The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:14 Black Salve - Dangerous Quackery We look at action taken against those selling and promoting "Black Salve", a corrosive substance claimed to treat and cure skin conditions, even cancer. There are good reasons why this quackery has been banned by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. https://luckylosing.com/2024/09/25/black-salve-the-australian-vaccination-network-and-the-therapeutic-goods-administration 0:23:02 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Erika Englehaupt interview #1 Adrienne interviews Science Journalist Erika Englehaupt about her two books published within the last few years. This is part one of a two-part series in which we discuss her fascinating book Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science. In part two, we will discuss her newly published book Go to Hell: Journey to the Underworld. . http://erikaengelhaupt.com 0:36:34 A Dive into Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Austr

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:04:12 Put your money where your mouth is! Mr Skeptic! A look at the history and various examples of skeptics, including the James Randi $1,000,000 challenge, putting up large amounts of money to challenge and possibly reward those who claimed to have paranormal powers. 0:29:28 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:44 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Investigations part #1. 1927.07.08 - The Daily Mercury - QLD 1932.01.27 - The Daily News - Perth WA 1932.02.24 - The Burra Record - SA 1935.02.23 - The Daily News - Perth WA http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:08:50 You Can Count on Adrienne This week Adrienne catches up with Melanie Trecek-King from the website Thinking is Power. An interesting discussion about skeptical outreach and what value is the word skeptic after all? https://thinkingispower.com 0:23:26 2024 Bent Spoon Award Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders discuss the contenders for this year's Bent Spoon Award, awarded annually at the Australian Skeptics National Convention for the perpetrator of the most preposterous piece of pseudoscientific or paranormal piffle. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2024-bent-spoon-nominations-open 0:28:34 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Snake Oil. 1935.06.02 - The Sunday Times - Perth WA 1935.08.31 - The Australian Women's Weekly 1954.04.09 - Morning Bulletin - Rockhampton Qld 2013.05.19 - The Daily Telegraph http://www.trove.nla.gov.au  

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:38 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Lucky Girl Syndrome, the Law of Attraction, the Power of Positive Thinking, the Secret, Manifesting - the same idea has been preached for nearly 150 years, under different names. Aren't we lucky? This week Kat is going to delve into the Law of Attraction, and tell us "The Secret to Manifesting good things in our lives!" 0:17:38 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:30:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "psychic" Briget Pluis. 2010 - Psychics Directory 1988.04.04 - The Canberra Times 1994.11.19 - The Sydney Morning Hearld http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Happy Birthday Skeptical Fairy

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders From 1986 - ZANEX PAYS GELLER OVER $350,00 The Australian-based mining company Zanex, paid magician and mentalist Uri Geller $US250,000 (over $A350,000) for his advice on where to look for gold in the Solomon Islands and near Maldon in Victoria. Tim also reads a newspaper item about this incident from the time and talks with Richard Saunders about the issues involved. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 6 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:18 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub for a special screening of Brian Dunning's movie, "The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You To See". Maynard chats to various skeptics and guests about their thoughts on UFOs and the movie. 0:37:14 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to yet more UFOs. 1953.09.15 - The Adelaide Advertiser 1996.08.23 - The A

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:08 You Can Count on Adrienne The Travels of a Skeptic Zone Reporter Adrienne interviews Andras Pinter from The European Skeptics Podcast and Coleman Watts, a former conspiracy theorist turned science communicator, on her travels to the Rocky Mountains and then onto Iceland. Join her for these informal but informative interviews across the globe. The ESP Podcast https://theesp.eu Coleman Watts YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkThisThroughChannel 0:21:46 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:14 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the psychic predictions of Andreas Zee. 1975 July to December - The Australian Women's Weekly http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - Special Presentation The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:50 Kate & Allie Folklore or Future Quiz Join Kate this week as she challenges Allie with a quiz. Kate will uncover a mysterious array of treatments and Allie will have to unravel the enigma of whether these practices hail from folklore of old or persist in the modern day. Play along to test your knowledge and possibly discover secret remedies you may have never heard of. 0:19:36 I Think We Need To Think Once again Susan Gerbic heads to a SkeptiCamp, this time in Seattle in the US state of Washington. Her interviews with organisers and attendees give us a flavour of the event. Susan's reports from local events encourage all of us to be more proactive no matter where in tne world we are. 0:30:42 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to prediction of the future from the past and mindbody spirit. 1984.12.29 - Canberra Times 1988.01.03 - Canberra Times 1995.09.04 - C

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:22 Beyond Belief Bob Nixon tunes in and finds an old aquaintance up to his old tricks - very old tricks. "Like Deja vu all over again" In this report from 'The Skeptic Magazine' in 2001, a former investigator of Australian Skeptics the late Bob Nixon, reviews a farcical TV special about the paranormal, starring among others, Uri Geller. The TV Special, in 3 parts, can be found here. https://vhistory.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/beyond-belief-tape-1956 0:25:16 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Kat McLeod. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:37:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Letters to the Editor'. 1984.11.17 - Sydney Morning Herald 1984.12.12 - Sydney Morning Herald 1984.12.18 - Sydney Morning Herald 1984.11.27 - Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders With a short tribute to skeptical journalist Jane Hansen. 00:04:12 Vale Mark Edward We are saddened to hear of the death in the past week of Mark Edward, skeptic, magician, mentalist, author and partner to Susan Gerbic. Tributes from Adrienne Hill and Susan Gerbic. Mark Edward Wilson, who was known by his stage name Mark Edward, died Sunday, August 4, 2024 at home after a year's long battle with prostate cancer. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mark-wilson-obituary?id=55809128 0:17:14 Broken Breakthroughs From Power Balance to magnetic therapy, Richard Saunders reviews the history of recent 'quick fix' gizmos designed to improve your health and empty your wallet. 00:43:10 The Loons from Canada In part 2 of a 2 part series, Kate and Allie take a look at the phenomena of Access Consciousness and Access Bars. Who founded Access Consciousness and when? Learn the "Clearing Statement" that will improve all aspects of your life and discov

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:42 The Loons from Canada In part 1 of a 2 part series, Kate and Allie take a look at the phenomena of Access Consciousness and Access Bars. Part one: What is access consciousness and its "Ten Keys to Freedom" and how much does it cost? https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking/rasputin-phrenology-and-dark-allegations-madness-access-consciousness https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/access-consciousness-phrenology-fused-with-energy-medicine https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/access-consciousness-a-new-version-of-phrenology 0:21:34 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to ask people if they have a favourite sporting superstition. 0:29:44 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:20 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for re

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Also a look at the current nominations and past winners of the Australian Skeptics Bent Spoon Award. https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/bent-spoon 00:09:24 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod This week Kat gives us an overview of the first ever 'Global Skeptics in the Pub', held as part of the SkeptiCal Conferance of the Bay Area Skeptics. Included are the thoughts of the some of those who joined in. 0:18:16 Maynard's Spooky Action In this segement from a much longer interview, George Hrab from the Geologic Podcast chats to Maynard about his views on skeptical and critical thinking. George Hrab is a dancin' fool - The full interivew via Planet Maynard. https://maynard.com.au/george-hrab-terpsichore 0:00:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Fire Walking. 1994.02.07 - The Courier - Ballarat, Victoria 1994.02.20 - Herald Sun Sunday http://www.trove.nla.g

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Challenging Times By Barry Williams Over 20 years ago, one Victor Zammit, a retired Sydney solicitor, apparently decided to take the skeptics on at their own game and has issued a challenge of his own. "$1 Million Challenge to Disprove Evidence of Life After Death." - A reward of one million US dollars is offered to any skeptic anywhere in the world who can rebut and refute, beyond absolute, all the evidence for the existence of the afterlife. Tim is joined by Richard Saunders to discuss this bizarre challenge from almost 2 decades ago. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 21 No. 4 (2001) http://www.skeptics.com.au Media Watch TV, Astrology Story https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8FKJ9pcWCvw&t=796 0:37:06 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:47:38 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decad

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:00 Astrology Trash is Bad News We report on a bizarre situation in Australia where it is proposed to run a regular astrology segment in the evening TV news bulletin. Is this an act of desperation to gain more viewers? What has been the reaction from other media? https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/channel-7-defends-stupid-new-astrology-segment-following-scathing-criticism-over-addition-to-evening-news-bulletin/news-story/c42a2558c156dc5a7432ecfbd4faed2c https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/channel-7-defends-controversial-news-segment-after-radio-hosts-takedown/news-story/5ae7fe3e1c5dd95117463d75f0f523ad 0:15:50 The Loons From Canada Kate and Allie get together to talk about some North American and Australian relationship slang as they explore the hypothesis of Love Languages. 0:28:08 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard and Richard catch up to talk about the upcoming global event, Skeptics in the pub, held all aro

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:52 Ben Radford talks UFOs Once again we welcome the world renowned skeptical investigator, author, podcaster, and deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine, the one and only Ben Radford. In a wide ranging interview Ben talks about the Roswell UFO incident, cryptozoology, and his upcoming visit to Sydney Australia to take part in Skepticon 2024 - the Australian Skeptics National Convention in November. 0:29:36 Australian Skeptics Newsletter #200 What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:44:36 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Roswell New Mexico UFO case of 1947. 1947.07.09 - The Glen Innes Examiner 1947.07.09 - The Newcastle Sun 1947.07.10 - The Advocate, Bernie Tasmania 1947.07.10 - The Sun, Sydney https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roswell_incident http://www.trove.nla.gov.a

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:14 Cold and Hot Reading We play a clip of a recent radio appearance by Richard Saunders (ABC Australia), where he discusses so-called psychics and some of their tricks. Also the reading of a report by Ian Bryce, from the pages of 'The Skeptic', when he, Saunders and Alynda Brown tested a 'Palm Reader' in Australia. Richard Saunders on ABC Radio Australia. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/overnights/ovn-skeptics/104010516 0:26:06 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to The New Age - Part #3. 1988.5.14 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:47:58 A Kate & Allie On a Roll?

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:02 You Can on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. SkeptiCampNM - Presented by New Mexicans for Science and Reason Adrienne flies to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend a meet up of local and regional skeptics. Interviews with... Stirling Forsyth, Mary Catherine Harris, Tom Parker, Kurly Tlapoyawa, Sonia Veronica, Frank T. Etscorn, and from the Squaring the Strange podcast Celestia Ward, Ben Radford and Pascual Romero. https://talesfromaztlantis.com 0:21:46 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod. This week Kat takes a look at the pseudoscience of Grathology. James Randi investigates Grathology. https://youtu.be/iyXozHKWsDs 0:30:10 Skepticamp Interviews #4 Guest reporter Rob Palmer attended the inaugural Triangle SkeptiCamp that took place on 25th of May 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. In part #4 of a series of interviews from the event, Rob chats to the one and only powerhouse of Skeptical Activisim, Susan Gerbic. https://triskep.org/home

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:16 UFOs... Where Are You? We take a look at a recent press stories from Australia and Britin regarding UFO promoter and Australian journalist Ross Coulthart. Also we wonder what we can glean from Wiki about his current notoriety. https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2024/05/ufos-the-unidentified-flying-circus-comes-to-town 0:10:44 Skepticamp Interviews #3 Guest reporter Rob Palmer attended the inaugural Triangle SkeptiCamp that took place on 25th of May 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. In part #3 of a series of interviews from the event, Rob chats to Faith and Ramiro Rodriguez from the organisating team, as well has Melanie Trecek-King from Thinking is Power.https://triskep.org/home/triangle-skepticamp-2024 0:21:18 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Are Skeptics Happy? By Alison White Alison White asks if being a skeptic is a blessing or a bane... or even a curse. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 32 No. 3 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:26 SkeptiCal 2024 We talk to famed fighter of nonsense Dr Eugenie C. Scott about the upcoming SkeptiCal Conference. SkeptiCal is the scientific skepticism conference brought to you by Northern California Skeptics. The SkeptiCal Conference brings stimulating and entertaining speakers (including Australia's own Dr Karl Kruszelnicki) to a world-wide audience of science fans, critical thinkers, and, in the words of Carl Sagan, questioners of "extraordinary claims". Join them for two engaging days of speakers, interviews, and discussions. And - test your wits on a round of SkeptiCal trivia, and try your hand at SkeptiCal's popular Skepardy! game. http://www.skepticalcon.com 0:12:38 Skepticamp Interviews #2 Guest reporter Rob Palmer attended the inaugural Triangle SkeptiCamp that took place on 25th of May 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. In part #2 of a series of interviews from the event, Rob chats to Kenny Biddle, chief investigator at the Com

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:58 Kate & Allie This week Kat and Adrienne take a skeptical look at 'Baby Helmets'. Are they truly necessary or just another example of our culture's obsession with over-protection? What is the medical point of view? Baby helmets, also known as cranial orthoses, are seen by some as intervention for infants with positional plagiocephaly (flat spots on the head) or brachycephaly (narrow, elongated head shape). 0:12:20 Bend Nerd Night Energy Trivia. Join Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast as he leads a round of trivia at 'Nerd Night' in Bend, Oregon. Test your knowledge! https://facebook.com/groups/1113943728813195 0:20:38 Skepticamp Interviews #1 Guest reporter Rob Palmer attended the inaugural Triangle SkeptiCamp that took place on 25th of May 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. In part #1 of a series of interviews from the event, Rob chats to Coleman Watts, the host of the 'Think This Through' YouTube channel. He also catches

  0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:32 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. Adrienne Hill and Janalee Morris share their immersive first experience at the Psychic and Crystal Fair, where they interacted with vendors and attendees. Could anyone predict their future or enhance their health? Tune in to find out. 0:19:42 Reviewing the UFO Documentary We chat to Brian Dunning about the thousands of reviews and comments left on his documentary, 'The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You To See'. Some are insightful, many are just plain ridiculous. It's clear that his movie has certainly caused a stir in the UFO community. http://theufo.movie 0:36:04 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:47:42 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Fortune Tellers. 1909.02.27 - The Beverly Times W.A. 1