Skeptics with a K

25/10/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #391 - Live at QED 2024

We are live from QED 2024! Mike talks about the new mathematics of 'Terry-ology', Alice discusses the men who believe that semen retention will solve all of their problems, and Marsh baits the content marketing scammers who try to get articles on The Skeptic.

https://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/podcasts/skeptics-with-a-k/episode-391

You can also watch this episode with video, available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7VNxMYAI-k

14/10/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #390

In the final episode before QED 2024, the team run down what is happening at the event. Mike talks about how posting 'goodbye Meta AI' won't stop Facebook using your data, and Marsh talks about a new AI tool to help regulators deal with pseudoscience claims.

In the final episode before QED 2024, the team run down what is happening at the event. Mike talks about how posting 'goodbye Meta AI' won't stop Facebook using your data, and Marsh talks about a new AI tool to help regulators deal with pseudoscience claims.

26/09/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #389

Alice, Mike, and Marsh are joined by special guest Emma, who talks about human egg donation and the people who think it should be stopped. Marsh talks about the prolific volume of news articles from Mercola.com, and Alice looks at the new wellness trend of transdermal patches for 'energy', 'dreams', and 'stress'.

Alice, Mike, and Marsh are joined by special guest Emma, who talks about human egg donation and the people who think it should be stopped. Marsh talks about the prolific volume of news articles from Mercola.com, and Alice looks at the new wellness trend of transdermal patches for 'energy', &...

17/09/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #388

Alice looks at the latest TikTok trend of 'sungazing', and Mike digs into a new study which says honest placebos help alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. Meanwhile, Mike tries to avoid small talk when he goes in for surgery.

Note: The description of Mike's surgery includes a few references to the surgery itself that squeamish listeners may want to steel themselves for.

Alice looks at the latest TikTok trend of 'sungazing', and Mike digs into a new study which says honest placebos help alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. Meanwhile, Mike tries to avoid small talk when he goes in for surgery.

30/08/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #387

Alice looks at Scandinavian to***co product Snus, and it's bizarre prevalence amongst English footballers, while Marsh examines the relationships between UK anti-abortion activists and wealthy American christian conservative groups.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Alice looks at Scandinavian to***co product Snus, and it's bizarre prevalence amongst English footballers, while Marsh examines the relationships between UK anti-abortion activists and wealthy American christian conservative groups.

29/08/2024

⏱QED tickets - early bird offer ends this Monday⏱
There's been a few problems with Facebook deleting recent QED posts, so you may have missed some announcements recently.

Check out the site for what you've missed, and please note, early bird tickets close on Monday, after which point they'll go up to £189: https://qedcon.org/updates

15/08/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #386

Marsh discusses the recent riots in cities around the UK, and Mike looks at a recent paper which claims to explain how the placebo effect influences pain. Meanwhile, Alice steps on a (metaphorical) hornet's nest.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Marsh discusses the recent riots in cities around the UK, and Mike looks at a recent paper which claims to explain how the placebo effect influences pain. Meanwhile, Alice steps on a (metaphorical) hornet's nest.

07/08/2024

The QED main stage lineup is now complete!

➡️ Dr Agnes Arnold-Forster - historian of medicine and science
➡️ Dr Flint Dibble - the archaeologist who took on pseudoscience head on by debating an ancient alien theory promoter Graham Hancock on Joe Rogan.

The SwaK team will be there, will you?

We have added our final two speakers to the QED main stage for 2024: historian of medicine Dr Agnes Arnold-Forster, Dr Flint Dibble - the archaeologist who took on pseudoscience head on by debating with an ancient alien theory promoter on Joe Rogan.

01/08/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #385

Alice looks at the background of Hongchi Xiao, the TCM practitioner recently convicted of manslaughter for his promotion of paida lajin, or 'slapping therapy'. Meanwhile, Mike looks at the adverts which promote fake mobile games. Meanwhile, the whole team took part in Liverpool Pride.

Alice looks at the background of Hongchi Xiao, the TCM practitioner recently convicted of manslaughter for his promotion of paida lajin, or 'slapping therapy'. Meanwhile, Mike looks at the adverts which promote fake mobile games. Meanwhile, the whole team took part in Liverpool Pride.

19/07/2024

Watch Steve play Skepardy against Noah Lugeons and Michael Marshall this weekend at SkeptiCal Conference! The virtual conference will feature a variety of skeptical speakers and panels, including George Hrab! Get tickets at https://www.skepticalcon.com/

The Scathing Atheist God Awful Movies Skeptics with a K

19/07/2024

18/07/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #384

Marsh talks about the winners and losers for skepticism from the UK general election, and Alice looks at the popular Zoe app and the evidence for real-time glucose monitoring. Meanwhile, Mike has a stressful time in Lanzarote.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Marsh talks about the winners and losers for skepticism from the UK general election, and Alice looks at the popular Zoe app and the evidence for real-time glucose monitoring. Meanwhile, Mike has a stressful time in Lanzarote.

04/07/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #383

Alice asks if ultra-processed food is as dangerous as its made out to be, and Mike explains how the Internet was almost stolen. Meanwhile, Alice has to chase down her dog and Marsh goes to the athletics.

If you're in the UK, please go out and vote today!

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Alice asks if ultra-processed food is as dangerous as its made out to be, and Mike explains how the Internet was almost stolen. Meanwhile, Alice has to chase down her dog and Marsh goes to the athletics.

20/06/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #382

Marsh looks at strange polling data coming from the United States, and the research which calls it into question, while Mike looks at the unexpected findings in the work of Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer.

https://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/podcasts/skeptics-with-a-k/episode-382

07/06/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #381

Marsh looks at the plethora of PR-based articles appearing in national and local newspaper websites, and Mike tackles claims that artificial sweeteners trick your body into producing insulin.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Marsh looks at the plethora of PR-based articles appearing in national and local newspaper websites, and Mike tackles claims that artificial sweeteners trick your body into producing insulin.

23/05/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #380

Alice looks at the promotion of platelet-rich plasma for ‘ovarian rejuvenation‘, and Marsh digs into media reports that Jeremy Clarkson has been voted Britain's sexiest man. Meanwhile, Mike helps Emma running around Lake Windermere and the team marvels at the Northern Lights.

Alice looks at the promotion of platelet-rich plasma for ‘ovarian rejuvenation‘, and Marsh digs into media reports that Jeremy Clarkson has been voted Britain's sexiest man. Meanwhile, Mike helps Emma running around Lake Windermere and the team marvels at the Northern Lights.

09/05/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #379

Alice looks at the alternative medicine diagnosis of ‘adrenal fatigue’, and Mike talks about the Baltimore bridge disaster and asks when conspiracy theories swallowed the world. And the team discuss the first round of speakers announced for this year's QED.

Tickets for QED are now available, priced £164 for the full weekend. Pick up yours at qedcon.org

Alice looks at the alternative medicine diagnosis of ‘adrenal fatigue’, and Mike talks about the Baltimore bridge disaster and asks when conspiracy theories swallowed the world. And the team discuss the first round of speakers announced for this year's QED.

07/05/2024

QED: Question. Explore. Discover. tickets are now live!

📢 📢 Tickets to QED 2024 are on sale now! 📢 📢

Our weekend celebration of science, reason and critical thinking, returns for 2024 with another exciting line-up of main stage speakers, live show recordings, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and more.

https://qedcon.org/updates/2024/tickets-on-sale?utm_medium=social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=onsale

We'll be joined by Bola Grace, Sabine Hossenfelder, Robin Ince, Joe Ondrak, Rina Raphael, Richard Wiseman, James Wilson, Shema Tariq, Siân Docksey and more!

Early bird pricing of £164 until 2nd September 2024.

06/05/2024

Set the reminder now: QED tickets go on sale at 3pm tomorrow!

25/04/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #378

Alice discusses the manufacture of argan oil, and the medicinal claims made for it and other similar oils. Meanwhile, Marsh reflects on compassionate skepticism following the death of Daniel Dennett.

Alice discusses the manufacture of argan oil, and the medicinal claims made for it and other similar oils. Meanwhile, Marsh reflects on compassionate skepticism following the death of Daniel Dennett.

28/03/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #376

Alice asks why a relative small article on cider vinegar for weight loss got so much traction, and Mike looks at companies making overblown claims for cheap products via YouTube advertising. Meanwhile, the team gets the grips with our new recording setup.

Alice asks why a relative small article on cider vinegar for weight loss got so much traction, and Mike looks at companies making overblown claims for cheap products via YouTube advertising. Meanwhile, the team gets the grips with our new recording setup.

14/03/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #375

Marsh looks at the environmental and social impact of outdoor digital advertising, and Mike gives the low down on the risks of glyphosate-based weedkillers. Meanwhile, Mike goes to watch Dune 2, Marsh goes to the athletics, and Alice is back!

We survive on donations from listeners like you. If you want to support the show and the work we do, you can sign up for a regular donation at patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

Marsh looks at the environmental and social impact of outdoor digital advertising, and Mike gives the low down on the risks of glyphosate-based weedkillers. Meanwhile, Mike goes to watch Dune 2, Marsh goes to the athletics, and Alice is back!

29/02/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #374

With Alice unwell, Mike and Marsh are joined by guest host Kat to talk about their recent meet-up with a group of flat earthers, and Marsh looks at regulatory problems between Trading Standards and the Advertising Standards Authority.

If you enjoy the show, it would be a great help if you can donate to us via Patreon, or leave us a glowing review on your podcasting platform of choice. It's really appreciated.

Get well soon, Alice!

With Alice unwell, Mike and Marsh are joined by guest host Kat to talk about their recent meet-up with a group of flat earthers, and Marsh looks at regulatory problems between Trading Standards and the Advertising Standards Authority.

15/02/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #373

Alice investigates labial peels, the unregulated chemical peel for your v***a, while Mike asks whether we really do need to be drinking eight glasses of water per day.

Meanwhile, the team is having problems with YouTube.

Alice investigates labial peels, the unregulated chemical peel for your v***a, while Mike asks whether we really do need to be drinking eight glasses of water per day.

01/02/2024

Skeptics with a K: Episode #372

Marsh investigates the recent appearance of 'ear seeds' on Dragon's Den, while Mike looks at how to change your life literally with Quantum Jumping. Meanwhile, Alice has some exciting news about an upcoming project.

Marsh investigates the recent appearance of 'ear seeds' on Dragon's Den, while Mike looks at how to change your life literally with Quantum Jumping. Meanwhile, Alice has some exciting news about an upcoming project.