SWaK is a show that lends itself to homeopathic listening; incredibly little is more than enough.

Bearing in mind that, "Skeptics with a K", is light Merseyside entertainment, a chance to evesdrop on three mates chatting once a fortnight as if in a pub, no great store should be set against a word they say.

The fact that the podcast makes the claim that it is, 'The podcast for science, reason and critical thinking', does not make it so. Enhancing the claim with the statement that it is, "for the promotion of, "scientific sceptism"', would carry some weight if this were in a dictionary; as if it were (like Tom from Cognitive Dissonance would say), 'a "thing"'.

In #241 Doctor Alice Howarth chooses to pontificate on what Dr. Michael Greger MD talks about, with regard to milk and potential health issues - the USA recommends three glassfuls a day.

Right from the outset, she fails to note (or is totally ignorant) that American milk is banned in Europe. Dr Greger is an American and his advice has a strongly American bias, likely because he is an American living in America and has American sponsors. He is discussing American milk - particularly in view of the American practice of milking cows during their pregnancy.

Had Howarth done the common or garden, "due dilligence", of an unscientific sceptic (with a "C"), she would have percieved that American milk is banned in Europe as it is a, "hormonal stew", to borrow a phrase.

Being a fussy eater does not qualify Alice Howarth as an authority on nutrition, any more than Steven Novella's "MD" qualification (or his specialism in neurology) makes him an authority on the genetic modification of food crops. He's absolutely entitled to express an opinion on SGU (Skeptic's Guide to the Universe) about Europe's "precautionary principle", but he has a duty to make it clear that it is just his unqualified opinion. Howarth too is entitled to an opinion, and to express it on SWaK, but not to dress it up as science. That's what the Woo-Brigade do.

Yes, I unsubscribed from SGU, too.

GHB, Malta (a "remainer" who chose to leave).

At first I thought maybe I’d just hit upon a bad episode, so I persevered with a few more. All terrible. The hosts bored me with their poorly conceived opinions.

I’m podcast addict (particularly in the field of science and skepticism) and this is the show that I am most excited to see popping up on my feed. Great banter, interesting stories and a sprinkling of politics and current affairs.

Listen to a couple of episodes and you will be sure to learn plenty about cancer and the placebo affect. ;-)

A top class show and no annoying adverts either.

Funny, informative and educational. Well worth a listen

I have been listening to this podcast for about 2 years now, i started listening to this and a couple of other skeptic podcasts around the same time and went back about 12 months with both, now i am all caught up i have started listening to this one from the beginning. I really like the constant reminders in this that you always need to keep an open mind even when dealing with things that you ca maybe already skeptical about. I think that all of the group a really good example of skepticism

Top marks for scepticism, humour, warmth, biscuit nostalgia and joy. The pedant in me has always been slightly miffed that they make a point of rubbing their choice of unpatriotic American spelling in my face.

For me, the issue with this podcast is that some self-appointed Skeptic leaders are interspersing their personal political opinion in with the skepticism, with the implication that if you don't agree with their Guardian by numbers viewpoint, then you're not looking at the world through reason and evidence. Skepticism shouldn't be party political and if it were to become that way, with Skeptics seen as just a nebulous left wing pressure group, then we’ll all be the worse off for it, and it will lose a lot of its influence in the UK.

The long intro every week about what they’ve also been up to in their personal lives also displays quite a lot of narcissism and arrogance.

You will laugh! You will cry! You will shout at Marsh to let Dr. Alice get a word in!

Mike with his oddly humble aversion to writing a much-needed book on the placebo. Marsh with his sarcastic sense of humour. Alice, a cancer researcher, is so vary my favourite of the three, particularly after the 194 episode which helped me feel better about how I have been dealing with my own depression. This podcast is enthralling, illuminating and funny.

Sadly iTunes works on a star rating rather than the more common Caramac system. I'd still give it 5 out of 5 Caramac's, though. Of all the podcasts I listen to this is the most addictive - I've marathoned them 4 times now and each time I have learned more. It's a great tool for education and how to think rather than what to think. Alice and the other two refuse to be too serious, swear a lot and have a laugh about all of the topics. It's genuinely the one podcast I look forward to every other week. You will learn something from every episode and laugh whilst listening. Just make sure you check their sources.

Sad to write this, but I think the podcast is going off the boil a bit. The irreverence and chasing of nonsense claims is as bright as ever, but I think Mike and, to a lesser extent, Marsh are starting to sound arrogant and dismiss claims out of hand when they sound implausible, rather than searching for evidence and applying skeptical reasoning.

Love SWaK, I can't wait for every other Thursday to download and listen, laugh and learn!

Really enjoy this podcast. Excellent mix of skepticism, science, politics, religion, Bugles and the occasional doughnut.

Listen and learn people, listen and learn. While being entertained by the cheerful banter, you'll pick up useful skills to help you spot scams, become aware of media tricks, misleading headlines. You'll be better equipped to steer though life's maze of claim and counter claim.

it should be said this is preaching to the choir, it is a fun, casual and humorous podcast despite covering serious topics that affect many people and promoting much needed ideas and information; all in all it does a fantastic job.

If you feel that more and more people around you believe in stranger things, this show demonstrates that you are not alone, and that there are still sane people in this world. Wonderful chemistry between the hosts, and one of them actually knows what she’s talking about. If you have already discovered and like The Skeptics Guide to the Universe, you will probably love this show. Requires that you like a bit of swearing and that your sense of humour is compatible. As a Dane, mine definitely is. It’s really, really funny. You also need to understand and appreciate the healthy and so important dose of self-irony. If you like skeptical podcasts with intelligent, relevant (and irrelevant), heartfelt, and funny discussions, you can’t find a better one. With the swearing, the humour, the self-irony, and because you genuinely feel that you’re in the company of friends, I rate it as my favourite podcast (above SGU).

This podcast is only out once a fortnight and it always makes my day when it appears on my feed.

The three hosts are all very different characters and combine really well to give a thoughtful, witty, irreverent skeptical view if contemporary stories.

They inspire me to laugh, think and research.

Thanks to you all.

My only complaint would be they spend a lot of time debunking bad science, discussing the dangers of alternative medicine, and turning a skeptical eye to the weekly news. I'd much prefer to hear more about what they're eating.

Excellent review of current skeptical issues and campaigns. Quite informal, but that adds to the interest.

Quite possibly one of the worst sceptic pod casts I've ever heard. Been trying to get into it for about three months but I can't. They converse more about themselves and what they're eating or drinking than actual sceptical topics. The one guy swears, a lot! Now I'm partial to the odd swear word and am by no means a delicate flower but it sounds forced as if he's trying to be cool or emphasise something. You're not! I'm sitting here trying to think of some sceptical issues you've brought up but I simply can't. Poor show guys. If you're looking for a good pod cast go for sceptics guide to the universe. Been listening to that one for about 5 years and it all ways impresses without fail.Funny, rich, in depth and diverse topics. Good guest speakers, put out plenty of articles on their website and Facebook, cool games where they try to get you to think logically. This group clearly can't just copy that but they seem very amateurish in comparison. If anyone from the show actually reads this, sorry for the bluntness, but it had to be said. Simply crap...

Good podcast!

This podcast, along with InKredulous, are both products of the awesome Mersyside Skeptics society (the guys and gals behind QED).

First rate research and anlysis with wonderful comedy.

Thorougly enjoyable podcast helping to dismiss the many myths around the world. Good work.

Been an avid listener to this lot since 2011 and the show has only gotten better. Self deprecating, witty and sweary but always with an open mind, open dialogue and free thinking values the SWAK team in all their forms are easily the most listenable and intelligible group I've ever listened to (and I listen to almost 8 hours of science/Skepticism a week!). This team clearly care deeply about the cause and in my opinion work harder in the real world, on realistic and effective means of Skeptical activism than any other on earth. Gotta love this Northern rabble! 5 stars, every time!

I love this podcast and try not to miss an episode. It is straight talking, logical, common sense. It's brilliant, keep it up guys 😉

Really funny.

Along with Inkredulous...

This podcast is so refreshing in a world where statistics and myths are thrown around with no citations and used for fear-mongering. Would love to hear something about the outrageous reporting re: the Calais situation, and the rhetoric (and in some cases, outright lies) thrown around in terms of immigration. So great to hear actual facts in such an engaging and witty way - keep it up guys!

Changed my listening habits lately and decided to listen by podcast instead of date. As such I redownloaded the entire lot and listened to them all. Enjoyable, educational, and excellent. Cannot recommend this highly enough. Long may it continue

This is a wonderful podcast that I look forward to appearing in my itunes feed every fortnight. Keep up the good work.

10/10 would spell skeptics with a k again.

One of the most entertaining podcasts out there. A must-listen for all sceptics - even those of us who insist on a 'c'. Even more of a must-listen (if such things weren't absolute) for people who haven't a clue what scepticism is. Intelligent, but doesn't take itself too seriously. Extremely funny at times. And made in Merseyside - what more could you want?

One of my favourite podcasts. Consistently informative and funny. Alice is a great addition (though please convince Colin to do some guest spots!). Thanks to Mike and Marsh for a great double act as well.

This podcast never fails to; Inform, enlighten, and educate. It is hilariously funny, sharp, witty and an utter joy to listen to. I await each podcast eagerly and am genuinely saddened as each one finishes. Its F**king brilliant.

I don't get a huge amount of time to listen to podcasts but it's a very rare week if I don't catch this. Always insightful, often enlightening with an injection of humour straight into the front of your hippopotamus.

Thanks guys.

It’s essentially two blokes who like the sound of their own voices far too much. Ironically, this week’s episode includes a piece - by the otherwise almost silent Alice - about sexism and whether there’s a gender bias in their frequent interruptions of her. For what it’s worth (probably not very much) I accept completely their defence that they do it all the time regardless of gender. After all, the evidence is there for all to hear.

That said, all three cover important stories with just the right balance - not too serious, not too light-hearted. It’s difficult to pull off and they deserve five stars for it. But until they cut the wind-baggery and involve Alice more, it’s only four.

Easily one of the top skeptical podcasts out there. Brilliant dynamics between the three of them (past and present cast). Definitely recommend it!

I've been listening to SWAK since episode 7 and stuck with it ever since while falling away from some of the other popular skeptical podcasts.

The presenters stike the perfect balance between giving information and being funny giving the podcast it's light hearted tone which is a welcome contrast to my serious scientific job.

My absolute favourite podcast. A great mix of humour and fact, each episode the three presenters (who exhibit a real chemistry together) forensically dissect a science or pseudo-science issue that they have either seen in the news or have personally experienced. Lots of fun and great content - can't ask for more than that!

Skeptical activism, science and unfiltered (note the explicit tag) comedy.

Skeptical activism, science and unfiltered (note the explicit tag) comedy.

The second best podcast ever

I listened to this after Tom and Cecil mentioned it, I have since learned that we don't have souls, homeopathy doesn't work and god isn't real. . .

Really cool podcast. I'm just slightly curious as to why it is in Medicine section, as they talk about non-medicine a lot more than that do about medicine.

My favourite skeptics podcast.

Entertaining, funny and informative!

one of my favourite podcasts, Alice is a breath of fresh air and has added a new dimension to the weekly discussions, also she needs to speak up more during Mike and Marsh’s topics, Marsh is not scared of talking over the other two or chipping in with his puns and dodgy one liners, but thats just part of the spontaneity and charm.

They seem to miss understand why people listened to the podcast in the first place, This podcast use to be about scepticism, I've been waiting for weeks now for a podcast that wasn't for political preaching. I'm sick of waiting for it to come, lost their way.

If you want politics much better podcast are out there.

I've listened to Skeptics with a K for the last few years, and have never written a review before, because i'm lazy.

Skeptics with a K is consistently the funniest, most incisive, sceptical podcast in the UK. It's that simple. Brilliant.

Here is a well delivered and well thought out podcast that doesn't take itself too seriously, but can deliver a serious message. Worth a listen by anyone with an interest is science or woo.