The Skeptics Society & Skeptic magazine

In this gripping episode, investigative journalist Gareth Gore uncovers how Opus Dei secretly controlled Banco Popular and funneled its wealth to spread a conservative agenda. From financial deception to human trafficking, Gore exposes the organization’s hidden power and its influence on global politics. Discover the dark forces shaping our society through this captivating story of money, power, and corruption.

Dan Barker, ex-evangelical preacher turned atheist and co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, explores Church-State separation, Catholicism’s influence on the Supreme Court, public education debates, and religious symbols. He introduces “Contraduction,” a concept reexamining reversed beliefs, and discusses legal challenges, moral implications of belief systems, the fine-tuning argument for God’s existence, nothingness, and free will in this thought-provoking conversation.

Michael Shermer interviews conservation scientist Paul Ehrlich about his groundbreaking work on species extinction and his new book, Before They Vanish. Ehrlich explores the current mass extinction crisis, its causes, and the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts. He challenges common perspectives on extinction and offers a new path forward to save Earth’s endangered species.

Journey to the frontiers of human knowledge with astrophysicist Kelsey Johnson as she explores mind-bending questions about the cosmos. Rather than just celebrating what we know, Johnson delves into the profound mysteries that remain unsolved—from the Big Bang to black holes—and examines how these uncertainties intersect with philosophy, theology, and human understanding.

Michael Shermer interviews Jon Mills on psychoanalysis, therapeutic dynamics, and the psychological roots of aggression and trauma. Mills discusses Freud’s influence, the moral dimensions of aggression, and violence’s societal role. They explore intergenerational trauma, individuality, youth struggles, and the evolution of belief in God. The conversation also examines technology’s impact on mental health and spirituality beyond traditional religion, highlighting challenges in understanding human behavior amid global issues.

In this special solo episode, Michael Shermer reflects on the 2024 election.

In 2023, over 107,000 Americans died from overdoses, with fentanyl responsible for more than 75,000 of these deaths—a staggering toll almost double that of car accidents or gun homicides. Fentanyl is increasingly mixed with meth and cocaine, spreading its lethal reach beyond heroin users. Journalist Ben Westhoff, author of Fentanyl, Inc., joins us to explore the crisis and his work advising government leaders on combating this unprecedented epidemic.

Dr. Warren Hern delves into the complexities of abortion care from pre-Roe to today’s tumultuous landscape. He shares first-hand experiences of defending women’s health, grappling with political opposition, and facing threats as an advocate. Hern’s insights offer a riveting view into how abortion access impacts women, society, and democracy itself, revealing urgent, seldom-discussed truths.

In this solo episode, Michael Shermer discusses the upcoming election, reflecting on the historical context of past elections and the political polarization that has intensified over the years.

Shermer and Goldberg discuss: the historical factors that led to America’s rise as a global leader, including its economy and political culture. They explore the future of U.S. global dominance, its alliances, and whether the nation can continue to handle global crises. The discussion also touches on the 2024 election’s implications for U.S. foreign policy and the potential risks and rewards of maintaining its hegemonic role.

Shermer and Lavin discuss historical phenomena like the Satanic Panic and Recovered Memory Movement, as well as contemporary issues such as the movement’s influence on societal institutions, opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, and Christian Zionism. The conversation also delves into apocalyptic beliefs, control of female sexuality, and the movement’s impact on children and families.

Shermer and Weinstein discuss AI’s impact on social media platforms and personal relationships, solutions to combat teen mental health issues, and strategies for parental control. They examine protective measures, Web3’s promises regarding privacy and data ownership, and methods to defeat bots and trolls. The conversation also explores social media’s potential mental health benefits, creating equitable creator economies, and operating without surveillance capitalism.

Shermer and Stephenson discuss various topics including professional and science fiction writing, the interplay of genetics, environment, and luck in shaping lives, historical contingencies, the development and ethics of the atomic bomb, geopolitical concepts like the Hobbesian Trap and Mutual Assured Destruction, cryptocurrency, AI and the Singularity, mind uploading, human evolution, future political systems on Mars, and philosophical concepts such as Fallibilism and Platonic realism.

Terrence Sejnowski, a leading cognitive neuroscientist, delves into the evolving world of AI, focusing on large language models like ChatGPT. Explore AI’s intelligence, consciousness, and ethics while uncovering the future of human-AI interactions. This discussion will leave you questioning what it truly means to think.

Explore the complexities of free speech with First Amendment scholar Tara Smith. Delve into historical perspectives, contemporary challenges, and the nuanced distinctions between speech and action. Unpack crucial concepts like censorship, freedom, and rights in this thought-provoking discussion that examines the very foundations of our discourse on liberty and expression.

Explore how religions compete like businesses, accumulating wealth and power as platforms for communities. Economist Paul Seabright discusses the economic aspects of religious movements, their role in modern society, and how they can be forces for both good and harm. Discover insights on religion’s evolution, its future, and its complex relationship with secular society.

Shermer and Boot discuss Reagan’s early life, his political evolution from a liberal to a conservative, his presidency, and the impact of his policies on modern conservatism. Boot provides insights into Reagan’s views on social issues, nuclear weapons, and his relationships with key figures like Gorbachev. The discussion also touches on the current state of the Republican Party and the challenges it faces today.

Shermer and Kirsch discuss settler colonialism and its implications for current events, particularly in Israel. Kirsch explains the ideology behind labeling Israel a settler colonial state, tracing its roots to historical colonization. They explore anti-Semitism on college campuses, the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and settler colonialism’s critique of Western civilization. The conversation delves into the broader implications of this ideology, including how it complicates discussions of justice and historical accountability.

Dive into the fascinating world of neurosurgery with Dr. Theodore Schwartz. Explore the intricacies of brain surgery, from historical breakthroughs to cutting-edge techniques. Uncover famous cases, sports-related brain injuries, and ponder philosophical questions about consciousness and free will. A mind-bending journey through one of medicine’s most challenging and lifesaving specialties.

At FreedomFest 2024, Michael Shermer interviews biologist Colin Wright on the contentious topic of biological sex and gender. Wright, an expert in animal behavior and evolutionary biology, explores concepts like biological sex, gender identity, and gender dysphoria. He examines changing societal definitions of manhood and womanhood, considering how these evolving perspectives align with established biological principles. The discussion delves into one of today’s most debated scientific and social issues.