The Skeptic Zone

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:30 Banned Naturopath in Cook Islands The naturopath whose Cook Islands disciples continue to practice her prohibited remedies says she is the victim of a Nazi-style propaganda campaign. http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/item/74612-ban-on-healer-who-offered-cancer-cure-to-dying-cook-islands-man http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/healt...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:30 Mind Body Wallet time again Join Richard Saunders, Peter "Ratbags" Bowditch and Lara Benham as they, once again, descend into the pit of woo that is Mind Body Spirit in Sydney. https://ratbags.com/ 0:17:30 Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia in action Barbara O'Neill is an Australian naturopath and lecturer on health issues who, in 2019, was b...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:00 CHOICE Shonkys Far too many people lose money or suffer impacts to their health and wellbeing due to products that are overpriced, ineffective or downright dangerous. We all deserve better. The Skeptic Zone Podcast reports from the annual Shonkys Awards. http://www.choice.com.au 0:21:04 Trish & Chips! With Trish Hann Trish is interviewed by...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:25 NZ Skeptics vs. Jeanette Wilson NZ-based, self-described "spiritual medium" Jeanette Wilson has started touring the country with her Psychic Surgery show. New Zealand Skeptics are running a campaign to try to disrupt this by contacting the venues and making them aware of the sort of thing they're hosting. We talk to NZ Skeptics Chairperson,...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:55 Area 51 - No Aliens Set Free We chat to noted paranormal expert Ben Redford about the fiasco at area 51. A good day for those who like to dance, but alas no aliens were set free to travel back to their home planet. https://squaringthestrange.wordpress.com 0:13:56 The Wallaby Award Australian Skeptics Inc is once again offering an annual awar...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:10 Interview with Baily Harris 13-year old Bailey Harris is an author, speaker, and advocate for freethought and human rights. She is the author of the Stardust series of science books for young readers. https://stardustscience.com 0:17:17 The Winchester Mystery House Join Susan Gerbic and Richard Saunders as they take in a tour of this amazing...

Show Notes Greetings from the Surf Coast Spring Skepticamp 2019 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:15 Skeptical Outreach at the Solano Stroll Join members of the Bay Area Skeptics as they conduct PK (Psychokinesis or Telekinesis) tests at the famous Solano Stroll , one of the biggest street fairs in North America. With Dr Eugenie Scott, William Patterson and Steve Nelson. http://www.baskep...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:11 Jonathan Jarry We talk to one Canadian who has had it up to the ears with Ear Candles. Jonathan's video on the subject details his investigations into this pillar of quackery.   https://youtu.be/-GfunNxHHkw https://jonathanjarry.com/ 0:22:03 Measles alert for travellers to New Zealand NSW Health is urging NSW residents to be fully vaccinated...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:55 Dragon*Con 2019 Dr Angie Mattke and a Walking Tour We chat to Dr Angie Mattke to get a taste of things to come over the next few days, followed by a walking tour of Dragon*Con, accompanied by Adam Bovalino from Melbourne, to help get our bearings. https://www.dragoncon.org 0:12:00 Interview with Jennifer Hathorn American Association for the...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:25 Isil Arican and Cuneyt Ozdas Learn how Isil and Cuneyt help to promote science and scepticism in Turkey and around the world.   https://yalansavar.org/podcast/ http://www.acikbilim.com/ 0:20:55 Looking for Woo in Berkeley join Richard Saunders as he wanders along the streets of Berkeley in California, looking for strange and mysterious claim...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:16 Zealot with Jo Thornley Why would anyone join a cult? Maybe they're unhappy with their current religion, or they want to change the world, or they're disappointed with their lives and want to find something bigger or holier that makes sense of this confusing, chaotic and dangerous world. Or maybe they just want to give themselves the best po...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:55 Interview with Pontus Bockman Pontus discovered skepticism in 2010 and soon thereafter became deeply involved in local activism, such as organising Skeptics in the Pub and giving lectures on skepticism in local schools in his native Sweden. The ESP   http://theesp.eu European Skeptics Congress 2019 https://www.esc2019.be 0:26:30 Super Scienc...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:20 Interview with Derek Colanduno We catch up with one of the original skeptical podcasters. Derek gives us an overview of the early days of 'Skepticality' and sets the scene for the upcoming Skeptrack at Dragon*Con 2019 in Atlanta.   http://skeptics.dragoncon.org 0:20:21 Nominations open for the Bent Spoon Award From psychics to quacks, TV sho...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:28 A Random RANT! With Dr Paulie Stories of people being terrified by Yowie like creatures go back decades and had their heyday in the 1970s when it seems some here in Australia were somewhat jealous or maybe inspired by the reports coming out of North America. It was a golden age for UFOs, Psychics such as Uri Geller, the Loch Ness monster and...

  Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:47 Apollo 11 - Sydney Morning Herald 1969 MEN ON MOON U.S. astronauts open a new era for mandkind. - Man has landed on the moon. The U.S. spacecraft, Eagle, carring Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, touched down on the lunar surface early today (Sydney time). 0:12:30 Moon Landings Were No Hoax Continuing to believe that the Moon landings were...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:15 Maynard's Spooky Action.... Casula Powerhouse presents GIANT LEAP , a multi-arts program, which includes six new exhibitions created to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing in 1969. The launch and first steps on the moon were televised and watched around the world. The exhibitions provide insight into the impact of the first humans...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Harmful Homeopathic 'Cures' We interview Michael Marshall from The Good Thinking Society in the U.K. about the action being taken to fight the extreme foolishness that is Homeopathy.   https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/gts-cease-psa/ 0:20:02 Chabot Space & Science Center A tour with Leonard Trameil The only thing more extraordinary than the...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Ben Radford 0:07:04 Trish & Chips... with Trish Hann Sally Morgan is a British television and stage performer who claims to have psychic abilities. In mid 2019 she brought her stage show to Australia. On hand outside the theatre for her Sydney performance were members of Australian Skeptics.   Mark Tilbrook confronted my Sally Morgan's people -...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:54 Psychics and Missing Persons Again and again, so-called "Psychics" chime in with mystical informaion on missing persons. Worse still they send usless information to the Police and give false hope to heartbroken parents. We look at a few cases in the news.   http://www.google.com/search?q=Theo+Hayez+Psychic http://www.google.com/search?q=Will...

Show Notes   0:00:00 Introduction   Richard Saunders   0:08:10 Flat Earhers flat out with excuses We talk to Ross Blocher from the Oh No! Ross and Carrie Podcast about the day members of the Committee For Inquiry set out to prove (again) that the world really is a sphear.   CFI Investigation Video   https://youtu.be/CnrjdD08dWg     Oh No! Ross and Carrie   https://www.maximumfun.org/shows/oh-no-ro...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction   Richard Saunders 0:03:35 Bigfoot and the FBI We catch up with famed skeptical investigator Ben Radford for his opinion on the latest news regarding Bigfoot in the FBI. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/06/us/fbi-bigfoot-file.html 0:13:13 Britt Hermes successful in defamation lawsuit   Britt Hermes has been successful in the defamation law suit brought against by US...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:15 "Chemtrails" on TV Ken Mcleod is a retired air traffic controller and national manager of aviation search and rescue, Australian aviation representative on two UN committees, and once upon a time a private pilot. Recently he appeard on national TV in Australia to cross swords with a Chemtrail Conspiracy Theorist. Video: Studio 10 segment htt...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 CFI takes legal against Walmart Walmart is committing wide-scale consumer fraud and endangering the health of its customers though its sale and marketing of homeopathic medicines, the Center for Inquiry alleges in a lawsuit filed in the District of Columbia on May 20. We talk to Nicholas Little CFI's Vice President and General Counsel   http...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 Down the Rabbit Hole An interview with author Mick West about his new podcast and a discussion about conspiracy theories is in general.   https://www.tftrh.com 0:21:00 Skeptics Vs Psychic Surgeon In 1984, two members of Australian Skeptics went undercover to try and expose a psychic surgeon. The whole thing ended up in court with surprising...