The Skeptic Zone

Richard Saunders
  • 4.7 (21)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Skeptic Zone

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'.

  1. The Skeptic Zone #849 - 12.January.2025

    3 DAYS AGO

    The Skeptic Zone #849 - 12.January.2025

    0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:14 Channeling Aliens on TikTok We look at some of the many people on TikTok who claim to be in touch with aliens from the far reaches of the galaxy. Very long distance calls! 0:16:52 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Can you trust what you were taught in health class? Do you think you know basic human anatomy? For crying out loud, Kat McLeod is back this week and will have you questioning what you thought was common knowledge. 0:30:32 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard travels to the Bermuda Triangle, virtually. This week Maynard gives his review on the various TV shows and movies that take place in the Bermuda Triangle over the years. With Lara Benham and Richard Saunders 0:43:10 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "The Coogee Beach Virgin Mary". 2003.02 - The Sydney Morning Herald 2003.02.03 - The Sydney Morning Herald 2005.02.05 - The Sydney Morning Herald https://www.museumoflost.com/the-virgin-mary-at-coogee-beach http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also https://karenbijkersma.com.au

    1h 4m
  2. The Skeptic Zone #848 - 5.January.2025

    4 JAN

    The Skeptic Zone #848 - 5.January.2025

    0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:04 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Were the medieval times as torturous as we are led to believe? What do torture devices and GSoW have in common? Find out this week as Kat ties it all together as she reviews what we think we know about the past and reminds us to always consider the source whenever we are learning new things. 0:18:30 Jimmy Carter's Message to the Cosmos A message penned in 1977 by the late President Jimmy Carter was sent with spacecraft currently traveling in interstellar space, intended for alien eyes. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/voyager-spacecraft-statement-the-president 0:24:32 The TROVE Archives With guest Lara Benham A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Bermuda Triangle. 1978.11.05 - The Canberra Times 1995.12.14 - Army 1977.06.09 - The Port Lincoln Times 1977.10.11 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

    47 min
  3. The Skeptic Zone #847 - 29.December.2024

    28/12/2024

    The Skeptic Zone #847 - 29.December.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:06 Kate & Allie With the close of 2024 drawing near and the start of a new year dawning, Kate and Allie both had the idea of making a quiz for the last episode of the year to surprise each other - so surprise, the loons ended up with two quizzes! Play along with their tag-team trivia and take time to look at new year's eve superstitions from around the world, see how many traditions you've heard about. 0:20:16 Drones Droning on about Drones Are drones from outer space? Do they come from the ocean? Are they manufactured in factories and bought by people and companies? We look at the recent influx of drones in the United States and find a stunning prediction for the year 2025! Mick West looks at the drone phenomena. https://youtu.be/ZK4HFxzsjgo 00:26:38 For Crying Out Load! It's Kat McLeod The white lady, the lady of the lake, pale, semi-transparent ghostly apparitions all seem to have some commonalities. This week Kat is going to delve into the reasons why we think of ghosts the way we do, and explore how society's perception of ghosts hasn't changed much over the centuries. 0:36:36 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Failed Predictions". 1990.03.10 - The Canberra Times 1990.04.13 - The Canberra Times 1991.01.02 - The Canberra Times 1994.05.31 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

    58 min
  4. The Skeptic Zone #846 - 22.December.2024

    21/12/2024

    The Skeptic Zone #846 - 22.December.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:58 New Moon Superstitions Lara Benham (and the Skeptic Zone cats) take a look at some of the myths and superstitions regarding the new moon. Included is a clip from our friend Kenny Biddle. 0:14:18 Flat Earthers fall flat in the Antarctic A report of a group of hopeful flat earthers and globe earthers who travel to the Antarctic to view the 24 hour sun... or not! 24h Timelapse of Antactic Sun https://youtu.be/in0B1OQG3-M 0:24:58 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:03:42 Richard Saunders' Skeptical Challenge Over the past 25 years Saunders had the opportunity of being involved in numerous preliminary tests for the Australian Skeptics challenge, as well as the James Randi Educational Foundation's (JREF) US$1,000,000 prize in the 2010s, where he served on the committee that met annually in Las Vegas. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 4 (2024) http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:43:36 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to New Moon Superstitions. 1892.03.12 - The Queenbean Age 1943.09.29 - The Inverel Times 1908.11.21 - The Pastral Times 1834.03.25 - The Sunday Mail 1924.06.14 - The Queenbean Figero http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Kenny Biddle with Kat McLeod and Lara Benham https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ytPtiuunFdc

    1h 1m
  5. The Skeptic Zone #845 - 15.December.2024

    15/12/2024

    The Skeptic Zone #845 - 15.December.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:50 A Review of The Skeptic We take a peek into the latest issue of one of the world's oldest skeptical magazines. What reports, interviews and stories can you expect to see this time? Find out. 0:11:48 You can count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill chats with infectious disease immunologist and science communicator David Miles about his book called "How Vaccines Work: The Science and History Behind Every Question You've Wanted to Ask." https://www.variolator.com 0:28:44 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Spoon and Skeptical. 1975.03.13 - The Australian Jewish Times 1986.04.03 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Kenny Biddle with Kat McLeod and Lara Benham https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ytPtiuunFdc

    51 min
  6. The Skeptic Zone #844 - 8.December.2024

    08/12/2024

    The Skeptic Zone #844 - 8.December.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:56 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne Hill talks with fellow Calgarian, psychologist, and science communicator Jonathan Stea, who recently published Mind the Science: Saving Your Mental Health from the Wellness Industry. https://www.jonathanstea.com 0:19:10 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod Do you ever question your memory? Of course, we all do, however, people of a certain age may often start to feel older when they misremember things that they felt certain about. Is it a sign of senility? Probably not. This week Kat is examining the Mandela Effect and why people can't always trust their own memory. 0:31:26 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:44:00 I Think We Need To Think! With Susan Gerbic This week Susan heads off to a local "Psychic" Fair and has readings that shock and amaze.... no one! What mysterious insights did those claiming paranormal powers have for her? Find out with Susan. 0:51:46 Maynard's Spooky Action Interviews from Skepticon XL Richard Saunders Alanta Colley Nate Eggins Ben Radford - "Radford or What?" Paul Gallagher

    1h 6m
  7. The Skeptic Zone #843 - 1.December.2024

    30/11/2024

    The Skeptic Zone #843 - 1.December.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:01:08 Squaring the Zone On the final day of Skepticon XL, Richard Saunders from The Skeptic Zone podcast joins Ben Radford from the Squaring the Strange podcast along with the one and only Maynard. Topics include the history of both podcasts, investigations, "What are you skeptical of this week?", and a TROVE segment. Also questions from the audience. Also https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com

    1h 8m
  8. The Skeptic Zone #842 - 24.November.2024

    23/11/2024

    The Skeptic Zone #842 - 24.November.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:32 Ben Radford in Sydney A chat with Ben Radford about his first trip to Australia and his adventures and the Squaring the Strange Podcast. 0:07:24 The Bent Spoon Award for 2024 The announcement of the 2024 Australian Skeptics Awards. 0:18:56 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:06 Maynard's Spooky Action From Sydney Skeptics in the Pub, Maynard talks to Dr Liam Brierley a Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, UK. He uses biostatistics, computer science, and AI to investigate how viruses evolve and transmit between animal species. Liam is also a Media Ambassador for the Royal Statistical Society and has worked with national press including The Guardian and BBC's Panorama to make sense of health data. 0:37:42 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Alien Autopsy of 1995. 1995.06.29 - The Canberra Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

    57 min
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4.7
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

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'.

Information

  • Creator
    Richard Saunders
  • Years Active
    2008 - 2025
  • Episodes
    860
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Skeptic Zone Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Skeptic Zone

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