The Skeptic Zone

Latest Episodes:

The Skeptic Zone #890 - 26.October.2025 Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:44 3i Atlas Update As the interstellar comet streams through the inner solar system, we look at some of the claims about it being made on social media. Is the earth in danger? https://astro.vanbuitenen.nl/comet/3I 00:13:50 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas Not Wild about Wild Yams Wild yams are claimed to help with menopause, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and muscular cramps. Can all this be true? Kate looks at the science behind this overhyped root vegetable. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 0:19:28 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:14 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Auras. 1978.02.15 - The Hills Gazette - SA 1921.02.06 - The Sunday Morning Star 1974.06.14 - The Robesonian http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - 6th Nov. - Kate Thomas with Woo Watch! https://meetu.ps/e/PwcXw/SSz1/i

The Skeptic Zone #889 - 19.October.2025 Oct 18, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:07:00 Auras Is there really an invisible "energy field" of swirling colours surrounding all living things? What happens when this claim is put to a scientific test? Find out as we explore the strange world of auras and aura diagnosis. Joe Nickell - Report https://skepticalinquirer.org/2000/05/aura-photography-a-candid-shot/ The Skeptics Dictionary https://skepdic.com/auras.html James Randi tests an Aura Reader https://youtu.be/toCcR6D6d5E 0:20:12 Mind Body Spirit - Detox Join Annie McCubbin, Kate Thomas and Richard Saunders as they "detox" from a trip to Sydney's Festival of Mind Body Spirt. 0:36:04 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to CSICOP #2. 1985.04.08 - The Daily News 1997.05.27 - The Kentucky New Era 2002.10.26 - The Daily Gazette http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:58:26 A Roll of the Dice The Loons from Canada and Psychic Penny test their powers of prediction. Also James Randi: Psychic Investigator - 1991 https://youtu.be/9jvXlJtgS7A

The Skeptic Zone #888 - 12.October.2025 Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:34 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas Wellness Patches This week, pharmacist and skeptic Kate Thomas takes a look at the latest sticky health trend - "transdermal" wellness patches promising everything from boosted metabolism to Ozempic-like weight loss. Kate explains why none of these ingredients can actually make it through your skin, and what it really takes to design a medicated patch that works. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 0:09:42 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:19:24 Mind Body Spirit - Overview Once again the travelling circus of woo known as Mind Body Spirit comes to Sydney. We take a look at the social and cultural aspects of this festival of "healers", "mystics" and conspiracy theories. 0:32:32 Psychic Penny's Numerology To celebrate the 888th episode of the Skeptic Zone podcast, Psychic Penny delves deep into the mysteries of numerology. What do numbers show us through mystical and paranormal messages? Is your lucky number 888? Is your number up? Find out more with Psychic Penny. 0:39:14 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to CSICOP #1. 1985.12.16 - The Age http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:59:20 A Roll of the Dice Kate, Lara and Richard test their powers of prediction.

The Skeptic Zone #887 - 5.October.2025 Oct 05, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders. Also the winners of the Australian Skeptics Awards for 2025, live from Skepticon Melbourne with Tim Mendham. 00:09:44 Divination We look at the claim that some people can foretell future events via divination. From historical references to this "art" to the many, many different and interesting practices and devices used to see what is in store for us. 0:25:18 Skeptics in the Pub Once again we head for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub and meet up with Annie McCubbin from the 'Why Smart Women' podcast. Joining in are Jessica Singer, Lara Benham and Sue Ieraci. Also pubbers Tom and Ian talk monsters and UFOs. 0:42:36 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the Supernatural and Skeptics. 1990.04.01 - The Tuscaloosa News 1993.12.18 - The Kentucky New Era 2001.05.25 - The Telegraph Herald 1969.04.02 - The Sunday Sun - Canada http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

The Skeptic Zone #886 - 28.September.2025 Sep 28, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:56 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This week Adrienne takes us to Portugal on a trip of discovery of the local superstitions. Find out what happened when they tried to rid a city of black cats! Also we hear about the "Miracle at Fatima". 0:20:48 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas This week Kate takes a skeptical look at the claim that Acetaminophen, aka Paracetamol, can cause autism in children if taken by the mother during pregnancy. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 0:24:54 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:39:12 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the Supernatural and Skeptics #1. 2007.05.10 - The Nevada Daily Mail 1996.04.02 - The Gazette 2000.05.22 - The Beaver Country Times 1989.07.15 - The Telegraph - NH 2007.07.23 - The Victoria Advocate- TX http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Prof. Dave on Acetaminophen / Autism claim https://youtu.be/ohsYDUj0gfU Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5 https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #885 - 21.September.2025 Sep 21, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:05:58 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas We interview Pharmacist Kate Thomas, a rising TikTok star from Sydney who fights medical misinformation with commonsense and humour. https://www.tiktok.com/@prescribeorpass https://www.tiktok.com/@debunkingbarbara https://www.instagram.com/scriptedbykate 0:18:34 Gone and Forgotten #3 Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal. So, who cares about these historical discarded artefacts? Well, we do, if only in the interests of historical discourse and as a warning to watch the skies for the next meteoric rise and fall of this month's unconvincing trend. 0:28:16 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Ed and Lorrain Warren. 1990.10.29 - The Hour 1980.04.05 - The Sun Herald 1985.04.04 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1985.05.18 - The Mid City's Daily News http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5 https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #884 - 14.September.2025 Sep 13, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:00 Cryptozoology We take a look into the history and likelihood of strange creatures roaming the earth, yet to be discovered by science. Tall tales from our ancestors and adventurous hunts throughout the world are examined. Is Bigfoot really there? 0:13:46 Prescribe or Pass Sometimes the rabbit hole of TikTok can offer much more than conspiracy theories and bad advice. We review the channel of Pharmacist Kate Thomaswho takes to task many of the outrageous claims by wellness gurus and naturopaths. https://www.tiktok.com/@prescribeorpass https://www.tiktok.com/@debunkingbarbara https://www.instagram.com/scriptedbykate 0:23:24 Gone and Forgotten #2 Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal. So, who cares about these historical discarded artefacts? Well, we do, if only in the interests of historical discourse and as a warning to watch the skies for the next meteoric rise and fall of this month's unconvincing trend. 0:32:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:20 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the year 1965 and the Paranormal. 2003.03.14 - The Beaver County Times 1982.04.14 - The Toledo Blade Times 2003.10.31 - The Hour 1977.03.05 - The Montreal Gazette 1970.03.23 - The News Despatch http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5 https://skepticon.org.au Stephen Bavaro - First year running for autism https://www.runforautism.org.au/fundraisers/stephenbavaro/run-for-autism-2025

The Skeptic Zone #883 - 7.September.2025 Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Tim Mendham 00:06:06 A Look into the Stars We take a sceptical look at the claims and promises of the age old practice of Astrology. Can the stars and planets really predict your future or influence your characteristics? 0:17:50 Gone and Forgotten #1 Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal. At the time, members of the public and members of the media gave them credence beyond what they deserved. Some have stuck around, and even prospered - UFOs and psychic powers, to name two - but many more have died the death of irrelevance and fast fashion. Some might still be around, but only as a vestige of their once high-profile status. Others truly are forgotten. So, who cares about these historical discarded artefacts? Well, we do, if only in the interests of historical discourse and as a warning to watch the skies for the next meteoric rise and fall of this month's unconvincing trend. 0:30:38 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Astrology. 1980.09.11 - The Evening Times - Scotland 1968.07.31 - The Calgary Herald 1977.03.04 - The Lawrence Journal-World http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5 https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #882 - 31.August.2025 Aug 30, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:14 Comet 3I Atlas and TikTok Tales of Doom As another interstellar visitor races through our solar system, we look at various predictions and musings of people who think this chunk of rock is actually an alien spacecraft heading our way. Prof. Dave - Avi Loeb https://youtu.be/4nYXIeZh_bw 0:21:24 For Crying Out Loud. It's Kat McLeod! This week Kat straps on some ghost busting gear and investigates the possibility of the paranormal when she does a deep dive into the gruesome haunting of Room 202 in the Fort Garry hotel. Trigger warning: suicide. 0:34:16 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:45:24 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Poltergeists. 1960.02.07 - The Toledo Blade 1973.10.28 - The Robesonina http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5 https://skepticon.org.au

The Skeptic Zone #881 - 24.August.2025 Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:28 Alien Abductions? We take a look at the history, implications and possibilities of aliens travelling across the Milky Way to not only visit the Earth but also to kidnap some of its unlucky, innocent residents. 0:16:44 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Relationship Gurus with Karen Bijkersma #2 The Internet seems full of people who want to offer you advice, for a price, on your relationships. This week Adrienne Hill talks to author Karen Bijkersma about some of these gurus and institutions. https://karenbijkersma.com.au 0:38:55 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Alien Abductions. 1989.06.06 - The Age 1997.12.09 - The Manila Standard 1987.04.26 - The Albany Herald 1990.05.10 - The Herald Jounal 1973.10.20 - The Dispatch http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

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