The Skeptic Zone

Latest Episodes:

The Skeptic Zone #940 - 11.October.2026 Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

Dowsing - Psychics - Bent Spoon

00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

00:04:26 Mind Body Wallet - Not So Divine Once again we dare to venture into the land of delusion and magic. The festival of Mind Body Spirit. This time we look at advice given to people wanting to have a psychic reading and an encounter with the Dowsers Society of New South Wales.

00:26:44 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au

00:38:12 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon #10. Includes Pete Evans and Dr Larry Marshall. 2014.10.12 - Real Clear Science 2014.10.30 - Science Insider 2020 - ABC Media Bites 2015.10.18 - Daily Mail 2020.11.09 - Insight Plus MJA www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also... Squaring the Strange LIVE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@squaringthestrange7541

The Skeptic Zone #939 - 4.October.2026 Oct 03, 2026

Show notes

Wellness? - Not-A-Con - Bent Spoon

00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

00:06:44 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne talks with returning guest Dr. Nick Tiller, author of The Health and Wellness Lie: Exposing the hype, hacks and hidden agendas of the well-being machine, about curious concoctions in the wellness and workout world. Dr Nick Tiller https://www.nbtiller.com

00:25:40 Barry Williams Media Award $4000 Prize The Barry Williams Award for Skeptical Journalism recognises the best piece of journalism, in any medium, that takes a critical and skeptical approach to a topic within the remit of Australian Skeptics: the scientific investigation of pseudoscience and the paranormal. It is awarded annually with a citation and now a $4000 prize, double the amount of recent years. https://www.skeptics.com.au/media-prize-2026-4000

00:28:10 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews Annie McCubbin from the 'Why Smart Women' podcast.

00:39:58 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to The Bent Spoon #9. 2009.12.01 - The Daily Telegraph 2010.07.28 - The Sydney Morning Herald 2012.12.03 - The Sydney Morning Herald 2015.10.15 - The Sydney Morning Herald www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #938 - 27.September.2026 Sep 26, 2026

Show notes

Talking Dogs - Not-A-Con - Bent Spoon

00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

00:05:34 The Loons from Canada This week the Loons from Canada get hydrated while discussing alkaline water and commune with Spirit Dog Jewel via the help of interactive talking buttons. McGill University https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/technology-did-you-know-general-science/dogs-speak-breakthrough-or-illusion

00:21:58 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews Students - Terry Kelly - George Hrab

00:35:36 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au

00:45:14 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to The Bent Spoon #8. 2005 - Hobart Mercury 2006.11.29 - The Australian www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #937 - 20.September.2026 Sep 19, 2026

Show notes

Pod Toast - Not-A-Con - Polarizer

00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

00:05:06 The Think Tank Join Annie McCubbin, Kate Thomas and Richard Saunders as they enjoy coffee and toast in a Sydney cafe. Topics covered are Bird Flu, the quackery of homeopathy and the Festival of MindBody Wallet.

00:18:46 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews Lara Benham - Dr Angie Mattke - Annika Harrison - Cheyanne - Tia - Paul

00:32:42 The Book of Tim Peter Brock and his Orgone Energy Fuel Polarizer A story about how belief in pseudoscience damaged the carrer of an Australian racing car driver. From The Skeptic - Volume 7, No 2 (Winter 1987) By Barry Williams Peter Brock and his Orgone Energy Fuel Polarizer https://youtu.be/aBdppylOFX4

00:54:20 Bent Spoon 2002 with Barry Williams From the archives, Barry Williams on Radio National (ABC) in 2002 talking about the Australian Skeptics Bent Spoon Award.

Also... The Australian Skeptics Video Collection https://tinyurl.com/skepticslist

The Skeptic Zone #936 - 13.September.2026 Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

Tarot - Newsletter - Bent Spoon

00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

00:07:02 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This is part 2 of Adrienne and Susan Gerbic getting together to react to two TikTok "Tarot" videos they found, regarding the terrible tragedy surrounding Parker Wells, the eleven year old non-verbal autistic boy who went missing in Calgary, and was later found dead in a culvert. Put on your psychic hats to predict how accurate they were.

00:24:32 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au

00:33:14 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to The Bent Spoon Award. Part #6 2001 - 2002 2002.04.03 - The Cairns Post 2002.08.23 - The Daily Telegraph Barry Williams - Homeopathic Vaccine Banned https://youtu.be/NGDHrK7Wm_8 www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also... The Barry Williams Video Collection https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC3ycM1rFKvI Richard Saunders on ABC TV talks about some of the tricks of so-called psychics https://youtu.be/3lm31R-LzYY?t=580

The Skeptic Zone #935 - 6.September.2026 Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

Mafu - Dr Karl - Dr Brian

00:06:12 Introduction Richard Saunders

00:06:12 The Book of Tim Mafu: face-to-face with an ascended master For two weeks, beginning May 20, 1990, Australia was host to Ms Penny Torres Rubin, alleged channeller of 32,000 year old entity, Mafu. From The Skeptic - Volume 10, No 2 (Winter 1990) By Barry Williams Also Tim Mendham on TV, 1992 - Bent Spoon https://youtu.be/4xF_yunBBK8

00:20:38 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews

Dr Brian Wecht, also known by his character name Ninja Brian, a musician, internet personality, podcaster, and theoretical physicist. He is best known as a member of comedy musical duo Ninja Sex Party and video game-based comedy music trio Starbomb.
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Not-A-Con attendee Oliver and his mum

00:34:18 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award. Part #5 1997 - 2000 1997.08.11 - The Age 1997.08.11 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1997.08.12 - The Age 1999.08.16 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1999.09.23 - The Sydney Morning Herald www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #934 - 30.August.2026 Aug 30, 2026

Show notes

Philosophy - Psychic Detectives - Bent Spoon 00:00:00

Introduction Richard Saunders

00:04:20 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Psychic Detectives #1 of 2 After a terrible tragedy struck Calgary when a missing boy was found deceased after an intensive two week search, Adrienne pondered if any psychics had tried to insert themselves into the investigation. Use your psychic powers to imagine how much time it took for her to find examples of these alleged intuitives offering their opinions to the public and the police. She called on expert Psychics Explained YouTube host and Skeptic Zone reporter Susan Gerbic to help her navigate this heartbreaking, psychic cinema.

00:23:32 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews This week Maynard talks to former think tank member and PhD student Jo Shafer. What is her philosophy when it comes to critical thinking and skepticism?

00:32:24 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au

00:41:40 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to The Bent Spoon Award. 1982.04.06 - The Bulletin https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1400945990/view?sectionId=nla.obj-1639131089tId%3Dnla.obj-1400980278&partId=nla.obj-1400980013#page/n56/mode/1up

The Skeptic Zone #933 - 23.August.2026 Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

Not-A-Con - Quackery - Bent Spoon

00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

00:05:20 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews Spoon Bending with Saunders - Jeremy - George Hrab fans - Howard Lovatt https://www.suff.com.au/starstruck

00:19:04 The Think Tank Join Dr Sue Ieraci, Kate Thomas and Richard Saunders as they enjoy coffee and toast in a cafe in the suburb of Glebe, Sydney. Up for discussion this week are phone call protocols in public and quackery in pharmacies.

00:43:48 Woo of the Week! With Kate Thomas Kate wonders why Chemist Warehouse is selling wormimg tablets without the scientific evidence to back them up. Kate on Radio JJJ with Dr Karl https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/dr-karl-podcast/sciencetriplej-20260820/107058392 Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass

00:46:10 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award. Part #2 1990 - 1989 1993.06.23 - The Canberra Times 1995.06.01 - The Canberra Times 1994.06.12 - The Canberra Times www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #932 - 16.August.2026 Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

Ben Radford - George Hrab - Bent Spoon

00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

00:04:20 Maynard's Spooky Action George Hrab - 3 of 3 George Hrab, in Sydney for Not-A-Con, visits Maynard's International Studios annex in the suburb of Glebe. This week - Being skeptical when it's hard to do so, being on "X" (Twitter), Ringo Starr and Kookaburras.

00:12:18 Maynard's Spooky Action Lee Traynor talks about his foundation to promote critical thinking in young people. Also Maynard chats to conference attendees at the social evening. https://leetraynor.com/blog.multi/foundation

00:21:55 Interview with Ben Radford - 2 of 2 This week framed psychic investigator Ben Radford talks about the recent US senate appearance by Dr Anthony Fauci. https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/covid-conspiracies-and-the-fauci-farce/ Prof. Dave - Dr Anthony Fauci https://youtu.be/wWxqBaWt5uY?si=DanaMX9XOIM_bT7u

00:36:48 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au

00:48:42 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award. Part #2 1986 - 1989 1987.04.19, 1987.02.20, 1987.02.22, 1988.04.03, 1987.07.08, 1989.04.02, 1989.03.26 - The Canberra Times 1987.04.20, 1987.04.03 - The Sydney Morning Herald www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #931 - 9.August.2026 Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

Ben Radford - George Hrab - Dr Karl

00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders, Lara Benham and Dr Sue Ieraci at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub.

00:04:22 Interview with Ben Radford - 1 of 2 This week framed psychic investigator Ben Radford talks about his new book Weird New Mexico and a very strange hum that was once heard across the land. Weird New Mexico https://www.unmpress.com/9780826370341/weird-new-mexico

00:13:58 Maynard's Spooky Action George Hrab - 2 of 3 George Hrab, in Sydney for Not-A-Con, visits Maynard's International Studios annex in the suburb of Glebe. This week - Being skeptical when it's hard to do so, being on "X" (Twitter), Ringo Starr and Kookaburras. From Not-A-Con - Maynard chats to Star Trek fan Amanda and Dr Sue Ieraci.

00:25:52 Maynard's Spooky Action Dr Karl Kruszelnicki talks about critical thinking, advertising claims, flat earthers, going down the rabbit hole, conspiracy theories and the future of science.

00:37:18 Elaine and Dorothy's New Age Bingo! Skeptics Zone fans Elaine and Dorothy have cooked up a great way to have fun at New Age festivals using the following words. Quantum, Regression, Biome, Regulate, Ancestral , Cellular , Channeling , Aura , Colloidal , Psychic Energy , Amino Acids , Peptides , Orgone , Crystal Energy , Holistic , Past Life , Essence , Balancing Chakras , Grounding , Ancient Chinese , Meta Physical , Frequency , Realignment , Red Light Therapy Angels Download and print out "Lidia's New Age Bingo Card" for MindBody Wallet. Lidia's New Age Bingo! (pdf)

00:41:56 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award. Part #1 1982 - 1985 2012.03.28 - The Melbourne Observer 1999.02.03 - The Hills Messenger SA 1987.07.02 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1978.02.15 - The Hills Gazette SA 1986.03.11 - The Canberra Times

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