Episode 89: Halloween special on reincarnation

Episode 89: Halloween special on reincarnation

Author: Tom Chivers and Stuart Ritchie October 28, 2025 Duration: 1:02:37

Around these parts, we have a tradition to do a paranormal episode at Halloween. We’ve done psychic powers, ghosts, and now… reincarnation. What are we to make of the stories—sometimes told in NYT-bestselling books—of children who appear to remember details of their past lives? What about the many peer-reviewed scientific papers that claim that something supernatural is going on here? In this EXTRA-SPOOKY episode, we find out.

🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃

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Show notes

* The University of Virginia’s Department of Perceptual Studies

* And the University of Edinburgh’s Koestler Parapsychology Unit

* Jim Tucker, child psychologist and reincarnation researcher

* Tucker’s 2025 paper on the >2,500 reported cases of reincarnation

* 2024 review of cases on the “reincarnation birthmark” issue

* Michael Sudduth’s 94-page debunking of the James Leininger case

* Response from Jim Tucker on Leininger

* Reply from Sudduth

* Sudduth’s blog post on the same issue

* Steven Novella on memory, children’s learning, and supposed reincarnation

Credits

The Science Fictions podcast is produced by Julian Mayers at Yada Yada Productions.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencefictionspod.substack.com/subscribe

Every week, Tom Chivers and Stuart Ritchie pull apart the biggest arguments and most confusing claims making headlines. Science Fictions isn't just about celebrating breakthroughs; it's a necessary dive into the messy, contested, and often surprising realities of how science actually works. You'll hear them unpack heated debates, examine questionable studies, and explore why even solid research can sometimes lead to public confusion. This podcast serves as a guide through the noise, separating compelling evidence from overblown narratives. Each episode feels like a conversation with two deeply informed friends who aren't afraid to ask tough questions, offering clarity on topics that matter. For anyone curious about the stories behind the science headlines, this is an essential listen. Tune in for thoughtful analysis that goes beyond the press release, grounded in a genuine fascination with how we know what we know.
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