
722 episodes

The Skeptic Zone Richard Saunders
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- Science
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4.5 • 127 Ratings
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The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason.
Join Richard Saunders and his team of reporters for your weekly dose of skeptical news and interviews, reports and comments.
Past guests have included, James Randi, Stephen Fry, Tim Minchin, Eugenie Scott, Dr Phil Plait, Michael Marshall, Dr Steve Novella, Dr Pamela Gay, Jon Ronson, Dr Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Prof. Richard Wiseman, Dick Smith, Banachek, Prof. Chris French, George Hrab, Tim Ferguson, Dr Paul Willis and many, many more.
Featuring Australian radio legend Maynard with his Spooky Action, Jo Alabaster from the 'Evidence Please' blog, Eran Segev's Grain of Salt, Dr Rachael Dunlop with 'Dr Rachie Reports' and Heidi Robertson aka 'The Raw Skeptic'.
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The Skeptic Zone #711 - 22.May.2022
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:05:56 UFOs Invade the US Congress
Again with the aliens! Yes once again UFOs disguised as jets and balloons are makimg the news. This time, those who can't handle the truth have taken their conspiracy theories all the way to capital hill in Washington.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/5356929/us-wreckage-ufos-truth-congressman
Mick West's videos
https://youtu.be/qsEjV8DdSbs
https://badufos.blogspot.com/2022/05/uaps-baffle-congress-and-dod.html
0:25:33 Australian Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Read by Troy Hill.
http://www.skeptics.com.au
0:34:20 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "Psychic Detectives".
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au -
The Skeptic Zone #710 - 15.May.2022
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:04:12 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill
Adrienne Hill and Susan Gerbic visit "Explore & More", The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum in Buffalo NY and talk to Rebecca Glon, IT & Exhibits Manager.
http://www.exploreandmore.org
0:17:46 TikTok Paranormal
We scroll through the endless, live TikTok videos featuring people who think they have psychic insights. Others include dowsing rods, pendulums, bones, giant matches and more.
0:37:56 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Unsolved Mysteries".
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 1909, 17 January - The Sunday Times 1924, 1 March - The Herald - Victoria 1939, 13 March - The Northern Star -
The Skeptic Zone #709 - 8.May.2022
The Skeptic Zone #709 - 8 May 2022
Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:02:50 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill
This week Adrienne finds herself riding shotgun alongside Susan Gerbic as the tour they east coast of the USA. Also we learn about the new award given to Susan for her skeptical activism.
Grief Vampires, Wikipedia and More - Presented by Susan Gerbic
https://youtu.be/b6_dVTsBcxA
0:13:46 Australian Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
http://www.skeptics.com.au
0:22:40 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham
Father Figure. Part 2. By Dr Tony Wheeler
A look at the truth and the myth behind Father Christmas or Santa Claus.
A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 15 No. 4
http://www.skeptics.com.au
0:32:50 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "UFOs".
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 1991, 22 October - Tharunka - UNSW Student Newspaper 1968, 10 June - The Canberra Times 1968, 6 June - The Canberra Times 1971, 12 July - The Canberra Times 1966, 10 October - The Canberra Times 1988, 28 January - The Canberra Times -
The Skeptic Zone #708 - 1.May.2022
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:03:37 Maynard's Spooky Action
Maynard interviews author George Ivanoff about his new book, "The Supernatural Survival Guide".
How should young people approach investigating the strange, the mysterious and the unknown? What can we learn from George's book about the claims of the paranormal in Australia?
THE SUPERNATURAL SURVIVAL GUIDE will tackle these and other questions about all things paranormal. There is so much WEIRD stuff out there . . . but the TRUTH is IN HERE!
https://georgeivanoff.com.au/books/survival-guide
0:23:28 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham
Father Figure. Part 1. By Dr Tony Wheeler
A look at the truth and the myth behind Father Christmas or Santa Claus.
A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 15 No. 4
http://www.skeptics.com.au
0:34:49 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to skeptical stories from the United States.
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au -
The Skeptic Zone #707 - 24.April.2022
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:04:22 Homeopathy on Trial
On January 13, the Center for Inquiry reached a major milestone in its groundbreaking consumer-protection lawsuits against retail giants Walmart and CVS. CFI is suing these mammoth corporations over their deceptive sale and marketing of homeopathic products under the Consumer Protection laws of the District of Columbia, and on January 13, CFI Legal Director Nick Little presented oral argument for our cases before the DC Court of Appeals.
https://centerforinquiry.org/news/cfi-meets-walmart-and-cvs-in-dc-court-over-homeopathy-lawsuit/
https://cdn.centerforinquiry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/14130827/CFI-v-Boiron-Complaint-FINAL.pdf
0:18:46 Australian Skeptics Newsletter
What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Read by Adrienne Hill.
http://www.skeptics.com.au
0:26:22 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham
Out of Body, Out of Mind. Part 2. By Prof. Marcello Costa
Pinocchio, self-mutilation, having someone else's limbs and feeling presences - our sense of body is strange and wonderful thing.
A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 30 No. 1
http://www.skeptics.com.au
0:37:12 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Naturopaths". 1995, 20 June - The Times - Victor Harbour, South Australia 1946, 14 May - The Telegraph - Brisbane 1946, 15 May - The Telegraph - Brisbane 1951, 6 Apil - The Courier-Mail - Brisbane 1953, 6 September - Truth - Brisbane https://quackwatch.org/naturopathy/
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
Also Susan Gerbic, 11am AEST Sunday 24th. - https://bond.zoom.us/j/96246943879 -
The Skeptic Zone #706 - 17.April.2022
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders
0:05:35 Science Friction with Brain Dunning
You know those TV documentaries you see, and the science experts they feature? Did you know that producers often edit them out of context, and twist their words, to make it seem like they promoted some pop sensationalism instead of the real facts?
Science Friction exposes this practice and gives the scientists a chance to clear the record.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B09RQFWJ4L
https://tubitv.com/movies/661210/science-friction
0:18:54 Maynard' Spooky Action
A visit to Manard's International Studios (annex) in Sydney.
http://maynard.com.au
0:27:47 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham
Out of Body, Out of Mind. Part 1. By Prof. Marcello Costa
Pinocchio, self-mutilation, having someone else's limbs and feeling presences - our sense of body is strange and wonderful thing.
A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 30 No. 1
http://www.skeptics.com.au
0:40:24 A Dive into a Trove
A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Canada.
http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
Customer Reviews
Who, What, Why, When & How
Richard answers all the questions or points you where you can find the answers for yourself. He asks probing questions with insight and respect. He does not dismiss the person or insult the believer. Richard tells you why something is bunkum and does not assume you would have prior knowledge. There are entertaining interviews and provoking articles.
Too often other Skeptics podcast presenters instantly dismiss the belief, insulting the believers. They do not provide any critical questioning or demonstration why it is not true. Calling ‘Flat-Earthers’ or ‘Anti-Vaccinationers’ names does not explain to me why their views are detrimental to society and could cause harm.
Richard is respectful, informative and is a nice person.
Have removed the other skeptic podcasts. Maybe when they stop being so ‘up themselves’ and full of righteousness, I may listen to them again. Remember, it is almost impossible to reason with a fanatic- Including Skeptics.
I alway smile when I see a new episode has arrived.
A great podcast. Richard is very engaging and the show is always in informative and thoughtful.
Time to rethink
Waaaaay too “Richard Saunders”. Time for a new voice.