Skeptics with a K – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

Tickets for QED 2024 are still available, priced £189 for a full weekend of science, reason, and critical thinking.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Alice looks at the Scandinavian tobacco 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.

The last few early bird tickets for QED 2024 are available now. Grab yours before the prices change!

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

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.

If you want to support the podcast, you can donate via Patreon - or leave us a glowing review on your podcasting app of choice!

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Pastel QAnon, content farms, Facebook, and the CAP code. Plus watermelons, rampant horses, and vaccine misinformation. Dipping roses in honey, it’s Skeptics with a K.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Integrative cancer care, newspaper revenues, and the smart feed. Plus glutamine, the right kind turmeric, and doctors’ customers. Consuming curcuminoids, it’s Skeptics with a K.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Lockdown laws, Pizzagate, and contact tracing. Plus selling wardrobes, iPhone 6, and shoulder-barging pensioners. With Liverpool accents, it’s Skeptics with a K.

Nice to have Emma on without needing a content warning, huh? Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Pregnancy testing, inflatable sex dolls, and electronic waste. Plus Korean Barbecue, Bild Lilli, and Andy Capp. Just one pink line for Skeptics with a K.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Hair loss pills, Sovereign Nations, and business acumen. Plus broken cars, conceptual penises, and roaring in the mirror. Using the wrong microphone, it’s Skeptics with a K.

Find the all-new website the The Skeptic at skeptic.org.uk

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Missing breakfast, Eric Pickles, Mother-die, and giant hogweed. Plus telling lies, conferred legitimacy, and disguised advertorial. Cheating at dice, it’s Skeptics with a K.

Note this episode contains discussion of fatphobic language and attitudes.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Making babies, genius orphans, and milliamp-hours. Plus red days, swamp coolers, and tracking ovulation. Taking your temperature, it’s Skeptics with a K.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.