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Category Archives: The Reality Check Episodes
TRC #399: Free Throw Distraction + Differentiating Science From Pseudoscience + Do Politicians Keep Promises
The whole crew is back together. First Pat examines whether fans can affect the outcome of basketball games by distracting players who are taking free throws. Next Darren looks into the demarcation problem in the philosophy of science. Lastly Cristina … Continue reading
TRC #398: The Physics of Superheroes + Name That: High School Edition + Green Moon
While Adam is galavanting in Europe, “Physics Commando” Barry Panas joins the crew to school us on the physics of superheroes. Pat discovers who showed up in class with a game of Name That: High School Quiz Edition. Finally, Darren … Continue reading
TRC #397: Star Wars Droids with Jim Davies + Misleading Terms In Psych Fields + Star Wars Myths
Friend of the show Jim Davies joins us this week to explore our psychology, and often conflicted feelings, about droids in the Stars Wars universe. Cristina schools us in terms often misused when reporting psychological science. Finally, Adam rounds out … Continue reading
TRC #396: French’s Ketchup Better For Ontario? + Misleading Headlines + China Bans April Fools’?
Adam squeezes the truth out of rumours that French’s Ketchup, rather than Heinz, is supporting Ontario industries. Next Cristina looks into whether readers are influenced by misleading headlines, even if they read the full article. Lastly Darren checks into reports … Continue reading
TRC #395: Tribeca vs Vaxxed + Double-Dipping + Tay: Microsoft’s AI “Racist” Chatbot + Energy-Infused Beauty Products
Darren kicks off the show with a quick panel discussion about Tribeca Film Festival’s decision to pull a controversial documentary linking vaccines with autism from their line-up. Next, Pat dives right into a listener email about double-dipping. Adam looks into … Continue reading
TRC #394: Money & Happiness + An Evening With Neil deGrasse Tyson + How Is Easter Sunday Determined?
Happy March Equinox, Checkers! This week, Darren delves into the age-old question, does more money really make us happier? Pat and Cristina give a recap of An Evening With Neil deGrasse Tyson in Toronto. Finally, Adam hops right into a … Continue reading
TRC #393: Talking Mirrors with Barry Panas + Clinton Onion Conspiracy + Splenda vs Cancer
Very special guest Barry “Physics Commando” Panas reflects on whether mirrors reverse left and right. Next, Adam peels back the layers on a conspiracy about The Onion and Hillary Clinton. Lastly, Cristina sweetens things up by looking at a recent … Continue reading
TRC #392: Is 4K TV Worth It? + Is Trump Really A Good Businessman?
This week, Adam takes an in-depth look into 4K resolution TVs and whether taking the plunge is worth it. Next, Darren examines whether Donald Trump is as successful at business as he claims to be. http://traffic.libsyn.com/therealitycheck/TRC_392.mp3 Download direct: mp3 file … Continue reading
TRC #391: Apple Retro 1970 Bug + Hitler’s Micropenis? + Leap Year Revisited + Video Gaming’s First Transgender Character
Go Skeptic, it’s your podcast! This week, Pat squashes the recent iPhone retro 1970 Bug making the rounds. Darren points a skeptical lens at current news stories suggesting Hitler suffered from a condition that affected the size of his penis. … Continue reading
TRC #390: Is The Solar System A Vortex? + Peanut Butter vs Alzheimer’s + Sitting Too Close To The TV
Darren examines a video, that recently resurfaced, revolving around the premise that the solar system is a vortex. Cristina sniffs out the facts on recent reports that peanut butter could be used for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, … Continue reading






