The Skeptic Zone

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...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:35 Interview with Mark Edward Mark Edward is a professional mentalist who specializes in magic of the mind. He has spent more than 25 years in world-class venues from high-end night clubs and theaters to hundreds of private party and corporate events. As one of only five specially chosen and trained mediums in the history of Hollywood's famed Magic Castle...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:05 Shoot for the Moon We chat to Prof. Richard Wiseman about his new book based on the Apollo Moon missions, 'Shoot for the Moon'. Books on success usually focus on genetically gifted Olympians, hardheaded CEOs and risk taking entrepreneurs. This book presents a radically different perspective on how to achieve your aims and ambitions. https://richardwise...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Who is 'The Well-Known Skeptic'? We chat to Rob Palmer , a listener to the Skeptic Zone who has gone on to be involved with investigations and reports. https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/archive/category/the_well-known_skeptic 0:15:40 Homeopathy Exposed - Again! Australian Skeptics has long regarded homeopathy as little more than outdated quackery....

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:20 Oh Yow! Oh Yowie! Reports are coming in of a large, unearthly creature attacking a delivery truck in Australia. We talk to famed investigator Ben Radford from the Squaring the Strange podcast to hear his thoughts on this strange and frightening event. https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5868252/qld-truckie-claims-yowie-bashed-his-bonnet/?cs=7 https://s...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:24 Oh No! It's Ross Blocher! We travel to the city of Portland, Oregon to see the live show of 'Oh No Ross and Carrie!' http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/oh-no-ross-and-carrie 0:10:40 Climate Science and Educational Outreach In Oakland, California we visit the National Science for Science Education to interview Brad Hoge , Director of teacher support. Brad...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:15 Ear Candles: the outcome of TGA complaint Ear candling is a widely promoted alternative medical practice that involves inserting and lighting a hollow candle in the ear canal. It is claimed that candling creates a vacuum that removes wax and that it can also relieve ear ache, glue ear, tinnitus, sinus problems, chronic headache, migraine, sore throat,...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:03:00 GSoW at the Exploratorium We join Susan Gerbic, Mark Edward and Jay Diamond for a day at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. https://www.exploratorium.edu 0:21:30 Life is Wild... With Michelle Franklin The Great Emu Invasion. A cautionary tale of what happens when people try to control nature. 0:31:45 Wikimedia from the inside We catch up with Moriel...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:40 The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Robertson This week Heidi has a follow up by Jane Hansen to last week's story from the recent ABC TV 7:30 Report on "No Jab - No Play". This is followed by another report by Jane Hansen on the improvment to vaccination rates in Australia, despite the efforts of the Anti-Vax crowd. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:322 The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Robertson This week Heidi gives some background to the recent ABC TV 7:30 Report story on "No Jab - No Play". 7:30 Report https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V1ySAvY8Ao0 https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2018/12/19/critics-no-jab-no-play-anti-vaxxers/ https://www.patheos.com/blogs/withoutacrystalball/2018/12/no-j...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:35 Grain of Salt... With Eran Segev Interview with Edva Lotan from Midaat Fighting Anti-Vax nonsense and promoting good health. Midaat was established with the goal of aiding the public in Israel to gain necessary information, identify health risks, and protect itself from those risks. http://midaat.org.il/midaat/midaat_english/ 0:24:22 Maynard's Spooky A...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:03:35 Maynard's Spooky Action Skepticon interview with Carrie Poppy http://www.facebook.com/onrac   0:26:00 Sydney Skeptics in the Pub for December We ask pubbers what podcasts they would like to hear. With Trish, Jessica, Rowland, Gavin and Jessica Singer.   0:42:00 The Raw Skeptic Report... with Heidi Robertson Release of NCIRS 2017 Immunisation Coverage...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:03:20 Maynard's Spooky Action...   Interviews from Skepticon 2018 Part #6 Lee Murray Dr Pamela Gay Luke Freeman Dr Vyom Sharmer   0:33:35 Anti-vax activist charges parents $4000 for 'expert report' An anti-vaccination activist with no medical training is charging $4000 for an "expert report" to present in court cases to help parents who do not want to have...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:03:40 Maynard's Spooky Action...   Interviews from Skepticon 2018 Part #5 Kate Browne Dr Vyom Sharmer Eran Segev and more   https://www.finder.com.au/   0:25:00 Science Friction with Brian Dunning Finally, a documentary about scientists who get misrepresented by the media. Those TV documentaries you see, and the science experts they feature? Did you know t...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:05:00 Susan Gerbic from GSoW Update on Facilitated Communication https://www.facebook.com/GSoWproject   0:16:04 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Skepticon 2018 Part #4 Magicians Nick Kay and Peter Rodgers https://nickkaymagic.com   0:37:27 Life is Wild! With Michelle Franklin Bio Control https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkeptiCamp