logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2011
28m 16s

Science vs The Supernatural: Does Scienc...

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Robin Ince and Brian Cox are joined on stage by actor and magician Andy Nyman, psychologist Richard Wiseman and neuroscientist Bruce Hood as they take on the paranormal. They'll be looking at some of the more popular claims of supernatural goings on, and asking whether a belief in ghosts, psychic abilities and other other-worldly phenomena, is just a bit of harmless fun, or whether there are more worrying implications in a belief in the paranormal.

Up next
Aug 20
Illuminating Light - Jess Wade, Russell Foster and Bridget Christie
What is light? How has it shaped our understanding of the universe, our biology, and even our culture? In this illuminating episode Brian Cox and Robin Ince shine a spotlight on the fascinating science and history of light. From sun and circadian rhythms to the dazzling complexit ... Show More
42m 23s
Aug 13
Moths v Butterflies - Katy Brand, Jane Hill and Chris Jiggins
What really separates a moth from a butterfly? Is it just a matter of day and night, or is there more to this fluttering feud than meets the eye? Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince flap into the fabulous world of Lepidoptera with Professor Jane Hill, Professor Chris Jiggins, and ... Show More
42m 8s
Aug 6
Technofossils - Sarah Gabbott, Mark Miodownik and Aurie Styla
Brian Cox and Robin Ince dig deep into the strata of an imagined human history to unearth the curious concept of technofossils. Joined by paleobiologist Sarah Gabbott, material scientist Mark Miodownik and comedian and tech enthusiast Aurie Styla the panel unearth how the everyda ... Show More
42m 26s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
572: COMPILATION: The Science of Ghosts and Ghost Hunting
A driver sees a strange light floating above an empty road at night. At the same time, a researcher works on a machine to contact the dead. These events might seem unrelated, but they're part of humanity's long-standing interest in the supernatural. People have always been curiou ... Show More
2h 22m
Feb 2025
Explore What Science Can’t Answer: Understanding The Telepathy Tapes, Near Death Experiences, & Supernatural Abilities w/ Professor Jeffrey J. Kripal
Jeffrey J. Kripal is a professor of Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University in Houston, Texas and he is back on the pod to answer all your burning questions about the chart topping podcast THE TELEPATHY TAPES (is it real? Is it a hoax?), near-death experiences, and ho ... Show More
55m 10s
Mar 2025
Magic, Skepticism, and Success w/ Dr. Richard Wiseman
This week, Scott is joined by Dr. Richard Wiseman, a psychologist renowned for his work on magic, illusion, deception, luck, and self-development. As the UK's only Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, Dr. Wiseman has published ov ... Show More
1h 6m
Oct 2024
Ghosts: The Science of Spooky Encounters
About 40 percent of Americans believe in ghosts, and one in five even say they've had an encounter with one! So could ghosts really exist?? Or does some other spooky phenomenon explain these strange and sometimes terrifying experiences? To find out, we visit a haunted house with ... Show More
46m 38s
Feb 2020
Paranormal Encounters & Conspiracies - "Why Spirits Are Real"
Joe Weller explains and debates his most convincing paranormal encounter, which he believes proves ghosts are real.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 
38m 19s
May 12
S3E080: Ghost Hunting for Fame and Fortune with Special Guest Matthew Jackson
Matthew’s ghost hunting origin story and personal landmark cases.How to use technology and radio waves to communicate with ghosts.Tesla and Edison’s “Ghost phones.”Spirits existing as electromagnetic frequencies.Taunting ghosts and how Sumo wants to get into a physical fight with ... Show More
1h 38m
Aug 2023
123: Ghost Hunting: The Science of the Other Side
In 1901, Nikola Tesla had the most terrifying experience of his life. As he worked alone in his laboratory at night, he felt a presence. He created a device to see if he could hear, or pick up any signals from whatever it was that he felt. He called it the “spirit radio”, and it ... Show More
34m 54s
Oct 2024
The Man Behind The Mind Reader w/ Banachek
This week Scott is joined by "The World's Greatest Mind Reader", Banachek. Scott and Banachek discuss criticisms of self-described psychics, the link between psychology and magic, and Banachek's successful attempts to fool professional paranormal psychologists. See omnystudio.com ... Show More
1h 7m
Oct 2024
Exploring the Science of Spookiness at the Recreational Fear Lab
Why do so many of us love a good scare? Whether it’s horror movies, haunted houses or creepy podcasts, there’s something thrilling about feeling spooked—especially around Halloween. In this episode, host Rachel Feltman dives into our fascination with fear and morbid curiosity wit ... Show More
17m 32s