Skeptics with a K

Marsh and Alice present part one of their experiences at the Great Awakening Tour in Birmingham, a nexus of conspiracy theories, anti-vaccine activism, sovereign citizens, and amateur poetry. Meanwhile, Mike is excited for the casting of the new Doctor.Mixed and edited by Morgan ClarkeNote: we made an edit to the show after publication to remove some comments about a statue that was made by a problematic sculptor (which we did not realise until after publication).

Emma returns to talk about the planned changes to the parole system, while Mike ponders what was the first ever science fiction story. Meanwhile, Alice and Marsh talk about their adventures in South Wales and Mike cuts a cake with a sword.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Alice digs into the evidence behind the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and Marsh asks why charities who pedal nonsense about autism are able to maintain their charitable status. Meanwhile, Emma makes a flying visit to talk about the Manchester marathon.If you want to donate to Emma’s marathon effort for Refugee Women Connect, visit justgiving.com/emmarunsmanchestermarathonMixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Alice looks into the claims that the COVID-19 vaccine causes changes in menstruation, and Mike falls down a rabbit hole when he asks why dogs need to take vitamins. Meanwhile, the whole team is exhausted from celebrating the civil partnership of regular guest host Emma.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Marsh gives an update on Gerson therapy, and how the Charities Commission regulates the promotion of alternative medicine. Meanwhile, Mike looks into the apparently eerie and uncanny ability of The Simpsons to predict the future.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

This week, Mike, Marsh and Alice are joined again by Emma to talk about open prisons and the abscondment of Paul Robson. Meanwhile Alice talks about the human fascination with food and health, and Marsh gives an update about the White Rose and talks about reaching anti-vaxxers.Please note that Emma’s story contains some references to sexual offences.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.If you want to donate to support Emma fundraising for Women’s Refugee Connect, you can do so at justgiving.com/emmarunsmanchestermarathon

Alice talks about the conspiracy theory which claims HIV cases are rising because of vaccinations, while Mike explains why you probably don’t need a VPN and takes a quick trip to the Apple Store.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Marsh looks at the YouTube interview between former London mayoral candidate Brian Rose and the conspiracy theorist David Icke. Meanwhile Mike talks about the claim that placebos are getting more powerful, and Alice finds an unconventional use for chopsticks.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

This week, Marsh examines the nature of consensus and how people can be misled by it, while Alice looks into the topical Ayurvedic skin cream ‘Dermaved’, recently withdrawn after it was found to be adulterated with steroids. Meanwhile, Mike watches Hamilton.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke

Happy New Year! This episode, Mike annoys cryptocurrency fans talking about web3 and non-fungible tokens, and Marsh examines SEO-baiting ‘news’ articles and sponsored scientific studies. Meanwhile, Alice talks about her December commitment ceremony.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mike exploits a captive Christmas audience to tell the story of the unknown actor who claims to have secretly played the lead in Doctor Who.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Alice and Marsh discuss what happened when they attended a raucous and public discussion on idea of Vaccine Passports.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mike, Marsh and Alice are joined once again by Emma to talk about the recent decision to recall Colin Pitchfork to prison, and Marsh talks about the recent terrorist attack at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital.Due to the nature of Colin Pitchfork’s offences, this episode makes occasional references to murder and rape which some listeners may wish to avoid.

Alice looks into Apitherapy, the practice of using bee stings for therapeutic purposes, and Marsh talks about COP26 and the ‘charitable’ lobbying efforts of climate change denial. Meanwhile Mike gets excited about the new series of Doctor Who.Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

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.