The Reality Check
Canada's weekly podcast that explores a wide range of controversies and curiosities using science and critical thinking.
- Update frequency
- every 16 days
- Average duration
- 33 minutes
- Episodes
- 404
- Years Active
- 2014 - 2025
TRC #362: Simpson’s Paradox + Name That: GMO Edition + Traveller’s Diarrhea Myths
Hey TRC’ers! While Adam is away this week, friend of the show Dallas Card joins us once again in studio to explain Simpson’s Paradox. Pat challenges the panel to another game of Name That: GMO Edi…
TRC #361: Bullying + Shroud of Turin + Kanye vs Wheelchair Basketball Team
Imma let you finish...but this episode of TRC is off the hizzy! First, Adam kicks the show off with an in depth look at ‘provocative’ new research that suggests bullying is genetic. TRC alumni Elan…
TRC #360: Hydration + Donating Your Body To Science + Two-Way Mirrors
TRC keeps bringin’ da facts! Darren starts us off by dipping into a segment about popular hydration myths. Cristina digs into what happens when you donate your body to Science. Finally, Adam reflects…
TRC #359: High Fidelity Audio Players + Sunscreen Revisited + Catapult GPS
Pat sets the tone with a segment on high fidelity audio players and whether Neil Young’s new Pono device is as ‘righteous’ as its name claims. Darren reflects on popular misconceptions around sunscre…
TRC #358: Guerrilla Skepticism + Foul-mouthed Minions + The Munchies
Wassup TRC'ers! Darren kicks things off with a detailed segment about Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia, aka GSoW. Adam serves us a lighthearted look at whether McDonald’s Happy Meal Minions are swea…
TRC #357: Mobile Medical Apps + Sesame Street vs Preschool + Viral Nonsense: Confederate Flag Edition
Welcome, bienvenida, bienvenue TRC’ers! Pat kicks off this week’s show addressing a listener’s email regarding whether there’s any real science behind health applications for mobile phones. Cristina …
TRC #356: Rachel Dolezal and Transraciality + Alternative Cancer Therapies for Pets + Did Stockbrokers Really Jump Out of Windows?
Despite some technical issues this week, the crew plowed through to bring you another great episode of TRC! On today’s show, Darren takes an in-depth look into the controversial story behind Rachel D…
TRC #355: Mashup Episode: Breast Cancer Screening + Sexism in Science + Jackie Mitchell
Cristina takes over TRC Studios to DJ another magnificent Mashup episode. This week the running theme is “Women”. Enjoy!
TRC #354: Caitlyn Jenner vs Noah Galloway + Bayesian Statistics 101 with Alex Demarsh + Biodynamic Farming
Welcome TRC Family to another jam-packed episode! Adam kicks off the show this week by looking into the brouhaha over whether Caitlyn Jenner really beat out Noah Galloway to win an ESPN Arthur Ashe C…
TRC #353: Perfect Pitch + Name That: Weather & Climate Edition + Is July 4 Really Independence Day?
The whole gang is back to deliver another fun-filled show! Cristina rings in with a segment about Perfect Pitch and a recent study that looks at whether the ability can be learned by adults. Pat chal…
TRC #352: doTerra Essential Oils + Tiananmen Square + Do Sunflowers Track The Sun?
With Pat & Cristina away, guest host Dr. Michael Thompson steps in to join the crew! Adam gives us a whiff of aromatherapy, specifically multi-level marketing company doTerra Essential Oils. Michael …
TRC #351: DNR Revisited + Penile Duplication + Vulcan Salute & Death Grip
Pat kicks off this week’s show revisiting an older segment on DNR with some new information about the mortality rate in DNR patients. Darren looks into the phenomenon of men having more than one pe…
TRC #350: Ontario’s Sex-Ed Curriculum + Magic School Bus Meme + Medical Procedures You May Not Need
Hello TRC’ers! This week’s show is a veritable potpourri of topics! Darren studies Ontario’s new Sex-Ed Curriculum and addresses its critics. Adam tackles the meme keeping us all up at night...did …
TRC #349: Dubious Health Bloggers + Crop Circles + Tax-Free Savings Account
TRC is bringin’ it! Cristina bites into a segment about dubious Health, or self-professed “wellness” bloggers and the potential hazards of their claims, and in some cases lies. Adam touches down with…
TRC #348: Earth-Sized Exoplanets + Name That: Which Came First + Israeli Stamps In Passports
Dr. Stuart Robbins from Exposing PseudoAstronomy is back to discuss the search for Earth-sized exoplanets. Pat then leads the crew in another game of Name That and lastly Darren looks into whether a…
TRC #347: Nepal Disaster Relief + Fecal Transplants + Diamonds + Star Trek Red Shirts
Darren touches on recent events in Nepal and offers suggestions on how to help during disaster relief efforts. Guest host Dina drops a segment we can all get behind regarding promising research aroun…
TRC #346: The Grape Ice Cream Debate + QRay Wellness Bracelets + Things Women Couldn’t Do Before The 70’s + Eye Floaters
What a jam-packed show! After kicking things off with a beloved TV show theme parody, Pat dips into a long standing myth about grape ice cream, while Adam breaks down QRay Wellness Bracelet claims. C…
TRC #345: Trigger Warnings + Food Labelling + Poland's Enigma Code Breakers
On this week’s show, Darren explores trigger warnings, how they’re used, and whether they should be. Cristina bites into a segment about misleading product claims and food labelling. Finally, Pat tak…
TRC #344: Animal Memory + Name That: Random Technology Quiz + The Humidex
Just in time for the weekend! First Adam attempts to recall whether or not animals have memory, next Pat tests your knowledge of random technology with another game of 'name that' and lastly Cristin…
TRC #343: Voluntourism + Higher Thread Counts + Sleepwalking 101
Happy Spring Equinox! Darren kicks off the show by exposing the disturbing downside of well-intentioned Voluntourism. Cristina lays out the truth behind whether higher thread counts are really indi…