817 episodes

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'.

The Skeptic Zone Richard Saunders

    • Science
    • 4.5 • 131 Ratings

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'.

    The Skeptic Zone #806 - 17.March.2024

    The Skeptic Zone #806 - 17.March.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    0:04:10 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill

    Redefining Beauty, one tongue press at a time?

    Can keeping your mouth shut make you more attractive? While some people believe so, it may not be for the same reasons you think. Adrienne Hill has an interesting conversation with Kat McLeod to discuss the controversial beauty trend and viral sensation known as "mewing"; the origins and the myths.
    0:19:08 Alanta Colley - Live Show

    Trick or Treatment at Melbourne International Comedy Festival : 25- 31 March

    Big pharma gets a bad rap, but what about big chakra? Could horse de-wormers cure a global pandemic? Can I mainline the placebo effect? Come on a science comedy journey through the wild and weird and occasionally effective world of alternative medicine with Alanta Colley as your test subject.

    https://www.alantacolley.com/upcoming-gigs

    https://thebutterflyclub.com/show/trick-or-treatment
    0:28:46 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

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

    http://www.skeptics.com.au
    0:41:14 A Chat with Dr Eugenie Scott

    In a follow up interview, Dr Eugenie Scott expands her thoughts on the development of human teeth. Also how you can get involved in the San Francisco Bay Area Skeptics.

    https://baskeptics.org

    • 1 hr 4 min
    The Skeptic Zone #805 - 10.March.2024

    The Skeptic Zone #805 - 10.March.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    0:03:18 Strange Bedfellows

    Once again, Susan Gerbic finds herself under attack from an odd assortment of UFO and conspiracy believers. This time they are trying to change her Wikipedia page to include what they think is the truth. it really is a case of the blind leading the blind.

    https://www.abouttimeproject.org
    0:23:08 Nerd Night in Bend, Oregon

    Join Kathy Rightmire, Brian Dunning and Richard Saunders as they enjoy Nerd Night in the city of Bend in Oregon. This is a regular meet up much like Skeptics in the Pub. Includes a portion of Brian's talk, "Sounds from Beyond".

    https://skeptoid.com/events/30257
    0:35:14 A Dive into a Trove

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

    1977.05.17 - The Canberra Times
    1973.10.26 - PNG Post
    1976.08.30 - The Canberra Times

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

    • 56 min
    The Skeptic Zone #804 - 3.March.2024

    The Skeptic Zone #804 - 3.March.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    0:03:00 Skepticamp 2024

    Brian Dunning and Richard Saunders had the pleasure of appearing live via video to the Surf Coast Skepticamp meeting. In this selection from the presentation, Brian and Richard discuss thier interest in the skeptical movement, podcasting and making documentary movies.
    0:26:32 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

    What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week?
    Read by Adrienne Hill and surprise a special guest!.

    http://www.skeptics.com.au
    0:39:20 A Dive into a Trove

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

    Gerard Croiset - Report on the Skeptic Zone
    https://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-499-13may2018

    1978.07.29 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1984.05.19 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1955.07.19 - The Sydney Morning Herald

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

    • 56 min
    The Skeptic Zone #803 - 25.February.2024

    The Skeptic Zone #803 - 25.February.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    0:06:56 Healers Quacks or Mystics - A Review

    In 1983, ABC TV broadcast a 6 part documentary on alternative medicine. On this week's show we take a look at the series and explore some of the claims made at the time. After 40 years, what can we learn from this uncritical series.

    https://vimeo.com/nevilldrury
    0:27:00 A Dive into a Trove

    A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to so-called psychics and clairvoyants.

    1978.12.31 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1987.03.22 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1986.07.02 - The Sydney Morning Herald


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
     

    • 49 min
    The Skeptic Zone #802 - 18.February.2024

    The Skeptic Zone #802 - 18.February.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    0:04:10 UFOs Keep Attacking!

    Alas for the poor UFO diehards, the UFOs just won't come. So they are channelling their anger at this sad state of affairs, towards the skeptics, who point out the fact that the UFOs are still not coming. Once again, Susan Gerbic and Brian Dunning are in the firing line of the believers.

    https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/i-blame-the-australian-skeptics/
    0:16:28 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

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

    http://www.skeptics.com.au
    0:29:42 Dr Eugenie Scott

    Recorded live before an audience at Berkeley Public Library, Dr Eugenie Scott tells Richard Saunders about the importance of studying teeth throughout human history. Also, how goes the battle against the creationists and the climate change denies?
    0:43:30 A Dive into a Trove

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

    1985.09.21 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1988.06.16 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1979.05.18 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1994.04.23 - The Sydney Morning Herald

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
    Also Surf Coast Skepticamp 2024
    Special Guests, via video hook up to Oregon, Brian Dunning and Richard Saunders

    http://tinyurl.com/scsc2024

    • 1 hr 8 min
    The Skeptic Zone #801 - 11.February.2024

    The Skeptic Zone #801 - 11.February.2024

    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders
    0:07:14 Swings and Roundabouts

    Richard Saunders reports on the fortunes and pitfalls of that merry-go-round of wellness, Mind Body Spirit. - In October 2023, Tim Mendham, Dr Sue Ieraci and Saunders took the long and crooked road to the Festival of MindBodySpirit (MBS) held at the convention centre in Sydney's Darling Harbour. As long-time readers of the Skeptic magazine know full well, this was not their first trip through the gates of ignorance and empty claims.

    http://www.skeptics.com.au
    0:28:26 I Think We Need to Think

    From Idea to Proclamation: Making 'Critical Thinking Awareness Day' a Reality. Susan interviews Daniel Reed from the West Virginia Skeptics Society.

    http://www.westvirginiaskepticssociety.com

    http://www.westvirginiaskepticssociety.com

    http://www.danielareed.com

    https://skepticalinquirer.org/authors/daniel-a-reed/

    https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/from-idea-to-proclamation-making-critical-thinking-awareness-day-a-reality/

    https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/no-psychics-and-mediums-are-not-the-new-therapists
    0:42:36 A Dive into a Trove

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



    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
    Also Surf Coast Skepticamp 2024
    Special Guests, via video hook up to Oregon, Brian Dunning and Richard Saunders

    http://tinyurl.com/scsc2024

    • 1 hr 4 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
131 Ratings

131 Ratings

Krystie Jo ,

Who, What, Why, When & How

Richard answers all the questions or points you where you can find the answers for yourself. He asks probing questions with insight and respect. He does not dismiss the person or insult the believer. Richard tells you why something is bunkum and does not assume you would have prior knowledge. There are entertaining interviews and provoking articles.

Too often other Skeptics podcast presenters instantly dismiss the belief, insulting the believers. They do not provide any critical questioning or demonstration why it is not true. Calling ‘Flat-Earthers’ or ‘Anti-Vaccinationers’ names does not explain to me why their views are detrimental to society and could cause harm.
Richard is respectful, informative and is a nice person.
Have removed the other skeptic podcasts. Maybe when they stop being so ‘up themselves’ and full of righteousness, I may listen to them again. Remember, it is almost impossible to reason with a fanatic- Including Skeptics.

Nicky Squabble ,

Still annoying

Every year or so I try to listen to this podcast, being Australian and looking for local skeptical reports. Why is every conversation accompanied by music? And presenter talking like a rock star to himself. I’m a long time listener to SGU, Reality Check and Skeptics with a K, OS skeptic podcasts where presenters still chat but talk normally, and keep music as intro to segments.

Jonathan from Australia ,

I alway smile when I see a new episode has arrived.

A great podcast. Richard is very engaging and the show is always in informative and thoughtful.

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