The Reality Check

Latest Episodes:

TRC #512: Does Cough Medicine Work? + Mosquito Prevalence + Amelia Earhart Distress Signals Aug 25, 2018

Show notes

This week, Cristina takes a hard look at the evidence behind cough medicine and whether it lives up to our 'hacking' expectations. Darren looks at what causes mosquito populations to flourish or shrink. Finally, Adam brings us another Amelia Earhart segment because this one just won't 'fly away'. (Too soon?) Welcome to another episode of TRC!

TRC #511: Checker Mail Bag + Name That: Water Edition Aug 18, 2018

Show notes

On this week's show, we dip into TRC's mail bag and highlight some of your fun feedback and questions. Producer Pat rounds out the show with a slippery edition of everyone's favourite guessing game, 'Name That.' This week's theme is water.

TRC #510: Alex Jones & Free Speech + Winnie The Pooh China Ban? + Kombucha Health Claims Aug 12, 2018

Show notes

This week, Darren asks if there's really a conspiracy to keep a conspiracy theorist from his right to free speech in light of the recent Alex Jones ban. Next up, Adam investigates whether China blacklisted the new "Christopher Robin" film in retaliation over internet memes comparing Chinese President Xi Jinping to Winnie the Pooh. Cristina rounds out the show by raining on your Kombucha parade.

TRC #509: Mashup: Food Labelling + Trisodium Phosphate In Cereal? + What Is Organic? Aug 05, 2018

Show notes

This week Producer Pat plays DJ bringing you a mashup show all about food labels. First Cristina bites into a segment about misleading product claims and food labeling. Next, Pat explores a viral video about trisodium phosphate in kid's cereal. Lastly, Darren checks into what the organic label really means.

TRC #508: Politicians Use Songs Without Permission? + Plastic Straws and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch + Wear Sunscreen Jul 29, 2018

Show notes

Cristina looks into whether politicians can use a song without first obtaining the artist's permission. The answer may surprise you. Next, Adam looks into the great Pacific garbage patch and whether banning plastic straws is the answer. Lastly, Darren brings you his important triennial PSA on why you should always wear sunscreen.

TRC #507: Review: Stumbling On Happiness + 5MWaA: Lagrangian Points + Ingesting Collagen Has Skin Benefits? Jul 22, 2018

Show notes

Darren gives us his review of Daniel Gilbert's book 'Stumbling On Happiness'. Next, we offer up another episode of a new crossover podcast with Stuart Robbins called "5 minutes with an astronomer." In this episode Stuart tackles Lagrangian points. Last, Cristina looks into the evidence for claims that ingesting collagen has benefits for your skin.

TRC #506: Open Plane Door Mid Flight? + 5MWaA: Parallax + The U.S Is 10th Most Dangerous Country For Women? Jul 14, 2018

Show notes

First Pat looks into recent news about Michael Rapaport's mile high heroics and asks "could someone really open an airplane door mid flight?" Next the crew introduces a new crossover podcast with Stuart Robbins called "5 minutes with an astronomer" with an episode about parallax. Subscribe and leave a review! Last, Adam looks into headlines that the United States is the 10th most dangerous country to be a woman.

TRC #505: Memory Palaces + Donating Used Clothing Jul 07, 2018

Show notes

While Pat and Cristina enjoy some vacation time, Darren and Adam take the helm and welcome back special guest, Professor Jim Davies. Jim joins the dynamic duo to talk about the 'Memory Palace', an imaginary location in your mind where one can store mnemonic images. Next up, Darren digs into used clothing donation stats and ponders the best strategy when it's time to part with those MC Hammer pants you've been keeping buried in your closet.

TRC #504: IV Therapy + Baby Foreskin Beauty Cream? + Adult & Youth Correctional Stats Jun 30, 2018

Show notes

Adam kicks off this week's show by looking into the trend of IV Therapy when used outside of legit medical procedures. Cristina goes head first down a rabbit hole after hearing that a beauty cream Oprah endorses may contain baby foreskin in its formulation. Finally, Darren digs into the stats behind a recent headline claiming that nearly half of Canada's incarcerated youth are Indigenous. Wishing our Canadian and U.S. Checkers a safe and happy Canada Day & July 4th holiday!

TRC #503: Implicit Bias Training + Mexican World Cup Fans Cause Earthquake? + Saudi Arabia Drone Fashion Show? Jun 25, 2018

Show notes

Happy Summer Solstice, Checkers! This week, Darren explores whether implicit bias training really works in the wake of Starbucks recently closing their stores to provide racial-bias training to its employees. Cristina takes time out of watching the World Cup to check a claim that Mexican fans triggered an earthquake when celebrating Mexico's victory over defending champion Germany. Finally, Adam looks into the validity of a story suggesting a Saudi Arabian fashion show used drones to model clothes on the catwalk because women are forbidden to model.

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