Why would anyone join a cult? Maybe they're unhappy with their current religion, or they want to change the world, or they're disappointed with their lives and want to find something bigger or holier that makes sense of this confusing, chaotic and dangerous world. Or maybe they just want to give themselves the best possible chance of having sex with aliens? Either way, this is the topic of a fascinating new book by author Jo Thornley, who also has a popular podcast called . We started this Token...
Mar 25, 2019•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast The idea that animals have the potential to talk is an alluring one; from the mathematical stunts of , to research on parrots, dolphins and chimps - . It's interesting, exciting and even cute - but is it really true that animals have language? After the recent passing of , I spoke to about the hopes we have about being the next Dr Dolittle, and just how realistic those hopes are. Daniel is a lecturer in applied linguistics at Edith Cowan University, and at the University of Western Australia, as...
Jun 28, 2018•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hundreds of such as "tonifies kidney essence" and "opens body orifices" could appear on complementary medicine labels under Their campaign points out that "Proposed laws could see dangerous and potentially misleading claims on therapeutic goods, especially complementary and alternative medicines like herbal and homeopathic treatments. It means that products can claim to decrease the time it takes to fall asleep or help maintain healthy heart function without having scientific evidence to back th...
May 26, 2018•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast is a science book with a difference, written by Alom Shaha, illustrated by Emily Robertson and published by Scribble Kids Books. Alom was born in Bangladesh but grew up in London; as a parent, teacher, science writer, and filmmaker, he has spent most of his professional life trying to share his passion for science and education with the public. Alom has produced, directed, and appeared in a number of television programmes for broadcasters such as the BBC, and has received fellowships from the Na...
May 01, 2018•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Belle Gibson convinced the world she had healed herself from terminal brain cancer with a healthy diet. She built a global business based upon her claims. There was just one problem: she'd never had cancer. In 2015, journalists uncovered the truth: this hero of the wellness world, with over 200,000 followers, international book deals, and a best-selling smartphone app, was a fraud tracks the 23-year-old's rise to fame and fall from grace. Told through interviews with the people who know her best...
Feb 28, 2018•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast How To Be Reasonable (By Someone Who Tried Everything Else) is a primer on critical thinking and an introduction to scientific skepticism that will empower you to see the world a little bit more clearly. The world is a strange, scary and beautiful place. and author and artist Rebecca Fox suggests that being reasonable helps you to wonder at the strange, avoid the scary and celebrate the beauty. I interviewed Rebecca about How To Be Reasonable – you can find the book on Amazon and check out her w...
Feb 01, 2018•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Free WIFI - two words that many people love to hear. But how many people read the terms and conditions before they connect to it? Accessing wireless points that you don’t know where it originates from can be risky and harmful to your confidential information. … and Dr Krishnun Sansurooah joined me to tell us how it went. *********** About a month ago, the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre closed down. More than a thousand displaced refugees are now left in a vulnerable state after being mo...
Nov 30, 2017•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The recent news that Australia is getting its own Space Agency is one sure to affect the entire nation - but should we be so eager so fast? The Federal Government has announced its plans to cash in on a $420 billion aeronautical industry and create thousands of new jobs, which coincided with the 69th International Astronautical Congress which is being held in Adelaide this week. Science Communicator spoke to me about the developments on The Mag for RTRFM. ******** A quick note about supporting t...
Sep 30, 2017•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Cold-pressed juices, quitting sugar, Paleo, hot yoga, mindfulness … if you embrace these things you will be happy, you will be well – just ask Instagram. Wellness has become a global mega-industry. But does any of this stuff actually work? Feeling exhausted, anxious and out of shape, journalist Brigid Delaney decides to find out – using herself as the guinea pig. Starting with a brutal 101-day fast, Brigid tests things that are meant to make us clean, lean and serene. Travelling the world, she t...
Jul 30, 2017•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast It started around a kitchen table, three friends reading out the erotic work of a retired dad – and now it’s a podcasting sensation. Jamie Morton of "" podcast never expected that “Belinda Blinked” (written by his dad, known only as "Rocky Flintstone") - would eventually lead to a live touring show, that is touring Australia (and ). With over 50 million downloads, there’s bound to be a few fans of the pots and pans industry in the audience. RTRFM reporter Kylie Sturgess asked Jamie about what wa...
Jun 16, 2017•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast The March For Science is an international phenomenon - a stand for solidarity, for education, for inclusivity and for diversity in the field and for the importance of science to be understood and promoted by not just scientists, but policy makers and the public. Here are some vox pops and speeches from the rally that was held at the Many thanks to all the organisers and the participants. MC for the day - Callum Ormonde - UWA Chemistry and Biochemistry - winner of Ig Nobel Prize for Chemistry for...
Apr 22, 2017•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast comes to town and it was a great chance to interview a range of talented authors taking part in the festivities. My interviews are with: Ben Rawlence - his book City of Thorns is about Northern Kenya - the home of the world’s largest refugee camp, with half a million people. Opening Night speaker at the Perth International Arts Festival. Candice Fox - her first novel, Hades, won the Ned Kelly Award for best debut in 2014 from the Australian Crime Writers Association; she has since gone onto nume...
Feb 24, 2017•2 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast How safe are herbal medicines? In 2011, just over a billion dollars was spent on alternative medicines in Australia, many of which come with unproven efficacy claims. , cancer 'cures' and the like, there's a call for increased scrutiny about what's being offered to the public in the name of 'health supplements'. Murdoch University Biochemistry Lecturer Dr Garth Maker is seeking to shed some light on the subject of herbal medicines. If you're in Perth, To download the campus map click , or to us ...
Feb 24, 2017•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Can you really rewire an adult brain? In theory the answer is 'yes', but there's a problem: no one seems to know exactly how to do it! In her new book " went off on a world-wide mission to find the answer. Visiting top neuroscientists in their labs, she volunteers herself as a guinea pig in studies, challenging researchers to make real changes to her — functioning, but imperfect — brain. ************** A quick note about supporting the podcasts! Check out – and consider Thanks to RTRFM for their...
Jan 23, 2017•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merry Christmas! One of the great things about the holiday break is the opportunity to get some reading done – and has a new book out this year. This book traces the genesis, principles and practice of homeopathy, and discusses the reasons for its enduring popularity. Ironically, while modern medicine has changed beyond recognition, homeopathy, with its roots in alchemy and metaphysics, continues to be practiced precisely as it was in Hahnemann’s day. is the story of homeopathy and its almost ma...
Dec 28, 2016•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Essentially, the fact that every show is different (apart from host and the following guests you can see pictured above) means that you're not entirely sure what you're going to get. Maybe Sydney will have flying. Melbourne could involve cake-throwing. I'm seriously planning for Perth to involve a fiesta on the high street. They had The Cure turn up at one of their London gigs, so you never know what local talent they may be able to find. At any rate, I got the chance to speak to most of the per...
Nov 18, 2016•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Every year, thousands of Australians are suffering and dying prematurely because of alternative cancer treatments, according to a special investigation by The video (part of a series) is called The report details the distressingly high number of cancer sufferers who choose to forego conventional treatment altogether in search of an alternative cure. Kylie Sturgess spoke to Dr Paul Willis of RiAus. ********* A quick note about supporting the podcasts! Check out – and consider Thanks to RTRFM for ...
Oct 28, 2016•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast As astonishing as it is compelling - is investigative journalism at its very best. From Rugby League players trying to improve their game, to Hollywood superstars and the depressed sons of media moguls, Scientology has recruited its share of famous Australians. Less known is that Australia was the first place to ban Scientology, or that Scientology spies helped expose the Chelmsford Deep Sleep Scandal. Numerous Australians have held senior posts in the organisation only to fall foul of the top b...
Sep 23, 2016•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast in association with the Science Museum are proud to announce a brand new six-part episode mini series, The Quest For Wonder, starring Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince and their puppet counterparts. The show will be a fun-filled caper through the world of science that is sure to delight both children and adults alike. The series made its World Premiere at a very special event on March 30th at the IMAX Cinema at the Science Museum in London and will be free online in April on YouTube, with special ...
Apr 01, 2016•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to Episode #217 of the Token Skeptic podcast! Dr Dean Burnett is a neuroscientist working as a tutor and lecturer based at Cardiff University's Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences. His Guardian Science blog, 'Brain Flapping', has been viewed over 13 million times in the last three years - and now he has a new book out, called Unpredictable and entertaining, Burnett's account gives us up-to-date research and the principles of neuroscience along the way. Looking ...
Mar 19, 2016•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to episode #216 of the Token Skeptic podcast! New data from national organ donation registries has revealed at least 6 people needed organ transplants after becoming sick from health supplements. Questions about the regulation of such supplements have led Health Minister Sussan Ley to promise she’ll act on concerns about the number of people needing medical aid after taking herbal supplements. Just how skeptical – and how careful – should we be about dietary supplements and health pills?...
Mar 05, 2016•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's all happening in town at the moment - It's a yearly celebration of writing, literature, non-fiction and the authors and ideas behind the covers of a massive range of genres. Here's a round-up of some of the interviews that I've conducted; they've been aired on as a part of ArtBeat and The Mag. ***** Sadly, more than a few of us have probably felt like we’ve lost a loved one before they’ve actually passed away and it’s a difficult thing to talk about. Not many people want to talk about topic...
Feb 19, 2016•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #215 of the Token Skeptic goes out to sea - and back again! It’s an experience that may not appeal to everyone – a seven-day cruise at sea, aiming to “take back power from corrupt and greedy institutions, attain true self-authority, and realise our genuine Self behind the masks… discovering the truth, taking command of our lives, and attaining genuine inner realisation” – with every odd belief you can think of listed as entertainment: GMOs, Monsanto, bee colony collapse, ecology, global ...
Feb 10, 2016•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to episode #214 of the Token Skeptic podcast! ***** Leading scientists protested during a national conference this week to appeal against job cuts at the government’s agency for scientific research in Australia, the CSIRO. The cuts, that will remove about 110 positions from the CSIRO's 140-odd strong Ocean and Atmosphere staff and a similar number from its Land and Water division, were announced in an email from chief executive Larry Marshall on Thursday. I spoke to Sarah Perkins-Kirkpat...
Feb 08, 2016•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Token Skeptic podcast's episode #213! Check out the Patreon at and from only $1, get behind the scenes news and more. ***** Inside a cryonics facility, seven people are woken from their icy slumber to find themselves alone in a locked room, unsure of what day, month or year it is. These strangers from different places and times must work out when they are - and where everyone else has gone! is showing at the Nexus Theatre at Murdoch University until Saturday,as a part of FringeWorld. I spoke to ...
Jan 28, 2016•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Propelled by a massive fandom community online, podcast exploded into popularity almost overnight, launching to the top of the iTunes charts in 2013. It’s about a community radio station for a friendly desert town, where conspiracy theories and the paranormal are real – including ghosts, aliens and angels… and the woman with no face who lives in your house. Creators Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor have kept Night Vale independent, expanding to a touring live show and spinoff novel. The live show ...
Dec 20, 2015•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to episode #201 of Token Skeptic - and as always, if you'd like to support the show and future episodes, check out the Patreon page at patreon.com/kyliesturgess - there's lots of additional features and bonus content for those who help the podcast continue! is one hot podcast! In Science Vs, science journalist Wendy Zukerman dissects the latest fad framing itself as scientific fact, wading through the mass of information so you don't have to. Do women and men have different brains? Is po...
Jul 19, 2015•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
