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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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- Yesterday1h 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
- 1 weeks ago1h 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
- 2 weeks ago57 min
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
- 3 weeks ago59 min
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
- 4 weeks ago1h 9m
The Skeptic Zone #933 - 23.August.2026
Not-A-Con - Quackery - Bent Spoon 00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:20 Maynard's Spooky Action Not-A-Con Interviews Spoon Bending with Saunders - Jeremy - George Hrab fans - Howard Lovatt https://www.suff.com.au/starstruck 00:19:04 The Think Tank Join Dr Sue Ieraci, Kate Thomas and Richard Saunders as they enjoy coffee and toast in a cafe in the suburb of Glebe, Sydney. Up for discussion this week are phone call protocols in public and quackery in pharmacies. 00:43:48 Woo of the Week! With Kate Thomas Kate wonders why Chemist Warehouse is selling wormimg tablets without the scientific evidence to back them up. Kate on Radio JJJ with Dr Karl https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/dr-karl-podcast/sciencetriplej-20260820/107058392 Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 00:46:10 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award. Part #2 1990 - 1989 1993.06.23 - The Canberra Times 1995.06.01 - The Canberra Times 1994.06.12 - The Canberra Times www.trove.nla.gov.au
- Aug 15, 20261h 12m
The Skeptic Zone #932 - 16.August.2026
Ben Radford - George Hrab - Bent Spoon 00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:20 Maynard's Spooky Action George Hrab - 3 of 3 George Hrab, in Sydney for Not-A-Con, visits Maynard's International Studios annex in the suburb of Glebe. This week - Being skeptical when it's hard to do so, being on "X" (Twitter), Ringo Starr and Kookaburras. 00:12:18 Maynard's Spooky Action Lee Traynor talks about his foundation to promote critical thinking in young people. Also Maynard chats to conference attendees at the social evening. https://leetraynor.com/blog.multi/foundation 00:21:55 Interview with Ben Radford - 2 of 2 This week framed psychic investigator Ben Radford talks about the recent US senate appearance by Dr Anthony Fauci. https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/covid-conspiracies-and-the-fauci-farce/ Prof. Dave - Dr Anthony Fauci https://youtu.be/wWxqBaWt5uY?si=DanaMX9XOIM_bT7u 00:36:48 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 00:48:42 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award. Part #2 1986 - 1989 1987.04.19, 1987.02.20, 1987.02.22, 1988.04.03, 1987.07.08, 1989.04.02, 1989.03.26 - The Canberra Times 1987.04.20, 1987.04.03 - The Sydney Morning Herald www.trove.nla.gov.au
- Aug 8, 20261h 3m
The Skeptic Zone #931 - 9.August.2026
Ben Radford - George Hrab - Dr Karl 00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders, Lara Benham and Dr Sue Ieraci at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. 00:04:22 Interview with Ben Radford - 1 of 2 This week framed psychic investigator Ben Radford talks about his new book Weird New Mexico and a very strange hum that was once heard across the land. Weird New Mexico https://www.unmpress.com/9780826370341/weird-new-mexico 00:13:58 Maynard's Spooky Action George Hrab - 2 of 3 George Hrab, in Sydney for Not-A-Con, visits Maynard's International Studios annex in the suburb of Glebe. This week - Being skeptical when it's hard to do so, being on "X" (Twitter), Ringo Starr and Kookaburras. From Not-A-Con - Maynard chats to Star Trek fan Amanda and Dr Sue Ieraci. 00:25:52 Maynard's Spooky Action Dr Karl Kruszelnicki talks about critical thinking, advertising claims, flat earthers, going down the rabbit hole, conspiracy theories and the future of science. 00:37:18 Elaine and Dorothy's New Age Bingo! Skeptics Zone fans Elaine and Dorothy have cooked up a great way to have fun at New Age festivals using the following words. Quantum, Regression, Biome, Regulate, Ancestral , Cellular , Channeling , Aura , Colloidal , Psychic Energy , Amino Acids , Peptides , Orgone , Crystal Energy , Holistic , Past Life , Essence , Balancing Chakras , Grounding , Ancient Chinese , Meta Physical , Frequency , Realignment , Red Light Therapy Angels Download and print out "Lidia's New Age Bingo Card" for MindBody Wallet. Lidia's New Age Bingo! (pdf) 00:41:56 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the Bent Spoon Award. Part #1 1982 - 1985 2012.03.28 - The Melbourne Observer 1999.02.03 - The Hills Messenger SA 1987.07.02 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1978.02.15 - The Hills Gazette SA 1986.03.11 - The Canberra Times
- Aug 1, 20261h 0m
The Skeptic Zone #930 - 2.August.2026
00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:23:06 Maynard's Spooky Action George Hrab - 1 of 3 George Hrab, in Sydney for Not-A-Con, visits Maynard's International Studios annex in the suburb of Glebe. This week - Vegemite crackers, drinking alcohol, performimg live, gas stations, the Geologic Podcast, pens and exercise. 00:09:36 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas Ginger beer, ginger ale, ginger tea... the list of ginger products is endless but do they live up to the claim that they can help you with nausea or morning sickness. This week Kate looks at the myths and the reality of ginger. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 00:23:06 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 00:36:22 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to psychometry, a type of extrasensory perception where a person claims to know facts or history about an item or its owner by holding or touching it. 1979.03.23 - The Kingsmen Daily Miner 1993.08.07 - Williamson Daily News www.trove.nla.gov.au
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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