Podcast
Point of Inquiry
Hosted by Center for Inquiry · EN
Point of Inquiry is the Center for Inquiry's flagship podcast, where the brightest minds of our time sound off on all the things you're not supposed to talk about at the dinner table: science, religion, and politics.
Guests have included Brian Greene, Susan Jacoby, Richard Dawkins, Ann Druyan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Eugenie Scott, Adam Savage, Bill Nye, and Francis Collins.
Point of Inquiry is produced at the Center for Inquiry in Amherst, N.Y.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
SCOTUS Unbalanced
Oct 600:48:58Tap to summarizeHistorically, of the three branches of government, the judiciary has been the final voice of reason when it came to guaranteeing fundamental freedoms like civil rights, marriage between consenting adults, and the autonomy over one’s body. Unlike legislators and presidents, the court has been less subject to the whims of popular sentiment and more able to focus on the Constitution and justice. That changed with this current Supreme Court. This court’s majority has already ignored SCOTUS precedent, openly participated in partisan politics, and has given overt preference to religious over secular Americans. CFI chair Eddie Tabash joins Jim to give an update on where America stands with this court, and what the prospects for justice are in the future.
Transcribe →Science v. Creationism with Eugenie Scott
Aug 2101:06:43Tap to summarizeIn the past century, there have been a number of court cases where religious folks have attempted to inject their beliefs into the public schools. But two cases are more noteworthy than most, and bookend the long battle between science and creationism in the classroom. These two trials, The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, and Kitzmiller v. The Dover Area School Board are important milestones -- not only in American jurisprudence, but also in American public education. In this episode, Jim speaks with the former Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education, Eugenie Scott. Genie has been on the frontlines for decades trying to keep public school science classes free of religious beliefs being taught in the guise of science.
Transcribe →Science Beacon on a Hill With Griffith Observatory Director Dr. Ed krupp
Jul 1801:05:23Tap to summarizeThe Griffith Observatory is the most visited public observatory in the world, and a science icon that overlooks the Los Angeles basin. Since 1935, the facility has hosted astronauts, WWII pilots and celebrities, and continues to promote science and wonder in a world full of misinformation. In this episode, Jim chats with Griffith Observatory Director Dr. Ed Krupp, who has been at the helm of this venerated institution for almost 50 years. They chat about Ed's journey, the evolution of the observatory, and the future of sharing science with the public.
Transcribe →Will Potter
Jun 2300:52:44Tap to summarizeA century and a half ago, one out of every five Americans lived on a farm. Today, it’s closer to one out of every fifty, even though the population has increased more than tenfold. The industrial-scale farm and livestock business that we depend on today feeds hundreds of millions every day, but at what cost? In this episode of Point of Inquiry, Jim speaks with investigative journalist and author Will Potter, whose book Little Red Barns: Hiding the Truth from Farm to Fable uncovers some disturbing truths about the conditions under which our food is produced. Worse yet, the book describes the systematic campaign by food producers to cover up its abuses, a spin a false narrative about how our groceries get to our tables. Will Potter is an award-winning investigative journalist whose work has focused on social justice and environmental movements, and attacks on civil rights post-9/11. His other book is Green Is the New Red: An Insider's Account of a Social Movement Under Siege.
Transcribe →Taking Inspiration from Greek History With Evaggelos Vallianatos
Mar 7, 202500:49:03Tap to summarizeThe ancient Greeks had a profound influence not only on their own world, but also on what would become Western culture as a whole. In this episode of Point of Inquiry, Jim chats with Evaggelos Villianatos, a Greek scholar who sheds an interesting light on how his ancestors helped shape the science, arts, language and governments of the modern world.
Transcribe →A Primer on Cold Reading
Feb 5, 202500:37:39Tap to summarizeThe art of cold reading has convinced millions of people that gimmicks like crystal balls, palm reading, tarot cards, and other alleged paranormal abilities are real. People walk away from astrologers, mediums, and psychics saying "there's no way he could have known that" or other exclamations of amazement. But are these skills really paranormal, or can they be explained by a series of techniques just about anyone can master with practice? Longtime investigator Jim Underdown teams up with psychologist and author Richard Wiseman to deconstruct what is really happening in a typical psychic reading and sheds some light on why the experience sometimes seems so real.
Transcribe →David Miles on Point of Inquiry
Nov 27, 202400:54:50Tap to summarizeFor most of human history, infectious diseases have wreaked havoc on humans. But beginning in the late 18th century, more and more of us beat back illness by getting immunized with vaccines. Today, vaccines are -- or should be – a part of every thinking person’s health regimen. But exactly what are vaccines and how do they work? How are they tested? Joining Jim in this episode of Point of Inquiry is immunologist David Miles. David teaches at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and is the author of How Vaccines Work: A layman's guide to the history and science of vaccines and vaccination. Learn about both the history and present state of immunology from this fascinating discussion.
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Steve Hill on Point of Inquiry
Jul 19, 202401:05:19Tap to summarizeWhen a business owner, ex-marine, and retired peace office is questioned and later arrested for what appear to be bigoted reasons, there should be recourse in our system of justice to right such a wrong. But Steve Hill is having a hell of a time finding help with his well-documented struggles. Should the fact that he is a black man and a member of the Satanic Temple enter into whether he is treated fairly or not – or even represented in court? Not if justice is blind and secular. Jim chats with Steve about his multi-year battle with law enforcement authorities and the courts to achieve satisfaction and find justice.
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Robert Sapolsky POI
Jun 4, 202400:54:43Tap to summarizeNo description available
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Leo Igwe on Point of Inquiry
May 15, 202401:01:58Tap to summarizeNo description available
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