The Skeptic Zone

Richard Saunders
  • 4.7 (110)
  • Social Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

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. 7h ago

    The Skeptic Zone #941 - 18.October.2026

    00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders     00:04:38 Bigfoot puts it's Feet up! A report on the expectations of the upcoming documentary "Capturing Bigfoot" together with a newspaper clipping from 1977.     1977.06.14 - The Sydney Morning Herald Official 4K Scan of the Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot Film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18KLMt8amms     00:15:28 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews From the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast, Cara Santa Maria.     00:33:46 Rusty Razor award Each year The Skeptic, the UK's long-running publication for analysis of pseudoscience, conspiracy theory and claims of the paranormal, names their pseudoscientist of the year, and awards them the Rusty Razor award. The prize this year goes to Lord Toby Young and the Daily Sceptic, for their promotion of antivaccine misinformation and climate change denialism. https://www.skeptic.org.uk     00:39:44 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award #11. SBS-TV program Medicine or Myth - Sarah Stevenson/Sarah's Day - National Institute of Complementary Medicine and the University of Western Sydney for the continued promotion of disproved and unproved alternative medicine practice - Judy Wilyman, Brian Martin, and the University of Wollongong.     2026.07.19 - The New York Post www.trove.nla.gov.au Dick Smith on Wonder World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnVAMEacj8

  2. Oct 10

    The Skeptic Zone #940 - 11.October.2026

    Dowsing - Psychics - Bent Spoon       00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders     00:04:26 Mind Body Wallet - Not So Divine Once again we dare to venture into the land of delusion and magic. The festival of Mind Body Spirit. This time we look at advice given to people wanting to have a psychic reading and an encounter with the Dowsers Society of New South Wales.     00:26:44 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au     00:38:12 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon #10. Includes Pete Evans and Dr Larry Marshall.     2014.10.12 - Real Clear Science     2014.10.30 - Science Insider     2020 - ABC Media Bites     2015.10.18 - Daily Mail     2020.11.09 - Insight Plus MJA www.trove.nla.gov.au Also... Squaring the Strange LIVE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@squaringthestrange7541

  3. Oct 3

    The Skeptic Zone #939 - 4.October.2026

    Wellness? - Not-A-Con - Bent Spoon     00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders     00:06:44 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Adrienne talks with returning guest Dr. Nick Tiller, author of The Health and Wellness Lie: Exposing the hype, hacks and hidden agendas of the well-being machine, about curious concoctions in the wellness and workout world. Dr Nick Tiller https://www.nbtiller.com     00:25:40 Barry Williams Media Award $4000 Prize The Barry Williams Award for Skeptical Journalism recognises the best piece of journalism, in any medium, that takes a critical and skeptical approach to a topic within the remit of Australian Skeptics: the scientific investigation of pseudoscience and the paranormal. It is awarded annually with a citation and now a $4000 prize, double the amount of recent years. https://www.skeptics.com.au/media-prize-2026-4000     00:28:10 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews Annie McCubbin from the 'Why Smart Women' podcast.     00:39:58 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to The Bent Spoon #9.     2009.12.01 - The Daily Telegraph     2010.07.28 - The Sydney Morning Herald     2012.12.03 - The Sydney Morning Herald     2015.10.15 - The Sydney Morning Herald www.trove.nla.gov.au

  4. Sep 26

    The Skeptic Zone #938 - 27.September.2026

    Talking Dogs - Not-A-Con - Bent Spoon     00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders     00:05:34 The Loons from Canada This week the Loons from Canada get hydrated while discussing alkaline water and commune with Spirit Dog Jewel via the help of interactive talking buttons. McGill University https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/technology-did-you-know-general-science/dogs-speak-breakthrough-or-illusion     00:21:58 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews Students - Terry Kelly - George Hrab     00:35:36 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au     00:45:14 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to The Bent Spoon #8.      2005 - Hobart Mercury     2006.11.29 - The Australian www.trove.nla.gov.au

  5. Sep 19

    The Skeptic Zone #937 - 20.September.2026

    Pod Toast - Not-A-Con - Polarizer       00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders     00:05:06 The Think Tank Join Annie McCubbin, Kate Thomas and Richard Saunders as they enjoy coffee and toast in a Sydney cafe. Topics covered are Bird Flu, the quackery of homeopathy and the Festival of MindBody Wallet.     00:18:46 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews Lara Benham - Dr Angie Mattke - Annika Harrison - Cheyanne - Tia - Paul     00:32:42 The Book of Tim Peter Brock and his Orgone Energy Fuel Polarizer A story about how belief in pseudoscience damaged the carrer of an Australian racing car driver. From The Skeptic - Volume 7, No 2 (Winter 1987) By Barry Williams Peter Brock and his Orgone Energy Fuel Polarizer https://youtu.be/aBdppylOFX4     00:54:20 Bent Spoon 2002 with Barry Williams From the archives, Barry Williams on Radio National (ABC) in 2002 talking about the Australian Skeptics Bent Spoon Award. Also... The Australian Skeptics Video Collection https://tinyurl.com/skepticslist

  6. Sep 12

    The Skeptic Zone #936 - 13.September.2026

    Tarot - Newsletter - Bent Spoon       00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders     00:07:02 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill This is part 2 of Adrienne and Susan Gerbic getting together to react to two TikTok "Tarot" videos they found, regarding the terrible tragedy surrounding Parker Wells, the eleven year old non-verbal autistic boy who went missing in Calgary, and was later found dead in a culvert. Put on your psychic hats to predict how accurate they were.     00:24:32 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au     00:33:14 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to The Bent Spoon Award. Part #6 2001 - 2002     2002.04.03 - The Cairns Post     2002.08.23 - The Daily Telegraph Barry Williams - Homeopathic Vaccine Banned https://youtu.be/NGDHrK7Wm_8 www.trove.nla.gov.au Also... The Barry Williams Video Collection https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC3ycM1rFKvI Richard Saunders on ABC TV talks about some of the tricks of so-called psychics https://youtu.be/3lm31R-LzYY?t=580

  7. Sep 5

    The Skeptic Zone #935 - 6.September.2026

    Mafu - Dr Karl - Dr Brian     00:06:12 Introduction Richard Saunders     00:06:12 The Book of Tim Mafu: face-to-face with an ascended master For two weeks, beginning May 20, 1990, Australia was host to Ms Penny Torres Rubin, alleged channeller of 32,000 year old entity, Mafu. From The Skeptic - Volume 10, No 2 (Winter 1990) By Barry Williams Also Tim Mendham on TV, 1992 - Bent Spoon https://youtu.be/4xF_yunBBK8     00:20:38 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews Dr Brian Wecht, also known by his character name Ninja Brian, a musician, internet personality, podcaster, and theoretical physicist. He is best known as a member of comedy musical duo Ninja Sex Party and video game-based comedy music trio Starbomb. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki Not-A-Con attendee Oliver and his mum       00:34:18 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award. Part #5 1997 - 2000     1997.08.11 - The Age     1997.08.11 - The Sydney Morning Herald     1997.08.12 - The Age     1999.08.16 - The Sydney Morning Herald     1999.09.23 - The Sydney Morning Herald www.trove.nla.gov.au

  8. Aug 30

    The Skeptic Zone #934 - 30.August.2026

    Philosophy - Psychic Detectives - Bent Spoon    00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders     00:04:20 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Psychic Detectives #1 of 2 After a terrible tragedy struck Calgary when a missing boy was found deceased after an intensive two week search, Adrienne pondered if any psychics had tried to insert themselves into the investigation. Use your psychic powers to imagine how much time it took for her to find examples of these alleged intuitives offering their opinions to the public and the police. She called on expert Psychics Explained YouTube host and Skeptic Zone reporter Susan Gerbic to help her navigate this heartbreaking, psychic cinema.     00:23:32 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews This week Maynard talks to former think tank member and PhD student Jo Shafer. What is her philosophy when it comes to critical thinking and skepticism?     00:32:24 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au     00:41:40 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to The Bent Spoon Award.     1982.04.06 - The Bulletin https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1400945990/view?sectionId=nla.obj-1639131089tId%3Dnla.obj-1400980278&partId=nla.obj-1400980013#page/n56/mode/1up

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4.7
out of 5
110 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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    952
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Skeptic Zone Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Skeptic Zone

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