The Podcast from Australia for
Science and Reason - Since 2008
Click Here for The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project
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The Skeptic Zone #888 - 12 October 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.
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.
Kate, Lara and Richard test their powers of prediction.
Woo Hoo!
Newsletter
Your Host
The Skeptic Zone #887 - 5 October 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 From historical references to this "art" to the many, many different and interesting practices and devices used to see what is in store for us.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
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.
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
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
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 Thomas who takes to task many of the outrageous claims by wellness gurus and naturopaths.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Verna Morris, Maureen Chuck, Ken McLeod, Monica Saville, Dr Richard
Gordon, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, John Bundock, Peter Bowditch and Lauren
Cochrane with Ada and Jack.
Join the cast of the Skeptic Zone Podcast, and a host of
special guests, in their first audio adventure as they board the
Australian Space Ship Solar Flare to fight
the forces of woo thoughout the galaxy!
Ducks
on a Coin 4,961 × 3,508 pixels, file size: 4.65 MB
Folded and Photographed
by Richard Saunders
The Skeptic Zone Podcast
is an independent production by Richard Saunders and the team of reporters.
The views and opinions expressed on the Skeptics Zone Podcast are not
necessarily those Australian Skeptics Inc. or any other skeptical organisation.