Episode #033

<p>From the pages of The Skeptic magazine, this is The Skeptic podcast, bringing you the best of the magazine’s expert analysis of pseudoscience, conspiracy theory and claims of the paranormal since its relaunch as online news source in September 2020. </p><p>On this episode: </p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2022/08/spending-time-outdoors-is-healthy-and-great-we-dont-need-to-sell-it-as-forest-bathing/">Spending time outdoors is healthy and great - we don&#39;t need to sell it as &quot;forest bathing&quot;!</a>, by Brian Eggo from August 2022</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2006/04/cognitive-dissonance-the-mental-gymnastics-that-help-us-rationalise-our-sloppy-thinking/">Cognitive dissonance - the mental gymnastics that help us rationalise our sloppy thinking&#39;</a>, by Lee Traynor from April 2006</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.skeptic.org.uk/1989/10/from-the-archives-hear-our-prayers-the-northern-irish-prayer-efficacy-study/">From the archives: Hear our prayers - the Northern Irish prayer efficacy study</a>, by Wendy Grossman from October 1989</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2023/03/the-purebloods-how-the-unvaccinated-came-to-see-themselves-as-superior/">The &quot;purebloods&quot;: how the unvaccinated came to see themselves as superior</a>, by Thiago Vahia from March 2023</p></li></ul><p>Find more from The Skeptic at <a href="https://www.skeptic.org.uk/">skeptic.org.uk</a>, or to support the show, take out a small voluntary donation at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/theskeptic">patreon.com/theskeptic</a></p>

An episode of the The Skeptic Podcast podcast, hosted by Merseyside Skeptics Society, titled "Episode #033" was published on October 10, 2025.

October 10, 2025 · The Skeptic Podcast

Summary

From the pages of The Skeptic magazine, this is The Skeptic podcast, bringing you the best of the magazine’s expert analysis of pseudoscience, conspiracy theory and claims of the paranormal since its relaunch as online news source in September 2020. On this episode: Spending time outdoors is healthy and great - we don&#39;t need to sell it as &quot;forest bathing&quot;!, by Brian Eggo from August 2022Cognitive dissonance - the mental gymnastics that help us rationalise our sloppy thinking&#39;, by Lee Traynor from April 2006From the archives: Hear our prayers - the Northern Irish prayer efficacy study, by Wendy Grossman from October 1989The &quot;purebloods&quot;: how the unvaccinated came to see themselves as superior, by Thiago Vahia from March 2023Find more from The Skeptic at skeptic.org.uk, or to support the show, take out a small voluntary donation at patreon.com/theskeptic

Episode Description