Best ESP The European Skeptics Podcasts (2025)

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TheESP – Ep. #497 – Ötzi the Ice Man 59:44

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2h ago59:44

59:44

Make sure to check out András Skeptics in the Pub Online talk next week on 25 September! In TWISH we meet Ötzi the Ice Man, and a mystery death from 5300 years ago and a invaluable source of archeological science. Then we look to the news: ALBANIA: Albania appoints AI-created ‘minister’ ITALY: Arson attack in Sardinia linked to climate misinformati…

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TheESP – Ep. #496 – Nail in the Coffin 45:59

26m ago45:59

45:59

In the Netherlands, trust in science is increasing which is unexpected good news. We have some thoughts on the election results in Norway, plus you can now hear us on YouTube! In TWISH we hear about a close encounter in France and then it’s time for the news: INTERNATIONAL: Microdosing on weight loss drugs neither proven safe nor effective GERMANY:…

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TheESP – Ep. #495 – Remember That Your Memory Fails 54:29

7d ago54:29

54:29

After some listener feedback regarding green energy and Pontus reporting back from Lithuania, we go to TWISH where we hear about Wilhelm Ostwald, one of the fathers of physical chemistry. Then, we get to the news: UK: MHRA is cracking down on unlicensed anti-wrinkle products after spate of botulism IRELAND: Equal Memory Fallibility in ‘He Said, She…

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TheESP – Ep. #494 – An Everlasting Digital Dance 59:11

11d ago59:11

59:11

We’re already looking forward to QED and nominations for the Ockham Awards are still open – if you know someone who deserves it nominate them! After some listener feedback we go to TWISH and hear about the Swing Riots. Then, it’s time for the news: EUROPE: Spread of mosquitoes in Europe UK / EUROPE: Country on a bumpy road of climate U-turns… SWEDE…

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TheESP – Ep. #493 – Hot Summer 49:24

18d ago49:24

49:24

In TWISH this week we look into the achievements of James Watt who made a whole lot of things, despite not inventing the steam engine. Then of course, there’s the news: ITALY: Government reverses appointment of vaccine hesitant members to National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group ITALY: The Natural Trap: How Conspiracy Beliefs Shape Our Health…

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TheESP – Ep. #492 – Conspiracy Theorists, with Steen and Claus 56:06

25d ago56:06

56:06

Ever realized that there are three types of conspiracy theorists and a clear link between them and terrorism? Catch the new book by Steen Svanholm and Claus Larsen and hear them talk about their findings in this week’s interview! Enjoy! https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-492.html Segments: 0:00:27 Intro 0:00:49 Greetings 0:02:56 Interview …

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TheESP – Ep. #491 – 2.5 million lives saved 1:04:17

1M ago1:04:17

1:04:17

We’ve got some listener feedback about the popularity of lie detectors in Ukraine, and in TWISH we hear about the man behind the number, Amedeo Avogadro. Of course, we then get into this week’s news: NORWAY: Russian disinformation regarding made up ecological catastrophe RUSSIA / EU: Putin’s disinformation efforts are changing for the worse GLOBAL:…

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TheESP – Ep. #490 – A theory is not a person 1:11:49

2M ago1:11:49

1:11:49

Congratulations to friend of the show Deborah Hyde who has been appointed patron of Humanists UK! In TWISH we hear about to unsolved mystery of the disappearance of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and after that, we dig into the news: IRELAND: Excavation of mass grave of infants in Irish “mother and baby home” INTERNATIONAL: YouTube and Meta seem to final…

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TheESP – Ep. #489 – The Scottish Inquisition 57:50

2M ago57:50

57:50

It’s the episode nobody could expect! Least of all András, who in Pontus’ continued absence gets put on the spot by the hot Scot known as Eggman. Can you match the skills of the Magyar Man? Tune in and find out. Enjoy! Segments: 0:00:27 Intro 0:00:57 Greetings 0:03:18 Quiz 0:05:32 round 1 0:20:58 round 2 0:40:40 round 3 0:54:02 Farewell 0:56:11 Out…

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TheESP – Ep. #488 – Grok and Troll 1:09:50

2M ago1:09:50

1:09:50

As Pontus is off on som some mysterious quest or whatnot, Brian Eggo (Eggman) sneaks back into the driver's seat of the show. In TWISH we hear about the myths surrounding the death of the last tsar of Russia and his family back in 1918. Then we take a look at the news: UK: Child dies at Alder Hey after contracting measles INTERNATIONAL: Humanists p…

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TheESP – Ep. #487 – Religion has no place in science 53:12

2M ago53:12

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The heat wave in Europe is back, and in TWISH we learn about the Russell-Einstein Manifesto which was published 70 years ago this week, and we wonder why we haven’t come any further than we have. Then, it’s time for the news: SWEDEN: Scammers using fake AI videos of politicians and scientists DENMARK / INTERNATIONAL: Are ADHD diagnoses misleading m…

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TheESP – Ep. #486 – Orbánned! 55:21

3M ago55:21

55:21

Viktor Orbán got his behind handed to him when trying to ban Budapest Pride and that makes us very happy! In TWISH we learn about Attila Pataky who can not only sing but has also repeatedly been abducted by aliens – maybe they just like his music? Then, it’s time for the news: EUROPE: Current heat wave in Europe set to ‘kill 4500 people in the next…

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TheESP – Ep. #485 – Barbara Bananas 48:51

3M ago48:51

48:51

Is the virus metaphor for spreading misinformation really as good as we have been led to think? Some psychologists disagree. We again ask everyone to show support their support for the Naked Scientists podcast and then in TWISH we hear about George Orwell whose dark visions of society seems ever relevant. Then, we go to the news: ENGLAND / WALES: A…

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TheESP – Ep. #484 – Mystery Moon 54:22

3M ago54:22

54:22

URGENT! The great podcast the Naked Scientists is in great danger of being cancelled by Cambridge University and we urge everyone to protest this! Information about how to do that is here: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/sos. In other news Pontus will be in Lithuania 29-30 August to participate in the Būtent festival. If you happen to be there t…

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TheESP – Ep. #483 – Uri Geller vs. Greta Thunberg 54:16

3M ago54:16

54:16

As Eggman sits in for András, we look forward to SkeptiCamp at QED and Mike Hall’s Skeptics in the Pub Online talk and are happy to note that not only do we follow the ECDC, but they follow us back. In TWISH we hear about one of the forgotten(?) super villains of the Theosophy movement, Alice Bailey, and then we take a look at this week’s news: SWE…

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TheESP – Ep. #482 – On the Highway of Misinformation 1:00:57

4M ago1:00:57

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We have some listener feedback about the name of ‘Grok’ and a tip to sign a very important petition regarding NASA. In TWISH we hear how a timely letter kicked Darwin into action and made him finally publish ‘that book’. We then dig into the news: UK: ‘Notable increase’ in scammers tricking people into sending money abroad INTERNATIONAL: Retraction…

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TheESP – Ep. #481 – with Deborah Hyde! 1:06:23

4M ago1:06:23

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Deborah Hyde joins us this week, it’s been far too long. We recommend her Youtube series ‘The Green Children of Woolpit‘! The Romanian presidential election is still contentious, and we congratulate Ian Dunt to his position as editor for the New Humanist. In TWISH we learn about the first observational evidences for Einstein’s Theory of General Rel…

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TheESP – Ep. #480 – People Are the Worst 1:09:42

4M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Viktor Orbán is coming down hard on free speech and Romania seems to (maybe) avoid chaos after their second attempt on presidential elections. In TWISH we get into classical skepticism and have a look at the Plauen UFO incident. Then it’s time for the news, with a little bit of Word of the Week: INTERNATIONAL: Overshooting 1.5°C: even temporary war…

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TheESP – Ep. #479 – Hard Core Science 1:04:11

4M ago1:04:11

1:04:11

So, the conclave elected ‘Papa Bob’ a.k.a. Leo XIV – who is he, and will that bring back the ‘Pontus Pokes the Pope’ segment? Time will tell! In other news, If you catch this episode in time, please consider signing the European petition to ban conversion therapy, last day is May 17th. Inge Lehmann is one of forgotten heroes of science, hear more a…

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TheESP – Ep. #478 – Not a Political Podcast 54:44

4M ago54:44

54:44

QED tickets are available everyone, so we start our count-down to October in Manchester! The papal conclave is currently on-going and we bring you the latest news. In TWISH we hear about John Strachey, the almost forgotten pioneer in the field of basic geology. Then of course, we have the news: INTERNATIONAL / EUROPE: Measles update EU: Press freed…

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TheESP – Ep. #477 – AI gets high on shrooms 58:53

5M ago58:53

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We start out with a few things from the world of skepticism – in Belgium, SKEPP turns 35 next week with special appearance by Chris French (don’t miss it!), and we link to an article about skeptic history in Hungary. Speaking of Hungary, in TWISH we talk about the prominent Hungarian skeptic and science communicator Aurél Ponori Thewrewk, who was b…

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TheESP – Ep. #476 – The Last Poke 58:02

5M ago58:02

58:02

It’s time for the last Poking of Francis but before we get into that and the other news, we go to TWISH to hear about this week’s birthday boy, Guglielmo Marconi, the pioneer of radio transmissions and his wireless telegraph system. The news list contains the following: INTERNATIONAL: Medical cannabis shows potential to fight cancer, largest-ever s…

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TheESP – Ep. #475 – Leonardo: the Myth, the Man, the Legend 1:02:00

5M ago1:02:00

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Mixed messages from QED – new dates announced but we hear this is the last one(!) and we have a hard time accepting it. At least we’ll do our best to be there and meet (among others) Chris French whose audiobook is currently on sale. In TWISH we hear about Leonardo da Vinci and specifically about some of the myths surrounding him. Then, it’s time f…

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TheESP – Ep. #474 – Painful Endometriosis Study 51:08

5M ago51:08

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We first rant a bit about Viktor Orbán and examine some psychic horsing around at the Grand National. In TWISH we hear about the Dead Sea Scrolls and then we dive into the news: UKRAINE / USA: Zelenskyy and Trump look for leaks using lie detectors INTERNATIONAL: Snopes’ toolkit to guard against online misinformation ITALY: AI beats lottery? SWEDEN:…

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TheESP – Ep. #473 – Anthroposophic Princess 50:29

6M ago50:29

50:29

We explore the source of April Fool's day in this week’s TWISH, before we get into the news: UK: Three-quarters of UK fertility patients using unproven add-on treatments GERMANY / INTERNATIONAL: Rudolf Steiner’s legacy on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his death INTERNATIONAL: More people leave religion than join UK: Tory’s U-turn on clim…

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TheESP – Ep. #472 – Shot by the Vaccine 56:28

6M ago56:28

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Science takes an interest in Pontus’ body (who would’ve thought?) and in TWISH we hear about Comenius who got a whole lot of things right already on the 16th century. Of course there are also more current news to take a look at: INTERNATIONAL: Tretinoin, the holy grail in skin care, is dangerous INTERNATIONAL: Are there any nations taking commitmen…

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TheESP – Ep. #471 – Without Sleep, Your Brain Doesn’t Work 1:00:50

6M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

Pontus is back from skiing, Orbán is worse than ever, and an astronaut will photograph the turtle that carries the Earth on its back – just a normal week in skepticism. In TWISH we hear about the successful ban on CFCs to save the ozone layer, and then it’s time for the news: EUROPE: Measles in Europe highest in 25 years ITALY: Higher levels of spi…

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TheESP – Ep. #470 – Gross Breach of Trust 57:01

6M ago57:01

57:01

With Brian sitting in for Pontus while he’s doing some skiing, we talk events to start with. The Hungarian Skeptic Society just handed out two awards for those enlightening the public by either speaking up directly against pseudosciences and disinformation or choosing to provide detailed analysis on controversial topics. So, we congratulate Profess…

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TheESP – Ep. #469 – Hungarian politics à la Putin 50:53

7M ago50:53

50:53

Believe it or not, there are more skeptical podcasts out there than ours – check out the Skeptic podcast for example, the newest one out there from the Skeptic UK. Pierre -Simon Laplace is this week’s topic for TWISH, and then we get into the news: SWEDEN: New study confirms: Tens of thousands of lives in Sweden saved by covid vaccines HUNGARY: Sta…

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TheESP – Ep. #468 – Education Fail 51:46

7M ago51:46

51:46

We are still fascinated by the on-going planetary alignment and this week is an even better opportunity to watch it. And if it’s cloudy and a Thursday, go back inside and join the SITP Online virtual pub, it’s highly recommended! In TWISH we hear about Émile Coué who popularized autosuggestion which in a way paved the way for all self-help books th…

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TheESP – Ep. #467 – Tesla-skam 51:21

7M ago51:21

51:21

We talk a little bit of the upcoming Germany federal elections this weekend and in TWISH we hear about Carl von Rokitansky the Austrian physician, pathologist, humanist philosopher and liberal politician and founder of the Viennese School of Medicine of the 19th century. How he managed to dissect tens of thousands of bodies is baffling and just a l…

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TheESP – Ep. #466 – Science and Politics 52:45

7M ago52:45

52:45

Lots about guns and politics this week, as well as science, homeopathy and a little bit about lost pants. In TWISH we hear about Descartes and his suspicious death in 1650. Was it murder? Here is a list of the news: SWEDEN: Mass shooting in Örebro GERMANY: Is this the descent of Homeopathy? SWEDEN: Government wants stricter laws regarding guns – Sw…

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TheESP – Ep. #465 – The moon and the planets, with Marcel-Jan Krijgsman 51:46

8M ago51:46

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This week we interview Marcel-Jan Krijgsman, Dutch amateur astronomer, data engineer and science communicator. Enjoy! https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-465.html Segments: 0:00:33 Intro 0:00:56 Greetings 0:11:04 Interview 0:45:58 Farewell 0:50:08 Outro 0:51:30 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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TheESP – Ep. #464 – The lying liars lie 1:03:03

8M ago1:03:03

1:03:03

After discussing Nazi salutes, placebo surgery, scientology follow-up, Massimo Polidoro’s new book and several recommendations for other podcasts, we eventually get down to the meat of the show. In TWISH we hear about Delta, the science TV program that aired 61 years ago on 31 of January. Then, we look to the news: SWEDEN: Swedish Skeptics Awards C…

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TheESP – Ep. #463 – Welcome to the Post-Shame Era 54:59

8M ago54:59

54:59

The ECDC has declared January cervical cancer awareness month which we support 100%. We also want encourage local skeptical actions such as speaking up when companies promote nonsense and Pontus gives us an example of how easy it can be, if you just take a few minutes and speak up. We also mention that the planets are lined up in a cool way at the …

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TheESP – Ep. #462 – Bogus Vagus Hocus Pocus 57:49

8M ago57:49

57:49

Happy to be back again and we start by welcoming some new publications by Brian Eggo and Edzard Ernst. In TWISH we wonder if 13 January is Skeptics Day and then we dig into the news: FRANCE: Godfather of modern far-right movement Jean-Marie Le Pen dies aged 96 UK / ESTONIA: Nurosym – an example of scam health device UK: Poll shows more than half of…

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TheESP – Ep. #461 – Orbán to go Barefoot? 1:08:42

8M ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Quite a few things to dive into this week: the Medici popes, some listener feedback, cool dinosaur tracks and some sad news from France. In TWISH we we have an epiphany and then we go through the news: NORWAY / UK: Who Believes in Alternative Medicine? RUSSIA: Cancer vaccine announced, with no published evidence UK: Over 40% of cancer patients use …

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TheESP – Ep. #460 – Faith or reason? 36:26

9M ago36:26

36:26

With András unavailable, we drag Annika out of retirement to launch the new year! In TWISH we hear about Martin Luther’s excommunication and while Pontus always enjoy seeing someone stand up to the Pope, Martin Luther himself was far from flawless. Then we have the news-round: SWEDEN / INTERNATIONAL: Multi supplements are at best unnecessary and at…

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TheESP – Ep. #459 – Holy Year, holey door 42:59

9M ago42:59

42:59

We close the year with some topical items related to the season. Happy New Year! https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-459.html Segments: 0:00:25 Intro 0:00:49 Greetings 0:05:28 TWISH 0:21:13 Special segment 0:39:37 Quote 0:41:35 Outro 0:42:50 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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TheESP – Ep. #458 – Who checks the fact checkers? 49:11

9M ago49:11

49:11

A little correction to start with, and then in TWISH we hear about the Jesuit and scientist Tommaso Ceva. Of course, we also have the news: SWEDEN: Private clinics on public contracts promoted nonsense cures, denied sick patients and cheated HUNGARY: Government’s own fact checkers cause for concern in Europe UK: Boycott against Arla for trying to r…

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TheESP – Ep. #457 – Tschüss! 1:10:48

9M ago1:10:48

1:10:48

We start with the sad news that this is Annika’s last episode as a regular host. Over the last four years she has brought her unique perspective and insights (and puns!) to the show. But being part of a weekly podcast is tough commitment while at the same time balancing a fulltime job, raising a family and participating in other skeptical activitie…

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TheESP – Ep. #456 – Don’t Bend it like Beckham 52:26

10M ago52:26

52:26

After the usual pre-amble, we hear about the first prediction of a transit of Venus in TWISH. Calculated by Kepler himself you can only go go “Yay, science!”, and salute the guy. Then we get to the news: INTERNATIONAL: Company linked to cloned journals of major publishers denies cloning journals of major publishers AUSTRIA: The Golden Board in fron…

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TheESP – Ep. #455 – AI Jesus 50:29

10M ago50:29

50:29

We start with some reflections on COP29 and then we send our big congratulations to Richard Saunders on receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Skeptics. Well deserved indeed! Another well deserved but shameful award goes to King Charles who received the New Zealand Skeptics’ Bent Spoon Award. In TWISH we look back at the found…

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TheESP – Ep. #454 – Make Earth Flat Again 44:19

10M ago44:19

44:19

As everyone else these days we are moving from X to Bluesky, any help in driving traffic our way is much appreciated. The Humanists UK has published a new exciting book called What I Believe, named after podcast by the same name. You should check it out! In TWISH we hear about how the (then) Prince of Wales got his favorite charity for SCAM (So-Cal…

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TheESP – Ep. #453 – Who trusts science? 43:50

10M ago43:50

43:50

It’s one election after another. The same day that the US voted orange, Germany decided on a snap election after the current coalition fell apart. Let’s hope people over here are better informed than the American voters. In TWISH we hear about ‘Doctor Universalis’ Albertus Magnus whose scientific mindset in the 13th century helped Europe begin its …

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TheESP – Ep. #452 – Royal Woo 50:35

11M ago50:35

50:35

This is the first “regular episode” for a while and of course we cannot help to mourn the stupid results of the US elections. But since this is a European show we cannot let that stop us, so after a TWISH story of how Charles Darwin, 130 years after his death, gained over 4000 votes in the elections in the US state of Georgia, it’s time for the new…

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TheESP – Ep. #451 – Dr Flint Dibble – and more! 1:14:36

11M ago1:14:36

1:14:36

A longer episode this week, jampacked with interviews from QED! One of the marvelous things with conferences (don’t forget about the upcoming Skepticon XL in Sydney!) is that you meet so many fantastic people. We tried to capture a little of that feeling by recording a bunch of interviews, so tune in to hear from Clio Bellenis, Diana Barbosa, João …

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TheESP – Ep. #450 – Live from QED! 45:06

11M ago45:06

45:06

We celebrate our 450th episode (wow!) live at QED 2024 (wow!!!) with the help of Brian and Claire! We also get special greetings from Annika and Jay Novella, who unfortunately could not attend. A slightly different format due to the occasion, but of course we have the news, which this time has the (not so) cheerful theme of Russian disinformation: …

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TheESP – Ep. #449 – Surrounded by Quacks 50:40

11M ago50:40

50:40

Lot’s of listener feedback in this episode which is delightful! Pontus explains whether there was a scandal concerning the Sami peoples at the Gothenburg Book Fair and we prepare for this weekend’s QED! Speaking of which, this is what we also talk about in TWISH this week. Then, as always, the news: THE NETHERLANDS: Meester Kackadorisprijs awarded …

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TheESP – Ep. #448 – Susan Gerbic 43:53

11M ago43:53

43:53

In both Annika's and Pontus' absence, this week András interviews the "Fairy Godmother" of the show, psychic investigator & debunket, "master puppeteer" and tireless leader of the Secret Cabal (and the About Time Project) that is the international Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia Susan Gerbic. We talk about Mark Edward's legacy, how to start a Ske…