Token Skeptic 201 - On Pluto, Discovery Centre And The Podcast Science Vs
Release Date: 07/19/2015
Token Skeptic 235 - On Zealot: A Book About Cults
Token Skeptic Podcast
"Zealot: A Book About Cults" by Jo Thornley is published by Hachette and is available online as well as bookstores. We started this Token Skeptic interview by chatting about how "Zealot" came to be.
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Token Skeptic 234 - On Animals, Language, Koko and Wish Fulfilment
Token Skeptic Podcast
The idea that animals have the potential to talk is an alluring one; from the mathematical stunts of , to research on parrots, dolphins and chimps - . It's interesting, exciting and even cute - but is it really true that animals have language? After the recent passing of , I spoke to about the hopes we have about being the next Dr Dolittle, and just how realistic those hopes are. Daniel is a lecturer in applied linguistics at Edith Cowan University, and at the University of Western Australia, as well as a presenter on the popular language podcast . ****************************** A...
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Token Skeptic 233 - On Complementary Medicine Laws In Australia and Choice Campaign
Token Skeptic Podcast
Hundreds of such as "tonifies kidney essence" and "opens body orifices" could appear on complementary medicine labels under Their campaign points out that "Proposed laws could see dangerous and potentially misleading claims on therapeutic goods, especially complementary and alternative medicines like herbal and homeopathic treatments. It means that products can claim to decrease the time it takes to fall asleep or help maintain healthy heart function without having scientific evidence to back their claims." I spoke to Katinka Day, the Campaigns Policy Team Leader at...
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Token Skeptic 232 - On Mr Shaha’s Recipes for Wonder
Token Skeptic Podcast
is a science book with a difference, written by Alom Shaha, illustrated by Emily Robertson and published by Scribble Kids Books. Alom was born in Bangladesh but grew up in London; as a parent, teacher, science writer, and filmmaker, he has spent most of his professional life trying to share his passion for science and education with the public. Alom has produced, directed, and appeared in a number of television programmes for broadcasters such as the BBC, and has received fellowships from the National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts (NESTA) and...
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Token Skeptic 231 - On The Woman Who Fooled The World
Token Skeptic Podcast
Belle Gibson convinced the world she had healed herself from terminal brain cancer with a healthy diet. She built a global business based upon her claims. There was just one problem: she'd never had cancer. In 2015, journalists uncovered the truth: this hero of the wellness world, with over 200,000 followers, international book deals, and a best-selling smartphone app, was a fraud tracks the 23-year-old's rise to fame and fall from grace. Told through interviews with the people who know her best, it unravels the mystery and motivation behind this deception and follows the public reaction to a...
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Token Skeptic 230 - How To Be Reasonable
Token Skeptic Podcast
How To Be Reasonable (By Someone Who Tried Everything Else) is a primer on critical thinking and an introduction to scientific skepticism that will empower you to see the world a little bit more clearly. The world is a strange, scary and beautiful place. and author and artist Rebecca Fox suggests that being reasonable helps you to wonder at the strange, avoid the scary and celebrate the beauty. I interviewed Rebecca about How To Be Reasonable – you can find the book on Amazon and check out her website at *********** A quick note about supporting the podcasts! Check...
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Token Skeptic 229 - Internet Tests, Manus Island And Podcast Trends
Token Skeptic Podcast
Free WIFI - two words that many people love to hear. But how many people read the terms and conditions before they connect to it? Accessing wireless points that you don’t know where it originates from can be risky and harmful to your confidential information. … and Dr Krishnun Sansurooah joined me to tell us how it went. *********** About a month ago, the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre closed down. More than a thousand displaced refugees are now left in a vulnerable state after being moved to an alternative location. As the tensions surround the island's Regional...
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Token Skeptic 228 - Australia Enters The Space Race (?) - Interview With Paul Willis
Token Skeptic Podcast
The recent news that Australia is getting its own Space Agency is one sure to affect the entire nation - but should we be so eager so fast? The Federal Government has announced its plans to cash in on a $420 billion aeronautical industry and create thousands of new jobs, which coincided with the 69th International Astronautical Congress which is being held in Adelaide this week. Science Communicator spoke to me about the developments on The Mag for RTRFM. ******** A quick note about supporting the podcasts! Check out – and...
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Token Skeptic 227 - On Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness by Brigid Delaney
Token Skeptic Podcast
Cold-pressed juices, quitting sugar, Paleo, hot yoga, mindfulness … if you embrace these things you will be happy, you will be well – just ask Instagram. Wellness has become a global mega-industry. But does any of this stuff actually work?
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Token Skeptic 226 - On My Dad Wrote a Porno - Interview With Jamie Morton
Token Skeptic Podcast
It started around a kitchen table, three friends reading out the erotic work of a retired dad – and now it’s a podcasting sensation. Jamie Morton of "" podcast never expected that “Belinda Blinked” (written by his dad, known only as "Rocky Flintstone") - would eventually lead to a live touring show, that is touring Australia (and ). With over 50 million downloads, there’s bound to be a few fans of the pots and pans industry in the audience. RTRFM reporter Kylie Sturgess asked Jamie about what was it like when the show first started getting downloads......
info_outlineWelcome to episode #201 of Token Skeptic - and as always, if you'd like to support the show and future episodes, check out the Patreon page at patreon.com/kyliesturgess - there's lots of additional features and bonus content for those who help the podcast continue!
Science Vs is one hot podcast!
In Science Vs, science journalist Wendy Zukerman dissects the latest fad framing itself as scientific fact, wading through the mass of information so you don't have to. Do women and men have different brains? Is porn changing the way we have sex? Does race exist? Is sugar really that bad for you? Short, sharp-minded and enjoyable, the show has been storming up the iTunes list and even eclipsing the famous Dr Karl.
Everyone has an opinion but then, there's SCIENCE - and I'm of the opinion that more science podcasts are great for all of us! I spoke to Wendy Zukerman about how the new ABC First Run show has been going.
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NASA has confirmed its unmanned New Horizons spacecraft made its close fly-by encounter with Pluto after a nine-year journey of more than 5 billion kilometres, with a lot over very eager people world-wide waiting for the photos.
The New Horizons spacecraft had an up close look at the Pluto system, with the probe flying by the dwarf planet on the 14th July. Images of Pluto and its moon Charon have been beamed back - and I spoke to International Centre for Radio Astronomy Outreach Coordinator Pete Wheeler, in an interview that aired live on radio station RTRFM's The Mag program.
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There's only about a week to go to help save science - a campaign to raise $30,000 in 30 days for Bendigo's troubled science education facility, the Discovery Centre. The science center that has providing hands on science education for kids and community members was facing closure in the rural town, and in response to the potential closing, a number of donors have stepped up to help keep it open.
For this interview, I spoke to Kate Barnard, Discovery's Manager. You can help Save Discovery by donating on their Chuffed fundraiser page.
A quick note about supporting the podcasts! Check out https://www.patreon.com/kyliesturgess - and consider becoming a Patreon for these shows.
This episode is brought to you with thanks to Patreon supporters - they include: Steven, Stephen, Josh, Linley, Gold, Brian, Paul, Dr T, Iggy, Lukas and Andrew. Thanks to everyone who contributes and please consider joining to help continue these shows at patreon.com/kyliesturgess.
Please leave positive comments and reviews on iTunes and consider supporting the show via visiting Tokenskeptic.org - and I’d love to get your feedback via [email protected].