Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Skeptic Zone: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Richard Saunders
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'.
Latest Episodes
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- 4 days ago1h 0m
The Skeptic Zone #943 - 1.November.2026
00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:24 Bigfoot and other Creatures A look at some of the other Bigfoot type animals, not found around the world. From Japan to the Amazon rainforst, reports of giant ape-like creatures are to be found. Also Richard Saunders on radio 2UE in 2017 with Rob Duckworth and Mieke Buchan talking about the mythical Yowie, Australia's answer to Bigfoot. Rex Gilroy story from 1976 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/4786070 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yowie 00:26:58 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award. This is the last, for now, of our long running series about the winners of this award from Australian Skeptics over the years. 2024.10.09 - The Medical Republic Online 2025.10.09 - The Medical Republic Online 2026.07.30 - The Medical Republic Online www.trove.nla.gov.au Next Wave presents SciFight - (with Richard Saunders) Wednesday 25 November 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Allan Border Oval Pavilion 29 Myahgah Rd, Mosman, NSW, 2088 https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1666270
- 1 weeks ago56 min
The Skeptic Zone #942 - 25.October.2026
Bigfoot - News - Spoons 00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:12 Capturing Bigfoot - Review We are joined by Ross Blocher and Lara Benham to discuss the recent Bigfoot documentary. Capturing Bigfoot is a 2026 American documentary film directed by Marq Evans. The film reports new information about the often-cited 1967 film clip purported to show a walking Bigfoot, known as the Patterson–Gimlin film, and the men who filmed it, Roger Patterson and Robert "Bob" Gimlin. Official 4K Scan of the Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot Film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18KLMt8amms 00:14:40 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 00:27:48 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award #12. Includes a radio interview with Tim Mendham. This week Ross Coulthart, for promoting UFO conspiracies based on unsubstantiated hearsay or debunked claims. Maria Carmela Pau, for selling useless COVID vaccination exemption certificates, and claiming medical qualifications she did not have. Craig Kelly MP, for spreading misinformation about COVID and vaccinations, and offering dubious cures and conspiracy theories. 2021.11.21 - The Guardian Australia 2021.11.22 - Australian Doctor Group 2022.07.20 - ABC Online 2021.11.02 - Australian Lawyer 2022.07.20 - ABC Online 2023.12.04 - Sydney Morning Herald Online 2024.06.11 - Sydney Morning Herald www.trove.nla.gov.au Next Wave presents SciFight - (with Richard Saunders) Wednesday 25 November 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Allan Border Oval Pavilion 29 Myahgah Rd, Mosman, NSW, 2088 https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1666270
- 2 weeks ago1h 2m
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
- 3 weeks ago1h 3m
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
- Oct 3, 202658 min
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
- Sep 26, 20261h 11m
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
- Sep 19, 20261h 6m
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
- Sep 12, 20261h 0m
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
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About 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'.
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