

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

Dec 23, 2016 • 25min
TRC #429: Is Barter The Origin Of Money? + More Trees Than Stars? + Snowflakes
Special guest, Lars, gets things started by examining whether barter is the origin of money. Next, Pat looks into whether there are more trees on Earth than stars in the Milky Way. Lastly, Darren gives us a primer on snowflakes. This week’s show is brought to you by hellofresh. You can use the promo code ‘REALITY50’ to get 50% off your first order.

Dec 16, 2016 • 28min
TRC #428: Truffle Oil + The Science Of Idiocracy + Paid Sick Leave
Pat starts things off by digging for the truth about truffle oil. Next, Adam looks into the science behind the movie ‘Idiocracy’ and asks: is natural selection making us dumb? Lastly, Cristina coughs up some facts around the real cost of not providing paid sick leave. This week’s show is brought to you by hellofresh. You can use the promo code ‘REALITY50’ to get 50% off your first order.

Dec 9, 2016 • 29min
TRC #427: Possession Is 9-10ths Of The Law? + Genes Predict Athletic Performance? + What Is Organic?
Adam kicks things off by decoding the common phrase ‘possession is 9/10ths of the law’. Next Cristina looks into whether direct-to-consumer genetic tests can really help predict a child’s athletic predisposition. Lastly, Darren checks into what the organic label really means. This week’s show is brought to you by hellofresh. You can use the promo code ‘REALITY50’ to get 50% off your first order.

Dec 6, 2016 • 20min
TRC #426.5: Effective Donating 2016
‘Tis the season for giving so TRC brings you an extra show this week. Darren and Adam revisit a segment on effective donating during the holidays with some updates for 2016. This show is brought to you by hellofresh. You can use the promo code ‘REALITY50’ to get 50% off your first order.

Dec 2, 2016 • 26min
TRC #426: Measuring Pregnancy: Weeks Vs Months? + Name That: Canadian Citizenship + The 5 Second Rule
Adam kicks off the show looking at whether it is better to measure pregnancy in weeks or months. Next, Pat tests the panel’s “Canadianness” with a game of ‘Name That’ featuring questions from Canadian citizenship practice exams. Darren closes out the show with a look at the five second rule. This week’s show is brought to you by hellofresh. You can use the promo code ‘REALITY50’ to get 50% off your first order.

Nov 25, 2016 • 30min
TRC #425: Fake News, Facebook & The Election + FTC Vs Homeopathy + Ultrasound Determining Fetal Sex
Darren kick off the show looking at headlines about fake news, Facebook and the U.S. election. Cristina looks at new FTC rules regarding homeopathy. Lastly, Adam brings us a segment about determining fetal sex via ultrasound.

Nov 19, 2016 • 31min
TRC #424: Harambe For President? + Moving To Canada + Trump Predictions
Pat kicks off The Reality Check’s first post-US election show looking into claims that voters may have thrown off the election results by voting Harambe 2016. Adam gives any disgruntled American friends the 411 on how to move to Canada. Finally, Cristina scrutinizes the validity of alleged uncanny Trump predictions floating around social media.

Nov 11, 2016 • 27min
TRC #423: Daylight Saving Time + Stopped Male Birth Control Study
Cristina reality checks some common misconceptions about Daylight Saving Time. Darren looks at recent headlines about a male birth control study which was stopped due to adverse effects.

Nov 4, 2016 • 29min
TRC #422: Theraband FlexBar Effective? + Star Wars Filming Near You? + Name That: Remembrance Day
Cristina checks into a listener’s questions about the effectiveness of a product called ‘Theraband Flexbar’ for tennis elbow. Adam looks at some headlines about a new Star Wars flick being filmed near you which are making the rounds on social media. Pat tests the panel’s knowledge with a Remembrance Day themed episode of everyone’s favourite mostly guessing game, ‘name that.’

Oct 31, 2016 • 39min
TRC #421.5: Darren On Ron Corbett Unscripted
BOO! We bring you a rebroadcast of Darren's appearance on CFRA News Talk Radio on Halloween, 2013. He participated in a debate about ghosts, spirits and the paranormal for a special episode of Ron Corbett Unscripted.