Skeptoid #832: What Greek Fire Really Was
This ancient weapon of terror struck fear throughout the ancient world, and stokes a number of mysteries today. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
May 17, 2022•14 min•Ep. 832
Skeptoid
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.
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Episodes
Skeptoid #831: Facilitated Communication Isn't
This discredited technique deceives loved ones into believing non-communicative people are able to communicate just fine by hiring one of these facilitators. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
May 10, 2022•14 min•Ep. 831
Skeptoid #830: The Mystical Death of Jack Parsons
The complicated life of JPL's co-founder meant that his death was almost certain to be cloaked in conspiracy theories. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
May 03, 2022•15 min•Ep. 830
Skeptoid #829: What ASMR Will Do for You
What is the state of the science behind this online video genre that combines relaxation with chills and shivers? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Apr 26, 2022•15 min•Ep. 829
Skeptoid #828: Why You Don't Want a Flat-Faced Pet
The science shows that dogs and cats bred to be flat-faced suffer from respiratory distress, but some argue otherwise. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Apr 19, 2022•14 min•Ep. 828
Skeptoid #827: What Really Happened on Easter Island
The popular known history of Easter Island — that deforestation brought about its demise — is not generally accepted. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Apr 12, 2022•18 min•Ep. 827
Skeptoid #826: Why the Fresno Nightcrawler Is So Popular
This relatively new and not-so-famous cryptid manages to have an outsized pop-culture footprint. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Apr 05, 2022•14 min•Ep. 826
Skeptoid #825: How Psychic Readings Work
Whether cold reading, warm reading, or hot, there are simple explanations for even the most impressive psychic performances. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Mar 29, 2022•15 min•Ep. 825
Skeptoid #824: Demystifying the Winchester Mystery House
The unfortunate false narrative of the Winchester Mystery House obscures a wonderful story of one of California's great women pioneers. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Mar 22, 2022•17 min•Ep. 824
Skeptoid #823: Hunting the Elusive Rogue Wave
Modern authors say that scientists didn't used to accept the idea of rogue waves. Is that true? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Mar 15, 2022•14 min•Ep. 823
Skeptoid #822: On Washboarded Roads
The real cause of washboarding on dirt roads is very different from the traditionally believed reason. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Mar 08, 2022•15 min•Ep. 822
Skeptoid #821: Forensic (Pseudo) Science
All those fancy-sounding forensic sciences you've come to trust might not be worth very much of your trust after all. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Mar 01, 2022•16 min•Ep. 821
Skeptoid #820: Maury Island: The Government's Alien Artifacts
The origin story of some of the government's alleged alien wreckage is a little bit shaky. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Feb 22, 2022•14 min•Ep. 820
Skeptoid #819: Corrections with Hat in Hands
Some corrections to errors made in recent shows. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Feb 15, 2022•15 min•Ep. 819
Skeptoid #818: On Railroad Tracks and Roman Chariots
The urban legend that train track gauge descends from Roman war chariots falls apart at every link in the chain. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Feb 08, 2022•16 min•Ep. 818
Skeptoid #817: Your Ghostliest Tales, Explained
In which we hear, analyze, and attempt to explain the ghostly personal stories you've sent in. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Feb 01, 2022•14 min•Ep. 817
Skeptoid #816: The Dark Side of Polyvagal Theory
A controversial mental health framework is also being peddled by unqualified coaches. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Jan 25, 2022•16 min•Ep. 816
Skeptoid #815: On the Trail of the Chupacabra
An exploration into the chupacabra, and how that word came to be applied to so many unrelated things. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Jan 18, 2022•15 min•Ep. 815
Skeptoid #814: Nazis and the Occult
Popular tales of the occult underpinnings of the Nazis are largely modern fiction. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Jan 11, 2022•15 min•Ep. 814
Skeptoid #813: Why You Need to Care About Concrete
Concrete will remain one of our most important materials for decades — but there's a big problem with it. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Jan 04, 2022•15 min•Ep. 813
Skeptoid #812: 20 Years of Data from Portugal: Drug Decriminalization
20 years ago, Portugal decriminalized all drugs in an effort to reduce addiction, incarceration, and negative health impacts. How has it worked? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Dec 28, 2021•14 min•Ep. 812
Skeptoid #811: Radon Therapy
Trying to treat pain or cancer by exposing yourself to a radioactive carcinogen provides only risk without the benefit. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Dec 21, 2021•15 min•Ep. 811
Skeptoid #810: Frida Sofia, the Victim Who Wasn't
After the 2017 earthquake in Mexico City, rescuers dug through the rubble for a little girl named Frida Sofia — who never existed. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Dec 14, 2021•14 min•Ep. 810
Skeptoid #809: The Avro Arrow Conspiracies
Conspiracy theories surround the cancellation of this advanced Canadian aircraft from the 1950s. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Dec 07, 2021•16 min•Ep. 809
Skeptoid #808: Followups and Extras
Some new facts and extra information on six previous episodes. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Nov 30, 2021•14 min•Ep. 808
Skeptoid #807: Huna: New Age on an Island
Huna blends generic New Age spiritualism with a concocted version of Hawaiian tradition. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Nov 23, 2021•14 min•Ep. 807
Skeptoid #806: Environmental Microplastics
This manmade debris permeates our bodies and our planet, but what's the harm? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Nov 16, 2021•15 min•Ep. 806
Skeptoid #805: The Cottingley Fairies: Analysis of a Famous Hoax
The true and weird history of the two girls who fooled the world with their fairy photographs in 1917. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Nov 09, 2021•15 min•Ep. 805
Skeptoid #804: Unmasking the Old Stinker: The Hull Werewolf
This modern sighting of a strange beast is claimed to have been a resurgence of a legendary medieval monster. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Nov 02, 2021•15 min•Ep. 804
Skeptoid #803: What Really Happened at Tunguska
The true cause of one of history's most violent cataclysms remains a mystery... to a degree. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Oct 26, 2021•15 min•Ep. 803
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