Desiree asking the tough questions - Photo by Marc-Julien Objois

It’s time for a weekly update of Canadian skeptical podcasts: And this week, we’re adding a new podcast to the roundup.

The Conspiracy Skeptic

I’m pleased to introduce The Conspiracy Skeptic to a wider audience. Toronto-based Karl Mamer is your host, who does a deep dive each episode to explore a different conspiracy theory. Past shows have included the JFK assassination, HIV denial, moon hoaxers, vaccines, and much more. The most recent episode is about the ZOG conspiracy. Karl’s podcasts are periodic, so I’ll update you whenever a new podcast appears.

The Reality Check

Jon and the team from The Ottawa Skeptics bring you another episode of TRC. This week, Elan looks at the relationship between language and the way we think: For example, does the gender of a noun affect the way we visualize it? What if two language give different genders to the same noun? Darren talks about his recent adventures in Rio De Janeiro. And Adam looks at the lifespan of fruit flies.

Skeptically Speaking

Now online is the Bad Research episode with cognitive psychologist Barbara Drescher. Barbara gives a good overview of common problems with trial design, and the ways researchers can compromise their own research. This interesting discussion is preceded by journalist David Dobbs who explains the scientific misconduct allegations against Marc Hauser, the Harvard evolutionary biologist.

This Friday’s show sounds fun. It’s with Marc Abrahams, the editor of Annals of Improbable Research and creator of the the Ig Nobel Prize. And on Speaking up, Dr. Richard Wassersug explains his research into the relative tastiness of Costa Rican tadpoles. Listen live at 6pm Mountain time.

Radio Freethinker

Just uploaded (show notes are here), Ethan covers two new new studies: one that looks at the relationship between influenza and heart attacks, and another that describes a new potato with a boosted protein content thanks to the insertion of an amaranth gene. There’s also mention of the French niqab ban, and the factors leading to the substantial improvements in controlling HIV in Africa.  Finally, there’s an extended discussion about the controversy surrounding the Pope’s visit to the United Kingdom, and the resultant protests.

Until next week!