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Video Interviews
438 Susan Gerbic - how to be a Scientific Skepticism Activist
Interview starts at 46:00
Introducing CSI’s New Chief Investigator: Kenny Biddle
Interview by Rob Palmer - Nov., 28, 2022
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Interview by Rob Palmer - July 15, 2022.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, a science communicator, a former advisor to NASA, the director of NYC’s Hayden Planetarium, a research associate of the Department of Astrophysics at NYC’s American Museum of Natural History, the author of fifteen books, and a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
He is probably best known as the host and narrator of the two most recent seasons of the Emmy-winning TV series Cosmos and as the host of the StarTalk podcast and TV series.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, a science communicator, a former advisor to NASA, the director of NYC’s Hayden Planetarium, a research associate of the Department of Astrophysics at NYC’s American Museum of Natural History, the author of fifteen books, and a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
He is probably best known as the host and narrator of the two most recent seasons of the Emmy-winning TV series Cosmos and as the host of the StarTalk podcast and TV series.
Susan Gerbic
Interview by Rob Palmer - August 1, 2022.
Susan is a CSI fellow who established and runs the Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia project (GSoW), which has been called the most important project in skepticism.
Beyond GSoW, her focus has been exposing and educating the public about psychics and grief vampires (mediums).
Susan is a CSI fellow who established and runs the Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia project (GSoW), which has been called the most important project in skepticism.
Beyond GSoW, her focus has been exposing and educating the public about psychics and grief vampires (mediums).
Penn Jillette
Interview by Rob Palmer - August 8, 2022.
Penn Jillette is an American magician, actor, musician, inventor, television presenter, and author, best known for his work with fellow magician Teller as half of the team Penn & Teller.
The duo has been featured in numerous stage and television shows, such as Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, and is currently headlining in Las Vegas at The Rio. Jillette serves as the act's orator and raconteur.
Jillette has published eight books, including the New York Times Bestseller, God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales.
He is also known for his advocacy of atheism, scientific skepticism, the First Amendment, as well as previously identifying as a libertarian, and supporting free-market capitalism.
Penn Jillette is an American magician, actor, musician, inventor, television presenter, and author, best known for his work with fellow magician Teller as half of the team Penn & Teller.
The duo has been featured in numerous stage and television shows, such as Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, and is currently headlining in Las Vegas at The Rio. Jillette serves as the act's orator and raconteur.
Jillette has published eight books, including the New York Times Bestseller, God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales.
He is also known for his advocacy of atheism, scientific skepticism, the First Amendment, as well as previously identifying as a libertarian, and supporting free-market capitalism.
Odaelys Walwyn-Pollard
Interview by Rob Palmer - August 30, 2022.
Pollard is a native of the U.S. Virgin Islands who moved to the U.S. Northeast to pursue a PhD in microbiology and immunology.
She is an educator who has had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of audiences. She is particularly passionate about teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in the STEM fields, in ways that foster their love for science and research.
Pollard is actively involved with and manages STEM programs that provide ways to support and mentor students, teachers, and other scientists with the goal of promoting equitable access to, and an appreciation for, the scientific process.
Pollard is a native of the U.S. Virgin Islands who moved to the U.S. Northeast to pursue a PhD in microbiology and immunology.
She is an educator who has had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of audiences. She is particularly passionate about teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in the STEM fields, in ways that foster their love for science and research.
Pollard is actively involved with and manages STEM programs that provide ways to support and mentor students, teachers, and other scientists with the goal of promoting equitable access to, and an appreciation for, the scientific process.
Richard Wiseman
Interview by Rob Palmer - July 25, 2022.
Wiseman is a Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.
He has written several best-selling popular psychology books that have been translated into over 30 languages. He has given keynote addresses to The Royal Society, The Swiss Economic Forum, Google and Amazon.
He is a fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and a patron of Humanists UK. Wiseman is also the creator of the YouTube channel Quirkology.
Wiseman is a Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.
He has written several best-selling popular psychology books that have been translated into over 30 languages. He has given keynote addresses to The Royal Society, The Swiss Economic Forum, Google and Amazon.
He is a fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and a patron of Humanists UK. Wiseman is also the creator of the YouTube channel Quirkology.
Nathan H. Lents
Interview by Rob Palmer - September 7, 2022. Lents is a scientist, author, and university professor.
He has been on the faculty of John Jay College since 2006 and is currently the director of the Cell and Molecular Biology program and the former head of the honors program and the campus Macaulay Honors College program.
Lents is noted for his work in cell biology, genetics, and forensic science, as well as his popular science writing and blogging on the evolution of human biology and behavior.
Lents is also a visiting faculty member at the University of Lincoln in the UK and a fellow with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
He has been on the faculty of John Jay College since 2006 and is currently the director of the Cell and Molecular Biology program and the former head of the honors program and the campus Macaulay Honors College program.
Lents is noted for his work in cell biology, genetics, and forensic science, as well as his popular science writing and blogging on the evolution of human biology and behavior.
Lents is also a visiting faculty member at the University of Lincoln in the UK and a fellow with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
Kenny Biddle
Interview by Rob Palmer - July 28, 2022.
Kenny Biddle is an author, skeptical investigator of paranormal claims, and fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
A former paranormal enthusiast, Biddle's early experiences converted him into a skeptical activist and critic of various pseudoscientific pursuits such as ghost hunting, UFOlogy, cryptozoology, and parapsychology.
Biddle has investigated widely circulated photographs and videos claimed to be evidence of ghosts and hauntings, and found natural explanations such as lighting, optical and atmospheric effects, photographic errors or trickery.
His analyses of paranormal claims have appeared in publications such as The Atlantic, Popular Mechanics, People, and a book by Ben Radford on investigating ghosts. Biddle is a columnist for the journal of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), Skeptical Inquirer, and has delivered presentations at their conferences, CSICon.
Biddle also employs social media such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to promote scientific skepticism and critical thinking.
Kenny Biddle is an author, skeptical investigator of paranormal claims, and fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
A former paranormal enthusiast, Biddle's early experiences converted him into a skeptical activist and critic of various pseudoscientific pursuits such as ghost hunting, UFOlogy, cryptozoology, and parapsychology.
Biddle has investigated widely circulated photographs and videos claimed to be evidence of ghosts and hauntings, and found natural explanations such as lighting, optical and atmospheric effects, photographic errors or trickery.
His analyses of paranormal claims have appeared in publications such as The Atlantic, Popular Mechanics, People, and a book by Ben Radford on investigating ghosts. Biddle is a columnist for the journal of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), Skeptical Inquirer, and has delivered presentations at their conferences, CSICon.
Biddle also employs social media such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to promote scientific skepticism and critical thinking.
Massimo Polidoro
Interview by Rob Palmer - August 26, 2022.
Polidoro is a CSI fellow, CSICon veteran, and author of over fifty books. He is an internationally recognized “mystery investigator” with an ever-growing following on social media (he has 200K subscribers on YouTube).
He has been a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer since 2002, predating yours truly by sixteen years!
Polidoro began his career as James Randi’s apprentice, and he is the cofounder and head of the skeptics group CICAP in in his native Italy where he is a TV personality.
He taught “Scientific Method and Anomalistic Psychology” at the University of Milan and now teaches science communication to Padua University’s PhD students.
Polidoro is a CSI fellow, CSICon veteran, and author of over fifty books. He is an internationally recognized “mystery investigator” with an ever-growing following on social media (he has 200K subscribers on YouTube).
He has been a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer since 2002, predating yours truly by sixteen years!
Polidoro began his career as James Randi’s apprentice, and he is the cofounder and head of the skeptics group CICAP in in his native Italy where he is a TV personality.
He taught “Scientific Method and Anomalistic Psychology” at the University of Milan and now teaches science communication to Padua University’s PhD students.
Naomi Oreskes
Interview by Rob Palmer - August 10, 2022.
Oreskes is the Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science and affiliated professor of earth and planetary sciences at Harvard University.
She is an internationally renowned earth scientist, historian, and author of both scholarly and popular books and articles on the history of earth and environmental science.
Oreskes is the Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science and affiliated professor of earth and planetary sciences at Harvard University.
She is an internationally renowned earth scientist, historian, and author of both scholarly and popular books and articles on the history of earth and environmental science.
Joseph Uscinski
Interview by Rob Palmer - September 7, 2022.
Uscinski is a professor of political science at the University of Miami, specializing in the study of conspiracy theories.
He is a CSI fellow, and coauthor of the book American Conspiracy Theories and editor of Conspiracy Theories and the People Who Believe Them.
Uscinski is a professor of political science at the University of Miami, specializing in the study of conspiracy theories.
He is a CSI fellow, and coauthor of the book American Conspiracy Theories and editor of Conspiracy Theories and the People Who Believe Them.
Natalia Pasternak
Interview by Rob Palmer - August 18, 2022.
Natalia Pasternak Taschner is a Brazilian microbiologist, author, and science communicator. he is the first president of the Instituto Questão de Ciência (IQC) (English: Question of Science Institute).
She was director of the Brazilian arm of the science festival, Pint of Science (2016–2019), columnist for the Brazilian national newspaper "O Globo", for The Skeptic magazine (UK), and Medscape (WebMD).
She also hosts two weekly radio shows “The hour of Science” at Brazil's CBN national radio station.
Taschner is also the publisher of Brazil's first magazine on critical thinking, Revista Questao de Ciencia.
She contributes as a visiting professor at the Public Administration School at Fundação Getúlio Vargas, São Paulo, as well as a research collaborator at the University of São Paulo.
She is the first Brazilian to be named a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) in the United States, in honor of her remarkable contributions to the advancement of science, skepticism, and critical thinking. She was named Brazilian of the year in Science by IstoE Magazine in 2020 and again in 2021.
She was named Personality of the Year by the Group of Latin America Daily Newspapers and awarded the Ockham Award from The Skeptic magazine for her efforts to promote skepticism and rational thought in Brazil.
She is the only Brazilian on the BBC's list of the 100 most influential women in 2021, and she is now an Adjunct Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University's Center for Science and Society.
Her research focuses on ways to enhance science communication and battle denial and disinformation, as well as bringing scientific thought to future policymakers and assisting in the establishment of a worldwide partnership for evidence-based global policies.
Natalia Pasternak Taschner is a Brazilian microbiologist, author, and science communicator. he is the first president of the Instituto Questão de Ciência (IQC) (English: Question of Science Institute).
She was director of the Brazilian arm of the science festival, Pint of Science (2016–2019), columnist for the Brazilian national newspaper "O Globo", for The Skeptic magazine (UK), and Medscape (WebMD).
She also hosts two weekly radio shows “The hour of Science” at Brazil's CBN national radio station.
Taschner is also the publisher of Brazil's first magazine on critical thinking, Revista Questao de Ciencia.
She contributes as a visiting professor at the Public Administration School at Fundação Getúlio Vargas, São Paulo, as well as a research collaborator at the University of São Paulo.
She is the first Brazilian to be named a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) in the United States, in honor of her remarkable contributions to the advancement of science, skepticism, and critical thinking. She was named Brazilian of the year in Science by IstoE Magazine in 2020 and again in 2021.
She was named Personality of the Year by the Group of Latin America Daily Newspapers and awarded the Ockham Award from The Skeptic magazine for her efforts to promote skepticism and rational thought in Brazil.
She is the only Brazilian on the BBC's list of the 100 most influential women in 2021, and she is now an Adjunct Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University's Center for Science and Society.
Her research focuses on ways to enhance science communication and battle denial and disinformation, as well as bringing scientific thought to future policymakers and assisting in the establishment of a worldwide partnership for evidence-based global policies.
Timothy Caulfield
Interview by Rob Palmer - Sept. 16, 2022.
Timothy Caulfield is the Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and research director of the Health Law Institute, all at the University of Alberta.
His interdisciplinary research on topics such as stem cells, genetics, research ethics, and the public representations of science and public health policy has allowed him to publish over 350 academic articles.
He has won numerous academic and writing awards and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
Caulfield is the author of two national bestsellers: The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness and Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong about Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash.
His most recent book is Relax, Dammit!: A User’s Guide to the Age of Anxiety. He is also the host and co-producer of the award-winning Netflix documentary series A User’s Guide to Cheating Death.
Timothy Caulfield is the Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and research director of the Health Law Institute, all at the University of Alberta.
His interdisciplinary research on topics such as stem cells, genetics, research ethics, and the public representations of science and public health policy has allowed him to publish over 350 academic articles.
He has won numerous academic and writing awards and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
Caulfield is the author of two national bestsellers: The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness and Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong about Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash.
His most recent book is Relax, Dammit!: A User’s Guide to the Age of Anxiety. He is also the host and co-producer of the award-winning Netflix documentary series A User’s Guide to Cheating Death.
Robert Bartholomew
Interview by Rob Palmer - March 2022.
Bartholomew (born is a medical sociologist, journalist and author living in New Zealand. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
In addition to publishing more than 60 academic papers, he has written or co-written 16 popular science and skeptical non-fiction books. He writes for several newspapers and journals on sociological and fringe science topics, including Psychology Today, Skeptical Inquirer, and British magazines The Skeptic and Fortean Times.
He is an expert in fields such as mass hysteria and mass psychogenic illness and is frequently consulted by media during current events of sociological phenomena such as incidences of suspected mass hysteria or panic.
Bartholomew (born is a medical sociologist, journalist and author living in New Zealand. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
In addition to publishing more than 60 academic papers, he has written or co-written 16 popular science and skeptical non-fiction books. He writes for several newspapers and journals on sociological and fringe science topics, including Psychology Today, Skeptical Inquirer, and British magazines The Skeptic and Fortean Times.
He is an expert in fields such as mass hysteria and mass psychogenic illness and is frequently consulted by media during current events of sociological phenomena such as incidences of suspected mass hysteria or panic.
John de Lancie
Interview by Rob Palmer - October 2021.
De Lancie is the actor who breathed life into what is perhaps the Star Trek franchise’s most fascinating character: the godlike, all-powerful, enigmatic entity known as Q.
He is also an atheist/humanist activist and has been a featured speaker at several atheist/freethought/humanist gatherings, including the 2016 Reason Rally.
De Lancie was a featured speaker at CSICon 2019.
De Lancie is the actor who breathed life into what is perhaps the Star Trek franchise’s most fascinating character: the godlike, all-powerful, enigmatic entity known as Q.
He is also an atheist/humanist activist and has been a featured speaker at several atheist/freethought/humanist gatherings, including the 2016 Reason Rally.
De Lancie was a featured speaker at CSICon 2019.
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