0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:36 Claire Klingenberg for Skepticon 2022 Claire Klingenberg is the president of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations. She has been involved in the skeptic movement since 2013 as co-organiser of the Czech Paranormal Challenge. https://www.clairek.com 0:14:04 Take Stock - With Shelley Stocken Does Naturopathy work? The truth about ‘natural’ medicine. Recent reports of a Sydney naturopath allegedly endangering the life of a baby; the son of a na...
Oct 01, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:24 You Can Count on Adrienne Pseudoscience in Education In this discussion, Adrienne Hill, Kelly Burke, and the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the internet, aka the tooth fairy, aka Michelle Bijkersma, get together to discuss pseudoscience in education within their three countries of Canada, the USA and Australia. This is an edited version of the conversation, only touching on a few of the topics they cover in the full recording. But you can hear ...
Sep 24, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep 729•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:18 Did Nostradamus Predict death of the Queen? Some claim Nostradamus predicted with accuracy the year in which Queen Elizabeth II would die, but also that he foresaw the crowning of Prince Harry as king. It turn out either is true. We look into the claim and hear from some who believe it to be true. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/nostradamus-king-charles-harry 0:17:14 The Skeptical Fairy on a Train Appearing from a thunderclap and a puff of smoke, t...
Sep 17, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Queen Elizabeth II - Predictions With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we take a look at some of the predictions made about her over the last 20 years, catalogued in the database of the Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project. 0:11:52 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill . http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:19:48 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Unicorn - Part 3 - By ...
Sep 10, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:30 A Psychic in Court With a guilty verdict handed down in the Chris Dawson murder trial, Richard Saunders recounts the day he was in court in 2020 to hear the testimony of a so-called 'Psychic' who has a tenuous link to the case. This report, together with comments form Nicholas Cowdery AO, QC, appeared in the March 2020 issues of 'The Skeptic'. 0:25:52 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Unicorn - Part 2 - By Anthony G Wheeler Do Unicorns exist? Hav...
Sep 03, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:34 Tik Tok Astrology Hundreds of Tik Tok videos are dedicated to Astrology. What do they tell us about this ancient belief system? What can we learn? Find out as we review a small selection of those who claim to read the stars. 0:18:48 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill . http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:24 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham The Unicorn - Part 1 - By Anthon...
Aug 27, 2022•1 hr•Ep 725•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 Maynard's Spooky Action Family Science Day at Parramatta The Mystery Investigators team take part in Family Science Day at Parramatta Square. No spoon is safe as Richard Saunders, Ian Bryce and Maynard entertain hundreds of mums, dads and kids. Maynard also asks the big question "What does science mean to you?" With special thanks to Frankie Lee, the City of Parramatta, Western Sydney University and The Powerhouse Museum. 0:19:38 Mind Body Wallet 20 ...
Aug 21, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:36 Interview with Jon Guy Put simply, Think Straight is an owner's manual for the human brain. Drawing from the vast history of scientific and cognitive research, this book is a tour de force through the science and philosophy of the human mind, and what it means to think as a rational human being in the 21st century. https://twitter.com/SkepticJonGuy https://www.amazon.com/Think-Straight-Owners-Manual-Mind/dp/1633887979 0:15:34 The Book of Tim. With Ti...
Aug 13, 2022•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:30 Ben Radford America the Fearful National panics about crime, immigrants, police, and societal degradation have been pervasive in the United States of the 21st century. Many of these fears begin as mere phantom fears, but are systematically amplified by social media, news media, bad actors and even well-intentioned activists. There are numerous challenges facing the U.S., but Americans must sort through which fears are legitimate threats and which are...
Aug 06, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:55 VALE Jim Wilshire A tribute to our late voice-over man and decades long friend of producer Richard Saunders. Video: Jim in action recording for The Skeptic Zone in 2011 https://youtu.be/nFByyeTIqEQ 0:14:08 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill . http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:02 Maynard's Spooky Action We catch up wtih our roving and raving reporter. What's up next for M...
Jul 30, 2022•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Skeptic Zone #720 - 24 July 2022 Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:54 Lessons in Science and Pseudoscience Science educator Melanie Trecek-King tells us about her recent report in 'The Skeptic' magazine (Australia) about the differences between science, pseudoscience and science denial. Melanie is a science educator at a community college in Massachusetts. A few years ago, while teaching general education biology to students who really didn't want to be there, she thought...
Jul 23, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dedicated to the memory of Jim Wilshire Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Vale Jim Wilshire 0:04:06 Oh No! It's Ross Blocher We catch up with one one hardest working skeptical podcasters in the business, Ross Blocher from the popular "Oh No Ross and Carrie" show. https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/oh-no-ross-and-carrie 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 0:29:22 A Di...
Jul 16, 2022•55 min•Ep 719•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:36 I Think We Need To Think News and views with Susan Gerbic. The end of a paranormal test in New Zealand, GSoW news and the great Jerry Andrus project. https://www.abouttimeproject.org 0:18:31 Mentalism with Mark Edward Mark Edward pulls the wool over Richard Saunders and Susan Gerbic with an amazing display of mentalism with ESP cards. http://themarkedward.com 0:30:54 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers ...
Jul 09, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:24 Lunch with the Bay Area Skeptics Join us for a long awaited get together, south of San Francisco with members of the Bay Area Skeptics as they look forward to SkepiCal 2022, the upcoming online convention. Lunching with Richard Saunders are Dr Eugenie Scott, Jay Diamond, Leonard Tramiel, Yau-Man Chan and Greg Dorais. TICKETS ON SALE NOW! The 2022 SkeptiCal Conference will be ONLINE over the weekend of July 16/17. https://www.skepticalcon.com 0:14:48 ...
Jul 02, 2022•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:58 Irrational Beliefs in Australia Is Australia truly a land of mystery and wonders? I can only answer that with "yes it is". We are the land of the oldest living culture in the world, that of the indigenous peoples, we have natural wonders from the coast to the desert and great modern cities to rival any in the world. However, like so many other countries, Australia too has no end of paranormal, supernatural and pseudoscientific claims. https://neo-ske...
Jun 23, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 Brian Dunning, Bigfoot, Science Friction and more A vist to Skeptoid HQ in Oregon and chat to Brian Dunning about his long running podcast, the Bigfoot in his yard and the sucess of the documentary "Science Friction". https://sciencefriction.tv 0:14:30 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Richard Saunders . http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:38 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham We drop b...
Jun 18, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:12 Susan Gerbic in Haunted Las Vegas Join Susan as she explores the Zac Bagans haunted museum in the company of Kenny Biddle, Ben Radford and Coral Pollock. What do a bunch of skeptics make of a so-called paranormal location? https://thehauntedmuseum.com 0:20:27 TikTok Homeopathy This classic of quackery has found its way onto the popular social media platform. What do TikTok users say about this pretend medicine? Are they for it, against it or both? 0:...
Jun 12, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:42 New Age Merry-Go-Round Join Richard Saunders and skeptical supporter Daryl Colquhoun as they once more head to the bizarre yet predictable alternative universe known as Mind Body Spirit. This festival of far-fetched and unproven ideas stretches back over 20 years. What new and ridiculous items can be seen this year? 0:18:56 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill...
Jun 05, 2022•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan An historic vote in the NSW parliament has given Dr Siobhan the comfort of knowing people in her situation, appraoching the end of life, will be able to choose when they take their final breath. Euthanasia was legalised in NSW in the past week, bringing the state in line with the rest of Australia. https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-682-31october2021 https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/ https://www.abc.net.au/relig...
May 28, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:56 UFOs Invade the US Congress Again with the aliens! Yes once again UFOs disguised as jets and balloons are makimg the news. This time, those who can't handle the truth have taken their conspiracy theories all the way to capital hill in Washington. https://www.the-sun.com/news/5356929/us-wreckage-ufos-truth-congressman Mick West's videos https://youtu.be/qsEjV8DdSbs https://badufos.blogspot.com/2022/05/uaps-baffle-congress-and-dod.html 0:25:33 Australi...
May 21, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:12 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill and Susan Gerbic visit "Explore & More", The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum in Buffalo NY and talk to Rebecca Glon , IT & Exhibits Manager. http://www.exploreandmore.org 0:17:46 TikTok Paranormal We scroll through the endless, live TikTok videos featuring people who think they have psychic insights. Others include dowsing rods, pendulums, bones, giant matches and more. 0:37:56 A Dive...
May 14, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast The Skeptic Zone #709 - 8 May 2022 Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:50 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This week Adrienne finds herself riding shotgun alongside Susan Gerbic as the tour they east coast of the USA. Also we learn about the new award given to Susan for her skeptical activism. Grief Vampires, Wikipedia and More - Presented by Susan Gerbic https://youtu.be/b6_dVTsBcxA 0:13:46 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of T...
May 07, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:37 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard interviews author George Ivanoff about his new book, "The Supernatural Survival Guide". How should young people approach investigating the strange, the mysterious and the unknown? What can we learn from George's book about the claims of the paranormal in Australia? THE SUPERNATURAL SURVIVAL GUIDE will tackle these and other questions about all things paranormal. There is so much WEIRD stuff out there . . . but the TRUT...
Apr 30, 2022•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:22 Homeopathy on Trial On January 13, the Center for Inquiry reached a major milestone in its groundbreaking consumer-protection lawsuits against retail giants Walmart and CVS. CFI is suing these mammoth corporations over their deceptive sale and marketing of homeopathic products under the Consumer Protection laws of the District of Columbia, and on January 13, CFI Legal Director Nick Little presented oral argument for our cases before the DC Court of A...
Apr 23, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:35 Science Friction with Brain Dunning You know those TV documentaries you see, and the science experts they feature? Did you know that producers often edit them out of context, and twist their words, to make it seem like they promoted some pop sensationalism instead of the real facts? Science Friction exposes this practice and gives the scientists a chance to clear the record. https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B09RQFWJ4L https://tubitv.com/movies/...
Apr 16, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 Bob Swanson's Critical Thinking Videos Bob Swanson, Instructor / Lab Coordinator from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Mississippi State University, tells us of his videos about critical thinking, inspired by the claims of Power Balance wrist bands. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4znmeoL66Lkpaae5DYMHQWqQQl4jkG23 0:23:04 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill...
Apr 10, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:38 AVN Lose Again We talk to noted skeptical activist Ken McLeod about the Federal Court of Australia and its decision made against the Australian Vaccination Risks Network. Why is it that this anti-vax organisation keeps losing court battles? PDF of the court's ruling https://tinyurl.com/2hfubwkj 0:16:38 Nurses and Midwives Protest Once again nurses and midwives in New South Wales feel compelled to take to the streets to voice their concerns. Richard S...
Apr 02, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:30 Meta Sued by Australian Watchdog Over Scam Ads Facebook owner Meta is being sued by Australia's competition watchdog for publishing scam ads for crypto on its platform. We look at even more questionable ads appearing on Facebook every day for such things as medical products and psychics. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-18/meta-sued-by-australian-watchdog-over-scam-crypto-advertisements 0:14:24 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skept...
Mar 26, 2022•58 min•Ep 703•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:10 Arjun Nidigallu and Vulture Watch Vulture Watch is about creating awareness of exploitation, irrationality, discrimination or misinformation. It delves into the motives of such vulturous activities and looks at how it can hold such behaviour accountable. https://youtube.com/c/VultureWatch https://www.tga.gov.au/media-release/healy-world-australia-pty-ltd-fined-26640-alleged-unlawful-advertising-tens-device 0:23:52 Another Milestone for GSoW Susan Ger...
Mar 19, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:32 Former TV Celebrity Chef Blunders Again Trolls are hijacking the death of 52-year-old Australian cricket legend Shane Warne to spread wild conspiracy theories. Report of the strange actions by Bent Spoon winner, Pete Evans. https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/antivaxxer-trolls-hijack-shane-warnes-death/news-story/c1b84e32411c5ed37f34c2f12a72274f 0:12:22 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? ...
Mar 12, 2022•50 min•Ep 701•Transcript available on Metacast 
