Part 2! Thomas is joined again by David O'Brien, a higher education policy scholar with the California Community Colleges system, to finish dismantling The Daily's take on Trump's student loan crackdown. Reagan, Pell Grants, and decades of quiet state defunding all get their due, plus a theory on why tuition keeps climbing that has nothing to do with cosmetology degrees. Mentioned: <ul> <li> <a href= "https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/01/podcasts/the-daily/college-student-loans-trump.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Daily college episode</a> </li> <li> <a href= "https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/higher-education-opportunity-act-of-2008/gainful-employment" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Gainful employment rules</a> </li> </ul> Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? <a href= "https://seriouspod.com/are-you-an-expert-in-something-be-on-the-show/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Apply here</a>! Please support the show on Patreon! You get ad-free episodes, early episodes, and other bonus content! <a href="https://www.patreon.com/seriouspod" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-link-auto= "">https://www.patreon.com/seriouspod</a>

Part 2! Thomas is joined again by David O'Brien, a higher education policy scholar with the California Community Colleges system, to finish dismantling The Daily's take on Trump's student loan crackdown. Reagan, Pell Grants, and decades of quiet state defunding all get their due, plus a theory on why tuition keeps climbing that has nothing to do with cosmetology degrees. Mentioned: The Daily college episode Gainful employment rules Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here! Please support the show on Patreon! You get ad-free episodes, early episodes, and other bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/seriouspod

Part 2! Thomas is joined again by David O'Brien, a higher education policy scholar with the California Community Colleges system, to finish dismantling The Daily's take on Trump's student loan crackdown. Reagan, Pell Grants, and decades of quiet state defunding all get their due, plus a theory on why tuition keeps climbing that has nothing to do with cosmetology degrees. Mentioned: <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/01/podcasts/the-daily/college-student-loans-trump.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Daily college episode</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/higher-education-opportunity-act-of-2008/gainful-employment" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gainful employment rules</a> </li> </ul> Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? <a href="https://seriouspod.com/are-you-an-expert-in-something-be-on-the-show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apply here</a>! Please support the show on Patreon! You get ad-free episodes, early episodes, and other bonus content! <a href="https://www.patreon.com/seriouspod" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/seriouspod</a>

SIO522: College Is Impossibly Expensive. But It's Not Because of Bogus Degrees.

Popular media will tell you that placebos, inert inactive substances taken as if they're medication, can work miracles. …Placebos don't "work". But what does that even mean? And if that's true, why would we include a placebo group in a study? Is there anything remotely like a "true"'placebo effect, where belief in a medication could influence the body? Jenessa walks us through scientific study design, statistical artifacts, and one study that shows maybe just maybe there's a little something like an actual placebo "effect"… but it's still not magic! Tune in to hear how on earth that could be possible. <ul> <li> Nolan, T.A., Price, D.D., Caudle, R., Murphy, N.P., & Neubert, J.K. (2012). <a href= "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3445785/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Placebo-induced analgesia in an operant pain model in rats</a>. Pain, 153, 2009-2016. </li> <li> Brissonnet, J. (2015). <a href= "https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/placebo-are-you-there/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Placebo, are you there?</a> Science Based Medicine. </li> <li> Studeman, D. (2007). <a href= "https://tht.fangraphs.com/but-i-regress/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer nofollow">But I regress…</a> The Hardball Times. </li> <li> McCambridge, J., de Bruin, M., & Witton, J. (2012). <a href= "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3378517/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The effect of demand characteristics on research participant behaviours in non-laboratory settings: A systematic review.</a> PLoS One, 7. </li> </ul> Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? <a href= "https://seriouspod.com/are-you-an-expert-in-something-be-on-the-show/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Apply here</a>!

Popular media will tell you that placebos, inert inactive substances taken as if they're medication, can work miracles. …Placebos don't "work". But what does that even mean? And if that's true, why would we include a placebo group in a study? Is there anything remotely like a "true"'placebo effect, where belief in a medication could influence the body? Jenessa walks us through scientific study design, statistical artifacts, and one study that shows maybe just maybe there's a little something like an actual placebo "effect"… but it's still not magic! Tune in to hear how on earth that could be possible. Nolan, T.A., Price, D.D., Caudle, R., Murphy, N.P., & Neubert, J.K. (2012). Placebo-induced analgesia in an operant pain model in rats. Pain, 153, 2009-2016. Brissonnet, J. (2015). Placebo, are you there? Science Based Medicine. Studeman, D. (2007). But I regress… The Hardball Times. McCambridge, J., de Bruin, M., & Witton, J. (2012). The effect of demand characteristics on research participant behaviours in non-laboratory settings: A systematic review. PLoS One, 7. Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here!

Popular media will tell you that placebos, inert inactive substances taken as if they're medication, can work miracles. …Placebos don't "work". But what does that even mean? And if that's true, why would we include a placebo group in a study? Is there anything remotely like a "true"'placebo effect, where belief in a medication could influence the body? Jenessa walks us through scientific study design, statistical artifacts, and one study that shows maybe just maybe there's a little something like an actual placebo "effect"… but it's still not magic! Tune in to hear how on earth that could be possible. <ul> <li> Nolan, T.A., Price, D.D., Caudle, R., Murphy, N.P., &amp; Neubert, J.K. (2012). <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3445785/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Placebo-induced analgesia in an operant pain model in rats</a>. Pain, 153, 2009-2016. </li> <li> Brissonnet, J. (2015). <a href="https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/placebo-are-you-there/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Placebo, are you there?</a> Science Based Medicine. </li> <li> Studeman, D. (2007). <a href="https://tht.fangraphs.com/but-i-regress/" rel="noopener noreferrer">But I regress…</a> The Hardball Times. </li> <li> McCambridge, J., de Bruin, M., &amp; Witton, J. (2012). <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3378517/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The effect of demand characteristics on research participant behaviours in non-laboratory settings: A systematic review.</a> PLoS One, 7. </li> </ul> Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? <a href="https://seriouspod.com/are-you-an-expert-in-something-be-on-the-show/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apply here</a>!

SIO510: Digging Into the Science of the Placebo Effect

Thomas and David wrap up their discussion on spirituality and Oprah's ignorance, and then welcome the first ever AS Podcast guest Noah Lugeons! The post <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as7-spirituality-part-2-plus-noah-lugeons-interview/"> AS7: Spirituality, Part 2 PLUS Noah Lugeons Interview</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

Thomas and David wrap up their discussion on spirituality and Oprah's ignorance, and then welcome the first ever AS Podcast guest Noah Lugeons! The post AS7: Spirituality, Part 2 PLUS Noah Lugeons Interview appeared first on Atheistically Speaking.

Thomas and David wrap up their discussion on spirituality and Oprah's ignorance, and then welcome the first ever AS Podcast guest Noah Lugeons! The post <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as7-spirituality-part-2-plus-noah-lugeons-interview/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> AS7: Spirituality, Part 2 PLUS Noah Lugeons Interview</a> appeared first on <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

AS7: Spirituality, Part 2 PLUS Noah Lugeons Interview

In this episode, the guys talk about using terms such as "spirituality" as an atheist. They also discuss some great comments from listeners! The post <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as6-spirituality-and-atheism-part-1/"> AS6: Spirituality and Atheism, Part 1</a> appeared first on <a rel= "nofollow" href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

In this episode, the guys talk about using terms such as "spirituality" as an atheist. They also discuss some great comments from listeners! The post AS6: Spirituality and Atheism, Part 1 appeared first on Atheistically Speaking.

In this episode, the guys talk about using terms such as "spirituality" as an atheist. They also discuss some great comments from listeners! The post <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as6-spirituality-and-atheism-part-1/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> AS6: Spirituality and Atheism, Part 1</a> appeared first on <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

AS6: Spirituality and Atheism, Part 1

Should atheists have churches? Find out what the guys think about this as well as bogus positive thinking experiments and nuns opting out of Obamacare. The post <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as5-atheist-churches/">AS5: Atheist Churches</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

Should atheists have churches? Find out what the guys think about this as well as bogus positive thinking experiments and nuns opting out of Obamacare. The post AS5: Atheist Churches appeared first on Atheistically Speaking.

Should atheists have churches? Find out what the guys think about this as well as bogus positive thinking experiments and nuns opting out of Obamacare. The post <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as5-atheist-churches/" rel="noopener noreferrer">AS5: Atheist Churches</a> appeared first on <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

AS5: Atheist Churches

Have you been frustrated when you've heard anyone say atheism a privilege for the wealthy? You'd better listen to find out how the guys deal with this obnoxious claim! The post <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as4-is-atheism-a-privilege-for-the-wealthy/"> AS4: Is Atheism a Privilege for the Wealthy?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

Have you been frustrated when you've heard anyone say atheism a privilege for the wealthy? You'd better listen to find out how the guys deal with this obnoxious claim! The post AS4: Is Atheism a Privilege for the Wealthy? appeared first on Atheistically Speaking.

Have you been frustrated when you've heard anyone say atheism a privilege for the wealthy? You'd better listen to find out how the guys deal with this obnoxious claim! The post <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as4-is-atheism-a-privilege-for-the-wealthy/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> AS4: Is Atheism a Privilege for the Wealthy?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

AS4: Is Atheism a Privilege for the Wealthy?

In this episode, Thomas and David discuss the article "Why I'm Leaving the Online Atheism Community" my Martin Pribble. Will they find it convincing or not terribly compelling? Find out! The post <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as3-a-look-at-atheism-online/">AS3: A Look at Atheism Online</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

In this episode, Thomas and David discuss the article "Why I'm Leaving the Online Atheism Community" my Martin Pribble. Will they find it convincing or not terribly compelling? Find out! The post AS3: A Look at Atheism Online appeared first on Atheistically Speaking.

In this episode, Thomas and David discuss the article "Why I'm Leaving the Online Atheism Community" my Martin Pribble. Will they find it convincing or not terribly compelling? Find out! The post <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as3-a-look-at-atheism-online/" rel="noopener noreferrer">AS3: A Look at Atheism Online</a> appeared first on <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

AS3: A Look at Atheism Online

It's a William Lane Craig special here! He gave a gift of 5 terrible reasons why atheists are wrong and we kindly disprove all of them for him! The post <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as2-atheists-and-holidays-part-2/"> AS2: Atheists and Holidays, Part 2</a> appeared first on <a rel= "nofollow" href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

It's a William Lane Craig special here! He gave a gift of 5 terrible reasons why atheists are wrong and we kindly disprove all of them for him! The post AS2: Atheists and Holidays, Part 2 appeared first on Atheistically Speaking.

It's a William Lane Craig special here! He gave a gift of 5 terrible reasons why atheists are wrong and we kindly disprove all of them for him! The post <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as2-atheists-and-holidays-part-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> AS2: Atheists and Holidays, Part 2</a> appeared first on <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

AS2: Atheists and Holidays, Part 2

In the inaugural episode, David and Thomas give personal introductions, objectives for the show, and then discuss the first topic: atheists and Santa Claus. The post <a rel="nofollow" href= "http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as1-atheists-and-holidays-part-1/"> AS1: Atheists and Holidays, Part 1</a> appeared first on <a rel= "nofollow" href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

In the inaugural episode, David and Thomas give personal introductions, objectives for the show, and then discuss the first topic: atheists and Santa Claus. The post AS1: Atheists and Holidays, Part 1 appeared first on Atheistically Speaking.

In the inaugural episode, David and Thomas give personal introductions, objectives for the show, and then discuss the first topic: atheists and Santa Claus. The post <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com/as1-atheists-and-holidays-part-1/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> AS1: Atheists and Holidays, Part 1</a> appeared first on <a href="http://atheisticallyspeaking.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Atheistically Speaking</a>.

AS1:  Atheists and Holidays, Part 1

Join Thomas for some critical thinking on questions of science, philosophy, skepticism and politics.  These serious topics are discussed with some serious guests, but in an entertaining and engaging way!  This is not your typical interview podcast; it's a friendly dialogue, conducted thoughtfully and with plenty of humor. It's Serious Inquiries Only; but like, not boring or anything.

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Join Thomas for some critical thinking on questions of science, philosophy, skepticism and politics. These serious topics are discussed with some serious guests, but in an entertaining and engaging way! This is not your typical interview podcast; it's a friendly dialogue, conducted thoughtfully and with plenty of humor. It's Serious Inquiries Only; but like, not boring or anything.

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