Alice looks at the landscape of beauty trends on TikTok, and the team discuss the upcoming changes to the show for 2025.

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

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Welcome to 2025! For the first episode of the new year, the team run through questions asked by our listeners. Topic include: who wrote our theme tune, our personal paranormal experiences, and consuming pseudoscientific content without supporting it.

If you have have questions you want to put to us, you can email [email protected]

You can support the show by joining our Patreon at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics or by leaving a five-star reviews on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever else you get podcasts from.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

For the last episode of 2024, Alice talks about Teck Khong, the former-GP-turned-politician and now vocal critic of lockdowns and the Covid vaccine, and Mike looks at an article from BBC Future which examines the data behind home remedy cold cures. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Skeptics with a K!

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Recording remotely for the first time since 2020, the team talk about sovereign citizens pushing common law nonsense at the Great Resist conference, and a new paper which looks at the statistics in so-called mind-body studies.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Alice and Marsh talk about their experiences with The Great Resist Conference in Derbyshire. Meanwhile, Mike has a personal bone to pick with Amazon.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

For the first episode back after QED, Alice talks about the effects of self-talk and Mike investigates claims made by the author of a new book on the 'Nocebo Effect'. Meanwhile, Mike visits HMP Dorchester with Emma.

You can support what we do by donating to our Patreon, or by leaving us a glowing review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. We really appreciate it!

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

We are live from QED 2024! Mike talks about the new mathematics of 'Terry-ology', Alice discusses the men who believe that semen retention will solve all of their problems, and Marsh baits the content marketing scammers who try to get articles on The Skeptic.

You can support Skeptics with a K, and the Merseyside Skeptics, by signing up to our Patreon. We won't try and upsell you with perks and prizes, but your donations help us do the things we do.

In the final episode before QED 2024, the team run down what is happening at the event. Mike talks about how posting 'goodbye Meta AI' won't stop Facebook using your data, and Marsh talks about a new AI tool to help regulators deal with pseudoscience claims.

In-person tickets for QED are available for just a few more days. Pick up yours now at qedcon.org

Alice, Mike, and Marsh are joined by special guest Emma, who talks about human egg donation and the people who think it should be stopped. Marsh talks about the prolific volume of news articles from Mercola.com, and Alice looks at the new wellness trend of transdermal patches for 'energy', 'dreams', and 'stress'.

If you want to donate to Emma's double marathon in support of the Prison Reform Trust, you can donate at justgiving.com/page/emma-mcclure-the-long-stretch

Tickets for QED 2024 are still available at qedcon.org, where you can see a live episode of Skeptics with a K, alongside InKredulous, Loremen, and the Body of Evidence.

Alice looks at the latest TikTok trend of 'sungazing', and Mike digs into a new study which says honest placebos help alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. Meanwhile, Mike tries to avoid small talk when he goes in for surgery.

Note: The description of Mike's surgery includes a few references to the surgery itself that squeamish listeners may want to steel themselves for.

Tickets for QED 2024 are still available, priced £189 for a full weekend of science, reason, and critical thinking.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Alice looks at the Scandinavian tobacco product Snus, and it's bizarre prevalence amongst English footballers, while Marsh examines the relationships between UK anti-abortion activists and wealthy American christian conservative groups.

The last few early bird tickets for QED 2024 are available now. Grab yours before the prices change!

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.