The Skeptic Zone

Latest Episodes:

The Skeptic Zone #670 - 8.August.2021 Aug 08, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 Michael Marshall Good Thinking welcomes new Standards. The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has announced new Standards for voluntary registers of healthcare providers, causing the Society of Homeopaths (SoH) to withdraw from the accreditation scheme. https://goodthinkingsociety.org 0:30:35 Melbourne Anti-Lockdown Protest Hundreds of protesters descended on Melbourne's CBD on Thursday night as Victoria was plunged into its sixth Covid-19 lockdown. https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/in-pictures-chaos-descends-on-melbourne-cbd-as-antilockdown-protest-erupts/news-story/feb843665f99c39c2c557b09c45ba0c4 0:38:58 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Witchcraft'. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud The 2021 Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center Opening August 13th https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Freethought-Society-Meetup/events/277278972/

The Skeptic Zone #669 - 1.August.2021 Aug 01, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:16 Protester's Regrets News of the Sydney lockdown protester who now regrets his actions. Also the sad story of people in the United States who waited too long for their COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9837377/Covid-NSW-Sydney-anti-lockdown-protester-reveals-friends-deserted-views.html 0:14:11 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:22:10 More COVID-19 Misinformation We look at the outrageous flyers from former politician Clive Palmer who encourages people not to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Also the damaging advice to derail the vaccine roll out in Australia via making fake bookings for a jab. https://au.yahoo.com/news/facebook-users-ploy-waste-thousands-vaccines-050313429.html 0:35:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Psychics and Murder". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au https://omny.fm/shows/mike-williams-overnight/richard-saunders-16 Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #668 - 25.July.2021 Jul 25, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:15 Freedom Protests in Sydney At the worst possible time, protesters march through the main streets of downtown Sydney, with cries of "freedom". We ask the question, "what's the harm in believing in conspiracy theories?" https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/wild-scenes-as-sydney-antilockdown-protesters-clash-with-police/news-story/e5b47e5103e55a7c6ebd1eb6d0094a78 0:11:06 Past Live Tours Join Richard on a stroll to discover the shopfront of a business offering hypnosis to solve your problems by investigating your previous lives. Included is a review of the website and a look into references to hypnosis online. https://www.pastlifetours.com.au http://skepdic.com/hypnosis.html 0:26:03 Interview with Ben Radford Following on from our hypnosis segment, we chat to paranormal investigator Ben Redford from the 'Squaring the Strange' podcast about his experiences, thoughts and opinions on the topic of hypnosis. https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com 0:36:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the "psychics and police". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #667 - 18.July.2021 Jul 18, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:00 Lockdown Showdown Anti-lockdown protesters in Melbourne. Melbourne was plunged into chaos hours before the state entered its fifth lockdown as protesters took to the streets. https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/antilockdown-protesters-storm-melbourne-hours-after-daniel-andrews-announcement/news-story/b8ddd8f95df6640bd0936add28f6d8f1 0:12:55 Skeptical Prize Money We chat with Leonard Tramiel from the USA and Ian Bryce from Australia about the prize money on offer for proof of the paranormal. https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/prove-your-paranormal-powers-and-win-250000-from-the-cfi-investigations-group/ 0:21:49 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:31:36 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the "psychic + tests". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Maynard - THE CASTANET CLUB COMES TO YOU! http://maynard.com.au

The Skeptic Zone #666 - 11.July.2021 Jul 11, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:12 You Can Count On Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill What's the deal with 666? This week Adrienne is joined by Kelly Burke to discover that if you look for it, the number 666 pops ups everywhere. Humans certainly are the pattern seeking, storytelling animal. Numberphile 666 - video https://youtu.be/UkZqFtYtqaI 0:22:10 The Book of Tim This week Tim Mendham talks about being on the front line at Australian Skeptics HQ and the work that goes into creating 'The Skeptic' magazine. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:41:50 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard reveals to the world the incredible Broadway singing bowl. https://soundcloud.com/maynard-1/the-castanet-club-broadway 0:45:09 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Psychic animals". 27.01.1940 - The World's News 03.04.1941 - Northern Times 30.12.1936 - The Daily Advertiser - Wagga Wagga 04.12.1943 - The Herald Victoria 02.03.1939 - The Daily Mercury - Qld 31.10.1939 - The Daily News - WA http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - Coffee https://youtu.be/TjszwS_VJnc

The Skeptic Zone #665 - 4.July.2021 Jul 04, 2021

Show notes

The Skeptic Zone #665 - 4 July 2021 Dedicated to the memory of Shelley Stocken The Skeptic Zone is very sad to inform you that our much loved former reporter Shelley Stocken died unexpectedly on Saturday 26 June 2021. She was surrounded by family. Episode #665 is dedicated to her memory, including a replay of one of her reports. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family. Shelley's reports were interesting, funny and educational. Her work in the skeptical community made a difference. She was a delight to know and work with. Thank you Shelley, from the team at the Skeptic Zone.

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:43 Take Stock. With Shelley Stocken From 2016 when new reporter Shelley Stocken looked into the myths and reality of so-called Demonic Possession. http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/coping/demonic-possession-mental-illness.html 0:15:21 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:25:47 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Psychic" and "America". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #664 - 27.June.2021 Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:23 More COVID-19 Madness Thanks to alert listeners of the Skeptic Zone, we have yet more examples of COVID-19 conspiracy flyers. Palmer's dangerous ads https://youtu.be/DKG9jxbqJzU?t=690 0:15:18 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill. This week Adrienne is joined by Kelly Burke for a look at some of the more 'wafflely' predictions from the Great Australian Predition Project. 0:26:38 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. 'Seers, Spies and Satan'. Vol 35 No 2 - June 2015 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:32 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Psychic' and 'Fraud'. 1989.06.06 - The Canberra Times 1906.09.04 - The West Gippsland Gazett 1932.04.02 - The Mail - SA 1928.09.16 - The Sunday Times - WA 1935.07.23 - The Tweed Daily http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud What Sound Does a Duck Make? https://www.conspiracyofonesolo.com Sydney Skeptics in the Pub https://www.meetup.com/AustSkeptics/events/277460698 Medical Republic Podcast http://medicalrepublic.com.au/where-is-the-tga-when-you-need-them/47753

The Skeptic Zone #663 - 20.June.2021 Jun 19, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:55 Operation Onion Ring Susan Gerbic strikes again! We are begining to wonder why these "psychics" don't see it coming! Once again Susan and her team go undercover to tumble someone who claims to talk with the dead and this time it involves children. https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/right-turns-only-circling-back-to-seatbelt-psychic/ https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-onion-ring-thomas-john-and-the-children/ 0:18:38 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. 'Seances'. Vol 35 No 3 - Sept. 2015 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:03 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:53

A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'The Flat Earth'.
01.06.1906 - Dungog Chronicle
11.01.1951 - Denmark Post - WA
15.06.1935 - Geraldton Guardian Express - WA
16.07.1897 - Glen Innes Examiner
27.07.1905 - The Barrier Miner
27.07.1939 - Goulburn Evening Penny Post http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #662 - 13.June.2021 Jun 12, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:18 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson A hairdressing business in the town of Mullumbimby shows they are not a cut above the rest by displaying their ignorance via a 'hair-brained' poster, "Do not enter if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19". Heidi Robertson is on tne case with scoop for the Skeptic Zone. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/08/vaccine-wont-give-you-covid-health-officials-battle-anti-vaccination-messages-in-northern-rivers 0:24:19 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. 'Phantoms'. Vol 34 No 4 - Dec. 2014 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:30:55 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "The Occult". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Learning from Indigenous memory methods https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/SocialSkepticsCanberra Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

The Skeptic Zone #661 - 6.June.2021 Jun 06, 2021

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders, live from Sydney Skeptics in the Pub 0:02:35 UFOs Those strange lights in the sky are back in the news again with a soon to be released report from the U.S. govenment. Alas, those needing confirmation of their long held belief that earth is being visited by little green men or little blue women may be in for yet more disappointment. https://www.facebook.com/centerforinquiry/photos/a.94000694772/10158405227984773/ https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/03/politics/intelligence-officials-navy-pilot-ufo-encounters/index.html Carl Sagan Cosmos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llZNU799lOg 0:12:12 Sydney Skeptics in the Pub Time for beer and some 'Fish & Chips' as we return to Skeptics in the Pub. Richard bends some spoons and chats to Daryl Coloughn, Tim Mendham and Dr Brad McKay. 0:18:31 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:29:02 The Book of Tim Tim Mendham reads from the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine, from Australian Skeptics. 'Staring'. Vol 37 No 3 - Sept. 2017 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:28 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "Full Moon" and "Crime". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected