• The Skeptics Take on Creatine
    Jun 19 2026

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    Tim and Kelly are back with a not-so-perfectly-scientific experiment: creatine, weightlifting, and a little help from Kelly's intern.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Creatine & Lifting: Tim tries daily creatine and a three-day-a-week weightlifting plan.
    • Joint Pain & Strength: Tim rates the routine an 8 out of 10 and explains what helped, what still hurts, and what changed.
    • The Next Phase: Kelly explains why strength training, protein, and better tracking matter before the next experiment begins.

    Whether you're curious about creatine, strength training, or Tim's ongoing role as Kelly's favorite test subject, this episode sets up the next phase of The Barnes Experiment.


    This episode is a personal experiment and conversation, not medical advice. Talk with your own healthcare professional before starting or changing medications, supplements, or exercise routines.

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    43 mins
  • The Skeptics Take on Supplements
    Jan 17 2026

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    Tim’s gut results are in, his sugar cravings are down, and now Kelly has decided it’s time to get "swoll". Kelly (the scientist) has moved Tim (the skeptic) into Phase Two, and this time it involves a lot more than just tracking gut microbes.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • The Nutrition Review: Tim shares how months of probiotics helped "fill the gaps" and remarkably reduced his sugar cravings.
    • Creatine for Brains & Brawn: Why Kelly is using creatine not just for the gym, but for its potential cognitive and mental health benefits.
    • Phase 2 — The Resistance Protocol: Kelly details a 4-week progressive training load, including taking baseline measurements of Tim's biceps and quads.
    • "Health Poisoning": Kelly defends her methods of slipping acacia fiber, Akkermansia, and even ground-up kimchi into Tim’s meals to support his microbiome.

    Whether you’re interested in the science of muscle protein synthesis or just want to hear Tim complain about eating "tree bark" (acacia fiber), this episode explores how specific supplements and lifting can reshape your data.

    This episode is a personal experiment and conversation, not medical advice. Talk with your own healthcare professional before starting or changing medications, supplements, or exercise routines.

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    29 mins
  • The Skeptics Take on Gut Health Part 2
    Dec 20 2025

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    What happens when a research scientist tests her skeptical husband’s gut health? You get a 3 out of 10 score and a lot of explaining to do.

    In part two of our gut health series, Kelly finally reveals Tim’s microbiome test results, and it’s a wake-up call. From a "severe phyla imbalance" to a complete absence of the "gold star" beneficial bacteria, we look at the raw data behind Tim's chronic inflammation, skin issues, and gout.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • The "3 out of 10" Score: Breaking down the four key markers: Phyla balance, diversity, beneficial species, and pathogenic species.
    • The GLP-1 Connection: How a damaged gut microbiome impairs your body’s natural appetite regulation (and what that means for weight management).
    • Leaky Gut & Systemic Inflammation: Why "gaps" in your intestinal lining might be the culprit behind your brain fog and mood swings.
    • The Recovery Protocol: From chicory root and "mother" kombucha to the surprising benefits of cold, cooked potatoes.

    Tim might still be a skeptic, but after seeing his Candida levels, he’s officially on a 60-day fermented food protocol. Join us for a science-heavy (but humor-filled) look at how to rebuild your internal ecosystem from the ground up.

    This episode is a personal experiment and conversation, not medical advice. Talk with your own healthcare professional before starting or changing medications, supplements, or exercise routines.

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    49 mins
  • Bonus: Xander's take on Strength Training
    May 19 2025

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    Hi here is a bonus episode.


    In this special bonus episode, Tim and Kelly invite their son, Xander, to join the show for a strength training session that quickly turns into a hilarious and eye-opening experience. Known for his talents in singing, acting, and making everyone laugh, Xander brings his usual charm and energy to the podcast.

    This episode is a personal experiment and conversation, not medical advice. Talk with your own healthcare professional before starting or changing medications, supplements, or exercise routines.

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    11 mins
  • The Lost Files: A Skeptics take on Peloton Training
    Apr 21 2025

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    In this episode, Kelly decides it’s time for Tim to hop on the Peloton bandwagon—literally. As someone who’s always skeptical of trendy fitness programs, Tim isn’t exactly thrilled about jumping on a bike to nowhere.

    This is a never before aired podcast found during spring cleanup. Enjoy!

    This episode is a personal experiment and conversation, not medical advice. Talk with your own healthcare professional before starting or changing medications, supplements, or exercise routines.

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    37 mins
  • The Skeptics Take on Gut Health
    Mar 23 2025

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    In this episode, Kelly’s curiosity about gut health reaches new heights as she convinces Tim to try a gut microbiome test. As the podcast’s resident skeptic, Tim is predictably hesitant—after all, what could his gut possibly be trying to tell him? Kelly breaks down the science behind gut microbiome testing, explaining how it can influence everything from digestion to mental health. As Tim rolls his eyes but agrees to the experiment, the two dive into the process of sample collection, the awkwardness of stool samples, and the anticipation of the results. Will the test reveal anything useful, or will Tim chalk it up to another pseudoscience ploy? Kelly’s excitement and Tim’s skepticism make for a hilarious and educational conversation about the latest trends in gut health. Tune in to find out if Tim’s gut is really the key to optimizing his well-being—or just another wacky experiment from Kelly’s endless wellness toolkit.

    This episode is a personal experiment and conversation, not medical advice. Talk with your own healthcare professional before starting or changing medications, supplements, or exercise routines.

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    38 mins
  • The Skeptics Take on Magical Elixirs
    Jan 18 2023

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    The skeptical husband completely blows off his last challenge and the wife goes off the edge and starts peddling magical elixirs.

    This episode is a personal experiment and conversation, not medical advice. Talk with your own healthcare professional before starting or changing medications, supplements, or exercise routines.

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    34 mins
  • The Skeptic's Take on Food Sensitivity Tests
    Jul 20 2021

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    A skeptical husband takes a food sensitivity test. Will he discover previously unknown sensitivities to certain foods? Or are all his issues from his unhealthy diet? Tune in to hear what celebrity doppelgangers the skeptic has, hear a few bars from a Johnny Cash song, or learn about the inner workings of the skeptic's GI tract.

    This episode is a personal experiment and conversation, not medical advice. Talk with your own healthcare professional before starting or changing medications, supplements, or exercise routines.

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    1 hr and 1 min