Skeptics Guide to the Universe

Find it here: http://www.theskepticsguide.org/

Five great skeptics headed up by nuerologist Dr. Steve Novella, affiliated with the James Randi Educational Foundation (of the 'JREF Million Dollar Prize' fame). These guys are on the cutting edge of science and skepticism news every week, responding to the latest in bad science and medecine with light hearted but seriously informative discussion. The banter is funny as hell, the information is absolutely essential, and the interviews are excellent. Also they are under constant attack from the quacks and crazies, could there be higher praise?

Righteous Indignation

Find it here

Yes, I am hopelessly biased with a podcast from the south west of England. Although we do branch out we do focus a lot on conspiracies, the paranormal, pseudoscience, alternative therapies and faith based systems. Aside from news and debate we also interview guests from both sides of the belief fence with some interesting outcomes.

There are also some other great British podcasts out there, as so far the only ones on this thread are US based. Don't forget what's at home. Look for Little Atoms and Skeptics With A K as well.

Skeptoid: http://skeptoid.com/

Very short (~10 minutes) weekly podcast covering a single skeptical issue in a lot of interesting detail. Recent episodes have covered multi-level marketing, astrology, and a really fascinating one about the Rosicrucians.

Skeptically Speaking: http://skepticallyspeaking.com/

Possibly the only skeptical call-in show. When it's good it is great. You can catch it streaming live on Friday evenings (6PM Mountain Time in North America) - or the show gets posted on iTunes the following Sunday.

It has quickly become one of my favourites - second only to the mighty SGU.

Skepticality is also very good.

Point of Inquiry with @djgrothe

Find it here: http://www.pointofinquiry.org/

Point of Inquiry is the premiere podcast of the Center for Inquiry, drawing on CFI's relationship with the leading minds of the day including Nobel Prize-winning scientists, public intellectuals, social critics and thinkers, and renowned entertainers. Each episode combines incisive interviews, features and commentary focusing on CFI’s issues: religion, human values and the borderlands of science. Point of Inquiry explores CFI’s three research areas:

1. Pseudoscience and the paranormal (Bigfoot, UFOs, psychics, communication with the dead, cryptozoology, etc.)

2. Alternative medicine (faith healing, homeopathy, “healing touch,” the efficacy of prayer, etc.)

3. Religion and secularism (church-state separation, the effects and proper role of religion in society, the future of secularism and nonbelief, etc.)

The Skeptic Zone

Website: http://www.skepticzone.tv/ (RSS / iTunes links available there)

Australia's biggest skeptical podcast, hosted by Richard Saunders and Stefan Sojka, along with Dr. Rachael Dunlop, Kylie Sturgess, Eran Segev, and many others.

Our backgrounds combine expertise in education, medicine, psychology, music, media, science, technology, broadcasting, lecturing and even pop-culture! Which is why the show is jam-packed with news, views, interviews - and social commentary live-recorded in a skeptical pub!

The Skeptic Zone's reporters comment...

...on local, national and international issues. Popular features include 'Dr Rachie Reports' on health and pseudoscience matters, The Round-Up, The Grain of Salt, international travel and interviews and the popular Think Tank.

The format can vary from week to week, depending on the topics they want to cover, but it usually has three to five different segments, and the hosts and reporters have a good dry sense of humor that makes the time fly by when you're listening.

Their target episode length is about an hour - some run short, but they quite often run long, causing SZ to give SGU a run for its money as the Longest Skeptical Podcast Worth Listening To.

More or Less

When it's broadcasting, it's a great statistics program that has a heavy skeptical bent: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/more_or_less/default.stm

They often take stories from the news and examine them from a skeptical viewpoint, questioning references and received opinion.

A new run of episodes will start on the 11th December 2009, loyal listeners.

The Reality Check: http://www.ottawaskeptics.org/the-reality-check

Another good Canadian podcast.

The hosts clearly have a lot of fun - perhaps too much fun - putting the podcast together.

If skepticism is ever 'easy listening' then Reality Check is among the best examples.

The Pod Delusion is a great listen and it's different from most podcast formats as it is hosted by James O'Malley but has different contributors each week. It covers a whole range of topics that will be of interest to rational thinkers everywhere.

Little Atoms: http://www.littleatoms.com/

A bit lo-fi compared to Point of Inquiry or Skeptic's Guide, but the interviewers always know their stuff and ask enlightening questions, while the interviewees without exception incredibly interesting and thought-provoking.

Seriously, look at the caliber of guests they've had on the link above.

Recently the Marcus Chown episode had the /best/ explanation for the arrow of time that I've ever heard.

Edit: Follow littleatoms on twitter!

The infinite monkey cage

Science/comedy chat with Brian Cox, Robin Ince and guests. Witty, irreverent look at the world according to science with physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince. Starting on BBC Radio 4, Monday November 30th at 4.30pm for 4 weeks, and repeated on Wednesdays at 9pm.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/timc/ - bbc podcasts page itpc://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/timc/rss.xml - the itunes link

not wholly sceptical, but with brian cox, and robin ince, this science based radio 4 show is definitely worth adding in itunes

Reasonable Doubts

If you are interested in a skeptical look at religion and spirituality, then Reasonable Doubts is an excellent counter-apologetics podcasts. Episodes are currently a bit infrequent, but it recently won a podcasting award so I have hopes it will become regular again. Some of the topics are applicable to general skepticism also, such as the recent (excellent) parenting episode which addresses Santa and the Tooth Fairy and the challenge of handling secular and spiritual mythology around your children.

This Week In Science

This Week In Science, although it is science-oriented, has a skeptical bent and contrasts a strongly scientifically educated (Kirsten aka Dr. Kiki, now working with Leo Laporte and the TWiT network yay!) perspective with the more emotive lay-person (not to demean him) perspective of Justin. The counterplay will make you think a little more deeply about issues at times, and adds lively banter to keep the hour humming along. If you have kids, they'll love the skeptical and science related music that crops up, from They Might Be Giants and a number of other lesser known but talented artists.

Token Skeptic

The Token Skeptic podcast has only just opened at the end of 2009 - and any feedback on making it a 'best' podcast is welcomed!

It's a weekly ten-minute maximum investigation of superstitions, paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs and the science behind them. :)

The iTunes link is here.

Another to add to your list:

The Skeptics' Guide 5X5: http://www.theskepticsguide.org/feed/rss.aspx?feed=5x5