Yeah... Nah!

We start off this week’s episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast talking about a recent change in New Zealand legislation, removing the alcohol restrictions on religious holidays in bars and restaurants. As well as this small but meaningful change, Katrina looks into microplastics to see if they’re a ticking timebomb inside our bodies, Mark double checks whether sugar feeds cancer, and where this idea came from, and Bronwyn looks into the history of Youth With a Mission (YWAM), a Christian mission organisation, and uncovers some interesting connections to New Zealand. About this episode Articles we talk about: Should We Be Worried About Microplastics? Sugar Feeds Cancer? Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2026-03-30

We’re joined on this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast by NZ Skeptics committee member Dan Ryan, who recently found that Falun Gong were being less than honest when running stalls at his local market. We also hear from Katrina about Louis Theroux’s new documentary on the “manosphere”, Mark about the Auckland Deep Thinkers group, who don’t appear to be thinking very deeply, and Bronwyn, who has been looking into the history of Friday the 13th and its superstitious beliefs. About this episode Articles we talk about: Friday the 13th x 3: The mayhem, the meme, and some math Inside the Manosphere – Louis Theroux Auckland Shallow Thinkers A Cult has infiltrated my Market Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2026-03-16

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast, we start off with a short chat about Thomas Driver, followed by an extended amount of blathering from Mark, who fills us in on both his visiting Mormons and some emails the NZ Skeptics have been receiving recently asking if we can publish their articles on our website. Bronwyn has debunked one of Mark’s pet theories, the idea that there’s been an uptick in mushrooms being sold as complementary medicine recently because of companies who were planning to grow marijuana having to repurpose their equipment. And finally Katrina has found the curious case of a French academic who seems to have not only created a fake award to make himself look important, but also faked the existence of multiple organisations that are supposedly linked to the award. About this episode Articles we talk about: Medical Marijuana and Mushroom Mania My first Book of Mormon Stories Philology Fictionology Fragment 176–191: Poisoning AI Summaries? Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2026-03-02

We’re all over the show in this episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast. After an impromptu discussion about the UK’s Metropolitan Police and their decision to force members of secretive groups like the Masons to declare their memberships, we launch into several of the topics that were covered in last weekend’s newsletter. Starting with Jeffrey Epstein, Mark talks about several different ideas people have had that there may be secret codes embedded in the recently released email batches. Bronwyn has found an early Skeptic in New Zealand, and chronicles her deep dive into the adventures of Thomas Driver challenging psychics over a century ago. And finally Katrina has looked into the Uncanny Valley, to see what the science is behind this interesting phenomenon and what the kids of Tik Tok are doing with it. About this episode Articles we talk about: Uncanny Valley Hidden Messages in the Epstein Emails? Dead Skeptics Society: Thomas William Driver, aka Professor Robert Kudarz, Part 1 Dead Skeptics Society: Thomas William Driver, aka Professor Robert Kudarz, Part 2 Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2026-02-02 2026-02-17

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast we spend most of our time talking with Jared Brandon about his shiny new YouTube channel, Unholy Light. Jared is attempting to tackle some of the simple-sounding but tough topics related to Christianity, like defining the words they use such as “faith”. Mark also talks about Shawn Bolz, a “prophetic” teacher who has been shown to have most likely been using hot reading techniques to wow Christian congregations around the US, and Kristina Dines, a woman whose toes were supposedly magically restored years after they had been amputated, after she attended a faith healing church service. About this episode Our Guests: Jared Brandon Useful Links: Unholy Light Articles we talk about: Christian Hot Readings Show me the Toes! Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2026-02-02

We’re back after a hiatus over the Christmas break, with a look into all things skeptical. The team starts off talking about Megalag’s latest videos covering the Honey browser extension debacle. Bronwyn has been looking into the new season of The Telepathy Tapes, and also checking out whether a recent umbrella review of alternative treatments for autism has found anything positive (spoiler: it hasn’t). Katrina is currently being spammed with adverts for “natural” menopause treatments, and has checked out whether any of them have any merit (spoiler: they don’t). And finally Mark has been looking into a relatively new aerospace startup called Reflect Orbital, to see if their business model of shining sunlight onto solar farms at night makes financial sense (spoiler: it doesn’t). About this episode Articles we talk about: Menopause Supplements Wham, Bam, Autism scams and a grand slam: Telepathy Tapes, Autistic Barbie, and a systematic review. Reflect Orbital: Engineering marvel or just smoke and mirrors? Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2026-01-20

In our last Yeah… Nah! episode of 2025, we have an odd mix of topics to cover - but that doesn’t stop Bronwyn from being able to connect them somehow, as well as tie them in with the theme of Christmas. After some housekeeping, Mark talks about his foray into nature documentaries, dissecting a scene from the 1970s movie “Animals are Beautiful People” and questioning whether any of it is real. Katrina has a dream that one day she might be able to walk into her kitchen and ask a 3D printer to make her a meal, but it turns out that that day is probably a long way off. And Bronwyn has found out (shock horror) that a Netflix documentary series about a claimed UFO abduction plays fast and loose with the truth. About this episode Articles we talk about: Doomsday Comedy reaches New Zealand 2025 AGM Chair’s Report Give me 3D printed dinners (please) Can Elephants Hold Their Drink? Review: The Manhattan Alien Abduction Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-12-08 2025-12-22

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, our team of intrepid podcasters reveal that the NZ Skeptics’ fundraising offer is just $50 shy of our $2,000 target. Mark then launches into an impassioned monologue about climate change and some of the correspondence he’s received recently. In the aftermath of the recent failed rapture predictions, Bronwyn has been keeping an eye on Tik Tok and has found the Next Big Thing for outraged Christians, a demon-possessed alarm clock. Katrina’s read a parenting book, Hunt, Gather, Parent, and has tried out some of its suggestions - although she remains skeptical about just how scientific the advice is. And finally the team talk about the second season of John Campbell’s documentary series on Destiny church, titled Under His Command, and wonder whether there’s scope for a more thorough look into the church and its finances. About this episode Articles we talk about: Donate to Siouxsie and double your money Why aren’t we skeptical about climate change? Please don’t offer me opinion disguised as fact How low do we want the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere? Hunt, Gather, Parent - Book Review The ghost in the machine: Are Hatch alarm clocks the highway to hell? Review: Under His Command, Season 2 Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-11-10 2025-11-24

In this special episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast, we talk with longtime skeptic Siouxsie Wiles about taking her employer, Auckland University, to employment court over their lack of support for her science communication work. We get to hear some of the inside scoop about the court case, and try to figure out why the university chose to go down the legal path rather than making a few simple changes to their policies. About this episode Links to resources we talk about: Period People Aotearoa: https://www.toiaria.org/our-projects/period-people-aotearoa/ Period People donations: https://support.auckland.ac.nz/ppa Spinoff piece about why Siouxsie’s crowdfunding: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-11-2025/siouxsie-wiles-why-im-crowdfunding-despite-winning-my-legal-battle

We’ve covered some serious topics in this week’s podcast, and some that are thankfully a little more light-hearted. Mark talks about a media request the NZ Skeptics have received to answer questions about UFOs, hoping to make it abundantly clear that despite a number of UFO articles on our website, we don’t actually believe that little green men are visiting us. Bronwyn has delved into our project to collate events of skeptical interest, and looks at what skeptical events happened this fortnight in history. Katrina tackles a more serious topic, of Parental Alienation, asking whether this “syndrome” is even real. And finally Mark continues in this serious vein by looking into New Zealand’s main Men’s Rights website, wondering why the site’s members seem to spend most of their time denigrating women and posting pseudoscientific nonsense. About this episode Articles we talk about: Interview Request for Student Magazine Project This fortnight in skeptical history - October 28th to November 9th The Problem with Family Court Social Science MENZ vs Reality Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-10-28

We have more topics than usual on this week’s Yeah… Nah! podcast episode, with Bronwyn talking about Zholia Alemi and RFK Jr’s circumcision claims, Mark talking about the new book The War on Science and Avi Loeb’s doom and gloom predictions that aliens are coming to kill us, and finally Katrina talking about Gerson Therapy and another sad case of someone foregoing proper medical treatment, with dire consequences. Plus we have an update of sorts on the (non)Rapture of 2025. About this episode Articles we talk about: Wham, Bam, Autism scams: Circumcisions and Autism The Actual War on Science Gerson Therapy strikes again More bad medicine: Updates on the Zholia Alemi case Avi Loeb Strikes Again Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-10-13

Katrina’s back and in top form for this episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, updating us on the latest research into keto diets, and recent experiments in mice. Mark has an up-date on the failed Rapture prediction, with a new date being suggested of the 7th of October, and a hand-waving excuse as to why it didn’t happen on the 24th. And there was no way Bronwyn wasn’t going to cover the recent claims by Trump and RFK Jr in the US that paracetamol use in pregnancy is the cause of autism. About this episode Articles we talk about: The 2025 Keto Mice Update Why was the Rapture predicted for September the 24th? And why didn’t it happen? Wham, Bam, Autism scams: Paracetamol. Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-09-29

Quick, you only have a few days left before the Antichrist turns up for the end of the world - make sure your room’s tidy, and say goodbye to any Christians in your life before they’re whisked away. In this week’s episode, Mark talks about an Official Information Act request warning the government that the Rapture is happening on Wednesday the 24th of September, 2025, and breaks down what all the mentions of conspiracy theories are in the request. Bronwyn has found a worrying trend on social media of using scare tactics to stop women taking the contraceptive pill. Finally, Bronwyn and Tim talk about a recent talk given by Devamrita Swami to Vic Uni students who were lured in with the promise of free (vegan) food. About this episode Our Guests: Tim Atkin Articles we talk about: Birth Control Blues: TikTok is pushing contraceptive skepticism, but are influencers getting the science right? The End of the World as we know it: September 24th Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-09-15

This week in the Yeah… Nah! podcast, there’s a smorgasbord of skeptical topics for you to gorge yourself on. Bronwyn has updates to her previous articles on Cryonics, the Warrens, the Campbells and ISTA, while Katrina has concerns about how poor numeracy can have detrimental health outcomes. And Mark has been patiently waiting for a new game, Silksong, to be released, and has found an interesting parallel to how conspiracy theorists behave amongst the many people hyped up about the game’s long-awaited release. About this episode Articles we talk about: Skeptical Updates Numeracy and Health Outcomes Silkposting and Rabbit Holes Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-09-01

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast there’s just one topic on all of our minds - The Telepathy Tapes. Bronwyn, Mark and Katrina talk to Janyce Boynton from the US about the world of Facilitated Communication (FC). Janyce is not only hugely knowledgeable about the world of FC, but was also once a practitioner herself. The conversation ranges from the 1990s through to today, covering not only FC but also RPM, S2C, telepathy, false abuse accusations, the complicity of higher education, copyright strikes, and a whole lot more. About this episode Our Guests: Janyce Boynton Articles we talk about: Wham, Bam, Autism scams: The Telepathy Tapes Part 1 Wham, Bam, Autism scams: The Telepathy Tapes Part 2 Quantum communication in telepathy The Talk Tracks The Telepathy Tapes Talk Tracks Two: Back for More Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-08-04 2025-08-18

Despite the fact that all our podcast hosts wrote about the same topic for our newsletter this week, we’ve still ended up with a variety of discussions for the podcast. Bronwyn and Mark not only talk about The Telepathy Tapes, but also about their visit to see a talk given by Brother Guy Consolmagno, the head Vatican Astronomer. Katrina thoroughly debunks the idea that quantum entanglement could explain telepathy between individuals who have been in close proximity to each other, and Mark laments the end of his regular Skeptical Activism evenings in Wellington. About this episode Articles we talk about: Wham, Bam, Autism scams: The Telepathy Tapes Part 1 Quantum communication in telepathy The Talk Tracks Goodbye Activism Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-08-04

Katrina’s back from her holiday, so we’re back to full strength for this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast. Mark and Bronwyn visited a faith healing night, and they recount their experiences and their thoughts on whether God was present on the night. Katrina’s been trying to figure out whether a mixture of nootropics and neuroplasticity can rewire your brain. Mark’s been looking into a “cult” that’s so new the paint’s not even dry yet. And Bronwyn wonders whether the latest event related to Ed and Lorraine Warren might be different to all the others, or if it’s just more of the same nonsense. About this episode Articles we talk about: Neuroplasticity and nootropics Pioneer Ministry’s Revival Night Possessed doll strikes again? Children of the Waning Star Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-07-21

Katrina’s been away on holiday, so we’ve replaced her in this episode with Aaron, an ex Jehovah’s Witness who’s spent some time on the NZ Skeptics committee. Mark and Aaron talk about Aaron’s attempt to prove Mark wrong about Diet Coke, and the lessons learned from this test about blind testing. Bronwyn completes her series on cryonics with a grab-bag of interesting facts she’s learned. And Mark seems to have got more than he bargained for when he looked into a silly idea about how you’re supposed to “implant” seeds so that they can better serve your needs. About this episode Articles we talk about: Diet Coke Blind Test Over-confidence and Cola Seed Imprinting and Anastasia’s Ringing Cedars Ringing Cedars in New Zealand? A brief history of immortality: 80 years of Cryonics Part 3 Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-06-09 2025-07-07

We figured there was a lot more life in the idea of people trying to live forever, so all three of our podcast hosts this week - Bronwyn, Katrina and Mark - have picked a topic related to human lifespans. Katrina lets us know how long we can expect people to live, and how both the average life expectancy and upper age limit of living people have changed over time. Mark has been looking into the people who try to use science to extend their lifespan for as long as possible, with some hoping to live forever - although they seem to be trusting more in pseudoscience than evidence-backed treatments. And Bronwyn has compared and contrasted the most well-known cryonics companies, as well as looking into a curious early attempt to bring cryonics to New Zealand. About this episode Articles we talk about: A brief history of immortality: 80 years of Cryonics Part 2 Radical Life Extension How long can humans live? Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-06-23

Having been a week late with the last episode, we’re following up with an on-time episode, meaning you can listen to Yeah… Nah! two weeks in a row. This week Katrina wonders whether Trump’s Golden Dome idea of a missile defence shield around the US has any merit, and Bronwyn talks about the history of cryonics (not cryogenics). We also chat about our plan to cover the Telepathy Tapes, and suggest that some of our more intrepid listeners might want to try to listen to that podcast before we start talking about it - but beware, it’s horrifically pseudoscientific and intellectually painful to listen to. About this episode Articles we talk about: The Golden Dome A brief history of immortality: 80 years of Cryonics, Part 1 Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-06-09

As Bronwyn’s been on holiday overseas and come back suffering from food poisoning, we’ve recorded this episode a little late - but we’re sure it’s worth the wait! Mark gives his thoughts on John Campbell’s recent documentary series Under His Command, about the controversial Destiny Church and its leader, “Apostle” Brian Tamaki. Katrina looks into the scientific evidence for and against the idea of Mansplaining as a phenomenon, Bronwyn gives us an update on recent bad behaviour by members of the secretive Two by Twos church, and Mark’s been seeing some worrying trends when it comes to what Google’s search AI chooses to answer or refuse to answer. About this episode Articles we talk about: Update on the Two by Twos Review: Under His Command Is ‘mansplaining’ a thing? Better a Skeptic than Two Geese Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-05-26

We’re all over the show with our new episode of Yeah… Nah!, starting with Mark talking about his recent visit to another Creationist talk - and this one was as inspiring as it was factual. Katrina’s been concerning herself with the question of whether octopuses are going to take over the world, and Bronwyn’s managed to dig up some archive material about a small church in Lower Hutt that appears to have had more than its fair share of controversy and bad behaviour during its lifetime. About this episode Articles we talk about: How Creationism Hurts My Brain Could Octopodes take over the world? Commonwealth Covenant Church: A forgotten NZ sect Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-05-12 Mentioned in this episode: Dr Kemp’s Petition Decult Film Night

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast, the team ponder an email sent in by Barry Lennox, who knows a little more about EMF than the people selling EMF Rocks. Katrina finishes off her series on Sovereign Citizens, looking at how the courts have dealt with the madness, and Bronwyn and Mark both have some weird and wonderful stories about the Catholic church, just in time for the Conclave. About this episode Articles we talk about: Catholic Conspiracies Holy Weed and Holy Forgeries SoulCore - Catholic Yoga EMF WooWoo Sovereign Citizens: Part Three - the Courts Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-04-28

Scams, scams, scams in this episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, with Mark talking about his activism dealing with an NZ Post text-based scam, Bronwyn looking into vastly-overpriced bags of rocks that are supposed to protect you from harmful Electromagnetic radiation, and Katrina documenting how some Sovereign Citizens in New Zealand have been trying to scam Justices of the Peace into signing copies of their sham legal documents. About this episode Articles we talk about: NZ Post Scams: A little bit of Activism Sovereign Citizens: Part Two – Justices of the Peace EMF can't hurt you if you're dead: A new nadir for the electrosensitivity industry Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-04-14

In this episode of the only official podcast of the NZ Skeptics ever to have existed, Bronwyn is concerned that skeptical slapdowns aren’t enough to keep a good bullshit peddler down, Mark is dismayed at people contacting the NZ Skeptics who want us to try to trick search engines into increasing our ranking, and Katrina starts a very long journey in the first of a multi-part look into the history of sovereign citizens, and what they’re up to in New Zealand. About this episode Articles we talk about: SEO Shenanigans: A story in four emails SEO Silliness Wham, Bam, Autism Scams: Wasting resources, and having conflicts of interest, in a White House that claims to want neither Sovereign Citizens: Part One - Intro, Police and Councils Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-03-03 2025-04-03

In this episode of the Yeah... Nah! podcast, hosts Bronwyn Rideout, Mark Honeychurch and Katrina Borthwick explore the ethical implications of using AI tools when making content for the NZ Skeptics. They discuss recent weather-related scams surrounding Cyclone Alfred, the latest strange trend on TikTok involving telekinesis, and the dubious intellectual claims of Christopher Langan - with a detailed critique of how scammers often leverage high IQ claims. About this episode Articles we talk about: TikTok Telekinesis: Fun or Foily Cyclone Alfred Nonsense Chris Langan - Smartest Man in the World? Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-03-17

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast, extra special guest James Kerr joins the crew for a conversation about how a fundamental misunderstanding of how government works can lead people to believe in grand conspiracies. Bronwyn gives an update on ISTA, who are currently in a little hot water. And Katrina has found a handy online game called Bad News that teaches people about online disinformation. About this episode Articles we talk about: Mulder would be QAnon: The deep roots of a modern conspiracy Keep it real online ISTA (International School of the Temple Arts) and Highden make actual headlines Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-03-03

In the latest episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, your hosts lament the latest nonsense stunt pulled by Destiny Church. Mark reports back from the recent Wellington anti-fluoride meeting, featuring American fluoride activist Michael Connett. Everyone has watched the new Netflix show about cancer quacks, Apple Cider Vinegar, so we get a breakdown of the show from Katrina, and an investigation into the real history of one of the main characters from Bronwyn. About this episode Articles we talk about: Michael Connett's Wellington Talk Apple Cider Vinegar Issues logical and lexical: A scavenger hunt through Jessica Ainscough's digital detritus Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-02-18

In this episode, we first ponder Mark and Bronwyn’s upcoming trip to Auckland, and then get down to business sharing our thoughts on the movie Heretic. Katrina has some worrying news about an asteroid coming our way in a little under a decade, and Mark looks at the recent scandal with PayPal’s Honey browser extension, drawing parallels to an older scandal that happened much closer to home in skeptical circles. About this episode Articles we talk about: Movie Review: Heretic Incoming Asteroid just might hit earth Honey: Kessler's Flying Circus on Steroids Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-02-03

It’s an episode of looking back this week, with both Bronwyn and Mark revisiting old stories. Bronwyn gives us an update on cult member and soon-to-be US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, while Mark has been keeping his eye on the resurrection of the Global Flourishing group in Auckland. Katrina has been learning all about hacking and social engineering, and kept track of all the media stories over Christmas involving people falling prey to internet scams. And Mark gives everyone a heads up that Michael Connett, son of anti-fluoride activist Paul Connett, will be in New Zealand soon giving talks around the country. About this episode Articles we talk about: Skeptical Updates Global Flourishing is Back The Six weeks of Scamming Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-01-21

We’re back after a well-deserved Christmas break, and we have more aliens to talk about. After hearing about Mark’s job as Best Man at a wedding where the guests were mostly either Jehovah’s Witnesses or Salvation Army members, Katrina keeps us updated on the latest proposed addition to the Drake Equation, bringing estimates of the number of alien civilisations in our galaxy down even further. Then Bronwyn and Mark talk about both their visits to Share International, and the history of the group under the leadership of Benjamin Creme. About this episode Articles we talk about: Revisiting Drake Visiting Share International The History of Share International Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-01-06

CONTENT WARNING: This episode involves Mark describing his colonic irrigation in excruciating detail, and includes audio samples of his ordeal. As well as this horrendous segment, Bronwyn talks about how December in NZ is connected with UFOs and aliens, and Brad has tried to answer a question about playing a piano on Mars, a thought experiment that turns out to have more depth to it than you might think. About this episode Articles we talk about: How would a piano sound on Mars? Ring around Uranus: My Colonic, part 1 Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-12-23

The Yeah… Nah! crew are preparing for Christmas, and for Mark this means getting ready for his upcoming colonic irrigation.  Bronwyn has spent the last month annoying Mark by sending him AI videos of buff and chubby cats, and then decided to try to figure out what’s motivating the people who have been making them. Brad has noticed a relatively new trend that vocalists are using, and wonders if it’s a case of form above function. Katrina has found some pretty obscure local cryptids, although it appears that all of them have likely rational explanations. And finally Mark has been watching sermons given by Jonathan Ayling, the CEO of the Free Speech Union, and wonders whether his love of free speech hides an ulterior motive. About this episode Articles we talk about: Chubby the AI cat: Another image scan, Elsagate 2024, or a bit of both? Hip-singing and vocal fry; why do I hate them so much? Cryptids of New Zealand: Part 1 Cryptids of New Zealand: Part 2 Jonathan Ayling - a wolf in sheep’s clothing Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-11-25 2024-12-09 2025-01-21

The team are back from the NZ Skeptics’ annual conference and ready to give you their honest thoughts on how the event went, along with a low-down of each of the speakers’ talks. And, as if that isn’t enough to fill an entire episode, we also hear from Bronwyn about claims that lasers can cure autism, and from Mark who has now watched three out of five Christian apologist movies in the God’s Not Dead series from Pureflix, and has failed to solve a mystery. About this episode Articles we talk about: Post Conference Thoughts Wham, Bam, Autism Scam: Pew pew Autism lasers God's Not Dead 3: A Light in Darkness Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-11-25

We’re at the NZ Skeptics’ annual conference for this special live recording of Yeah… Nah! We reveal our Bent Spoon, Bravo and Skeptic of the Year winners, trash talk the Go Green Expo (and LifeWave in particular) and try to convince our live audience that going on a ghost hunting tour is a really fun thing to do. About this episode Articles we talk about: Go Green Garbage X39 Patches, brought to you by LifeWave There's a patch for that: LifeWave moves into New Zealand Ghost Hunting for Skeptics Post Conference Thoughts Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-11-11 2024-11-25

Mark and Bronwyn are back from the DeCult conference, and have some thoughts about their experiences while they were there, and some of the suggestions that had been floated about how to deal with the issue of cults. Mark comes full-circle on the idea of a weirdly shaped straw, Katrina wants to be a super-hero, but is disappointed in the lack of progress science is making to realise her dreams. And Brad gets horsey again, trying to figure out why some of his friends and colleagues pay good money for ineffective equine treatments. Warning: This episode has brief mentions of abuse during the cult segment. About this episode Articles we talk about: Decompressing from DeCult Anti-Ageing Straws Superhero science IRL Equine Touch Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-10-29

Another fortnight, another episode of your favourite podcast, Yeah… Nah! This time round the block, we’re all over the place, starting with Katrina talking about the history of Halloween traditions. Mark has been farming his children for content again, and has learned about Aura Points. Bronwyn’s found yet another dodgy piece of autism research, and Brad’s been considering the importance of choosing your words carefully. About this episode Articles we talk about: All Hallows Eve Aura Points Wham, Bam, Autism Scams: Reversing Autism through diet and therapy Weaponising Words Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-10-14

Brad’s just had surgery, but that’s not stopping him from coming onto the podcast this week, where the team talk about his operation, as well as a brain drink he was given by a well-meaning client. Katrina talks about multivariate data analysis, and Mark considers whether sticking your tongue against the roof of your mouth is going to give you a chiselled jaw and perfect teeth. About this episode Articles we talk about: More variables please (with sprinkles on top) Mewing Ārepa: great minds drink alike? Or a storm in a drink bottle? Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-09-30

In this VERY special episode, Mark and Bronwyn talk with Anke, a journalist with a long-standing interest in cult groups who is organising a weekend conference in Christchurch in October that focuses on all things culty. We talk about cult survivors, cult experts, the difficulties of organising a large event, and Anke’s hopes for the future.

We’ve not scared Katrina or Brad away yet, so the Yeah… Nah! team are marching on, to pastures new. Both Mark and Bronwyn have been poking around astrology software, trying to figure out what, and who, makes it tick. Brad has tried to make sense of the impossible - homeopathy - and its use in treating horses. And Katrina looks into creative ways to get high both legally and for free. About this episode Articles we talk about: A steaming pile of Horse Homeopathy The <FAULT> in our stars: Digitising astrology A PEEK inside some Astrology Software Way remains murky for MDMA assisted therapy Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-09-16

It’s our first episode with new co-hosts Katrina Borthwick and Brad MacClure, so the Yeah… Nah! squad 2.0 get to work tackling some topical issues. Bronwyn, Katrina and Mark have all suffered through watching the entire season of spiritual healing reality TV show Lost Resort, and have a lot to say about it. Katrina has looked into a dubious chiropractic company who caused a New Zealand scientific paper to be retracted. Brad complains about a fellow old-white-man who’s been complaining about the Olympics. And Mark points out the clinical ineffectiveness of the Throckmorton Sign in radiology. About this episode Articles we talk about: Skeptical AV Club: Lost Resort (American Reality Series, 2020) NZ Researcher Silenced Richard Dawkins is officially a curmudgeon The Throckmorton Sign Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-09-02

It’s the end of an era for the Yeah… Nah! podcast as we bid Craig farewell. After we recover from the shock of his departure, we get down to business. Brian Paavo joins us from his helicopter to tell us about his recent visit to Scientology in Honolulu, Bronwyn snakes her way through Spiritualist history, from the enactment of the Spiritualist Church of New Zealand Act 1924 through to Red Seal Toothpaste, and Mark dunks on a couple of new personal AI devices. About this episode Our Guest Brian Paavo Articles we talk about: Scientological Visit Mobile AI, over-promising and under-delivering The Spiritualist Church of New Zealand Act 1924 Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-08-19

Craig is back and as busy as ever, so you might be listening to this podcast on a day that is not Thursday. This week we are chewing the fat about intuitive eating, The Divine Light Mission, and bad batteries. About this episode Articles we talk about: The Child Lord of the Universe: Prem Rawat and the Divine Light Mission, Part 1 The child god grows up: Prem Rawat and the Divine Light Mission, Part 2 Intuitive Eating The Calm after the Steorn Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-08-05 2024-07-22

Craig is away again this week, and again we’ve had to call on two committee members to do the job of one. Returning guests Dan Ryan and Katrina Borthwick try not to get bogged down by bad data, either historical or contemporary; Mark takes transubstantiation to its logical extreme; and Dan needs tech support for a sentient laptop monitor. About this episode Our Guests: Katrina Borthwick Dan Ryan Articles we talk about: Bogged Down by Mistakes: Tracking two hundred years of Irish Misinformation Paper mills 900 ft. Jesus? Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-07-22

Craig is away this episode and singing his heart out at the World Choir Games, leaving Bronwyn and Mark to fill the hole he’s left in their hearts (at least for the next two weeks). Fortunately, they’ve been able to replace him twice over with TWO special guests! Committee member Brad MacClure returns to discuss placebos, and Hamish Dickson makes his podcast debut to share his visit to the Dunedin Spiritual Expo. Bronwyn is back on her Colin Amery nonsense, and Mark talks about everything. If you are in Auckland next week, be sure to stay listening for our Membership corner, for a special Skeptics in the Pub announcement. About this episode Our Guests: Brad MacClure Hamish Dickson Articles we talk about: Stop crediting the placebo effect, it doesn't make you better! The Dunedin Spiritual Expo Tarotmancer: A brief biography of Colin Amery Jim Ring, Nelson YouTube Update Souls of the dead tracking across the sky Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-07-08

“Yeah…Nah!” says hell yeah to another episode with a smorgasbord of features. Craig tags along to a Matariki celebration; Bronwyn wonders if her sugar-free electrolytes are illegal, and Mark keeps himself busy as always; getting the NZ Skeptics out of the YouTube naughty corner, attending a creationist “education” session. About this episode Articles we talk about: Are sugar-free electrolyte drinks actually illegal in New Zealand? In the YouTube Naughty Corner Matariki 2024 Eyelashes on an Ichthyosaur Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-06-24

Your faithful podcasters are testing the limits of the NZ Skeptics’ insurance policy in this episode. Craig laments on Michael Shermer’s turn towards the unskeptical; Mark reads Sue Nicholson’s memoir, so you don’t have to; and Bronwyn examines the life of a former global Skeptics challenge contender, Colin Amery. Heads up for mentions of suicide and child death. About this episode Articles we talk about: A Call from the Other Side Tarotmancer: A brief biography of Colin Amery Michael Shermer used to be a good skeptic Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-06-10 2024-05-13

Buckle in for a wild yet contemplative ride. We’re talking about the fast-tracked ‘gamer’ saint and Jason Scamoa. Craig may be onto a winner with an astrology-based betting system, and Bronwyn and Mark try to beat Wellington on a not-great day by checking out the School of Practical Philosophy. About this episode Articles we talk about: Don the Astrologer A Visit to the School of Practical Philosophy Get schooled: A practical history of the School of Practical Philosophy Jason Momoa: From Aquaman to Aquascam Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2024-05-27