Since 2006, the weekly Skeptoid podcast has been taking on all the most popular urban legends and revealing the true science, true history, and true lessons we can learn from each. Skeptoid is a listener supported501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more
The 1928 murder of a folk healer ignited a media frenzy and moral panic, revealing how superstition and magical thinking can fuel real-world tragedy.
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Recent Programs
The Eugenic History of the Body Type Diet Episode 995, July 1, 2025 Is there good science backing up the idea that you should eat based upon which of three body types you have?
Making AI Environmentally Friendly Episode 994, June 24, 2025 Will our improvements to AI's voracious appetite for electricity keep pace with the exploding demand?
How to Decide What to Eat Episode 993, June 17, 2025 Do you really need to pay quite so much attention to which foods you eat, and which you avoid?
The Case of the Missing Beaumont Children Episode 992, June 10, 2025 Since psychic abilities do not exist outside the delusions of true believers, involving psychics in searches for missing persons is worse than useless.
Real Sea Monsters Episode 991, June 3, 2025 A roundup of all the biggest and scariest real sea monsters — from today and from prehistoric times.
Rethinking Science Education Episode 990, May 27, 2025 How one special moment redefined how a science teacher does her job.
Are $1,000,000 Paranormal Challenges Effective? Episode 989, May 20, 2025 Their exciting nature, combined with the fact nobody's ever won one, make paranormal challenge prizes important educational tools.
Chocolate Myths Episode 988, May 13, 2025 Here are many popular myths about chocolate. How many can you tell are true or not?
More than a Magician's Assistant Episode 987, May 6, 2025 She may have gotten her start as Houdini's sidekick, but Rose Mackenberg became a giant of unmasking fraudulent mediums.
Do Functional Mushrooms Function? Episode 986, April 29, 2025 Super mushrooms are claimed by some to provide vague health benefits beyond their known nutritional values.
Supervolcanoes and Super Earthquakes Episode 985, April 22, 2025 A roundup of the world's riskiest volcanoes and fault zones — and they're not necessarily the most hazardous.
Should You Feed Your Dog That? Episode 984, April 15, 2025 Some people try to feed their dogs the same alternative diet they eat themselves... not necessarily so good for the dog.
Immigration Myths Episode 983, April 8, 2025 Many of our preconceived notions about immigrants likely bear very little resemblance to the facts.
Defending Against the Planet Killers Episode 982, April 1, 2025 All of the ways you've heard that deep space wants to kill us — and how plausible or likely each scenario is.
Vaccines: Success Story of the Century Episode 981, March 25, 2025 Vaccines are history's great medical success story, having saved more lives than anything else.
How to Find Atlantis Episode 980, March 18, 2025 Ten of the places where Atlantis true believers think the mythical city might actually be.
Crusades Imagery and White Nationalism Episode 979, March 11, 2025 Many of the Christian symbols created in the aftermath of the First Crusade have been adopted by White Nationalists. Why?
Leaded Gasoline and Mental Health Episode 978, March 4, 2025 A look at recent studies finding leaded gasoline caused 151 million mental health illnesses in the United States.
A Dingo Ate My Baby Episode 977, February 25, 2025 This catchphrase has become popular with comedians. Is that in line with its true origin?
The Spanish Gold of Neahkahnie Mountain Episode 976, February 18, 2025 Some believe a fabulous Spanish treasure is buried on the slopes of Oregon's Neahkahnie Mountain.
How We Verify Our Sources Episode 975, February 11, 2025 A few of your favorite experts weigh in on how you can make sure your information comes from the very best sources.
Cows and Global Warming Episode 973, January 28, 2025 Just as important as the question of how much the livestock industry contributes to global warming is whether your giving up meat will have any real impact.
Agent Orange on Trial Episode 972, January 21, 2025 The newer the data, and the longer we've had to study the epidemiology, the less harm we find that Agent Orange caused.
Murder in Hex Hollow
