Episodes
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 about the convention, Adrienne's video presentation from LA Skepticamp, and a...
Published 05/04/24
Published 05/04/24
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.com.au 0:24:58 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham What Goes...
Published 04/27/24
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 UFOs. In this informal chat with Richard Saunders, Dr Steve looks at...
Published 04/20/24
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/@HeatherHenderson https://www.abouttimeproject.org 0:14:16 The Book of...
Published 04/14/24
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/debunked-2007-avebury-ufo-sighting-military-exercise-flares.6411/ ...
Published 04/06/24
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 skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne...
Published 03/30/24
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 - Dick Smith 1997 https://youtu.be/FEXr2Wh4fPQ 0:17:32 The Skeptic...
Published 03/23/24
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 as "mewing"; the origins and the myths. 0:19:08 Alanta Colley - Live Show ...
Published 03/16/24
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 Rightmire, Brian Dunning and Richard Saunders as they enjoy Nerd Night...
Published 03/09/24
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 the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill and surprise a...
Published 03/02/24
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 decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to...
Published 02/24/24
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-blame-the-australian-skeptics/ 0:16:28 Australian Skeptics Newsletter ...
Published 02/17/24
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 Skeptic magazine know full well, this was not their first trip through the gates of...
Published 02/10/24
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's Spooky Action Maynard takes a look back at some of the...
Published 02/03/24
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! Is Susan a secret agent of the government or Satan.... or both? Why are...
Published 01/27/24
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 house to find out more. The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose,...
Published 01/20/24
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 conducted at Sydney Skeptics in the pub. Tim talks about why he got...
Published 01/13/24
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=4340 The Don Lane Show - 1981 Psychics ...
Published 01/06/24
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 interviews the one and only Susan Gerbic, live from The Skeptic Zone Studios....
Published 12/30/23
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 to be in Facebook prison. 0:43:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander...
Published 12/23/23
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 0:17:44 Round Table - Part #5 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian...
Published 12/17/23
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 to talk about the skeptical world and related issues. This week the...
Published 12/09/23
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 0:11:44 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught...
Published 12/02/23
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 - Part #2 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian Dunning from the...
Published 11/25/23