The Skeptic Zone

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:52 M S S X Alice Howarth and Laurie Phillips Celebrate ten years of the Merseyside Skeptics Society at the special one-day event at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool. It's been ten years since the first meeting of the MSS, and ten years since the first episode of Skeptics with a K – the UK's longest-running skeptical podcast. http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/category/mssx/ 0:13:46 Astrology in the White House Astrology, which seems to be enjoying a renaissance among millennials and Gen Xers, is only one sad example from our flabby-minded post-truth era. - By Ron Reagan https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2019/04/25/feature/spring-cleaning-2019-eight-things-to-toss/ 0:28:50 Jessica Singer on SitP What does it take to run a Skeptics in the Pub event? We ask Jessica Singer from Australian Skeptics about her trip to vist SitP in London.   http://london.skepticsinthepub.org/ 0:42:08 Maynard's Spooky Action... Once again

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:40 No Spirts in the Spirit Box We chat to Kenny Biddle about his investigations into the strange and bizarre device known as a spirit box. Proponents of this box claim it is a conduit to communicate with the souls of the dead.   https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/groundbreaking-ghost-experiment-breaks-no-ground/ Geeks and Ghosts https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgVvr4HhIEKXdWu-VQplnbg 0:18:52 Susan Gerbic in the UK A catch up with Susan as she tours the UK. Also we hear about Mark Edward and his Victorian style seances. 0:27:45 A Ghostly Investigation From the pages of the Skeptic magazine, a ghostly tale of investigations with a haunted house, graveyards and a skeptical reporter.   https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine Also Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au Flu Vax Day https://www.skeptics.com.au/2019/04/09/free-flu-vaccination-day-in-sydney-may-4/ Skepticalcon San Francisco http://www.skepticalcon.org Maynard's

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 Interview with Professor Dave Dave Farina aka 'Professor Dave', tells us about his series of free educational videos covering many scientific disciplines. Also his battle with Flat Earthers!   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cd_-e49hZpWLH3UIwoWRA Response to Globebusters - The Earth Still Isn't Flat https://youtu.be/XONAgf9Eg9U   https://professordavedebates.simplecast.fm 0:21:20 Anti-vax naturopath banned A naturopath has been banned from providing any health service by the Health Care Complaints Commission. By Jane Hansen   https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/antivax-naturopath-banned-after-watchdog-puts-bite-on-her-claims/news-story/d2e196142433676619ffa45902182fd7 0:24:20 Superstition in Sport Why do some athletes cling to superstitions? A brief interview with Kristine Dun. 0:29:25 Flying Sorcery From the pages of 'The Skeptic Magazine', searching the skies for evidence of UFOs and a history of hoaxes. By Steve Roberts

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:56 Maynard's Spooky Action Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the pub and asks pubbers the big question, "What topics, if any, should skeptics give up?" 0:19:24 Maynard's Spooky Action - part #2 Australia in Space. An interview with Kerrie Dougherty about Australia's involvement in the space race. Kerrie Dougherty is an independent space historian, curator and writer and a lecturer in the Space Humanities department of the International Space University. https://www.amazon.com.au/Australia-Space-Kerrie-Dougherty/dp/1925309657 0:27:10 Mind your Spirit, Body and Wallet We look at 30 years of the Mind Body Spirit festival in Australia. An interview with Tim Mendham editor of 'The Skeptic Magazine' from Australian Skeptics. 0:43:30 So-called 'Psychic Detectives' sensing nothing There's a reason police don't work with psychics. Psychics don't work. Which is a bit of an issue in the results-orientated realms in which police and search-and

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Science Outreach with Dr Kate Carter Kate Carter, Director of Community Science Education at NCSE. Kate joined NCSE in 2018, after lecturing in biology and working in curriculum development and informal education. She holds a Ph.D. in human evolutionary biology from Harvard University.   https://www.ncse.com 0:26:10 The Raw Skeptic Report... with Heidi Robertson Something does smell right in New Zealand Schools. An Auckland primary school has pulled therapeutic diffusers from the classroom after a high court threat from a parent who said the essential oils could trigger asthma attacks. Heidi looks into Essential Oils. What are they, what of the claims and do they live up to them?   https://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?objectid=12217639 0:42:00 Mind Body Spirit and Money Thursday, November 16, 1989, was an auspicious day for the New Age in Australia. It marked the opening of the four-day Festival for Mind, Body, Spirit, what is surely t

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:10 What would Darwin say... A interview with Dr Eugenie Scott about what she thinks Charles Darwin would have to say to today's 'Young Earth Creationists'. 0:14:55 Measles Outbreak Emergency New York county declares Measles outbreak emergency. Rockland County, north of New York City, has barred unvaccinated children from public spaces after 153 cases were confirmed. Also Measles fear in the Bay Area.   https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2019/03/26/measles-santa-clara-county-apple-stanford-macys-exposure/ 0:25:15 Millbrae Skeptics in the Pub We head to Millbrae Skeptics in the Pub, near SFO Airport, to enjoy a Guinness, a meal and good company. We ask the big question, 'should you argue with somebody who is wrong on the Internet?' With Greg Dorais, Leonard Tramiel and more. https://www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Skeptics/ http://bayareascience.org/calendar/ 0:41:20 Australian Skeptics looking for 'psychic detectives' Many self-professed psych

0:00:00 Australian Skeptics Inc on Christchurch Tragedy Australian Skeptics Inc (and this podcast) is deeply saddened by the horrific terrorist attack in Christchurch on Friday which targeted the Muslim community. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2019/03/19/aust-skeptics-inc-on-christchurch-tragedy/ 0:03:15 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:13 Social Media Crackdown on Anti-Vax More and more social media outlets are cracking down on the misinformation of the anti-VAX crowd. https://thehill.com/policy/technology/435207-instagram-to-block-anti-vaccine-hashtags-amid-misinformation-crackdown https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-anti-vaccine-crack-down/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/03/22/gofundme-joins-facebook-instagram-and-pinterest-anti-vax-crackdown/3249907002/ https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/20/health/kentucky-governor-children-chickenpox/index.html 0:20:50 The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Robertson Past winner of the Australian Skeptics bent spoon award Pete Evans, now seems to

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:10:20 Pete Evans, anti-vaxxer? Celebrity chef Pete Evans supports anti-vaxxer Paul Chek on social media. Jane Hansen, The Daily Telegraph https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/celebrity-chef-pete-evans-supports-antivaxxer-paul-chek-on-social-media/news-story/219eacad3c620dbe2c01df9541109478 0:13:00 Life is Wild... With Michelle Franklin Only in.... Darwin? Michelle takes a look at the "only in..." meme. 0:20:45 PhD Called into Question Review finds Wilyman anti-vax PhD "incomplete", "biased" and "flawed" A recent study by four researchers has raised serious concerns over the notorious PhD thesis by leading anti-vaxxer Judy Wilyman, which earned her a PhD from the University of Wollongong in 2015. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2019/03/05/review-finds-wilyman-anti-vax-phd-incomplete-biased-and-flawed/ 0:28:30 GMO Only Kevin Davies interviews Jose Barrero and Marina Trigueros. GMOonly is an initiative dedicated to the promotion of Genetically

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:15 New Zealand Dowser Dollors Down Drain We interview the Chair of New Zealand Skeptics, Craig Shearer about how Wellington ratepayers are funding a pseudo-scientific method to find buried water pipes. The contractor, Downer and the Wellington City Council are not concerned at the public's perception their money has been spent on disproved science. Rather than use electronic equipment, a Downer contractor working on a Wellington City Council project used two copper rods to tell him where pipes lay. https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/03/06/471504/wellington-ratepayers-foot-bill-for-pseudo-science https://skeptics.nz 0:23:33 Mike Willesee, Skeptics Winner and Loser Australian journalist Mike Willesee has died at the age of 76 after a long battle with throat cancer. He is noted as the only person to win both positive and negative awards from Australian Skeptics. He had a long, largely positive, relationship with the Skeptics during the 1980s, but less posit

0:00:00 Introduction Maynard 0:03:22 How to catch a "Psychic" We talk to Susan Gerbic about her Sting Operation to catch out an alleged psychic. Does he get his information from the heavens? Seems more likely from 'The Cloud'! Inside the Secret Sting Operations to Expose Celebrity Psychics - New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html Buckle Up - Seatbelt Psychic https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/buckle_up_-_seatbelt_psychic Thomas John (The Seatbelt Psychic) - Busted for Cheating! - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faBIIFA5wng 0:24:08 Homeopathetic From the pages of 'The Skeptic Magazine', a report by Jim Goulter. "I was disturbed to find a pamphlet entitled Homoeopathy, The quiet achiever of HIV/AIDS treatment. The extravagant claims of the feature article so confidently elucidated, set me wondering as to the value of my impending immunisation." https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine/ Also Maynard's DJ Gig in Sydney ht

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:45 Melbourne chiropractor 'treats' baby on video A Melbourne chiropractor filmed manipulating a two-week-old boy has been banned from treating children aged under 12 while he is investigated by authorities. https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/chiro-faces-investigation-after-baby-video/news-story/27b05e049f94504453a63cc22834a1fa 0:14:30 Interview with Dr John Cunningham - Views on Chiropractic treatments John Cunningham is an Australian-trained orthopaedic surgeon who has committed his professional life to the treatment of patients with spinal disorders. His opinion and knowledge of spinal disorders, especially those of the ageing spine, spinal trauma and spinal imbalance, are respected world wide, and he has an active clinical research programme. He is fully abreast of all current techniques and science relating to the treatment of spinal conditions and has a special interest in spondylolisthesis. https://cunningham.com.au/ 0:28:35 CHIRO V

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:35 Interview with Mark Edward Mark Edward is a professional mentalist who specializes in magic of the mind. He has spent more than 25 years in world-class venues from high-end night clubs and theaters to hundreds of private party and corporate events. As one of only five specially chosen and trained mediums in the history of Hollywood's famed Magic Castle, he has performed 15 years of seances that helped him perfect the role of spirit medium and psychic entertainer. https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Psychic-Blues-Audiobook/B07ND6HDWH 0:19:40 Psychic or just Sick? From the pages of 'The Skeptic Magazine. Is there any harm in psychic acts? "It made my stomach turn to have to watch it. It was dreadful. The subject matter was just trivialised and thrown away. The real actual pain and grief of the people who were there to get some sought of connection, looking for hope and desperately trying to have closure on their pain, was just washed over in light entertainmen

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:05 Shoot for the Moon We chat to Prof. Richard Wiseman about his new book based on the Apollo Moon missions, 'Shoot for the Moon'. Books on success usually focus on genetically gifted Olympians, hardheaded CEOs and risk taking entrepreneurs. This book presents a radically different perspective on how to achieve your aims and ambitions. https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/2019/01/28/shoot-for-the-moon/ https://www.youtube.com/user/Quirkology 0:15:50 FSM welcomes new President Monash University Associate Professor Ken Harvey AM is the new President of Friends of Science in Medicine. He replaces Professor John Dwyer AO, the founding president. Friends of Science in Medicine, founded in 2011, has grown to become a major critic of unscientific health practices and fraudulent health claims. It has advised governments and media, made numerous submissions to enquiries and provided extensive public advice concerning dubious health claims and practices https:

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Who is 'The Well-Known Skeptic'? We chat to Rob Palmer, a listener to the Skeptic Zone who has gone on to be involved with investigations and reports. https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/archive/category/the_well-known_skeptic 0:15:40 Homeopathy Exposed - Again! Australian Skeptics has long regarded homeopathy as little more than outdated quackery. In 2002 Richard Saunders and Peter Bowditch busted homeopaths giving some awful advice at a Babies Expo. https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2025%20(2005)%20No%202.pdf 0:26:00 Remembering Barry Williams A year after his death, we remember famed Australian Skeptic Barry Williams. From 2002 a radio interview with science braodcaster Stuart Gary.

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:20 Oh Yow! Oh Yowie! Reports are coming in of a large, unearthly creature attacking a delivery truck in Australia. We talk to famed investigator Ben Radford from the Squaring the Strange podcast to hear his thoughts on this strange and frightening event. https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5868252/qld-truckie-claims-yowie-bashed-his-bonnet/?cs=7 https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com 0:15:45 Trish & Chips! With Trish Hann This week Trish interviews Dr Bard McKay to learn his opinion on pill testing at music events. With a number of deaths reported, is it time to try a different, more science-based approach? https://www.drbradmckay.com.au 0:36:48 A trip to the California Academy of Sciences The California Academy of Sciences is a research institute and natural history museum in San Francisco, California, that is among the largest museums of natural history in the world, housing over 26 million specimens. https://www.calacademy.org

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:24 Oh No! It's Ross Blocher! We travel to the city of Portland, Oregon to see the live show of 'Oh No Ross and Carrie!' http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/oh-no-ross-and-carrie 0:10:40 Climate Science and Educational Outreach In Oakland, California we visit the National Science for Science Education to interview Brad Hoge, Director of teacher support. Brad joined NCSE in 2017 to help steward NCSEteach into its next phase. He has been a classroom teacher, a children's museum curator, a research scientist, and a science educator, including working as an associate professor at the University of Houston - Downtown. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Rice University, and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M. http://www.ncse.com 0:36:16 Science Friction and Bigfoot As the snow falls, we chat to Brian Dunning from the Skeptoid podcast about the latest updates with his movie project. Then it's onto our favourite topic

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:15 Ear Candles: the outcome of TGA complaint Ear candling is a widely promoted alternative medical practice that involves inserting and lighting a hollow candle in the ear canal. It is claimed that candling creates a vacuum that removes wax and that it can also relieve ear ache, glue ear, tinnitus, sinus problems, chronic headache, migraine, sore throat, allergies and many more conditions. In fact, ear candles and candling are ineffective and dangerous. http://www.medreach.com.au/?p=3202 0:14:22 Life is Wild... With Michelle Franklin Cane Toads are a huge problem in the north of Australia. Michelle casts a skeptical eye over a plan to control their numbers. 0:23:00 Trish & Chips! Our new reporter Trish Hann heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to ask, "Why are the public cynical of Climate Change?" With Tim Mendham, Jessica Singer, Lynden Shields, Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz and Ben Mcavoy. 0:32:12 What is Quackery? From the pages of `The Skeptic` m

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:03:00 GSoW at the Exploratorium We join Susan Gerbic, Mark Edward and Jay Diamond for a day at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. https://www.exploratorium.edu 0:21:30 Life is Wild... With Michelle Franklin The Great Emu Invasion. A cautionary tale of what happens when people try to control nature. 0:31:45 Wikimedia from the inside We catch up with Moriel Schottlender, champion of the round earth, who gives us a tour of the Wikimedia headquarters in San Francisco. Skeptic Zone interview with Moriel about the Flat Earthers http://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-480-31dec2017 0:45:42 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble Naturopath under investigation for aledged claims of cancer treatment and bad breast-feeding advice. Story by Jane Hansen. Naturopathy or naturopathic medicine is a form of alternative medicine that employs an array of pseudoscientific practices branded as "natural", "non-invasive", and as promoting "self-healing". A

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:40 The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Robertson This week Heidi has a follow up by Jane Hansen to last week's story from the recent ABC TV 7:30 Report on "No Jab - No Play". This is followed by another report by Jane Hansen on the improvment to vaccination rates in Australia, despite the efforts of the Anti-Vax crowd. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/vaccines-are-safe-and-antivax-parents-are-punishing-their-own-kids-say-doctors-and-grieving-parents/news-story/f6dfd32857611bf6d52d8f4a6c46e9e9 0:15:53 Astrology... Still Bunk From the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine from Australia, Vol. 4 No. 3 - An astronomer's view of astrology. By Philip A. Ianna. One of the impressive things about astrology today is the extent to which it pervades our culture. More people know their sun sign than know their own blood type, and after hundreds of years of very astrology beginning 5000 years you can find zodiac motifs on almost anything. https://www.ske

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:322 The Raw Skeptic Report... With Heidi Robertson This week Heidi gives some background to the recent ABC TV 7:30 Report story on "No Jab - No Play". 7:30 Report https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V1ySAvY8Ao0 https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2018/12/19/critics-no-jab-no-play-anti-vaxxers/ https://www.patheos.com/blogs/withoutacrystalball/2018/12/no-jab-no-play-anti-vax 0:24:22 Message from Britt Hermes Britt Hermes is an American former naturopath and noted skeptical campaigner, who has spent much time and effort lately in campaigning against naturopathic practices. She is the author of the blog Naturopathic Diaries. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/12/18/britt-hermes-campaign-an-update-on-the-defamation-case 0:21:00 Maynard's Spooky Action This week Maynard chats to Science Communicator Officer at Sydney Uni., Tom Gordon. https://physics-people.sydney.edu.au/physics/staff_details.jsp?ID=1145 0:35:10 Australian Medical Position