When it comes to the paranormal, I’ve always admired voices that balance open-mindedness with critical thinking. That’s why Dr. Ciarán O’Keefe is my kind of skeptic. Known to many from BBC’s Uncanny with Danny Robins, Ciarán brings scientific rigor to the mysteries of the supernatural while staying open to possibilities.
In this conversation we explore:
Why skepticism doesn’t equal cynicism
How parapsychology lost visibility in academia and media
How ghost hunters can serve as “citizen scientists” by gathering useful data
The enduring mystery of cold spots, EMF fluctuations, and environmental triggers
Explanations beyond “ghosts are dead people,” including time slips and dimensional slips
How a recent medical discovery reshaped thinking about some possession cases
Ciarán’s most unforgettable “head-scratching” investigation
His role as the resident skeptic on Uncanny—and why he embraces being the “party pooper”
Ciarán also shares details about the Uncanny: Fear of the Dark UK tour, with possible plans for a North American run in the future.
This episode shows how belief and skepticism, far from being opposites, can fuel better questions and deeper insights into life’s greatest mysteries.
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