Category Archives: The Reality Check Episodes

TRC #579: Mad Mike’s Rocket Crash + Mercury Precession x General Relativity + Revealed Preferences

With half the crew in isolation, we take a reprieve from coronavirus news. First, Adam digs into headlines about daredevil “Mad Mike” Hughes who died in a homemade rocket accident intended to “prove” the Earth is flat. One of our … Continue reading →

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TRC #578: Does 9-1-1 need 9-1-1? + Why Is Bagged Milk A Canadian Thing? + Keeping Up With Coronavirus

Producer Pat schools us on 9-1-1 and emergency numbers worldwide after a personal experience dealing with a medical emergency opens his eyes. Cristina finds a way to tie the Toronto Raptors into her segment, when she looks into why bagged … Continue reading →

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TRC #577: Talking Close Relationships with Dr. Cheryl Harasymchuk

Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Dr. Cheryl Harasymchuk is an Associate Professor at Carleton University in the Department of Psychology. She runs the “Positive Activities in Intimate Relationships Lab.” Adam and Darren sit down for a fascinating chat with … Continue reading →

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TRC #576: 10,000 Steps? + Transgender Violence A U.S. Epidemic? + The Master Algorithm

Cristina flexes her critical thinking muscles and investigates the legitimacy of why 10,000 steps a day is promoted as the magical number to stay healthy and fit. Adam looks at statistics to check claims that fatal anti-transgender violence is a … Continue reading →

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TRC #575: Impeachment + Future Of Work + Placenta-eating?

Producer Pat kicks off the show by clearing up some misconceptions about impeachment and looking at what it means to be impeached. Darren looks into the future of work and the key game changers covered in a report by foresight … Continue reading →

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TRC #574: Year End Wrap Up

Happy New Year, Checkers! The crew rings in the first show of 2020 with a laughter-filled look back at last year. First, a little navel gazing while we chat about our favourite segments. Next, Producer Pat challenges the panel to … Continue reading →

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TRC #573: Arizona Vortex + Home Alone Booby Traps + ‘The Devastating Consequences Of Urban Violence’ Overview

Darren sucks us into a segment about vortexes after a recent trip to Arizona leaves him scratching his head over their mystical ‘enhanced energy’ claims. Cristina looks behind the movie magic in “Home Alone” using science to assess the real … Continue reading →

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TRC #572: Blue Light Lens Mania + Donating Effectively + Marie Kondo’s Store

Cristina set her focus on some dubious sales pitches being made about blue light filtering lenses. Next, with Giving Tuesday right around the corner, Darren talks to us about giving to charities effectively.  Adam closes out the show with a … Continue reading →

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TRC #571: Did China Ban Video Games After 10PM? + Did Portugal Solve Its Drug Crisis? + Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking To Strangers

Adam looks into some curious headlines suggesting that China has banned video games after 10PM. Cristina looks closely at how Portugal is doing 18 years after decriminalizing drugs. Darren explores the assumptions and mistakes humans make when dealing with people … Continue reading →

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TRC #570: Lead In Canada’s Water + Flu Shot + Windshield Egg-Throwing Thugs?

Adam takes a deep dive into a recently published, Canada-wide investigation highlighting dangerous levels of lead in drinking water in the Great White North. ‘Tis the season to get the flu shot. Darren breaks down what a flu vaccine is … Continue reading →

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