0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:50 Msynard's Spooky Action Maynard heads to Sydney Skeptics in the Pub for a special screening of the remastered documentary "James Randi in Australia". Attending was Kent Blackmore who took part in the documenty 45 years ago. Maynard also chats to Skeptic Zone listener Tom. http://www.sydneymagic.net 0:22:26 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights are for Sagittarius, Pisces, Capricorn and Aquarius. 0:28:06 The Loons from Canada Kate and Allie do a brief update about previous discussions before delving into some sport superstitions, particularly some hilarious hockey habits and some goofy golf gambits that make Kate and Allie giggle. Mentioned in the episode: Thinking is Power : Superstitious pigeons: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ex9ogrsWOao 0:44:20 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Water Dowsing. 1954.09.16 - The Robesonian 1977.01.15 - The Nashua Telegraph 1977.09.19 - The Victoria Advocate - Texas 1969.08.05 - The Telegraph Herald - Iowa http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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The Skeptic Zone #878 - 3.August.2025
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:08 Radical Thinking Radical Thinking is a book about how you view the world. It's about the things that shape your thoughts, from what you notice and how you interpret it, to what you assume, believe and want. It's also about how, if you think in a radical way, you can look beyond your limited view of the world to see the bigger picture. Peter Lamont is a Professor of History and Theory of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His previous five books, and many articles, have been on a variety of curious topics, such as magic, belief, wonder and critical thinking. https://swiftpress.com/book/radical-thinking 0:18:26 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights are for Leo, Vergo, Libra and Scorpio. 0:23:50 Close but no Bent Cigar Richard Saunders takes a look at some of the notable runners up for the Australian Skeptics Bent Spoon award from the past 44 years. 0:33:40 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:44:50 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Spoon Benders and Paranormal Claims. 1974.01.27 - National Inquirer 1973.12.17 - Sydney Morning Herald 1973.06.14 - The Blade http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also https://pintofscience.com.au/events/canberra
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The Skeptic Zone #877 - 27.July.2025
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:16 Dr Eugenie Scott - Scopes Monkey Trial 100th Anniversary - #2 We chat to the one and only Dr Eugenie Scott who reflects on the 100th anniversary of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial. This is part two of a two part interview. The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, commonly known as the Scopes trial or Scopes Monkey Trial, was an American legal case from July 10 to July 21, 1925, in which a high school teacher, John T. Scopes, was accused of violating the Butler Act, a Tennessee state law which outlawed the teaching of human evolution in public schools. 0:24:12 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights are for Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer. 0:28:46 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod lilicon 2025 - #2 Lilienfeld Alliance for the Teaching of Rational Skepticism in Higher Education. The goal of the Lilienfeld Alliance is to connect instructors who teach critical thinking at the college and university level, to advocate for course content that promotes rational skepticism, and to encourage further study of best practices in the pedagogy of teaching such courses. Interviews with Nicole, Ian, Dr Natalia Pasternak and Sam Billings. This is part two of a two part series of interviews. https://sites.google.com/view/lilienfeldalliance/lilicon-2025 0:42:34 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Uri Geller - #2. 1973.12.08 - The Age http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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The Skeptic Zone #876 - 20.July.2025
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:16 Dr Eugenie Scott - Scopes Monkey Trial 100th Anniversary - #1 We chat to the one and only Dr Eugenie Scott who reflects on the 100 anniversary of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial. This is part one of a two part interview. The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, commonly known as the Scopes trial or Scopes Monkey Trial, was an American legal case from July 10 to July 21, 1925, in which a high school teacher, John T. Scopes, was accused of violating the Butler Act, a Tennessee state law which outlawed the teaching of human evolution in public schools. 0:16:54 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:46 For Crying Out Load! It's Kat McLeod lilicon 2025 - #1 Lilienfeld Alliance for the Teaching of Rational Skepticism in Higher Education. The goal of the Lilienfeld Alliance is to connect instructors who teach critical thinking at the college and university level, to advocate for course content that promotes rational skepticism, and to encourage further study of best practices in the pedagogy of teaching such courses. Interviews with Dr. Christopher Labos, Jonathan Jarry, Sophie Tseng Pellar and Dr Lynne Honey. This is part one of a two part series of interviews. https://sites.google.com/view/lilienfeldalliance/lilicon-2025 0:42:34 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Uri Geller - #1. 1973.12.08 - The Age http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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The Skeptic Zone #875 - 13.July.2025
0:00:00 Introduction Psychic Penny 00:02:36 Skeptoid Adventure Interviews From around the Bermuda Triangle comes interviews with Adrienne Hill, Ben Radford, Ross Blocher, Susan Gerbic, Dr Angela Mattke and Brian Dunning. https://skeptoid.com/events 0:24:28 You Can Count on Adrienne In part 2 of the adventures with Adrienne and Susan, we travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, where we discuss the Triangle Skeptics' 2nd annual Skepticamp. I interviewed organizers Jeff Gehlbach, Faith and Ramiro Rodriguez and spirited ex-ghost hunter, Jon Michael. https://triskep.org 0:40:06 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to James Randi. 1980.08.07 - The Age 1974.08.28 - The Hour 2007.07.14 - Reading Eagle PA http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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'.
Australia