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'.

Episodes

The Skeptic Zone #497 - 29.April.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 Bob Connolly - Director of "James Randi in Australia" An interview with the award winning Australian film maker and director who in 1980 was commissioned by Dick Smith to direct the documentary, "James Randi in Australia". James Randi in Australia - video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqoYrSd94kA THE 1980 DIVINING TESTS - by James Randi https://tinyurl.com/ycur583e - (See page 2) Bob Connolly - imbd https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175264/ 0:41:00 Skep...

Apr 29, 201857 min

The Skeptic Zone #496 - 22.April.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:00 Let's Have a Random Rant! With Dr Paulie Our new reporter Dr Paulie interviews John Cook, a research assistant professor at the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University, researching cognitive science. https://www.skepticalscience.com http://evidencesquared.com Critical Thinking Cafe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAp1Foj7BzY Plos One paper “Neutralizing misinformation through inoculation: Exposing misleading argumentation t...

Apr 22, 201841 min

The Skeptic Zone #495 - 15.April.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:05 Maynard's Spook Action March for Science 2018 The March for Science celebrates the public discovery, distribution, and understanding of scientific knowledge as crucial to the freedom, success, health, and safety of life on this planet. Maynard interviews Adam Spencer. https://marchforscienceaustralia.org 0:22:44 Naturopath jailed. The sentencing EXTREME diet naturopath Marilyn Bodnar has been sent to prison for her role in the baby starvation case. h...

Apr 15, 201844 min

The Skeptic Zone #494 - 8.April.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Includes trying to make sense of Astrology. 0:12:50 Naturopath jailed EXTREME diet naturopath Marilyn Bodnar has been sent to prison for her role in the baby starvation case. http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/naturopath-faces-sentencing-in-starving-baby-case/news-story/bc594346e08341bfee402f19471b830d http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-05/naturopath-sentenced-to-seven-months-in-jail/9622276 0:20:55 Breakfast Radio Skeptics John Stanley and G...

Apr 08, 201845 min

The Skeptic Zone #493 - 1.April.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:26 The Great Prediction Project in Melbourne Join Dr Steve Roberts and Richard Saunders has they head to the State Library of Victoria to sort through over 900 issues of "New Idea" magaine. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/ 0:23:38 All back issues of "The Skeptic" magazine from Australian Skeptics - PDF https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine 0:28:00 Interview with Dr Steve Robers Where have all the UFOs gone? Is the TRUTH (Newspaper) out there? - No, it's n...

Mar 31, 201856 min

The Skeptic Zone #492 - 25.March.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:08:40 Fundraising campaign for Britt Hermes Britt Hermes, a noted skeptical campaigner, has been taken to court in Germany by US-based naturopath ‘Dr’ Colleen Huber, claiming that Britt has defamed her. For this reason, Australian Skeptics Inc is managing a fundraising campaign to assist Britt in her current legal action. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/13/fundraising-campaign-for-britt-hermes/ 0:11:33 Rob Palmer and Susan Gerbic reply to Kirill Alfero...

Mar 25, 201853 min

The Skeptic Zone #491 - 18.March.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:17 Dr Rachie Reports.... with Dr Rachael Dunlop Rogue medical practitioners will no longer be able to make false statements about a child’s ability to be immunised thanks to new laws which passed Victorian Parliament. Dr Rachie looks at how the AVsN are helping to bring about new laws with own goals. https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-no-jab-no-play-laws-shut-the-door-on-rogue-doctors/ 0:17:28 Maynard's Spooky Action! Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the P...

Mar 18, 20181 hr 10 min

The Skeptic Zone #490 - 11.March.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:35 The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe How to Know What's Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake We are joined by Dr Steve Novella from SGU who tells about the new book by the skeptical rouges. Also the online Sci-Fi review show Alpha Quadrant 6. https://www.amazon.com/Skeptics-Guide-Universe-Really-Increasingly/dp/1538760533 https://www.facebook.com/alphaquadrant6/ 0:21:50 Maynard's Spooky Action! Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where i...

Mar 11, 201854 min

The Skeptic Zone #489 - 4.March.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:06 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble Health claims on the menu. Mandy-Lee looks at the amazing claims found on the menus of some cafes. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/ 0:13:35 Michael Marshall Marsh joins us from the UK to talk about the last days of London's Homeopathic Hospital. https://goodthinkingsociety.org/ 0:31:26 Maynard's Spooky Action! Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where it's trivia night. Test yourself with the first round of ...

Mar 04, 201854 min

The Skeptic Zone #488 -25.Feb.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Includes a report on a retracted letter about vaccine safety made potentially “slanderous” claims. http://retractionwatch.com/2018/02/21/retracted-letter-about-vaccine-safety-made-potentially-slanderous-claims/ 0:10:08 What's it like to be an editor for GSoW? We chat to Susan Gerbic in the USA and Stuart Jones in Australia about what's it's like to do editing work for Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia. http://guerrillaskepticismonwikipedia.blogspot.com.au/ 0...

Feb 25, 201843 min

The Skeptic Zone #487 -18.Feb.2018

0:00:00 Introduction - Richard Saunders Includes a brief look at the case of the missing Beaumont Children from 1966 0:14:32 A Grain of Salt... with Eran Segev This week Eran brings us new of the sucess of the ongoing Fundraising campaign for Britt Hermes. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/13/fundraising-campaign-for-britt-hermes/ 0:21:04 Maynard's Spooky Action! We join Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where he interviews Dr Andrea Leong, a microbiologist with an interest in finding ways...

Feb 18, 201845 min

The Skeptic Zone #486 -11.Feb.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:13 A Piece of his Mind - With Professor Paul Willis Religious Freedom Review - Professor Paul Willis gives us his thoughts on keeping religion out of secular life. https://pmc.gov.au/domestic-policy/religious-freedom-review https://www.mediaengagementservices.com.au/ 0:12:08 Dragons lack critical thinking - An interview with Bill Nuvo Magician and Skeptic Bill Nuvo helps lift the lid on the old tricks of Applied kinesiology in Canada. Scam or science? H...

Feb 11, 201842 min

The Skeptic Zone #485 - 4.Feb.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 The Raw Skeptic Report This week Heidi Robertson brings us updates and news reports on yet more foolery, buffoonery and silliness from the Anti-Vax crowd. 0:16:40 Wake Up Australia! A gem from 1980 with dire warnings for the future of the planet! Find out when it all went to hell! Does anyone remember it happening? http://www.skepticzone.tv/pdf/wake_up_australia_1980.pdf 0:31:00 Maynard's Spooky Action! We join Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub w...

Feb 04, 201847 min

The Skeptic Zone #484 - 28.Jan.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Includes and update on the Britt Hermes story. 0:08:04 18 nurses face disciplinary action after anti-vax comments on Facebook EIGHTEEN nurses are facing possible disciplinary action for allegedly posting anti-vaccination comments on Facebook, after a pro-vaccination campaigner reported them to the health watchdog. - Vanda Carson, The Courier-Mail 0:14:52 Dr Angie Mattke and Dragon*Con We chat to Dr Angie who is now the Assistant Director for the Skeptrack at...

Jan 28, 201844 min

The Skeptic Zone #483 - 21.Jan.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:35 Vale – Barry Williams It is with great sadness that we report the news of the passing of Barry Williams, who died on January 20, 2018, at the age of 79, following a series of heart operations. Includes Barry on the TODAY TV show in 1986, Newspaper story from 1994 and an interview with Maynard in 2015. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/21/vale-barry-williams 0:30:16 Susan Gerbic with news from Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia We chat to Susan who t...

Jan 21, 201855 min

The Skeptic Zone #482 - 14.Jan.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:57 Fundraising campaign for Britt Hermes Britt Hermes, a noted skeptical campaigner, has been taken to court in Germany by US-based naturopath ‘Dr’ Colleen Huber, claiming that Britt has defamed her. For this reason, Australian Skeptics Inc is managing a fundraising campaign to assist Britt in her current legal action. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/13/fundraising-campaign-for-britt-hermes/ 0:10:50 Trish Hann and Medical Superstitions Diagnostic Ra...

Jan 14, 201850 min

The Skeptic Zone #481 - 7.Jan.2018

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:15 Big Trees are...... BIG! Join Dr Eugenie Scott and Richard Saunders as they wander through Big Trees State Park in California. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a state park of California, United States, preserving two groves of giant sequoia trees. It is located 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Arnold, California in the middle elevations of the Sierra Nevada. https://www.stateparks.com/calaveras_big_trees_state_park_in_california.html http://w3w.co/myt...

Jan 07, 201837 min

The Skeptic Zone #480 - 31.Dec.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:45 Flat Earth.... Again! On a fine sunny day in San Francisco, Moriel Schottlender chats to Richard Saunders about the ongoing conspiracy theory of the Flat Earth. https://www.popsci.com/10-ways-you-can-prove-earth-is-round https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Home 0:23:40 Running a Skeptics in the Pub Pint Sized Fun – Australia has had a close association with the history of those informal gatherings known as Skeptics in the Pub. Tim Mendham reports on...

Dec 31, 201748 min

The Skeptic Zone #479 - 24.Dec.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:17 Again with the UFOs A video capturing an unidentified object flying off the coast of San Diego in 2004 has been released by the US Department of Defense. The program (2007 - 2012) collected video and audio recordings of reported U.F.O. incidents, including footage from a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet showing an aircraft surrounded by some kind of glowing aura traveling at high speed and rotating as it moves. https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/p...

Dec 24, 201735 min

The Skeptic Zone #478 - 17.Dec.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:12 Mayanrd's Spooky Action! Time again for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. December's guest was Samuel Hutchinson who gave a preview of his documenatary film ' Conspirituality'. We also here from pubbers who give their opinon on the project. Includes A Grain of Salt with Eran Segev. https://www.facebook.com/mustgofasterfilms 0:23:13 Anti-vaxxer on the hunt for $$$ The on-again-off-again head of the Australian [anti] Vaccination-skeptics Network (AVSN) is tr...

Dec 16, 201738 min

The Skeptic Zone #477 - 10.Dec.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:10 The Raw Skeptic Report with Heidi Robertson "VACCINES killed my baby.” That’s the alarming headline on a pamphlet currently being dropped in letter boxes around the country. It’s emotive, terrifying, and wrong. Story by Jane Hansen. 0:16:30 Mayanrd's Spooky Action! More interviews and insights from Skepticon 2017 including; Mandy-Lee Noble Tim Mendham 0:26:08 An interview with Alan Melikdjanian aka Captain Disillusion. http://captaindisillusion.com T...

Dec 10, 201758 min

The Skeptic Zone #476 - 3.Dec.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:50 Water Divining .... still a thing? We chat to Prof. Richard Wiseman in the UK about companies still using the services of water diviners to look for ..... water! https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/ 0:26:30 Mayanrd's Spooky Action! Reactions of the audience to the Skeptic Zone LIVE. Includes interviews with Dr Karl, Dr Brad, Heidi Robertson, Mandy-Lee Noble, Stefan Sojka and more. 0:42:34 A Skeptical Birthday Join a small but happy crew at the club ...

Dec 03, 201755 min

The Skeptic Zone #475 - 26.Nov.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:50 Mayanrd's Spooky Action! We join Mayanrd at the pre-convention drinks in Sydney. Skeptics from all over Australia and overseas crammed into one pub! Includes Paul Gibbs, Beth Place, Heidi Robertson, Paul Roberts, Eran Segev, Joanne Benhamu, Trish Hann, Dr Brad McKay, Jessica Singer and Richard Saunders. 0:31:00 2017 Bent Spoon to NICM; Skeptic of the Year Christine Bayne Every year, Australian Skeptics hand out a range of awards – some positive, and ...

Nov 25, 201759 min

The Skeptic Zone #474 - 19.Nov.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders, Stefan Sojka and Maynard 0:05:20 A Grain of Salt with Eran Segev The skeptical community has a role to play when it comes to stopping sexist behaviour and harassment. Eran gives us his point of view and what we can do. 0:17:00 The Raw Skeptic Report This week Heidi Robertson looks at a Tick Repellent. 0:36:24 "Dr" Stefan Sojka Scientists, vested interests, big pharma, corporate media, greenies, the illuminati and the social justice warriors of the far left ...

Nov 18, 20171 hr 1 min

The Skeptic Zone #473 - 12.Nov.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:37 CSIcon 2017 Part #3 Join us at CSIcon 2017 as we interview Ross Blocher from "Oh No, Ross and Carrie!" The podcast where they don’t just report on spirituality, fringe science and the paranormal (from a scientific, evidence-based standpoint), but dive right in by joining religions, attending spiritual events, undergoing “alternative” treatments, partaking in paranormal investigations, and more. At Oh No, Ross and Carrie!, they show up, so you don’t h...

Nov 12, 201753 min

The Skeptic Zone #472 - 5.Nov.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:07:06 CSIcon 2017 Part #2 Join us at CSIcon 2017 as we interview Joe Nickell and ask about JFK conspiracy theories, strange monsters and more. https://www.joenickell.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Case-Closed-Harvey-Oswald-Assassination/dp/1400034620 https://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-History-Assassination-President-Kennedy/dp/0393045250 On Trial: Lee Harvey Oswald https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojkf48Tmi1g 0:24:30 A Grain of Salt with Eran Segev This week Er...

Nov 04, 201755 min

The Skeptic Zone #471 - 29.Oct.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:13 CSIcon 2017 Part #1 Join us at CSIcon 2017 as we wander the rooms and halls looking for skeptical people to interivew. This week: Eugenie C. Scott Rob Palmer Brian Dunning Extended interview with Britt Marie Hermes http://guerrillaskepticismonwikipedia.blogspot.com http://principlesofcuriosity.com/ https://www.naturopathicdiaries.com/ 0:23:05 Australian patients vulnerable to quacks We live in the most scientific of ages where it is more than reasona...

Oct 28, 201755 min

The Skeptic Zone #470 - 22.Oct.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 A Grain of Salt with Eran Segev This week Eran chats THE ESP PODCAST at the European Skeptics Congress. András G Pintér, Hungary - Jelena Levin, Latvia - Pontus Böckman, Sweden. The European Skeptics Podcast is an independent, weekly show hosted by three skeptics from different countries, representing several organisations and projects. The main focus of the podcast is to support European level actions within the skeptical movement. http://theesp.eu ...

Oct 21, 20171 hr 5 min

The Skeptic Zone #469 - 15.Oct.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 Interview with Ben Radford We ask Ben about so-called "Psychic Detectives", people who investigate crimes by using purported paranormal psychic abilities. Benjamin Radford is deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer science magazine and a Research Fellow with the non-profit educational organization the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He has written over a thousand articles on a wide variety of topics, including urban legends, the paranormal, critical thi...

Oct 15, 201757 min

The Skeptic Zone #468 - 8.Oct.2017

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:40 Interview with Dr Pamela Gay We find out how Dr Pamela Gay and you can help NASA analyze more than 1.5 million images taken by astronauts on the International Space Station! They need your help analyzing these images – this is a task only a human like you can accomplish. Please join them in enhancing NASA’s extensive catalogue of astronaut images that can be used for science and enjoyed for their beauty. https://cosmoquest.org/x/beta/ 0:23:14 SHONKY ...

Oct 07, 20171 hr 5 min