Skeptics with a K

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and how people can be misled by it, while Alice looks into the topical Ayurvedic skin cream ‘Dermaved’, recently withdrawn after it was found to be adulterated with steroids.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...

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...