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A quick note of thanks…

Hi all, I’m currently in Minneapolis at a public radio conference, where it was announced that Al, Glynn and I won the Talent Quest. It’s been a whirlwind of fun…yesterday we were on stage at the BEAUTIFUL headquarters of Minnesota Public Radio, before about a hundred producers, chatting with Bill Radke of Weekend America about our upcoming show pilots. Then we enjoyed a huge party (open bar!), and then around 9:30pm we all came back to the hotel and had another huge afterparty in a two-floor suite where the booze continued flowing until about 3am (?). There are photos that I won’t regret but others may. There was a bed involved. I’m not clear on the details.

At 9:30 this morning Al, Glynn and I cabbed it back to MPR to do an extended on-air interview with Bill Radke . . . I think that’ll be on this Saturday’s Weekend America.

Afterwards, Al and Glynn ran off to the airport. My plane doesn’t leave until 5:30 tonight, so I explored St. Paul a bit before coming back here to the hotel. Now I’m just waiting to hear from my pal Ducky (nee David, nee Fowlsound) so we can grab some hangover-curing munchies and see a bit of Minneapolis. I’ve never been here before and it’s a beautiful day for exploring (maybe 70 degrees and sunny!). So, that’s the report for now.

I owe you all so much thanks for helping me get here by logging on and voting, and really showing the public radio folks that you want more critical thinking on the air. Hugs, kisses, etc.!

Rebecca Watson

Rebecca is a writer, speaker, YouTube personality, and unrepentant science nerd. In addition to founding and continuing to run Skepchick, she hosts Quiz-o-Tron, a monthly science-themed quiz show and podcast that pits comedians against nerds. There is an asteroid named in her honor. Twitter @rebeccawatson Mastodon mstdn.social/@rebeccawatson Instagram @actuallyrebeccawatson TikTok @actuallyrebeccawatson YouTube @rebeccawatson BlueSky @rebeccawatson.bsky.social

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15 Comments

  1. Good Gosh, Rebecca!!! You rock! Congratulations!

    I can't wait to hear the pilot!

    That's one heck of an early birthday present. Woohoo!

  2. Congratz, Rebecca! I can't wait to see what you manage to do with your show (yes, I'm already assuming it'll get past the pilot stage here), but I know it will be good.

  3. Congrats!

    I'm trying to think if we've had as many mainstream media shows dealing with skepticism and critical thinking as we are starting to get in the last couple of years. It'll be good to see another skepshow continuing the trend.

    Here's the next Mrs. Wizard!

  4. Oh and congratulations of course. Should have said that before the selfish questions about how I will get to listen to your show.

    As has been said – you ROCK!

  5. soo,,,what is your pilot going to be like? Or have you done it already?

    SO exciting, though public radio should not be able to afford an open bar (maybe that's why I only got this tote bag).

  6. I've been logging in and voting from the beginning. I'm a fan of SGU but I put that aside, listened to all the contestants, and voted honestly. And you really were the best. Al was my second choice so I'm glad to see him at the top with you. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how excited I am for you. Congrats!

  7. Congratulations, Rebecca!! Wow, I was vicariously nervous about this round so this is fantastic news…so happy for you and it's well deserved.

    I haven't been commenting here lately due to moving/stress issues, but I did manage to sign in and listen to all the entries again in time to vote, thereby racking up over 200 points. You did a great job with the demo (something I could relate to since I used to have a customer who did ghost tours in Houston for a while – they had a photo album full of "orb" pictures.) It was well-edited, engaging and my favorite entry.

    I'm pleased Al and Glynn also won since they did great in the last two rounds; I think the three of you represent new voices and the potential to do something different and enlightening. Your fan base is noteworthy too. I'm sure you'll keep us posted about when and where to listen next, but for now I gather you're still basking in the good news. :-)

    BTW, I thought of you when I was in the airport restroom and heard this woman telling two other woman, "Oh, I do homeopathy!" and so on. Like the Sylvia Browne supporters at my old job, a sister ensconced in the G12 Vision of an evangelical church, fatalistic thinking, etc., I feel like I'm surrounded by lack of critical thinking a lot lately. The harder part is approaching dialogue with these people in such a way that one is not seen as such a spoiler sport or making them feel dumb. The "You can't believe anything that isn't in front of your nose" replies I get (as if that's such an awful thing) and my naturalistic views are seen as boring. I think you've always had a good idea of what much of the general public is thinking out there and there's much to be done in reaching these people while explaining how reality can be interesting.

    And if reality isn't interesting I escape with Battlestar Galactica. ;-)

  8. Great work, Rebecca!! Apparently Weekend America isn't available where I live (near DC)–or at least I haven't found it yet. If anyone else is in the same predicament, though, I found that they podcast an enhanced version and it's available through iTunes, so I'm trying that route. Info at http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/collections
    Hope I can hear you there.

    Congratulations!!! :-)

    Brian

  9. oh that is SO cool Rebecca!

    Congratulations! and Thanks, Brian, for pointing me to a podcast option, since I'm fairly sure that I won't get Minnesota Public Radio/Weekend America here in the little island off the South Coast of Australia (aka Tasmania)

    WOOOOO!

    Dylan

  10. So what's the schedule like from here on? And will the segments be available online for those of us who don't know what this "radio" thing is?

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