Shows / Skeptics with a K
Skeptics with a K
Skeptics with a K is the podcast for science, reason and critical thinking from the Merseyside Skeptics Society. Each episode features Mike Hall, Michael Marshall, and Dr Alice Howarth chatting about the things which interest them, often from a skeptical angle.
Episodes
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #488
Mike talks about cryptanalysis and uses it to try and break the supposedly 'unbreakable' cipher used in the BBC's comedy-drama Ludwig. Sign up for the Skeptics…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #487
Marsh looks at the way claims about two-tier policing are used to launder the reputations of bad actors and conspiracy theorists. Meanwhile, the whole team is…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #486
Alice talks about the funding crisis in academia, and Marsh and Alice go to see Matt Winning performing live. Plus, the very last call for tickets for the…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #485
Mike looks at the spread of 'fake proverbs', the supposedly original versions of popular sayings which are actually modern inventions. Meanwhile, Alice needs a…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #484
Alice looks at the biohackers, who try to change their lifestyles and biology to promote physical health and longevity. Meanwhile, Mike gets a new pet kitten…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #483
Marsh is targeted to invest in his property portfolio and unexpectedly ends up speaking with a former London mayoral candidate. Meanwhile, Mike is watching a…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #482
As Alice and Marsh return from travels to Portugal, Mike talks about the new feature from Anthropic which can identify AI generated text. You can find all the…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #481
Alice talks about neurodivergence and disability, following the new Channel 4 documentary The Great ADHD Myth. Meanwhile, Marsh tries to climb a ladder. Note…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #480
Marsh looks at the links between billionaire activists and academia, where claims of academic freedom provide cover for a political agenda. Meanwhile, Mike is…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #479
Mike explores the difference between large language models, and other types of artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Alice is hurling toddlers from a patio. You…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #478
Alice talks about open research and research integrity, in light of allegations of plagiarism made against a Cambridge professor. Meanwhile, the team goes to…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #477
Marsh looks at the belief that we're probably all living in a computer simulation and nothing around us is real. Meanwhile, Alice gets very annoyed and the…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #476
Mike looks at claims that being tied up for sex will give you cancer. Meanwhile, Marsh tries to make it home from London. Sign up for the Skeptics with a K…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #475
With the UK enduring its third official heatwave of the year, Marsh looks at the arguments denying there is anything to worry about. After all, everyone…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #474
Alice outlines the political reaction to The Odyssey and the implications for free speech. Meanwhile, Marsh is asked to review a book which proves God and…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #473
Alice looks at the evidence for the so-called loneliness epidemic, and whether it disproportionately impacts men. Meanwhile, Marsh tries to avoid World Cup…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #472
Mike looks at the products from Telos Audio Design which claim to improve the performance of audio equipment. Meanwhile, Marsh tries to book a restaurant while…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #471
Mike asks whatever happened to the story that men think about the Roman Empire every day? Meanwhile, Marsh is interrogated by Noah Lugeons about the World Cup…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #470
Marsh talks about the social media ban and suggests that we may be targeting the wrong problem. Meanwhile, Marsh and Alice visit Wales to teach critical…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #469
Mike investigates the social media language of 'algospeak' and asks if it really does anything at all? Meanwhile, Marsh can't figure out why there are suddenly…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #468
Marsh investigates the use of aromatherapy in NHS Maternity care. Meanwhile, Alice and Marsh go to the theatre. You can find all the details on the European…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #467
Alice asks whether inhaling hydrogen peroxide can cures what ails you (spoiler: no it can't), and Marsh realises he has never heard of the Planets. Meanwhile…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #466
Mike looks at a new article in the Guardian which claims the nocebo effect will make you sick. Meanwhile, Alice manages to sustain an injury while driving. You…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #465
Alice asks if we're about to plunge into another global pandemic with Hantavirus. Meanwhile, Marsh visits the beautiful Italian city of Florence... and Mike…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #464
Mike revisits a topic from the early days of Skeptics with a K, asking what the research says about Feliway pheromone products for cats. Meanwhile, Marsh…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #463
Following on from last week, Marsh looks at polling data which suggests that Gen Z believe they are psychic. Meanwhile, the team gets some lovely listener…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #462
Marsh looks at research from last year which claims that young people are flocking to churches in search of meaning. Meanwhile, Alice has been out driving and…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #461
Alice takes an overdue look at the controversial 'looksmaxxing' influencer known as Clavicular. Meanwhile, Marsh goes to see Joshua Idehen perform in…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #460
Mike looks at ball lightning, why there is so little evidence of it, and asks whether it exists at all. The next event for Liverpool Skeptics in the Pub is…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #459
Alice looks at the prevalence of cancer misinformation on social media and the effects that may be having on cancer patients. Meanwhile, Marsh visits Durham…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #458
Marsh talks about efforts to reduce the climate impact of cattle, and how it's being received by conspiracy theorists. Meanwhile, Mike is excited about the…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #457
Alice looks at the role of peptides in the body, and why they're increasingly being recommended by biohackers and MAHA bros. Meanwhile, Mike finds a surprising…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #456
Mike talks about "legal tender", and why it probably doesn't mean what you think it means. Meanwhile, Alice and Marsh argue about whether Piers and Pierce are…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #455
Marsh looks at the history of AIDS denialism, and its apparent burgeoning resurgence through the world's most listened to podcast. Meanwhile, Alice buys a new…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #454
Mike looks at the strange new conspiracy theory that there is a secret new episode of Stranger Things which is landing Netflix any day now. Any day now... Sign…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #453
Alice looks at new press reports which claim ultra-processed foods may be driving an increase in bowel cancer in the under-50s. Meanwhile, Mike shouts into a…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #452
Mike looks at why there are =so many spurious equals signs littering = the Epstein Files. Note: This episode contains references to the crimes of Jeffrey…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #451
Marsh reads through the Epstein Files, and the lessons and pitfalls skeptics might encounter within... including how he came to appear in the latest documents…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #450
Alice gets angry about 'one simple thing they don't want you to know about maxing', which pushes simple answers to problems which may or may not exist…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #449
Marsh investigates a new paper from China, which supposedly shows that drinkers of plant-based milk alternatives are more likely to be depressed. Meanwhile…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #448
Mike looks at the modern days myths surrounding the Betamax format, and Alice has to tackle an infestation of spider mites. Meanwhile, Marsh recounts his…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #447
Alice looks at the updated guidelines from the US government around diet, particularly around alcohol consumption. Meanwhile, Mike spends the weekend in…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #446
Happy New Year! For the first episode of 2026, Marsh takes a look back at the predictions psychics made for 2025 and how many came true. Sign up for the…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #445
Mike looks at stories about Tesco removing Christmas from products to avoid causing offence, and Marsh has an encounter with a fan of Joe Rogan on the train…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #444
Marsh talks about what happened when he asked every Trading Standards office about consumer complaints and Cancer Act investigations. Meanwhile, Mike still has…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #443
Alice presents her top five favourite bits of Christmas gift wellness woo, before preparing to jet off to Lithuania for a long weekend. You can sign up for the…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #442
Mike asks what is really happening when people report 'out of body experiences' and how we know. Meanwhile, Alice has to handle a job interview with a…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #441
Alice looks at the increase in employers offering egg freezing as a perk of the job, and the knock-on effects of that. Meanwhile, Mike has trouble leaving…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #440
Mike takes a brief look at the human trials mentioned in the systematic review being used to support a link between autism and paracetamol. You can sign up for…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #439
In the aftermath of QED, Marsh talks about the communities skepticism and built and ways they can be used to make a difference. Meanwhile, Mike visits a water…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #438 - Live from QED 2025
We are live from QED 2025! Alice talks about Nutmaxxing, where men try to enhance the volume of their semen, Marsh looks as a plug-in gadget which claims to…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #437
Alice looks at what happens when you go on a 'dopamine fast' and whether the claims about it from influencers match the biology. Meanwhile, with just hours to…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #436
Mike asks if the Turing Test is really a meaningful tool for gauging the state of artificial intelligence, and the team has the last few announcements for QED…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #435
Marsh drops down a rabbit hole when he starts to look into the makers of 'Ozempatch', which claims to shift stubborn belly fat. Meanwhile, Mike tries to book a…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #434
Alice investigates new reports that long distance running is somehow associated with increased cancer risk. Meanwhile, the team has the latest news on the…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #433
In the wake of the political violence in the USA, Marsh asks why the self-appointed defenders of 'free speech' are so selective about whose speech they defend…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #432
Mike looks at the 'small boat' crossings and what it means for the asylum system in the UK, before being accosted by an Australian man in Wales. Online tickets…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #431
Alice looks at the trendy new superfood and supplement "sea moss", which is claimed to have numerous (and nebulous) health benefits. Meanwhile, Marsh has to…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #430
Marsh dives into Reddit ads and discovers a new product which claims to be a firewall for your brain. Meanwhile, Mike orders a Dirty Sprite and is disappointed…
- Skeptics with a K
Episode #429
Mike reviews Ben Shapiro's review of the latest Superman film, and the team has updates for the upcoming QED event. Spoiler warning! There are a lot of…