, activist with a computer, a microphone, over an hour, each episode features a criti- CEO of Apple Computer, mentioned and an entrepreneurial spirit can accom- cal and skeptical exploration of alternative Skepticality during his key note address plish for the skeptical movement. medicine topics, such as herbal remedies, about the iTunes music store. On that chiropractic, homeopathy, traditional same day, co-host Derek Colanduno suf- Though hardly comprehensive, this list shows Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Reiki, fered a brain aneurysm. As a result, no the array of skeptical audio that is available for your therapeutic touch, the medical ef ficacy of new shows were produced until August enjoyment on the Web and on your iPod or other prayer, and even questions like “can high 2006, after he had recovered, and now MP3 player.