Episodios

  • The Skeptic Zone #890 - 26.October.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #890 - 26.October.2025
    Oct 26 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:04:44 3i Atlas Update

    As the interstellar comet streams through the inner solar system, we look at some of the claims about it being made on social media. Is the earth in danger?

    https://astro.vanbuitenen.nl/comet/3I 00:13:50 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas

    Not Wild about Wild Yams

    Wild yams are claimed to help with menopause, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and muscular cramps. Can all this be true? Kate looks at the science behind this overhyped root vegetable.

    Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
    https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 0:19:28 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

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

    http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:14 The TROVE Archives

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

    1978.02.15 - The Hills Gazette - SA
    1921.02.06 - The Sunday Morning Star
    1974.06.14 - The Robesonian


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub - 6th Nov. - Kate Thomas with Woo Watch!
    https://meetu.ps/e/PwcXw/SSz1/i

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    55 m
  • The Skeptic Zone #889 - 19.October.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #889 - 19.October.2025
    Oct 18 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:07:00 Auras

    Is there really an invisible "energy field" of swirling colours surrounding all living things? What happens when this claim is put to a scientific test? Find out as we explore the strange world of auras and aura diagnosis.

    Joe Nickell - Report
    https://skepticalinquirer.org/2000/05/aura-photography-a-candid-shot/

    The Skeptics Dictionary
    https://skepdic.com/auras.html

    James Randi tests an Aura Reader
    https://youtu.be/toCcR6D6d5E 0:20:12 Mind Body Spirit - Detox

    Join Annie McCubbin, Kate Thomas and Richard Saunders as they "detox" from a trip to Sydney's Festival of Mind Body Spirt. 0:36:04 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to CSICOP #2.

    1985.04.08 - The Daily News
    1997.05.27 - The Kentucky New Era
    2002.10.26 - The Daily Gazette

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:58:26 A Roll of the Dice

    The Loons from Canada and Psychic Penny test their powers of prediction. Also James Randi: Psychic Investigator - 1991
    https://youtu.be/9jvXlJtgS7A

    Más Menos
    1 h y 5 m
  • The Skeptic Zone #888 - 12.October.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #888 - 12.October.2025
    Oct 11 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:02:34 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas

    Wellness Patches

    This week, pharmacist and skeptic Kate Thomas takes a look at the latest sticky health trend - "transdermal" wellness patches promising everything from boosted metabolism to Ozempic-like weight loss. Kate explains why none of these ingredients can actually make it through your skin, and what it really takes to design a medicated patch that works.

    Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
    https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 0:09:42 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

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

    http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:19:24 Mind Body Spirit - Overview

    Once again the travelling circus of woo known as Mind Body Spirit comes to Sydney. We take a look at the social and cultural aspects of this festival of "healers", "mystics" and conspiracy theories. 0:32:32 Psychic Penny's Numerology

    To celebrate the 888th episode of the Skeptic Zone podcast, Psychic Penny delves deep into the mysteries of numerology. What do numbers show us through mystical and paranormal messages? Is your lucky number 888? Is your number up? Find out more with Psychic Penny. 0:39:14 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to CSICOP #1.

    1985.12.16 - The Age


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:59:20 A Roll of the Dice

    Kate, Lara and Richard test their powers of prediction.

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    1 h y 1 m
  • The Skeptic Zone #887 - 5.October.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #887 - 5.October.2025
    Oct 5 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction

    Richard Saunders. Also the winners of the Australian Skeptics Awards for 2025, live from Skepticon Melbourne with Tim Mendham. 00:09:44 Divination

    We look at the claim that some people can foretell future events via divination. From historical references to this "art" to the many, many different and interesting practices and devices used to see what is in store for us. 0:25:18 Skeptics in the Pub

    Once again we head for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub and meet up with Annie McCubbin from the 'Why Smart Women' podcast. Joining in are Jessica Singer, Lara Benham and Sue Ieraci. Also pubbers Tom and Ian talk monsters and UFOs. 0:42:36 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the Supernatural and Skeptics.

    1990.04.01 - The Tuscaloosa News
    1993.12.18 - The Kentucky New Era
    2001.05.25 - The Telegraph Herald
    1969.04.02 - The Sunday Sun - Canada


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

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    1 h y 2 m
  • The Skeptic Zone #886 - 28.September.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #886 - 28.September.2025
    Sep 28 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:04:56 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill

    This week Adrienne takes us to Portugal on a trip of discovery of the local superstitions. Find out what happened when they tried to rid a city of black cats! Also we hear about the "Miracle at Fatima". 0:20:48 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas

    This week Kate takes a skeptical look at the claim that Acetaminophen, aka Paracetamol, can cause autism in children if taken by the mother during pregnancy.

    Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
    https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 0:24:54 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

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

    http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:39:12 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the Supernatural and Skeptics #1.

    2007.05.10 - The Nevada Daily Mail
    1996.04.02 - The Gazette
    2000.05.22 - The Beaver Country Times
    1989.07.15 - The Telegraph - NH
    2007.07.23 - The Victoria Advocate- TX


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Prof. Dave on Acetaminophen / Autism claim
    https://youtu.be/ohsYDUj0gfU

    Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5
    https://skepticon.org.au

    Más Menos
    1 h y 4 m
  • The Skeptic Zone #885 - 21.September.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #885 - 21.September.2025
    Sep 21 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders and Maynard 00:05:58 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas

    We interview Pharmacist Kate Thomas, a rising TikTok star from Sydney who fights medical misinformation with commonsense and humour.

    https://www.tiktok.com/@prescribeorpass

    https://www.tiktok.com/@debunkingbarbara

    https://www.instagram.com/scriptedbykate 0:18:34 Gone and Forgotten #3

    Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal.

    So, who cares about these historical discarded artefacts? Well, we do, if only in the interests of historical discourse and as a warning to watch the skies for the next meteoric rise and fall of this month's unconvincing trend. 0:28:16 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Ed and Lorrain Warren.

    1990.10.29 - The Hour
    1980.04.05 - The Sun Herald
    1985.04.04 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1985.05.18 - The Mid City's Daily News

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5
    https://skepticon.org.au

    Más Menos
    1 h
  • The Skeptic Zone #884 - 14.September.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #884 - 14.September.2025
    Sep 13 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:03:00 Cryptozoology

    We take a look into the history and likelihood of strange creatures roaming the earth, yet to be discovered by science. Tall tales from our ancestors and adventurous hunts throughout the world are examined. Is Bigfoot really there? 0:13:46 Prescribe or Pass

    Sometimes the rabbit hole of TikTok can offer much more than conspiracy theories and bad advice. We review the channel of Pharmacist Kate Thomaswho takes to task many of the outrageous claims by wellness gurus and naturopaths.

    https://www.tiktok.com/@prescribeorpass

    https://www.tiktok.com/@debunkingbarbara

    https://www.instagram.com/scriptedbykate 0:23:24 Gone and Forgotten #2

    Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal.

    So, who cares about these historical discarded artefacts? Well, we do, if only in the interests of historical discourse and as a warning to watch the skies for the next meteoric rise and fall of this month's unconvincing trend. 0:32:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

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

    http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:20 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the year 1965 and the Paranormal.

    2003.03.14 - The Beaver County Times
    1982.04.14 - The Toledo Blade Times
    2003.10.31 - The Hour
    1977.03.05 - The Montreal Gazette
    1970.03.23 - The News Despatch


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5
    https://skepticon.org.au

    Stephen Bavaro - First year running for autism
    https://www.runforautism.org.au/fundraisers/stephenbavaro/run-for-autism-2025

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    1 h y 1 m
  • The Skeptic Zone #883 - 7.September.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #883 - 7.September.2025
    Sep 5 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders and Tim Mendham 00:06:06 A Look into the Stars

    We take a sceptical look at the claims and promises of the age old practice of Astrology. Can the stars and planets really predict your future or influence your characteristics? 0:17:50 Gone and Forgotten #1

    Over the years of skeptical inquiry (and after quite a few visits to the regular Mind Body Spirit exhibitions) we have come across many claims of pseudoscience and the paranormal.

    At the time, members of the public and members of the media gave them credence beyond what they deserved. Some have stuck around, and even prospered - UFOs and psychic powers, to name two - but many more have died the death of irrelevance and fast fashion. Some might still be around, but only as a vestige of their once high-profile status. Others truly are forgotten.

    So, who cares about these historical discarded artefacts? Well, we do, if only in the interests of historical discourse and as a warning to watch the skies for the next meteoric rise and fall of this month's unconvincing trend. 0:30:38 The TROVE Archives

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

    1980.09.11 - The Evening Times - Scotland
    1968.07.31 - The Calgary Herald
    1977.03.04 - The Lawrence Journal-World


    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon Melbourne - Oct. 4 - 5
    https://skepticon.org.au

    Más Menos
    54 m