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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

27:09

TRC #392: Is 4K TV Worth It? + Is Trump Really A Good...

The Reality Check ·

2016/03/12

This week, Adam takes an in-depth look into 4K resolution TVs and whether taking the plunge is worth it. Next, Darren examines whether Donald Trump is as successful at business as he claims to be.

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30:49

TRC #391: Apple Retro 1970 Bug + Hitler’s Micropenis?...

The Reality Check ·

2016/03/05

Go Skeptic, it’s your podcast! This week, Pat squashes the recent iPhone retro 1970 Bug making the rounds. Darren points a skeptical lens at current news stories suggesting Hitler suffered from a condition that affected the size of his penis. Cristina jumps in to school us on the origins of Leap Year. Finally, Adam respawns an old theory regarding who gaming's first transgender character is, and reminds us how good he looks in red.

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27:01

TRC #390: Is The Solar System A Vortex? + Peanut...

The Reality Check ·

2016/02/26

Darren examines a video, that recently resurfaced, revolving around the premise that the solar system is a vortex. Cristina sniffs out the facts on recent reports that peanut butter could be used for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, Adam takes a look at whether watching television close-up can harm your eyesight.

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42:46

TRC #389: Left-Right Confusion + Cats Meow Only At...

The Reality Check ·

2016/02/20

On this week’s show, Pat hands us an interesting segment about why some people have trouble telling their left from their right. Adam “mewses” whether adult cats only meow at humans and not each other. Finally, Darren predicts you may find the recent book Superforecasting:The Art and Science of Prediction by Philip Tetlock and Dan Gardner well worth a read.

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34:22

TRC #388: Science vs “Resting Bitch Face” + Death By...

The Reality Check ·

2016/02/13

Just admit it, Checkers. That first segment title caught your eye and you knew Adam was back! Adam raises a skeptical eyebrow at recent headlines claiming real science behind “Resting Bitch Face”. Cristina runs with a new study regarding the fate of fans in cities whose teams play in the Super Bowl. Finally, Darren unearths whether Greenland’s ice melt could actually change our gravity field. Really? Listen to find out!

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34:05

TRC #387: Zika Virus + Wisdom Teeth Removal A Racket?...

The Reality Check ·

2016/02/06

With Adam and his antics enjoying the warmth of St. Lucia, the show must still go on! Darren breaks down the Zika virus and fills us in on what we should know. Cristina investigates whether we really need to get our wisdom teeth removed. Finally, Pat replies to a listener’s email by looking into common battery charging myths and whether they still apply today.

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46:45

TRC #386: Planet 9 with Dr. Stuart Robbins + Lettuce...

The Reality Check ·

2016/01/30

Ahoy, Checkers! With all the hype about a potential new planet discovery named “Planet 9”, we thought it would be good to get a reality check from our favourite resident astronomer Dr. Stuart Robbins, host of one of our fave podcasts, Exposing PseudoAstromony. Next, Cristina got excited when she heard a rumour about lettuce being somehow worse than bacon, then realized it’s always best to investigate claims that sound too good to be true. Finally, Adam takes on a segment suggested by former TRC host

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40:54

TRC #385: Health & Fitness Myths + Name That: Game...

The Reality Check ·

2016/01/23

Darren kicks off the show by revisiting and debunking some pervasive nutrition and fitness myths. Pat brings us another fun-filled edition of Name That: Game That. Finally, Adam finds a way to weave Sailor Moon into a segment addressing why can’t we see remnants of the Apollo Mission on the moon through a telescope?

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36:13

TRC #384: Did Nikola Tesla Contact Aliens? + FTC vs...

The Reality Check ·

2016/01/16

Welcome, Checkers to your 384th episode of TRC! First Adam, addresses a listener’s email from last year asking whether Nikola Tesla contacted extraterrestrial life. Next, Cristina brings us up to speed with a recent FTC court settlement against Lumosity and their neuroplasticity claims. Finally, Darren looks into a viral story about a man who allegedly sues his wife for birthing an ugly baby.

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57:04

TRC #383: Lardass Autocorrect Kardashian? + Name...

The Reality Check ·

2016/01/09

We like big facts and we cannot lie. The TRC crew reunite to kick off the New Year with a fun-filled show! Cristina butts in first with a story that was all over the internet recently: does typing ‘lardass’ into an iPhone autocorrect to ‘Kardashian’? Then the gang share their favourite, funniest, and most surprising segments from 2015. Pat hosts an Internet 2015 edition of Name That. Finally, Adam takes over to revisit last year’s “predictions” and asks the panel to set aside logic yet again to make

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38:48

TRC #382: Dunning-Kruger Effect + Deep Learning + Do...

The Reality Check ·

2016/01/02

Merry New Year, Checkers! This week, Adam takes the night off while Darren and honorary TRC’er Dallas Card join the Toronto crew in the flesh for another fun and informative show. Darren kicks off the festivities by revisiting the sometimes misunderstood cognitive bias called the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Dallas delves into deep artificial neural networks and debunks some myths around machine learning. Finally, Cristina examines whether the British really deserve the rep of having bad teeth.

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51:11

TRC #381: The 5th Annual Holiday Parody Spectacular +...

The Reality Check ·

2015/12/26

With the Festivus upon us, Darren and Adam hand the reins of the sleigh over to Pat and Cristina for the fifth annual holiday show. The duo share the inside scoop behind this year’s parodies plus other highlights including the panel’s recommendations of stuff to watch, read or listen to (see the show notes!). Extra bonus in your stocking is an excerpt from Dr. Ken Milne’s Skeptic’s Guide to Emergency Medicine Podcast. After recently guesting on TRC where he mentions the Spinach, Popeye, Iron and

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38:15

TRC #380: Starbucks Hates X-mas? + When Is A Cold...

The Reality Check ·

2015/12/19

On this week’s show we have lots of questions! First Cristina looks into a viral video claiming that Starbucks hates Christmas. Next Darren wonders when the common cold is contagious. Lastly Adam examines a second viral video, claiming to be an interview with Stanley Kubrick where he admits to faking moon landings.

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40:59

TRC #379: Charitable Giving + Premium vs Regular Gas...

The Reality Check ·

2015/12/12

On this week’s show, tis the season for Darren to revisit charitable giving and effective donations. Pat fills us in on an email from a TRC’er who asks us to break down premium vs regular gas. Finally, Adam channels his inner Elf to enlighten us on Santa’s not-so-secret spy.

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40:26

TRC #378: Ethical Automated Cars? + Adult Colouring...

The Reality Check ·

2015/12/05

TRC is in the house! This week, Darren takes us for a spin to explore the ethical dilemma of self-driving cars. Adam takes a peek into the growing trend of Adult Colouring Books and their potential health benefits. (No, not that kind of adult colouring book.) Finally, Cristina mouths off about how clever marketing made bad breath sound like a medical condition.

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44:10

TRC #377: Unethical Experiments Proven Useful + Game...

The Reality Check ·

2015/11/28

Not even a power failure can stop the TRC crew! First Cristina examines unethical experiments that ended up changing medicine. Next, Pat runs the crew through a game of “Name That” where the goal is to “game it.” Lastly, Adam wonders why people didn’t smile in old photographs.

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37:17

TRC #376: Are Religious Children Less Altruistic +...

The Reality Check ·

2015/11/20

TRC do it live! This week’s show was recorded in front of a live audience at Skepticamp Ottawa. First Darren takes a look at recent headlines suggesting that a study has found religious children are less altruistic than their nonreligious counterparts. Next Adam bites into claims that euthanized dogs and cats are showing up in commercial pet foods.

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38:31

TRC #375: Supporting TRC + Immortality + Bloodletting

The Reality Check ·

2015/11/14

Pat kicks off this week’s show by reflecting on TRC listeners, future projects and ways to support the show. Next, Darren brings us one of his trademark philosophical segments with an exploration of immortality. Lastly Cristina takes a look at bloodletting. Is that still a thing?

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38:16

TRC #374: Conversion Therapy + Did Booze Influence...

The Reality Check ·

2015/11/07

G’day TRC’ers! On this week’s show, Pat takes a look at a recent U.S. government report to give us an update on Conversion Therapy. Cristina goes down under to investigate whether the Australian accent was influenced by their drunk forefathers. Finally, Adam applies the scientific method to see if vampires could get drunk from drinking a drunk person’s blood.

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43:14

TRC #373: WHO Processed Meat Cancer Study + The...

The Reality Check ·

2015/10/31

BOO! This week, Darren looks closely into the reporting around the recent published study from WHO’s cancer agency (IARC) regarding links between cancer and the consumption of red and processed meat. Adam applies logic to break down the science of Gremlins. Finally, Cristina takes on another controversial post on Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle blog Goop suggesting wearing a bra causes cancer.

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443 results

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