Point of Inquiry
| Point of Inquiry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Lindsay Beyerstein, Josh Zepps |
| Genre | science / news |
| Updates | Weekly |
| Publication | |
| Debut | 2005 |
| Ratings | Non-explicit |
| Website | www.pointofinquiry.org/ |
Point of Inquiry is the radio show and flagship podcast of the Center for Inquiry, "a think tank promoting science, reason, and secular values in public policy and at the grass roots".[1] Started in 2005, Point of Inquiry has consistently been ranked among the best science podcasts available in iTunes.[2] It has been celebrated for its guests and for the quality of its interviews.[3] Former guests include leading scientists, writers and public intellectuals such as Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Paul Krugman, Lisa Randall, Brian Greene, Oliver Sacks, Susan Jacoby, David Brin and Temple Grandin.
Format
Point of Inquiry is recorded at the Center for Inquiry headquarters in Amherst, NY.[4] iTunes features over 200 free episodes of Point of Inquiry, averaging 30 to 35 minutes in length, with each consisting of a long form interview with a high-profile guest from the worlds of scientific skepticism, science, academia, and philosophy. The show focuses on traditional topics in scientific skepticism, such as psychic investigations, alternative medicine, alleged extraterrestrial visitations, ghosts, and cryptozoology. It also covers current events and public policy. The inaugural episode featured an interview with CFI founder Paul Kurtz, who spoke about the incompatibility of science and religion.[5]
In July 2012, Point of Inquiry produced their first video episode featuring Michael De Dora, Ed Brayton, Jessica Ahlquist, and Jamie Kilstein.[6]
Previously, Chris Mooney hosted half of the shows with the balance split between the other hosts.[7]
17 October 2013 Center for Inquiry announced the "new team who will take Point of Inquiry into its next exciting phase", Lindsay Beyerstein, Josh Zepps and producer Joshua Billingsley.[8]
Staff
| Host | Tenure | Information |
|---|---|---|
| D. J. Grothe | 2005 to 2009 | American author and public speaker |
| Chris Mooney | 2010 to 2013 | U.S. journalist and academic |
| Robert M. Price | 2010 to 2012 | Now hosts his own CFI podcast, The Human Bible |
| Karen Stollznow | 2010 to 2012 | Australian writer, linguist and skeptic |
| Indre Viskontas | 2012 to 2013 | Neuroscientist and opera singer |
| Lindsay Beyerstein | 2013 to present | Investigative journalist |
| Josh Zepps | 2013 to present | Journalist |
| Producer | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Thomas Donnelly | 2005 to 2009 |
| Adam Isaak | 2010 to 2013 |
| Joshua Billingsley | 2013 to present |
Center for Inquiry
Point of Inquiry is the premiere podcast production of the Center for Inquiry (CFI), a non-profit educational organization located in the United States. Its primary mission is to encourage evidence-based inquiry into paranormal and fringe science claims, alternative medicine and mental health practices, religion, secular ethics, and society. CFI is dedicated to promoting and defending science, reason, and free inquiry in all aspects of human interest. The CFI also promotes two related podcasts titled "The Human Bible" and "Center Stage."
Popular Science Idol
Point of inquiry co-sponsored the "Popular Science Idol"[9] contest along with the National Science Foundation Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, Discover Magazine, and Popular Science as a science spoof of the popular reality show American Idol. The event was hosted as a workshop to discover the next great science communicator. The event was hosted by Chris Mooney and Indre Viskontas served as one of the expert judges. The first event was won by Tom Di Loberto for a 3-minute presentation on the difficulties involved in predicting the weather.[10]
Popular Episode Guide
| Guest | Topic | Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| Steven Pinker | The Decline in Violence | 18 Feb 2013[11] |
| Paul Krugman | Science and Pseudoscience in Economics | 28 Jan 2013 |
| David Brin | Uplifting Existence | 17 Dec 2012 |
| Oliver Sacks | Hallucinations | 5 Nov 2012 |
| Lisa Randall | Knocking on Heaven’s Door | 8 October 2012 |
| Temple Grandin | The Science of Livestock Animal Welfare | 27 Aug 2012 |
| Cara Santa Maria | Talk Nerdy to Us | 11 June 2012 |
| Lawrence M. Krauss | A Universe from Nothing | 6 February 2012 |
| Brian Greene | The Fabric of the Cosmos | 2 January 2012 |
| Daniel Dennett | The Scientific Study of Religion | 12 December 2011 |
| Austin Dacey | Rock the Theocrats | 26 September 2011 |
| Neil deGrasse Tyson | Communicating Science | 28 February 2011 |
| John Shook | The God Debates | 15 October 2010 |
| Adam Savage | Skeptic | 9 July 2010 |
| S.T. Joshi | Fright and Free thought | 28 May 2010 |
| Scott Lilienfeld | Real Self-Help | 19 March 2010 |
| Andrew Revkin | The Death of Science Writing, and the Future of Catastrophe | 12 March 2010 |
| Chris Hedges | I Don’t Believe in Atheists | 2 May 2008 |
| Lawrence M. Krauss | Seducing for Science | 28 December 2007 |
| Paul Kurtz | Ethics for the Nonreligious | 21 December 2007 |
| Richard Dawkins | Science and the New Atheism | 7 December 2007 |
| Neil deGrasse Tyson | Communicating Science to the Public | 16 November 2007 |
| Michael Behe | The Edge of Evolution | 9 November 2007 |
| Steven Pinker | The Stuff of Thought | 26 October 2007 |
| Alan Dershowitz | Blasphemy | 5 October 2007 |
| Francis Collins | The Language of God | 31 August 2007 |
| Carol Tavris | Mistakes Were Made | 3 August 2007 |
| Ophelia Benson | Why Truth Matters | 20 July 2007 |
| Philip Kitcher | Living with Darwin | 13 July 2007 |
| Christopher Hitchens | God Is Not Great | 6 July 2007 |
| Natalie Angier | The Canon | 29 June 2007 |
| Tom Clark | Encountering Naturalism | 22 June 2007 |
| Matthew C. Nisbet | Selling Science to the Public | 20 April 2007 |
| Steven Pinker | Evolutionary Psychology and Human Nature | 23 February 2007 |
| Barbara Forrest | The Wedge of Intelligent Design | 16 February 2007 |
| Peter Singer | The Way We Eat | 9 February 2007 |
| Neil deGrasse Tyson | Death by Black Hole | 25 January 2007 |
| Ann Druyan | Carl Sagan and The Varieties of Scientific Experience | 5 January 2007 |
| Susan Blackmore | In Search of the Light | 15 December 2006 |
| Richard Dawkins | The God Delusion | 16 October 2006 |
| Sam Harris | Letter to a Christian Nation | 6 October 2006 |
| Ann Druyan | Science, Wonder, and Spirituality | 15 September 2006 |
| Neil deGrasse Tyson | The Sky Is Not the Limit | 17 August 2006 |
| Thomas Kida | Don't Believe Everything You Think | 14 July 2006 |
| James Randi | Science, Magic, and Future of Skepticism | 30 June 2006 |
| Tom Flynn | The Rise of the Non-Religious | 23 June 2006 |
| Eugenie Scott | Evolution vs. Religious Belief? | 28 April 2006 |
| Sam Harris | The Mortal Dangers of Religion | 14 April 2006 |
| Sam Harris | The End of Faith | 7 April 2006 |
| Jamy Ian Swiss | Psychics, Science, and Magic | 24 March 2006 |
| Daniel Dennett | Breaking the Spell | 3 March 2006 |
| Richard Dawkins | The Root of All Evil? | 10 February 2006 |
| Eugenie Scott | The Dover Trial: Evolution vs. Intelligent Design | 20 January 2006 |
| Max Maven | Magic and Skepticism | 13 January 2006 |
A full episode list is available on iTunes.[12]
Recognition
In May 2012, Point of Inquiry was named one of the "Top 10 Podcasts to Feed Your Brain" by Business Insider.[13]
The show is consistently one of the top science podcasts on iTunes.
Featured podcast suggestion by the Telegraph 9 February 2013.[14]
References
- ↑ This description appears at the beginning of most episodes.
- ↑ "Top 50 Rated Podcasts 6/2010 - Society & Culture | Podcast Alley". Retrieved 3 June 2010.
- ↑ "Hot Needle of Inquiry". Bad Astronomy at discovermagazine.com. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
- ↑ "About the Program | Center for Inquiry". Retrieved 3 June 2010.
- ↑ Grothe, DJ (11 December 2005). "Paul Kurtz - Science and Religion - Are They Compatible?". Point of Inquiry Podcast. Center for Inquiry. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
- ↑ "Point of Inquiry In Studio: Chris Mooney Talks to Jamie Kilstein, Ed Brayton, and More.| Center for Inquiry". Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ↑ "Center for Inquiry Announces Three New Hosts for its Popular Podcast, ‘Point of Inquiry’ | Center for Inquiry". Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ↑ "The Wait is Over: CFI Unveils New ‘Point of Inquiry’ Team!". Center for Inquiry. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
- ↑ "Do You Have What It Takes to Be America’s Next Science Idol?". 10 March 2013.
- ↑ "Meteorologist wins first-ever America's Science Idol competition". 10 March 2013.
- ↑ "Steven Pinker - The Decline of Violence". 18 Feb 2013.
- ↑ "Top 10 podcasts to feed your brain". Business Insider at businessinsider.com. Retrieved May 2012.
- ↑ "ITunes Archive". Apple at apple.com. Retrieved Feb 2013.
- ↑ "Podcast and internet radio previews:". Retrieved 14 February 2013.