

The Reality Check
The Reality Check
Canada's weekly podcast that explores a wide range of controversies and curiosities using science and critical thinking.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 21, 2017 • 33min
TRC #446: Is 'Fearless Girl' Bull? + Name That: Baby Edition + Survival Of The Fittest
The TRC crew brings another fun and fact-filled show! First up, Darren looks behind the controversy swelling around the recent art installation in New York titled “Fearless Girl”. Producer Pat challenges the panel with an eye-opening game of Name That. Finally, Adam rounds out the show by digging into news claiming neanderthal remains may disprove the biological concept “Survival Of The Fittest”. This week’s show is brought to you by HelloFresh and by Endy Sleep. Canadian Checkers can use the promo code ‘Reality50’ to receive 50% off your first HelloFresh order. Use promo code ‘REALITY’ to get $50 off any Endy Sleep Mattress.

Apr 14, 2017 • 24min
TRC #445: Social Priming + Feral Girl Living With Monkeys? + Origin Of The Dollar Sign
While Cristina is away, the rest of the crew still brings it! Darren once again tackles possible issues in the field of psychology by looking into social priming. Pat digs into a recent news story making the rounds regarding an alleged feral girl found living with monkeys in India. Finally, Adam delves into the interesting origin of the dollar sign. This week’s show is brought to you by HelloFresh and by Endy Sleep. Canadian Checkers can use the promo code ‘Reality50’ to receive 50% off your first HelloFresh order. Use promo code ‘REALITY’ to get $50 off any Endy Sleep Mattress.

Apr 8, 2017 • 40min
TRC #444: Mashup: Breast Feeding And Lactivism + Are Parents Less Happy?
It’s all about parents and babies this week for a good reason. First Cristina explores the science of mother’s milk and asks whether some breastfeeding advocates take things too far. Bonus: a very tired Adam gives us an update. Next, Darren examines whether parents are more or less happy than people without children.

Mar 31, 2017 • 31min
TRC #443: Theory Vs Scientific Theory + Pesticides In Canadian Water? + Cheerios: Bring Back The Bees
Tired of hearing people say ‘it’s just a theory’? Pat tackles a listener’s email and schools us on the true definition of the often misunderstood word ‘theory’ in science. Adam dives into a recent article claiming a pesticide banned in Europe is turning up in Canadian water supplies. Finally, Cristina looks into the recent bad buzz around Cheerios cereal’s #bringbackthebees campaign. Bonus: name that drum loop!

Mar 24, 2017 • 29min
TRC #442: Implicit Association Test + Eiffel Tower Night Photos Illegal? + Irish Slaves A Myth?
Darren takes a deep dive into the Implicit Association Test to see if it really does measure our unconscious levels of prejudice and assess implicit bias. Cristina explores whether there’s a chance she may get arrested if she takes photos of the night-lit Eiffel Tower on an upcoming trip to Paris. Finally, Adam explores a common news story that comes up around St. Patrick’s Day regarding Irish slavery in America.

Mar 17, 2017 • 33min
TRC #441: Nintendo Switch And Flavour Tripping + Gossip + School Buses And Seat Belts
The TRC crew is back with an entertaining show! First, Pat gives us a fascinating look into why people are licking Nintendo Switch cartridges and what the heck flavour tripping is. Next, Adam ponders the purpose of gossip. Lastly, Cristina tackles a Checker’s email asking whether seat belts would make school buses safer.

Mar 10, 2017 • 12min
TRC #440: Emotions You Don’t Feel?
With the crew on holiday we bring you a discussion with Professor Jim Davies about what it means to have an emotion and how it could be possible to have emotions we don’t feel. Jim is a cognitive scientist and author of Riveted: The Science of Why Jokes Make Us Laugh, Movies Make Us Cry, and Religion Makes Us Feel One With the Universe.

Mar 3, 2017 • 29min
TRC #439: Would Aliens Be Hostile? + Lunar Effect + Name That: Powers Of 10
This week we bring you the second half of our crossover show with Dr. Stuart Robbins of the Exposing PseudoAstronomy podcast. Adam looks into whether aliens visiting earth are likely to be hostile. Cristina examines the lunar effect. Lastly, Stuart tries his hand at hosting a game of Name That: Powers of 10 edition.

Feb 24, 2017 • 23min
TRC #438: Fossil Fuel Vs Dinosaurs + How Animals Survive Winter + Dry Cleaning Dry?
This week Pat kicks off the show with a look into the idea that fossil fuels are the remains of dead dinosaurs. Next, Darren checks into many of the ways that animals stay warm during cold winter months. Lastly Adam wonders: how dry is dry cleaning? Enjoy! This week’s show is brought to you by hellofresh. You can use the promo code ‘REALITY50’ to get 50% off your first order.

Feb 18, 2017 • 29min
TRC #437: Tariffs Vs The Border Wall + Movie Myths + Statue Of Liberty: Muslim?
The U.S. president is threatening to impose stiff tariffs on Mexican imports, but how do tariffs really work? Darren gives us the low-down. Next, Cristina looks into myths many of us believe thanks to movies and TV shows. Finally, Adam examines claims floating around social media that the Statue of Liberty was originally based on a Muslim woman. This week’s show is brought to you by hellofresh. You can use the promo code ‘REALITY50’ to get 50% off your first order.