The Skeptic Zone

• The Skeptic Zone #888 - 12.October.2025

  0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:34 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas Wellness Patches This week, pharmacist and skeptic Kate Thomas takes a look at the latest sticky health trend - "transdermal" wellness patches promising everything from boosted metabolism to Ozempic-like weight loss. Kate explains why none of these ingredients can actually make it through your skin, and what it really takes to design a medicated patch that works. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 0:09:42 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:19:24 Mind Body Spirit - Overview Once again the travelling circus of woo known as Mind Body Spirit comes to Sydney. We take a look at the social and cultural aspects of this festival of "healers", "mystics" and conspiracy theories. 0:32:32 Psychic Penny's Numerology To celebrate the 888th episode of the Skeptic Zone podcast, Psychic Penny delves deep into the mysteries of numerology. What do numbers show us through mystical and paranormal messages? Is your lucky number 888? Is your number up? Find out more with Psychic Penny. 0:39:14 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to CSICOP #1. 1985.12.16 - The Age http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:59:20 A Roll of the Dice Kate, Lara and Richard test their powers of prediction.  

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• The Skeptic Zone #887 - 5.October.2025

  0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders. Also the winners of the Australian Skeptics Awards for 2025, live from Skepticon Melbourne with Tim Mendham. 00:09:44 Divination We look at the claim that some people can foretell future events via divination. From historical references to this "art" to the many, many different and interesting practices and devices used to see what is in store for us. 0:25:18 Skeptics in the Pub Once again we head for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub and meet up with Annie McCubbin from the 'Why Smart Women' podcast. Joining in are Jessica Singer, Lara Benham and Sue Ieraci. Also pubbers Tom and Ian talk monsters and UFOs. 0:42:36 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the Supernatural and Skeptics. 1990.04.01 - The Tuscaloosa News 1993.12.18 - The Kentucky New Era 2001.05.25 - The Telegraph Herald 1969.04.02 - The Sunday Sun - Canada http://www.trove.nla.gov.au  

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• The Skeptic Zone #886 - 28.September.2025

  0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:56 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This week Adrienne takes us to Portugal on a trip of discovery of the local superstitions. Find out what happened when they tried to rid a city of black cats! Also we hear about the "Miracle at Fatima". 0:20:48 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas This week Kate takes a skeptical look at the claim that Acetaminophen, aka Paracetamol, can cause autism in children if taken by the mother during pregnancy. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 0:24:54 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:39:12 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the Supernatural and Skeptics #1. 2007.05.10 - The Nevada Daily Mail 1996.04.02 - The Gazette 2000.05.22 - The Beaver Country Times 1989.07.15 - The Telegraph - NH 2007.07.23 - The Victoria Advocate- TX http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Prof. Dave on Acetaminophen / Autism claim https://youtu.be/ohsYDUj0gfU Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5 https://skepticon.org.au  

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• The Skeptic Zone #885 - 21.September.2025

  0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:05:58 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas We interview Pharmacist Kate Thomas, a rising TikTok star from Sydney who fights medical misinformation with commonsense and humour. https://www.tiktok.com/@prescribeorpass https://www.tiktok.com/@debunkingbarbara https://www.instagram.com/scriptedbykate 0:18:34 Gone and Forgotten #3 Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal. So, who cares about these historical discarded artefacts? Well, we do, if only in the interests of historical discourse and as a warning to watch the skies for the next meteoric rise and fall of this month's unconvincing trend. 0:28:16 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Ed and Lorrain Warren. 1990.10.29 - The Hour 1980.04.05 - The Sun Herald 1985.04.04 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1985.05.18 - The Mid City's Daily News http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5 https://skepticon.org.au  

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• The Skeptic Zone #884 - 14.September.2025

  0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:00 Cryptozoology We take a look into the history and likelihood of strange creatures roaming the earth, yet to be discovered by science. Tall tales from our ancestors and adventurous hunts throughout the world are examined. Is Bigfoot really there? 0:13:46 Prescribe or Pass Sometimes the rabbit hole of TikTok can offer much more than conspiracy theories and bad advice. We review the channel of Pharmacist Kate Thomaswho takes to task many of the outrageous claims by wellness gurus and naturopaths. https://www.tiktok.com/@prescribeorpass https://www.tiktok.com/@debunkingbarbara https://www.instagram.com/scriptedbykate 0:23:24 Gone and Forgotten #2 Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal. So, who cares about these historical discarded artefacts? Well, we do, if only in the interests of historical discourse and as a warning to watch the skies for the next meteoric rise and fall of this month's unconvincing trend. 0:32:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:20 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the year 1965 and the Paranormal. 2003.03.14 - The Beaver County Times 1982.04.14 - The Toledo Blade Times 2003.10.31 - The Hour 1977.03.05 - The Montreal Gazette 1970.03.23 - The News Despatch http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5 https://skepticon.org.au Stephen Bavaro - First year running for autism https://www.runforautism.org.au/fundraisers/stephenbavaro/run-for-autism-2025  

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