Good interviews. Usually it holds true to respectful engagement. I know Marsh sometimes pokes a little fun on another podcast at some guests but nothing terrible. The last guest regarding thermography - he took Marsh to task. I think he has legit points. Normally the subjects a straight up woo but not that one. At some point a better cancer detection method will be established. Is it this? Maybe if you do it properly says this doc. Could be a legit point.

The most recent episode was an incredible example of the power of engaging in respectful dialogue with people. Berating or attacking people with whom you disagree will never work- we are all human and we dig in and get defensive. I am hopeful that, in the end, reason and empathy are our best tools to make the world a better place.

I really like the idea of this podcast. It is so important to have conversations with those that we may disagree with. The one I listened to there was a lot of talking over each other. It felt like less of a conversation to understand and more of an argument. There were moments where I felt like they were listening to each other but it was mostly interrupting and trying to prove a point rather than actual discussion and understanding.

I really do love listening to these crazy people. I am also constantly amazed by marsh’s restraint, if I had these people’s contacts and talked to them for this amount of time I’d probably hunt them down with an axe. Love each episode even if they do drive me insane.

Amazing podcast but the delay it is 2023 already

Just discovered this and it is one of my new favorites. It is a master class in how to speak with people whom you disagree, even when that person may be a complete jerk. I find myself wishing the talented host would just scream at some of his subjects, but alas, he is a better human than I am. Fascinating, sometimes deeply disturbing, and definitely educational. I wish it was produced more frequently.

I think it is fantastic that you can come on and talk to people with the most grandiose if not just blatantly ridiculous ideas and yet speak to them in a calm manner with clear concise questions. No one else is doing what you’re doing, keep up the good work.

This is a very well put together program. There are two episodes I will not watch. My brain would melt. And thank you for releasing the miracle solution interview. I can see why it's affected the interviewer. I look forward to more.

Yeah? Right? Okay?y’know…..what a load of boland bollocks.

In a world full of us, we should all strive to be more like Marsh. I never feel like he’s condescending towards his guests or trying to trick them into saying something ridiculous. He just gives them space to express themselves and their ideas, asks appropriate questions, and trusts the listener to do the rest.

I love this show but this quack was infuriating with both his gish gallop interruptions and his toxic belief that the pandemic doesn’t exist. Infuriating! I have soooo much respect for Marsh’s patience. Also I listened to the whole thing.

For the first 10 minutes, the interviewer seemed so credulous that steam was coming out of my ears and I was about to unsubscribe. But as the interview continued, he raised a few points to which the quack responded with completely absurd and self-contradictory statements. In the end I would have to say the level of comedy was on par with John Cleese interviewing the pet store owner.

This podcast is a great different way to learn about conspiracies and other fringe beliefs. Hearing from believers is insightful while the host does a great job of respectfully challenging them. I have learned so much! But honestly knowing more about some of these views just leaves me more baffled.

Always enjoy the space people with rather singular views are given. Being courteous is something of a lost art, nice to find a corner of the internet that still values a polite walk through the marketplace of ideas Recommended

Saint Marsh should win some award for dealing with these people. Absolutely amazing he can do what he does. I wouldn’t last 30 seconds without yelling at them and I am a patient person.

While a wonderful podcast presenting interesting topics and people, truly this podcast is a lesson in patience. If I were the presenter I would have been jailed already for trying to choke the stupid out of a guest. Marsh is a role model for patience.

Great show, I always wanted to know where you found these wack jobs to interview, then with the election of Trump I realize that we have 40 million people in America who are equally as insane as every hollow earther or moon landing conspiracy nut. Keep up the good work!

Informative, Amusing, and highly Enjoyable. The host, Michael Marshall demonstrates grace and a seemingly unlimited supply of patience and kindness to his guests who often present some of the most incredibly unbelievable ideas. He allows them to unpack sometimes outlandish notions without ridicule or mockery. It reminds me of Coast to Coast AM, but without all the credulity of Noory.

The host strikes the right balance between being respectful and open minded while also challenging bizarre beliefs. Highly recommended.

While sometimes hard to listen to due to what each guest has to say, this podcast represents an honest interaction with those pushing "woo" or conspiracy of some sort. So very often, it can become easy to completely shut out the exact words of those outside the Skeptics community, and this show allows that bridge for us to understand what the exact claims and tactics are being provided. A good resource for those looking to better develop their arguments and understanding.

This is an excellent show for both exposing yourself to fringe beliefs as well as learning how to interact with the people who hold those beliefs. So far, I've been impressed with Marsh, Hayley, and their guests in terms of staying respectful and open to conversation. The hosts do a great job hearing out their guests and letting them make their point before carefully choosing what aspect to question them on. Great Job and I'm looking forward to future episodes.

I really love this show. I feel it provides fascinating insight into how seemingly rational people fool themselves into believing fantastical things. My favorite part of most interviews is when the claimants answer the question: "What would it take for you to give up your belief?" However, I am writing this review now because I am uncomfortable with the most recent episode, Psychic Claimant. While the man being interviewed is anonymous, I feel that from the way he speaks he clearly has a distance from reality and intensity of delusional thought that separates him from the other claimants this show has interviewed in the past. I feel uncomfortable listening to him and hearing him questioned, as his manner of speaking of his "observed" phenomenon really reminds me of other seriously delusional people I've met. I feel there is a line between a person with an irrational belief and a person whose grip on reality is shaken, and it feels voyeuristic to listen to this man when he is so clearly unable to properly perceive the world around him. Like I said, this is still my absolute favorite show, and I am very glad this episode was at least posted in anonymity. I hope that future interviews refrain from targeting people who are untethered as Psychic Claimant appears to be. I hope he finds someone to speak to about his experiences besides a skeptic organization, that can hopefully help him reorient his view on the world. Thank you for your amazing podcast!!

I don't know how he does it. Listening, questioning with respect, engaging in a non-condescending way - all while talking with people whose ideas are beyond crazy.

I don't know how he does it, but hen I listen to some of the nutters on here I *headdesk hard enough to get a concussion.

There's something beautiful about this podcast. like a painter gentle manipulating a brush, the presenter allows the interviewee to begin to paint a picture of their own ludicrous ideas . Eventually , the painting is complete , and everyone can see the absurdity of the imagine that the person themselves has created . Like all art, it often involves pain, but is definitely worth the perseverance .

I simply cannot listen to this podcast. Marsh has my respect on a level that I cannot imagine. Why 2 stars? If you are anything like me, you cannot listen to this podcast and sleep that night.I simply don't understand how the presenter can do the interviews and not reach out and strangle some of these people that he interviews. If you can "turn it off", you should never miss an episode.

This is a unique and gratifying approach to skepticism in this day and age, when internet-based arguments on these subjects tend to run very hot. Marsh challenges each guest and fringe belief with polite inquiry, and certainly keeps a much cooler demeanor than I could manage. It's important to hear these beliefs detailed this way, without the heat of debate; relieved of that pressure, I find that they *still* don't hold up.

I don't know how Mr. Marshall is so patient and civil with the subjects of his interviews, but he is so calm and cool while interviewing people whose views are..... Unique. Two really informative ones are Dr Leo Ribello and Jim Humble. They are both endlessly frustrating, but Marsh does an excellent job attempting to crack through their committed opinions and terrible logic. (Spoiler alert: he doesn't. Though he can't be expected to.) Thanks MSS for yet another amazing skeptical podcast!

Really nicely done. Great idea for a podcast and very well executed.

I like this format, they let a crank or quack tell his story while they ask questions here and there. They don’t berate the person, but sort of let them talk themselves into their own corner.

Always fascinating interviews with fringe theory proponents!

I love listening to these interviews. As a skeptic, listening to the thought processes of the *incredibly-un-skeptical* guests they interview is like a form of anthropology. It's really important to understand the "other side", and WOW... the guests are so far on the "other side" that it takes conscious effort for me to parse their comments. Its absolutely riveting.

It is interesting to hear the somewhat crazy point of view of these people. I like how the interviewers are not mean or confrontational yet they don’t pretend to be on their side.

Sometimes the coversations that are hard to listen to are the ones you need to listen to the most. This show is illumnating as to the thoughts and feelings of believers.

This is my favorite podcast. Be Reasonable gives the best interviews with people who don't come across as crooks, but seem intensely genuine about their topic. To me, this podcast teaches me not how to win arguments, but how to constructively listen and appropriately challenge someone with beliefs that I vehemently oppose. Good form podcast. Good form.

Still don't know how to change oil in a car. Well thought out and you guys don kid gloves with class. Thanks for your work.

Marsh and Hayley do a great job talking to guests with different beliefs and they are completely respectful. It really feels like they want to understand where the person is coming from. Great podcast to listen to.

Whoa! Gloryhole!

I listen to the other Merseyside Skeptics podcasts so even though I wasn't sure about this one (I thought it would be infuriating to listen to), I had to try it. I love Marsh for his insightfulness and wittiness, and I like Hayley now too. This podcast is extremely thought-provoking. As an atheist and a skeptic, sometimes when people believe things that are totally unfounded in reality, it's easy to dismiss them. But Marsh and Hayley ask great questions while allowing the guest to tell their story. They ask very firm questions, but they aren't judgmental and don't seem to commit any logical fallacies (the never attack the person, and in fact they don't even attack the illogical belief directly. They simply ask the person to explain, and ask the person if they have considered this or that, etc) I feel like I get a lot out of these podcasts. The rest of the podcasts I listen to are about science, skepticism, and looking at religion skeptically, but this one is unique and very necessary. All good skeptics would do well to listen to this one. I highly recommend it. Thanks, Marsh and Hayley. I feel like it helps me to change my perspective to listen. :)

I find the podcast very refreshing. The guest explains their beliefs (which I disagree with). instead of getting abusing or arguing, Marsh and Hayley allow the alternative explaination to be heard. The hosts have the ability to ask polite questions which, in a way, point out how the beliefs are unfounded.

If you're looking for debunking this is not the podcast for you. Although the hosts do put forward some tough questions, they don't ridicule or make the show entirely about evidence against the claims of the guests. What they end up with is a fascinating look into the psyche of people with unusual beliefs. In the flat earth episode, the flat earth society seems to be made up of solopsists or people that enjoy puzzles and mental challenges. While they only believe evidence they can directly observe themselves, they have no problem believing in unproven theories about why they should not believe evidence they can see themselves if it contradicts their theory. A friend for instance told me of noticing the curvature of the earth just looking out his balcony at the ocean in Florida. If he lined the horizon up with the top of the straight ledge, he could see that one point appeared first and therefore appeared to be higher. They would answer I'm sure, as they do for sunsets, that "Light is bent by aether. Aetheric eddies cause the cyclical bending of light." Obviously only believing evidence they can see with their own eyes isn't the issue when they can make up wild and unsupported theories to explain that evidence away when it contradicts their previously held beliefs.

Be Reasonable fills a niche in what is available is most skeptical podcasts. While the others go over why various beliefs are unfounded, Be Reasonable is a conversation with believers. This is a great way to avoid insulating one's self from ideas and listen to how people defend ideas to others and themselves. While Marsh and Hayley do not abuse their guest, they do ask very important questions that make the guest think and answer what we are all asking. For those without the patience to listen to Skeptiko, this podcast is a great look at what people believe with a skeptic to keep it in check.