The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #840 - 10.November.2024 Nov 09, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:46 The Loons from Canada Kate and Allie catch up with Abhijit Chanda from the Rationable Podcast in India. This interview was conducted on the sidelines of the recent CSICON meeting in Las Vegas. 00:11:26 CSIcon Las Vegas interviews with Rob Palmer In the third part in this series, Rob chats to Kevin Folta, Bill Patterson and Jeff Gehlbach. 0:24:34 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:37:34 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Tea Cup Reading". 1932.08.12 - The Labour Daily 1932.12.20 - The Brisbane Courier 1932.12.20 - The Evening News - Rockhampton 1933.10.22 - The Sunday Times - Perth WA 1950.02.15 - The Brisbane Telegraph http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #839 - 3.November.2024 Nov 02, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Maynard 00:03:56 The Loons From Canada Urban Legends Quiz! Fact or Fiction? This week Kate and Allie have a Halloween themed quiz! Kate, the Inquisitor, will be giving urban legend summaries, asking Allie and the listeners to decide if they are total works of fiction, or if they have a basis in reality. Please be advised that some of these urban legends may be creepy, spooky, or disturbing for some listeners. If you are brave enough, put on your critical thinking tiaras and see how you do. 00:26:14 CSIcon Las Vegas interviews with Rob Palmer In the second part in a series, Rob chats to famed mentalist Banachek, anti-creationist youtuber Forrest Valkai and Brazilian science writer Natalia Pasternak. 0:40:16 A The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Spirit Channeling. 1988.06.15 - The Canberra Times 1989.04.23 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #838 - 27.October.2024 Oct 26, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders with those 'Loons from Canada', Kate and Allie, and Dr Sue Ieraci. 00:03:34 CSIcon Las Vegas interviews with Rob Palmer In the first in a series, Rob chats Dr Sue Ieraci, Dr Angie Mattke, Richard Saunders, Leonard Tramiel, Adrienne Hill and Stephen Hupp. 0:22:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:34:12 A The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to so-called "Alternative Medicine". 1992.02.01 - Woronie 1986.05.15 - The Canberra Times 1993.01.06 - The Hills Messenger - South Australia 1994.03.21 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #837 - 20.October.2024 Oct 19, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:38 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne was invited by Dr. Rodney Schmaltz, a psychologist, to speak at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton Canada. During the visit, Adrienne interviewed Dr. Schmaltz about the exciting activities in his critical thinking course and his involvement with the upcoming LiliCon 2024 on Thursday, October 24, from 12-4 pm at CSICon. https://www.rodneyschmaltz.com 00:11:46 Cancer Council WA nominated for Bent Spoon The Western Australia branch of the Cancer Council has been nominated for the 2024 Bent Spoon award for the promotion of pseudoscience, in this case offering therapies based on the pseudoscience of reiki and reflexology. https://www.skeptics.com.au/cancer-council-wa-nominated-for-bent-spoon/ 0:21:04 The Loons from Canada This week, you can count on Kate and Allie to sum up numerology, calculate some life path numbers, and multiply the giggles! They'll divide the complexities of the subject, angle in on the important bits, and hopefully not leave you feeling irrational. Tune in as they break down what it all means and show you how to add a little skepticism to your life! 0:35:32 A The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Crime and the Supernatural. 1939.12.02 - The Herald - Melbourne 1928.07.05 - The Kalgoorlie Miner http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Richard Saunders interviews Ross and Carrie about their podcast in 2011. https://youtu.be/t3XMqbhjRsM?t=253

The Skeptic Zone #836 - 13.October.2024 Oct 12, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:46 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Erika Englehaupt Interview #2 Adrienne interviews Science Journalist Erika Englehaupt about her two books published within the last few years. This is part two of a two-part series in which we discuss her fascinating book Go to Hell: Journey to the Underworld. . http://erikaengelhaupt.com 00:23:56 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod More than just a magician's assistant. In honour of Women's History Month, Kat will be giving the listeners a history lesson about Rose Mackenberg. Known primarily for being Houdini's assistant, she was much more than that, she was a prolific debunker in her own right, and should be remembered for all she accomplished. https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Mackenberg 0:32:08 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 045:04 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the great Harry Houdini. 1932 - The Truth https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206129601 Also Mick West - UFO Trailer https://youtu.be/yhABMprFNes

The Skeptic Zone #835 - 6.October.2024 Oct 05, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:14 Black Salve - Dangerous Quackery We look at action taken against those selling and promoting "Black Salve", a corrosive substance claimed to treat and cure skin conditions, even cancer. There are good reasons why this quackery has been banned by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. https://luckylosing.com/2024/09/25/black-salve-the-australian-vaccination-network-and-the-therapeutic-goods-administration 0:23:02 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Erika Englehaupt interview #1 Adrienne interviews Science Journalist Erika Englehaupt about her two books published within the last few years. This is part one of a two-part series in which we discuss her fascinating book Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science. In part two, we will discuss her newly published book Go to Hell: Journey to the Underworld. . http://erikaengelhaupt.com 0:36:34 A Dive into Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Investigations part #2. 1947.06.14 - Smith's Weekly 1934.10.30 - The Canberra Times 1984.01.15 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also https://www.tiktok.com/@austskeptics

The Skeptic Zone #834 - 29.September.2024 Sep 29, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:04:12 Put your money where your mouth is! Mr Skeptic! A look at the history and various examples of skeptics, including the James Randi $1,000,000 challenge, putting up large amounts of money to challenge and possibly reward those who claimed to have paranormal powers. 0:29:28 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:44 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Investigations part #1. 1927.07.08 - The Daily Mercury - QLD 1932.01.27 - The Daily News - Perth WA 1932.02.24 - The Burra Record - SA 1935.02.23 - The Daily News - Perth WA http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics

The Skeptic Zone #833 - 22.September.2024 Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:08:50 You Can Count on Adrienne This week Adrienne catches up with Melanie Trecek-King from the website Thinking is Power. An interesting discussion about skeptical outreach and what value is the word skeptic after all? https://thinkingispower.com 0:23:26 2024 Bent Spoon Award Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders discuss the contenders for this year's Bent Spoon Award, awarded annually at the Australian Skeptics National Convention for the perpetrator of the most preposterous piece of pseudoscientific or paranormal piffle. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2024-bent-spoon-nominations-open 0:28:34 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Snake Oil. 1935.06.02 - The Sunday Times - Perth WA 1935.08.31 - The Australian Women's Weekly 1954.04.09 - Morning Bulletin - Rockhampton Qld 2013.05.19 - The Daily Telegraph http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #832 - 15.September.2024 Sep 14, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:38 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Lucky Girl Syndrome, the Law of Attraction, the Power of Positive Thinking, the Secret, Manifesting - the same idea has been preached for nearly 150 years, under different names. Aren't we lucky? This week Kat is going to delve into the Law of Attraction, and tell us "The Secret to Manifesting good things in our lives!" 0:17:38 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:30:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "psychic" Briget Pluis. 2010 - Psychics Directory 1988.04.04 - The Canberra Times 1994.11.19 - The Sydney Morning Hearld http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Happy Birthday Skeptical Fairy

The Skeptic Zone #831 - 8.September.2024 Sep 07, 2024

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders From 1986 - ZANEX PAYS GELLER OVER $350,00 The Australian-based mining company Zanex, paid magician and mentalist Uri Geller $US250,000 (over $A350,000) for his advice on where to look for gold in the Solomon Islands and near Maldon in Victoria. Tim also reads a newspaper item about this incident from the time and talks with Richard Saunders about the issues involved. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 6 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:18 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub for a special screening of Brian Dunning's movie, "The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You To See". Maynard chats to various skeptics and guests about their thoughts on UFOs and the movie. 0:37:14 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to yet more UFOs. 1953.09.15 - The Adelaide Advertiser 1996.08.23 - The Australian Jewish News 1987.03.08 - The Canberra Times 1987.06.01 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

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