Point of Inquiry

Format

Point of Inquiry is recorded at the Center for Inquiry headquarters in Amherst, New York. 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 in December 2005 featured an interview with CFI founder Paul Kurtz, who spoke about the incompatibility of science and religion.

In July 2012, Point of Inquiry produced their first video episode featuring Michael De Dora, Ed Brayton, Jessica Ahlquist, and Jamie Kilstein.

Previously, Chris Mooney hosted half of the shows with the balance split between the other hosts.

In October 2013, CFI announced the "new team who will take Point of Inquiry into its next exciting phase", Lindsay Beyerstein, Josh Zepps and producer Joshua Billingsley.

On June 2, 2017, Point of Inquiry released its first episode with new host Paul Fidalgo. New hosts Kavin Senapathy and James Underdown were announced on October 15, 2018. The show is produced by CFI digital marketing strategist, Michael Powell.

Staff

Timeline

ImageSize = width:650 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:100 top:0 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2005 till: TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:2005 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2005

Colors = id:host value:blue legend:Host id:producer value:yellow legend:Producer id:bars value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

BarData = bar:DJG text:"D.J. Grothe" bar:RMP text:"Robert M. Price" bar:KSt text:"Karen Stollznow" bar:CM text:"Chris Mooney" bar:IV text:"Indre Viskontas" bar:LB text:"Lindsay Beyerstein" bar:JZ text:"Josh Zepps" bar:PF text:"Paul Fidalgo" bar:KSe text:"Kavin Senapathy" bar:JU text:"James Underdown" bar:LL text:"Leighann Lord" bar:TD text:"Thomas Donnelly" bar:AI text:"Adam Isaak" bar:JB text:"Joshua Billingsley" bar:NH text:"Nora Hurley" bar:MP text:"Mike Powell"

PlotData = width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:DJG from:11/12/2005 till:16/03/2010 color:host bar:RMP from:05/03/2010 till:14/11/2011 color:host bar:KSt from:19/03/2010 till:26/12/2011 color:host bar:CM from:12/03/2010 till:30/09/2013 color:host bar:IV from:27/02/2012 till:12/08/2013 color:host bar:LB from:11/11/2013 till:11/04/2017 color:host bar:JZ from:05/11/2013 till:24/04/2017 color:host bar:PF from:03/05/2017 till:17/05/2018 color:host bar:KSe from:10/01/2019 till:31/10/2019 color:host bar:JU from:24/01/2019 till:end color:host bar:LL from:09/04/2020 till:30/03/2021 color:host bar:PF from:24/03/2022 till:31/01/2024 color:host bar:TD from:11/12/2005 till:16/03/2010 color:producer bar:AI from:05/03/2010 till:30/09/2013 color:producer bar:JB from:05/11/2013 till:30/06/2014 color:producer bar:NH from:01/07/2014 till:24/04/2017 color:producer bar:MP from:03/05/2017 till:end color:producer

Popular Science Idol

Point of inquiry co-sponsored the "Popular Science Idol" contest along with the National Science Foundation Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, Discover Magazine, and Popular Science as a science spoof of the reality television series 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2013/02/19/30577/meteorologist-wins-first-ever-americas-science-ido/|title=Meteorologist wins first-ever America's Science Idol competition|date= March 10, 2013

Select episodes

A full episode list is available on iTunes.

Recognition

In May 2012, Point of Inquiry was named one of the "Top 10 Podcasts to Feed Your Brain" by Business Insider.

Featured podcast suggestion by the Telegraph February 9, 2013.

Awards

References

References

1. This description appears at the beginning of most episodes.
2. "Top 50 Rated Podcasts 6/2010 – Society & Culture | Podcast Alley".
3. "Hot Needle of Inquiry". Bad Astronomy at discovermagazine.com.
4. "About the Program | Center for Inquiry".
5. Grothe, DJ. (December 11, 2005). "Paul Kurtz – Science and Religion – Are They Compatible?". [[Center for Inquiry]].
6. (July 4, 2012). "Point of Inquiry In Studio: Chris Mooney Talks to Jamie Kilstein, Ed Brayton, and More.| Center for Inquiry".
7. (February 2010). "Center for Inquiry Announces Three New Hosts for its Popular Podcast, 'Point of Inquiry' | Center for Inquiry".
8. (October 17, 2013). "The Wait is Over: CFI Unveils New 'Point of Inquiry' Team!". Center for Inquiry.
9. (2018-10-15). "Point Of Inquiry podcast announces new co-hosts Kavin Senapathy and James Underdown". Center for Inquiry.
10. (December 21, 2018). "All Episodes".
11. (April 9, 2020). "Comedian Leighann Lord Joins Point of Inquiry Podcast as New Co-Host".
12. (March 10, 2013). "Do You Have What It Takes to Be America's Next Science Idol?".
13. (September 10, 2010). "Can Science Extend Human Life?". Center for Inquiry.
14. "iTunes Archive". Apple at apple.com.
15. Smith, Kevin. (May 14, 2012). "Top 10 podcasts to feed your brain". Business Insider at businessinsider.com.
16. Naughton, Pete. (2013-02-09). "Podcast and internet radio previews: The Secret Policeman's Ball, Point of Inquiry, Radio Three Sixty and The Jazz Groove". Telegraph Media Group Ltd.
17. (2015). "2015 AofP Winners and Finalists". [[Podcast Movement]].