It’s the season 2 finale. Jonathan sits down with Andrew Cody, Anna af Hallstrom, and Matt Barbacki to talk about rationality, skepticism, and what’s next for Montreal. We discuss the inaugural edition of Café Hitchens; what we know about how t

Episode 207 - Joe Nickell on Hauntings

Feb 18th, 2015 1h 25m

Ghosts, poltergeists, apparitions… if we believe in them, does that make them true? Jonathan sits down with an expert who does sleight-of-hand before every interview: Dr. Joe Nickell! The Mackenzie House in Toronto, London’s Enfield poltergeist

Episode 206 - Daniele Fanelli and Jonathan Kimmelman on (Bad) Science

Jan 20th, 2015 1h 22m

Is scientific research inefficient or have we grossly oversimplified the situation? We begin with a mad comedic dash through the life of a young scientist to the sound of Italian music and then meet an actual Italian scientist! Dr. Fanelli and

Episode 205 - Funny You Should Think That!

Dec 31st, 2014 58m 14s

It's a ho-ho-holiday special, bringing you audio from our November 16 stage show, Funny You Should Think That! Stuck with annoying relatives with no idea how to entertain them? Start playing this show and, soon, you'll be rolling on the floor,

Episode 204 - Christopher Labos on the Rise of Integrative Medicine

Dec 8th, 2014 1h 47m

Would you like a side of magic with your chemo? Disproven folk remedies used to be domain of snake oil salesmen; now, they are being integrated into university health centres. Jonathan speaks to Dr. Christopher Labos, a public science educator

Episode 203 - Jill Tarter on SETI Funding

Nov 11th, 2014 1h 19m

It's a tug-of-war between a Romantic yearning for the stars and the sometimes harsh economic reality. As we listen for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence, who pays the phone bill? Jonathan sits down with Dr. Jill Tarter, the outgoing direct

Episode 202 - Eric Weichel on Postmodern Art

Oct 13th, 2014 1h 5m

Is a long cardboard chain and anchor really a deep message on immigration? What is the difference between artificial pussy willows and an escalator? Are postmodern artists just having a laugh? Jonathan drags Andrew Cody through last March's Nui

Episode 201 - Michael Shermer on Believing

Sep 10th, 2014 1h 13m

We celebrate our return with Mr. Skepticism himself, Dr. Michael Shermer. What was it in humans' evolution that led to us having beliefs and what credence can we ascribe to them? We talk mushers, invisible princesses, bicycles, and sacred cows.

Teaser for Season 2

Aug 9th, 2014 2m 6s

Season 2 starts in September. In the meantime, here's a look back at our first season and the reveal of our guest on the season premiere. Skeptics, you might know who he is.Music is "The Flames of Rome" by Kai Engel from the album "Calls a

Episode 106 - Joe Schwarcz on the Irrational Fear of Chemicals

May 13th, 2014 1h 31m

It's the season 1 finale of Within Reason with bestselling author and public science educator Dr. Joe Schwarcz. We discuss chemophobia, bisphenol A, homeopathy, and the future of college education (hint: it's not blackboard and chalk). Back in

Episode 105 - Matt Barbacki and the Methods of Rationality

Mar 17th, 2014 1h 31m

An engineer drops by the podcast to tell Jonathan how to be less wrong. It involves tomato timers, effective altruism, and the historicity of your beliefs. Can a Less Wrong rationalist and a skeptical rationalist get along? Back in the studio,

Episode 104 - Shuvo Ghosh and Chase Ross on Gender Identity

Feb 13th, 2014 1h 46m

Are you a boy or a girl? We explore gender identity with paediatrician Dr. Shuvo Ghosh. It's an enlightening discussion that should be preceded by an "air quote" warning. Then, Andrew has a conversation with Chase, trans man extraordinaire, and

Episode 103 - Timothy Caulfield on Health and Fitness Myths

Jan 11th, 2014 1h 30m

Can you lose weight permanently? Do you deserve an after-run muffin and latte? Should you stretch before your workout? Law professor and author of the book "The Cure for Everything!", Timothy Caulfield, answers these health and fitness question

Episode 102 - Richard Bernier on Secularity in Quebec

Dec 12th, 2013 1h 25m

Our guest this month is Richard Bernier, a Christian theologian. What happens when two atheists sit down with a Roman Catholic? We talk secularism, secularity, Quebec Charters, public funding of religious schools, and "attack shirts". Andrew sh

Episode 101 - Eugenie Scott and Sarah Bean on Evolution

Nov 16th, 2013 1h 41m

It's a giant-sized premiere extravaganza for our monthly rational podcast. Anthropology teacher Sarah Bean and National Center for Science Education Executive Director Eugenie Scott join Jonathan and Andrew in a discussion about evolution, crea

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