The Skeptic Zone

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...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:52 M S S X Alice Howarth and Laurie Phillips Celebrate ten years of the Merseyside Skeptics Society at the special one-day event at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool. It's been ten years since the first meeting of the MSS, and ten years since the first episode of Skeptics with a K – the UK's longest-running skeptical podcast. http://www.merseysidesk...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 No Spirts in the Spirit Box We chat to Kenny Biddle about his investigations into the strange and bizarre device known as a spirit box. Proponents of this box claim it is a conduit to communicate with the souls of the dead.   https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/groundbreaking-ghost-experiment-breaks-no-ground/ Geeks and Ghosts https://ww...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 Interview with Professor Dave Dave Farina aka 'Professor Dave', tells us about his series of free educational videos covering many scientific disciplines. Also his battle with Flat Earthers!   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cd_-e49hZpWLH3UIwoWRA Response to Globebusters - The Earth Still Isn't Flat https://youtu.be/XONAgf9Eg9U   https://...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:56 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the pub and asks pubbers the big question, "What topics, if any, should skeptics give up?" 0:19:24 Maynard's Spooky Action - part #2 Australia in Space. An interview with Kerrie Dougherty about Australia's involvement in the space race. Kerrie Dougherty is an independent space hist...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Science Outreach with Dr Kate Carter Kate Carter, Director of Community Science Education at NCSE. Kate joined NCSE in 2018, after lecturing in biology and working in curriculum development and informal education. She holds a Ph. D. in human evolutionary biology from Harvard University.   https://www.ncse.com 0:26:10 The Raw Skeptic Report.....

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:10 What would Darwin say... A interview with Dr Eugenie Scott about what she thinks Charles Darwin would have to say to today's 'Young Earth Creationists'. 0:14:55 Measles Outbreak Emergency New York county declares Measles outbreak emergency. Rockland County, north of New York City, has barred unvaccinated children from public spaces after 153...

0:00:00 Australian Skeptics Inc on Christchurch Tragedy Australian Skeptics Inc (and this podcast) is deeply saddened by the horrific terrorist attack in Christchurch on Friday which targeted the Muslim community. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2019/03/19/aust-skeptics-inc-on-christchurch-tragedy/ 0:03:15 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:13 Social Media Crackdown on Anti-Vax More and more social me...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:10:20 Pete Evans, anti-vaxxer? Celebrity chef Pete Evans supports anti-vaxxer Paul Chek on social media. Jane Hansen, The Daily Telegraph https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/celebrity-chef-pete-evans-supports-antivaxxer-paul-chek-on-social-media/news-story/219eacad3c620dbe2c01df9541109478 0:13:00 Life is Wild... With Michelle Franklin Only in.... Darw...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:15 New Zealand Dowser Dollors Down Drain We interview the Chair of New Zealand Skeptics, Craig Shearer about how Wellington ratepayers are funding a pseudo-scientific method to find buried water pipes. The contractor, Downer and the Wellington City Council are not concerned at the public's perception their money has been spent on disproved science. Rather...

0:00:00 Introduction Maynard 0:03:22 How to catch a "Psychic" We talk to Susan Gerbic about her Sting Operation to catch out an alleged psychic. Does he get his information from the heavens? Seems more likely from 'The Cloud'! Inside the Secret Sting Operations to Expose Celebrity Psychics - New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html Buckle Up - Seat...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:45 Melbourne chiropractor 'treats' baby on video A Melbourne chiropractor filmed manipulating a two-week-old boy has been banned from treating children aged under 12 while he is investigated by authorities. https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/chiro-faces-investigation-after-baby-video/news-story/27b05e049f94504453a63cc22834a1fa 0:14:30 Intervie...