Skeptics with a K

Alice 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 Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mike 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 (ish) jaw.Watch Susan Blackmore's excellent talk on the science of out of body experiences for QED 2016 over on YouTube.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Alice 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 up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mike takes a brief look at the human trials mentioned in the systematic review being used to support a link between autism and paracetamol.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

In the aftermath of QED, Marsh talks about the communities skepticism and built and ways they can be used to make a difference. Meanwhile, Mike visits a water park and Marsh goes to Hadrian's Wall.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

We are live from QED 2025! Alice talks about Nutmaxxing, where men try to enhance the volume of their semen, Marsh looks as a plug-in gadget which claims to reduce your electricity bills, and Mike asks what evidence there is that paracetamol really works.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics. We won't try and upsell you with perks and prizes, but your donations help us do the things we do.

Alice looks at what happens when you go on a 'dopamine fast' and whether the claims about it from influencers match the biology. Meanwhile, with just hours to go before QED, the team are remarkably relaxed.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Mike asks if the Turing Test is really a meaningful tool for gauging the state of artificial intelligence, and the team has the last few announcements for QED 2025.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Marsh drops down a rabbit hole when he starts to look into the makers of 'Ozempatch', which claims to shift stubborn belly fat. Meanwhile, Mike tries to book a massage.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Alice investigates new reports that long distance running is somehow associated with increased cancer risk. Meanwhile, the team has the latest news on the final QED.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

In the wake of the political violence in the USA, Marsh asks why the self-appointed defenders of 'free speech' are so selective about whose speech they defend.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Mike looks at the 'small boat' crossings and what it means for the asylum system in the UK, before being accosted by an Australian man in Wales.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Alice looks at the trendy new superfood and supplement "sea moss", which is claimed to have numerous (and nebulous) health benefits. Meanwhile, Marsh has to move a piano and Mike checks into a hotel.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Marsh dives into Reddit ads and discovers a new product which claims to be a firewall for your brain. Meanwhile, Mike orders a Dirty Sprite and is disappointed with the results.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Mike reviews Ben Shapiro's review of the latest Superman film, and the team has updates for the upcoming QED event. Spoiler warning! There are a lot of spoilers for Superman in this episode.You can find NerdSync's fact-check of Shapiro's Superman review on YouTube.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Alice looks at the reasons why women have heart attacks misdiagnosed far more often than men, with surprising results. Meanwhile, Mike and Marsh quiz Alice on the mysterious new black strap she has started wearing on her arm.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Marsh looks at a supplement pedlar from the UK, attempting to skirt the regulations with thinly disguised claims. Meanwhile, Alice and Marsh go to Blackpool where Marsh goes to get ice cream.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Alice examines the evidence for red light therapy face masks, which are growing in popularity online. Meanwhile, Marsh has contractors in the house again, and Mike is catching flies with vinegar.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics

Mike looks at the ramifications and limitations of the Online Safety Bill, which is responsible for the increase in age verification checks appearing online. Meanwhile, Marsh watches the Euros and Mike goes to see Superman.You can give us your nominations for the Ockham Awards at the website of The Skeptic. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskepticsMixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mike looks at the company which claims to be able to spy on you through your mobile phone, and the team returns from the Merseyside Skeptics Summer Picnic.Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskepticsMixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.