Skeptics with a K

Mike dives into a 2017 study on whether placebos require deception to work, and Alice looks at new research on the COVID-19 lateral flow tests and whether they’re better than we thought. Plus some disappointing news about QED.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mike looks at a new paper from Australia which questions the power of placebo, Marsh investigates a new survey which claims half of young British people attend church every month, and Alice talks about what happened when she went in for surgery.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Marsh talks about the ups and downs of the regulation of chiropractors in the UK, and Mike talks about what exactly he means when he says ‘the placebo effect isn’t real’. Meanwhile, Alice gets annoyed at people being awful, and Mike visits the Covid test centre.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

This week Alice talks about the website Healthline and their evidence review of mistletoe-based alternative therapy iscador. Meanwhile, Mike talks about ivermectin and the claims that it leaves people sterile.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

In this bumper episode, Alice talks about the documentary ‘Sickness and Lies’, which claims social media influencers are faking chronic illness for attention and notoriety, and Marsh discusses the question mark over the authorship of the book ‘The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism’. Meanwhile, Mike takes up axe throwing and goes to see Free Guy.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

This week, Marsh talks about the statutory and voluntary regulation of healthcare in the UK, and Mike talks about Apple’s plans to scan the pictures on your iPhone. Meanwhile, Alice ponders the return of the two-cheek kiss.Note: Mike’s segment this week features frequent references to material depicting the abuse of minors, which some listeners may wish to avoid. The segment finishes at 0:30:23.

This week, Mike talks about the unintended consequences of decisions taken by web developers, and Alice talks about chlorophyll supplements and unhealthy relationships with food. Meanwhile, Marsh organised a party and went to see Black Widow.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.Note: Alice’s segment touches on themes around eating disorders, which some listeners may wish to avoid.

This week, Alice talks about the conspiracy theory which says viruses don’t exist, and Marsh looks at the hilarious product gaffes which seem to cluster around the Dorset area. Meanwhile, Mike accidentally takes up gardening.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mike, Marsh, and Alice are joined by returning guest Emma to talk about the furore surrounding the Parole Board’s recommendation to release Colin Pitchfork. Meanwhile, Mike looks at a research paper into the morality of autistic people.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.Note: Emma’s segment in this episode includes references to indecent exposure, murder, and rape.

Marsh presents part three of his investigation into the White Rose, and their links to anti-semitism, holocaust denial, and white supremacy. Meanwhile, Alice looks at claims that the World Health Organisation is proposing a ban on women drinking. Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.Note: This episode contains frank descriptions of racial discrimination and abuse.

Marsh presents part two of his three-part investigation into the White Rose. Meanwhile, Mike talks about the social effects of naming the COVID-19 variants and looks at whether SARS-CoV-2 may have leaked from a lab. Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

This week Marsh talks about the anti-vaccine and conspiracy misinformation group The White Rose, and Alice tackles the P-shot, which purports to treat erectile dysfunction and increase sexual stamina. Meanwhile, Mike goes to the doctor with his legs. Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

This episode, Alice talks about the controversy Orgasmic Meditation, its advocates at OneTaste, and their ongoing trouble with the FBI. Meanwhile, Mike reflects on autism and reframing past events after receiving a diagnosis.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

This week, Marsh gives an update on London mayoral candidate Brian Rose, while Mike talks about vampires stealing from blood banks, a cursed mansion, and Jonathan Frakes.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.Donate to our Patreon at patreon.com/merseyskeptics, or leave us a review on your podcasting library of choice. We really appreciate it!

Episode 300! Where Alice talks about the new NICE guidelines for management of chronic pain, Marsh tackles Jordan B Peterson’s claims on medical errors, and Mike has a confession to make.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

It’s April Fools Day! Where Marsh talks about Brian Rose, the conspiracy-theorist, podcaster, and former Wall Street banker who is standing for Mayor of London, and Mike talks about Agave Nectar, placebos, and pancakes.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

In this extended episode of Skeptics with a K, Alice talks about the planned redundancies from the University of Liverpool’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, and Mike discusses green software development, and how Bitcoin works. For more information on the redundancies at FHLS, visit www.hls47.co.uk.Note: The opening segment to this episode features a conversation about sexual harassment and the murder of Sarah Everard which some listeners may find distressing. If you need to skip past this segment, it finishes at 0:21:27.8970591568b35d4be3719286a3b0f4782ee1516ee84a14ef397a701410491aea

COVID vaccines, cranberry juice, good bacteria, and D-Mannose. Plus whipping cream, jumping the queue, shoulder pain, and meringue nests. Nah, yer reet, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Adult autism, It’s a Sin, HIV myths and special interests. Plus wasting time, Valentine’s Day, and mixing vaccines revisited. Bartering bananas, it’s Skeptics with a K. Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.If you’re based in the UK and interested in getting an HIV test the NHS website can help find a test centres near you.

Podcast advertising, WhatsApp, and digital privacy. Plus raving about the cereal, the European Region, Record Breakers, and recommending mattresses. Fighting jet lag with bees, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Lateral flow, zip anatomy, the Society of Homeopaths, and the Professional Standards Authority. Plus exponential croissants, red gold, and Ready Brek. Count to five, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Welcome to 2021! Mixing vaccines, tiny little skirts, activated charcoal, and re-writing DNA. Plus making custard, living through history, mottled grey cheese, and French onion soup. Happy New Year from Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

In this Christmas Eve episode of Skeptics with a K, Alice, Marsh and Mike take a break from the regular format to answer listener questions. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Merseyside Skeptics.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Advertising arbitrage, hypnotic video games, Christmas movies, and content marketing. Plus duvet monsters, the Men in Black, and CGI babies. Solving it at the script stage, it’s Skeptics with a K.Send your questions for our Christmas episode to [email protected] and edited by Morgan Clarke.

COVID vaccination, bad science, and what happened at the Ockhams. Plus RNA, spike proteins, and John Cura. Annoying the French, it’s Skeptics with a K.Note: There is a short audio glitch during the Ockham Awards segment, which appears to be from the original recording.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Orthopaedic surgery, Instagram woo, jugular veins, and Liverpool gyms. Plus anti-maskers, sports-casters, and the Poddington Peas. Taking the parachute, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Pastel QAnon, content farms, Facebook, and the CAP code. Plus watermelons, rampant horses, and vaccine misinformation. Dipping roses in honey, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Integrative cancer care, newspaper revenues, and the smart feed. Plus glutamine, the right kind turmeric, and doctors’ customers. Consuming curcuminoids, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Lockdown laws, Pizzagate, and contact tracing. Plus selling wardrobes, iPhone 6, and shoulder-barging pensioners. With Liverpool accents, it’s Skeptics with a K.Nice to have Emma on without needing a content warning, huh? Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Pregnancy testing, inflatable sex dolls, and electronic waste. Plus Korean Barbecue, Bild Lilli, and Andy Capp. Just one pink line for Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Hair loss pills, Sovereign Nations, and business acumen. Plus broken cars, conceptual penises, and roaring in the mirror. Using the wrong microphone, it’s Skeptics with a K.Find the all-new website the The Skeptic at skeptic.org.ukMixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Missing breakfast, Eric Pickles, Mother-die, and giant hogweed. Plus telling lies, conferred legitimacy, and disguised advertorial. Cheating at dice, it’s Skeptics with a K.Note this episode contains discussion of fatphobic language and attitudes.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Making babies, genius orphans, and milliamp-hours. Plus red days, swamp coolers, and tracking ovulation. Taking your temperature, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

In this episode of Skeptics with a K, Marsh and Alice talk about the recent BBC documentary on ‘alternative’ cancer treatments. This episode deals with a difficult subject matter throughout and some listeners may find the conversation distressing.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Web privacy, affiliate marketing, micro-targeting, and copy-and-paste. Plus spam comments, missing audiences and cookie banners. A round of applause for Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Homeopathic standards, blood groups, cod latin, and CEASE therapy. Plus web browser bugs, spike proteins, and ice cream. Like the boat scene in Willy Wonka, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Contact tracing, television scams, lockdown sceptics, and race in the UK. “Stay Sceptical, End the Lockdown, Save Lives!”If you’re interested in more resources on racism, white privilege, and protesting, check out these links:Books for understanding racism and white privilege (Instagram)Anti-racism resources (Google Docs)Scaffolded anti-racist resources (Google Docs)Podcasts About The Black British Experience (Bustle)Black Trans Protesters Emergency Fund (Instagram)A Safety Guide for Protestors (Instagram)Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

The Black Death, plasmic support, revitalisation fields, and naming disease. Plus losing balance, sunbathing with social distance, and growing a beard. Effective at an eight metre radius, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.Note: this episode contains descriptions of race-based and other abuse.

Bill Gates, Black Seed Oil, and global depopulation. Plus thymoquinone, unusable kitchens, and Nigella Lawson. Not virologists, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Treatment compliance, vitamin deficiency, immune support, and unpublished research. Plus Alice’s birthday, green protection, and pretentious breakfasts. Still not winning awards, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Coronavirus pseudoscience, confirmation bias, fake news, and 5G telephony. Plus the Rocky Horror Picture Show, dancing nurses, and the school disco. Still in lockdown, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

COVID-19, astrologers, chloroquine, and chiropractic. Plus immune boosting meals, tidying up, and missing Doctor Who. Sitting at home, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Dowsing for cancer, German graffiti, and the bloody Illuminati. Plus caesium salts, type II pneumocytes, and 1970s Doctor Who. Stay calm! Remain indoors! It’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited byMorgan Clarke.

Australian Bushfires, COVID-19, and the comeback of astrology. Plus pigs legs, dingle-dangle scarecrows, and Mercury Communications. Governing the Anthropocene, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited byMorgan Clarke.

Mistletoe in the papers, auricular acupuncture, splitting your jeans, and a giant cock and balls. Plus travelling by train, talking to teenagers, and David Mitchell. Sitting on a toilet floor, it’s Skeptics with a K.Note: This episode contains a brief reference to self-harm.Mixed and edited byMorgan Clarke.

In this special extended episode, Alice, Mike, and Marsh talk about what happened when they watched every episode of the Netflix series The Goop Lab with Gwyneth Paltrow back-to-back.Note: This episode includes conversations about eating disorders and suicide. Which is more warning about that than Netflix gives you.Mixed and edited byMorgan Clarke.

Placebo creams, reviving drips, and magical contagion. Plus chewing gum, stray heads, and trampolines. Tossing in a Berocca, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited byMorgan Clarke.

Golden tickets, talking to the press, butt-chugging, and skeptical investigations. Plus Star Wars, cardboard crowns, and crashing into a lake. It’s a new year, and a new you, from Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited byMorgan Clarke.

V-care, spiritual insight, reusable applicators, and Diana Spencer’s boyfriends. Plus mistaken identity, ringers in the audience, and lurching to the right. Merry Christmas from Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited byMorgan Clarke.

Yoga cults, walking in Utrecht, attitudes to homeopathy, and what happened in Brazil. Plus perineum sunning, duck offal, aggressive emails, and rinsing beakers. Keeping in touch with our sexual energy, it’s Skeptics with a K.Mixed and edited byMorgan Clarke.