The Skeptic Zone - podcast cover

The Skeptic Zone

Richard Saunderswww.skepticzone.tv
The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason. Join Richard Saunders and his team of reporters for your weekly dose of skeptical news and interviews, reports and comments. Past guests have included, James Randi, Stephen Fry, Tim Minchin, Eugenie Scott, Dr Phil Plait, Michael Marshall, Dr Steve Novella, Dr Pamela Gay, Jon Ronson, Dr Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Prof. Richard Wiseman, Dick Smith, Banachek, Prof. Chris French, George Hrab, Tim Ferguson, Dr Paul Willis and many, many more. Featuring Australian radio legend Maynard with his Spooky Action, Jo Alabaster from the 'Evidence Please' blog, Eran Segev's Grain of Salt, Dr Rachael Dunlop with 'Dr Rachie Reports' and Heidi Robertson aka 'The Raw Skeptic'.
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Episodes

The Skeptic Zone #405 - 24.July.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:55 The Raw Skeptic Report with Heidi Robertson Paleo and TV chef Pete Evans says sunscreen contains 'poisonous chemicals' This week Heidi looks at some of the claims made by a TV chef about sunscreen and more. Includes radio appearance by Dr Brad McKay. 0:27:55 Horror and Amazement as it's reviled Homeopathy is nothing more than sugar pills! World in SHOCK! A BRISBANE woman selling homeopathic vaccinations or boosters for diseases including whooping cou...

Jul 24, 201655 min

The Skeptic Zone #404 - 17.July.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:10 A call to ban veterinary surgeons from prescribing homeopathy as a treatment for animals We talk to Dr Danny Chambers about his petition in the UK to stop vets from selling usless sugar pills in place of real medicine for animals. https://www.change.org/p/the-royal-college-of-veterinary-surgeons-a-call-to-ban-veterinary-surgeons-from-prescribing-homeopathy-as-a-treatment-for-animals http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p040ty7g 0:27:52 ABC's Catalyst unde...

Jul 17, 201651 min

The Skeptic Zone #403 - 10.July.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:07:05 Yes... But will it float? We talk to Dr Eugenie C. Scott about the new and very large ark just opened in Kentucky. https://ncse.com/ https://arkencounter.com/ 0:25:38 Freeman on the land - Shelley Stocken Shelly looks at a small but noisy movement that started in the US and Canada at the turn of the century, and has been simmering in Australia for about a decade. http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/the-seriously-weird-...

Jul 10, 201657 min

The Skeptic Zone #402 - 3.July.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:42 The Cass Files with Dr Cassandra Perryman Be mindful of mindfulness! Mind woo, colouring books and breathing! What?? Find out with Cassandra. 0:12:27 Sherlock Holmes..... the skeptic. From the classic 1940s Sherlock Holmes movies comes a clip that rings true to skeptical thinkers to this very day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8p5pJtWgds 0:19:30 The case of the "fake gynaecologist" Simon Floreani, anti-vaccine chiropractor and former president of ...

Jul 03, 201639 min

The Skeptic Zone #401 - 26.June.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders https://www.patreon.com/skepticzone 0:09:15 Michelle Franklin and ghosts? We catch up with Michelle from the Darwin Skeptics who tells us about her recent appearance on radio to give the skeptical point of view on a good old fashion ghost story. https://www.facebook.com/groups/darwinskeptics/ 0:22:00 The Raw Skeptic Report This week Heidi Robertson interviews Tracey from the Facebook group, 'Stop The Austrailian Vaccination Skeptics Network' (or SAVN). Find ...

Jun 26, 201656 min

The Skeptic Zone #400 - 19.June.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Stefan Sojka 0:09:15 Good Thinking with Michael Marshall NHS Liverpool CCG ends funding for homeopathy - The Good Thinking Society welcomed today’s decision by NHS Liverpool CCG to decommission homeopathy services. The decision comes after months of public consultation which showed overwhelming support from Liverpool residents for an end to funding. http://goodthinkingsociety.org/the-good-thinking-society-welcomes-nhs-liverpool-ccgs-report-on-homeopathy-...

Jun 19, 201657 min

The Skeptic Zone #399 - 12.June.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:09:18 Labor scraps rebates for natural therapies Taxpayers won't be subsidising them if Bill Shorten becomes prime minister. Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen announced on Friday that from July 1, 2017, taxpayer-funded private health insurance rebates would no longer be available for natural therapies. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/06/10/labor-scraps-rebates-natural-therapies 0:12:10 The Good Thinking Society welcomes NHS Liverpool CCG’s report on hom...

Jun 12, 201648 min

The Skeptic Zone #398 - 5.June.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:09:18 Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard at Paracon 2016 Part #2 High up in the Blue Mountains, Maynard goes looking for ghosts, aliens and the unknown... but instead finds... Sheryl Gottschall Delegates Calvin Von Crush 0:32:42 The Raw Skeptic Report Anti-vaccination activists crash immunisation seminar A public seminar on immunisation in Perth was forced to close early after anti-vaccination activists hijacked the event and called doctors liars. 0:48:15 S...

Jun 05, 20161 hr

The Skeptic Zone #397 - 29.May.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:04:05 Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard at Paracon 2016 Part #1 High up in the Blue Mountains, Maynard goes looking for ghosts, aliens and the unknown... but instead finds... Richard Saunders Alex Cayas Beth Luscombe Part #2 next week 0:27:02 Media Guide to Skepticism With Sharon Hill To provide a clear, easy-to-read guide about the “Skeptical” viewpoint as subscribed to by many who might call themselves Skeptics or critical thinkers; to distin...

May 29, 201653 min

The Skeptic Zone #396 - 22.May.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:28 The Australian Sex Party We chat to Dr Meredith Doig to discover more about this political party and their strong stand on sceince and reason. 0:20:45 Dr Rachie Reports... with Dr Rachael Dunlop The vitamin and supplement industry is big business in Australia. An estimated 75% of the population use some form of complementary medicines, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, aromatherapy and homeopathic products. But some vitamin supplements and protein...

May 22, 201654 min

The Skeptic Zone #395 - 15.May.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:05 Employing Naturopaths in Chemists Comments on a report by Jane Hansen about the push to sell even more quackery in your local chemist shop. 0:15:20 Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard and the Doctor Lindsay "The Doctor" McDougall is an Australian rock guitarist and radio presenter. Since 1996, he has been the lead guitarist in punk rock band, Frenzal Rhomb. What are his views on being skeptical? 0:25:18 Anti-vaccination PhD Details have come to light a...

May 15, 201635 min

The Skeptic Zone #394 - 8.May.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders & Maynard 0:03:24 Choice Magazine Join Maynard, Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders as they head to the HQ of Choice Magazine and chat with Tom Godfrey. 0:22:13 Chiropractor Cracks Baby's Spine Yet more on the story that doctors condemn. A shocking video of a crying FOUR-DAY-OLD baby having her back cracked by a chiropractor has gone viral online. 0:33:00 Maynard's Spooky Action.. Conspiracy theories at Skeptics in the Pub Maynard looks behind the stinking ...

May 08, 201659 min

The Skeptic Zone #393 - 1.May.2016

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:41 Chiropractor Cracks Baby's Spine More on the story that doctors condemn. A shocking video of a crying FOUR-DAY-OLD baby having her back cracked by a chiropractor has gone viral online. 0:11:48 The Rotten Thread of Conspiracy Theories This week Australia stopped to remember the Port Arthur massacre of 1996. Sadly but predictably, conspiracy theories continue to dog the friends and family of those lost. 0:25:20 Vaxxed Amid World Immunisation Week, a fi...

May 01, 201637 min

The Skeptic Zone #392 - 24.April.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders and Maynard 0:05:05Maynard's Spooky Action.. At the Lawrence Leung ShowWe attend the new live show, "Very Strange Things" and chat to Eran Segev and Lawrence about magic, mentalism and being skeptical. 0:24:43The Raw Skeptic ReportThis week Heidi Robertson is live on the spot to bring us reports from the first Skeptic in the Pub in the Northern Rivers of NSW. 0:39:23Chiropractor Cracks Baby's SpineDoctors condemn shocking video of a crying FOUR-DAY-OLD baby ha...

Apr 24, 201647 min

The Skeptic Zone #391 - 17.April.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:06:55Lawrence LeungWe catch up with Australia's clown prince of skeptical fun and adventure to find out about his new live show, "Very Strange Things". 0:21:10The Raw Skeptic ReportThis week Heidi Robertson gives us her no nonsense report on Diphtheria. 0:36:18Maynard's Spooky Action.. Random interviews from a Skeptics' DinnerMaynard chats with Dr Mel Thomson from MelburneCassandra Perryman from BrisbaneWade Ness from BrisbaneTim Mendham from Sydney Includes...

Apr 17, 20161 hr

The Skeptic Zone #390 - 10.April.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:05:15Maynard's Spooky Action.. The evolution of antievolutionism.Maynard Interviews Dr Nick Matzke, a postdoctoral scientist at ANU, holding a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) from the Australian Research Council.Includes A Walk In The Black Forest. 0:26:07Dr Rachie Reports... With Dr Rachael DunlopIn the past week, Dr Rachie appeared on the popular Sunrise TV show to talk about the case of parents who cannot agree on vacination. 0:31:25Gold C...

Apr 10, 201647 min

The Skeptic Zone #389 - 3.April.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:06:25Paracon Australia 2016 - Alex CayasWe chat to the director of this spooky event and find out why skeptics should attend. 0:17:10NHMRC $3.3 MILLION ON WIND FARM RESEARCH – “MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN”?From Australian Skeptics 0:22:40Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard catches up with Ian Wolf from the long running Diffusion Science Radio Show. 0:38:22Anti-vaccination lobby flags High Court challenge to ‘no jab, no pay’Anti-vaccination activists are seeking funds...

Apr 03, 201644 min

The Skeptic Zone #388 - 27.Mar.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders Includes a tribute to Phyllis Saunders and the reading of an item by Steven W Thrasher, "Don't tell cancer patients what they could be doing to cure themselves" 0:12:27The Raw Skeptic ReportThis week Heidi Robertson with news about online memes and posters. 0:23:05Friends of Science in MedicineIntegrative medicine: more than the promotion of unproven treatments? 0:29:40Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard reports from the Podcasters Sydney meetup group....

Mar 27, 201641 min

The Skeptic Zone #387 - 20.Mar.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:10:15Report : Update on Wilyman PhDA short update on the continuing controversy 0:14:14The Skeptic Magazine from Australian Skeptics What goodies await in the new issue of this long running journal. 0:18:50Chiropractic in QuestionWe look at some of the claims and practices of Gonstead Chiropractic. Also, are Chiros as qualified as GPs?

Mar 20, 201646 min

The Skeptic Zone #386 - 13.March.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:05:50Report : An Evening with Alan AldaAlan Alda was in Australia and gave a talk in Canberra about the importance of good science communication. 0:17:16Good Thinking Investigates: Peter PopoffGood Thinking has been investigating ‘faith healer’ Peter Popoff and his highly-lucrative current business of promising to heal sickness and cancel debts in exchange for ‘seed faith’, in other words: cash donations. 0:23:00Psychic Sunday in FairfieldRichard Saunders dr...

Mar 13, 201643 min

The Skeptic Zone #385 - 6.March.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:04:48The Raw Skeptic ReportThis week Heidi Robertson gives us her no nonsense report on Chicken Pox. 0:23:07Good Thinking Investigates: OsteopathyMany osteopaths claim to treat colic with cranial osteopathy – a therapy with no evidence of effectiveness.Following Good Thinking's recent investigation into similar claims made by chiropractors, they decided to find out what an osteopath would tell a distressed parent seeking advice… 0:31:42Anti Vax in the mediaC...

Mar 06, 201653 min

The Skeptic Zone #384 - 28.Feb.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:04:20Holes in the PlotFrom science fiction fans to water dowsers, why do people work so hard to preserve their belief systems? In this talk, Richard Saunders looks at the thinking and mental gymnastics. 0:27:10Peter Bowditch - Vaccination in OberonA letter to the editor by long time skeptic, Peter 'Ratbags' Bowditch. 0:30:40Good Thinking Investigates: ChiropracticIn 2008, the British Chiropractic Association unsuccessfully sued science writer Simon Singh for...

Feb 28, 201650 min

The Skeptic Zone #383 - 21.Feb.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:03:50Wi-Fried?We look at the fallout from ABC TV's science show 'Catalyst' after its broadcast of a story that many see as nothing more than scaremongering. Included is the reaction from the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) via their science channel. 0:22:40Homeopathic RadioWe join Michael Marshall from the Good Thinking Society in the UK has he appears on BBC radio to counter the strange statements from a local homeopathic G.P. 0:33:40Evidence Please....

Feb 20, 201641 min

The Skeptic Zone #382 - 14.Feb.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:05:36Evidence Please... with Jo AlabasterJo reports on Biodynamic Gardening. WHAT? Find out with Jo. 0:17:54A Week in ScienceThe Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science. 0:21:04When a letter from Heaven ... isn't. "Letters from heaven": TV psychic Lillyanne sends almost identical readings to dozens of customers. A report with the help of Trish ...

Feb 14, 201641 min

The Skeptic Zone #381 - 7.Feb.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:04:04Dr Phil PlaitWe catch up with Dr Plait and talk about the late astronaut Edgar Mitchelll as well as Pluto and UFOs. 0:27:06A Week in ScienceThe Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science. 0:31:27Anti-Vaxxers react to Mark ZuckerbergSome of the more extreme nastiness from the anti-science trolls. 0:34:35Sydney Skeptics in the PubAnother great ...

Feb 07, 201653 min

The Skeptic Zone #380 - 31.Jan.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:04:22Evidence Please... with Jo AlabasterJo reports on the importance of being on the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. 0:12:00Dr Richard WisemanWe catch up with Dr Wiseman who tells us about is very, very clever magic videos, a 'psychic' dog and the study of dreams. 0:38:35A Week in ScienceThe Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science. 0:24...

Jan 31, 20161 hr 4 min

The Skeptic Zone #379 - 24.Jan.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:03:15Recollect: Health and MedicineRichard visits the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and gets a guided tour by Tilly Boleyn and Frankie Lee of the history of medical devices. 0:41:00A Week in ScienceThe Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science. 0:44:10Psychic TV Australia Online threats are alleged to have been made against some of the 'psychics' o...

Jan 24, 201657 min

The Skeptic Zone #378 - 17.Jan.2016

IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:03:17Evidence Please... with Jo AlabasterJo has a message for Pauline Hanson who appeard on the 'Sunrise' TV program. 0:07:50A Week in ScienceThe Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science. 0:10:54Dr Rachie Reports... with Dr Rachael DunlopThis week, Dr Rachie reports on the University of Woolongong's decision to award a Ph.D for a thesis claiming that c...

Jan 17, 201637 min

The Skeptic Zone #377 - 10.Jan.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:04:08Evidence Please... with Jo AlabasterJo reports on the horror that is Black Salve. A warning to everyone. 0:15:27Guest Reporter Kevin Davies from Canberra SkepticsKevin chats to Dr. Rachelle Duvall, Research Physical Scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Embassy Science Fellow. 0:20:13A Week in ScienceThe Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science...

Jan 10, 201640 min

The Skeptic Zone #376 - 3.Jan.2016

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:03:16Evidence Please... with Jo AlabasterJo reads from the AGE Newspaper. Chiropractors promoting anti-vaccination views despite rules. 0:11:00A Week in ScienceThe Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science. 0:13:50ReportQueensland childcare centres and the new vaccination laws. Report from Australian Skeptics. 0:18:18Maynard's Spooky Action.. May...

Jan 03, 201636 min
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