Episodes

  • The Skeptic Zone #874 - 6.July.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #874 - 6.July.2025
    Jul 5 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Kat McLeod 00:03:04 You Can Count on Adrienne

    In part 1 of adventures with Adrienne and Susan, Adrienne Hill chats cheerfully with Susan Gerbic about their marvelous May meanderings, starting with the 'WeCanReason' conference and wrapping up with the sensational St. Louis Skepticamp shenanigans, orchestrated by Karl Withakay (Karl Gerhardt). I chat and giggle gleefully with Karl in the second half of this You Can Count on Adrienne episode. Stay tuned next week for part 2 where the pair head to Raleigh North Carolina.

    Links to Susan's articles:

    https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-skeptical-society-of-st-louis/

    https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/edmonton-qe2-skepticamp-2025/

    Link to the Skeptical Society of St. Louis:

    https://skepticalstl.com/ 0:20:30 Maynard's Spooky Action

    Maynard is back at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to investigate AI. Includes interviews with Sue Ieraci, Jessica Singer and the guest speaker Dr James Dunn.

    Dr James Dunn is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow and Lecturer in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney. His research focuses on face and person recognition, forensic science, and individual differences, using advanced methodologies such as behavioral methods, machine learning, AI and eye-tracking. Dr. Dunn's work bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, particularly in high-stakes environments where accurate cognitive assessments are crucial.

    University of New South Wales Face Test

    https://facetest.psy.unsw.edu.au 0:34:42 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

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

    http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:47:30 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to James Randi.

    1956.09.15 - Billboard Magazine
    1976.01.01 - The Dispatch Lexington North Carolina


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • The Skeptic Zone #873 - 29.June.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #873 - 29.June.2025
    Jun 28 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 0:04:04 The Book of Tim. For Tim Mendham

    This week we pay tribute to retiring editor of the Skeptic Magazine, Tim Mendham. After many years of hard work behind the scenes and in front of the scenes, Tim is stepping back to enjoy more of his hobbies. These include skeptical investigations and BBQs! Congratulations Tim on a huge contribution to the skeptical movement.

    With
    • Maynard
    • Susan Gerbic
    • Ben Radford
    • Jessica Singer
    • Adrienne Hill
    • Pontus Bockman
    • Richard Saunders
    00:26:18 The Matter of Dowsing

    By far the most common claim that was made for the Million Dollar Challenge offered by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) was dowsing. Dowsing is, as strictly defined, the claimed ability to discover underground sources of water or metals by means of a "dowsing rod." Another term used is "divining."

    http://www.dowsing-research.net/dowsing/articles/Randi_2-Swift_Vol_1_No_1_1997.pdf 0:41:10 The TROVE Archives

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

    1974.12.06 - Daily Item


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The Skeptic Zone #872 - 22.June.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #872 - 22.June.2025
    Jun 21 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:04:06 Science and Psudoscience

    Americans (Kind of) Smarter on Science

    We look at a news report from 2007 on the state of science and pseudoscience in America.

    2007.02.18 - Lakeland Ledger
     0:17:42 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

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

    http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:06 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to James Randi in Australia.

    1980.07.24 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1980.06.28 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1980.07.30 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1980.07.30 - The Canberra Times
    1980.11.09 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1980.11.13 - The Age


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Richard Saunders on Squaring the Strange Podcast
    https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com/episode-256-look-into-my-eyes-with-richard-saunders
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    59 mins
  • The Skeptic Zone #871 - 15.June.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #871 - 15.June.2025
    Jun 15 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:04:22 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill.

    Adrienne interviews Sebastian Toews, Dawson VonStein, and D.J. Crossland, all students from Grant McEwan University who presented at the Edmonton QE II Skepticamp that Kat McLeod and Rodney Schmaltz organised. Then she talks to Coleman Watts after a hike near Banff where they discuss his latest video release. Then look out as they encounter a Bigfoot wannabe in the form of a grizzly bear! 0:16:16 What is Pseudoscience?

    Science or Pseudoscience? What are the hallmarks of something that masquerades as or pretends to be scientific? This week we look at some of the ways you can identify fake science from real science. 0:27:14 For crying out loud! It's Kat McLeod

    This week Kat pays homage to her prairie roots by having a look at something that has crept back into the news lately, crop circles. Yes, just when you thought they were left behind in the 1990s or early 2000s, they are back and crazier than ever. 0:37:12 The TROVE Archives

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

    1974.07.19 - The Ledger
    1984.01.14 - Waycross Journal-Herald
    1971.09.28 - Sarasota Journal
    1995.11.30 - The Canberra Times


    The Case of ESP - BBC 1984
    https://youtu.be/h2Gog3xMluA

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

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    58 mins
  • The Skeptic Zone #870 - 8.June.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #870 - 8.June.2025
    Jun 7 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:03:22 Randi Restored

    45 years ago, James Randi flew to Australia at the invitation of Dick Smith. He came to test a score of water diviners in Australia's first major investigation of these claims. The resulting documentary, "James Randi in Australia" was shown on Australian TV and then lost forever. Luckily it was recorded onto video tape via a VCR at the time and this version has now been restored to its former glory.

    http://www.tinyurl.com/randiaustralia 0:23:32 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

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

    http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:37:14 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to James Randi's Project Alpha.

    1983.01.29 - The Victoria Advocate
    1983.02.16 - Record-Journal, Meriden, Ct.

    Project Alpha - An Honest Liar
    https://youtu.be/Ewr3uqfHzMM&t=2720

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Skeptic Zone #869 - 1.June.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #869 - 1.June.2025
    May 31 2025
    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
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    57 mins
  • The Skeptic Zone #868 - 25.May.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #868 - 25.May.2025
    May 25 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The Skeptic Zone #867 - 18.May.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #867 - 18.May.2025
    May 18 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 1 min