PodcastsScienceThe Skeptic Zone

The Skeptic Zone

Richard Saunders
The Skeptic Zone
Latest episode

922 episodes

  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #921 - 31.May.2026

    30/05/2026 | 59 mins.
    Bent Spoon - Earthing - Astrology
       00:00:00
    Introduction
    Richard Saunders
        00:04:20
    Steve Terbot - Fake Psychic - Part #2
    In 1984 Australia was visited by 'Steve Terbot', one of America's leading psychics and clairvoyants. Or was he? The story of Bob Steiner from the Bay Area Skeptics who fooled thousands.
        00:17:02
    The Loons from Canada
    This week Allie is tall with her head in the Dyson Zone while Kate is grounded and down to earth. Join the loons as they delve into headphones with a twist, apparently filtering the air you breath, and grounding sheets, which electrify your sleep. Or do they filter common sense and make your wallet stay awake?
        00:33:52
    Bent Spoon Award Update
    An overview of the current nominations for the 2026 Bent Spoon Award, with a special look at Dolly Adamson from "Kyneton Paranormal". Does she really get messages from missing children and dead celebrities?

    Bent Spoon Award
    https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/bent-spoon/nominations/

    Dolly in action
    https://kynetonparanormalpodcast.buzzsprout.com/2435430/episodes/17053716-arnna-beaumont-s-cry-for-justice-a-1966-australian-cold-case-solved-with-connections-from-arnna
        00:42:24
    The TROVE Archives
    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to Astrology and War.

        1915.09.11 - The Globe
        1942.02.06 - The Cairns Post
        1899.11.30 - Evening News

    www.trove.nla.gov.au
  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #920 - 24.May.2026

    24/05/2026 | 1h 7 mins.
    Flu Woo - Fake Psychic - Paranormal
        00:00:00
    Introduction
    Richard Saunders
        00:03:26
    Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas
    Flu Woo! This week Kate looks and the myths and science behind many popular anti-cold and anti-flu precautions for winter.

    Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
    https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass
        00:14:16
    Steve Terbot - Fake Psychic - Part #1
    In 1984 Australia was visited by 'Steve Terbot', one of America's leading psychics and clairvoyant. Or was he? The story of Bob Steiner from the Bay Area Skeptics who fooled thousands.
        00:41:08
    Australian Skeptics Newsletter
    What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill.

    http://www.skeptics.com.au
        00:52:32
    The TROVE Archives
    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to Belief in the Paranormal.

        1977.08.11 - The Canberra Times
        1992.03.01 - RAAF News
        1995.08.30 - The Canberra Times

    www.trove.nla.gov.au
  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #919 - 17.May.2026

    16/05/2026 | 1h 6 mins.
    James Randi - Dinosaurs - UFOs
        00:00:00
    Introduction
    Richard Saunders
        00:05:46
    The Books of James Randi
    A review of the many and varied books written by James 'The Amazing' Randi.
        Houdini, His Life and Art (1976)
        The Magic of Uri Geller (1975) / The Truth About Uri Geller (1982)
        Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions (1982)
        Test Your ESP Potential (1982)
        The Faith Healers (1987)
        The Magic World of the Amazing Randi (1989)
        The Mask of Nostradamus (1990)
        James Randi: Psychic Investigator (1991)
        Conjuring (1992)
        An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural (1995)
        The Teachings of Carlos (1988)

        00:35:18
    You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill
    Join Adrienne and Dr Angie Mattke as they look for dinosaurs at the fabulous Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Alberta, Canada.

    https://tyrrellmuseum.com
        00:46:30
    Maynard's Spooky Action
    Maynard and James Valentine

    Support Maynard!
    http://www.maynard.com.au
        00:49:22
    The TROVE Archives
    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to USA UFOs.

        1952.07.06 - Sunday Graphic
        1952.06.17 - Look Magazine
        1952.09.06 - The New Yorker

    https://www.war.gov/UFO
  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #918 - 10.May.2026

    09/05/2026 | 59 mins.
    00:00:00
    Introduction
    Maynard
        00:03:06
    Maynard's Spooky Action
    Time for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where Maynard interviews Dr. Sue Ieraci about the placebo effect and Kate Thomas about botox and vaccines.
        00:15:40
    For Crying Out Loud. It's Kat McLeod
    We Can Reason 2026
    Kat with a behind the scenes look at the Western Canadian Reason Conference in Calgary. Includes interviews with Seth Andrews and Dr Chris Labos.
    https://wecanreason.com
        00:23:38
    Australian Skeptics Newsletter
    What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill.

    http://www.skeptics.com.au
        00:34:00
    The TROVE Archives
    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to 'The Piddingtons'.

        1974.03.25 - Woman's Day Magazine
        1949.07.09 - The Daily Telegraph - Sydney
        1949.08.15 - The Canberra Times

    The Piddingtons 1950
    https://youtu.be/O0cu1m9XA5w

    www.trove.nla.gov.au
  • The Skeptic Zone

    The Skeptic Zone #917 - 3.May.2026

    02/05/2026 | 58 mins.
    Nicotine Myths - Yowies - Woodruff
        00:00:00
    Introduction
    Richard Saunders
        00:07:48
    Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas
    Like any other chemical, nicotine has its good points and bad points. This week Kate looks at some of the myths and quackery from the wellness industry regarding nicotine and its uses.

    Medication Consultation Services
    https://medicationclarity.com.au

    Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
    https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass
        00:17:56
    You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill.
    Adrienne rides the Banff gondola with her husband/chauffeur, Greg and with Drs Christopher Labos and Angela Matke. It is the first event of the Western Canadian Reason Conference!

    https://www.bodyofevidence.ca/

    https://www.dragoncon.org/
        00:27:40
    The Australian Cousin of Bigfoot, the Yowie.
    We look at some of the differences and similarities between the Bigfoot of North America and its lesser known cousin, hiding in Australia, called the Yowie.

    It's huge, hairy and hides in the bush
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/4786071
        00:40:40
    The TROVE Archives
    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to Maurice Woodruff (1916 – 1973) an English clairvoyant and astrologer. He presented his predictions to the public via newspapers and also via stage, cabaret and television appearances. He was also a major influence on comedian Peter Sellers.

        1966.04.10 - Sunday Mirror Sydney
        1964.08.05 - The Australian Women's Weekly

    www.trove.nla.gov.au
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About The Skeptic Zone
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'.
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