Episode Fifty-Four – On Power Balance – Interview with Simon Brice and Brett Jarosz

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (13.0MB) Direct download of Mp3 here. This is an additional, short interview for this week – which you can also hear on the Pseudo Scientists podcast, the show of the Young Australian Skeptics! Due to traveling (which I’m about to do in about ten minutes after writing this blogpost), I didn’t have the chance to record an additional summation of the research – so here it is. Many thanks... Read More

Little Sugar Pills: Why Fall For Homeopathy? Token Skeptic Special Episode

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.5MB) | Embed Little Sugar Pills – Why Fall For Homeopathy? Direct Download of Mp3 here. There’s a variety of reasons why someone might believe in homeopathy. Homeopathy isn’t as powerful as its supporters claim it is – the power of the human mind is greater. Which is why we have to use our minds, when it comes to getting the message out. There’s more to stopping homeopathy... Read More

Episodes 5 And 9 – Sports Superstitions And On Skepticism And Communication

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (8.6MB) | Embed Here’s the reworked, remastered episodes that have improved sound – and thanks again to all of my listeners for their patience! For each of these episodes, either download the direct mp3 link featured, or refresh your iTunes/Zune to get the new episode that will replace the former one. Episode 5  – On Sports Superstitions – Direct mp3 here. Sport is an integral part... Read More

Re-Release Of Token Skeptic #1 – On Santa

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (8.9MB) | Embed Direct link to Mp3 here! One of my goals before the conclusion of the year is to re-release episodes that were not the best in terms of sound quality. Since it’s that time of the year – here’s the very first episode on Santa Claus. While listening to a great Skepticality podcast episode (www.skepticality.com), I found I had many unanswered questions. Delving into the research,... Read More

Episode Six – On Trial By Ordeal – Witch-Hunting And Superstition

Here’s the FINAL missing episode – with the sound fixed and an addition from a recent news report! Professor Peter T. Leeson’s paper on ‘Ordeals’ looks at the medieval superstition ‘iudicium dei’ – or the judgment of God – the practice of judging a person’s innocence or guilt by ordeal. This could include putting your arm into boiling water, being dunked or even being burnt alive. “It was expected that God,... Read More

Episode Nine – On Skepticism And Communication

*sigh….* I know. Three episodes still to be posted, one which was redone. Thankfully, the weekend is here after my first week of back-to-work and the world will be set right again! Thanks to everyone who has listened to the ‘365 Days of Astronomy‘ podcast and heard my sponsorship plug and came to check this out! When I was at the recently held 10:23 Event at the Perth Skeptics, plenty of new people came to ask questions about what... Read More

Episode Five – On Sports Superstitions

*Sorry to listeners! Two little glitches appear on the track and is now being fixed for this episode! Please reload it for the clear version!* Sport is an integral part of popular culture – heritage, sense of national identity and an almost religious relevance in the discussions of fans when they talk about their favourite team. It’s unavoidable for reports about top athletes and sporting heroes to include a few ‘so, what helps you... Read More

Episode Four – On Women And Paranormal Beliefs (Part One)

Sorry again about the delay – looks like the problem is fixed! One of the big questions that is asked about paranormal belief (and often quite controversial) – is whether men or women are more likely to believe. Which sex is more likely to be superstitious? There’s a lot of research and results point to both ‘nature and nurture’, enough to make this the first part of several investigations into the topic! Transcript and... Read More

Episode Two – On Examination Superstitions

Episode Two – 28th December, 2009. Although it is time for seasonal cheer, beer, what have you – the end of our school year for us in the southern hemisphere includes a fresh batch of abandoned lucky charms to clean out of my classroom. Here’s a short run-down on some of the reasons why! Transcript and references follow: Read More  Read More