Talk Tracks Ep 8: The Skeptic Who Couldn’t Debunk The Telepathy Tapes

In this episode of The Talk Tracks, we meet Becca Cramer—nuclear engineer, mother of two, and self-proclaimed skeptic—who set out to disprove the claims made in The Telepathy Tapes. What began as a rigorous attempt to debunk the series transformed into a months-long investigation that challenged her worldview. Motivated by scientific integrity, Becca combed through over 100 peer-reviewed studies, interviewed experts across fields, and meticulously examined the most common criticisms, including the infamous “ideomotor effect” or "oujia board" effect. But as she dug deeper, she found that many long-held assumptions about spelling, communication, and telepathy didn’t hold up under scrutiny. In a conversation with Telepathy Tapes coordinator Katherine Ellis, Becca shares the “aha” moments that shifted her thinking, the flawed science behind Clever Hans-style dismissals, and how the skepticism that fueled her investigation ultimately opened the door to a more expansive truth. This episode is a powerful reminder: true skepticism isn’t about cynicism—it’s about inquiry, curiosity, and the willingness to evolve in the face of new evidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices