Click above to listen to part 8 of Skeptic Check: Science Denial, featuring Nancy Tomes, professor of history at Stony Brook University, discussing how the best advocates for science among disbelievers are members of their group who have since changed their beliefs to that of scientific consensus.

Skeptic Check: Science Denial:
Part 1: What is Science Denialism?
Part 2: Sheila Jasanoff / Denial or Distrust?
Part 3: Michael Dahlstrom / Science and Storytelling
Part 4: Allan Brandt / Manufacturing Doubt
Part 5: David Scheer / Science and Industry
Part 6: Matthew Nisbet / Framing Denialism
Part 7: Arthur Caplan / Scientists’ Responsibility
Part 8: Nancy Tomes / Convert Outreach

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2026 Webby Award Nominee
for our three part series on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Big Picture Science is an immersive radio show and podcast that reveals the unexpected connections in science.

Our Skeptic Check episodes take a critical look at extraordinary science claims and pseudoscience.

Don’t settle for a science snapshot. Get the big picture. 

Hosted By

Molly Bentley Executive Producer and Co-Host, Big Picture Science  

Seth Shostak Producer and Co-Host, Big Picture Science
Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute

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