Loading...

PODCAST

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition

Center for Inquiry

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition brings the insightful articles from Skeptical Inquirer magazine directly to your ears. Covering topics in science, skepticism, and critical thinking, each episode features narrated versions of our most thought-provoking content. Perfect for those on the go, SI Audio Edition allows you to stay informed and inspired wherever you are. Support our work and subscribe to the print magazine at skepticalinquirer.org Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition is produced at the

society & culture

All Episodes

13:22

mRNA Vaccines Aren’t Gene Therapy, but Gene Therapy...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Andrea Love explains how mRNA vaccines are not gene therapy because mRNA does not alter DNA or enter the cell nucleus. However, gene therapy itself is a legitimate medical advancement aimed at treating genetic disorders, and fear surrounding it is largely driven by misinformation and a lack of understanding of molecular biology. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2025/02/mrna-vaccines-arent-gene-therapy-but-gene-therapy-is-nothing-to-fear/ About the

en

12:16

The Realm of the Ridiculous: From Election Fraud to...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Mick West examines how misleading graphs and conspiracy theories about election fraud resurface, fueled by seemingly ridiculous claims that escape scrutiny. Drawing parallels to UFO conspiracies and advance-fee scams, he highlights how absurdity can be a tactic to both attract believers and deter debunking, allowing discredited theories to persist and resurface over time. Read this article and find accompanying references at:

en

12:35

The Ideological Hijacking of Science Funding by Robyn...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Blumner critiques the influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates on science funding, arguing that these policies prioritize ideological conformity over scientific merit. She highlights examples of federal grant requirements emphasizing DEI goals and warns that politicizing research funding undermines trust in science, particularly in a polarized climate. Read this article and find accompanying references at:

en

03:47

Was Lincoln a Spiritualist? Houdini Investigates by...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Houdini, a passionate skeptic and debunker of Spiritualism, was likely dismayed by claims that Abraham Lincoln participated in séances. In this issue of Skeptical Inquirer, historian Jason Emerson explores Houdini’s investigation into Lincoln’s alleged belief in spirit communication, while Jim Underdown reports on recent attempts to win CFI’s $500,000 paranormal challenge. Read this article and find accompanying references at:

en

08:26

Is Biological Sex Binary or Multifactorial? by...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Stephen Hupp reports from CSICon 2024. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2025/02/is-biological-sex-binary-or-multifactorial/ Further Reading Coyne, Jerry. 2024. Vegas, CSICon, sex and nooz. Why Evolution Is True (October 26). Online at https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2024/10/26/vegas-csicon-sex-and-nooz/. Novella, Steven. 2024. A discussion about biological sex. Neurologica (November 5). Online at

en

06:28

Changing Minds through Critical Thinking by Kenny Biddle

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Kenny Biddle reports from CSICon 2024. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2025/02/changing-minds-through-critical-thinking/ About the Author: Kenny Biddle is a science enthusiast who investigates claims of paranormal experiences, equipment, photos, and video. He promotes science, critical thinking, and skepticism through his blog I Am Kenny Biddle. He frequently hosts workshops on how to deconstruct and explain paranormal photography. Email –

en

07:59

Real World Harms from Pseudoscience and Science...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Bertha Vazquez reports from CSICon 2024. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2025/02/real-world-harms-from-pseudoscience-and-science-denial/ About the Author: Bertha Vazquez has been teaching middle school science in Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 24 years. She has BA in Biology from the University of Miami and a Master’s in Science Education from Florida International University. A seasoned traveler who has visited all seven continents, she

en

14:40

We Saw the Brightest Stars Shine at CSICon 2024 by...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Stephen Hupp reports from CSICon 2024. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2025/02/we-saw-the-brightest-stars-shine-at-csicon-2024/ About the Author: Stephen Hupp, PhD, is editor of Skeptical Inquirer. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and professor of Clinical Child & School Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/ Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition is a

en

13:17

Why You Should Be More Skeptical the Next Time You...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Health news is increasingly driven by hype, as journalists often fail to critically assess studies, relying instead on press releases that exaggerate or misrepresent findings. The demand for frequent, attention-grabbing content—especially in wellness reporting—leads to sensationalized headlines, legitimization of pseudoscience, and a lack of scientific nuance, ultimately misleading the public about health risks, treatments, and benefits. Read this article and find accompanying references at:

en

18:00

Harry Houdini Debunked Claims of Abraham Lincoln’s...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2025/02/25

Historian Jason Emerson explores claims that Abraham Lincoln was a believer in Spiritualism, which gained traction due to Mary Lincoln’s participation in séances following their son’s death. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2025/02/harry-houdini-debunked-claims-of-abraham-lincolns-spiritualism/ About the Author: Jason Emerson is an award-winning Lincoln scholar and Civil War historian. He is the author or editor of eight books, including Giant in

en

21:10

The Cranky Uncle Game: A Way to Logic-Check...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/12/23

John Cook discusses the dangers of misinformation in shaping beliefs and behaviors, particularly regarding climate change, and highlights the limitations of fact-checking alone. It introduces logic-checking as a complementary method to identify logical fallacies and hidden premises in misleading arguments, advocating for logic-based inoculation to counter misinformation effectively. Read this article and find accompanying references at:

en

23:30

Unmasking the Claims of the Antinuclear Movement:...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/12/23

Amardeo Sarma critiques common misconceptions about nuclear energy and its role in combating climate change. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/12/unmasking-the-claims-of-the-antinuclear-movement-climate-health-and-energy-at-the-crossroads/ About the Author: Amardeo Sarma is a fellow and member of the Executive Council of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He is founder and past chairman of the German skeptics organization GWUP. He has been

en

17:18

Fringe Zoology: The (In)Convenience of Disappearing...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/12/23

Floe Foxon examines cases where alleged evidence for cryptids, such as African dinosaurs, lake monsters, sea serpents, and mystery big cats, mysteriously vanishes or proves inconclusive. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/12/fringe-zoology-the-inconvenience-of-disappearing-evidence/ About the Author: Floe Foxon has a degree in physics with astronomy from the University of Nottingham and works as a data scientist in the pharmaceutical industry

en

11:14

Beyond Belief: Raising a Skeptical Kid (in the...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/12/23

Ronald Crouch reflects on the challenge of teaching his young son critical thinking in an era saturated with misinformation. He shares insights from research, debunking the common belief that young children are incapable of critical thinking, showing that even toddlers display early signs of skepticism and scientific reasoning. Crouch suggests practical activities for parents to nurture critical thinking in children, such as using play to model skepticism, discussing paranormal claims, conducting

en

08:16

It’s All Bullshit: The Common Ground between...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/12/23

Massimo Pigliucci explores the common thread between pseudoscience and pseudophilosophy: "bullshit," as defined by philosopher Harry Frankfurt. Pigliucci argues that both disciplines involve epistemic failures, where truth and evidence are disregarded in favor of pretension, with pseudoscience mimicking scientific rigor and pseudophilosophy offering false intellectual depth. He emphasizes the role of skeptics in combating such misinformation, invoking figures like Cicero and William Clifford to

en

13:06

Quick Guide to Modern Video Analysis Techniques for...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/12/23

Mick West discusses modern techniques for analyzing UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) videos, emphasizing the importance of original video quality, metadata retention, and accurate enhancement methods to avoid misinformation. By leveraging public datasets, flight tracking tools, and open-source software like Sitrec for situational recreation, analysts aim to identify plausible natural or human causes, with a goal to surface genuinely anomalous events if they exist. Read this article and find

en

06:43

The Genetic Book of the Dead Masterfully Illustrates...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/12/23

Richard Dawkins' The Genetic Book of the Dead explores the rich interconnectedness of evolution, illustrating how the traits and behaviors of living organisms are "palimpsests" revealing the stories of their ancestors. Blending scientific insight with curiosity and imagination, Dawkins emphasizes the wonder of genes as time-traveling entities shaping life, all while inviting readers to ponder profound questions about biology, evolution, and the mysteries of the natural world. Read this article and

en

07:00

A Triple Threat to Humanity: Climate Change,...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/12/23

Mann and Hotez identify three interconnected threats to humanity: climate change, pandemics, and anti-science campaigns and highlight the increasing environmental and health challenges exacerbated by misinformation and political attacks on science, urging immediate global action to combat these existential risks. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/12/a-triple-threat-to-humanity-climate-change-pandemics-and-anti-science/ About the Authors:

en

03:42

Bill Nye, the Climate Guy, Guest Edits a Special...

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/12/23

Stephen Hupp introduces the guest editor for the 250th issue of Skeptical Inquirer: Bill Nye! Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/12/bill-nye-the-climate-guy-guest-edits-a-special-section-in-our-250th-issue/ About the Author: Stephen Hupp, PhD, is editor of Skeptical Inquirer. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and professor of Clinical Child & School Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer:

en

22:03

The Berkshire UFO Abduction Incident by Benjamin Radford

Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition ·

2024/11/07

The Berkshire UFO incident of 1969, which allegedly involved hundreds of witnesses and reports of abductions in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, is re-examined with a skeptical perspective. Benjamin Radford suggests that inconsistencies, lack of corroborating evidence, and psychological explanations—like false memories and suggestive influences—cast doubt on the claims, highlighting the story's alignment with popular cultural depictions of alien encounters. About the Author: Benjamin Radford, M.Ed.,

en

216 results

Similar Podcasts

وجوه من الـظل

Medi1 Podcast

Thomas Paine Podcast

mike moore

Alta Definição

SIC

Earth Ancients

Cliff Dunning

Körper und Gesellschaft

Ira Schumann