Skepticast

The Invention of "White People"

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Ah, the age old question... where do "White people" come from? We interview Professor Marco Tabellini of Harvard Business School to understand how an influx of racial minorities affects our acceptance of who is "White". Plus: a bonus for Lion King fans!

Maternal Health

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500

We interview Dr. Fleda Mask Jackson, a public health expert, on racial disparities in maternal health. Dr. Jackson has served as an advisor to the CDC and as Professor of Applied Public Health at Emory University and a Visiting Scholar at Spelman College.

Wildfires

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500

The world is on fire -- for once, we're not talking about politics. Find out more about what causes wildfires, what you can do about them, and what Cooper really thinks about gender reveal parties.

History of the Electoral College

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we interview Professor Alexander Keyssar of Harvard, author of the new book "Why Do We Still Have the Electoral College?" Find out how the electoral college was devised, why it has survived several (bipartisan) efforts for reform, and which Founding Father actually wanted to go with a popular vote.

The Postal Service & Mail-In Voting

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

The USPS is the center of attention these days, but do you know which president started it? In our last episode of the season, find out the truth about mail-in voting, and what happened to names like Ebenezer Hazard.

Special Episode: TikTok and Privacy

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Influencer tweens, algorithms, and geopolitics -- oh my! Listen to Cooper and Mimi give their personal takes on TikTok and security, and find out why Cooper hates his social credit score.

Political Polling

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0400

If the name “Nate Silver” triggers your PTSD, this is the episode for you! Learn about political polling 101, wtf happened with the 2016 polls, and what they have to say about the 2020 election today.

Joe Biden: Climate Policies

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Papa Joe decided he wants to keep Miami above water, and released a new Climate Change plan on how to do it. Learn about his $2 trillion plan, why Biden’s breaking “rules” of campaigning, and why Cooper was traumatized by a campaign website.

Universal Basic Income

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Bernie Sanders and Milton Friedman agree? No, it’s not a rupture in the space-time continuum, it’s just universal basic income. Listen to how UBI works, the evidence for and against, and Mimi’s transformation into an angry Siri.

Meat Processing Plants

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0400

The CDC warns we are creating a ninja-warrior training gym for viruses. Find out why factory farms will kill us all, and why Cooper doesn't want an Ostrich farm.

University Endowments

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Harvard, Yale and Stanford have endowments in the 10s of billions...so why can't they afford nice things in a crisis? Find out why universities' endowments are messy, and why $40bn just isn't what it used to be.

Special Episode: Stonewall & Pride

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 17:00:00 -0400

Drag queens, trash fires and cops...oh my! Find out why the Stonewall Riots didn't start the gay rights movement...and why it did.

Facemasks

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 17:00:00 -0400

Facemasks weren't important...then they were. Find out why some medical professionals say wearing a mask can make things worse, and why you absolutely should wear a mask.

Joe Biden: Healthcare Policies

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 17:00:00 -0400

Papa Joe wants to give everyone healthcare but doesn't want to do a communism. Find out about Biden's healthcare plan and why he's the perfect candidate to propose something Democrats find...just ok.