The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:07:14 Swings and Roundabouts Richard Saunders reports on the fortunes and pitfalls of that merry-go-round of wellness, Mind Body Spirit. - In October 2023, Tim Mendham, Dr Sue Ieraci and Saunders took the long and crooked road to the Festival of MindBodySpirit (MBS) held at the convention centre in Sydney's Darling Harbour. As long-time readers of the Skepti...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:42 You Can Count on Adrienne For this 800th episode, Adrienne Hill will honour Richard's remarkable milestone by delving into the delightful domain of "800", exploring Guinness World Records, sports feats, and celestial numerology. DCCC. 0:11:56 Episode 800 Greetings #1 Messages from The European Skeptics Podcast Skeptics With a K Podcast 0:14:10 Maynard'...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Ben Radford Kills Bigfoot? How can you kill something that was never alive? We ask Ben about the history of this elusive cryptid and why he thinks it has never been captured. We also discover that the diehard Bigfoot believers now blame the skeptics for the lack of succes in presenting evidence for the hairy monster. 0:18:40 Susan Gerbic Under Attack!...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:18 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill The Winchester Mystery House. Adrienne has a special interest in finding out the truth of this famous, rambling mansion in southern California. Although legend has it the house was built to cater for the superstitions of its owner, the truth is actually far more interesting. Adrienne and friends visit the h...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders, live from Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. 0:02:20 Maynard's Spooky Action Susan Gerbic Interview. Part #3 of 3 Maynard interviews the one and only Susan Gerbic, live from The Skeptic Zone Studios. Susan tells Maynard about how her team follow the Wikipedia rules. https://www.abouttimeproject.org 0:17:36 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham An interview with Tim cond...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:18 The Don Lane Show - "Psychics" 43 years ago, on the very popular Don Lane Show, a lineup of so-called psychics appeared to give their mystical insights into the winner of the upcoming 1981 Melbourne Cup horse race. Don Lane is the same man who once threw James Randi off his TV chat show. The Don Lane Show - Uri Geller https://youtu.be/jQTVHkBrECQ&t=434...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:24 Quackery in Australian Pharmacies We look over some of the flyers, posters and other information promoting medical quackery, found at Australian pharmacies over the last few decades. From homeopathy to iridology, quackery in chemist shops has a dishonourable history. 0:25:18 Maynard's Spooky Action Susan Gerbic Interview. Part #1 of 3 Maynard interview...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:58 Over 20 Years of Skeptical Archives Richard Saunders reviews some of the many thousands of clippings, posters and information flyers collected over the past two decades at Mind Body Wallet festivals and other peddlers of misinformation. 0:30:46 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard chats to Melanie Trecek-King about her visit to Australia and what it's like...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:14 You Can Count on Adrienne Dr Christopher Lobos Adrienne Hill engages in a conversation with Dr. Christopher Labos, discussing his book titled "Does Coffee Cause Cancer? And 8 More Myths About the Food We Eat." For an extended interview that also explores Dr. Labos' efforts with science communication, follow this link: https://youtu.be/RawriuUMQwQ 0:17:...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:42 Vale Dr Alex Ritchie We reflect on the life of Dr Alex Ritchie, the world renowned palaeontologist and staunch defender of science against the now almost defunct creationism lobby in Australia. 0:11:00 Round Table - Part #4 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast and Richard Saunders from the Skeptic Zone podcast t...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:24 Bend Spoon 2023 Walkley winner Coulthart wins 2023 Bent Spoon for UFOs! Ross Coulthart, who has won five Walkley awards (including the top Gold Walkley) during his career as a journalist, can now add another prize to the list - the Australian Skeptics' Bent Spoon award. Also we report on some of the more positive awards. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:11...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 A Rough Guide to Spotting Bad Science Being able to evaluate the evidence behind a scientific claim is important. Being able to recognise bad science reporting, or faults in scientific studies, is equally important. These 12 points will help you separate the science from the pseudoscience. https://www.compoundchem.com/infographics 0:14:42 Round Table -...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:08 You Can Count of Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill has Kat back again to give an update or three regarding episodes 778 and 775. They also discuss Tara flour and a supplement Adrienne discovered for humans at a wild bird store in Canada. https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-launches-new-directory-ingredients-used-products-mar...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:32 You Can Count on Adrienne This week Adrienne interviews Susan Gerbic ftom Guerrilla Skeptics on Wikipedia. Susan, together with a host of other sceptics, as soon to head to Melbourne for the Australian Skeptics National Convention. Find out what Susan will be talking about in Melbourne and how you can meet this inspirational, skeptical activist. http:/...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:58 CSICON 2023 We catch up with... Melanie Trecek-King An Associate Professor of Biology at Massasoit Community College, where she teaches a general-education science course designed to equip students with empowering critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy skills. Melanie will aslo be appearing at Skepticon, Melbourne. https://thinki...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 CSICON 2023 A grab bag of interviews and sounds from the meeting in Las Vegas. Jim Underdown Dr Angie Mattke Adrienne Hill Celestia Ward 0:11:14 Skepticon 2023 Interview Stephen Bavaro joins us to talk about his upcoming appearance at the Australian Skeptics National Convention. The story of Atlantis! See a preview at this talk at Sydney Skeptics in th...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne engages in a conversation with Kat MacLeod, delving into her personal journey with herbal supplements and the profound impact it has had on her life, as well as her dedicated advocacy work in Canada to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with these supplements. 0:22:08 Australian S...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:30 Once More Unto The Breach Tim Mendham, Sue Ieraci, Darryl Colquhoun and Richard Saunders head to Sydney's Festival of Mind Body Spirit to discover what quackery is on display. Will they survive the paranormal parade of pretend psychics? 0:12:54 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Kelly Burke and Faith Newsome Rodriquez join Adrienne Hill to t...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders, live from Sydney Skeptics in tbe Pub 0:02:12 Skeptical BBQ Steve Roberts and Richard Saunders talk about the latest UFO shenanigans and their appreciation of one the founders of Australian Skeptics, Dick Smith. James Randi in Australia - with Dick Smith https://youtu.be/gN-0FEqAkQM 0:07:32 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Phoney Fauna - Part #1 By Tim Mendha...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Tim and Richard talk about the upcoming Skepticon in Melbourne and other skeptical issues.... and have some coffee and biscuits. https://skepticon.org.au 0:14:24 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. Adrienne Hill and Faith Newsome Rodriquez talk about the Hawthorne Effect, based on poor research done in the 1...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:24 Reiki on TikTok We look via TikTok at some of the "practitioners" of Reiki, the fictional enery claimed to actually heal or... something... What is Reiki, who does Reiki and do you need a rake to do it? We wrack our brains for Reiki. https://quackwatch.org/related/reiki/ https://www.reiki.org/faqs/what-reiki 0:24:40 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:18 You Can on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill A visit to Salem, Massachusetts. Join Adrienne for a fascinating virtual tour of Salem, focusing on the infamous Witch Trials and the general supernatural themes tailored to the tourist industry. https://www.salem.org/things-to-do/tours 0:21:51 Mass Hysteria and Havana Syndrome Rob Palmer talks about the Havana S...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:42 Take Stock with Shelley Stocken Doctor Google is at it again with millions of people seeking its advice. A classic story from 2017 from our dear late reporter. 0:11:50 UFOs in the Pub We talk to long time skeptical investigators Ian Bryce and Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics about their opinions on the latest UFO fad. Insights from people who have...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:10 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This week Adrienne chats to Kat McLeod from Edmonton, Canada, about the strange practice of mouth taping. Can placing tape over your mouth, improve your health and sleep? Adrienne and Kat look at some of the claims and reality of this medical trend. 0:23:18 The Skeptical Box of Tricks Clips from "Nerd Night...

0:00:00 George Hrab Luck Be A Lady 0:01:28 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:50 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill To celebrate the 777th episode of this podcast, Adrienne looks into the meaning behind the number 777. It's not just a type of airliner, but 777 appears in the most unlikely places. Just think, in another 777 episodes, it will be episode 1554! 0:13:54 Rob Palmer on Psychic...