The Skeptic Zone

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The Skeptic Zone #910 - 15.March.2026 Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:28 The Loons from Canada Kate and Allie embark on their third ghost hunt with Rodney Schmaltz' MacEwan University students, this time at a new location. They spent the evening exploring the beautiful yet spooky Freemasons' lodge, where the students attempted to recreate the kinds of ghostly "evidence" typically featured on paranormal investigation shows. They went on pareidolia and orb-spotting hunts, using spirit boxes, EVPs, and thermometers to anomaly-hunt, intermixed with spirit communication tools, including Ouija boards, a psychomantium, and divination. 0:22:16 Anecdotes are not Evidence "I know it happened because it happened to me!" This is the statement Skeptics hear all the time. But is somebody's sincerely held belief enough to justify the belief itself? We look at the nature of anecdotes and testimonials. Antivaxxers, Acupuncture, And Alternative Cancer Cures | Dr. Steven Novella https://youtu.be/Nv1ZaJ9mL1k?si=J9G2v_2gvXldl3Y- 0:31:24 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:44:00 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Perpetual Motion. 1945.03.17 - The Canberra Times 1911.06.17 - Worker - Qld 1910.12.11 - The Sunday Times - Sydney 1888.07.14 - The North Australian - NT http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #909 - 8.March.2026 Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:48 Bend Spoon Award Nomination Vivacious Living Centre of Perth, WA bills itself as "a Multi-modality Health & Wellness Centre", offering such services as Crystal Healing, Reiki, Acupressure, Reflexology and Talking to the Dead! All of these services are worthy of a Bent Spoon nomination, however it is the claims to diagnose and treat bodily conditions via a device known as the Metatron NLS (Non-linear System), a device from Russia, that is the focus of this nomination. https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/bent-spoon/nominations 00:16:16 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas A bit of a Stretch We travel to Kate's studio to find out her opinions on the topic of stretching! Do you stretch before or after exercising? What does Kate have to say on the topic? Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 00:26:14 Sydney Skeptics in the Pub Trivia Once again, skeptics turned up to test their general knowledge and skeptical trivia. Hosts Richard Saunders and Lara Benham supplied the brain teasers while the President of Australian Skeptics Jessica Singer paid tribute to Ian Bryce who has retired from the committee after 45 years of service. https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics 0:37:46 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Chakras. 1984.03.06 - Tharunka 1977.03.28 - Woroni 1991.07.06 - Tharunka 1989.04.16 - The Observer Reporter http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #908 - 1.March.2026 Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

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 attendees and one of the evening speakers. Allie highlights four of the seven afternoon presentations, giving listeners a front-row seat to the next generation of critical thinkers. Kate and Allie are joined by students Pawn, Tarika, Brook, Jasjot, Caleb and Tamika. 0:31:10 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:45:26 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Theta Healing. 1973.07.20 - The Victoria Advocate - Texas http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - Trivia Night - 5th March https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics

The Skeptic Zone #907 - 22.February.2026 Feb 21, 2026

Show notes

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. https://www.nbtiller.com 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 screens can somehow create healing something or other... or ... something..... Energy Enhancement System - Technological Behind the Scenes Look "Ken takes you behind the scenes to explain the science behind how the Energy Enhancement System creates Bioactive Scalar Wave Fields which helps to charge up the life force energy of the body." https://youtu.be/h195w0TAaI4 0:41:02 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Expos. 2000.02.04 - Riverine Herald, Echuca 1997.06.06 - The Australian Jewish News 1998.11.06 - The Australian Jewish News 2000.02.09 - Riverine Herald, Echuca http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the pub trivia night. 5th March https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics

The Skeptic Zone #906 - 15.February.2026 Feb 14, 2026

Show notes

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 https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 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 Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:41:46 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Foot Detox Baths. 2007.12.18 - The Ledger - Fl http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Surf Coast Skepticamp 2026 - 21st Feb. https://surfcoastskepticamp.org

The Skeptic Zone #905 - 8.February.2026 Feb 08, 2026

Show notes

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 'mediums' (those who claim to talk to or at least get messages from the dead) who have toured, or are touring Australia. These include names such as Doris Stokes, John Edward, Sally Morgan, Tony Stockwell, David Thompson, Doris Collins, James Van Praagh, Lisa Williams, Nikki Kitt and Margaret Birkin. They pack theatres and are all but guaranteed uncritical free publicity via TV programs, newspapers, magazines and radio. This segment was also videoed and can be seen as part of this week's Skeptic Zone on YouTube. https://www.skeptics.com.au/allison-dubois/ 0:49:28 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Scalar Energy and Healing. Scalar energy is a largely disputed, pseudoscientific concept that lacks support from mainstream physics. While proponents, often referencing a misunderstood interpretation of Nikola Tesla's work, claim it to be a "zero-point" or "healing" energy, skeptics maintain that it is a marketing term used to sell wellness products, such as pendants, that have no demonstrated, measurable benefits. 2005.09.01 - Boca Daily News Fl. https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/radiation-sources/more-radiation-sources/pendants

The Skeptic Zone #904 - 1.February.2026 Jan 31, 2026

Show notes

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 https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 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. https://tinyurl.com/logicalzone 0:26:54 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:39:54 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Kat McLeod with Richard Saunders, look at "Beyond Reason", a television game show produced and seen in Canada from 1977 to 1980. The program featured a group of 'experts' from various paranormal specialties attempting to find the identity of hidden celebrities. Beyond Reason https://www.cbc.ca/search?q=Beyond%20Reason§ion=all&sortOrder=date&media=video

The Skeptic Zone #903 - 25.January.2026 Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

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. https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/conviction-unlawful-supply-and-advertising-black-salve-products 0:18:56 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne gives us a wrap up of an action-packed weekend at the Monterey County SkeptiCamp. It was a weekend Adrienne nearly missed after accidentally booking her flights for the wrong weekend! Despite this calendar chaos, she was able to enjoy the two day skepticamp plus pub night that featured terrific talks, and friendly festivities. https://m.youtube.com/@AboutTimeProject/videos 0:33:30 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Athena Starwoman. 1985.11.18 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1979.09.02 - The Sun Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #902 - 18.January.2026 Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

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 https://youtu.be/R0hjOK865Qc Ancient Aliens Debunked - Video https://youtu.be/OFVbITJLLbQ 0:19:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 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 Australia. https://www.mamamia.com.au/psychic-predictions-2025 0:43:34 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Predictions and Nostradamus. 1973.07.26 - The Evening News - NY 1980.03.06 - The Evening News - NY 1976.12.03 - Lawrence Journal-World http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/conviction-unlawful-supply-and-advertising-black-salve-products

The Skeptic Zone #901 - 11.January.2026 Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

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 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas Magnesium Myths Magnesium is a supplement that has somehow been marketed as the solution to anxiety, insomnia, migraines, constipation, ADHD, menopause, burnout, and the general horror of being alive in late capitalism. This week Kate looks at what magnesium actually is and what it isn't. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 00:30:26 Refuting the anti-vaxxer who yelled her way onto The Skeptic Zone Back on 7 December, The Skeptic Zone and Why Smart Women podcasts blended to present a unique live episode at The Occidental Hotel in Sydney. Billed as the Why Smart Women Zone Podcast the show featured Why Smart Women host Annie McCubbin with Sue Ieraci, Kate Thomas, Jessica Singer and Richard Saunders. Lara Benham was the MC. Question-time revealed irony, as the first questioner could benefit from subscribing to Annie's Why Smart Women podcast. An anti-vaxxer, she seemed to have a plan to accuse, mock, embarrass or verbally pummel skeptics. A look at the blog post written by Paul Gallagher. https://luckylosing.com/2025/12/31/refuting-the-anti-vaxxer-who-yelled-her-way-onto-the-skeptic-zone/ 0:42:16 The TROVE Archives This week we look at a new age magazine from 1993 called "Southern Crossings". What trick and tips about divination can we pick up from all those years ago? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

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