SkeptiCamp Los Angeles 2025 speakers and presenters. 

 

 

Ross Blocher

Ross Blocher was co-host of the hit podcast “Oh No, Ross and Carrie!” and an investigator of all things fringe science, alternative medicine, paranormal and spiritual. He is an investigator with the Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG), which offers a $500,000 prize for proof of paranormal abilities. Ross was born into evangelical Christianity and spent a good amount of time in churches of various denominations and memorizing scripture. At the same time, he voraciously read books about ghosts, vampires, aliens and chupacabras. While his beliefs changed, his interest in them didn’t, and Ross has spent the time since trying to understand the varieties of belief.
Oh No Podcast

 

 

 

Susan Gerbic

Susan GerbicAffectionately called the Wikipediatrician, Susan Gerbic is the founder of Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia (GSoW), Monterey County Skeptics and is a self-proclaimed skeptical junkie. A Skeptical Inquirer contributor Gerbic is a fellow of CSI and winner of the James Randi Foundation award for 2017. In 2018, Susan founded and manages About Time a non-profit organization focusing on scientific skepticism and activism. While her particular focus has been “Grief Vampires” (psychics), her activism encompasses all areas of skepticism. You can find out more at
AboutTimeProject.org.


 

 

 

Kyle Polich

Kyle PolichKyle Polich is a computer scientist and data science communicator best known as the founder and host of the Data Skeptic podcast, which explores topics in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and scientific skepticism. Since its inception in 2014, the podcast has featured weekly discussions and interviews, delving deep into themes such as natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and fake news.
Data Skeptic Podcast

 

 

 

 

 

Lee Frank

Lee Frank

Lee Frank conducted surface observations at Loch Ness as 
a member of the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau in 1972. He 
tended the underwater camera installation of the MIT-affiliated 
Academy of Applied Science for four months in 1973. This was the team which captured the “Flipper photo” in 1972 and the two famous underwater photos of 1975.
Frank is featured in the current BBC documentary, They Created A Monster, in books like Tim Dinsdale’s Monster Hunt. He worked with Ed and Lorraine Warren and UFO abductee Betty Hill. He’s searched for Bigfoot and wrote about it for High Times.
Lee helped rebuild Aleister Crowley’s temple for the purpose of raising demons when it was owned by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, as documented in Dan Greenburg’s Something’s There. Robert Plant blames the breakup of the group to Page’s meddling in the Unexplained, which basically makes Frank, Led’s Zeppelin’s Yoko Ono.
 

 

Spencer Marks

Spencer Marks

Spencer Marks was born and raised in Los Angeles and has spent his life seeking out new adventures and unique experiences. He is a certified scuba diver, skydiver, private pilot, former police officer and shooting instructor. Spencer landed the role of “Dr. Johann Averies” in the movie “Paranormal Activity,” and as an LAPD officer, was involved in the O.J. Simpson case. He helped build the “Rubber Bandit,” the only human-piloted, rubber-band powered airplane in the world and helped drive the “Phoenix” electric car to a World Record for the longest distance driven on a single charge. Spencer conceived and co-wrote a script (“My World”), which won the Nevada International Film Festival Grand Prize for “Best Screenplay” in 2017, and has published a novel called, “Living History.” Beginning in 1984, Beginning in 1984, Spencer has owned and operated an electronics installation and integration company

Since 2005, he has been a member of the Independent Investigations Group (Now Center for Inquiry Investigations Group) , a science and evidence-based organization dedicated to investigating pseudoscience and paranormal claims

 

 

Jeran Campanella

Jeran Campanella

Jeran Campanella is a YouTube content creator with over 165,000 subscribers. He spent years as a prominent voice in the flat earth community. However, after The Final Experiment – a trip to Antarctica in December 2024—he saw firsthand the evidence that changed his perspective. Now, Jeran is committed to bringing science to those who doubt it, emphasizing experimentation and testing over blind belief. Through his platform, he challenges misconceptions and encourages genuine inquiry, proving that the pursuit of truth should always follow the evidence—wherever it leads and to admit when you’re wrong and to be happy you’re closer to the truth.

 

 

 

Chad Allen

Chad AllenChad Allen is a multidisciplinary artist and writer who, despite being blind, has made significant contributions to magic and storytelling. He has performed at the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, and appeared on television shows such as “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” and “America’s Got Talent.”
Writer and creator of UNSEEN www.unseencomic.com 

 

 

 

 

 



Karen Araujo

Karen Araujo is a passionate advocate for community development and social justice based in Salinas, CA. With a background in public service, she has worked to support local initiatives aimed at improving education and access to resources for underserved populations. Dedicated to fostering positive change, Karen continues to be an influential voice in her community, focusing on equity and inclusion.

 

 

 

 

Jim Newman

Jim Newman is a co-creator and producer of the Public Radio show Go Fact Yourself, which is heard on NPR stations around the country. The show is frequently recorded live at the Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan Theater at CFI.
There will be a show this weekend on Sunday night, March 9th 2025.
Jim is a member of CFI Investigations group where he has helped to design and administer tests for the $500,000 Prize.  Jim has done a deep dive into the source material for the true story behind the movie Man on a Swing, and he’s looking forward to sharing what he’s learned.

 

 

 

 

 

Matt Kirshen

Matt Kirshen

Matt Kirshen is a British comedian known for his sharp wit, intellectual humor, and engaging delivery. He gained widespread recognition as a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and has since performed on shows like The Late Late Show with James Corden and Comedy Central’s @midnight.

Matt is also the co-host of the popular podcast “Probably Science,” where he and fellow comedians discuss scientific topics with guest experts.
MattKirshen.com

 

 

 

Funny Eddie

Funny Eddie Medrano

Funny Eddie is a former RIngling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown, Magician Member of the Academy of Magical Arts, Juggler, Magic Teacher and Award winning Ballon Artist.
FunnyEddie.com

 

 

 

 

 

Back