Happy to be back again and we start by welcoming some new publications by Brian Eggo and Edzard Ernst . In TWISH we wonder if 13 January is Skeptics Day and then we dig into the news: FRANCE : Godfather of modern far-right movement Jean-Marie Le Pen dies aged 96 UK / ESTONIA : Nurosym – an example of scam health device UK : Poll shows more than half of UK voters dislike Elon Musk and his meddling with UK politics This week’s Really Wrong Award was just as hard to guess as the su...
Jan 17, 2025•58 min•Ep 462•Transcript available on Metacast Quite a few things to dive into this week: the Medici popes , some listener feedback , cool dinosaur tracks and some sad news from France . In TWISH we we have an epiphany and then we go through the news: NORWAY / UK : Who Believes in Alternative Medicine? RUSSIA : Cancer vaccine announced, with no published evidence UK : Over 40% of cancer patients use complementary and alternative medications while receiving anticancer treatment INTERNATION...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast With András unavailable, we drag Annika out of retirement to launch the new year! In TWISH we hear about Martin Luther’s excommunication and while Pontus always enjoy seeing someone stand up to the Pope, Martin Luther himself was far from flawless. Then we have the news-round: SWEDEN / INTERNATIONAL : Multi supplements are at best unnecessary and at worst dangerous EU : Amalgam is history INTERNATIONAL : World endures ‘decade of deadly heat’ as 2024 caps hotte...
Jan 03, 2025•36 min•Ep 460•Transcript available on Metacast We close the year with some topical items related to the season. Happy New Year! https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-459.html Segments : 0:00:25 Intro 0:00:49 Greetings 0:05:28 TWISH 0:21:13 Special segment 0:39:37 Quote 0:41:35 Outro 0:42:50 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 29, 2024•43 min•Ep 459•Transcript available on Metacast A little correction to start with, and then in TWISH we hear about the Jesuit and scientist Tommaso Ceva . Of course, we also have the news: SWEDEN : Private clinics on public contracts promoted nonsense cures, denied sick patients and cheated HUNGARY : Government’s own fact checkers cause for concern in Europe UK : Boycott against Arla for trying to reduce methane emissions INTERNATIONAL : New comprehensive review of homeopathy is actually BS UK : Follow up on Church of Englan...
Dec 20, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast We start with the sad news that this is Annika’s last episode as a regular host. Over the last four years she has brought her unique perspective and insights (and puns!) to the show. But being part of a weekly podcast is tough commitment while at the same time balancing a fulltime job, raising a family and participating in other skeptical activities. We will miss her! And we hope to see her back again from time to time for guest appearances. In TWISH this week...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 457•Transcript available on Metacast After the usual pre-amble, we hear about the first prediction of a transit of Venus in TWISH . Calculated by Kepler himself you can only go go “Yay, science!”, and salute the guy. Then we get to the news: INTERNATIONAL : Company linked to cloned journals of major publishers denies cloning journals of major publishers AUSTRIA : The Golden Board in front of the head goes to… Healy UK : The UK ‘Assisted Dying Bill’ – reasons for concern? INTERNATIONAL : 20th translatio...
Dec 06, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast We start with some reflections on COP29 and then we send our big congratulations to Richard Saunders on receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Skeptics. Well deserved indeed! Another well deserved but shameful award goes to King Charles who received the New Zealand Skeptics’ Bent Spoon Award . In TWISH we look back at the founding of the Royal Society all the way back in 1660. Then, it’s time for ...
Nov 29, 2024•50 min•Ep 455•Transcript available on Metacast As everyone else these days we are moving from X to Bluesky , any help in driving traffic our way is much appreciated. The Humanists UK has published a new exciting book called What I Believe , named after podcast by the same name. You should check it out! In TWISH we hear about how the (then) Prince of Wales got his favorite charity for SCAM (So-Called Alternative Medicine) struck from the UK Charity Commission . Then, we head fo...
Nov 22, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s one election after another . The same day that the US voted orange, Germany decided on a snap election after the current coalition fell apart. Let’s hope people over here are better informed than the American voters. In TWISH we hear about ‘Doctor Universalis’ Albertus Magnus whose scientific mindset in the 13th century helped Europe begin its long and winding road out of the dark ages. Then we explore the news: ONLINE : ‘Akusoli’ is a t...
Nov 15, 2024•44 min•Ep 453•Transcript available on Metacast This is the first “regular episode” for a while and of course we cannot help to mourn the stupid results of the US elections . But since this is a European show we cannot let that stop us, so after a TWISH story of how Charles Darwin , 130 years after his death, gained over 4000 votes in the elections in the US state of Georgia , it’s time for the news: BULGARIA / NORTH MACEDONIA : Baba Vanga (баба Ванга), the Bulgarian psychic INTERNATIONAL : Wanna help out the Ske...
Nov 08, 2024•51 min•Ep 452•Transcript available on Metacast A longer episode this week, jampacked with interviews from QED! One of the marvelous things with conferences (don’t forget about the upcoming Skepticon XL in Sydney !) is that you meet so many fantastic people. We tried to capture a little of that feeling by recording a bunch of interviews, so tune in to hear from Clio Bellenis, Diana Barbosa, João Monteiro, Igor Stroev, David Glass, and Hayley Stevens! As if that is not enough we also have a longer inte...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep 451•Transcript available on Metacast We celebrate our 450th episode (wow!) live at QED 2024 (wow!!!) with the help of Brian and Claire ! We also get special greetings from Annika and Jay Novella , who unfortunately could not attend. A slightly different format due to the occasion, but of course we have the news, which this time has the (not so) cheerful theme of Russian disinformation : SWEDEN : An apparent news site focusing on the 2026 election is in fact an A...
Oct 25, 2024•45 min•Ep 450•Transcript available on Metacast Lot’s of listener feedback in this episode which is delightful! Pontus explains whether there was a scandal concerning the Sami peoples at the Gothenburg Book Fair and we prepare for this weekend’s QED ! Speaking of which, this is what we also talk about in TWISH this week. Then, as always, the news: THE NETHERLANDS : Meester Kackadorisprijs awarded to the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization (NVAO) FRANCE : Minister of Education and Rese...
Oct 18, 2024•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast In both Annika's and Pontus' absence, this week András interviews the "Fairy Godmother" of the show, psychic investigator & debunket, "master puppeteer" and tireless leader of the Secret Cabal (and the About Time Project) that is the international Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia Susan Gerbic. We talk about Mark Edward's legacy, how to start a SkeptiCamp in your local area, and what ways there are to help out the skeptical movement . Enjoy! Segments : Intro; Greetings &...
Oct 13, 2024•44 min•Ep 448•Transcript available on Metacast András is back in good form and we start with a report from the Swedish Skeptics at the Gothenburg Book Fair – real life astronauts where involved! A little listener feed back and then we go to TWISH to hear about German R&B Singer and conspiracy theorist Xavier Naidoo . Then it’s time for the news: SWEDEN : Secret Service confirms State of Iran behind disinformation text messages re Quran burnings INTERNATIONAL : Social media...
Oct 04, 2024•54 min•Ep 447•Transcript available on Metacast This week we interview good friend and podcast colleague Richard Saunders . We talk about skeptical activism in general and Richard’s podcast the Skeptic Zone . We also hear all about the upcoming Skepticon XL in Sydney 23 -24 November . Enjoy! Segments : 0:00:27 Intro 0:00:50 Greetings 0:00:53 Interview 0:27:25 Farewell 0:31:11 Outro 0:32:25 Outtakes https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-446.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 27, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast We start with some follow up from last week – Edward Bach is pronounced [batch], and we have some more thoughts on if plants can really appreciate music . In TWISH we celebrate(?) the birthday of Sally Morgan (‘Psychic Sally’) and find her neither convincing nor a nice person. Then we dig into the news: INTERNATIONAL : Ig Nobel prize winners 2024 FRANCE : Brigitte Macron wins lawsuit against fortune-teller and journalist claimins she’s trans-gender FRANC...
Sep 20, 2024•47 min•Ep 445•Transcript available on Metacast With an episode number like this, we have to start out with some numerology . Annika will be more off than on for a while and the promised record heat in Sweden actually delivered. In TWISH we hear about the sci-fi / philosophical writer Stanisław Lem who was born this week in 1921. Then we head for the news: SWEDEN : Music makes cucumbers happy UK : Hereditary seats to be removed from Lords INTERNATIONAL : No link between mobile phones and b...
Sep 13, 2024•48 min•Ep 444•Transcript available on Metacast In TWISH this week we hear about August Kekulé, the French organic chemist who redefined his disciplin in the mid 1800s. The we go into the news: INTERNATIONAL : Scammers in the Moonlight – Real vs. fake Tarot readers on social media FRANCE : Imane Khelif files lawsuit over cyber-harassment, names JK Rowling and Elon Musk AUSTRIA / THE NETHERLANDS : Climate communication works! ITALY : Shroud of Turin reloaded The Award for being Really Wrong this week goes to Fleur Agema , Dut...
Sep 06, 2024•52 min•Ep 443•Transcript available on Metacast Before we go into today’s interview, we elaborate a little on last week’s TWISH about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, adding a bit more details. Then we have a great chat with Algimantas Kvecys who is the chair of Lietuvos skeptikų draugija , the Society of Lithuanian Skeptics . Enjoy! https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-442.html Segments: 0:00:31 Intro 0:00:55 Greetings 0:10:16 Interview 0:44:33 Farewell 0:47:04 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Aug 30, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast QED is getting a little bit closer and a really good idea is to sign up as a volunteer ! Not only will you help creating the skeptical event of the year, it is also a great way to make new friends and become a little “VIP” at the same time. This week saw a “ full true blue supermoon ” – check out which part of this is nonsense and which parts that are real astronomy. In TWISH we go all the way back to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and why it may not have happ...
Aug 23, 2024•41 min•Ep 441•Transcript available on Metacast We start with a follow-up on the UK riots and the disinformation that triggered them. Regardless of this we look forward to going to QED where the Ockham Awards will be announced. The nominations are now open! See link in the show notes. In TWISH we hear about how it wasn’t that long ago that Joseph Lister performed the first antiseptic surgery – we sure are lucky that we we were not born back then. Then it is ti...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr•Ep 440•Transcript available on Metacast We start out with the sad news that Mark Edward has passed away. Mark was a mentalist, an author, and an active skeptic. Mark, sometimes with with his partner (and good friend of the show) Susan Gerbic , investigated many paranormal claims and exposed psychic frauds. He will be long remembered and missed by the skeptics movement. After some listener feedback and catching up, we go to TWISH , where we hear about Louis Leakey and his important, but often controv...
Aug 09, 2024•55 min•Ep 439•Transcript available on Metacast The three of us are (sort of) together again, so after the customary greetings, András joins us with Adrienne Hill all the way from Canada (Sparky studios?!) for a prerecorded chat. In TWISH we hear about how Adolf Hitler secured his position as Führer , which is scary since the tactics of modern would-be-dictators have not changed that much. Then we take a look at the news: INTERNATIONAL : Science and fairytales FRANCE : BS and pseudoscience at the Olym...
Aug 02, 2024•59 min•Ep 438•Transcript available on Metacast Thirty-two years ago this week the Vatican tried to explain why discrimination against gay people is not really discrimination. That's basically still their position today, which we hear about in this week's TWISH . Then we have quite a few news items to go through: SWEDEN : Swedish telecom companies have blocked more than 50 million scam calls in 2024 INTERNATIONAL : Global SCAM markets on the rise INTERNATIONAL : UV index apps used to get MORE sunburns DENMA...
Jul 29, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Just the boys this week and we have a lot to talk about – climate change (András needs a new job), Türkiye vs. Turkey , Dutch vacations , homeopathy , Skeptical Science , and even some politics. In TWISH we hear about the skeptical priest Giuseppe Piazzi who discovered Ceres , the first asteroid ever detected. Also, if you catch this in time here is the link to the 19 July Global Skeptics in the Pub Zoom meeting . Then we ha...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 436•Transcript available on Metacast Some listeners have started to join our Discord – why don’t you do that do! In the news today: TURKEY : Turkey revokes radio station’s license for discussing Armenian genocide UK : Ultra-processed food fear – simply the next big nutritional moral panic? SPAIN : HIV patients often take other SCAM that interfere with their treatments The Church of England has plans to evangelising in UK schools – even the secular ones! For that the receive this week’s award for being&...
Jul 12, 2024•45 min•Ep 435•Transcript available on Metacast To start out we nerd out a bit about how to say ‘hello’ in Hungarian , launch the new ESP Discord thread and give a shout-out to Malmö Pride where people can team up with Pontus to fight against prejudices at Malmö Pride. In TWISH we for once hop across the pond to explain the origin of so-called Barnum statements . Then it’s time for the news: EU : University of Lund withdraws research application after AI generated references INTERNATIONAL : Lie-...
Jul 05, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast The band is back together for the first time in months! First we mention an important (but likely depressing) new book documenting Catholic child sex abuse . In TWISH we look back at the Brexit referendum and analyze why it went so terribly wrong, and then it’s time for the news: SWEDEN : Swedish EU election trends were a bit different GERMANY : New publication out on esotericism in in political education UK : There will not be 14 million immigrants over the next 12...
Jun 28, 2024•54 min•Ep 433•Transcript available on Metacast 
