Skeptics with a K

Skeptics with a K

Skeptics with a K is the podcast for science, reason and critical thinking from the Merseyside Skeptics Society. Each episode features Mike Hall, Michael Marshall, and Dr Alice Howarth chatting about the things which interest them, often from a skeptical angle.

Episodes

February 5, 2026

Alice gets angry about 'one simple thing they don't want you to know about maxing', which pushes simple answers to problems which may or may not exist. Meanwhile, Marsh tries hard to dismantle a bed.

Sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptic...

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Marsh investigates a new paper from China, which supposedly shows that drinkers of plant-based milk alternatives are more likely to be depressed. Meanwhile, Mike visits Bristol and Alice has a haggis.

Sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pu...

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January 22, 2026

Mike looks at the modern days myths surrounding the Betamax format, and Alice has to tackle an infestation of spider mites. Meanwhile, Marsh recounts his efforts to interview Erich von Däniken.

Sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Disco...

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January 15, 2026

Alice looks at the updated guidelines from the US government around diet, particularly around alcohol consumption. Meanwhile, Mike spends the weekend in Accident & Emergency and Marsh gets new curtains.

Sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in ...

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January 8, 2026

Happy New Year! For the first episode of 2026, Marsh takes a look back at the predictions psychics made for 2025 and how many came true.

Sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

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December 18, 2025

Mike looks at stories about Tesco removing Christmas from products to avoid causing offence, and Marsh has an encounter with a fan of Joe Rogan on the train home.

Sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

Mixed and edited by M...

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December 11, 2025

Marsh talks about what happened when he asked every Trading Standards office about consumer complaints and Cancer Act investigations. Meanwhile, Mike still has no luck trying to find a massage.

The Good Thinking Society video investigating psychics in Blackpool can be found on YouTube.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, don...

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December 4, 2025

Alice presents her top five favourite bits of Christmas gift wellness woo, before preparing to jet off to Lithuania for a long weekend.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

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November 27, 2025

Mike asks what is really happening when people report 'out of body experiences' and how we know. Meanwhile, Alice has to handle a job interview with a dislocated jaw.

Watch Susan Blackmore's excellent talk on the science of out of body experiences for QED 2016 over on YouTube.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, ...

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November 20, 2025

Alice looks at the increase in employers offering egg freezing as a perk of the job, and the knock-on effects of that. Meanwhile, Mike has trouble leaving Brighton.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

Mixed and e...

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November 13, 2025

Mike takes a brief look at the human trials mentioned in the systematic review being used to support a link between autism and paracetamol.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

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November 6, 2025

In the aftermath of QED, Marsh talks about the communities skepticism and built and ways they can be used to make a difference. Meanwhile, Mike visits a water park and Marsh goes to Hadrian's Wall.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

You can also chat with us on the Skeptics ...

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We are live from QED 2025! Alice talks about Nutmaxxing, where men try to enhance the volume of their semen, Marsh looks as a plug-in gadget which claims to reduce your electricity bills, and Mike asks what evidence there is that paracetamol really works.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the podcast, donate at https://patreon.com/mer...

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October 23, 2025

Alice looks at what happens when you go on a 'dopamine fast' and whether the claims about it from influencers match the biology. Meanwhile, with just hours to go before QED, the team are remarkably relaxed.

Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skept...

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October 16, 2025

Mike asks if the Turing Test is really a meaningful tool for gauging the state of artificial intelligence, and the team has the last few announcements for QED 2025.

Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as we...

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October 9, 2025

Marsh drops down a rabbit hole when he starts to look into the makers of 'Ozempatch', which claims to shift stubborn belly fat. Meanwhile, Mike tries to book a massage.

Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Sk...

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October 2, 2025

Alice investigates new reports that long distance running is somehow associated with increased cancer risk. Meanwhile, the team has the latest news on the final QED.

Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as w...

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September 25, 2025

In the wake of the political violence in the USA, Marsh asks why the self-appointed defenders of 'free speech' are so selective about whose speech they defend.

Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as...

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September 18, 2025

Mike looks at the 'small boat' crossings and what it means for the asylum system in the UK, before being accosted by an Australian man in Wales.

Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswithak, or to support Merseyside Skeptics as well as the po...

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September 11, 2025

Alice looks at the trendy new superfood and supplement "sea moss", which is claimed to have numerous (and nebulous) health benefits. Meanwhile, Marsh has to move a piano and Mike checks into a hotel.

Online tickets for the final QED are still available, pick up yours today. You can also chat with us on the Skeptics in the Pub Discord server.

You can sign up for the Skeptics with a K Patreon at https://patreon.com/skepticswi...

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