The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:13 Pete Evans, what a Tweet Criticism has been levelled against celebrity chef Pete Evans for a recent tweet in which he seemed to discourage the wearing of face masks. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/pete-evans-suggests-followers-should-stop-wearing-face-masks/news-story/354b3edc7b50bb5b2ef4d763e20f756c 0:10:14 Live Psychic Readi...

Dedicated to the memory of Grant Imahara 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:17 Homeopathy still ineffective in India We chat to a Abhijit Chanda and get an update on the COVID-19 situation in the subcontinent. Patanjali Ayurveda's Corona Kit Scam: https://www.berationable.com/rationable-blog/2020/6/coronakit-or-con-examining-patanjalis-coronavirus-treatment Article on Immunity Boosting: ht...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:28 Life is Wild. With Michelle Franklin Water Divining Every time Michelle brings this up and someone offers to hook her up with their neighbour's mate's dad who can divine for her, she tells them about that time, way back before she was even born, when James Randi and Dick Smith and the first few members of the Australian Skeptics offered fifty thousand...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:07 Interview with James Underdown from the CFIIG Can you demonstrate paranormal ability? Are you interested in earning $250,000 dollars? The Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG) at the Center for Inquiry-Los Angeles offers a $250,000 prize to anyone who can show, under scientific testing conditions, significant evidence of any paranormal, super...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:25 Trish & Chips - With Trish Hann Trish tells us about her love of the movie Jurassic Park, but more importantly the importance of having positive and strong role models especially for girls and young women looking for inspiration to lead them into the world of science. 0:12:00 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Perso...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:30 Maynard's Spooky Action This week Maynard in conversation with the one and only George Hrab from the Geologic Podcast. A wind ranging interview with the bonus of George singing the theme from the James Bond movie, Moonraker! http://www.geologicpodcast.com 0:24:14 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "non sequitur" . Th...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:37 Prof. Paul Willis on the hunt for Dinosaurs Palaeo Pictures is a new deal in documentary making. Their documentaries are made by the palaeontologists doing the research. They can take the audience into the field, get them in the dirt of the excavations and following all aspects of the research that brings ancient worlds back to life. And, along the way...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:50 Zapping Quack Machines Loretta Marron , aka The Jellybean Lady, tells us about her long campaign to expose medical zapping machines. These devices claim to scan your body with magical energy and zap parasites and viruses. https://www.scienceinmedicine.org.au 0:18:43 Psychic Sting Update Susan Gerbic returns with an update to the story we posted last we...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:52 COVID-19. Homeopathy in India We are joined by Abhijit Chanda from the Be Rationable Podcast for his opinion on the use of Homeopathy to fight COVID-19 in India. https://www.berationable.com 0:17:24 I Think We Need To Think. With Susan Gerbic Susan gives us the scoop on yet another sting operation. This time an alleged psychic in New Zealand is in her...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:34 The THINK TANK After a gap of almost 2 years, the Think Tank is back, only this time Instead of meeting at the club at the end of the street, we meet virtually online. We discuss quack medical devices, secret messages in money and why more people are going to psychics in these troubled times. With Michelle Franklin in the Northern Territory - Heidi Rob...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Investigating the Paranormal... and Boobs? Former Australian Skeptics committee member and one of the founders of the 'Mystery Investigators' show for schools, Alynda Brown tells us of her investigations of "Psychics" and strange medical claims of the early 2000s, including undergoing hypnosis to increase her bust size!   Testing Mr. Sen. (page 40) htt...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:14 Conspiracy updates with Ben Radford Ben is a writer, investigator, and skeptic. He has authored, co-authored or contributed to over twenty books and written over a thousand articles and columns on a wide variety of topics including urban legends, unexplained mysteries, the paranormal, critical thinking, mass hysteria, and media literacy. https://squari...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:39 What Doctors Don't Tell You In the last week of April 2020, the conspiracy theorist magazine "What Doctors Don't Tell You" was yanked from the sheveles of two Australian Supermarkets after action by Prof. Darren Saunders and radio host Ben Fordham . https://www.2gb.com/exclusive-supermarkets-selling-dangerous-conspiracy-magazines https://www.2gb.com/an...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders & Pontus Böckman http://theesp.eu https://www.youtube.com/user/VoFTV 0:11:54 Down the Rabbit Hole with Mick West As COVID-19 makes its way around the world, more and more people are turning to the perceived comfort found in conspiracy theories. Mick tells of some of the old conspiracies doing the rounds and some of the newer ones with the roll out of the 5G ne...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders & Celestia Ward https://www.2headsstudios.com https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com 0:09:24 Homeopaths Caught Out.... Again! Michael Marshall from the Good Thinking Society Marsh talks about the philosophy behind his podcast, 'Be Reasonable' that invites believers to have their say. Also the investigations of the Good Thinking Society into the claims being mad...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders & Stefan Sojka 0:05:05 A Grain of Salt. With Eran Segev Skeptics legal defence fund seeks volunteers An international skeptics legal defence fund is in the process of being set up, following the successful defence of Britt Hermes, and it is calling for experienced and qualified volunteers with legal, marketing and fund-raising expertise to help out. https://sk...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:51 Be Rationable - An interview with Abhijit Chanda from India Are you curious? Are you always questioning things that you see around you? Are you looking for answers, but most of them just aren't convincing enough? The Be Rationable podcast wants to know what works and what doesn't, and who's right and who's not. There's a problem though. A lot of what w...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:14 Maynard's Spooky Action Will comet ATLAS take our minds off COVID-19? We hope so and so does astronomer Kirsten Banks . Find out about this cosmic visitor, native astronomy and much more from one of Australia's up and coming leaders in science. https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/ca/ http://www.aboriginalastronomy.com.au https://astrokirsten.com.au/podcast 0:19...

0:00:00 Message from repoter Michelle Bijkersma Logical Fallacies and COVID-19 0:02:12 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:37 Brian Dunning - Skeptoid Podcast Back Catalogue For Free We chat to Brian about his efforts to keep us informed and entertained during this time of crisis. Also we learn of some COVID-19 conspiracy theories. http://www.skeptoid.com 0:19:17 Homeopaths in the UK - Unproven COV...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:19 New Age pseudoscience is no match for COVID-19 In a break with a decades-long tradition, members of Australian Skeptics will not be attending this weekend's Mind Body Spirit exhibition in Sydney's Darling Harbour due to the dangers of the spread of COVID-19 and the ignorant attitudes of some exhibitors. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2020/03/12/new-age-ps...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:56 Surf Coast Summer Skepticamp VIII We head to the beautiful 'Surf Coast', a couple of hours south-west of Melbourne, to attend the local Skepticamp. It was also a chance for us to test the 'Premium Wine Card', a device that the makers claim can change the taste of wine and water. http://premiumwinecard.com https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/amino-neuro-fr...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders live from Surf Coast Summer Skepticamp VIII 0:01:36 Trish & Chips Trish Hann with timely advice on the use and value of face masks to help prevent the spread of disease. How effective are they? Should you use one and if so how should you use it? 0:12:50 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at the "Appeal to Antiquity" . A Logical...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:37 10 Things to look out for with Medicine Advertisements Multi-level marketing company fined $37,800 for alleged advertising breaches. The Juice Plus Company Australia Pty Ltd has paid the penalties after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued three infringement notices for alleged advertising breaches relating to vitamin products. https://www...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:53 A Psychic in Court Richard Saunders was in the court room when someone claiming to be a psychic appeared in the witness box. This case is turning out to be one of Australia's most infamous murder trials. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-12/chris-dawson-committal-hearing-hears-evidence-from-psychic/11957172 0:15:58 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bi...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders with Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in tne Pub 0:02:00 Free Homeopthy Booklet... worth every cent We take a look at the information found in the free Boiron Homepathy information booklet on offer in American supermarkets and pharmacies. What can we learn from the Q&A section? With help from Heidi Robertson. 0:34:08 Good Thinking takes Homeopthy to court Good Think...