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Skepticality
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>The concept and the name <i>Skepticality</i> were created in May 2005<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> by Robynn McCarthy and Derek Colanduno, after the two became friends in Las Vegas. At the time, Colanduno was working at a national Sports Radio network and a privately owned Alternative Rock Station (KEDG) during the overnight shift.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> Skepticality gained notability on September 7, 2005 during a <a href="/facts/Keynote/kIUawk1Q">keynote</a> address, when <a href="/facts/Apple_Inc./oTJYta3k">Apple</a> <a href="/facts/Chief_executive_officer/mg4A8y5M">CEO</a> <a href="/facts/Steve_Jobs/fQpja1hx">Steve Jobs</a> mentioned it as one of the top nine podcasts at the <a href="/facts/ITunes_Music_Store/c3XFlT3q">iTunes Music Store</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> On August 14, 2006, <i>Skepticality</i> became <i>Skeptic</i> magazine's official podcast.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="featured-segments">Featured segments</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Tim_Farley/uHfrxjxJ">Tim Farley</a> of <i><a href="/facts/What%27s_The_Harm%3F/dPUfsmAI">What's The Harm?</a></i>, <i>Skeptools.com</i> and <i>Virtual Skeptics.com</i> regularly contributes pieces of skeptic history with this segment titled <i>Skepticism, Past and Future</i>. First called <i>A Few Minutes of Skeptic History</i>, it debuted on episode 123 on March 3, 2010.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Robert_Todd_Carroll/0JzqlXe0">Bob Carroll</a> from <i><a href="/facts/The_Skeptics_Dictionary/K4KbAV6h">The Skeptics Dictionary</a></i> debuted with a segment on <a href="/facts/Fallacy/IRVuLSef">logical fallacies</a> called <i>Unnatural Virtue</i>, March 27, 2012.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a></li> <li>Jarrett Kaufman and Wendy Hughes from the <a href="/facts/Independent_Investigations_Group/DkqTsBGx">Independent Investigations Group</a> debuted April 25, 2012 with a segment centered on the coincidence website <i>The Odds Must Be Crazy</i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> Kaufman was replaced by John Rael on September 10, 2012. Rael is best known for his creation of <i>skepticallypwnd</i>, a group of comedic skeptics, or skeptical comedians, whose objective is to question pseudoscience in a humorous way.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Heather_Henderson/Y4DxV27Y">Heather Henderson</a> was a contributor from November 2012 and April 2013 with a segment entitled <i>The News in Religion.</i> In it, Heather presents current events and opinions around the topics of atheism, deism and the effects of religion on the general population. Heather is currently the lead vocalist of <a href="/facts/Penn_Jillette/fFhPSA7u">Penn Jillette</a>'s NoGod Band in Las Vegas<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> and along with <a href="/facts/Emery_Emery/B4MNHIdF">Emery Emery</a> publishes two podcasts, <i>Ardent Atheist</i> and <i>Skeptically Yours.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a></li> <li>Robert Blaskiewicz and Eve Siebert joined Skepticality with their segment <i>Skeptical Humanities</i> in Episode 226 on February 18, 2014. The segment presents examples of mainstream research & critical thinking as it pertains to the humanities such as art, philosophy, history, literature, rhetoric, aesthetics, literary criticism, pop culture studies, folklore, and cultural studies.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Susan_Gerbic/rh5aIwQC">Susan Gerbic</a> of Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia (GSoW) has also made regular appearances on Skepticality, providing updates about the GSoW project<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> since January 2013.</li></ul> <h2 id="recurrent-guests">Recurrent guests</h2> <p>The show has a number of guests who have been featured on more than one show. Amongst them are <a href="/facts/James_Randi/qvDsG0vp">James Randi</a>, <a href="/facts/Phil_Plait/Jr1zUlQl">Phil Plait</a>, <a href="/facts/Pamela_L._Gay/rErmGjfU">Pamela Gay</a> and skeptical musician <a href="/facts/George_Hrab/67cqYYU3">George Hrab</a>. </p> <h2 id="asteroids">Asteroids</h2> <p>In an interview with Derek during the June 1, 2006 episode<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> of <i>Slacker Astronomy</i>, the naming of Asteroids <a href="/facts/106545_Colanduno/wNKy5yDk">106545 Colanduno</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> and <a href="/facts/106537_McCarthy/wNKy5yDk">106537 McCarthy</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a> was announced to the world. The asteroids were named in homage to the hosts of <i>Skepticality</i> by their discoverer <a href="/facts/Jeffrey_S._Medkeff/qI42KNwP">Jeff Medkeff</a>, who said, "My naming of these asteroids for you is a token of my esteem for you and your accomplishments." </p> <h2 id="awards">Awards</h2> <p>In 2007, <i>Skepticality</i> was recognized for excellence in podcasting with the Best Speculative Fiction News Podcast award at the <a href="/facts/Parsec_Awards/WFFIC6bm">Parsec Awards</a> and Best Science Podcast award at the Podcast Peer Awards, selected by registered fellow podcasters. Both presentations were made at <a href="/facts/Dragon*Con/0U7KttxC">Dragon*Con</a> 2007 in <a href="/facts/Atlanta,_Georgia/8hPVGb78">Atlanta, Georgia</a>. </p><p>On November 22, 2007, the <i>Skepticality</i> podcast was listed as "Site of the Week" on <a href="/facts/SciFi.com/nxRV1eCB">SciFi.com</a>'s <i><a href="/facts/Sci_Fi_Weekly/nxRV1eCB">Sci Fi Weekly</a></i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> </p><p>On August 9, 2008, <i>Skepticality</i> was named "Podcast of the Week" by <i><a href="/facts/The_Times/5BwkodnX">The Times</a></i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a> </p><p>In April 2014, <i>Skepticality</i> received the Ockham Award at <a href="/facts/Merseyside_Skeptics_Society/uUkwNw2e">QED</a> for Best Podcast. The award was accepted on behalf of Derek and Swoopy by Susan Gerbic.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Skepticality. <ul><li><a href="http://www.skepticality.org">Official website</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Skepticality:The Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine". FeedBurner. Retrieved June 19, 2019. <a href="https://feeds.feedburner.com/skepticalitypodcast" target="_blank">https://feeds.feedburner.com/skepticalitypodcast</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>McCarthy, Robynn; Colanduno, Derek (May 2, 2005). "Odd Leader". Skepticality. Retrieved December 24, 2014. <a href="/w/index.php?title=Robynn_McCarthy&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">/w/index.php?title=Robynn_McCarthy&action=edit&redlink=1</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Slater, Stan (March 13, 2009). "Skeptical Literacy". Skeptical Literacy Blogspot.com. Retrieved December 24, 2014. <a href="http://skepticalliteracy.blogspot.com/2009/03/q-with-derek-colanduno-of.html" target="_blank">http://skepticalliteracy.blogspot.com/2009/03/q-with-derek-colanduno-of.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Steve Jobs (September 7, 2005). "Apple Keynote – Special Music Event". YouTube. Keynote Apple. Retrieved August 5, 2015.[dead YouTube link]: 3:12 <a href="/wiki/Steve_Jobs" target="_blank">/wiki/Steve_Jobs</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Shermer, Michael. "About Skepticality". Skeptic Magazine. Retrieved December 24, 2014. <a href="/wiki/Michael_Shermer" target="_blank">/wiki/Michael_Shermer</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Colanduno, Derek (March 16, 2010). "Episode 123". Skeptic Magazine. Retrieved April 25, 2012. <a href="/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Colanduno, Derek (March 27, 2012). "Episode 179". Skeptic Magazine. Retrieved April 25, 2012. <a href="/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Derek Colanduno. "Episode 181". Skeptic Magazine. Retrieved April 25, 2012. <a href="/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Skepticality Episode 181: The Odds Must be Crazy". IIG. Retrieved April 25, 2012. <a href="http://www.theoddsmustbecrazy.com/2012/04/24/skepticality-episode-181/" target="_blank">http://www.theoddsmustbecrazy.com/2012/04/24/skepticality-episode-181/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Rael, John. "Skeptically Pwnd". Skeptics on the .net (blog). Retrieved December 24, 2014. <a href="http://skepticsonthe.net/skeptically-pwnd/" target="_blank">http://skepticsonthe.net/skeptically-pwnd/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Gaudette, Bridget R. (March 5, 2013). "Shades of Black Atheism #9: Performer & Podcaster, Heather Henderson". Patheos. Retrieved December 24, 2014. <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/03/05/shades-of-black-atheism-9-performer-podcaster-heather-henderson/" target="_blank">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/03/05/shades-of-black-atheism-9-performer-podcaster-heather-henderson/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Henderson, Heather. "About the Show". Ardent Atheist (blog). Retrieved December 24, 2014. <a href="/wiki/Heather_Henderson" target="_blank">/wiki/Heather_Henderson</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Henderson, Heather; Emery, Emery. "Skeptically Yours". Skeptically Yours (blog). Retrieved December 25, 2014. <a href="/wiki/Emery_Emery" target="_blank">/wiki/Emery_Emery</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Colanduno, Derek (February 18, 2014). "Episode #226 Taboo". Skepticality. Retrieved December 24, 2014. <a href="/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Siebert, Eve; Blaskiewicz, Robert (December 28, 2010). "About Skeptical Humanities". Skeptical humanities (blog). <a href="http://skepticalhumanities.com/about/" target="_blank">http://skepticalhumanities.com/about/</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Gerbic, Susan. "Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia". Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia Blogspot.com. Retrieved December 24, 2014. <a href="/wiki/Susan_Gerbic" target="_blank">/wiki/Susan_Gerbic</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Colanduno, Derek (January 9, 2013). "Episode 199: Another Doubtful Year". Skepticality. Retrieved December 24, 2014. <a href="/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">/w/index.php?title=Derek_Colanduno&action=edit&redlink=1</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Identified as both chat show #7 and #9. <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"JPL Small-Body Database Browser". Retrieved July 9, 2012. <a href="https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=colanduno;orb=1" target="_blank">https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=colanduno;orb=1</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"JPL Small-Body Database Browser". Retrieved July 9, 2012. <a href="https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=mccarthy;orb=1" target="_blank">https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=mccarthy;orb=1</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>"Site of the Week". SciFi.com. November 22, 2007. Archived from the original on May 4, 2008. Retrieved October 10, 2008. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080504001323/http://www.scifi.com/sfw/sites/sfw17418.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20080504001323/http://www.scifi.com/sfw/sites/sfw17418.html</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>Campling, Chris (August 9, 2008). "Podcast of the week: Skepticality offers the 'truth'". The Times. London. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2008. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110616034149/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4470372.ece" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110616034149/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4470372.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Gerbic, Susan (April 20, 2014). "Ockham Award QED 2014 – Best Podcast". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2014. <a href="/wiki/Susan_Gerbic" target="_blank">/wiki/Susan_Gerbic</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>