Podcasts about twish

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 about her in TWISH. Then we go for the news:INTERNATIONAL: Aspartame – risk vs. hazardAUSTRIA: Michael Frass' controversial study just lost all validity – and yet, it's still not retractedBELGIUM: Special report from Josef! The winners of the awards from the Belgian skeptics (SKEPP)FRANCE: An open letter by healthcare professionals to stop the funding of SCAM therapies that lack scientific evidenceGERMANY: King of the Reichsbürger movement arrestedEUROPE: Fact-checking chatbot The Check has passed experimental development phasehttps://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-479.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:13:56 TWISH0:22:50 News0:53:59 Really Wrong0:59:08 Quote1:00:57 Outro1:02:19 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 born this week in 1921. Then we head for the news:VATICAN: The conclave begins on 7 MayGERMANY: Prominent antivaxxer admits that covid vaccines had few side-effects, but he's still completely wrongEU: European Commission launching new initiatives to tackle vaccine related mis- and disinformationSWEDEN: HPV vaccinations close to eliminate virus in SwedenUK: Unproven mushroom supplement – a report by MarshWe then hand out no less than 1047 Really Right Awards to the Swedish scientists who fights back against politicians who keep dismissing their research as “opinion”.Enjoy!Segments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:52 Greetings0:09:22 TWISH0:18:05 News0:49:18 Really Right0:55:12 Quote0:56:27 Outro0:57:50 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 study finds – or does it…?HUNGARY: Antivaxx nutjob gets Flat Earth AwardVATICAN: So Frankie died… one last chance to poke the pope (at least this one)EUROPE: RFK Jr having a devastating effect on Europe's vaccine acceptanceThe Dutch ultra-Christian Civitas Christiania foundation gets this week's Really Wrong Award for taking their bigoted anti-LGBTQ stance to unacceptable levels.Enjoy!https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-476.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:53 Greetings0:03:24 TWISH0:15:18 News0:48:19 Really Wrong0:54:48 Quote0:56:01 Outro0:57:23 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 treatmentsGERMANY / INTERNATIONAL: Rudolf Steiner's legacy on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his deathINTERNATIONAL: More people leave religion than joinUK: Tory's U-turn on climate policies attributed to ties with major climate denierFRANCE / RUSSIA: French anti-vaxxer feeds Russian disinformationAnother Nordic princess, Madeleine of Sweden, goes of the rails and announces that she will market Anthroposophic beauty products and that naturally earns her this week's Really Wrong Award.Enjoy!Show notes: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-473.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:08:33 TWISH0:14:41 News0:39:16 Really Wrong0:43:34 Quote0:48:32 Outro0:49:54 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 dangerousINTERNATIONAL: Are there any nations taking commitments to tackling climate change seriously?UK: Supplements and garlic won't cure the common cold, despite what the BBC sayINTERNATIONAL: Why do we miss autocratic red flags?UK: Faithful? Tax loophole turns old pubs into places of worshipINTERNATIONAL: New trends in vaccine skepticismScientology is involved in both the Really Wrong and Really Right Awards this week. Guess which one they got?Enjoy!https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-472.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:52 Greetings0:04:56 TWISH0:10:55 News0:45:29 Really Wrong / Really Right0:51:36 Quote0:54:29 Outro0:55:52 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 vaccinesHUNGARY: State TV keeps citing Russian Defense Ministry's unreliable dataITALY / UK: Tuscany approves assisted dyingGERMANY: SkepKon 2025 now open for ticket purchasesUK: Conference on Research IntegrityThe Really Wrong Award this week goes to Viktor Orbán as the Budapest Pride festival is coming and he cannot resist exploiting it for his populistic propaganda. On the opposite side, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony is man enough to stand up to Orbán and for that he is Really Right!Enjoy!https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-469.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:09:45 TWISH0:18:49 News0:40:07 Really Wrong / Really Right0:46:02 Quote0:49:01 Outro0:50:23 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 little bit scary…Then, we turn to the news:UK: Prof. Jim Al-Khalili gets Darwin Day MedalSWEDEN: Murder of Quran burnerFRANCE: Didier Raoult can't stop spreading bullshitITALY: Italian ‘mystic' may face trial after DNA match with blood on Virgin Mary statueINTERNATIONAL: Elisabeth Bik Science Integrity Fund launchesWe hand out a Really Right Award (for once) and a little surprisingly it goes to the UK government for an ambitious project to spot climate change tipping points. We also have a Norwegian Word of the Week, tune in to find why Elon Musk may not be thrilled about it.Enjoy!https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-467.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:09:28 TWISH0:17:35 News0:38:12 Really Right0:41:13 Word of the Week0:47:25 Quote0:49:05 Outro0:50:27 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join CK, Jules and Dani as they break down all the action from the incredible premier of BY5. One tribe, one buff, one colour, 3 immunities, 4 advantages and a partridge in a pear tree. Plus the ORCA pod will debut their tribute to TWISH with their own version, This Week In Oz LRG History. TWIOLSH. Does it have the same ring to it? Probably not. But one live commenter will be selected to take on CK in the first ever TWIOLSH!

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 cheatedHUNGARY: Government's own fact checkers cause for concern in EuropeUK: Boycott against Arla for trying to reduce methane emissionsINTERNATIONAL: New comprehensive review of homeopathy is actually BSUK: Follow up on Church of England scandalROMANIA: Presidential elections called off after Russian meddlingThe EU has a regulation stating that farmers have to prioritize homeopathy before real veterinary medicine to keep their “organic” label, and for that the EU is Really Wrong.Enjoy!Segments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:07:33 TWISH0:11:56 News0:39:36 Really Wrong0:45:56 Quote0:47:11 Outro0:48:26 Outtakeshttps://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-458.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 publishersAUSTRIA: The Golden Board in front of the head goes to… HealyUK: The UK ‘Assisted Dying Bill' – reasons for concern?INTERNATIONAL: 20th translation of the Debunking Handbook now out!INTERNATIONAL: ‘Grey content': how mainstream journalism accidentally fueled covid vaccine hesitancyWhy is it that all celebrities go bonkers and want to sell nonsense products? We don't know, but David Beckham is no exception and for that he is Really Wrong.Enjoy!Show notes: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-456.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:52 Greetings0:08:08 TWISH0:13:45 News0:43:47 Really Wrong0:49:08 Quote0:50:14 Outro0:51:29 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 news:BULGARIA / NORTH MACEDONIA: Baba Vanga (баба Ванга), the Bulgarian psychicINTERNATIONAL: Wanna help out the Skeptical Science team?UK: King Charles and Queen Camilla on secret Bengaluru trip for woo treatmentINTERNATIONAL: A little help to nurses in combatting vaccine misinformationNORWAY: Spouse of Norwegian princess, ‘shaman' Durek Verrett, accused of sexual assaultUK: Religious hate crimes at record high levelsThe NHS in the UK has all but done away with homeopathy, but still funds a number of unproven nonsense treatments and for that the receive this week award for being Really Wrong. And then before we sign off, we go to Turkey for a Word of the Week.Enjoy!https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-452.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:50 Greetings0:06:01 TWISH0:11:19 News0:37:06 Really Wrong0:39:58 Word of the Week0:43:26 Quote0:48:38 Outro0:49:53 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 to the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization (NVAO)FRANCE: Minister of Education and Research seems to be at odds with scienceSPAIN: Health Minister denounces homeopathyGERMANY / AUSTRIA: Das Goldene Brett Nominations now open (until 11 November)The Award for being Really Right goes to John Wiley & Sons for their decision to terminate the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, infamous for its terrible track record on retracted articles.Enjoy!https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-449.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:10:55 TWISH0:16:18 News0:36:03 Really Right0:40:01 Who's Quacking?0:46:55 Quote0:49:08 Outro0:50:23 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

András is back in good form and we start with a report from the Swedish Skeptics at the Gothenburg Book Fair – real life astronauts where involved! A little listener feed back and then we go to TWISH to hear about German R&B Singer and conspiracy theorist Xavier Naidoo. Then it's time for the news:SWEDEN: Secret Service confirms State of Iran behind disinformation text messages re Quran burningsINTERNATIONAL: Social media moguls are a concern to most experts regarding misinformationBELGIUM: And the Pope is still a misogynistPORTUGAL: Public trust drives vaccine uptake regardless of ageTo round up we hand a Really Wrong Award to well-known homeopath Michael Frass, who keeps implying that homeopathy can treat cancer – but his arguments are based on falsified research…Enjoy!All show notes: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-447.htmlSegments:0:00:27 Intro0:00:50 Greetings0:09:45 TWISH0:16:00 News0:45:10 Really Wrong0:50:34 Quote0:51:52 Outro0:53:07 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before we go into today's interview, we elaborate a little on last week's TWISH about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, adding a bit more details.Then we have a great chat with Algimantas Kvecys who is the chair of Lietuvos skeptikų draugija, the Society of Lithuanian Skeptics.Enjoy!https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-442.htmlSegments:0:00:31 Intro0:00:55 Greetings0:10:16 Interview0:44:33 Farewell0:47:04 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start out with the sad news that Mark Edward has passed away. Mark was a mentalist, an author, and an active skeptic. Mark, sometimes with with his partner (and good friend of the show) Susan Gerbic, investigated many paranormal claims and exposed psychic frauds. He will be long remembered and missed by the skeptics movement.After some listener feedback and catching up, we go to TWISH, where we hear about Louis Leakey and his important, but often controversial, contributions to our understanding of ancient hominids. Then we turn to the news:GERMANY: New book about long COVID and ME/CFS by Dr. Natalie GramsSWEDEN: More fertility nonsenseUK: The role of misinformation in the riots following the Southport stabbingsUK: Practitioner of ‘slapping therapy' guilty of manslaughterINTERNATIONAL: Reducing the number of AI ‘hallucinations'The Baden-Württemberg Medical Association in Germany has taken the long-overdue, but very welcome decision to exclude homeopathy from any medical training going forward, and for that they receive this weeks award for being Really Right.Enjoy!Link: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-439.htmlSegments:0:00:26 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:09:41 TWISH0:19:37 News0:45:29 Really Right0:51:32 Quote0:52:46 Outro0:54:01 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirty-two years ago this week the Vatican tried to explain why discrimination against gay people is not reallydiscrimination. That's basically still their position today, which we hear about in this week's TWISH. Then we have quite a few news items to go through:SWEDEN: Swedish telecom companies have blocked more than 50 million scam calls in 2024INTERNATIONAL: Global SCAM markets on the riseINTERNATIONAL: UV index apps used to get MORE sunburnsDENMARK: Widespread practice among athletes might be truly harmfulINTERNATIONAL: ‘Paleodiets' can be harmfulINTERNATIONAL: Snopes launches AI-based fact-checking toolThe UK ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) shows a bit of teeth and bans ads for supplement that claim to treat autism and other conditions. For that, they receive this week's award for being Really Right. From the Netherlands we get a Who's Quacking? segment about George van Houts, actor and comedian turned conspiracy nut.Enjoy!Segments:00:00:25 Intro00:00:50 Greetings00:05:22 TWISH00:12:03 News00:33:51 Really Wrong/Right00:36:59 Who's Quacking?00:41:34 Quote & Farewell00:44:49 Outro00:46:04 Out-takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The band is back together for the first time in months! First we mention an important (but likely depressing) new book documenting Catholic child sex abuse. In TWISH we look back at the Brexit referendum and analyze why it went so terribly wrong, and then it's time for the news:SWEDEN: Swedish EU election trends were a bit differentGERMANY: New publication out on esotericism in in political educationUK: There will not be 14 million immigrants over the next 12 yearsUK: King Charles III honours medical team with ties to alternative medicineINTERNATIONAL: Will this disclaimer help against AI learning from your data?INTERNATIONAL: Questionable research: Do Tattoos increase the risk of cancer?A Really Right Award goes to the Welsh Senedd (parliament) for their ambition to stop politicians from lying.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Outtakes0:00:27 Intro0:00:53 Greetings0:06:40 TWISH0:20:27 News0:46:23 Really Right0:51:07 Quote And Farewell0:52:14 Outro0:53:29 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Annika and András talk a bit about the EP elections again, mostly reacting to listener feedback. We also mention the Belgian skeptical organisation SKEPP's Skeptical Awards and in TWISH we commemorate evolutionary biologist, humanist, eugenicist and internationalist extraordinaire Sir Julian Huxley. Then in the news:SCOTLAND: Parliament votes to implement abortion safe access zonesINTERNATIONAL: How to help health care professionals on the forefront of vaccinations?The Welsh educational institution Llanidoes High School gets this week's Really Wrong award for teaching creationismas science.We also bring you a Word of the Week, which is the Hungarian expression "Lóvá tesz".Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Word of the Week; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes0:00:25 INTRO0:00:51 GREETINGS0:09:12 TWISH - THIS WEEK IN SKEPTICAL HISTORY0:16:43 NEWS0:23:16 REALLY WRONG0:27:04 WORD OF THE WEEK0:33:14 QUOTE AND FAREWELL0:35:18 OUTRO0:36:33 OUT-TAKES Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Pontus' absence we talk a bit about EP elections and in TWISH we commemorate the Italian heroine of science and skepticism Margherita Hack. Then it is time to check out the news:UK: Zero hour for climate actionNORTHERN IRELAND: NI Assembly passes motion to ban conversion therapiesINTERNATIONAL: Edzard Ernst finds SCAM research to be in declineINTERNATIONAL: Intervention against misinformation might increase skepticism... against reliable sources, tooThe German Jury of Rimowa Design Price, who awarded a product that is based on nonsense, gets this week's award for being Really Wrong.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes0:00:25 INTRO0:00:51 GREETINGS0:04:21 TWISH - THIS WEEK IN SKEPTICAL HISTORY0:14:38 NEWS0:30:02 REALLY WRONG0:32:05 QUOTE AND FAREWELL0:33:37 OUTRO0:34:52 OUT-TAKES Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pontus comes back from the European Skeptics Congress with a new title, applications to talk at Skepticamp QED is now open and Evidence Week is postponed by UK elections. In TWISH we hear about James Hutton, the father of modern geology, and then it is time to check out the news:INTERNATIONAL: The Catholic church's first ‘millennial saint'INTERNATIONAL: Edzard Ernst did it againINTERNATIONAL: ‘Foolproof' gives us vaccination without needlesINTERNATIONAL: Fact Brief by Skeptical Science – Have climate models estimated warming correctly?The country of Georgia is going full Putin with the new law targeting the LGBTQ community and for that they receive this week's award for being Really Wrong.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takeshttps://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-430.html0:00:27 Intro0:00:52 Greetings0:13:17 TWISH0:26:32 News0:42:01 Really Wrong0:45:54 Quote And Farewell0:48:32 Outro0:49:47 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start with some listener feedback and also worry if Neil DeGrasse Tyson and his Star Talk show are falling for some alternative medicine. On the good side Skeptical Science, led by John Cook, is continuing their quest for science literacy and has a new online quiz you can take to check your “bullshit detector”. In TWISH we hear about the trial against Joan of Arc in 1431. Then we turn to the news:SWEDEN: How the Karolinska protected Paolo Macchiarini — and whistleblowers paid the priceUK: People with Long Covid scammed by fake therapyINTERNATIONAL: Misleading claims on well-known rare risk of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccineGERMANY: Michael Schumacher's family wins law case against publisher running deepfake interviewThe Telegraph and the Independent spout antivaxx disinformation and for that get this week's award for being Really Wrong.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes0:00:27 Intro0:00:50 Greetings0:14:03 TWISH0:23:47 News0:43:03 Really Wrong0:46:18 Quote And Farewell0:50:33 Outro0:51:48 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Pontus' absence Annika is back for a quick visit before her planned return next month. We mention the terrible assassination attempt against Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico and how it's a new source of fake news. On TWISH you can hear about Franz Anton Mesmer, who was the foremost proponent of "animal magnetism". Then, we look at the news:GERMANY: GWUP has a new leadership - Congratulations!VATICAN CITY: The Inquisition introducing new rules for the assessment of potentially "Supernatural Phenomena"SCOTLAND: According to 2022 census released recently, majority of people not affiliated with any religions.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Quote and Farewell; Outro00:00:25Intro00:00:51Greetings00:09:05TWISH00:17:20News00:30:11Quote & Farewell00:33:50Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meeting up with fellow skeptics is always a blast. We recommend reading the recent article in Skeptic UK about the history of European skepticism and ECSO – the ESC (European Skeptics Congress) is only two weeks away! Pontus reports from last week's annual meeting with VoF (the Swedish Skeptics) and in TWISH we hear about Pierre Curie who, apart from being a brilliant scientist also was intrigued by spiritualism. Then, it's time for the news:SWEDEN: Fake news during Eurovision Song ContestGERMANY: German Medical Association wants to ban homeopathySWEDEN: SD and the troll factoryUK: Whooping cough surgingTadusz Wojda is the head of the Catholic Church in Poland, and he proves again that the Church has no morals. For that, he receives this week's award for being Really Wrong.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:12:55 TWISH0:20:15 News0:37:46 Really Wrong0:42:17 Quote And Farewell0:44:04 Outro0:45:19 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tickets for QED in Manchester (19-20 October) are now on sale and don't forget Skepticamp on the day before! If all goes to plan, both András and Pontus may be among the speakers. But first we are looking forward to the European Skeptics Congress 2024, less than a month from now, 31 May – 2 June in Lyon, France! In TWISH we hear about how smallpox was announced eradicated this week in 1980 and then we take a look at the news:INTERNATIONAL: Big data reveals true climate impact of worldwide air travelSWEDEN: Swedish Skeptics' awards for 2023INTERNATIONAL: Scottish Medical Journal retracts 13 papers due to concerns over potential paper mill activityFRANCE / INTERNATIONAL: Didier Raoult vs. Elisabeth Bik – case dismissed!The Really Wrong Award goes to the UK for two cases of educational malpractice regarding allowing religious indoctrination.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-TakesShow notes: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-426.html0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:07:02 TWISH0:15:16 News0:37:39 Really Wrong0:41:56 Quote And Farewell0:44:57 Outro0:46:12 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every Swede has celebrated Valborg (Walpurgis / Walpurga) this week although no one really knows why, and András reports from Sicily on volcanic activities. In TWISH we hear about Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a theologian so controversial that popes nowadays still cannot agree on what to think of him. Then it's time for this week's news:INTERNATIONAL: How local communities shaped ‘Cranky Uncle Vaccine' gameSWEDEN / UK: Computer game in school made students better at detecting fake newsUK: The role of religion in COVID-19 vaccine uptakeUK: SCAM diet almost killed a former modelEU: Investigations of misinformation on Meta platforms ahead of June EP electionsVaccination efforts have saved over 150 million lives over the last 50 years, and therefore Maurice Hilleman gets a Really Right Award as a representative of those who dedicate their lives to the cause.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes0:00:27 Intro0:00:53 Greetings0:08:45 TWISH0:14:10 News0:34:02 Really Right0:37:38 Quote And Farewell0:39:49 Outro0:41:04 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is European Immunization Week! Get your boosters and jabs folks, and make you and the people around you are safe! In TWISH this week we hear about John Oliver, British comedian who (whether you like him or not) understands science and the need for healthy skepticism. Then we of course take a look at the news:ITALY: Italy passes measures to allow anti-abortion activists to enter abortion clinicsHUNGARY: The Flat Earth Award goes to the Hungarian Association of Homeopathic DoctorsEUROPE: ‘Extreme heat stress' pushing temperatures to record highs and numbers of deathAUSTRIA / GERMANY: The Heinz Oberhummer Award for Best Science Communicator goes to Methodically Incorrect!EUROPE: EU elections in times of propaganda, misinformation and spiesUK: Creating sexually explicit images to be made illegal in UKThe Really Wrong Award this week goes to NutriLight with their silly “Red Light Therapy”Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:08:01 TWISH0:12:56 News0:35:09 Really Wrong0:43:28 Quote And Farewell0:45:42 Outro0:46:57 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bit of a correction first, regarding earthquakes. Then we get some Vatican news with speculation about a Swedish ‘papabile', plus idiotic statements about genders. In TWISH we hear about Paolo Frisi, an Italian university dropout who in the 18th century went on to become a polymath. Then we have a look at the news:EUROPE: Whooping cough on the rise – due to covidBELGIUM: Alternative medicine and god hindering willingness to vaccinate?FRANCE: Didier Raoult and his unethical researchLong time charlatan Thomas Erikson finally gets his dues when he receives a Really Wrong Award as his latest book on nonsense personality types is published.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes0:00:27 Intro0:00:51 Greetings0:12:20 TWISH0:18:19 News0:29:16 Really Wrong0:41:31 Quote And Farewell0:43:24 Outro0:44:39 Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who knew that Hungarian intellectuals where numerologists – András reveals all! We have correction from last week and also reflect over the illness of Princess Kate, naturally we wish her well. In this weeks TWISH we hear about Percy Shelley and how his atheism ruined his academic career – to the benefit of mankind. Then, it's time for the news:INTERNATIONAL: Nordic people are the happiest in the worldRUSSIA / UKRAINE: Russian TV channel using deepfake to blame Moscow attacks on UkraineICELAND: Did Iceland ban covid 19 vaccinations?UK: It's Acupuncture Awareness Week!This week's Really Right goes to the EU parliament though we until the last minute we thought they had messed up.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes0:00:27 INTRO0:00:49 GREETINGS0:10:45 TWISH – THIS WEEK IN SKEPTICAL HISTORY0:17:58 NEWS0:41:10 REALLY RIGHT0:46:43 QUOTE AND FAREWELL0:47:58 OUTRO0:49:12 OUT-TAKES Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flying unicorns exist in Portugal and you can vote for your favorites on the Portuguese Skeptics' web site (COMCEPT) before 1 April. By coincidence this is also the deadline for getting the Early Bird discount for the European Skeptics Congress in Lyon, so sign up in time! On a sadder note, Annika will have to take a few months off from the podcast, but she promises to return in June. But before that, we have a whole lot of news to go through:INTERNATIONAL: AI will increase energy use and climate misinformationINTERNATIONAL: Is rapamycin a cure for old age?GERMANY: Arson attacks against Tesla Giga factory driven by misconceptions regarding electromobilityUK: Helpline for people leaving faithINTERNATIONAL: Are there any benefits to the Wim Hof method?UK: London Eye moving to Scotland?For a change we have a Really Weird Award to hand out – the man who got hundreds of covid shots just to be on the safe side (we suppose). Luckily he seems to be OK.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Weird; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes0:00:27 Intro0:00:52 Greetings0:12:42 TWISH0:22:23 News0:49:49 Really Weird0:56:34 Quote and Farewell1:00:51 Outro1:02:06 Out-takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start with some listener feedback and corrections regarding Tridentinosaurus Antiquus – the origin of its name was wrong and despite what we said, it wasn't a a dinosaur. In TWISH we hear about Gerardus Mercator, the man behind most world maps. Then we get to the news:SWEDEN: Companies exploit fear of war to sell pretty useless and expensive “emergency equipment”RUSSIA: Rumors surrounding the death of Alexei NavalnyINTERNATIONAL: How harmful are ultra-processed foods?UK: Cochrane UK closing shopThe UK government gets this week's Really Wrong Award for covering up the statistics about the deaths of homeless people.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we've had some feedback regarding AI – always glad to hear from our listeners! In TWISH we hear about Charles Clermont-Ganneau, famous French archeologist with a flare for spotting fake artifacts. Then we turn to the news:INTERNATIONAL: Fossil forgery – famous specimen shown to be fake, and it is not aloneFRANCE: Experts identify Moscow-based disinformation networkGREECE: Legalization of same sex marriageGood news for once! The French National Assembly has adopted a new law aimed at charlatans, and sects or sect leaders who tries to influence their followers to reject science based medicine. We think that is worth a Really Right Award!Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luna sits in for András(!) and we talk about conspiracy theories regarding the earthquake in Turkey last year, a new study about peoples worldview and in TWISH we get into the curse of Tutankhamun – what really was going on? Then we have a look at the news:UK: Sexual harassment anyone? Chiropractic council is there for chiropractors, not for patientsEU: EU won't use dental amalgam anymoreEU: EU parliament votes to ease regulation of gene edited cropsGERMANY: Tiktok proves harmful againINTERNATIONAL: Paper rejected for using ChatGPT – author says it's not true, and what if it was?The German Federal Ministry is funding the SCAM institute ARCIM and for that they are Really Wrong.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

King Charles III is ill and although we seldom agrees with him we still whish him a speedy recovery. Marcus Wandt, the Swedish astronaut, took time off his busy schedule and gave a called via link with students at a Swedish school – the teacher setting it up is active in VoF, the Swedish skeptics. Well done, Philippe! Marcus has been stuck on the ISS for several days but as this episode comes out he is finally on his way back to Earth. We remind everyone to sign up for the European Skeptics Congress in Lyon, France, 30 May – 3 June! Speakers include Massimo Polidoro, Karolina Lisslö Gylfe and Edzard Ernst! In TWISH we hear about Peter the Great who despite obvious flaws also happened to be quite a fan on the enlightenment. Then, it's time for the news:SWEDEN: No data? No problem! Just ask Excel to make something upIRELAND: The Constitution, the Catholic Church and the role of womenUK: House of Lords committee pushes back on EV related misinformation and urges government to do that, tooEUROPE: European Commission wants to target vaccine-preventable cancersThe NHS in Kent is supporting unscientific alternative treatments and gets this week's award for being Really Wrong, and to round up the episode we go to Iceland for the Word of the Week. Who can guess what ‘Bóluefni' means? Tune in to find out!Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Word of the Week; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start with some listener feedback and ponder the wonders of European languages before we turn to TWISH, where we hear about Bertrand Russell and his teapot. Then we go into the news:INTERNATIONAL: Measles updateSWITZERLAND: Homeopathy in SwitzerlandAUSTRIA: The Austrian Medical Academy exposed for peddling pseudomedicineINTERNATIONAL: Funding, not talent, is the problem in the skeptical sphereUK: Dragons' Den: BBC defends show after ME criticism of Acu SeedsScotland keeps burning as much peat as ever despite the climate crises, and for that they receive this week's Award for being Really Wrong.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sorry for the delay guys, but we're back! We have a host of tips for our listeners to get engaged in in the new year. In this week's TWISH we hear about the Basel Massacre in 1349, gruesome stuff. Then we look at the news:ROMANIA: Measles declared an epidemic after infant deathINTERNATIONAL: Large language models validate misinformationUK: King Charles' “Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence” turns out to be an embarrassing failureGERMANY: Nikil Mukerji appointed CSI FellowGERMANY: Zeit Online reveals there's nothing behind newspaper horoscopesThe Really Wrong aware goes to so-called “Energy Healer” Jean-Maurice Latsague, not just an alt-med scammer but also a sex abuser.Happy new year!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suddenly Poland emerges as a possible example against populism in Europe – strange times indeed. In TWISH we hear about Marconi‘s groundbreaking radio transmission over the Atlantic – not very long ago when you think about it, and pretty cool since he didn't really know how radio waves work! In the news this week we look at these items:SWEDEN: Supreme Court awards damages to persons exposed to PFOSEU: EU regulating AIHUNGARY: Nutrivigilancia – a new site to collect side-effects of food supplementsDENMARK: No more burning the QuranUK: Daily Mirror reporting a Christmas miracle?INTERNATIONAL: Developing inoculation strategies to fight climate misinformation in 12 countries – with limited successEnjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong / Really Right; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In TWISH this week we hear about Claude Lévi-Strauss who put together a structuralist theory to analyze myths. We also hear that Pope Frankie is sick but still plans to attend the COP-28 meeting in Dubai – we cannot help wondering why. Then it's time for the news:ISRAEL: Most common rumors related to the Israel-Hamas warGERMANY: Court dismisses lawsuits over alleged coronavirus vaccination damageINTERNATIONAL: Things you can do to make the world a better placeSWEDEN: Macchiarini update – the charlatan super-surgeonThe Word of the Week is Dobhar-Chú. No spoilers! You'll have to listen to find out what on Earth that means!Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; Pontus Pokes the Pope; News; Word of the Week; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's TWISH we hear about Trofim Lysenko before we look into the news:EU: Glyphosate updateINTERNATIONAL: Nostalgia in politicsUK: The Good Law Project supports the General Medical Council taking action against harmful misinformationNORTHERN IRELAND: ‘The Hum' is back!Naturopaths selling Miracle Mineral Supplements (MMS) are promoting a life threatening substance with no possible benefit. This came to a class call recently when a toddler coudl have died as a result. We hand out a Really Wrong Award for this completely irresponsible action. In Word of the Week we looking into how to talk about scams and frauds in Finnish.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Word of the Week; Quote and Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite the numerology, this episode CAN be found wherever you get your podcasts. We will give you tips about The Conspiracy Test, the Humanist UK 2024 Convention, the latest Skeptical Inquirer interview and Skepticon 2023 in Australia – all good things to check out! In TWISH we hear about one of Darwin's buddies, the groundbreaking (pun intended) geologist Charles Lyell, born this week in 1797. Pope Frankie has been given a free pass for too long and therefore gets poked before we get to the news:GERMANY: Nutrition companies are preying on people and ignore health adviceUK: Humanists UK welcomes Private Member's Bill to ban conversion therapyHUNGARY: Team of debunkers and educators develops online educational material to help young people detect false informationUK: The British public largely supports strong climate policiesThe Antivaxx movement gets a Really Wrong award for trying to exploit the tragic death of Matthew Perry and in Who's Quacking? we hear about Norbert Schobert, Hungarian spreader of disinformation.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; Pontus Pokes The Pope; News; Really Wrong; Who's Quacking?; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-TakesShow notes here: https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-404.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the normal meet and greet, we have an interview with Norbert Aust – German skeptic and one of the initiators of INH, Information Network Homeopathy. He brings us up to date on what's going on and reports on the fight to get fraudulent and incorrect ‘scientific' papers retracted. We later get a ‘TWISH' about the ‘Festival of Reason', a failed and misguided attempt to get rid of religion during the French revolution. Then, it's time for the news:TURKEY: Did archeologists find Noah's Ark?UK: ‘Conversion therapy': UK government kicks ban down the road?GERMANY: Esoterics prey on people with fertility issuesINTERNATIONAL: Global survey finds 85% of people worried about online disinformationThis week's Really Wrong Award goes to the BBC and to Michael Mosely for spreading nonsense on the ‘Just One Thing' podcast.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; Interview; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

– with Paula Dahlberg Full length episode, plus an interesting interview this week. We first note that science has discovered the “Pontus plate” (much to our liking) and also that if you are quick you can still apply to give a talk at SkepKon in Augsburg in May. Then we hear about the sad passing of Peter Olausson, prominent skeptic and former president of VoF.After that we have our interview with Paula Dahlberg who takes us through the most common myths about the legal system. Then, we take a look at the news:SWITZERLAND: SCAM doesn't work against diabetesWALES: Cancer patient dead after taking herbal mixture containing mistletoeFRANCE: Negative correlations between conspiracy beliefs and the use of conventional medicineTo round off we present Apple TV (of all services) with this week's Really Right Award for putting out a factual documentary about the Enfield Poltergeist. We also have a tongue twisting Word of the week from the Netherlands.Enjoy!Segments: Intro; Greetings; Interview; TWISH; Pontus Pokes The Pope; News; Really Right; Word Of The Week; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The band is back together for episode 400! Watch out for Gerson therapy, confusing Synods and of course, this week's news: UK: Phones in schools POLAND: End of the PiS party reign(?) BELGIUM: Catholic University of Leuven stops UFO ‘conference' SWITZERLAND: Another tumor ‘treated naturally' UK: ‘Relaxed' climate change policies in the UK, but also elsewhere UK: University of Exeter offers degree in Magic and the occult The Reichsbürger movement get (another!) Really Wrong Award for creating fake Jewish communities to get government funding and hide their terrible agenda. Then we have the Word of the Week, in which we try to take the confusion out of the word ‘Synod'. Enjoy! Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; Pontus Pokes The Pope; News; Really Wrong; Word Of The Week; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

SkepKon 2024 is coming up in May 2024! It will be held in Augsburg and there is a call for papers out, see link in the show notes. This episode comes out on Friday the 13th, so in TWISH we explore where this superstition comes from. We have an interview with Dr Holm Hümmler who tells us what really went down at the presentation of Das Goldene Brett Award in Vienna last week, and then we take a look at the news: SWEDEN: Macchiarini found guilty of falsified research – again! GERMANY: Raids with Reichsbürger SWEDEN / ESTONIA: Estonia disaster – renewed interest in conspiracy theories due to new documentary and coming TV drama GERMANY: New video by Janos Hegedüs about Sucharit Bhakdi UKRAINE: Does Ukraine supply Hamas with American weapons? – New conspiracy theory from US Republicans The German children's TV-show ‘Sendung mit der Maus' gets this week s Really Wrong Award for promoting homeopathy and anthroposophy to kids. Enjoy! Segments: Intro; Greetings; Interview; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

…and Nessie goes ‘gloop' We're happy to announce that the ESP Shop is now available in the US, Canada and Australia. We also want you to know that nominations for Das Goldene Brett is still open. In TWISH we hear about an encounter of the third kind and Frankie insists India don't look the congregation in the eye more than half of the time. Then we get into the news: SCOTLAND: Nessie hunters hear sounds but fail to record them UK: Full Fact study – Hundreds of hoax posts circulating in Facebook groups INTERNATIONAL: Scientific journal retracts article that claimed there is no evidence of climate crisis INTERNATIONAL: Study reveals connection between support for SCAM and vaccine hesitancy among physicians in four European countries We award Swedish activist Ia Anstoot a Really Right for calling out the unscientific stance of Greenpeace when it comes to nuclear power. Enjoy! Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; Pontus Pokes The Pope; News; Really Right; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

Annika has been to the esoteric fair and gives a report and dowsing is apparently used by employees at Scottish Water. In TWISH we celebrate the International Day of Democracy, and boy do we need it. And then there is the news: INTERNATIONAL: Toddlers can reason! SWEDEN / UK: Believing in personal gut feelings and falling for conspiracy theories GERMANY: New developments regarding Satanic Panic SWEDEN: Pontus Pokes the Politicians: Thousands marching against mandatory reporting of paperless persons CrossRef and Retraction Watch do great work and for that they share this week's award for being Really Right. Enjoy! Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

Several awards and gatherings to be on the look-out for: the Ockham Award, the Rusty Razor, the Bent Spoon and Das Goldene Brett. The feast of Santa Rosalia is the topic for TWISH and Pope Frankie is nostalgic about the Mongolian invasion (wtf?). Then, we have this week's news: GERMANY: Follow-up on the Reichsbürger movement INTERNATIONAL: Prediction of 1 billion+ deaths related to climate change by 2100 SCOTLAND: Issues with science publishing – Researcher finds his name on editorial boards of journals he hasn't even heard of SWEDEN / INTERNATIONAL: New measles cases in Stockholm UK: Country can no longer be considered christian Swedish science journalist Maria Gunther gets the award for being Really Right and in Word of the Week Carl Sagan get translated to Norwegian: ‘påstander' means ‘claims and ‘bevis' means ‘evidence'. Enjoy! Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; Pontus Pokes The Pope; News; Really Right; Word Of The Week; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

…sleep restriction for insomnia? A lot of great talks are coming up for Skepticamp at QED in September – with András, Pontus and Claire among the speakers! In TWISH we hear about an almost 200 year old fake news about the moon and then we take a look at the news: UK: Asparagus fails to predict the future SCOTLAND: Loch Ness might be ‘home to spirit entity' that can be disturbed by search UK: Meghan Markle wears ‘miracle antistress patch' INTERNATIONAL: WHO promotes alternative medicine (again!) INTERNATIONAL: Where skeptics go wrong Medical journal the Lancet gets this week Award for being Really Wrong a new article about insomnia. Word of the Week is the Danish word vrøvl. Enjoy! Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Word Of The Week; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

…Uri Geller strikes again… There are now streaming tickets for QED! In TWISH we hear about the three wise guys, sorry, the three wise men, and how they ended up in Cologne in Germany. No pope this week, so we head right in for the news: UK: Voter databank hacked and according to experts can potentially be used to target voters with disinformation INTERNATIONAL: YouTube starts mass takedowns of videos promoting ‘harmful or ineffective' cancer cures UK: Classroom environmental education doesn't seem to change attitudes… UK: Infertility clinics exploiting patients with SCAM SWEDEN: MD who helped patient to end his life wants his license back INTERNATIONAL: BBC broadcast – the terrible abusive practices of spiritual healers INTERNATIONAL: Uri Geller shares ‘proof' that aliens exist – a photo from X-Files HUNGARY: Government spends taxpayer's money on a catholic educational centre The Italian Prime minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, wants to commemorate fascists and for that she receives this week's prize for being Really Wrong. Enjoy! Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong; Quote And Farewell; Outro; Out-Takes

Rob Cesternino is joined by Jordan Kalish and Survivor 42 stars Maryanne Oketch, Zach Wurternberger and Omar Zaheer to play This Week in Survivor History! The post TWISH: Ultimate Survivor Championship appeared first on RobHasAwebsite.com.

Rob Cesternino is joined by Jordan Kalish and Survivor 42 stars Maryanne Oketch, Zach Wurternberger and Omar Zaheer to play This Week in Survivor History! The post TWISH: Ultimate Survivor Championship appeared first on RobHasAwebsite.com.