The Skeptic Zone #908 - 1.March.2026
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:54 Looking into a Broken Mirror Is bad luck in fact bad? A year ago Lara Benham decided to put 'luck' or bad luck to a test when she purposely broke a mirror for skeptical investigator Kenny Biddle. What was the result? Did Lara have a year worth of bad luck? 00:13:16 The Loons from Canada Kate and Allie team up for a spectacularly spooky and romantic Skepticamp at MacEwan University in Edmonton, perfectly timed for Friday the 13th and the eve of Valentine's Day. Kate captures the spirit of the event through conversations with...
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The Skeptic Zone #907 - 22.February.2026
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:07:40 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne speaks with Nick Tiller, a research associate at the Lundquist Institute at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, who focuses on pseudoscience in the health and wellness industry and is the author of the book "The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science". We discuss many topics, including the past Olympics, chiropractic care, and IV drip therapy. 0:24:40 Scalar For Health? Lara Benham takes a look at a video (not a spoof or a send-up) that claims to explain how flashing images on TV...
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The Skeptic Zone #906 - 15.February.2026
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Mindful Living Expo Report 00:09:32 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas Show me the receipts! Kate asks why woo woo and alternative medicine can make big claims that lack the evidence demanded from other modalities. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram 0:16:10 Scalar Claims on the Scale With the help of Lara Benham, we take another look at so-called "Scalar Energy" and the term Scalar itself. It turns out it's somewhat more complex than we thought! 0:27:34 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of...
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The Skeptic Zone #905 - 8.February.2026
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Includes a brief report of "Psychic Saturday" at Old Government House, Parramatta with Lara Benham. 0:13:06 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham In May - June 2026 American and so-called 'medium' Allison Dubois is once again visiting Australia, this time with her "Cold Case" tour, claiming that she will be "working some cold cases that are close to your hearts". Tim and Richard Saunders look at some famous Australian cold cases and how 'psychics' have failed to help year after year. Dubois is just one among a very long list of international...
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The Skeptic Zone #904 - 1.February.2026
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:46 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas This week Kate is joined by Richard Saunders as they discuss the dangers of quackery including the infamous Black Salve. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram 0:21:54 Supermarket Follies The truth about Australian maple syrup! With the voice talents of Susan Gerbic, Adrienne Hill, Kate Thomas, Lara Benham, Kat McLeod, and Ross Blocher. A thrilling drama written by Rich Gray with Richard Saunders. 0:26:54 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week?...
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The Skeptic Zone #903 - 25.January.2026
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:06 Black Salve - Action Taken A 'natural health herbalist' has been sentenced today to 7 months imprisonment, a community corrections order, and fines of $20,000 for unlawfully advertising and supplying Black Salve and bloodroot capsules, and for advertising other unapproved therapeutic goods to treat serious conditions such as anxiety. We look at Black Salve, what it is and the very real danger of its use. 0:18:56 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne gives us a wrap up of an action-packed weekend at the...
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The Skeptic Zone #902 - 18.January.2026
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:20 Erich von Daniken 1935 - 2026 We look at the life, times and legacy of the controversial author who popularise the idea that our ancient ancestors were visited by space aliens. Chariots of the Gods? Video Ancient Aliens Debunked - Video 0:19:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. 0:28:20 Mamamia 2025 Predictions We take a look at some of what was in store for us for last year according to a psychic on a popular blog and podcast in...
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The Skeptic Zone #901 - 11.January.2026
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:32 Manifesting Have you heard of manifesting? Or as it's been more recently labelled the law of attraction? Manifesting is the relatively new label added to a very old practice. Each generation likes to think that they've found the key to unlocking all of your desires. When in actuality it's the same false hope that has been passed down for many generations. Recently on the Skeptic Zone you would've heard reporter Kat McLeod talk about the lucky girl syndrome. By whatever name, it is the personification of wishful thinking. 00:22:54...
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The Skeptic Zone #900 - 4.January.2026
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Maynard's Disclosure Urgent and dramatic news from Maynard. What doom and gloom is coming our way? 0:02:52 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:07:56 Dr Rachie Reports Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders catch up with one of the original Skeptic Zone reporters, from 2008, Dr Rachael Dunlop. We learn about her skeptical investigations, the fight against fake AI scams and her ongoing research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND). 00:29:52 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill For episode 900, Adrienne looks at the number 900 and what makes it so interesting....
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The Skeptic Zone #899 - 28.December.2025
The Skeptic Zone
0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:22 NO Future Seen in Fortune Telling The GWUP (Gesellschaft zur wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften - Society for the Scientific Investigation of Pseudosciences) in Germany evaluated 2099 annual predictions from fifty-two sources. One quarter were too vague to test, more than half were clearly wrong, and solid bullseyes were rare. The project evaluated publicly available annual predictions from fortune tellers, astrologers, self-described mediums, and other esoteric 'advisors' and 'seers'. Read by Lara Benham, Adrienne...
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| 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 https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass |
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| 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? https://youtu.be/I8XscN_GjtE |
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| 0:30:34 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au |
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| 0:42:02 The Loons from Canada This week, Kate and Ally (Adrienne and Kat) join Dr. Schmaltz of the Department of Psychology at MacEwan University, to report from a very successful Skepticamp in Edmonton, Canada. |
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| 0:48:10 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Skeptics in New Zealand #2. 1981.11.05 - The Press 1984.03.03 - The Press 1984.08.07 - The Press http://www.trove.nla.gov.au |
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| Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub "Why Smart Women Zone" live podcast recording - 4 December https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics |