Since 2006, the weekly Skeptoid podcast has been taking on all the most popular urban legends and revealing the true science, true history, and true lessons we can learn from each. Skeptoid is a listener supported501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more
From fireplace to folklore, how the Yule log got its fake pagan backstory.
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Recent Programs
Testing the Thunderstorm Generator Episode 1019, December 16, 2025 This device claims to be able to dramatically improve the efficiency and emissions of any internal combustion engine.
Might Ghosts Exist? Episode 1018, December 9, 2025 An exploration of all the scientific possibilities by which ghosts might actually exist in this universe.
The Bell that Tolls for the K-129 Episode 1017, December 2, 2025 It should have been impossible for the CIA's Glomar Explorer to obtain the ship's bell from the K-129 submarine... but they did. How?
The Case for Carbon Dating Episode 1016, November 25, 2025 A roundup of evidence supporting the use of radiocarbon dating to assess the age of organic matter from 500 to 55,000 years old.
The Alaska Triangle Episode 1015, November 18, 2025 Stories claim that this region of Alaska is home to a huge number of unexplained disappearances.
The Giant of Kandahar Episode 1014, November 11, 2025 Did US Special Forces battle a 15-foot-tall red-haired giant in the mountains of Afghanistan in 2002?
Medbeds: Sleeping in Bunk Episode 1013, November 4, 2025 A conspiracy theory claims the Hollywood and Deep State elitists have a magical bed that allows them to remain forever young and healthy.
The Not-Deer and Weird Appalachian Lore Episode 1011, October 21, 2025 When ordinary deer turn grotesque, Appalachia’s forests whisper of the Not-Deer — unnatural predators lurking somewhere between folklore and nightmare.
Pop Quiz: 19 Years of Skeptoid Episode 1010, October 14, 2025 A pop quiz of trivia from the previous 19 years of Skeptoid shows! Can you beat the masters?
Facts and Fiction of Polynesian Navigation, Part 2 Episode 1009, October 7, 2025 The actual wayfinding methods used by the ancient Polynesians to navigate between islands and settle the entire Pacific Ocean.
Facts and Fiction of Polynesian Navigation, Part 1 Episode 1008, September 30, 2025 Nearly as much mythology as science surrounds the techniques used by early Polynesians to navigate the South Pacific.
The Pilots Who Landed at Area 51 Episode 1007, September 23, 2025 True stories of the pilots who have tried to land at Area 51 — and what happened to them.
Deconstructing Structured Water Episode 1006, September 16, 2025 A fad in ultra-expensive drinking water is based on some pretty dubious science claims.
Debugging Done Diligently Episode 1005, September 9, 2025 Another round of corrections of errors from past episodes, keeping your Skeptoid archive tidy and accurate.
Dating the White Sands Footprints Episode 1004, September 2, 2025 Ancient footprints in New Mexico are forcing scientists to rewrite the story of when humans first set foot in the Americas, and the debate is shaking paleoanthropology to its core.
A Feast of Feedback Episode 1002, August 19, 2025 Once again we go through some of your feedback to past episodes — all the good stuff that enhances and improves the presentation.
The Phantom Clown Panic Episode 1001, August 12, 2025 Clowns have a habit of terrifying many of us. So why shouldn't we be surprised to see mass clown panics?
Candle on the Water Episode 1000, August 5, 2025 Today marks the 1000th Skeptoid episode. And it's time to raise the question: What are you going to do for it?
Day of the Medieval Dead Episode 999, July 29, 2025 Medieval tales of walking corpses reflect common misunderstandings of death and the era's blurred line between myth and reality.
The Manifestation Trap: OCD and the Law of Attraction Episode 998, July 22, 2025 What began as 19th-century mind-cure mysticism has morphed into a billion-dollar culture that may be hurting more minds than it helps.
Sounds of the Aurora Episode 997, July 15, 2025 Using real science to investigate the question of whether some people can "hear" the aurora.
Murder in Hex Hollow Episode 996, July 8, 2025 The 1928 murder of a folk healer ignited a media frenzy and moral panic, revealing how superstition and magical thinking can fuel real-world tragedy.
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