The Skeptic Zone

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...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:27 Not talking to the dead in Las Vegas We are joined by Celestia Ward from the Squaring the Strange podcast to discuss a report on yet another performer who claims to talk with the dead. https://www.facebook.com/LasVegasSocietyofSkeptics/posts/133563078123270?__tn__=-R 0:19:25 The Bondi Healing Festival of 1989 In 1989 Murray Finch attended a...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders live from Portland, Oregon 0:02:14 The Think Tank... or The Hot Tub of Truth This week the Think Tank comes to your from a Hot Tub, surrounded by snow, in the city of Bend, Oregon. Joining us in the tub to discuss if science can "save humanity" are... Dr Erika Anderson Dr Jean-Marc Roch PhD Prof. Wendi Wampler Brian Dunning Susan Picard Lisa Dunning Richard Sa...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Brian Dunning 0:03:06 Strange Colours in Sweden Pontus Bockman from the European Skeptic Podcast tells of how Swedes were fooled by one of the biggest scientific bluffs of our time. "Surrounded by Idiots" has had a major impact on how Swedish people talk to each other about psychology and discuss the behaviour of those around them. Indeed, Thomas Erikson h...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:27 Skepticamp Monterey, California 2020 Join us for not only Skepticamp Monterey, but also for the pub meet and greet the night before and dinner after the event. With Bud Miller, Susan Gerbic and others. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/monterey-county-skeptics-and-humanist-association-of-monterey-bay-area-12224475493 0:16:47 VAXXED Bus creeps into Monterey...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders, live from Skepticamp 2020 Monterey, USA 0:01:54 Talking to the Dead at RSL Clubs Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders report on Australian Skeptics' investigations into those performers who claim to contact the dead at venues dedicated to the memory of those fallen in war. - Read by Richard Saunders. https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine/ 0:32:06 Maynard's Spo...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:14 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Skepticon 2019. This week... Thomas Westbrook - Holy Koolaid LLC is an anti-cult, educational organization that promotes scientific skepticism and free thought and is at the helm of the secular, pro-science movement. Founded in 2015 by Thomas Westbrook, Holy Koolaid's online show has garnering millions of view...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:08 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Skepticon 2019. This week... Jamie Lopez Steve Roberts Jessica Singer Mandy-Lee Noble Heidi Robertson 0:30:50 The Book of Tim... with Tim Mendham What goes around. Speaking Spirits and Psychic Surgery. Tim follows the circular path and ends up at the begining in an endless loop of the paranormal. https://www.s...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:03:37 The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Robertson Heidi reports on the recent deadly measles outbreak in Samoa. We also play the audio of her presentation at Skepticon 2019. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/aussie-health-experts-in-samoa-measles-epidemic-like-a-war-zone/news-story/b210fd48eeebc8cc1f459c87461a943b https://en.wikipedia...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:03:05 Skeptical Road Trip Join Maynard and Richard Saunders as they drive from Sydney to Melbourne to go to Skepticon 2019. Along the way they take photographs with of the Bent Spoon at various landmarks and try to beat the boredom of 10 hours on the road. 0:11:29 Maynard's Spooky Action... In the first of a long series of interviews from Skeptic...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:25 Skeptical Activism We hit the street outside the State Theatre in Sydney to hand out skeptical information flyers to the crowd lining up to see the "talking to the dead" performer John Edward . Thanks to Trish Hann and Lara Benham . https://www.skeptics.com.au/psychics-questions-to-ask 0:21:13 The Book of Tim Pint Sized Fun Tim Mendham looks at the his...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:45 Skeptical Adventures with Dick Smith Australian Skeptics patron Dick Smith tells of the time he flew out James Randi to take part in Australia's largest water divining challenge. Also other investigations and adventures over the years. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsudGI1mVCMP3D-YedfDUFzgEvtc_UfgA 0:27:05 Good Thinking Society take...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:49 Anti-Vax Zealot in Medical Centre The bizarre story of a conspiracy theorist bluffing his way into a medical centre to get them to remove pro-vaccination posters from the walls. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/anti-vaxxer-impersonated-official-demanded-clinic-pull-health-posters-20191114-p53am5.html https://www.tga.gov.au/media-r...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:24 CSICon 2019 Interviews - Part #3 Rob Palmer , aka the well known skeptic, with part #3 of his interview series from CSIcon 2019 in Las Vegas. This week paranormal investigator Kenny Biddle , from Point of Inquiry Kavin Senapathy , GSoW editor Brandi and Aedan , and local Las Vegas student Daniel Spangler . https://www.facebook.com/TWKSkeptic...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:09 Another strike against Homeopathy The head of the NHS launches an outspoken attack on the homeopathy industry for peddling deadly anti- vaccine myths. Simon Stevens accuses practitioners of spreading toxic 'misinformation' about jabs, which poses 'a significant danger to human health'. We get the background on the story from Michael Marshall...