ISTA QAnon News

We figured there was a lot more life in the idea of people trying to live forever, so all three of our podcast hosts this week - Bronwyn, Katrina and Mark - have picked a topic related to human lifespans. Katrina lets us know how long we can expect people to live, and how both the average life expectancy and upper age limit of living people have changed over time. Mark has been looking into the people who try to use science to extend their lifespan for as long as possible, with some hoping to live forever - although they seem to be trusting more in pseudoscience than evidence-backed treatments. And Bronwyn has compared and contrasted the most well-known cryonics companies, as well as looking into a curious early attempt to bring cryonics to New Zealand. About this episode Articles we talk about: A brief history of immortality: 80 years of Cryonics Part 2 Radical Life Extension How long can humans live? Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-06-23

Having been a week late with the last episode, we’re following up with an on-time episode, meaning you can listen to Yeah… Nah! two weeks in a row. This week Katrina wonders whether Trump’s Golden Dome idea of a missile defence shield around the US has any merit, and Bronwyn talks about the history of cryonics (not cryogenics). We also chat about our plan to cover the Telepathy Tapes, and suggest that some of our more intrepid listeners might want to try to listen to that podcast before we start talking about it - but beware, it’s horrifically pseudoscientific and intellectually painful to listen to. About this episode Articles we talk about: The Golden Dome A brief history of immortality: 80 years of Cryonics, Part 1 Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-06-09

As Bronwyn’s been on holiday overseas and come back suffering from food poisoning, we’ve recorded this episode a little late - but we’re sure it’s worth the wait! Mark gives his thoughts on John Campbell’s recent documentary series Under His Command, about the controversial Destiny Church and its leader, “Apostle” Brian Tamaki. Katrina looks into the scientific evidence for and against the idea of Mansplaining as a phenomenon, Bronwyn gives us an update on recent bad behaviour by members of the secretive Two by Twos church, and Mark’s been seeing some worrying trends when it comes to what Google’s search AI chooses to answer or refuse to answer. About this episode Articles we talk about: Update on the Two by Twos Review: Under His Command Is ‘mansplaining’ a thing? Better a Skeptic than Two Geese Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-05-26

We’re all over the show with our new episode of Yeah… Nah!, starting with Mark talking about his recent visit to another Creationist talk - and this one was as inspiring as it was factual. Katrina’s been concerning herself with the question of whether octopuses are going to take over the world, and Bronwyn’s managed to dig up some archive material about a small church in Lower Hutt that appears to have had more than its fair share of controversy and bad behaviour during its lifetime. About this episode Articles we talk about: How Creationism Hurts My Brain Could Octopodes take over the world? Commonwealth Covenant Church: A forgotten NZ sect Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-05-12 Mentioned in this episode: Dr Kemp’s Petition Decult Film Night

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast, the team ponder an email sent in by Barry Lennox, who knows a little more about EMF than the people selling EMF Rocks. Katrina finishes off her series on Sovereign Citizens, looking at how the courts have dealt with the madness, and Bronwyn and Mark both have some weird and wonderful stories about the Catholic church, just in time for the Conclave. About this episode Articles we talk about: Catholic Conspiracies Holy Weed and Holy Forgeries SoulCore - Catholic Yoga EMF WooWoo Sovereign Citizens: Part Three - the Courts Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-04-28

Scams, scams, scams in this episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, with Mark talking about his activism dealing with an NZ Post text-based scam, Bronwyn looking into vastly-overpriced bags of rocks that are supposed to protect you from harmful Electromagnetic radiation, and Katrina documenting how some Sovereign Citizens in New Zealand have been trying to scam Justices of the Peace into signing copies of their sham legal documents. About this episode Articles we talk about: NZ Post Scams: A little bit of Activism Sovereign Citizens: Part Two – Justices of the Peace  EMF can't hurt you if you're dead: A new nadir for the electrosensitivity industry Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-04-14

In this episode of the only official podcast of the NZ Skeptics ever to have existed, Bronwyn is concerned that skeptical slapdowns aren’t enough to keep a good bullshit peddler down, Mark is dismayed at people contacting the NZ Skeptics who want us to try to trick search engines into increasing our ranking, and Katrina starts a very long journey in the first of a multi-part look into the history of sovereign citizens, and what they’re up to in New Zealand. About this episode Articles we talk about: SEO Shenanigans: A story in four emails SEO Silliness Wham, Bam, Autism Scams: Wasting resources, and having conflicts of interest, in a White House that claims to want neither Sovereign Citizens: Part One - Intro, Police and Councils Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-03-03 2025-04-03

In this episode of the Yeah... Nah! podcast, hosts Bronwyn Rideout, Mark Honeychurch and Katrina Borthwick explore the ethical implications of using AI tools when making content for the NZ Skeptics. They discuss recent weather-related scams surrounding Cyclone Alfred, the latest strange trend on TikTok involving telekinesis, and the dubious intellectual claims of Christopher Langan - with a detailed critique of how scammers often leverage high IQ claims. About this episode Articles we talk about: TikTok Telekinesis: Fun or Foily Cyclone Alfred Nonsense Chris Langan - Smartest Man in the World? Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-03-17

In this episode of the Yeah… Nah! podcast, extra special guest James Kerr joins the crew for a conversation about how a fundamental misunderstanding of how government works can lead people to believe in grand conspiracies. Bronwyn gives an update on ISTA, who are currently in a little hot water. And Katrina has found a handy online game called Bad News that teaches people about online disinformation. About this episode Articles we talk about: Mulder would be QAnon: The deep roots of a modern conspiracy Keep it real online ISTA (International School of the Temple Arts) and Highden make actual headlines Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-03-03

In the latest episode of the Yeah… Nah! Podcast, your hosts lament the latest nonsense stunt pulled by Destiny Church. Mark reports back from the recent Wellington anti-fluoride meeting, featuring American fluoride activist Michael Connett. Everyone has watched the new Netflix show about cancer quacks, Apple Cider Vinegar, so we get a breakdown of the show from Katrina, and an investigation into the real history of one of the main characters from Bronwyn. About this episode Articles we talk about: Michael Connett's Wellington Talk Apple Cider Vinegar Issues logical and lexical: A scavenger hunt through Jessica Ainscough's digital detritus Newsletter issues these articles appear in: 2025-02-18