The Skeptic Zone

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

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:02:42 You Can Count on Adrienne For this 800th episode, Adrienne Hill will honour Richard's remarkable milestone by delving into the delightful domain of "800", exploring Guinness World Records, sports feats, and celestial numerology. DCCC. 0:11:56 Episode 800 Greetings #1 Messages from

• The European Skeptics Podcast
• Skeptics With a K Podcast

0:14:10 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard takes a look back at some of the highlights of his reporting on The Skeptic Zone Podcast over hundreds of episodes and many years. 0:19:37 Episode 800 Greetings #2 Messages from

• Oh No! Ross and Carry Podcast
• Rob Palmer

0:21:16 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:33:07 Episode 800 Greetings #3 Messages from

• Brian Dunning
• Susan Gerbic
• Squaring the Strange Podcast
• Tim Mendham

0:35:40 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to so-called psychics. 1992.06.21 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1984.11.05 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1963.12.03 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Healers, Quacks or Mystics - Alt Med TV Show c.1980s https://vimeo.com/38030198 Surf Coast Skepticamp 2024 http://tinyurl.com/scsc2024 (For Miko)

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Ben Radford Kills Bigfoot? How can you kill something that was never alive? We ask Ben about the history of this elusive cryptid and why he thinks it has never been captured. We also discover that the diehard Bigfoot believers now blame the skeptics for the lack of succes in presenting evidence for the hairy monster. 0:18:40 Susan Gerbic Under Attack! Is Susan a secret agent of the government or Satan.... or both? Why are "confused" people outraged at her work and the work of GSoW? Find out as we chat to Susan from her War Room deep u derground in a not so hidden location. 0:34:40 The Strange Comments of UFO Believers. The success of Brian Dunning's movie, "The UFO Movie They Don't Want You To See", has led to some very strange comments coming from those who think we are being visited by aliens from distant worlds. http://www.theufo.movie 0:40:24 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Alternative Medicine #2. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Surf Coast Skepticamp 2024 http://tinyurl.com/scsc2024

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:18 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill The Winchester Mystery House. Adrienne has a special interest in finding out the truth of this famous, rambling mansion in southern California. Although legend has it the house was built to cater for the superstitions of its owner, the truth is actually far more interesting. Adrienne and friends visit the house to find out more. The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California, that was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearms magnate William Wirt Winchester. The house became a tourist attraction nine months after Winchester's death in 1922. The Victorian and Gothic-style mansion is renowned for its size and its architectural curiosities. Adrienne and friends discussing the Winchester Mystery House https://youtu.be/2xyL5gQ3EmI Wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Mystery_House 0:19:14 Anti-Vaxxers in New Zealand Reports of an anti-vaxxer being sentenced to prison for marketing and selling fake Covid-19 medications. Also conspiracy theorists trying to disrupt the wedding of former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/antivaxxer-roger-blake-jailed-for-selling-bleach-as-covid19-cure-in-new-zealand/news-story https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/jacinda-ardern-and-clarke-gayfords-wedding-picketed-by-antivaxxers/news-story 0:27:26 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:40:02 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Alternative Medicine. 1982.01.31 - The Sydney Morning Herald 1983.11.28 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Surf Coast Skepticamp 2024 http://tinyurl.com/scsc2024

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders, live from Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. 0:02:20 Maynard's Spooky Action Susan Gerbic Interview. Part #3 of 3 Maynard interviews the one and only Susan Gerbic, live from The Skeptic Zone Studios. Susan tells Maynard about how her team follow the Wikipedia rules. https://www.abouttimeproject.org 0:17:36 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham An interview with Tim conducted at Sydney Skeptics in the pub. Tim talks about why he got interested in skepticism and the early days of the journal from Australian Skeptics, The Skeptic. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:27:26 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the TV doctor, Dr James Wright. 1983.06.19 - The Sydney Morning Herald http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Surf Coast Skepticamp 2024 http://tinyurl.com/scsc2024

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:18 The Don Lane Show - "Psychics" 43 years ago, on the very popular Don Lane Show, a lineup of so-called psychics appeared to give their mystical insights into the winner of the upcoming 1981 Melbourne Cup horse race. Don Lane is the same man who once threw James Randi off his TV chat show. The Don Lane Show - Uri Geller https://youtu.be/jQTVHkBrECQ&t=4340 The Don Lane Show - 1981 Psychics https://youtu.be/5GlNohjgTn8&t=382 0:24:54 Maynard's Spooky Action Susan Gerbic Interview. Part #2 of 3 Maynard interviews the one and only Susan Gerbic, live from The Skeptic Zone Studios. Susan tells Maynard what Wikipedia pages need updating by the Guerrilla Skepticism group. https://www.abouttimeproject.org 0:29:30 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Don Lane and the Paranormal. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:24 Quackery in Australian Pharmacies We look over some of the flyers, posters and other information promoting medical quackery, found at Australian pharmacies over the last few decades. From homeopathy to iridology, quackery in chemist shops has a dishonourable history. 0:25:18 Maynard's Spooky Action Susan Gerbic Interview. Part #1 of 3 Maynard interviews the one and only Susan Gerbic, live from The Skeptic Zone Studios. Susan tells Maynard what it's like to be an editor on Wikipedia for the Guerrilla Skepticism group, and what it takes for somebody to be notable enough to appear on Wikipedia. https://www.abouttimeproject.org 0:39:36 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Luck Charms". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also THE UFO MOVIE THEY DONT WANT YOU TO SEE

https://theufo.movie

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:58 Over 20 Years of Skeptical Archives Richard Saunders reviews some of the many thousands of clippings, posters and information flyers collected over the past two decades at Mind Body Wallet festivals and other peddlers of misinformation. 0:30:46 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard chats to Melanie Trecek-King about her visit to Australia and what it's like to be in Facebook prison. 0:43:10 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to "Miracle Water". http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Origami Calendar 2024 https://www.skepticzone.tv/files/OrigamiCalendar2024.pdf

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:14 You Can Count on Adrienne Dr Christopher Lobos Adrienne Hill engages in a conversation with Dr. Christopher Labos, discussing his book titled "Does Coffee Cause Cancer? And 8 More Myths About the Food We Eat." For an extended interview that also explores Dr. Labos' efforts with science communication, follow this link: https://youtu.be/RawriuUMQwQ 0:17:44 Round Table - Part #5 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast and Richard Saunders from the Skeptic Zone podcast to talk about the skeptical world and related issues. This week the three science communicators talk about AI and future skeptical projects. https://www.universetoday.com https://skeptoid.com 0:30:34 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? Read by Adrienne Hill. http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:43:08 A Dive into a Trove This week, instead of looking into the online archives, we read from an information flyer promoting the quackery of Acupuncture. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Brian Dunning - YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@thebriandunning Melanie Trecek-King Melbourne 18th Dec. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1158910

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:42 Vale Dr Alex Ritchie We reflect on the life of Dr Alex Ritchie, the world renowned palaeontologist and staunch defender of science against the now almost defunct creationism lobby in Australia. 0:11:00 Round Table - Part #4 Fraser Cain from Universe Today joins Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast and Richard Saunders from the Skeptic Zone podcast to talk about the skeptical world and related issues. This week the three science communicators talk about AI and the perception of skepticism. https://www.universetoday.com https://skeptoid.com 0:22:08 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard, heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to ask pub goers, after a drink or two, if they have ever seen a UFO. Maynard chats with; Stephen Bavaro, Anthony Trecek-King, Lara Benham, Tim Mendham and Jessica Singer. 0:34:10 Melanie, Tracy King interviews Richard Saunders The tables are turned as Melanie interviews Richard Saunders about skepticism in Australia and his origami flying pig. 0:44:30 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to Dr Alex Ritchie. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au