The Skeptics Society & Skeptic magazine

2017 Episodes

December 19th: Counting Backwards

After a long break, Derek comes back just in time for Christmas. This time he sits down with Henry Jay Przybylo, (Dr. Jay), to discuss his new book Counting Backwards. Dr. Jay is an associate professor of anesthesiology at Northwestern University School of Medicine, specializing in infants and children. The book is his Doctor’s Notes on Anesthesia, find out more about one of the great mysteries of modern medicine

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July 4th: Fighting Post-Truth

Fighting post-truth politics, promoting rational thinking and wise decision-making in the political sphere seems like it has become harder in the past couple years or so. Gleb Tsipursky is the founder of Intentional Insights, which unites reason-oriented people to popularize science-based strategies for wise decision-making and rational thinking in politics and other areas. Gleb is a tenure-track professor at Ohio State in the Decision Sciences Collaborative and History Department. In this episode of Skepticality, Derek got to steal some of Gleb’s time to chat more about his work and his “Pro-Truth Pledge,” whose purpose is to change the incentive structure for public figures.

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May 9th: Houdini’s Final Incredible Secret

In this episode of Skepticality, Derek talks with Bob Loomis, librarian at the Magic Circle, and scholar of the history of stage illusion. His latest work is the book Houdini’s Final Incredible Secret, which is a detailed account of Bob’s obsession with figuring out how one trick was performed.

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March 14th: Son of a Buffett

In this episode of Skepticality, Derek sits down with Peter Buffett, the son of the famous investor, Warren Buffett. Peter became famous not for his investing and banking skills but for his work in music and composing. He and his wife now run a non-profit charity, NoVo, that works to empower women as the primary agents of change in the world. Hear what it was like growing up as a Buffett, and why Peter and his wife decided to spend much of their time, money, and effort focused on the women’s rights around the world.

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January 24th: Let’s Get Uncomfortable!

In this week’s Skepticality, Derek and returning guest, Dr. Bo Bennett, discuss his latest book, Uncomfortable Ideas. The book covers many of the hot button topics from which even the most rational of us tend to shy away or not think about critically. As Bennett says in the book, “Facts don’t care about feelings. Science isn’t concerned about sensibilities. And reality couldn’t care less about rage.” Find out why it’s important to push through discomfort and engage even the hardest issues with rational thought.

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January 3rd: Britt Hermes Diary

For the first episode of the new year of Skepticality, Derek speaks with Britt Hermes, a former naturopath turned evidence based medicine advocate. Find out what happens when you go from licensed alt-med practitioner to evidence based medicine champion.

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