Skeptoid

<p>The true science behind our most popular urban legends. Historical mysteries, paranormal claims, popular science myths, aliens and UFO reports, conspiracy theories, and worthless alternative medicine schemes... Skeptoid has you covered. From the sublime to the startling, no topic is sacred. Weekly since 2006.</p>

Skeptoid #1020: Yule Logs

From fireplace to folklore, how the Yule log got its fake pagan backstory. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

12-23
21:22

Skeptoid #1019: Testing the Thunderstorm Generator

This device claims to be able to dramatically improve the efficiency and emissions of any internal combustion engine. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

12-16
22:27

Skeptoid #1018: Might Ghosts Exist?

An exploration of all the scientific possibilities by which ghosts might actually exist in this universe. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

12-09
21:41

Skeptoid #1017: The Bell that Tolls for the K-129

It should have been impossible for the CIA's Glomar Explorer to obtain the ship's bell from the K-129 submarine... but they did. How? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

12-02
22:20

End of the Year Matching!

Now through the end of the year, all Skeptoid donations will be matched up to $27,500. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

12-01
01:10

Skeptoid #1016: The Case for Carbon Dating

A roundup of evidence supporting the use of radiocarbon dating to assess the age of organic matter from 500 to 55,000 years old. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

11-25
18:01

Skeptoid #1015: The Alaska Triangle

Stories claim that this region of Alaska is home to a huge number of unexplained disappearances. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

11-18
18:12

Skeptoid #1014: The Giant of Kandahar

Did US Special Forces battle a 15-foot-tall red-haired giant in the mountains of Afghanistan in 2002? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

11-11
19:18

Skeptoid #1013: Medbeds: Sleeping in Bunk

A conspiracy theory claims the Hollywood and Deep State elitists have a magical bed that allows them to remain forever young and healthy. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

11-04
18:09

Skeptoid #1012: The Rake That Comes for You in the Night

Is the Rake mere creepypasta, or do more recent events prove it to be a real creature? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

10-28
16:56

Skeptoid #1011: The Not-Deer and Weird Appalachian Lore

When ordinary deer turn grotesque, Appalachia’s forests whisper of the Not-Deer — unnatural predators lurking somewhere between folklore and nightmare. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

10-21
18:13

Skeptoid #1010: Pop Quiz: 19 Years of Skeptoid

A pop quiz of trivia from the previous 19 years of Skeptoid shows! Can you beat the masters? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

10-14
30:32

Skeptoid #1009: Facts and Fiction of Polynesian Navigation, Part 2

The actual wayfinding methods used by the ancient Polynesians to navigate between islands and settle the entire Pacific Ocean. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

10-07
21:05

Skeptoid Adventures Sets Sail! Malaga, Spain to Nice, France 2026

Skeptoid Adventures will set sail on the world's largest sailing vessel, the SV Royal Clipper, from Malaga, Spain, to Nice, France this April. We'll have a mini-conference aboard and we'll stop at amazing ports of call -- all while on the coolest full-rigged sailing ship you've ever seen. Take a look at skeptoid.com/adventures. Please note: This ship often sells out by the end of October, so reserve your cabin soon. All deposits are fully refundable. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

10-01
02:31

Skeptoid #1008: Facts and Fiction of Polynesian Navigation, Part 1

Nearly as much mythology as science surrounds the wayfinding techniques used by early Polynesians to navigate the South Pacific. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

09-30
18:33

Skeptoid #1007: The Pilots Who Landed at Area 51

True stories of the pilots who have tried to land at Area 51 — and what happened to them. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

09-23
22:08

Skeptoid #1006: Deconstructing Structured Water

We all enjoy a nice crisp glass of water when we're feeling dehydrated — which makes sense, because our bodies need it most of all, so enjoying it is an evolved behavior. However, some people — notably wellness influencers — have determined that good old H2O is actually not a good thing at all (who knew?); and that what you really need is their own concoction that's actually an entirely different molecule: structured water. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

09-16
21:25

Skeptoid #1005: Debugging Done Diligently

Another round of corrections of errors from past episodes, keeping your Skeptoid archive tidy and accurate. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

09-09
17:34

Skeptoid #1004: Dating the White Sands Footprints

Ancient footprints in New Mexico are forcing scientists to rewrite the story of when humans first set foot in the Americas, and the debate is shaking paleoanthropology to its core. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

09-02
19:22

Skeptoid #1003: History's Weirdest Science Findings

Fourteen of the most unexpected and counterintuitive science findings. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

08-26
20:12

Laurie Corson

p]pp

11-15 Reply

Merely Okay

This would be a great recommendation for teachers if not for that final plug about the premium content. Was that really necessary to include?

10-20 Reply

Ron Freiberg

The causes of chronic fatigue syndrome are not well known and documented. Where did that statement come from?

04-01 Reply

Spencer Noneya

Til feudal china was capitalist. This show is general great, but i stg the american libertarian brain rot is hard to hear. Maoist China (Svoiet Russia for that matter) were never communist, anymore than North Korea is a democratic republic. Besides that, having a commodity market isn't capitalism, pre-maoist china was feudalist. Maoist China was State Capitalist (fascism using communist terms for spin) and remains so to this day.

11-09 Reply

Spencer Noneya

The next decade of Republican fascism makes this seem really optimistic in hindsight lol

10-26 Reply

08-16

02-07

10-11

08-27

05-30

03-12

03-11

03-04

11-25

09-03

06-24

04-25

02-23

02-23

02-12

Recommend Channels