About

Skeptically Speaking is a syndicated radio show and podcast based in Edmonton, Alberta, that broadcasts weekly across North America. We explore the connections between science, popular culture, history and public policy, to help listeners understand the evidence and arguments behind what’s in the news and on the shelves.

THE SKEPTICALLY SPEAKING TEAM

Desiree Schell
Host

@teh_skeptic
desiree@skepticallyspeaking.com

I’m constantly fascinated by how the world works, and I can’t remember the last time I was bored. I’m not a scientist or academic of any variety, I simply believe in using curiosity and critical analysis to guide my life. I use Philip K. Dick’s words as a litmus test; “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”

K.O. Myers
Producer/Editor

@KO_Myers
ko@skepticallyspeaking.com

I didn’t come to critical thinking in any revelatory or organized way. One day, I just sort of realized that I had a habit of wanting to know how things worked, and I wasn’t satisfied with “because it does.” My primary duty on the show is editing the recording for broadcast. If I’ve done my job correctly, you should never notice my work.

Ryan Bromsgrove
Production Manager

@ryawesome
ryan@skepticallyspeaking.com

Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Alberta with a degree in physics he decided would be a good idea at the time. Instead of leaving academia, he is sticking around a while to follow up on a vague plan of being a journalist. Science is cool — and so is good science journalism.

Helen Quevillon
Publishing Liaison

helen@skepticallyspeaking.com

Ever since I was young, I have been curious about the world around me. I was always asking why in an effort to learn how and why things worked. This innate curiosity is what lead me to study science and my nerdiness in general. As a biological science student I get to spend most of my days asking “why?” I can’t think of anything better.

Chelsea Butler
Social Media Coordinator

 @YouKantHandleIt
chelsea@skepticallyspeaking.com

A few years ago, I realized that many of the things that I assumed were true about the world were actually wrong. Since then, I have dedicated myself to forming beliefs and opinions based on the best evidence available, and science and skepticism just happen to be the very best methodologies for doing so. I am pursing a degree in Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Alberta, and please don’t ask me what I plan to do with that.

Rachelle Saunders
Guest Host/Guest Coordinator

@afterthree
rachelle@skepticallyspeaking.com

I love to learn, and I’m constantly revising the way I look and interact with the world based on new inputs, so critical thinking and I have always been bedfellows. I promote a positive, constructive relationship between science, art and communication of all kinds, and encourage everyone to try being wrong once in a while; it’s good for us, and not as scary as you think it is.

Marie-Claire Shanahan
Guest Host

@mcshanahan
marie-claire@skepticallyspeaking.com

I love science and I’ve been hooked on finding ways to explain and share that love since my chemistry teacher handed me the chalk and challenged me to teach the class one day (probably because I was asking him too many questions). As a teacher and science education researcher I like nothing more than helping people make logical sense of the world around us.

Josh Witten
Researcher

@joshwitten

I’m convinced that the scientific view of the world is the most fun way to view the world and I’m working hard-ish to convince everyone else I’m right. I’m a former rugby player, former research biologist, current life sciences and communication consultant, and managing publican of The Finch & Pea: Online Public House for Science.

Ed Haynes
Guest Coordinator

I’m an engineer and a hobby farmer. I’ve always been interested in how things work. I think the most important questions are “how?” and “why?” Critical thinking always seems the best way to get those answers. I’ll always be the curious kid who won’t stop asking questions, and poking at things with a stick.

Theme Song

“Skeptically Speaking” was written and performed by A.O.K., and is available for download here.

License

All Skeptically Speaking episodes are under the Creative Commons license. You are free to distribute unedited versions of the episodes for non-commercial purposes. If you would like to edit the episodes please contact us.

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