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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:32 Wikipedia and Belle Gibson Susan Gerbic from Guerrilla Skeptics on Wikipedia takes us through some of the recent activity and interest shown in convicted scammer Belle Gibson in relation to her Wikipedia page. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Gibson 0:20:42 In Search Of - Water Seekers A review of the 1978 episode from the "In Search Of" series that looks into the phenomenon of water divining or water dousing. We discover pseudoscience and logi...
Feb 23, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep 855•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:22 What If? What if "Psychics" really were psychic? What if "Diviners" really could find water? What if people could really predict the future? What would the world be like if these strange claims are actually true? Richard Saunders poses a few thought experiments. 0:13:10 Chat GPT - The Play - Penny's Adventures #3 We asked Chat GPT to write part #3 of the misadventures of psychic Penny and the Galactic Federation. Joining Richard Saunders in this seg...
Feb 15, 2025•57 min•Ep 854•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:34 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Here at the Skeptic Zone we adore our listeners, and with Valentine's Day approaching, we thought we would do a segment dedicated to you, the listener. Are you feeling the love? Roses can be red, violets aren't blue. On this week's show, Kat will be looking at Valentine's Day origins, myths, and alternatives for you. 0:14:16 Copilot - The Play - Penny's Adventures #2 We asked Copilot to write part #2 of the misadv...
Feb 08, 2025•59 min•Ep 853•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:44 Looking to the Stars This week we once again check into those folks on the Internet who claim they are in regular contact with aliens from all over the cosmos. Are we about to receive a visitation? Also an update on Ross Coulthart and his amazing claims about the drone invasion of 2024. 0:17:58 DeepSeek - The Play Yet another new AI model is available. We test DeepSeek! Can it write a play in under 10 seconds? Joining me in this segment, playing the...
Feb 02, 2025•56 min•Ep 852•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:06 Looking to the Stars This week we gaze towards the heavens to observe the planetary alignment. Also keeping an eye out for any UAPs or UFOs controlled by telepathy, and discovering the fate of the television news astrology segment. Hunting UFOs - Video https://youtu.be/3dtA9w5ldHw 0:14:44 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. Modern Mystery School summary - Part 2: Adrienne continues her conversation with Faith Newsome and Ramiro Rodriguez ...
Jan 25, 2025•56 min•Ep 851•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:58 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. Modern Mystery School - Part #1 Adrienne is joined by guests Faith Newsome and Ramiro Rodriguez to dive into the world of the dazzling domain of the Modern Mystery School. Never heard of it before? Neither had we! But it is another New Age group with a worldwide wave of followers. Part #2 next week. 0:23:42 UFO Disclosure is Coming Any Day Now... I Promise... Will journalist Ross Coulthart end up with a...
Jan 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep 850•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:14 Channeling Aliens on TikTok We look at some of the many people on TikTok who claim to be in touch with aliens from the far reaches of the galaxy. Very long distance calls! 0:16:52 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Can you trust what you were taught in health class? Do you think you know basic human anatomy? For crying out loud, Kat McLeod is back this week and will have you questioning what you thought was common knowledge. 0:30:32 Maynard's Spoo...
Jan 11, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep 849•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:04 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Were the medieval times as torturous as we are led to believe? What do torture devices and GSoW have in common? Find out this week as Kat ties it all together as she reviews what we think we know about the past and reminds us to always consider the source whenever we are learning new things. 0:18:30 Jimmy Carter's Message to the Cosmos A message penned in 1977 by the late President Jimmy Carter was sent with spac...
Jan 04, 2025•47 min•Ep 848•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:06 Kate & Allie With the close of 2024 drawing near and the start of a new year dawning, Kate and Allie both had the idea of making a quiz for the last episode of the year to surprise each other - so surprise, the loons ended up with two quizzes! Play along with their tag-team trivia and take time to look at new year's eve superstitions from around the world, see how many traditions you've heard about. 0:20:16 Drones Droning on about Drones Are drones ...
Dec 28, 2024•58 min•Ep 847•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:58 New Moon Superstitions Lara Benham (and the Skeptic Zone cats) take a look at some of the myths and superstitions regarding the new moon. Included is a clip from our friend Kenny Biddle. 0:14:18 Flat Earthers fall flat in the Antarctic A report of a group of hopeful flat earthers and globe earthers who travel to the Antarctic to view the 24 hour sun... or not! 24h Timelapse of Antactic Sun https://youtu.be/in0B1OQG3-M 0:24:58 Australian Skeptics New...
Dec 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 846•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:50 A Review of The Skeptic We take a peek into the latest issue of one of the world's oldest skeptical magazines. What reports, interviews and stories can you expect to see this time? Find out. 0:11:48 You can count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill chats with infectious disease immunologist and science communicator David Miles about his book called "How Vaccines Work: The Science and History Behind Every Question You've Wanted to Ask." htt...
Dec 15, 2024•51 min•Ep 845•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:56 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill talks with fellow Calgarian, psychologist, and science communicator Jonathan Stea , who recently published Mind the Science: Saving Your Mental Health from the Wellness Industry. https://www.jonathanstea.com 0:19:10 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Do you ever question your memory? Of course, we all do, however, people of a certain age may often start to feel older when they misremember...
Dec 08, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 844•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:01:08 Squaring the Zone On the final day of Skepticon XL, Richard Saunders from The Skeptic Zone podcast joins Ben Radford from the Squaring the Strange podcast along with the one and only Maynard. Topics include the history of both podcasts, investigations, "What are you skeptical of this week?", and a TROVE segment. Also questions from the audience. Also https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com...
Nov 30, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 843•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:32 Ben Radford in Sydney A chat with Ben Radford about his first trip to Australia and his adventures and the Squaring the Strange Podcast. 0:07:24 The Bent Spoon Award for 2024 The announcement of the 2024 Australian Skeptics Awards. 0:18:56 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill . http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:06 Maynard's Spooky Action From Sydney Skeptics in the Pub, M...
Nov 23, 2024•57 min•Ep 842•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard from the William Shatner Room at Maynard's International Studios. 00:05:42 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. Tim Binga is director of Libraries and IT manager at the Center for Inquiry and an adjunct instructor at the University at Buffalo. He holds a master's degree in library science and dual B.A.'s in history and humanities. 0:12:50 A Brave New World? A peek into the world of fake scripts read by fake podcast presenters. Notebook ...
Nov 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 841•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:46 The Loons from Canada Kate and Allie catch up with Abhijit Chanda from the Rationable Podcast in India. This interview was conducted on the sidelines of the recent CSICON meeting in Las Vegas. 00:11:26 CSIcon Las Vegas interviews with Rob Palmer In the third part in this series, Rob chats to Kevin Folta, Bill Patterson and Jeff Gehlbach. 0:24:34 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by A...
Nov 09, 2024•58 min•Ep 840•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Maynard 00:03:56 The Loons From Canada Urban Legends Quiz! Fact or Fiction? This week Kate and Allie have a Halloween themed quiz! Kate, the Inquisitor, will be giving urban legend summaries, asking Allie and the listeners to decide if they are total works of fiction, or if they have a basis in reality. Please be advised that some of these urban legends may be creepy, spooky, or disturbing for some listeners. If you are brave enough, put on your critical thinking tiaras and ...
Nov 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 839•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders with those 'Loons from Canada', Kate and Allie, and Dr Sue Ieraci. 00:03:34 CSIcon Las Vegas interviews with Rob Palmer In the first in a series, Rob chats Dr Sue Ieraci, Dr Angie Mattke, Richard Saunders, Leonard Tramiel, Adrienne Hill and Stephen Hupp. 0:22:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill . http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:34:12 A The TROVE Archives A wander through the de...
Oct 26, 2024•58 min•Ep 838•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:38 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne was invited by Dr. Rodney Schmaltz , a psychologist, to speak at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton Canada. During the visit, Adrienne interviewed Dr. Schmaltz about the exciting activities in his critical thinking course and his involvement with the upcoming LiliCon 2024 on Thursday, October 24, from 12-4 pm at CSICon. https://www.rodneyschmaltz.com 00:11:46 Cancer Council WA nominated for Be...
Oct 19, 2024•53 min•Ep 837•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:46 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Erika Englehaupt Interview #2 Adrienne interviews Science Journalist Erika Englehaupt about her two books published within the last few years. This is part two of a two-part series in which we discuss her fascinating book Go to Hell: Journey to the Underworld. . http://erikaengelhaupt.com 00:23:56 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod More than just a magician's assistant. In honour of Women's History Mont...
Oct 12, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 836•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:14 Black Salve - Dangerous Quackery We look at action taken against those selling and promoting "Black Salve", a corrosive substance claimed to treat and cure skin conditions, even cancer. There are good reasons why this quackery has been banned by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. https://luckylosing.com/2024/09/25/black-salve-the-australian-vaccination-network-and-the-therapeutic-goods-administration 0:23:02 You Can Count on Adrienne. ...
Oct 05, 2024•57 min•Ep 835•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:04:12 Put your money where your mouth is! Mr Skeptic! A look at the history and various examples of skeptics, including the James Randi $1,000,000 challenge, putting up large amounts of money to challenge and possibly reward those who claimed to have paranormal powers. 0:29:28 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill . http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:44 A Dive into a ...
Sep 29, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 834•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:08:50 You Can Count on Adrienne This week Adrienne catches up with Melanie Trecek-King from the website Thinking is Power. An interesting discussion about skeptical outreach and what value is the word skeptic after all? https://thinkingispower.com 0:23:26 2024 Bent Spoon Award Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders discuss the contenders for this year's Bent Spoon Award, awarded annually at the Australian Skeptics National Convention for the perpetrator of the ...
Sep 21, 2024•57 min•Ep 833•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:38 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Lucky Girl Syndrome, the Law of Attraction, the Power of Positive Thinking, the Secret, Manifesting - the same idea has been preached for nearly 150 years, under different names. Aren't we lucky? This week Kat is going to delve into the Law of Attraction, and tell us "The Secret to Manifesting good things in our lives!" 0:17:38 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham t...
Sep 14, 2024•59 min•Ep 832•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders From 1986 - ZANEX PAYS GELLER OVER $350,00 The Australian-based mining company Zanex, paid magician and mentalist Uri Geller $US250,000 (over $A350,000) for his advice on where to look for gold in the Solomon Islands and near Maldon in Victoria. Tim also reads a newspaper item about this incident from the time and talks with Richard Saunders about the issues involved. A reading from The Skeptic, ...
Sep 07, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 831•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:08 You Can Count on Adrienne The Travels of a Skeptic Zone Reporter Adrienne interviews Andras Pinter from The European Skeptics Podcast and Coleman Watts, a former conspiracy theorist turned science communicator, on her travels to the Rocky Mountains and then onto Iceland. Join her for these informal but informative interviews across the globe. The ESP Podcast https://theesp.eu Coleman Watts YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkThisThroughChannel 0:2...
Aug 31, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 830•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:50 Kate & Allie Folklore or Future Quiz Join Kate this week as she challenges Allie with a quiz. Kate will uncover a mysterious array of treatments and Allie will have to unravel the enigma of whether these practices hail from folklore of old or persist in the modern day. Play along to test your knowledge and possibly discover secret remedies you may have never heard of. 0:19:36 I Think We Need To Think Once again Susan Gerbic heads to a SkeptiCamp, th...
Aug 24, 2024•51 min•Ep 829•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:22 Beyond Belief Bob Nixon tunes in and finds an old aquaintance up to his old tricks - very old tricks. "Like Deja vu all over again" In this report from 'The Skeptic Magazine' in 2001, a former investigator of Australian Skeptics the late Bob Nixon, reviews a farcical TV special about the paranormal, starring among others, Uri Geller. The TV Special, in 3 parts, can be found here. https://vhistory.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/beyond-belief-tape-1956 0:25...
Aug 17, 2024•53 min•Ep 828•Transcript available on Metacast 
