The Science Behind Mysteries

Ep. 12 - The Power of Belief: Exploring the Psychological Mechanisms of the Placebo Effect w/ Dr. Luana Colloca

In this episode, we discuss the power of belief, including the placebo effect and tricking the mind for good with Dr. Luana Colloca, a physician-scientist and professor at the University of Maryland. Together, we unravel everything from the nocebo effect to the ethics of using a placebo in a clinical situation.

Ep. 11 - The Mandela Effect: Exploring False Memories, Visual Distortions, and the Psychology of Collective Misremembering w/ Dr. Wilma Bainbridge

In this episode, we discuss the Mandela effect, including discussions on false memories, visual distortions, and all the science within with Dr. Wilma Bainbridge, a cognitive neuroscientist and Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago. Together, we unravel everything from the key scientific ideas behind the Mandela effect to why people's beliefs significantly vary about the truth.

Ep. 10 - The Psychology of Haunted Houses: Unpacking Fear, Perception, and the Paranormal w/ Dr. Christopher French

In this episode, we discuss the psychology of haunted houses, including some of the key ideas behind why people might perceive some locations as haunted, with Dr. Christopher French, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, and founder of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit. Together, we unravel everything from some of the key perceptual influences contributing to beliefs of paranormal experiences to the media’s influence.

Ep. 9 - The Mystery of UAP: The Truth Behind Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena w/ Mr. Alejandro Rojas

In this episode, we discuss the mystery of UAP, including the groundbreaking research and science behind Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, with Mr. Alejandro Rojas, the President and CEO of UAP Discovery and a prominent figure in UAP research. Together, we unravel everything from the scientific consensus on the existence and truth behind UAP to the misconceptions surrounding these phenomena.

Ep. 8 - The Sociology of Ghost Beliefs: Unveiling Social Influences on the Paranormal w/ Dr. Barry Markovsky

In this episode, we discuss the sociology of ghost beliefs, including the research and science aiming to explain the paranormal with Dr. Barry Markovsky, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of South Carolina and former Chair of its Sociology Department. Together, we unravel everything from the key concepts contributing to misinterpretations forming the beliefs of ghosts to the effect of the media’s portrayal.