The Michael Shermer Show

Shermer Says 6: Jeffrey Epstein and Me

February 7, 2026

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  • Michael Shermer discovered his name in the Jeffrey Epstein files because Epstein attended a 2017 Skeptic Magazine 25th-anniversary event featuring Shermer and Deepak Chopra. 
  • Shermer recounts his long history with Al Seckel, a con man who successfully infiltrated scientific and intellectual circles by fabricating credentials and connections, including ties to Cornell and Caltech. 
  • The con artistry of Al Seckel, who built a network of famous scientists through manufactured introductions, serves as a smaller-scale parallel to the methods Jeffrey Epstein allegedly used to leverage connections. 

Segments

Introduction and Epstein Files
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(00:01:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Michael Shermer confirms his name appears in the Jeffrey Epstein files.
  • Summary: Michael Shermer introduces the special edition of ‘Shermer Says’ concerning his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, revealed through documents released online.
Epstein Attended Skeptic Event
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(00:01:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Epstein attended Skeptic Magazine’s 25th anniversary event in 2017, which featured Deepak Chopra.
  • Summary: Shermer recounts organizing the 2017 event, inviting Deepak Chopra, and then reading emails confirming Epstein’s attendance with guests.
The Al Seckel Backstory
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(00:04:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Shermer details his history with Al Seckel, a man who falsely claimed high academic credentials.
  • Summary: Shermer explains how he met Al Seckel through the human-powered vehicle community and how Seckel impressed him with false claims of studying under famous scientists at Caltech and Cornell.
Seckel Exposed as Fraud
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(00:08:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Al Seckel was exposed as an imposter who defrauded people, leading Shermer and Pat Lindsey to start Skeptic Society.
  • Summary: Pat Lindsey informed Shermer that Seckel was a fraud who never attended Cornell or Caltech, and had run investment scams, leading to the founding of Skeptic Magazine.
Seckel’s Island Invitation
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(00:11:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Seckel invited Shermer to a conference on a private island hosted by a billionaire, later revealed to be Epstein.
  • Summary: Seckel tried to arrange for Shermer to attend a TED-like conference on a private island, which Shermer later realized was Epstein’s.
The Maxwell Connection
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(00:14:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Seckel’s fourth wife was the sister of Ghislaine Maxwell.
  • Summary: Shermer reveals the final connection: Seckel’s fourth wife, Isabel, is the sister of Ghislaine Maxwell, linking the con man’s life to Epstein’s circle.
Epstein and Con Man Tactics
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(00:14:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Epstein’s large-scale operations mirrored the smaller-scale social leveraging tactics used by Al Seckel.
  • Summary: Shermer compares Seckel’s method of gathering famous people for parties with Epstein’s alleged use of wealth to attract influential individuals.