PodcastsScienceThe Skeptic Zone

The Skeptic Zone

Richard Saunders
The Skeptic Zone
Latest episode

912 episodes

  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #911 - 22.March.2026

    21/03/2026 | 1h 4 mins.
    00:00:00
    Introduction
    Richard Saunders
        00:09:36
    Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas
    Once again we visit Kate's studios to chat to her about woo and the medical matters. This week we review the story of a woman who didn't want to visit her doctor to receive and review her medical reports. What are the pros and cons of this approach? Was she right in thinking GPs are only after more money with more visits? Also, we discuss Kate's podcast, "On The Mones".

    Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
    https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass
        00:23:06
    You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill
    What are those so-called psychics up to now? Adrienne interviews Susan Gerbic from Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia to ask about her latest investigations and stings of people who claim psychic powers. Also, Susan is always interested in getting more people to become Wikipedia editors via her online the course. Find out how to apply in today's show.

    Operation Banana Cream Pie
    https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-banana-cream-pie
        00:36:22
    The TROVE Archives
    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot film from 1967.

        1949.12.10 - The Newcastle Sun
        1982.12.26 - The Canberra Times
        1999.01.11 - The Mount Airy News - NC

    www.trove.nla.gov.au

    Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot film from 1967
    https://youtu.be/oPlRr_OfxZI
  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #910 - 15.March.2026

    14/03/2026 | 1h 6 mins.
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    00:04:28 The Loons from Canada

    Kate and Allie embark on their third ghost hunt with Rodney Schmaltz' MacEwan University students, this time at a new location. They spent the evening exploring the beautiful yet spooky Freemasons' lodge, where the students attempted to recreate the kinds of ghostly "evidence" typically featured on paranormal investigation shows. They went on pareidolia and orb-spotting hunts, using spirit boxes, EVPs, and thermometers to anomaly-hunt, intermixed with spirit communication tools, including Ouija boards, a psychomantium, and divination.
    0:22:16 Anecdotes are not Evidence

    "I know it happened because it happened to me!" This is the statement Skeptics hear all the time. But is somebody's sincerely held belief enough to justify the belief itself? We look at the nature of anecdotes and testimonials.

    Antivaxxers, Acupuncture, And Alternative Cancer Cures | Dr. Steven Novella

    https://youtu.be/Nv1ZaJ9mL1k?si=J9G2v_2gvXldl3Y-
    0:31:24 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

    What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week?
    Read by Adrienne Hill.

    http://www.skeptics.com.au
    0:44:00 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Perpetual Motion.

    1945.03.17 - The Canberra Times
    1911.06.17 - Worker - Qld
    1910.12.11 - The Sunday Times - Sydney
    1888.07.14 - The North Australian - NT


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #909 - 8.March.2026

    07/03/2026 | 1h
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    00:05:48 Bend Spoon Award Nomination

    Vivacious Living Centre of Perth, WA bills itself as "a Multi-modality Health & Wellness Centre", offering such services as Crystal Healing, Reiki, Acupressure, Reflexology and Talking to the Dead!

    All of these services are worthy of a Bent Spoon nomination, however it is the claims to diagnose and treat bodily conditions via a device known as the Metatron NLS (Non-linear System), a device from Russia, that is the focus of this nomination.

    https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/bent-spoon/nominations
    00:16:16 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas

    A bit of a Stretch

    We travel to Kate's studio to find out her opinions on the topic of stretching! Do you stretch before or after exercising? What does Kate have to say on the topic?

    Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
    https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass
    00:26:14 Sydney Skeptics in the Pub Trivia

    Once again, skeptics turned up to test their general knowledge and skeptical trivia. Hosts Richard Saunders and Lara Benham supplied the brain teasers while the President of Australian Skeptics Jessica Singer paid tribute to Ian Bryce who has retired from the committee after 45 years of service.

    https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics
    0:37:46 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Chakras.

    1984.03.06 - Tharunka
    1977.03.28 - Woroni
    1991.07.06 - Tharunka
    1989.04.16 - The Observer Reporter


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #908 - 1.March.2026

    28/02/2026 | 1h 13 mins.
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    00:05:54 Looking into a Broken Mirror

    Is bad luck in fact bad? A year ago Lara Benham decided to put 'luck' or bad luck to a test when she purposely broke a mirror for skeptical investigator Kenny Biddle. What was the result? Did Lara have a year worth of bad luck?
    00:13:16 The Loons from Canada

    Kate and Allie team up for a spectacularly spooky and romantic Skepticamp at MacEwan University in Edmonton, perfectly timed for Friday the 13th and the eve of Valentine's Day. Kate captures the spirit of the event through conversations with attendees and one of the evening speakers. Allie highlights four of the seven afternoon presentations, giving listeners a front-row seat to the next generation of critical thinkers.

    Kate and Allie are joined by students Pawn, Tarika, Brook, Jasjot, Caleb and Tamika.
    0:31:10 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

    What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week?
    Read by Adrienne Hill.

    http://www.skeptics.com.au
    0:45:26 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Theta Healing.

    1973.07.20 - The Victoria Advocate - Texas


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
    Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - Trivia Night - 5th March

    https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics
  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #907 - 22.February.2026

    21/02/2026 | 1h
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    00:07:40 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill

    Adrienne speaks with Nick Tiller, a research associate at the Lundquist Institute at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, who focuses on pseudoscience in the health and wellness industry and is the author of the book "The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science". We discuss many topics, including the past Olympics, chiropractic care, and IV drip therapy.

    https://www.nbtiller.com
    0:24:40 Scalar For Health?

    Lara Benham takes a look at a video (not a spoof or a send-up) that claims to explain how flashing images on TV screens can somehow create healing something or other... or ... something.....

    Energy Enhancement System - Technological Behind the Scenes Look
    "Ken takes you behind the scenes to explain the science behind how the Energy Enhancement System creates Bioactive Scalar Wave Fields which helps to charge up the life force energy of the body."

    https://youtu.be/h195w0TAaI4
    0:41:02 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Expos.

    2000.02.04 - Riverine Herald, Echuca
    1997.06.06 - The Australian Jewish News
    1998.11.06 - The Australian Jewish News
    2000.02.09 - Riverine Herald, Echuca

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
    Also Sydney Skeptics in the pub trivia night. 5th March
    https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics

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About The Skeptic Zone

The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason. Join Richard Saunders and his team of reporters for your weekly dose of skeptical news and interviews, reports and comments. Past guests have included, James Randi, Stephen Fry, Tim Minchin, Eugenie Scott, Dr Phil Plait, Michael Marshall, Dr Steve Novella, Dr Pamela Gay, Jon Ronson, Dr Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Prof. Richard Wiseman, Dick Smith, Banachek, Prof. Chris French, George Hrab, Tim Ferguson, Dr Paul Willis and many, many more. Featuring Australian radio legend Maynard with his Spooky Action, Jo Alabaster from the 'Evidence Please' blog, Eran Segev's Grain of Salt, Dr Rachael Dunlop with 'Dr Rachie Reports' and Heidi Robertson aka 'The Raw Skeptic'.
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