The Reality Check

Cristina brings the stats and facts behind recent measles outbreaks and highlights the importance of teaching young people how to think critically. Darren explores whether Canada's forests actually emit more carbon than they absorb. Lastly, Adam investigates whether comments about flat earth and 'Islamophobia' by a Quebec-based city councillor were taken out of context.

Pat exhausts several resources to help answer the burning question on our minds this Winter. Should you leave windshield wipers up, or down? Adam unpacks the 'Bell Let's Talk Day' campaign which takes a chain-letter approach to raise awareness around mental health. Lastly, Cristina dips into TRC's mailbag and takes on a listener's request to highlight astrophysicist Cecilia Payne.

Cristina kicks off the show by separating the facts from the fumbles around Super Bowl myths. Darren digs into Canada's latest Food Guide and asks whether its current revamp is line with the best evidence and data available. Finally, Adam ponders whether noise meters at sports events are all fake.

It's a brand new TRC! First, Darren looks at the backlash over a recent confrontation between protesters and school kids at the Lincoln Memorial. Cristina examines 'puffery' and its implications in the world of advertising. Pat rounds out the show by fact checking the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and goes straight to the man himself, Brian May, to corroborate a longtime story that he uses a sixpence as a guitar pick.

The TRC crew is back to usher in the New Year with a fun-filled show! First, we look back at our favourite segments from 2018. Next, Pat challenges the panel with a year in review game of 'Name That'. Lastly, Adam revisits the gang's 'predictions' from last year and we set aside logic yet again to guess at what might happen in 2019.

Happy 2019, Checkers! The crew will be back with regular shows soon. In the meantime, we bring you a fascinating interview with Dr. Kim Hellemans about the neuroscience of addiction. Kim is an award-winning neuroscientist and the chair of the department of neuroscience at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She is also a co-host of Minding The Brain podcast. Enjoy!

Happy holidays, Checkers. The RC crew is off but Adam couldn't stay away from the mic. He belongs in the air! We bring you a holiday segment all about reindeer. Is the Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer TV special problematic? Just how shiny would that nose have to be to guide a sleigh? Are Santa's reindeer female?

The RC crew is off for the festive season but controversy around the 1940's song 'Baby It's Cold Outside' is swirling. We revisit a segment from Darren breaking down the song's lyrical content with Dr. Stuart Robbins as a guest panelist. We also bring you parodies Pat and Cristina did on previous Xmas shows including a second song making the news due to an inappropriate lyric. Enjoy!

What's up, Checkers? This week's show was recorded on "Giving Tuesday" so Darren brings us an update on effective giving and how to make informed decisions about the charities you support. Dr. Stuart Robbins 'phones-in' with a follow-up on flat earther arguments and the late heavy bombardment. Adam rounds out the show with a follow-up to his recent segment on U.S. citizenship, after a listener asks, what happens if you're born in the air or at sea?

This week, Cristina revisits a topic covered on last week's show by guest Dr. Stuart Farrimond after a couple of food inspectors, who also happen to be Checkers, write in about food safety guidelines. András Pinter, host of the European Skeptics Podcast, joins the panel for an interesting discussion about the tourism industry and how a tour guide can strike the right balance between skepticism and entertainment. Finally, Producer Pat challenges our European knowledge with everyone's favourite mostly guessing game, Name That.

Another fun and fact-filled episode comin' at you! Our favourite resident food scientist and author Dr. Stuart Farrimond is back with a new book about the science of Spice. He schools us on how to make the perfect roast turkey just in time for your festive holiday dinners. Next, Adam looks into all the brouhaha over a cigar-shaped interstellar object that zoomed through our solar system and that some suggest may be an alien spacecraft.

Hey Checkers! First, a heartfelt thank you on this Remembrance Day to those who serve or have served to protect our freedoms. Adam kicks off this week's show with an update on the anti-vax article that was published then quickly removed by the Toronto Sun newspaper. Cristina's girlfriends inspire an update on beauty product claims where she explains industry laws and teaches us which claims to be leery of. Next, Darren continues his "Brief History…" series with a look at early life on Earth. Finally, Adam asks, "Would Donald Trump's many children, born to immigrant mothers, be US citizens if it weren't for birthright citizenship?"

Welcome to your weekly dose of TRC! Adam kicks things off by addressing a syndicated column filled with anti-vaccine misinformation and pseudoscience that was recently published in the Toronto Sun newspaper. "Physics Commando" Barry Panas schools us about errors in school textbooks after hearing a recent episode where Darren cites the Earth's mass. Finally, Pat drops a bombshell on the panel with a segment everyone should hear regarding passwords and how to find out if you've been compromised without even knowing it.

This week, Darren goes back billions of years to give us a fascinating look at early Earth. Adam takes a deep dive into how recent academic journals in the field of "grievance studies" were successfully published despite being a hoax. After NBA star Lebron James raised some eyebrows when stating his 11 and 14 year olds drink wine, Cristina looks into whether there is any tangible evidence to support a well-held notion that exposing kids to alcohol helps mitigate alcohol-related harms and dependence as teens and adults.

Your weekly dose of fun and facts is here! We definitely had a lot of laughs taping the show this week. First, Producer Pat points his skeptical lens at the recent Banksy incident rocking the Art World to find out if Sotheby's really got pranked, or did we all just get Banksied? Darren brings the panel's mood way down with an overview of the bleak reality reported in the recent UN Climate Change Report. The panel shakes it off long enough for Adam to give us an objective analysis of whether the uptick in voter registration in the U.S. can be attributed to pop star Taylor Swift.

This week, Adam looks into rumours that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is really the son of former Cuban Communist leader Fidel Castro. Cristina blazes through some myths and misconceptions around The Cannabis Act which legalizes the recreational use of cannabis in Canada as of October 17. Finally, Darren wraps up the show with a closer look at Sean Carroll's book, The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, Checkers! We bring you another fun and fact-filled show to digest alongside that slice of pumpkin pie. First, Darren looks at the history of abortion laws in Canada after a listener points out that our collective perception on a previous show was false. Cristina ponders how useless the long-standing spelling rule, "I Before E, Except After C" actually is. Finally, Adam investigates whether Twitter is shadowbanning some users, as they have recently been publicly accused of doing.

This week, the RC crew are stoked to have Dr. Stuart Farrimond on the show. A former medical doctor turned science and medical writer, educator, and author, Stuart uses one of our favourite comfort foods, 'Mac and Cheese', as a vehicle to debunk cooking myths. Pat trolls us with another game of 'Name That: Spot The Fake' edition resulting in some entertaining banter. Finally, Darren looks into flu shot timing, and asks whether you can get a flu shot too early?

Happy Fall, Checkers! Darren is finally back where he belongs with The RC crew and kicks off the show asking whether fundamental value differences are as fundamental as they seem. Cristina tries to get to the bottom of rumours that suggest Apple will be ending MP3 music downloads on its iTunes platform in 2019. Finally, Adam looks into recent claims that Sony Music released "fake" Michael Jackson songs.

With Darren still away in Europe, the crew get sucked into a vortex of shenanigans when former beloved TRC co-host Elan Dubrofsky and guest Dina Xirlin stop by. Cristina kicks off the festivities with an update on a recent lawsuit against Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP and its unfounded product claims. Adam investigates whether hot dog companies are colluding with bun companies to sell more of both products. Dina schools us on the Ontario Sex Ed Curriculum amidst the current controversy stirred by Ontario's new premier. Finally, Elan makes an earth-shattering discovery about 2 of his favourite old sitcoms.

Darren is still in Europe and Adam is still trying to cobble together internet access in his new rural home. Fear not, 5th Beatle and our favourite astronomer fills in. This week's show is dedicated to a single question from Checker, Mitchell, who asks: "are flat earthers for real?" Dr. Stuart Robbins tells us about the 'evidence' offered for a flat earth and the science that refutes it.

With Darren away in Europe and Adam moving, Cristina takes the helm for a water themed mashup. First, Darren asks: is it better to boil hot water or cold water? Next, Adam taps into health claims lauding the benefits of Maple Water. Finally, Pat flushes out the truth behind why bottled water has an expiration date.

This week, Cristina takes a hard look at the evidence behind cough medicine and whether it lives up to our 'hacking' expectations. Darren looks at what causes mosquito populations to flourish or shrink. Finally, Adam brings us another Amelia Earhart segment because this one just won't 'fly away'. (Too soon?) Welcome to another episode of TRC!

On this week's show, we dip into TRC's mail bag and highlight some of your fun feedback and questions. Producer Pat rounds out the show with a slippery edition of everyone's favourite guessing game, 'Name That.' This week's theme is water.

This week, Darren asks if there's really a conspiracy to keep a conspiracy theorist from his right to free speech in light of the recent Alex Jones ban. Next up, Adam investigates whether China blacklisted the new "Christopher Robin" film in retaliation over internet memes comparing Chinese President Xi Jinping to Winnie the Pooh. Cristina rounds out the show by raining on your Kombucha parade.

This week Producer Pat plays DJ bringing you a mashup show all about food labels. First Cristina bites into a segment about misleading product claims and food labeling. Next, Pat explores a viral video about trisodium phosphate in kid's cereal. Lastly, Darren checks into what the organic label really means.

Cristina looks into whether politicians can use a song without first obtaining the artist's permission. The answer may surprise you. Next, Adam looks into the great Pacific garbage patch and whether banning plastic straws is the answer. Lastly, Darren brings you his important triennial PSA on why you should always wear sunscreen.

Darren gives us his review of Daniel Gilbert's book 'Stumbling On Happiness'. Next, we offer up another episode of a new crossover podcast with Stuart Robbins called "5 minutes with an astronomer." In this episode Stuart tackles Lagrangian points. Last, Cristina looks into the evidence for claims that ingesting collagen has benefits for your skin.

First Pat looks into recent news about Michael Rapaport's mile high heroics and asks "could someone really open an airplane door mid flight?" Next the crew introduces a new crossover podcast with Stuart Robbins called "5 minutes with an astronomer" with an episode about parallax. Subscribe and leave a review! Last, Adam looks into headlines that the United States is the 10th most dangerous country to be a woman.

While Pat and Cristina enjoy some vacation time, Darren and Adam take the helm and welcome back special guest, Professor Jim Davies. Jim joins the dynamic duo to talk about the 'Memory Palace', an imaginary location in your mind where one can store mnemonic images. Next up, Darren digs into used clothing donation stats and ponders the best strategy when it's time to part with those MC Hammer pants you've been keeping buried in your closet.

Adam kicks off this week's show by looking into the trend of IV Therapy when used outside of legit medical procedures. Cristina goes head first down a rabbit hole after hearing that a beauty cream Oprah endorses may contain baby foreskin in its formulation. Finally, Darren digs into the stats behind a recent headline claiming that nearly half of Canada's incarcerated youth are Indigenous. Wishing our Canadian and U.S. Checkers a safe and happy Canada Day & July 4th holiday!

Happy Summer Solstice, Checkers! This week, Darren explores whether implicit bias training really works in the wake of Starbucks recently closing their stores to provide racial-bias training to its employees. Cristina takes time out of watching the World Cup to check a claim that Mexican fans triggered an earthquake when celebrating Mexico's victory over defending champion Germany. Finally, Adam looks into the validity of a story suggesting a Saudi Arabian fashion show used drones to model clothes on the catwalk because women are forbidden to model.

A mashup episode all about 'effects'. Darren discusses the sometimes misunderstood cognitive bias called the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Inspired by the movie Hidden Figures, Cristina digs into the Matilda Effect and highlights some groundbreaking women scientists who were famously and shamelessly snubbed for their achievements. Pat explains an illusion known as the McGurk Effect which demonstrates the interaction between hearing and vision in speech perception.

With all the hoopla of episode 500 done, the TRC crew gets back to business. First we reach into our mailbag for a couple of listener's letters. Next Darren looks into the authenticity of a rejection letter Albert Einstein supposedly received from the University of Bern. Cristina asks can grapefruit juice be lethal when mixed with drugs? Lastly Adam checks out recent headlines that the U.S Government lost 1,500 immigrant children.

The Reality Check celebrates its 500th episode in style! First the crew looks back on segment topics that sounded fishy but actually turned out to be true. Next, Pat tests the gang's ability to 'spot the fake' in another addition of everybody's favourite mostly guessing game. Lastly, we reflect on 500 episodes. We couldn't have done it without you, dear listeners. Well, we could have but it probably would have been a little weird and certainly not as much fun.

This week, the crew (minus Adam) come at you live from TRC Studio in Toronto! Cristina takes a poll of Checkers ahead of taping the show to see who is on Team Yanny or Laurel then breaks down what experts are saying about the "audio illusion" currently dividing the internet. Dr. Stuart Robbins takes a fascinating deep dive into HD, video and image compression and how it relates to conspiracies. Finally, Darren looks into a long-standing claim that 5% of the world is related to Genghis Khan.

Another fact-filled show is here! First, Darren digs into his skeptical toolbox to bring us an interesting overview of Bulverism Fallacy. But that's probably because he wants you to think better to act better. Adam looks closely at everyone's favourite peddler of pseudoscience Dr. Oz and asks, how often is he pretty much full of it? Finally, Cristina explores the research into delayed onset muscle soreness and tries to answer why we feel sore 2 days after exercise.

Spring is finally here, Checkers! Does it seem like you get bitten by mosquitoes way more than others around you? Cristina explores whether the pesky bloodsuckers are choosy about who they bite. Next, Darren ponders the sensitive topic of life and death and offers suggestions of questions to ask ourselves when tragedy strikes. Lastly, Adam looks into Barbra Streisand's supposedly cloned dogs and asks what's involved in cloning pets.

A fact-astic new episode of TRC is here! First, Darren doles out some surprising stats about snake bite deaths. Next, Cristina digs into how nature documentaries are filmed to determine what's real and what's fake. Lastly, Adam talks about his recent experience getting a vasectomy and what the medical procedure is, and isn't.

Hey, Checkers, the TRC crew is back with a mixed bag of facts! First, Pat brings us an entertaining segment after investigating an image macro dubbed 'treason tags' making the rounds on social media. Next, Adam takes a second look at the claim that the Atacama Mummified Skeleton found in Chile was not of this world. Lastly, Darren goes down a rabbit hole to school us on Godwin's Law.

This week's show is dedicated to an interview with author and animal protection advocate Paul Shapiro. Adam and Darren talk with Paul about cellular agriculture and his Washington Post bestseller book 'Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World.'

This week, Adam looks into a viral post suggesting that confectionery company Cadbury is waging war on Easter. Next Darren takes a deep dive into Jordan Peterson and his book '12 Rules For Life'. Lastly Cristina checks into headlines suggesting that Lebron James gained 7 pounds during a single basketball game. Enjoy!

Happy Spring Equinox, Checkers! This week, Adam questions whether gun violence in Canada is really increasing by targeting the facts. Pat challenges the crew to an Easter-ish version of everybody's favourite mostly guessing game. Lastly, Darren warns us about an online passport service taking advantage of unsuspecting Canadians.

Aloha Checkers! The whole crew is here for a brand new show. Back from a trip to Hawaii, Darren discusses how the islands that make up the State came to be. Cristina, once again, looks into the question: are euthanasia drugs showing up in dog food? Lastly, Adam looks into some recent headlines claiming that Amelia Earhart's bones have been found.

Brian Tomasik from Reducing-Suffering.org discusses ethics, animal welfare and far-future scenarios from a suffering-focused perspective. Here is his interview from 2015 presented in its entirety for the first time. This was one of the more controversial interviews on TRC and generated quite a bit of conversation. As always, we're interested to hear what you think. The crew will be back next week with a freshly minted show. Enjoy!

Did Mussolini make the trains run on time? Was Rosa Parks just 'too tired' to give up her seat? The crew is off this week so Cristina and Pat seize the opportunity to chat with fellow podcaster, author and historian extraordinaire Professor Buzzkill, aka Joseph Coohill. Joe schools us on history myths, 'good' evidence, and some interesting topics he's covered on Professor Buzzkill: History 101.

The crew has the week off but still brings you a new fact-filled TRC! Cristina and Pat chat with Ryan Armstrong from Post-Truth Health and Bad Science Watch. He tells us whether urine-based tests coming to Canada can determine the sex of a fetus during pregnancy. Next Darren delivers a promised follow-up to his segment about neurons asking how many neurons does the human brain have?

This week, Darren looks into the potential downside of watching a solar eclipse and asks, 'Is it worth it?' Adam gets all 'Darren' on us with an interesting segment about consciousness and the bicameral mind. Lastly, Cristina investigates whether an online dating site has the evidence to back up their claims that they use science to match people.

Another theme-filled show coming at you! First, Cristina combs through widely-held Valentine's Day myths to find out what's fact and what's fiction. Pat challenges the panel with another game of Name That: V-Day Edition. Finally, Darren rounds out the show with a 'heartfelt' segment about the amazing organ behind Valentine's Day.

Another week, another great episode of TRC! On this week's show, Darren follows his impulses and takes a deep dive on neurons. Adam looks into YouTube's content ID system to find out why a video of white noise could possibly set off a copyright claim. Finally, Cristina explains the real reason that February is the shortest month of the year.