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Show 596: Skeptic, Bob Novella

Jessica Schab interviews skeptic podcaster, Bob Novella!

Bob Novella, is a co-founder and Vice-President of the New England Skeptical Society. He co-hosts along side his brothers Steven and Jay Novella the very popular Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe podcast – the show is dedicated to promoting critical thinking and science literacy through insightful content and resources including an award-winning weekly podcast.

Bob is the writer of the blogs for SGU’s Rogues Gallery, a Youtube channel called Alpha Quadrant 6 and he is a speaker at NECSS -New York City’s Biggest Celebration of Science & Skepticism. He has also written numerous articles that are widely published in skeptical literature.

Bob’s scientific interests lie in the extremes, from the gargantuan to the infinitesimal: astronomy and cosmology to particle physics and quantum mechanics. He is especially fascinated by the human capacity for self-deception and anticipated future technologies such as nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and human augmentation.

Listen to the show here!

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Show 583: Matt Berkowitz

Matt Berkowitz: The the creator of the “Science Literacy” video series, a YouTube video project dedicated to improving public science literacy. A key focus is giving people the tool set to think skeptically and be able to competently evaluate scientific claims. Topics explored include science denialism and conspiracy theories, and the cognitive biases that fuel them, as well as how to think about evidence, and principles of rational thought.

Listen to Show HERE!

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Show 572: YouTube host of Anti-Ordinary, Demi Smith

YouTube host of Anti-Ordinary, Demi Smith

Jessica Schab interviews Demi Smith, British YouTube host of Anti-Ordinary. She is a former Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan and New-Ager turned atheist, and she is also transsexual. Demi is not afraid to explore all sides of an argument and she passionately encourages others to do the same. Jessica and Demi will discuss religion, spirituality, and the LBGT movement.

Audio can be found here!

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Show 566: Douglas Letkeman: Former Fundamentalist Christian

Douglas Letkeman: Former Fundamentalist Christian

Douglas Letkeman, a former fundamentalist Christian of 30+ years now an agnostic atheist, conducts cordial interviews with believers, as well as critiques popular pastors/apologists from the unbelievers’ perspective on his Youtube Channel called “Pinecreek”. Doug’s motto is that doubt is a virtue which can lead to humility and compassion, whereas certainty can lead to arrogance and violence. If you would like to contact Doug, or join him for a livestream interview, you can find him on Twitter at @p1necreek, on Facebook as PinecreekDoug, and on Youtube.

Audio can be found here!

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Show 565: Feminist, Atheist Comedienne, Kate Smurthwaite

Feminist, Atheist Comedienne, Kate Smurthwaite

Kate Smurthwaite is a left-wing feminist & atheist stand-up comedian and political activist. She preforms all over the UK, and around the world at major clubs including The Comedy Store, Soho Comedy Club, and The Stand, and she also writes for publications from Cosmopolitan to both The Guardian and The Independent and is the Vice Chair and Media Spokesperson for campaign group Abortion Rights UK.

Kate is often a http://www.viagrabelgiquefr.com/ guest on news and debate shows and is well known for her forthright opinions and campaigning work. Appearances include the BBC’s flagship political debate show Question Time as well as BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, and BBC Radio 4 The Moral Maze. In 2012 Radio 4’s Four Thought series included a 15-minute program written and performed entirely by Kate about sexist humour and sexism in comedy.

Audio can be found here!

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Show 563: Chris Shelton; Former Scientologist

Chris Shelton: Former Scientologist Tells His Story…

(From Chris’s Website): “I used to be a Scientologist and got myself out of that situation in late 2013. As part of my road out of that mess, I discovered skepticism and the whole subject of critical thinking. It was an epiphany for me and a very important step on my road to recovery. No one wants to think that they were duped or made a fool of, and no one wants to think that they could be so easily deceived. Once I started learning about logic and reason, I made it my mission in life to spread this new “gospel” so as to help others in their lives.”

Audio can be found here!

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Show 556: Massimo Pigliucci on Stoicism

Massimo Pigliucci on Stoicism

(From Publisher): Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great viagra cost emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. Stoicism is a pragmatic philosophy that focuses our attention on what is possible and gives us perspective on what is unimportant. By understanding Stoicism, we can learn to answer crucial questions: Should we get married or divorced? How should we handle our money in a world nearly destroyed by a financial crisis? How can we survive great personal tragedy? Whoever we are, Stoicism has something for us – and How to Be a Stoic is the essential guide.

Audio can be found here!

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Show 554: A Discussion with Waleed Al-Husseini

A Discussion with Waleed Al-Husseini

Religion and the problems it can cause was one of the first topics we discussed on this show, way back in 2002; and with the rise of religious fundamentalism, it still remains a very important issue. We have addressed all three monotheistic religions, and even Buddhism once or twice, in an attempt to explore how they affect society. Of course, with the 16th anniversary of 9/11 earlier this month, Islam has been at the forefront of criticism by both religious and secular conservatives, as well as many prominent atheists like Sam Harris and Hirsi Ali. We have had a variety of discussions on this show about Islam and the sociopolitical landscape on the Middle East – as well as the global west’s influence in helping prop up and support radical Islamist groups and governments.

Today we will talk with Waleed Al-Husseini about his personal trials with Islam, and how he went from believer to blasphemer and prisoner… and ultimately was able to begin a new life in Western Europe. His autobiographical book is called The Blasphemer: The Price I Paid for Rejecting Islam which was published by Arcade in 2015. Waleed, who is Palestinian, was born in Qalqilya, West Bank. After his release from custody of the Palestinian Authority in 2011, he moved to France and eventually founded the Council of Ex-Muslims of France.

Audio can be found here!