0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:06 Armidale SitP Join Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders as they travel to Armidale in the New England area of Australia to enjoy the hospitality of the local skeptics. Included is a field report from Armidale Skeptics in the Pub. With thanks to Amelia and Brian Willmer. 0:17:00 Squaring the Strange with Celestia and Ben We catch up with those famed skeptical podcasts from the United States, Ben Radford and Celestial award from the Squaring the Strange Podcast. What's new? What's old? What's going on? https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com 0:24:12 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights for Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. 0:29:32 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Rex Gilroy. 1979.07.24 - The Age 1976.09.16 - The Citizen - Ottowa 1977.03.13 - The Sun Herald 1979.10.02 - The Age 1987.10.13 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:06 Is that a Ghost? Ghosts, ghouls, phantoms and apparitions. Are you living in a haunted house? This week Richard Saunders looks at some of the aspects and implications of ghosts and spirits. 0:16:48 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 5 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:54 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:41:06 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Dorothy Allison and James Randi. 1982.06.21 - The Spokane Chronicle http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:40 For Crying Out Loud! This week Kat McLeod (with a little help from Adrienne Hill) interviews attendees and guests from the recent "We Can Reason" conference in Calgary, Canada. Includes Seth Andrews, Leslie Rosenblood, Brenda Hill, Forrest Valkai, Rodney Schmaltz and Lei Pinter. 0:19:04 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 4 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:27:50 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights for Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio. 0:33:12 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to so-called psychic detective, Dorothy Allison and James Randi. 1980.10.23 - The Ledger 1997.08.19 - The Ludington Daily News 1999.12.03 - The Banger Daily News http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Dr Karl - Artificial Intelligence or Artificial Idiocy? Tue, 27 May, 6pm - 7:15pm https://events.humanitix.com/artificial-intelligence-or-artificial-idiocy

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:38 You Can Count on Adrienne This week Adrienne interviews attendees and guests from the recent "We Can Reason" conference in Calgary, Canada. Includes Terrlyn Seltenrich, Janalee Morris, Leslie Rosenblood and Dr Eugenie Scott. 0:20:24 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 3 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:29:40 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:44:40 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Australian Skeptics Water Divining Tests. 2001.02.07 - The Weekly Times 2001.02.14 - The Weekly Times 2001.03.14 - The Weekly Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:24 Prophecies about the Pope With a new Pope just around the corner, we review various prophetic writings about this high religious office. Will the next Pope be the last? Will Rome fall? A holy tangled web from centuries past. The Prophecies Of Nostradamus 1979 https://archive.org/details/the-prophecies-of-nostradamus-1979 0:16:26 Psychic Penny's Horoscopes Exclusive to The Skeptic Zone, Psychic Penny casts a horoscope and looks deep into the stars. Is your fate in her hands? This week her mystic insights for Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer. 0:23:14 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 2 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:33:00 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Predictions from 1980. 1980.01.16 - The Melbourne Times http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:26 A Challenge to So-Called Psychics A review of the challenge to psychics, and people claiming other paranormal powers, put out by Australian Skeptics in 1984. How does this compare to 2025? https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/challenge 0:20:28 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Unnatural Selection By Tim Mendham Part 1 of 5 Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was an English naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator. He independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection; his 1858 paper on the subject was published that year alongside extracts from Charles Darwin's earlier writings on the topic. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 44 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:30:26 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. Also hear Adrienne's insights of her travels across the Pacific Ocean and encounters with alternative medicine. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:46:10 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "The New Age". 1988.12.13 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1988.10.11 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

 

0:00:00 Introduction Kat McLeod 00:02:30 Susan vs. Psychics We catch up with Susan Gerbic to hear her thoughts on what she's dubbed "Motivated Sitters", that is people who actively take part in so-called psychic readings and, unknowingly, do most of the hard work. 0:24:18 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham I Can Smell Onions By Ken McLeod In this report, Ken McLeod recounts the time that psychics tried to help in finding missing aircraft. Read by Tim Mendham. A reading from The Skeptic, Vol. 24 No. 2 http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:54 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill Meeting of skeptical women. Be a fly on the wall when Adrienne meets up with Annie McCubbin and Australian Skeptics president Jessica Singer for an informal chat. 0:44:16 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Voodo Pills and Powders. 1945.09.01 - The World's News http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:05:24 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod How are you feeling? It is a common question people ask each other all the time. Most of us give thought to our diet, exercise or overall health on a regular basis. On this week's show Kat McLeod will look at society's obsession with the health and wellness industry, in hopes that you will feel better about yourself. 0:29:02 Extinction Over? The Riddle of the Dire Wolf Recent media headlines would have you think that scientists have solved extinction! Have Dire Wolves really been brought back from the dead? We seek the thoughts of Brian Dunning who casts some doubt on this claim. 0:30:12 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Kat McLeod. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:40:52 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Psychic Precognition. 1950.08.26 - The Gippsland Times 1936.06.06 - The Courier Mail 1968.10.39 - the Canberra Times 1939.09.02 - Australian Women's Weekly http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - April 2025 - Karen Bijkersma https://youtu.be/fCvua9BUnSI

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:08:54 The Loons From Canada Kate & Allie vs. AI Just how good is AI in April 2025? Kate & Allie test Copilot from Microsoft when it come to its skeptical knowledge. 00:21:48 Maynard's Spooky Action This week Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to see a talk by Karen Bijkersma, a distant relative of the Skeptical Fairy Godmother Angel from the Internet. He took the opportunity to interview Karen and Annie McCubbin about their upcoming podcast episode on the Why Smart Women podcast. Why Smart Women Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2385970 0:25:18 Around the Curve to the Antarctic Rob Palmer talks with Jeran Campanella, a former "Flat Earther", about his trip to the Antarctic to see for himself the 24 hour sun. https://skepticalinquirer.org/authors/rob-palmer 0:33:26 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Pyramid Power. 1978.01.15 - The Sun Herald 1977.11.12 - The Sun Herald 1977.12.21 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

 

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:40:10 The Loons from Canada Join Kate and Allie as they investigate paranormal activity at Concordia University with Rodney Schmaltz's fourth-year psychology students from McEwan University. They explore potential ghostly presences using dowsing rods, EVPs, ghost photography, and infrasound detection. Listen to eerie recordings and a few giggles as they explore the spooky, old building in the dark. 0:24:04 UFO No Show You might be surprised to hear that a couple of weeks ago our planet was supposed to have been invited by giant alien motherships. Is it possible that the psychics, mystics and channels who foresaw this momentous event were wrong? If so, why? 0:33:56 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:47:48 The TROVE Archives A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Abominable Snowman. 1953.03.03 - The Mercury - Tasmania 1959.09.07 - The Canberra Times 1953.12.09 - Brisbane Telegraph 1952.07.12 - The Daily New Queensland 1954.02.13 - The Daily Advertiser NSW 1988.10.17 - Th Canberra Times 1964.02.23 - The Sun Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skeptics Cafe Meet the one and only Adrienne Hill, a.k.a. Psychic Penny! Function Room at The Stolberg Hotel, 197 Plenty Road Preston, Melbourne 31st March - Dinner from 6pm - Talk at 7:30pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1370082674018460? Sydney Skeptics in the Pub Meet the one and only Karen Bijkersma CATFISH, PHISHING AND OTHER ONLINE PREDATORS Thursday, April 3, 2025 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM The Occidental Hotel 43 York Street - Sydney https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics