The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:20 Society of Homeopaths in Hot Water From 'The Good Thinking Society'. Professional Standards Authority suspends the Society of Homeopaths (UK). The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) announced it had suspended the accreditation of the Society of Homeopaths (SoH). - Read by Lara Benham https://goodthinkingsociety.org 0:09:24 Logical Fallacies with Mi...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:25 An interview with Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill from Canada tells us about Tourette Syndrome and some of the so-called alternative treatments that have been offered over the years. https://tourette.ca https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/resource/tourette-ocd/home Monterey Skepticamp Youtube (at 4:53:10) https://youtu.be/DktlgzdFUTI 0:22:30 Logical Fallacies with...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:36 COVID-19 Conspiracy An alleged quarantine escapee left her hotel after she denied the existence of coronavirus in a series of bizarre online rants. Self-proclaimed "world changer" Jenny D'ubios sparked a manhunt in Perth when she was found missing from her Perth hotel while in COVID-19 quarantine. https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/jenny-d...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 Pete Evans Booted Off Pete Evans has been removed from Facebook just days after telling Sydney followers to not get tested for COVID-19. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/facebook-boots-celebrity-chef-pete-evans-over-covid-19-misinformation-20201223-p56px0.html 0:11:30 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Th...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:07 Susan Gerbic We find out what GSoW are doing to support those fighting COVID-19. Also the latest ravings from two time Bent Spoon winner, Pete Evans. https://abouttimeproject.wordpress.com 0:17:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Uri Geller in the 1970s.   1973.12.08    -...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:36 Doctor at LARGE Ken McLeod reports on how anti-vaccination campaigner Judy Wilyman is trading on her flawed doctorate, and the implications for her, the University of Wollongong, and the community. - Read by Richard Saunders. https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2040%20(2020)%20No%204%20(Cover).pdf 0:27:16 A Di...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:54 Living a Skeptical Life From a talk given some years ago by Richard Saunders at a meeting of the Victorian Skeptics, what does it mean to be a skeptic from day to day? The Mysterious Monsters 1975 https://youtu.be/44BUjnxwC_g 0:31:04 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Wa...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:30 Ben Radford's New Book The famed skeptical investigator, podcaster and author tells us about his new book, a collection of stories covering almost 2 decades. http://benjaminradford.com 0:17:25 ESP - 250 We join a live broadcast of the European Skeptics Podcast to congratulate them for 250 episodes. https://theesp.eu 0:19:52 Logical Fallacies. With Mich...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 His Goose is Cooked Another twist in the ongoing sad Soap Opera that is former celebrity Pete Evans. He's lost his sponsorships, he's lost his TV deals, he's lost his book deals along with his marbles. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54972101 0:13:04 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Fallacy Fallacy" ....

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:26 From 9/11 to COVID-19 An interview with Claus Larsen from Denmark about the ongoing research into some of the biggest conspiracy theories in recent history. What are some of the COVID-19 conspiracies doing the rounds and why do people believe in them? http://www.911facts.dk 0:29:50 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 The Misadventures of the VeXXed Bus We look at the bumpy road and comic mishaps of the "Vaxxed II" bus as it travels along its sorry road. 0:16:44 James Randi, a quiet chat. In 2014, Randi and Saunders toured Australia. During some downtime they chat about magic, memories and TV productions. James Randi: Psychic Investigator - YouTube https://youtu.be/...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 James Randi on The Skeptic Zone Since the podcast begain in 2008, James Randi appeared on about 22 episodes. We present some edited highlights from over the years. 0:39:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the James Randi, with a focus on the year 1980, the year of the fame...

0:00:00 A tribute to James "The Amazing" Randi. 1928 - 2020. 0:06:20 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:10:45 Australian Skeptics Inc. Annual Awards 2020 Join President Jessica Singer, E.O. Tim Mendham and Chief Investigator Richard Saunders as they annouce this year's awards, as heard at Skepticon 2020. The Fred Thornett Award for the promotion of reason - The Barry Williams Award for media - The Sk...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:02 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson. Interview with Brian Deer , a British investigative reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World , was published in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press. Part #3 -...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:09 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson. Interview with Brian Deer , a British investigative reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World , was published in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press. Part #2 -...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:32 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson. Interview with Brian Deer , a British investigative reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World , was published in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press. Part #1 -...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:50 Life is Wild. With Michelle Franklin Ever seen a UFO? Many years ago Michelle and her father did and were quite baffled... for a time. What about the time she saw strange red eyes peering at her from the darkness while camping? What this some sort of stragne apparition or did Michelle find a more logical answer? 0:16:05 A Dive into a Trove A wander thr...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:26 COVID-19 Conspiracy Graffiti Michelle Bijkersma reports on COVID-19 conspiracy theory graffiti in Melbourne. 0:10:42 Protests - COVID-19 Conspiracies Anti-Lockdown protests at Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market as police arrest 74 protesters and issue more than $280,000 in fines. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/police-arrest-74-and-fine-176-...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:20 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the words "Yowie Hunt". Did anyone ever find the Australian Big Foot? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:21:08 CFI - We're Not Backing Down from Walmart Snake oil profiteering has emerged as a genuine crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, exempli...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:43 Here's My Two Cents Worth. With Jennifer Hathorn Jennifer takes us on a decades long journey through the madness that is Dragon*Con. What are some of the highlights involving skepticism? Find out about the time James Randi appeared with Alice Cooper. 0:13:47 LIVE from Skeptrack! We talk to Dr Angie Mattke and Derek Colanduno from the studio floor ar vi...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 A Drive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the word "clairvoyant". Can we find a little wisdom from the past?   1907, 26 January - Geelong Advertiser 1907, 28 November - Geelong Advertiser 1907, 25 June - The Australian Star 1919, 13 March - Darling Downs Gazette 1928, 12 April - N...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:04 On the Search for those Elusive Ghosts An interview with  Beth Darlington  in London, UK. A paranormal investigator who has a very open-minded and fair approach to investigating the claims of the paranormal. https://www.accessparanormal.com 0:18:20 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at  "The Anecdotal Evidence Fallacy" ....

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:18 Life is Wild. With Michelle Franklin Seeds of Distress? Back in July, Michelle saw a little story on facebook. Someone in America claiming to have received a package of seeds from China in the mail. They said they didn't order anything, but this little package labelled as earrings, but containing what looked like lemon seeds just showed up at their hou...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:18 Interview with Sue Ieraci Sue is an Australian doctor and emergency specialist with more than three decades' experience in the public hospital system. She is a vocal advocate for improvements in Emergency Medicine, how it is viewed in the hospital framework and patient-centred care. Sue is a member of the Executive of Friends of Science in Medicine and...

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:51 VAXXED Bus Banned Blue Mountains City Council - Matter of Urgency - That the Council now considers a matter arising in relation to NSW Heath order and Council bookings by VAXXED Bus tour that has been ruled by the Mayor to be a matter of great urgency. https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/documents/2020-07-28-council-meeting-unconfirmed-minutes 0:10:30 Australi...