Sheldon Helms

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Each week, Sheldon and Marilin cover a topic from science and skepticism, including interviews with well known skeptics, authors, and scientists.

Sheldon W. Helms


    • Dec 13, 2015 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 57m AVG DURATION
    • 22 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Sheldon Helms

    Inbetweenisode #02 - The Story of NORAD Santa Tracking

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2015


    In this, Inbetweenisode, Sheldon tells the story of how a U.S. military base (now known as NORAD) began tracking Santa's trip around the world, an annual tradition for the past 60 years.

    ShelShocked #19 - Prosocial Behavior w/ Belinda Carlisle

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2015


    Introduction with Sheldon and Marilin discussing the psychology of Prosocial Behavior. Interview with rock star and philanthropist Belinda Carlisle. Science Report about Sempo Sugihara, the "Japanese Schindler." Good News report from Marilin about the shared kindness between a waitress and her firefighter customers.

    Inbetweenisode #01 - The Untold Story of Peter Norman at the '68 Summer Olympics

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2015


    In this, our first Inbetweenisode, Sheldon reports on the 47th anniversary of John Carlos and Tommie Smith's historic raised-fist solute at the Mexico City Summer Olympic Games in 1968, telling the part of the story that has been left out for nearly five decades.

    ShelShocked #18 - James "The Amazing" Randi

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2015


    Introduction with Marilin talking about her first awareness of James Randi and his work. Interview with James "The Amazing" Randi. A Science Report from Sheldon on the "unsinkable rubber duckie" Peter Popoff. A Good News Report from Marilin about a skeptical examination of a claim of telekinesis in Russia. A reminder by skeptic Tucker Hiatt about "The Official Houdini Seance" in San Francisco.

    ShelShocked #17 - International Skepticism

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2015 60:36


    Sheldon and Marilin discuss myths, charlatans, and non-scientific beliefs around the world

    ShelShocked #16 - Transgender Issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2015 56:44


    Introduction in which Sheldon and Marilin discuss statistics on Transgender demographics, discrimination against Trans citizens, and efforts to ensure protection and fair treatment. An Interview with Trans actress and model, Cassandra Cass. A Science Report on the proper terminology and "do's and don'ts" regarding discussing Transgender issues. A Good News report on new laws in the state of New York that make it easier for Trans citizens to get equal treatment and access to services.

    ShelShocked #15 - Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2015 56:34


    Sheldon and Marilin talk about research on the effects of music. Interview with musician George Hrab.

    ShelShocked #14 - Ghosts and Hauntings

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2015 69:53


    Sheldon and Marilin discuss the science behind the belief in ghosts and hauntings.

    ShelShocked #13 - Food Fads

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2015 59:42


    Marilin and Sheldon discuss food fads, food science, and the fallibility of Internet memes.

    ShelShocked #12 - Myths and Misunderstandings About Space

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2015 55:18


    Introduction with Sheldon and Marilin discussing common myths about space and space exploration. An Interview with UFO researcher and investigator Robert Sheaffer. The Science Report discussing the growing movement of people who deny that man ever landed on the moon. And a Good News report about an unlikely participant in the recent satellite mission to Pluto.

    ShelShocked #11 - The Theory of Evolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2015 64:50


    Introduction with Marilin and Sheldon discussing defenses against some of the lame Creationist arguments against evolution. An Interview (Marilin's first!) with science defender Dr. Eugenie Scott. A Science Report about a Russian project to breed tame foxes that may shed light on the evolution of the modern dog. And a Good News report about a young man's battle against governor and presidential hopeful Bobby Jindal to keep good science in Louisiana schools.

    ShelShocked #10 - The Science of Persuasion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2015 67:11


    Introduction with Sheldon and Marilin discussing five common persuasion tactics, and personal stories of being conned. An Interview with social psychologist and fraud/con-criminal expert Dr. Anthony Pratkanis. Good News segment from Marilin about a whistle blower who uncovered a multi-million dollar scam in which perfectly healthy people were being treated for cancer.

    ShelShocked #09 - Twin Studies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2015 51:43


    Twins raised apart their entire lives have surprisingly similar lives and behavioral traits. Nancy Segal has been studying these rare twins for decades, and her research is fascinating!

    ShelShocked #08 - The Science of Memory

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2015 53:01


    The Science of Memory is discussed with famed memory researcher and psychology, Dr. Elizabeth Loftus.

    ShelShocked #07 - Vaccine Denial

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2015 49:12


    Introduction includes a conversation in which Sheldon and Marilin discuss current pro-vaccination laws in California, and commentary by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg about vaccine deniers. An Interview with pediatrician and infectious disease specialist, Dr. Paul Offit. A Science Report about Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent research claiming a link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The Good News segment from Marilin detailing a Canadian woman's conversion from vaccine denier to vaccine proponent. And a special segment from former co-host Amanda DeVaus about new laws in Australia that seek to protect everyone by requiring vaccination for all citizens.

    ShelShocked #06 - Secularism

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2015 63:46


    In this episode, Sheldon and Marilin examine secularism, including an interview with Catherine Dunphy and Mary Johnson of The Clergy Project.

    ShelShocked Reminder About "Openly Secular Day"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2015


    A quick reminder about Openly Secular Day! Go out and tell at least one person that you are "opely secular," and live your life with a secular worldview, free from magic, superstition, or religion.

    ShelShocked #05 - LGBT Issues and Skepticism

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2015 57:46


    Sheldon and Marilin apply their skepticism to issues facing LGBT citizens, and cover research on the roots of homosexuality.

    ShelShocked #04 - Cults and New Religious Movements

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2015 61:24


    Sheldon and new co-host Marilin Colón discuss HBO's documentary "Going Clear." Interview with psychologist and cult expert Dr. Patrick O'Reilly. Science Report on history of cognitive dissonance. Good News about former FLDS member's attempt to regain custody of children from cult.

    ShelShocked #03 - Skeptical Activism

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2015 45:00


    Sheldon and Amanda discuss their roles in Operation Bumblebee, a skeptical investigation of self-described psychic medium Chip Coffey, and the reaction by some in the skeptic community. Interview with Jay Novella from the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast about his video project, "Occ, the Skeptical Caveman." Science Report on the psychological research of influence and persuasion, and how it can be used by skeptical activists. The Good News about successful activism against the Burzynski Clinic and its dubious claims to treat and cure cancer.

    ShelShocked #02 - Denialism

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2015 57:29


    This episode includes an unedited interview with Holocaust survivor Magda Brown about her experiences in the Auschwitz and Buchenwald death camps during WWII. The Good News from Amanda about successful efforts to prevent

    ShelShocked #01 - Morality and Bigotry

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2015 46:08


    Introduction of Sheldon and Amanda (how they became skeptics). Interview with psychologist & skeptic, Dr. Michael Shermer. Science Report on formation of morality and bigotry. The Good News from Amanda about women's rights activists Mahdieh Golru in Iran and Souad Al-Shammari in Saudi Arabia.

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