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PODCAST

The Reality Check

The Reality Check

Canada"s weekly podcast that explores a wide range of controversies and curiosities using science and critical thinking.

science natural sciences

All Episodes

28:32

TRC #604: The ‘Benadryl Challenge’ + The Moon’s...

The Reality Check ·

2020/10/03

This week, we bring in the experts to bring YOU two great interviews! First, Cristina looks at the controversial ‘Benadryl challenge’ on TikTok and has a discussion with Dr. David Stukus about the potential danger of this over-the-counter medication. Dr. Stukus is a Paediatric allergy & asthma specialist and the Social Media Medical Editor for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Next, our resident research scientist who studies planetary geophysics, Dr. Stuart Robbins, tells us

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27:03

TRC #603: Call To Cancel Netflix Over ‘Cuties’ + Is...

The Reality Check ·

2020/09/25

After the huge backlash around the recent release of coming-of-age drama ‘Cuties’ on Netflix, Pat examines what this film is about. Darren rounds out the show with a deep dive on Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ staggering wealth and wonders: is he too rich?

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33:24

TRC #602: Life On Venus? + David Bowie Art Hoax? +...

The Reality Check ·

2020/09/19

Adam looks behind the latest headlines that suggest we may have discovered life on the planet Venus. Cristina takes us down a fun rabbit hole when she explores how David Bowie pulled off one of the biggest art hoaxes in history. Finally, Darren crushes three book reviews spanning wildly different, equally fascinating topics: ‘From Darwin to Derrida’, ‘The History of the Future: Oculus, Facebook, and the Revolution That Swept Virtual Reality’, and ‘Life After Google’.

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28:52

TRC #601: Essential Oils Safe For Kids? + Colour In...

The Reality Check ·

2020/09/12

Cristina looks into the safety of so-called ‘essential’ oils when it comes to use around children. Friend of the show, Dr. Stuart Robbins, answers a question about why those picturesque astronomy photos of galaxies far, far away are so colourful. Finally, Darren asks if former United States Presidents are actually allowed to drive.

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35:51

TRC #600: Does Cancel Culture Exist? + Name That:...

The Reality Check ·

2020/09/05

Guess who’s back? The crew is back together again for TRC’s 600th episode! Darren asks if ‘cancel culture’ really exists. Producer Pat tests the gang’s memories with a game of ‘Name That: Previous Game’ edition. Adam looks into mystery packets of seeds that people worldwide are randomly receiving in the mail.

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28:25

TRC #599: Trust Online Reviews? + USPS Conspiracy? +...

The Reality Check ·

2020/08/22

Cristina looks into online shopping and asks how useful are online reviews really? Adam takes an objective look at the recent alarming USPS news, and whether there is evidence that Donald Trump is sabotaging the US Postal Service to steal the election. Finally, Darren gives us some food for thought when looking behind those donations we get asked for at the checkout register.

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26:50

TRC #598: Does Anonymous Hiring Work? + What Happens...

The Reality Check ·

2020/08/16

Darren looks into anonymous hiring and whether it helps reduce discrimination after a recent article argued that auditions for violinists should no longer be anonymized. Cristina takes a deep dive into what happens to plastic drink bottles that you toss in your recycling bin.

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25:39

TRC #597: Cans and Coins During The Pandemic +...

The Reality Check ·

2020/08/07

Adam kicks off the show by looking into whether people’s changing habits during COVID-19 is causing shortages of aluminum cans and coins. We round out the show with our good friend Dr. Stuart Robbins, who is a research scientist that studies planetary geophysics. He chats about the importance of studying impact craters.

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16:08

TRC #596.5: Voluntourism

The Reality Check ·

2020/08/01

With the recent spotlight on the WE Charity, we revisit a segment Darren originally covered in 2015 which explores the very disturbing downside of well-intentioned Voluntourism.

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23:59

TRC #596: Bricks For Protesters? + Pre COVID-19...

The Reality Check ·

2020/07/29

Darren looks into headlines suggesting that bricks were being left for protesters to incite violence. Cristina gives us a history lesson on conspiracy theories related to plagues and pandemics. Adam addresses some feedback he received on a recent segment and takes us on a tour to find the closest galaxy.

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26:29

TRC #595: Can The Oura Ring Detect COVID-19? + LSA vs...

The Reality Check ·

2020/07/18

Cristina dunks into a segment about the NBA and how it’s hoping to protect its players with wearable technology as the league resumes the season in a Disneyworld-based bubble. Does the Oura smart ring really live up to the hype it can predict COVID-19 symptoms early? Darren provides important background and context after an open letter from the Linguistic Society of America calls for the removal of Dr. Steven Pinker.

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37:11

TRC #594: Mashup Mania: Best Of ‘Name That, Spot The...

The Reality Check ·

2020/07/11

Producer Pat brings us a marathon of everyone’s favourite mostly guessing game: ‘Name That, Spot The Fake.’ Laughs abound when Darren, Adam, Cristina, and special guest Dr. Stuart Farrimond are presented with four interesting, yet outrageous-sounding facts and asked to spot the fake. Play along to see if you can do better than the Reality Check crew!

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26:31

TRC #593: 36 Alien Civilizations In Our Galaxy? +...

The Reality Check ·

2020/07/04

Adam goes behind the viral headlines to find out if there really are 36 alien civilizations in our galaxy and gives us a refresher on the Drake Equation in the process. Then, Darren talks to us about what modern slavery is, how many are enslaved, where slavery occurs, and what you can do about it.

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27:03

TRC #592: Trump COVID-19 Coins? + Flushable Wipes +...

The Reality Check ·

2020/06/28

Pat asks whether the White House gift shop is really selling COVID-19 commemorative coins. Cristina investigates whether flushable wipes are truly flushable as claimed. Adam dives into Bikini Bottom to see if he can answer a lingering fan question...is SpongeBob SquarePants gay? Darren rounds out the show with an overview of ‘North Korea Confidential’ and a look at life in North Korea.

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32:36

TRC #591: COVID-19 Temperature Checks? + Evidence &...

The Reality Check ·

2020/06/21

As pandemic restrictions begin to ease around the world, Cristina investigates whether taking temperature checks at retail stores or workplaces gives us a false sense of security or if monitoring temperatures actually helps curb the spread of COVID-19. Darren builds on his segment from last week’s show on how to talk about talking about difficult topics, with a look at complications with concepts of evidence and context. Adam revisits Mayan doomsday prophecies after a few articles circulating the

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30:39

TRC #590: Talking About Race, Police, Anything? +...

The Reality Check ·

2020/06/09

Darren explores how we might communicate about different and difficult subjects including race and policing, and things to keep in mind when doing so. Pat looks into suggestions that the supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park is overdue for an eruption any day. Adam asks whether Luke Skywalker and Han Solo are actually human.

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33:27

TRC #589: Copper Face Masks Better? + Is Bill Gates...

The Reality Check ·

2020/05/30

Cristina looks into whether the new trend of copper face masks live up to their antiviral hype. Darren gives us a comprehensive breakdown of the many claims and conspiracy theories swirling around Bill Gates. Finally, Anime fan Adam finds a great way to sneak in his love of Sailor Moon when looking to answer a popular question he’s heard over the years, ‘why do anime characters look white?’

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31:40

TRC #588: Evidence Of A Parallel Universe? + Cruise...

The Reality Check ·

2020/05/24

This week we bring you two great segments about recent news stories. First we are joined by our 5th Beatle, Dr. Stuart Robbins, who helps us to look into recent reports that NASA has discovered a parallel universe where time runs backwards. Next, Adam examines headlines suggesting that, despite coronavirus fears, cruise ship bookings are way up.

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30:40

TRC #587: Is Beta Male Body Language A Thing? + The...

The Reality Check ·

2020/05/17

Adam looks into body language after a twitter user’s viral claim that The Mountain from Game of Thrones is revealing “Beta Male” behaviour in a photo. Darren dives into the world of Cyber War with a great overview of The Perfect Weapon by David Sanger, and how the rise of cyberweapons transformed geopolitics. He also looks at Ronald Purser’s McMindfulness, a razor-sharp critique of the mindfulness movement. Stay safe!

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23:23

TRC #586: Effective Giving During COVID-19 + Does...

The Reality Check ·

2020/05/04

Darren takes on listeners’ requests to do a segment on giving during a pandemic like COVID-19. Cristina looks behind an age old notion to find out whether our stomachs really ‘shrink’ when we diet. Adam rounds out the show by dissecting reports of cats catching the Coronavirus.

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442 results

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