The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:42 The Loons from Canada In part 1 of a 2 part series, Kate and Allie take a look at the phenomena of Access Consciousness and Access Bars. Part one: What is access consciousness and its "Ten Keys to Freedom" and how much does it cost? https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking/rasputin-phrenology-and-dark-allegations-madness-access-consciousnes...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Also a look at the current nominations and past winners of the Australian Skeptics Bent Spoon Award. https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/bent-spoon 00:09:24 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod This week Kat gives us an overview of the first ever 'Global Skeptics in the Pub', held as part of the SkeptiCal Conferance of the Bay Area Skeptics. Included...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Challenging Times By Barry Williams Over 20 years ago, one Victor Zammit, a retired Sydney solicitor, apparently decided to take the skeptics on at their own game and has issued a challenge of his own. "$1 Million Challenge to Disprove Evidence of Life After Death." - A reward of one million US dollars is offered to an...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:00 Astrology Trash is Bad News We report on a bizarre situation in Australia where it is proposed to run a regular astrology segment in the evening TV news bulletin. Is this an act of desperation to gain more viewers? What has been the reaction from other media? https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/channel-7-defends-stupid-new-astrology-segment-foll...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:52 Ben Radford talks UFOs Once again we welcome the world renowned skeptical investigator, author, podcaster, and deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine, the one and only Ben Radford. In a wide ranging interview Ben talks about the Roswell UFO incident, cryptozoology, and his upcoming visit to Sydney Australia to take part in Skepticon 2024 - the A...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:14 Cold and Hot Reading We play a clip of a recent radio appearance by Richard Saunders (ABC Australia), where he discusses so-called psychics and some of their tricks. Also the reading of a report by Ian Bryce, from the pages of 'The Skeptic', when he, Saunders and Alynda Brown tested a 'Palm Reader' in Australia. Richard Saunders on ABC Radio Australia...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:02 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. SkeptiCampNM - Presented by New Mexicans for Science and Reason Adrienne flies to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend a meet up of local and regional skeptics. Interviews with... Stirling Forsyth, Mary Catherine Harris, Tom Parker, Kurly Tlapoyawa, Sonia Veronica, Frank T. Etscorn, and from the Squaring the...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:16 UFOs... Where Are You? We take a look at a recent press stories from Australia and Britin regarding UFO promoter and Australian journalist Ross Coulthart. Also we wonder what we can glean from Wiki about his current notoriety. https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2024/05/ufos-the-unidentified-flying-circus-comes-to-town 0:10:44 Skepticamp Interviews #3 Guest rep...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:26 SkeptiCal 2024 We talk to famed fighter of nonsense Dr Eugenie C. Scott about the upcoming SkeptiCal Conference. SkeptiCal is the scientific skepticism conference brought to you by Northern California Skeptics. The SkeptiCal Conference brings stimulating and entertaining speakers (including Australia's own Dr Karl Kruszelnicki) to a world-wide audienc...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:58 Kate & Allie This week Kat and Adrienne take a skeptical look at 'Baby Helmets'. Are they truly necessary or just another example of our culture's obsession with over-protection? What is the medical point of view? Baby helmets, also known as cranial orthoses, are seen by some as intervention for infants with positional plagiocephaly (flat spots on the...

  0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:32 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. Adrienne Hill and Janalee Morris share their immersive first experience at the Psychic and Crystal Fair, where they interacted with vendors and attendees. Could anyone predict their future or enhance their health? Tune in to find out. 0:19:42 Reviewing the UFO Documentary We chat to Brian Dunning about...

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:32 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod This week Kat relates her journey, over the past year, from attending a skeptical conference in Canada to becoming a reporter for the Skeptic Zone. This is right from the 'who could have ever see this coming?' files and is a great illustration of how important it is to support skeptical events. Plus we he...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:14 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. This week, Adrienne gives us an overview of the recent 'We Can Reason' conference held in Calgary, Canada. We hear about each of the invited speakers and meet one of the delegates, a listener of the Skeptic Zone right from episode #1, Brenda Hill. Next it's a road trip to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, which ho...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders with Adrienne Hill and Kat McLeod 0:02:20 Kate & Allie at We Can Reason - Calgary Canada We are delighted to accounce that 'Kate', Kat McLeod from Edmonton, is our newest reporter on the Skeptic Zone. Hear her reaction as Richard Saunders confirms her appoitment. Weclome Kat! Her segment will be know as "For Cryin' Out! It's Kat McLeod". Also we hear more abou...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:48 Can AI Replace Your Host? Is AI all that it's cracked up to be? This week Richard Saunders tempts fate by asking AI to write a script in his own style. Are the results worth it? You be the judge..... Mate! 0:12:12 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill . http://www.skeptics....

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:34 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. Kate and Allie revisit another frightening herbal development this time from Japan. With guest Kat McLeod. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/japan-supplement-pill-recall-death-illnesses-kobayashi-pharmaceutical-co 0:12:38 Dr Steve and the UFOs For many decades, Dr Steve Roberts has been investigating reports of...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:00 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This week Adrienne talks to the organizers of the Los Angeles Skepticamp on the day after the event which was held on March 24, 2024. Interviewed are Wendy Hughes, Heather Henderson, Paula Lauterbach, Jane Selkie, Deborah Warcken, and Susan Gerbic. https://skepticampla.fmtpo.com https://www.youtube.com/@Hea...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:30 My Mum Talks To Aliens - Or Does She? A review of a TV documentary from 2010. Mary Rodwell travels Australia seeking out those who claim to be abducted by UFOs. Can she convince her son during the course of the two week adventure? What, if any, real evidence does the documentary provide? https://youtu.be/zZ6dJergQ8o https://www.metabunk.org/threads/deb...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:36 Kenny Biddle Tiks on Tiktok It's hard to believe, but much of what you see on Tiktok may not be all it seems! Chief Investigator for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, Kenny Biddle, hunts for claims of the paranormal on Tiktok. Can he explain the unexplainable? https://www.tiktok.com/@kennybiddle42 0:20:56 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptica...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Skeptical Highlights of Dick Smith As we send our birthday wishes to Dick Smith, who just turned 80 years old, we look back at his influence on the skeptical movement in Australia. We also cover his great friendship and productive cooperation with James Randi. James Randi in Australia - With Dick Smith https://youtu.be/gN-0FEqAkQM This Is Your Life - D...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Redefining Beauty, one tongue press at a time? Can keeping your mouth shut make you more attractive? While some people believe so, it may not be for the same reasons you think. Adrienne Hill has an interesting conversation with Kat McLeod to discuss the controversial beauty trend and viral sensation known a...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:18 Strange Bedfellows Once again, Susan Gerbic finds herself under attack from an odd assortment of UFO and conspiracy believers. This time they are trying to change her Wikipedia page to include what they think is the truth. it really is a case of the blind leading the blind. https://www.abouttimeproject.org 0:23:08 Nerd Night in Bend, Oregon Join Kathy...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:00 Skepticamp 2024 Brian Dunning and Richard Saunders had the pleasure of appearing live via video to the Surf Coast Skepticamp meeting. In this selection from the presentation, Brian and Richard discuss thier interest in the skeptical movement, podcasting and making documentary movies. 0:26:32 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:56 Healers Quacks or Mystics - A Review In 1983, ABC TV broadcast a 6 part documentary on alternative medicine. On this week's show we take a look at the series and explore some of the claims made at the time. After 40 years, what can we learn from this uncritical series. https://vimeo.com/nevilldrury 0:27:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decad...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 UFOs Keep Attacking! Alas for the poor UFO diehards, the UFOs just won't come. So they are channelling their anger at this sad state of affairs, towards the skeptics, who point out the fact that the UFOs are still not coming. Once again, Susan Gerbic and Brian Dunning are in the firing line of the believers. https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/i-bl...