The Skeptics Guide

What The Skeptics Guide does

The Skeptics Guide to the Universe (SGU) is a privately held science media organization founded in 2005 by Dr. Steven Novella, Bob Novella, and Jay Novella in Hamden, Connecticut. The company produces an award-winning weekly science podcast that has released over 1,000 episodes continuously (episode #1095 published July 4, 2026), covering science news, critical thinking, and scientific skepticism. The SGU's core product is the flagship podcast featuring the 'Rogues Gallery' (Dr. Steven Novella, Bob Novella, Dr. Cara Santa Maria, and Jay Novella), with a content archive spanning two decades. The underlying technology is standard media infrastructure: a LibSyn-hosted podcast feed distributed across all major podcast platforms, a WordPress-based website (theskepticsguide.org), and integrations with Patreon (for subscriptions), Discord (for community), and YouTube (for video and live streaming). The company has no proprietary technology platform, no disclosed AI capabilities, and no app presence.

The SGU's business model is diversified across multiple revenue streams. Patreon subscriptions provide recurring patron revenue with exclusive content, premium podcasts, and members-only newsletters. Sponsorship reads on the podcast generate advertising income from a portfolio of 12+ brands (Amazon, NordVPN, Surfshark, Wondrium, Factor Meals, Leesa, KiwiCo, Bombas, Vessi, Planet Wild, Rocket Money, Progressive, The Minor Consult). Merchandise is sold directly through shop.theskepticsguide.org. Amazon Associates affiliate commissions provide additional passive income. Live event ticket sales and corporate speaking engagements (booked via theskepticsguide.org/book-us) constitute professional services revenue. The company also earns book royalties from two published titles.

The SGU serves primarily a consumer audience of science and skepticism enthusiasts seeking critical thinking content, with a secondary B2B segment of organizations booking corporate training. Community is monetized and engaged through Patreon, Discord, SGU Forums, annual conferences (NECSS and NotACon), live shows (including A Skeptical Extravaganza of Special Significance with George Hrab), and a 1M+ TikTok following. The organization operates as a lean 1-10 person team with no institutional funding, no parent company, and no subsidiaries.

Name

The Skeptics Guide

Legal name

The Skeptics Guide to the Universe

Website

https://theskepticsguide.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Skeptics Guide to the Universe is a privately held science media company producing an award-winning weekly podcast on critical thinking and science literacy, founded in 2005 by Dr. Steven Novella and family. It serves a global consumer audience of science enthusiasts through podcasting, live events, books, merchandise, Patreon subscriptions, and corporate training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Podcast Media

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate/L&D Course Licensing from Creators (B2B Upskilling) (MPACALAH)

Keywords

• Science podcast
• Critical thinking education
• Science literacy
• Scientific skepticism
• Science communication

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Patreon Subscription: Monthly and annual patron subscriptions providing exclusive content, premium podcasts, members-only newsletter, and discounts on merchandise. This is the primary recommended support mechanism.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including apparel and other items. Customers can access via shop.skepticsguide.org.
3. Amazon Associate Commissions: As an Amazon Associate, the SGU earns commissions from qualifying purchases made through their affiliate links to books and other products on Amazon.com.
4. Live Event Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for live shows, live recordings, the Extravaganza Tour, and conference events including NotACon.
5. Corporate Speaking and Seminars: Dr. Steven Novella and the SGU Rogues are available for corporate lectures, seminars, workshops, panels, and keynotes. These are booked events typically for organizations seeking critical thinking and science literacy training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe (SGU) is a science media company producing an award-winning weekly podcast that covers science news, critical thinking, and scientific skepticism. The core podcast offering is supported by sub-brand podcasts, live stage shows, books, premium Patreon content, branded merchandise, and corporate training and speaking engagements. Content is distributed through podcast platforms, YouTube, TikTok, the company's own website, and live events such as NECSS and NotACon.

Product overview

The Skeptics Guide to the Universe is a science media company offering a podcast-centric portfolio of products and services. The core offering is the award-winning weekly podcast featuring Dr. Steven Novella and the SGU Rogues (Bob Novella, Dr. Cara Santa Maria, and Jay Novella), supplemented by live events including SGU Live Shows and A Skeptical Extravaganza of Special Significance stage show. Additional products include sub-brand podcasts (Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria, Political Reality Podcast, Alpha Quadrant 6), the SGU YouTube Channel, premium Patreon membership content, and the SGU Store for merchandise. The company also offers corporate training programs in critical thinking and science literacy through lectures, seminars, and workshops. Educational books include 'The Skeptics Guide to the Universe' and 'The Skeptics Guide to the Future'. The portfolio is tied together by annual conferences NECSS and Not-A-Con, and supported by integrations with Patreon for membership, YouTube for video distribution, and Discord for community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe Podcast Weekly award-winning science podcast promoting critical thinking and science literacy, featuring science news, interviews, and segments such as News Items, Quickie with Bob, Who's That Noisy, and Science or Fiction. Targeted at individual listeners interested in science and skepticism.
• Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria Weekly science podcast hosted by Dr. Cara Santa Maria covering science, technology, and society topics, distributed as part of the SGU podcast network.
• Political Reality Podcast Political podcast co-hosted by Jay Novella covering current events and political topics from a skeptical perspective, part of the SGU podcast network.
• Alpha Quadrant 6 Science fiction review show produced by Jay Novella covering science fiction media, part of the SGU podcast network.
• SGU Live Shows Live in-person recordings of The Skeptics' Guide podcast, including SGU Live events and private shows held in various cities for individual fans and groups.
• A Skeptical Extravaganza of Special Significance Live stage show hosted by musician George Hrab featuring science-themed entertainment, games, and challenges designed to test perception of reality, performed as the Extravaganza Tour across cities.
• NotACon (Annual Conference) Annual in-person gathering for the SGU community featuring live shows, panels, and science entertainment organized by the SGU.
• NECSS (Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism) Annual science and skepticism conference co-founded and produced by Jay Novella, featuring speakers, panels, and networking for the science and skepticism community.
• Corporate Lectures, Seminars and Workshops Booked professional development services delivered by Dr. Steven Novella and SGU Rogues covering critical thinking, media literacy, science communication, and futurism for corporate, healthcare, and technology organizations.
• The Skeptics Guide to the Universe (Book) First book authored by the SGU Rogues titled 'The Skeptics Guide to the Universe: How to Know What's Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake,' covering critical thinking and navigating misinformation.
• The Skeptics Guide to the Future (Book) Second book authored by the SGU Rogues titled 'The Skeptics Guide to the Future,' covering futurism, critical thinking, and navigating emerging science and technology.
• SGU Store (Branded Merchandise) Online merchandise store at shop.theskepticsguide.org offering branded apparel and other SGU-branded products for individual fans and community members.
• SGU Patreon Membership (Premium Content) Monthly and annual patron subscription via Patreon providing access to exclusive content including premium podcasts, a members-only newsletter, and discounts on SGU merchandise.

Quantifiable outcome

• Consistent weekly podcast production since 2005 with no missed weeks
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAs an Amazon Associate, the SGU earns commissions from qualifying purchases made through their affiliate links. They promote books including 'The Skeptics Guide to the Universe' and related products through Amazon.
• WondriumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses) providing promotional offers for the online learning platform.
• Factor MealsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMeal delivery service partnership with exclusive promotional offers for SGU listeners (SGU50 discount code).
• NordVPNminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVPN service partnership offering 4 extra months on 2-year plans for SGU audience.
• SurfsharkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVPN service partnership with promotional offers for SGU listeners.
• KiwiCominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSTEM/STEAM educational kit company partnership promoting science learning for kids.
• NECSS (Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SGU is a co-founder and producer of NECSS, an annual science and skepticism conference. Jay Novella is specifically noted as a cofounder and producer of NECSS. This is a flagship event for the science communication and skepticism community.
• NotAConcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNotACon is an annual skepticism conference organized by the SGU. The podcast promotes NotACon events and conducts live recordings at these conferences.
• Science-Based MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Steven Novella contributes to Science-Based Medicine blog and directs their Science-Based Medicine program for the James Randi Educational Foundation. Cross-promotional relationship with related skeptical content.
• NeuroLogica BlogminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Steven Novella's personal science blog covering neuroscience, science, scientific skepticism, and science-media intersection. Related brand under the Novella family's science communication work.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lex Fridman Podcast: Independent long-form science-and-tech podcast hosted by an MIT researcher with massive YouTube viewership, live events, and merchandise. Comparable as an independent creator-led science/intellectual podcast brand monetized through sponsorships, Patreon, and live shows.
• Crash Course: Hank and John Green's creator-led educational video and podcast series covering science, history, and critical thinking for general audiences. Comparable as a creator-led, science-and-critical-thinking educational media brand with multi-channel distribution and merchandise.
• Hidden Brain: Shankar Vedantam's NPR-distributed behavioral science podcast exploring unconscious patterns in human behavior. Comparable as a mission-driven science/psychology podcast with educational segments, live events, and a long-running weekly cadence.
• Radiolab: WNYC Studios flagship science-and-culture podcast with deeply produced storytelling on scientific topics. Comparable as a podcast-led science media brand with live events, a large audio archive, and sponsorship-driven monetization, though produced inside a public radio station.
• StarTalk Radio: Neil deGrasse Tyson's long-running science communication podcast and media brand. Directly comparable as a creator-led, science-themed weekly podcast with live shows, merchandise, and brand extensions; the SGU's closest 1:1 comparable in format, audience, and creator-driven model.
• Freakonomics Radio: Stephen Dubner's creator-led educational podcast exploring economics and science through counterintuitive questions. Comparable as an independent, personality-driven long-form educational podcast with live shows, books, and a multi-platform distribution strategy.
• Science Friday: Long-running public radio program and podcast covering science news, interviews, and listener Q&A. Comparable as a science-literacy-focused audio brand with educational mission, live events, and a multi-decade archive, though distributed by a public radio network rather than independently.
• Big Think: Online learning platform producing expert-driven educational videos, podcasts, and courses on science, philosophy, and critical thinking. Comparable as a creator-and-expert-driven educational media company with podcast, video, and course offerings serving intellectually curious audiences.
• Stuff You Should Know: iHeart's long-running educational explainer podcast covering science, culture, and history topics in a conversational format. Comparable as an educational, science-adjacent podcast with a massive archive that monetizes through advertising and live tours.

Broad incumbents

• TED Talks / TED Audio Collective: Large-scale educational talks organization producing podcasts, conferences, and licensed content with global brand recognition. Comparable as a creator-and-expert-driven educational media empire, broader in scale and scope than the SGU but operating in the same science/ideas/communication whitespace.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheSkepticsGuide
• Facebookfacebook.com/theskepticsguide
• Instagraminstagram.com/theskepticsguide
• TikToktiktok.com/@skepticsguide
• Xx.com/skepticsguide

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Skeptics Guide