0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:05:58 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas We interview Pharmacist Kate Thomas, a rising TikTok star from Sydney who fights medical misinformation with commonsense and humour. https://www.tiktok.com/@prescribeorpass https://www.tiktok.com/@debunkingbarbara https://www.instagram.com/scriptedbykate 0:18:34 Gone and Forgotten #3 Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come acro...
Sep 21, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 885
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:00 Cryptozoology We take a look into the history and likelihood of strange creatures roaming the earth, yet to be discovered by science. Tall tales from our ancestors and adventurous hunts throughout the world are examined. Is Bigfoot really there? 0:13:46 Prescribe or Pass Sometimes the rabbit hole of TikTok can offer much more than conspiracy theories and bad advice. We review the channel of Pharmacist Kate Thomaswho takes to task many of the outrage...
Sep 13, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 884
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Tim Mendham 00:06:06 A Look into the Stars We take a sceptical look at the claims and promises of the age old practice of Astrology. Can the stars and planets really predict your future or influence your characteristics? 0:17:50 Gone and Forgotten #1 Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal. At the time, members of the...
Sep 05, 2025•54 min•Ep. 883
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:14 Comet 3I Atlas and TikTok Tales of Doom As another interstellar visitor races through our solar system, we look at various predictions and musings of people who think this chunk of rock is actually an alien spacecraft heading our way. Prof. Dave - Avi Loeb https://youtu.be/4nYXIeZh_bw 0:21:24 For Crying Out Loud. It's Kat McLeod! This week Kat straps on some ghost busting gear and investigates the possibility of the paranormal when she does a deep d...
Aug 30, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 882
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:28 Alien Abductions? We take a look at the history, implications and possibilities of aliens travelling across the Milky Way to not only visit the Earth but also to kidnap some of its unlucky, innocent residents. 0:16:44 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Relationship Gurus with Karen Bijkersma #2 The Internet seems full of people who want to offer you advice, for a price, on your relationships. This week Adrienne Hill talks to author Karen ...
Aug 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 881
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:34 The World Without the Modern Skeptical Movement We imagine what society would be like if James Randi and people like him never started the modern skeptical movement. What would the world be like? 0:16:56 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Relationship Gurus with Karen Bijkersma #1 The Internet seems full of people who want to offer you advice, for a price, on your relationships. This week Adrienne Hill talks to author Karen Bijkersma abou...
Aug 17, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 880
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:50 Msynard's Spooky Action Maynard heads to Sydney Skeptics in the Pub for a special screening of the remastered documentary "James Randi in Australia". Attending was Kent Blackmore who took part in the documenty 45 years ago. Maynard also chats to Skeptic Zone listener Tom. http://www.sydneymagic.net 0:22:26 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hand...
Aug 09, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 879
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:08 Radical Thinking Radical Thinking is a book about how you view the world. It's about the things that shape your thoughts, from what you notice and how you interpret it, to what you assume, believe and want. It's also about how, if you think in a radical way, you can look beyond your limited view of the world to see the bigger picture. Peter Lamont is a Professor of History and Theory of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, and a Senior Fellow ...
Aug 02, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 878
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:16 Dr Eugenie Scott - Scopes Monkey Trial 100th Anniversary - #2 We chat to the one and only Dr Eugenie Scott who reflects on the 100th anniversary of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial. This is part two of a two part interview. The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, commonly known as the Scopes trial or Scopes Monkey Trial, was an American legal case from July 10 to July 21, 1925, in which a high school teacher, John T. Scopes, was accused of viola...
Jul 26, 2025•50 min•Ep. 877
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:16 Dr Eugenie Scott - Scopes Monkey Trial 100th Anniversary - #1 We chat to the one and only Dr Eugenie Scott who reflects on the 100 anniversary of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial. This is part one of a two part interview. The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, commonly known as the Scopes trial or Scopes Monkey Trial, was an American legal case from July 10 to July 21, 1925, in which a high school teacher, John T. Scopes, was accused of violati...
Jul 19, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 876
0:00:00 Introduction Psychic Penny 00:02:36 Skeptoid Adventure Interviews From around the Bermuda Triangle comes interviews with Adrienne Hill, Ben Radford, Ross Blocher, Susan Gerbic, Dr Angela Mattke and Brian Dunning. https://skeptoid.com/events 0:24:28 You Can Count on Adrienne In part 2 of the adventures with Adrienne and Susan, we travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, where we discuss the Triangle Skeptics' 2nd annual Skepticamp. I interviewed organizers Jeff Gehlbach, Faith and Ramiro Rodrig...
Jul 12, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 875
0:00:00 Introduction Kat McLeod 00:03:04 You Can Count on Adrienne In part 1 of adventures with Adrienne and Susan, Adrienne Hill chats cheerfully with Susan Gerbic about their marvelous May meanderings, starting with the 'WeCanReason' conference and wrapping up with the sensational St. Louis Skepticamp shenanigans, orchestrated by Karl Withakay (Karl Gerhardt). I chat and giggle gleefully with Karl in the second half of this You Can Count on Adrienne episode. Stay tuned next week for part 2 whe...
Jul 05, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 874
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:04 The Book of Tim. For Tim Mendham This week we pay tribute to retiring editor of the Skeptic Magazine, Tim Mendham. After many years of hard work behind the scenes and in front of the scenes, Tim is stepping back to enjoy more of his hobbies. These include skeptical investigations and BBQs! Congratulations Tim on a huge contribution to the skeptical movement. With Maynard Susan Gerbic Ben Radford Jessica Singer Adrienne Hill Pontus Bockman Richard Sau...
Jun 28, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 873
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:06 Science and Psudoscience Americans (Kind of) Smarter on Science We look at a news report from 2007 on the state of science and pseudoscience in America. 2007.02.18 - Lakeland Ledger 0:17:42 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:06 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references...
Jun 21, 2025•59 min•Ep. 872
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:22 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. Adrienne interviews Sebastian Toews, Dawson VonStein, and D.J. Crossland, all students from Grant McEwan University who presented at the Edmonton QE II Skepticamp that Kat McLeod and Rodney Schmaltz organised. Then she talks to Coleman Watts after a hike near Banff where they discuss his latest video release. Then look out as they encounter a Bigfoot wannabe in the form of a grizzly bear! 0:16:16 What i...
Jun 15, 2025•58 min•Ep. 871
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:22 Randi Restored 45 years ago, James Randi flew to Australia at the invitation of Dick Smith. He came to test a score of water diviners in Australia's first major investigation of these claims. The resulting documentary, "James Randi in Australia" was shown on Australian TV and then lost forever. Luckily it was recorded onto video tape via a VCR at the time and this version has now been restored to its former glory. http://www.tinyurl.com/randiaustral...
Jun 07, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 870
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:06 Armidale SitP Join Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders as they travel to Armidale in the New England area of Australia to enjoy the hospitality of the local skeptics. Included is a field report from Armidale Skeptics in the Pub. With thanks to Amelia and Brian Willmer. 0:17:00 Squaring the Strange with Celestia and Ben We catch up with those famed skeptical podcasts from the United States, Ben Radford and Celestial award from the Squaring the Strange P...
May 31, 2025•57 min•Ep. 869
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:06 Is that a Ghost? Ghosts, ghouls, phantoms and apparitions. Are you living in a haunted house? This week Richard Saunders looks at some of the aspects and implications of ghosts and spirits. 0:16:48 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 5 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolu...
May 25, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 868
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:40 For Crying Out Loud! This week Kat McLeod (with a little help from Adrienne Hill) interviews attendees and guests from the recent "We Can Reason" conference in Calgary, Canada. Includes Seth Andrews, Leslie Rosenblood, Brenda Hill, Forrest Valkai, Rodney Schmaltz and Lei Pinter. 0:19:04 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 4 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer,...
May 18, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 867
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:38 You Can Count on Adrienne This week Adrienne interviews attendees and guests from the recent "We Can Reason" conference in Calgary, Canada. Includes Terrlyn Seltenrich, Janalee Morris, Leslie Rosenblood and Dr Eugenie Scott. 0:20:24 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 3 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independ...
May 11, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 866
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:24 Prophecies about the Pope With a new Pope just around the corner, we review various prophetic writings about this high religious office. Will the next Pope be the last? Will Rome fall? A holy tangled web from centuries past. The Prophecies Of Nostradamus 1979 https://archive.org/details/the-prophecies-of-nostradamus-1979 0:16:26 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. I...
May 03, 2025•59 min•Ep. 865
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:26 A Challenge to So-Called Psychics A review of the challenge to psychics, and people claiming other paranormal powers, put out by Australian Skeptics in 1984. How does this compare to 2025? https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/challenge 0:20:28 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 1 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illus...
Apr 26, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 864
0:00:00 Introduction Kat McLeod 00:02:30 Susan vs. Psychics We catch up with Susan Gerbic to hear her thoughts on what she's dubbed "Motivated Sitters", that is people who actively take part in so-called psychic readings and, unknowingly, do most of the hard work. 0:24:18 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham I Can Smell Onions By Ken McLeod In this report, Ken McLeod recounts the time that psychics tried to help in finding missing aircraft. Read by Tim Mendham. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 24 N...
Apr 20, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 863
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:24 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod How are you feeling? It is a common question people ask each other all the time. Most of us give thought to our diet, exercise or overall health on a regular basis. On this week's show Kat McLeod will look at society's obsession with the health and wellness industry, in hopes that you will feel better about yourself. 0:29:02 Extinction Over? The Riddle of the Dire Wolf Recent media headlines would have you think ...
Apr 12, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 862
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:08:54 The Loons From Canada Kate & Allie vs. AI Just how good is AI in April 2025? Kate & Allie test Copilot from Microsoft when it come to its skeptical knowledge. 00:21:48 Maynard's Spooky Action This week Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to see a talk by Karen Bijkersma, a distant relative of the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the Internet. He took the opportunity to interview Karen and Annie McCubbin about their upcoming podc...
Apr 05, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 861
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:40:10 The Loons from Canada Join Kate and Allie as they investigate paranormal activity at Concordia University with Rodney Schmaltz's fourth-year psychology students from McEwan University. They explore potential ghostly presences using dowsing rods, EVPs, ghost photography, and infrasound detection. Listen to eerie recordings and a few giggles as they explore the spooky, old building in the dark. 0:24:04 UFO No Show You might be surprised to hear that a...
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 830
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:08:48 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne chats with Johnathan Jarry from the McGill Office of Science and Society regarding his recent expose about Joe Mercola. Johnathan describes the controversial and jaw-dropping findings discovered after a whistle-blower sent him videos depicting strange conversations between Mercola and a psychic medium. Find out Mercola's thoughts on veterinarians, unconventional carbon dioxide treatments and how...
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 589
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:54 The Loon From Canada Kate and Allie return to the topic of the Mandela Effect and explore the rabbit hole of the International Mandela Effect Conference, featuring speakers who delve into consciousness, quantum silliness, and miraculous phenomena; the conference is more paranormal pondering than scientific symposium. They even are able to manifest special guest Coleman Watts from the Think This Through Channel on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@Th...
Mar 15, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 858
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:40 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod This week Kat interviews Annie McCubbin from Australia. Annie is an actor, author and corporate trainer, committed to elevating the quality of critical thinking in business and life. She focuses on helping women avoid being conned by new-age nonsense and self-help platitudes. She is the author of Why Smart Women Make Bad Decisions (published in 2020) and Why Smart Women Buy the Lies (published in 2023). https://l...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:20 Revisiting the Beaumont Children Mystery In January 1966 three young children went missing from an Adelaide beach. This, one of the great unsolved cold cases of Australian criminal history, was not helped by the distraction of so-called psychics. News reel from 1966 with Gerard Croiset https://youtu.be/6phR-jFnx3g?t=666 TV news report from 1990 about June Cox a so-called psychic who was no help in the case https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collecti...
Mar 02, 2025•54 min•Ep. 856
