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The Skeptic Zone #843 - 1 December 2024

Show Notes

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

Maynard
Goose at Large


Ben Radford
Special Guest


Richard Saunders
From the Zone


Logical Fallacies
 


The Skeptic Zone #842 - 24 November 2024

Show Notes

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 Alien Autopsy of 1995.

1995.06.29 - The Canberra Times


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also

Ben
Australian Adventure


Mayanrd
In the Pub


A Hill
Newsletter


Logical Fallacies
 


The Skeptic Zone #841 - 17 November 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders and Maynard from the William Shatner Room at Maynard's International Studios.

00:05:42
You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill.

Tim Binga is director of Libraries and IT manager at the Center for Inquiry and an adjunct instructor at the University at Buffalo. He holds a master's degree in library science and dual B.A.'s in history and humanities.

0:12:50
A Brave New World?

A peek into the world of fake scripts read by fake podcast presenters. Notebook LM takes reports and other documents, even web pages, and turns them into an audio conversation. In tnis example we hear what AI make of The Great Australian Psychic Prediction Project.

https://notebooklm.google.com

00:29:54
CSIcon Las Vegas interviews with Rob Palmer

In the fourth and last part in this series, Rob chats to the host of 502 Conversations Brian Kerby and TV Producer Malorie Mackey.

0:39:56
The TROVE Archives

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Dr Susan Blackmore.

1990.12.31 - The Canberra Times


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also
SitP - War, Pestilence, Death and Statistics
https://youtu.be/3d2OYI12pvs

Richard and Maynard
Hosts


Adrienne Hill
Book Worm


Rob Palmer
Las Vegas Interviews


Logical Fallacies
 


The Skeptic Zone #840 - 10 November 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

00:04:46
The Loons from Canada

Kate and Allie catch up with Abhijit Chanda from the Rationable Podcast in India. This interview was conducted on the sidelines of the recent CSICON meeting in Las Vegas.

00:11:26
CSIcon Las Vegas interviews with Rob Palmer

In the third part in this series, Rob chats to Kevin Folta, Bill Patterson and Jeff Gehlbach.

0:24:34
Australian Skeptics Newsletter

What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Read by Adrienne Hill.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:37:34
The TROVE Archives

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Tea Cup Reading".

1932.08.12 - The Labour Daily
1932.12.20 - The Brisbane Courier
1932.12.20 - The Evening News - Rockhampton
1933.10.22 - The Sunday Times - Perth WA
1950.02.15 - The Brisbane Telegraph


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au


The Loons
Interview in Vegas


Abhijit Chavda
From India with Skepticism


Rob Palmer
More Vegas Interviews


Logical Fallacies
 


The Skeptic Zone #839 - 3 November 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Maynard

00:03:56
The Loons From Canada

Urban Legends Quiz! Fact or Fiction?

This week Kate and Allie have a Halloween themed quiz! Kate, the Inquisitor, will be giving urban legend summaries, asking Allie and the listeners to decide if they are total works of fiction, or if they have a basis in reality. Please be advised that some of these urban legends may be creepy, spooky, or disturbing for some listeners. If you are brave enough, put on your critical thinking tiaras and see how you do.

00:26:14
CSIcon Las Vegas interviews with Rob Palmer

In the second part in a series, Rob chats to famed mentalist Banachek, anti-creationist youtuber Forrest Valkai and Brazilian science writer Natalia Pasternak.

0:40:16
The TROVE Archives

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Spirit Channeling.

1988.06.15 - The Canberra Times
1989.04.23 - The Canberra Times


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au


the Loons
Quiz


Rob
CSICON Interviews


Maynard
Your Guest Host


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Skeptic Zone #838 - 27 October 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders with those 'Loons from Canada', Kate and Allie, and Dr Sue Ieraci.

00:03:34
CSIcon Las Vegas interviews with Rob Palmer

In the first in a series, Rob chats Dr Sue Ieraci, Dr Angie Mattke, Richard Saunders, Leonard Tramiel, Adrienne Hill and Stephen Hupp.

0:22:00
Australian Skeptics Newsletter

What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Read by Adrienne Hill.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:34:12
The TROVE Archives

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to so-called "Alternative Medicine".

1992.02.01 - Woronie
1986.05.15 - The Canberra Times
1993.01.06 - The Hills Messenger - South Australia
1994.03.21 - The Canberra Times


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au


Rob
Vegas Interviews


The Loons
From Canada


Richard Saunders
Your Host


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Skeptic Zone #837 - 20 October 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

00:03:38
You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill

Adrienne was invited by Dr. Rodney Schmaltz, a psychologist, to speak at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton Canada. During the visit, Adrienne interviewed Dr. Schmaltz about the exciting activities in his critical thinking course and his involvement with the upcoming LiliCon 2024 on Thursday, October 24, from 12-4 pm at CSICon.

https://www.rodneyschmaltz.com

00:11:46
Cancer Council WA nominated for Bent Spoon

The Western Australia branch of the Cancer Council has been nominated for the 2024 Bent Spoon award for the promotion of pseudoscience, in this case offering therapies based on the pseudoscience of reiki and reflexology.

https://www.skeptics.com.au/cancer-council-wa-nominated-for-bent-spoon/

0:21:04
The Loons from Canada

This week, you can count on Kate and Allie to sum up numerology, calculate some life path numbers, and multiply the giggles! They'll divide the complexities of the subject, angle in on the important bits, and hopefully not leave you feeling irrational. Tune in as they break down what it all means and show you how to add a little skepticism to your life!

0:35:32
A The TROVE Archives

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Crime and the Supernatural.

1939.12.02 - The Herald - Melbourne
1928.07.05 - The Kalgoorlie Miner


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also
Richard Saunders interviews Ross and Carrie about their podcast in 2011.
https://youtu.be/t3XMqbhjRsM?t=253

Adrienne Hill
Interview


The Loons
Is Your Number Up?


Richard Saunders
Your Host


Logical Fallacies
 


The Skeptic Zone #836 - 13 October 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

0:05:46
You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill

Erika Englehaupt Interview #2


Adrienne interviews Science Journalist Erika Englehaupt about her two books published within the last few years.

This is part two of a two-part series in which we discuss her fascinating book Go to Hell: Journey to the Underworld. .

http://erikaengelhaupt.com
00:23:56
For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod

More than just a magician's assistant. In honour of Women's History Month, Kat will be giving the listeners a history lesson about Rose Mackenberg.

Known primarily for being Houdini's assistant, she was much more than that, she was a prolific debunker in her own right, and should be remembered for all she accomplished.

https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Mackenberg

0:32:08
Australian Skeptics Newsletter

What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Read by Adrienne Hill.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

045:04
The TROVE Archives

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the great Harry Houdini.

1932 - The Truth


https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206129601

Also
Mick West - UFO Trailer
https://youtu.be/yhABMprFNes

Kat
Edmonton Skeptic


Erika
Author Interview


Adrienne
Newsletter


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Skeptic Zone #835 - 6 October 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

00:06:14
Black Salve - Dangerous Quackery

We look at action taken against those selling and promoting "Black Salve", a corrosive substance claimed to treat and cure skin conditions, even cancer. There are good reasons why this quackery has been banned by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration.

https://luckylosing.com/2024/09/25/black-salve-the-australian-vaccination-network-and-the-therapeutic-goods-administration

0:23:02
You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill

Erika Englehaupt Interview #1


Adrienne interviews Science Journalist Erika Englehaupt about her two books published within the last few years. This is part one of a two-part series in which we discuss her fascinating book Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science.

In part two, we will discuss her newly published book Go to Hell: Journey to the Underworld. .

http://erikaengelhaupt.com

0:36:34
A Dive into Trove

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Investigations part #2.

1947.06.14 - Smith's Weekly
1934.10.30 - The Canberra Times
1984.01.15 - The Sydney Morning Herald


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also

Erika
New Books


Adrienne
Skeptical Journalist


Richard Saunders
Your Host


Logical Fallacies
 


The Skeptic Zone #834 - 29 September 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders and Maynard

00:04:12
Put your money where your mouth is! Mr Skeptic!

A look at the history and various examples of skeptics, including the James Randi $1,000,000 challenge, putting up large amounts of money to challenge and possibly reward those who claimed to have paranormal powers.

0:29:28
Australian Skeptics Newsletter

What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Read by Adrienne Hill.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:42:44
A Dive into a Trove

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Investigations part #1.

1927.07.08 - The Daily Mercury - QLD
1932.01.27 - The Daily News - Perth WA
1932.02.24 - The Burra Record - SA
1935.02.23 - The Daily News - Perth WA


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also
Sydney Skeptics in the Pub

https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics

money
Prize Money


Hill
Where is my maple syrup.. Eh?


Richard Saunders
Your Host


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Skeptic Zone #833 - 22 September 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

00:08:50
You Can Count on Adrienne

This week Adrienne catches up with Melanie Trecek-King from the website Thinking is Power. An interesting discussion about skeptical outreach and what value is the word skeptic after all?

https://thinkingispower.com

0:23:26
2024 Bent Spoon Award

Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders discuss the contenders for this year's Bent Spoon Award, awarded annually at the Australian Skeptics National Convention for the perpetrator of the most preposterous piece of pseudoscientific or paranormal piffle.

https://www.skeptics.com.au/2024-bent-spoon-nominations-open

0:28:34
A Dive into a Trove

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Snake Oil.

1935.06.02 - The Sunday Times - Perth WA
1935.08.31 - The Australian Women's Weekly
1954.04.09 - Morning Bulletin - Rockhampton Qld
2013.05.19 - The Daily Telegraph


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au


Melanie Trecek-King
Thinking is Power


A Hill
Eh?


Richard Saunders
Your Host


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Skeptic Zone #832 - 15 September 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

00:04:38
For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod

Lucky Girl Syndrome, the Law of Attraction, the Power of Positive Thinking, the Secret, Manifesting - the same idea has been preached for nearly 150 years, under different names.

Aren't we lucky? This week Kat is going to delve into the Law of Attraction, and tell us "The Secret to Manifesting good things in our lives!"

0:17:38
Australian Skeptics Newsletter

What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Read by Adrienne Hill.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:30:10
A Dive into a Trove

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "psychic" Briget Pluis.

2010 - Psychics Directory
1988.04.04 - The Canberra Times
1994.11.19 - The Sydney Morning Hearld


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Happy Birthday Skeptical Fairy

Kat
From Canada


Adrienne
Also from Canada


Richard Saunders
I Want to go to Canada!


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Skeptic Zone #831 - 8 September 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

0:05:00
The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders

From 1986 - ZANEX PAYS GELLER OVER $350,00

The Australian-based mining company Zanex, paid magician and mentalist Uri Geller $US250,000 (over $A350,000) for his advice on where to look for gold in the Solomon Islands and near Maldon in Victoria.

Tim also reads a newspaper item about this incident from the time and talks with Richard Saunders about the issues involved.

A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 6 No. 2

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:26:18
Maynard's Spooky Action

Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub for a special screening of Brian Dunning's movie, "The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You To See". Maynard chats to various skeptics and guests about their thoughts on UFOs and the movie.

0:37:14
A Dive into a Trove

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to yet more UFOs.

1953.09.15 - The Adelaide Advertiser
1996.08.23 - The Australian Jewish News
1987.03.08 - The Canberra Times
1987.06.01 - The Canberra Times


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au


Tim
A Gold Mine?


Maynard
UFOs in the Pub


Richard Saunders
Your Host


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Skeptic Zone #830 - 1 September 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

00:04:08
You Can Count on Adrienne

The Travels of a Skeptic Zone Reporter

Adrienne interviews Andras Pinter from The European Skeptics Podcast and Coleman Watts, a former conspiracy theorist turned science communicator, on her travels to the Rocky Mountains and then onto Iceland. Join her for these informal but informative interviews across the globe.

The ESP Podcast
https://theesp.eu

Coleman Watts YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkThisThroughChannel

0:21:46
Australian Skeptics Newsletter

What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Read by Adrienne Hill.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:35:14
A Dive into a Trove

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the psychic predictions of Andreas Zee.

1975 July to December - The Australian Women's Weekly


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also
Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - Special Presentation
The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You to See
Thursday 5 September - Occidental Hotel in the City

https://www.meetup.com/AustSkeptics

Adrienne
High Seas


Andras
ESP


Richard Saunders
Your Host


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Skeptic Zone #829 - 25 August 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

00:02:50
Kate & Allie

Folklore or Future Quiz

Join Kate this week as she challenges Allie with a quiz. Kate will uncover a mysterious array of treatments and Allie will have to unravel the enigma of whether these practices hail from folklore of old or persist in the modern day. Play along to test your knowledge and possibly discover secret remedies you may have never heard of.

0:19:36
I Think We Need To Think

Once again Susan Gerbic heads to a SkeptiCamp, this time in Seattle in the US state of Washington. Her interviews with organisers and attendees give us a flavour of the event. Susan's reports from local events encourage all of us to be more proactive no matter where in tne world we are.

0:30:42
A Dive into a Trove

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to predictions of the future from the past and mindbody spirit.

1984.12.29 - Canberra Times
1988.01.03 - Canberra Times
1995.09.04 - Canberra Times


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

Also
Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - Special Presentation
The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You to See
Thursday 5 September - Occidental Hotel in the City

https://www.meetup.com/AustSkeptics

Loons
Quiz


Susan
Skepticamp


Richard Saunders
Your Host


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Skeptic Zone #828 - 18 August 2024

Show Notes

0:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders

00:03:22
Beyond Belief

Bob Nixon tunes in and finds an old aquaintance up to his old tricks - very old tricks. "Like Deja vu all over again"

In this report from 'The Skeptic Magazine' in 2001, a former investigator of Australian Skeptics the late Bob Nixon, reviews a farcical TV special about the paranormal, starring among others, Uri Geller.

The TV Special, in 3 parts, can be found here.
https://vhistory.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/beyond-belief-tape-1956

0:25:16
Australian Skeptics Newsletter

What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
Read by Kat McLeod.

http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:37:32
A Dive into a Trove

A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Letters to the Editor'.

1984.11.17 - Sydney Morning Herald
1984.12.12 - Sydney Morning Herald
1984.12.18 - Sydney Morning Herald
1984.11.27 - Sydney Morning Herald


http://www.trove.nla.gov.au


Newsletter
Canada Kat


xxx
Laughable TV


Richard Saunders
Your Host


Logical Fallacies


skepticon
 


The Vaccination Chonicles
 
Solar Flare

Featuring

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.

YouTube
http://youtu.be/mTprFOmIjIg

 

Solar Flare logoThe Band of Power

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!

Also featuring the hit song
FAR by George Hrab.

It's old time radio from the future!

Solar Flare episode 1


Origami Pigasus

Origami Pigasus was invented by Richard Saunders in 2007 at the request of his friend James "The Amazing" Randi.

Video Folding Instructions
 
Booklet
 
Pigasus Booklet

Free Origami Posters

Cranes

4,961 × 3,508 pixels, file size: 3.73 MB

Folded and Photographed
by Richard Saunders

 

Pigasus

4,961 × 3,508 pixels, file size: 3.45 MB

Invented, Folded and Photographed
by Richard Saunders

Cranes on Matches

4,961 × 3,508 pixels, file size: 3.32 MB

Folded and Photographed
by Richard Saunders

 

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.

© The Skeptic Zone Podcast