Skeptics with a K
by Skeptic Media Limited
Latest episode
Episode #490
Episode #490
About this podcast
Skeptics with a K is the podcast for science, reason and critical thinking from the Merseyside Skeptics Society. Each episode features Mike Hall, Michael Marshall, and Dr Alice Howarth chatting about the things which interest them, often from a skeptical angle.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 501 episodes
- Episode #490Alice talks about the myths and misinformation she encountered while learning to drive. Meanwhile, the team looks back over the European Skeptics Congress and Alice does a guest…
- Episode #489Marsh revisits the so-called 'grievance studies' and looks at what the papers actually said. Meanwhile, Mike gets his annual phone upgrade. Note: This episode contains some…
- Episode #488Mike talks about cryptanalysis and uses it to try and break the supposedly 'unbreakable' cipher used in the BBC's comedy-drama Ludwig. Sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon…
- Episode #487Marsh looks at the way claims about two-tier policing are used to launder the reputations of bad actors and conspiracy theorists. Meanwhile, the whole team is exhausted from the…
- Episode #486Alice talks about the funding crisis in academia, and Marsh and Alice go to see Matt Winning performing live. Plus, the very last call for tickets for the European Skeptics…
- Episode #485Mike looks at the spread of 'fake proverbs', the supposedly original versions of popular sayings which are actually modern inventions. Meanwhile, Alice needs a new battery for…
- Episode #484Alice looks at the biohackers, who try to change their lifestyles and biology to promote physical health and longevity. Meanwhile, Mike gets a new pet kitten. You can find all…
- Episode #483Marsh is targeted to invest in his property portfolio and unexpectedly ends up speaking with a former London mayoral candidate. Meanwhile, Mike is watching a red dot running an…
- Episode #482As Alice and Marsh return from travels to Portugal, Mike talks about the new feature from Anthropic which can identify AI generated text. You can find all the details on the…
- Episode #481Alice talks about neurodivergence and disability, following the new Channel 4 documentary The Great ADHD Myth. Meanwhile, Marsh tries to climb a ladder. Note: Alice's story…
- Episode #480Marsh looks at the links between billionaire activists and academia, where claims of academic freedom provide cover for a political agenda. Meanwhile, Mike is visited by an…
- Episode #479Mike explores the difference between large language models, and other types of artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Alice is hurling toddlers from a patio. You can find all the…
- Episode #478Alice talks about open research and research integrity, in light of allegations of plagiarism made against a Cambridge professor. Meanwhile, the team goes to see Spider-Man. You…
- Episode #477Marsh looks at the belief that we're probably all living in a computer simulation and nothing around us is real. Meanwhile, Alice gets very annoyed and the team go to see The…
- Episode #476Mike looks at claims that being tied up for sex will give you cancer. Meanwhile, Marsh tries to make it home from London. Sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at…
- Episode #475With the UK enduring its third official heatwave of the year, Marsh looks at the arguments denying there is anything to worry about. After all, everyone remembers the long, hot…
- Episode #474Alice outlines the political reaction to The Odyssey and the implications for free speech. Meanwhile, Marsh is asked to review a book which proves God and creation with maths…
- Episode #473Alice looks at the evidence for the so-called loneliness epidemic, and whether it disproportionately impacts men. Meanwhile, Marsh tries to avoid World Cup spoilers in France and…
- Episode #472Mike looks at the products from Telos Audio Design which claim to improve the performance of audio equipment. Meanwhile, Marsh tries to book a restaurant while having trouble…
- Episode #471Mike asks whatever happened to the story that men think about the Roman Empire every day? Meanwhile, Marsh is interrogated by Noah Lugeons about the World Cup and Alice gets a…
- Episode #470Marsh talks about the social media ban and suggests that we may be targeting the wrong problem. Meanwhile, Marsh and Alice visit Wales to teach critical thinking. You can find…
- Episode #469Mike investigates the social media language of 'algospeak' and asks if it really does anything at all? Meanwhile, Marsh can't figure out why there are suddenly no ads on the…
- Episode #468Marsh investigates the use of aromatherapy in NHS Maternity care. Meanwhile, Alice and Marsh go to the theatre. You can find all the details on the European Skeptics Congress at…
- Episode #467Alice asks whether inhaling hydrogen peroxide can cures what ails you (spoiler: no it can't), and Marsh realises he has never heard of the Planets. Meanwhile, the team are…
- Episode #466Mike looks at a new article in the Guardian which claims the nocebo effect will make you sick. Meanwhile, Alice manages to sustain an injury while driving. You can find all the…
- Episode #465Alice asks if we're about to plunge into another global pandemic with Hantavirus. Meanwhile, Marsh visits the beautiful Italian city of Florence... and Mike goes to Bristol. You…
- Episode #464Mike revisits a topic from the early days of Skeptics with a K, asking what the research says about Feliway pheromone products for cats. Meanwhile, Marsh visits the Crucible to…
- Episode #463Following on from last week, Marsh looks at polling data which suggests that Gen Z believe they are psychic. Meanwhile, the team gets some lovely listener feedback and has all…
- Episode #462Marsh looks at research from last year which claims that young people are flocking to churches in search of meaning. Meanwhile, Alice has been out driving and Marsh's life turns…
- Episode #461Alice takes an overdue look at the controversial 'looksmaxxing' influencer known as Clavicular. Meanwhile, Marsh goes to see Joshua Idehen perform in Manchester. You can find all…
- Episode #460Mike looks at ball lightning, why there is so little evidence of it, and asks whether it exists at all. The next event for Liverpool Skeptics in the Pub is this evening, but will…
- Episode #459Alice looks at the prevalence of cancer misinformation on social media and the effects that may be having on cancer patients. Meanwhile, Marsh visits Durham cathedral. Sign up…
- Episode #458Marsh talks about efforts to reduce the climate impact of cattle, and how it's being received by conspiracy theorists. Meanwhile, Mike is excited about the return of two missing…
- Episode #457Alice looks at the role of peptides in the body, and why they're increasingly being recommended by biohackers and MAHA bros. Meanwhile, Mike finds a surprising villain in the…
- Episode #456Mike talks about "legal tender", and why it probably doesn't mean what you think it means. Meanwhile, Alice and Marsh argue about whether Piers and Pierce are the same name. Sign…
- Episode #455Marsh looks at the history of AIDS denialism, and its apparent burgeoning resurgence through the world's most listened to podcast. Meanwhile, Alice buys a new car that she is…
- Episode #454Mike looks at the strange new conspiracy theory that there is a secret new episode of Stranger Things which is landing Netflix any day now. Any day now... Sign up for the…
- Episode #453Alice looks at new press reports which claim ultra-processed foods may be driving an increase in bowel cancer in the under-50s. Meanwhile, Mike shouts into a microphone and Marsh…
- Episode #452Mike looks at why there are =so many spurious equals signs littering = the Epstein Files. Note: This episode contains references to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, including…
- Episode #451Marsh reads through the Epstein Files, and the lessons and pitfalls skeptics might encounter within... including how he came to appear in the latest documents. Meanwhile, Alice…
- Episode #450Alice gets angry about 'one simple thing they don't want you to know about maxing', which pushes simple answers to problems which may or may not exist. Meanwhile, Marsh tries…
- Episode #449Marsh investigates a new paper from China, which supposedly shows that drinkers of plant-based milk alternatives are more likely to be depressed. Meanwhile, Mike visits Bristol…
- Episode #448Mike looks at the modern days myths surrounding the Betamax format, and Alice has to tackle an infestation of spider mites. Meanwhile, Marsh recounts his efforts to interview…
- Episode #447Alice looks at the updated guidelines from the US government around diet, particularly around alcohol consumption. Meanwhile, Mike spends the weekend in Accident & Emergency and…
- Episode #446Happy New Year! For the first episode of 2026, Marsh takes a look back at the predictions psychics made for 2025 and how many came true. Sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon…
- Episode #445Mike looks at stories about Tesco removing Christmas from products to avoid causing offence, and Marsh has an encounter with a fan of Joe Rogan on the train home. Sign up for the…
- Episode #444Marsh talks about what happened when he asked every Trading Standards office about consumer complaints and Cancer Act investigations. Meanwhile, Mike still has no luck trying to…
- Episode #443Alice presents her top five favourite bits of Christmas gift wellness woo, before preparing to jet off to Lithuania for a long weekend. You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K…
- Episode #442Mike asks what is really happening when people report 'out of body experiences' and how we know. Meanwhile, Alice has to handle a job interview with a dislocated jaw. Watch Susan…
- Episode #441Alice looks at the increase in employers offering egg freezing as a perk of the job, and the knock-on effects of that. Meanwhile, Mike has trouble leaving Brighton. You can sign…
