Yeah... Nah!

We’re almost outnumbered by guests in this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast, with Lee Traynor joining us to tell us about his foundation’s offer of scholarships to attend the 2026 NZ Skeptics conference. We also have James Kerr on to talk about his article responding to Patrick Medlicott’s claims about degrowth. Then our regulars have their say, talking about Chris Ashenden and his AG1 supplement company, the wild goose chase to invent a reactionless drive, and the reality and disinformation around Kessler syndrome, where earth’s orbits may end up being filled with a cascade of debris.

About this episode

Our Guests:

Lee Traynor

James Kerr

Articles we talk about:

Scholarships for students at the 2026 New Zealand Skeptics Conference, Christchurch

Degrowth is exactly the wrong solution to Climate Change

AG1: The Lazarus of supplements, part 2

A Skeptical Reaction to Reactionless Drives

Kessler Syndrome

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2026-06-08

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, after advertising our annual conference we get stuck into talking about some weird and wonderful topics. Starting with our guest Dan Ryan, who has been looking into Highden Temple’s new cryptocurrency, Highden Coin, and how badly it’s been configured. Katrina talks about a new breakthrough in de-extinction, with the invention of artificial eggs. And Mark is unimpressed with Aires Tech and their pendants that supposedly protect you from “dangerous” EMF.

About this episode

Our Guests:

Daniel Ryan

Articles we talk about:

Conference Update

A Spiritual Cryptocurrency from Highden Temple

Egg or Chicken

Aires Tech: not Tech, but definitely Airy-fairy

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2026-05-25

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, the team have found some very disparate topics to talk about. Firstly, Mark has some thoughts about Richard Dawkins’ recent article where he wonders out loud if Claude and other AI models may be conscious. Katrina has pulled on a thread she picked up in a sci-fi book, and has ended up trying to find out if there’s anything to the Buddhist idea of Tukdam - monks whose consciousness supposedly lives on in their bodies for days after they’ve died. Bronwyn has had enough of seeing AG1 adverts on YouTube and elsewhere, so has looked into the company’s founder and his shady past. And Mark covers all things looksmaxxing, focusing on the most popular looksmaxxer today, Clavicular, and the pseudoscientific beauty regime he puts himself through in the pursuit of physical perfection.

About this episode

Articles we talk about:

Clavicular: Looksmaxxing, Mogging and Bonesmashing

AG1: The Lazarus of supplements, part 1

Tukdam

The continuing problem of AI Sycophancy

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2026-05-11

In our shiny new episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, we’re all over the show. Mark starts by talking about Givealittle, and their lacklustre response to concerns he and Dan Ryan raised with them a couple of years ago. Then he transitions to talking about Iran’s issue with sycophancy and fake technological advances. Bronwyn looks into the Guinness World Records, and how the organisation has changed over the years - and not for the better. And finally Katrina has been pondering some recent Alzheimer’s Treatments in the context of both statistical and clinical significance.

About this episode

Articles we talk about:

Breaking the record for obsolescence? The history and controversies of Guinness World Records

Iran’s Potemkin Problem

Don’t say it don’t use it - Alzheimer’s treatments and the stats vs effect dilemma

When it’s not okay to Givealittle

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2026-04-28

We’re back with a guest for this episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, as Aaron joins us to talk about the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and a recent pamphlet created by Lloyd Evans that can be handed to members, warning them about being misled. Mark talks about Scientology Runs, and whether trespassing on Scientology property is a good thing or not. Bronwyn talks about how one of Edmund Hillary’s later expeditions promised to look for the Yeti, and Katrina debunks yet another claim that NASA has found aliens.

About this episode

Our Guests:

Aaron Davies

Articles we talk about:

Everything I know about Skepticism I learned from the Bible

Has NASA found alien technology in our skies?

Going on a Yeti hunt: Sir Edmund Hillary and the 1960 - 1961 Silver Hut Expedition

Speed Running Scientology

Newsletter issues these articles appear in:

2026-03-30

2026-04-13