The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:24 Quackery in Australian Pharmacies We look over some of the flyers, posters and other information promoting medical quackery, found at Australian pharmacies over the last few decades. From homeopathy to iridology, quackery in chemist shops has a dishonourable history. 0:25:18 Maynard's Spooky Action Susan Gerbic Interview. Part #1 of 3 Maynard interviews the one and only Susan Gerbic, live from The Skeptic Zone Studios. Susan tells Maynard what it's like to be an editor on Wikipedia for the Guerrilla Skepticism group, and what it takes for somebody to be notable enough to appear on Wikipedia. https://www.abouttimeproject.org 0:39:36 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Luck Charms". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also THE UFO MOVIE THEY DONT WANT YOU TO SEE https://theufo.movie

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:58 Over 20 Years of Skeptical Archives Richard Saunders reviews some of the many thousands of clippings, posters and information flyers collected over the past two decades at Mind Body Wallet festivals and other peddlers of misinformation. 0:30:46 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard chats to Melanie Trecek-King about her visit to Australia and what it's like to be in Facebook prison. 0:43:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Miracle Water". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Origami Calendar 2024 https://www.skepticzone.tv/files/OrigamiCalendar2024.pdf

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:14 You Can Count on Adrienne Dr Christopher Lobos Adrienne Hill engages in a conversation with Dr. Christopher Labos, discussing his book titled "Does Coffee Cause Cancer? And 8 More Myths About the Food We Eat." For an extended interview that also explores Dr. Labos' efforts with science communication, follow this link: https://youtu.be/RawriuUMQwQ 0:17:44 Round Table - Part #5 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast and Richard Saunders from the Skeptic Zone podcast to talk about the skeptical world and related issues. This week the three science communicators talk about AI and future skeptical projects. https://www.universetoday.com https://skeptoid.com 0:30:34 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:43:08 A Dive into a Trove This week, instead of looking into the online archives, w

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:42 Vale Dr Alex Ritchie We reflect on the life of Dr Alex Ritchie, the world renowned palaeontologist and staunch defender of science against the now almost defunct creationism lobby in Australia. 0:11:00 Round Table - Part #4 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast and Richard Saunders from the Skeptic Zone podcast to talk about the skeptical world and related issues. This week the three science communicators talk about AI and the perception of skepticism. https://www.universetoday.com https://skeptoid.com 0:22:08 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard, heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to ask pub goers, after a drink or two, if they have ever seen a UFO. Maynard chats with; Stephen Bavaro, Anthony Trecek-King, Lara Benham, Tim Mendham and Jessica Singer. 0:34:10 Melanie, Tracy King interviews Richard Saunders The tables are turned as Melanie interviews Richard Saunders about skepticism in Aus

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:24 Bend Spoon 2023 Walkley winner Coulthart wins 2023 Bent Spoon for UFOs! Ross Coulthart, who has won five Walkley awards (including the top Gold Walkley) during his career as a journalist, can now add another prize to the list - the Australian Skeptics' Bent Spoon award. Also we report on some of the more positive awards. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:11:44 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:18 The upside of DOOMSDAY Report about a group promising salvation in the face of doom, and your very own Star Trek replicator! The claims of the creative society come straight out of science fiction. 0:32:42 Round Table - Part #3 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast and Richard Saunders from the Skeptic Zone podcast to talk about the skeptical world and related issues. This week the th

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 A Rough Guide to Spotting Bad Science Being able to evaluate the evidence behind a scientific claim is important. Being able to recognise bad science reporting, or faults in scientific studies, is equally important. These 12 points will help you separate the science from the pseudoscience. https://www.compoundchem.com/infographics 0:14:42 Round Table - Part #2 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast and Richard Saunders from the Skeptic Zone podcast to talk about the skeptical world and related issues. This week the three science communicators talk about true believers vs scammers, fake health tests, and changing people's minds. https://www.universetoday.com https://skeptoid.com 0:27:14 Susan Gerbic in New Zealand Trains, boats and cars! Susan travels the length of New Zealand on her way to the Skeptics Conference. 0:37:08 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Austral

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:08 You Can Count of Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill has Kat back again to give an update or three regarding episodes 778 and 775. They also discuss Tara flour and a supplement Adrienne discovered for humans at a wild bird store in Canada. https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-launches-new-directory-ingredients-used-products-marketed-dietary-supplements 0:17:02 Round Table - Part #1 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast and Richard Sanuders from the Skeptic Zone podcast to talk about the skeptical world and related issues. This week the three science communicators talk about their introduction to skepticism. https://www.universetoday.com https://skeptoid.com 0:29:24 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:43:50 CICON 2023 Interviews A catch up with our f

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:32 You Can Count on Adrienne This week Adrienne interviews Susan Gerbic ftom Guerrilla Skeptics on Wikipedia. Susan, together with a host of other sceptics, as soon to head to Melbourne for the Australian Skeptics National Convention. Find out what Susan will be talking about in Melbourne and how you can meet this inspirational, skeptical activist. http://www.skepticon.org.au 0:10:24 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham What Goes Around By Tim Mendham Geese, Golddiggers and San Francisco. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 34 No. 3 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:18:32 Testing a Paranormal Claim We join the Center for Inquiry Investigations Group as they test a claim of being sble to move clouds with paranormal powers. Incudes commentary by Kenny Biddle, Chief Investigator for the CENTER FOR INQUIRY. https://cfiig.org 0:27:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:58 CSICON 2023 We catch up with... Melanie Trecek-King An Associate Professor of Biology at Massasoit Community College, where she teaches a general-education science course designed to equip students with empowering critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy skills. Melanie will aslo be appearing at Skepticon, Melbourne. https://thinkingispower.com https://youtube.com/@ThinkingPowers Ross Blocher An accomplished animation professional who has worked on award-winning films including The Princess and the Frog and The Simpsons Movie. He is also a co-host of Oh No, Ross and Carrie! https://ohnopodcast.com 0:17:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:30:56 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to ask what Australians think of Halloween. 0:44:02 A Dive into a Trove A wand

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 CSICON 2023 A grab bag of interviews and sounds from the meeting in Las Vegas. Jim Underdown Dr Angie Mattke Adrienne Hill Celestia Ward 0:11:14 Skepticon 2023 Interview Stephen Bavaro joins us to talk about his upcoming appearance at the Australian Skeptics National Convention. The story of Atlantis! See a preview at this talk at Sydney Skeptics in the pub, November 2nd. https://meetu.ps/c/dRPP/SSz1/a http://www.skepticon.org.au 0:18:08 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Flying Sorcery - By Dr Steve Roberts A search of skys for UFOs and famous hoaxes. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 34 No. 4 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the paranormal. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also   10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #262 - 27.October.2013 A chat with Gunnar Roland Tjomlid. 'Placebo Defekten' is a ne

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne engages in a conversation with Kat MacLeod, delving into her personal journey with herbal supplements and the profound impact it has had on her life, as well as her dedicated advocacy work in Canada to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with these supplements. 0:22:08 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:40 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the paranormal in Washington. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon - Melbourne 2 - 3 Dec. https://skepticon.org.au Maynard JJJ 1993 https://maynard.com.au/sunday-afternoon-fever-kirk-pengilly/ 10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #261 - 20.October.2013 Dr Rachie Reports.. with Dr Rachael Dunlop. This week Dr Rachie cha

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:30 Once More Unto The Breach Tim Mendham, Sue Ieraci, Darryl Colquhoun and Richard Saunders head to Sydney's Festival of Mind Body Spirit to discover what quackery is on display. Will they survive the paranormal parade of pretend psychics? 0:12:54 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Kelly Burke and Faith Newsome Rodriquez join Adrienne Hill to talk about refutations regarding the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment that was initially conducted in 1972 with follow-up studies declaring that a child's ability to delay gratification could be a predictor of future success, including better SAT scores, higher levels of education and lower body mass index. https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-marshmallow-test 0:32:54 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Phoney Fauna - Part #2 By Tim Mendham Tim looks at all the strange and weird fake animals that have been invented over the years in order to delight, con, fool, or gain publicity

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders, live from Sydney Skeptics in tbe Pub 0:02:12 Skeptical BBQ Steve Roberts and Richard Saunders talk about the latest UFO shenanigans and their appreciation of one the founders of Australian Skeptics, Dick Smith. James Randi in Australia - with Dick Smith https://youtu.be/gN-0FEqAkQM 0:07:32 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Phoney Fauna - Part #1By Tim Mendham Tim looks at all the strange and weird fake animals that have been invented over the years in order to delight, con, fool, or gain publicity for their creators. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 34 No. 4 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:17:06 Csicon 2023 Adrienne Hill, Susan Gerbic and Rob Palmer with a little promotion for the upcoming Csicon in Las Vegas this October. https://csiconference.org 0:20:26 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:33:22 A Dive into a Trov

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Tim and Richard talk about the upcoming Skepticon in Melbourne and other skeptical issues.... and have some coffee and biscuits. https://skepticon.org.au 0:14:24 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. Adrienne Hill and Faith Newsome Rodriquez talk about the Hawthorne Effect, based on poor research done in the 1920s and 1930s, which infers that people will change their behavior simply because they are being studied. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-history/one-last-centurys-most-influential-social-science-studies-pretty-bad 0:34:10 The Medical Eye Emergency Physician Sue Ieraci is looking forward to her first visit to the festival of Mind Body Spirit (Wallet) in Sydney. How will she react to the outlandish medical claims being made? Will she convert and become a Reiki Master? 0:41:56 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers o

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:24 Reiki on TikTok We look via TikTok at some of the "practitioners" of Reiki, the fictional enery claimed to actually heal or... something... What is Reiki, who does Reiki and do you need a rake to do it? We wrack our brains for Reiki. https://quackwatch.org/related/reiki/ https://www.reiki.org/faqs/what-reiki 0:24:40 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:38:02 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to prophecies. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also   10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #257 - 22.September.2013 Besh Saab off to Mars? Want to go to another planet on a one way ticket? Beah Saab tells us why he is just the man to do it! - A Week in Science - Maynard's Spooky Action... Maynard chats to Dr Pamela Gay and then to some of the people who

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:18 You Can on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill A visit to Salem, Massachusetts. Join Adrienne for a fascinating virtual tour of Salem, focusing on the infamous Witch Trials and the general supernatural themes tailored to the tourist industry. https://www.salem.org/things-to-do/tours 0:21:51 Mass Hysteria and Havana Syndrome Rob Palmer talks about the Havana Syndrome, a cluster of symptoms experienced mostly abroad by U.S. government and military personnel. The symptoms range from pain and ringing in the ears to cognitive dysfunction and were first reported in 2016 by embassy staff in Havana, Cuba. https://skepticalinquirer.org/authors/rob-palmer 0:39:26 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "The Return of Christ". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also   10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #256 - 15.September.2013 Dr Pamela Gay. Pamela tells us about CosmoQuest

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:42 Take Stock with Shelley Stocken Doctor Google is at it again with millions of people seeking its advice. A classic story from 2017 from our dear late reporter. 0:11:50 UFOs in the Pub We talk to long time skeptical investigators Ian Bryce and Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics about their opinions on the latest UFO fad. Insights from people who have seen it all before over many decades. 0:22:44 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 034:30 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Health Myths". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also   10 Years Ago The Skeptic Zone #255 - 8.September.2013 Dr Colin Wright. A chat with the juggling mathematician. Is there more than one kind of infinity? Find out over a cup of coffee - A Week in Science -

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:10 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This week Adrienne chats to Kat McLeod from Edmonton, Canada, about the strange practice of mouth taping. Can placing tape over your mouth, improve your health and sleep? Adrienne and Kat look at some of the claims and reality of this medical trend. 0:23:18 The Skeptical Box of Tricks Clips from "Nerd Night" in the city of Bend in Oregon. Richard Saunders' workshop with spoon bending, body balance tricks and more. Upcoming event at Skeptoid Media https://skeptoid.com/events 0:34:08 The UFO movie they don't want you to see! Brian Dunning with latest news on his new documentary and his opinion on the latest UFO fad. http://www.theufo.movie 0:46:38 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Applied Kinesiology (AK)". AK on toddler via mother (Video) https://youtube.com/shorts/JIJBIfhFU5c "A quantum physics si

0:00:00 George Hrab Luck Be A Lady 0:01:28 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:50 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill To celebrate the 777th episode of this podcast, Adrienne looks into the meaning behind the number 777. It's not just a type of airliner, but 777 appears in the most unlikely places. Just think, in another 777 episodes, it will be episode 1554! 0:13:54 Rob Palmer on Psychics The Well-Known Skeptic talks about how people all over the world are taken in by psychic scams. From contacting the dead, to removing curses and also removing lots of money. Rob recently interviewed Richard on the subject of UFOs for Skeptical Inquirer. Let's Talk UFOs: A Conversation with Richard Saunders (Youtube) https://youtu.be/zIKdcjRKYdI 0:34:12 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:49:16 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Austra

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:04 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Psychic and Facilitated Communication, claiming to unlock unheard voices. Adrienne, Susan Gerbic, and Janyce Boynton delve into the parallels between Psychics and facilitated communicators after viewing videos that exemplify each as frustrating, and heartbreaking. https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/an-artist-with-a-science-based-mission https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fcisnotscience https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=psychics+explained 0:19:34 Uri Geller - X-Files Fan? Did this "entertainer", really see the bodies of dead aliens? Or is this a case of watching too many science-fiction TV shows? When does X turn into the X-Files and who can tell the difference? https://www.gamingbible.com/news/uri-geller-shares-proof-aliens-exist-fans-debunk-905157-20230815 0:30:24 CFI - Reject Pro-Homeopathy Amendment CFI calls on their supporters to help defeat a pro-homeop