The Skeptic Zone #893 - 16.November.2025
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:04 I Think We Need to Think. With Susan Gerbic An interview with Susan about her recent feature in major Australian newspapers talking about fake psychics. We also learn about her ongoing investigations into those giving psychic readings on the Internet and her ongoing efforts to improve Wikipedia. Susan's analysis of Dave the Medium 00:22:12 Maynard's Spooky Action Join Maynard at Sydney's Skeptics in the Pub as he seeks the thoughts and opinions of thinkers and drinkers. This time, what 'alt-med' would pubbers like to see...
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The Skeptic Zone #892 - 9.November.2025
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:44 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas This week Kate is interviewed at Skeptics in the Pub by Maynard. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram 0:18:28 Kinesiology and Applied Kinesiology We look at science versus quackery when it comes to Kinesiology and Applied Kinesiology. What is the difference? 0:30:34 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. 0:42:02 The Loons from Canada This week, Kate and Ally (Adrienne and Kat) join Dr. Schmaltz of the...
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The Skeptic Zone #891 - 2.November.2025
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:12 Orgone not Gone! Something that should've been confined to the trash bin of bad ideas a century ago is still skulking around our modern society. So-called "Orgone Energy", a fictitious magical force is being used to sell products to this day. We look at one website selling these devices and question why, in this day and age, things like this are still allowed to be sold. Biotensor Testing (not a sendup) Videos from Monica Smit Choice Magazine Review Investigation of Monica Smit 0:22:50 The Loons from Canada Kate and...
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The Skeptic Zone #890 - 26.October.2025
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:44 3i Atlas Update As the interstellar comet streams through the inner solar system, we look at some of the claims about it being made on social media. Is the earth in danger? 00:13:50 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas Not Wild about Wild Yams Wild yams are claimed to help with menopause, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and muscular cramps. Can all this be true? Kate looks at the science behind this overhyped root vegetable. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram 0:19:28 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has...
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The Skeptic Zone #889 - 19.October.2025
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:07:00 Auras Is there really an invisible "energy field" of swirling colours surrounding all living things? What happens when this claim is put to a scientific test? Find out as we explore the strange world of auras and aura diagnosis. Joe Nickell - Report The Skeptics Dictionary James Randi tests an Aura Reader 0:20:12 Mind Body Spirit - Detox Join Annie McCubbin, Kate Thomas and Richard Saunders as they "detox" from a trip to Sydney's Festival of Mind Body Spirt. 0:36:04 The TROVE Archives A wander through...
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The Skeptic Zone #888 - 12.October.2025
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:34 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas Wellness Patches This week, pharmacist and skeptic Kate Thomas takes a look at the latest sticky health trend - "transdermal" wellness patches promising everything from boosted metabolism to Ozempic-like weight loss. Kate explains why none of these ingredients can actually make it through your skin, and what it really takes to design a medicated patch that works. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram 0:09:42 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read...
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The Skeptic Zone #887 - 5.October.2025
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders. Also the winners of the Australian Skeptics Awards for 2025, live from Skepticon Melbourne with Tim Mendham. 00:09:44 Divination We look at the claim that some people can foretell future events via divination. From historical references to this "art" to the many, many different and interesting practices and devices used to see what is in store for us. 0:25:18 Skeptics in the Pub Once again we head for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub and meet up with Annie McCubbin from the 'Why Smart Women' podcast. Joining in are Jessica Singer, Lara...
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The Skeptic Zone #886 - 28.September.2025
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:56 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This week Adrienne takes us to Portugal on a trip of discovery of the local superstitions. Find out what happened when they tried to rid a city of black cats! Also we hear about the "Miracle at Fatima". 0:20:48 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas This week Kate takes a skeptical look at the claim that Acetaminophen, aka Paracetamol, can cause autism in children if taken by the mother during pregnancy. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram 0:24:54 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What...
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The Skeptic Zone #885 - 21.September.2025
The Skeptic Zone
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. 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 across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal. So, who cares about these historical discarded artefacts? Well, we do, if only in the interests of historical discourse and as a warning to...
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The Skeptic Zone #884 - 14.September.2025
The Skeptic Zone
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 outrageous claims by wellness gurus and naturopaths. 0:23:24 Gone and...
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| 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 violating the Butler Act, a Tennessee state law which outlawed the teaching of human evolution in public schools. |
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| 0:24:12 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 hands? This week her mystic insights are for Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer. |
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| 0:28:46 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod lilicon 2025 - #2 Lilienfeld Alliance for the Teaching of Rational Skepticism in Higher Education. The goal of the Lilienfeld Alliance is to connect instructors who teach critical thinking at the college and university level, to advocate for course content that promotes rational skepticism, and to encourage further study of best practices in the pedagogy of teaching such courses. Interviews with Nicole, Ian, Dr Natalia Pasternak and Sam Billings. This is part two of a two part series of interviews. https://sites.google.com/view/lilienfeldalliance/lilicon-2025 |
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| 0:42:34 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Uri Geller - #2. 1973.12.08 - The Age http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |