The Skeptic Zone

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:03:15 Claire Klingenberg heading to Scotland We chat to Claire about her work as the President of the European Council of Skeptical Organizations and learn of her upcoming trip to speak in Scotland. https://cz.linkedin.com/in/claire-klingenberg-b3146293 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glasgow-skeptics-presents-paranormal-beliefs-in-everyday-lives-tickets-48401971600 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/claire-klingenberg-suspending-disbelief-a-skeptic-visits-a-religious-group-tickets-47916590813   0:12:50 Anti-Vax film minus producer The creator of an anti-vaccination documentary abandons a planned tour of Australia, due to begin on Thursday, as she has not been granted a visa. http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2017/09/12/another-antivaccine-film-disguised-as-a-documentary-this-time-lying-about-hpv-vaccines/ http://youtu.be/mTprFOmIjIg   0:19:42 Maynard's Spooky Action.... Another fun night at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. We hear about some new woo and old woo doing the r

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders With updates on Geoengineering and Tsunami warnings.   0:07:45 The Raw Skeptic Report.... with Heidi Robertson A pro vaccinatoin poster created by the North Rivers Vaccinaton Supports has gone viral around the world with thousands flocking to download a copy. It even crashed the web site! Download the Poster http://nrvs.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/do-you-say-sorry.jpg https://www.mamamia.com.au/child-vaccination/   0:22:33 AVN... no... AVsN... no.... AVRN... eh? The Australian Vaccination Network has changed its name, again. What are the RISKS with this network?   0:27:10 'False and reckless': Health Minister slams anti-vaccination documentary maker Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has slammed a controversial anti-vaccination documentary ahead of its Australian launch, warning against "false and reckless claims" targeting the government's cancer prevention program. - By Dana McCauley https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/false-and-reckless-health-minister-slams-

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:05:25 Why communication from a 'locked-in' child is a miracle we must question If Jonathan Bryan can communicate we should celebrate, but hard evidence is needed before we change how severely disabled children are cared for. By Christopher French and Michael Marshall https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2018/feb/05/why-communication-from-a-locked-in-child-is-a-miracle-we-must-question Video of Jonathan Bryan https://www.facebook.com/ThisMorning/videos/10156709688777122/   0:17:05 Interview with Susan Gerbic about Facilitated Communication Susan tells us about efforts to investigate facilitated communication and action regarding universities. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facilitated_communication Facilitating Communication - The Correx Files with Paul Willis and James Randi http://www.abc.net.au/science/correx/archives/faccom.htm   0:30:50 Doom for Sydney in September! Will a giant tsunami wipe out Sydney? Will the Skeptic Zone cats need a life boat? What about

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard   0:05:10 Maynard's Spooky Action.... Once again Maynard heads to Sydney's Skeptics in the Pub to chat to pubbers and ask the bi questions... "Would you like to be abducted by Aliens?" Also interviews with Dr Angela Mattke, Dr Brad McKay and many others   0:44:26 Center for Inquiry files lawsuit over homeopathy The Center for Inquiry has filed a lawsuit in the District of Columbia on behalf of the general public against drug retailer CVS for consumer fraud over its sale and marketing of useless homeopathic medicines. CFI, an organization advancing reason and science, accused the country's largest drug retailer of deceiving consumers through its misrepresentation of homeopathy's safety and effectiveness, wasting customers' money and putting their health at risk. https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/cfi-sues-cvs   Also... Richard Saunders on ABC Overnights Radio (starts at 2:06:45) http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/overnights/overnights/9954180 Austr

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:03:40 The Diet Skeptic Report - With Mandy-Lee Noble This week the Diet Skeptic and special guest Dr Chris Noble PhD will be looking at psychological acupuncture, a counselling therapy referred to as Emotional Freedom Techniques often abbreviated to EFT or more commonly described as tapping. EFT is being used for a plethora of physical and mental health conditions as well as life coaching and self-improvement but this report will examine the evidence for reducing food cravings and weight loss.   0:15:30 You belong in Oakland Zoo - With Dr Eugenie Scott Join Richard Saunders and Dr Eugenie Scott as they wander around this impressive zoo in the city of Oakland, California. http://www.oaklandzoo.org/   0:34:00 TGA's new complaint system fails the Ease-a-cold test By Dr Ken Harvey Stimulated by an article in "The Conversation" on Pharmacare Laboratories Ease-a-Cold, Dr Ken Harvey decided to try the TGA's new complaint system. http://www.medreach.com.au/?p=2654 https://t

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:02:30 Interview with Mick West In Escaping the Rabbit Hole, author Mick West shares over a decade's worth of knowledge and experience investigating and debunking false conspiracy theories through his forum, MetaBunk.org, and sets forth a practical guide to helping friends and loved ones recognize these theories for what they really are. https://www.metabunk.org/escaping-the-rabbit-hole-book.t8971/   0:19:50 The Sci Babe coming to Australia There have been a couple of changes for the speaker line-up at the Australian Skeptics 34th National Convention in Sydney, October 13-14. We're excited to announce that Yvette 'SciBabe' d'Entremont is coming to Australia to share her experiences fighting the forces of ignorance and pseudoscience, especially in the field of food, nutrition, and 'wellness'. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/06/27/speaker-changes-at-2018-convention/   0:22:10 Interview with Dr Angela Mattke Join Dr Angela Mattke (MD, FACEP) as she traces the sceptica

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:04:35 The Raw Skeptic Report.... with Heidi Robertson Heidi heads to the city of Brisbane, Queesland to aid the stand of Light for Riley at the Pregnancy Babies & Children's Expo. After a wander around to snoop out any woo, Heidi chats to Catherine Hughes about her ongoing campaign to protect babies in the name of Riley Hughes. Light for Riley https://www.facebook.com/lightforriley   0:25:45 Fair Trading takes beef with unsubstantiated cancer cure A Queensland business has been ordered to pay more than $11,000 by the Brisbane Magistrates Court today (13 June 2018) for failing to substantiate claims, following an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigation. https://tinyurl.com/y9cuklg7   0:30:05 The Data Skeptic - An interview with Kyle Polich Are you skeptical of data, computers, numbers and data in general. We chat to Kyle Polich who might just have the podcast for you! https://dataskeptic.com/   Also... Australian Skeptics National Convention 2018 https://conven

0:00:00 Hunting for Bigfoot   0:01:48 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:06:12 Interview with Yvette d'Entremont Yvette d'Entremont, also known as SciBabe, is a public speaker, science blogger, and former analytical chemist. She has a background in forensics and toxicology.   0:23:00 Skeptics in the Pub - USA We head for Skeptics in the Pub in the city of Berkeley California to find Susan Gerbic and a band of merry thinkers.   0:32:00 Brian Dunning - BigFoot, Lava Caves and Science Friction We explore in the state of Oregon looking for Bigfoot but ending up in a lava cave. Also we hear about a new movie project. Science Friction https://sciencefriction.tv/   Also... Australian Skeptics National Convention 2018 https://convention.skeptics.com.au Saunders' talk in Bend, Oregon https://www.meetup.com/Skeptics-in-the-Pub/events/250879095/  

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:05:50 Michael Marshall from The Good Thinking Society The British Homeopathic Association lost their legal case against NHS England, with the judge dismissing all four parts of their case. The BHA had sought to overturn NHS England's announcement in November 2017 of new guidance which advises GP's not to prescribe homeopathic remedies. https://goodthinkingsociety.org/homeopaths-legal-challenge-to-nhs-england-fails/ BHA's reply to legal loss - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MOwo6XHZ5M   0:22:15 Maynard's Spooky Action.... Once again Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub to ask those hard questions. We hear from Jessica Singer, Eran Segev, Aletha Dean, Trish Hann, Lara Benham, Tim Mendham and more. What can skeptics learn from believers?   0:33:00 Maynard's Spooky Action.... Interview with TV's Dr Brad McKay. "Doctor Shopping", Drug use, warm milk, spooning, Bilirubin, Spanish Flu and more.   Also... Australian Skeptics National Convention 2018 https://

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:05:00 Mind - Body - Wallet Once again, with no regard for personal sanity, our small but brave band of skeptics venture into the world of woo, magic, woo, quackery and woo. Will they make it out in time to find a drink?   0:21:00 Amazing Claims for pets Is your cat sick and tired of being sick and tired? We look a the claims being made by a new age pet health company.   0:26:40 Unvaccinated medical students Guest reporter Trish Hann looks into the problem of students wishing to do degrees in medical studies discovering they were not vaccinated as children.   Also... Australian Skeptics National Convention 2018 https://convention.skeptics.com.au SkeptiCal 2018 http://www.skepticalcon.com Saunders' talk in Bend, Oregon https://www.meetup.com/Skeptics-in-the-Pub/events/250879095/ Michio Kaku: Future Of Humanity https://thisis42.com    

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:04:12 Interview with Sharon Hill Sharon Hill's Spooky Geology - June Skeptics Café speaker in Melbourne. Sharon is a Pennsylvanian geologist who researches the paranormal, pseudoscience, and anomalous natural phenomena. She is the author of Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers. Skeptics Café is a regular monthly event in Melbourne and members of the public are welcome. Monday June 18, The Clyde Hotel Carlton, 8pm (or join us for a meal from 6 pm) https://vicskeptics.wordpress.com/2018/05/25/sharon-hills-spooky-geology/ Paracon 2018 Sydney http://www.paraconaustralia.com   0:24:05 Choice Magazine needs your help The consumer association is urging Federal Senators to block proposed legislation that would legalise dangerous claims on complementary medicine. https://ajp.com.au/news/choice-calls-out-supplement-claims/   0:30:08 The Cass Files - With Dr Cassandra Perryman Why do people reject the truth? Find out with Dr Cassandra.   Also..

0:00:00 Message from James Randi 0:00:45 Introduction Richard Saunders & Stefan Sojka   0:07:10 Australian Skeptics Flu Vaccination Day Skeptics in Sydney take advantage of the Australian Skeptics Flu Vaccination afternoon. We are in the good hands of Dr Brad McKay, an Australian doctor, television personality and author. He is best known for his television series Embarrassing Bodies Down Under.   0:17:00 The Think Tank The long awaited return of the Think Tank with guests, Eran Segev, Lara Benham, Tim Mendham, Amanda Rose, Triah Hann and Maynard. Includes messages from : Squaring the Strange Podcast - George Hrab - Heidi Robertson - Susan Gerbic - Dr Karl Kruszelnicki - The Skeptic Guide to the Universe Podcast - Eran Segev -Dr. Cassandra Perryman - Prof. Paul Willis - The ESP Podcast - Jo Benhamu - Derek Colanduno - Skeptics with a K Podcast - Shelly Stocken - Mandy-Lee Noble - Jo Alabaster - Brian Dunning   0:07:26 Easter Egg? Also... Thank you to all the reporters over the past 10 years and thank you

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:05:40 Oh My Stars! Interview with Dr Pamela Gay Dr Pamela Gay is an American astronomer, educator, podcaster, and writer, best known for her work in astronomical podcasting and citizen science astronomy projects. She is the Director of Technology and Citizen Science for the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and a long time friend of The Skeptic Zone. Pamela interviews Richard Saunders on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/videos/260004763 "New views of Jupiter" showcases swirling clouds on giant planet http://www.europlanet-eu.org/new-views-of-jupiter-showcases-swirling-clouds-on-giant-planet/   0:24:50 The Raw Skeptic Report.... with Heidi Robertson This week Heidi takes a look at the claims made by a self-proclaimed natural healer. Do they stack up?   0:40:35 Skeptic Zone Listeners come to the aid of Science Dr Ken Harvey and Mal Vickers would like to offer there sincere thanks to the following people. Stephen Edmonds, Mark Dawson, Dane Lewis, Stephen Gun and Matthew

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:05:30 Michael Kruse and Bad Science Watch Canada Rabid dog saliva homeopathic remedy no longer to be sold in Canada and other news from the land to the north. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/04/30/rabid-dog-saliva-homeopathic-remedy-no-longer-to-be-sold-in-canada.html http://www.badsciencewatch.ca   0:29:25 Maynard's Spook Action Sydney Skeptics in the Pub and a talk by Ian Bryce about Stephen Hawking... but Maynard would rather talk about his favourite movie, Can't Stop the Music! Lots of interviews and an insight into the woo in South Africa.   Also... Australian Skeptics National Convention 2018 https://convention.skeptics.com.au SkeptiCal 2018 http://www.skepticalcon.com CSIcon 2018 http://www.skeptiCalCon.com      

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 Bob Connolly - Director of "James Randi in Australia" An interview with the award winning Australian film maker and director who in 1980 was commissioned by Dick Smith to direct the documentary, "James Randi in Australia". James Randi in Australia - video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqoYrSd94kA THE 1980 DIVINING TESTS - by James Randi https://tinyurl.com/ycur583e - (See page 2) Bob Connolly - imbd https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175264/ 0:41:00 Skeptical movment needs your help We have learnt that the Australian government will soon be taking down a website that holds a lot of information useful to skeptics and Friends of Science in Medicine members. If you have some spare time and you have skills in the automated copying of webpages, please get in contact. fsmcomplaints at gmail dot com   0:43:16 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble Health claims for Kefir Kefir is a fermented milk drink that originated in the Caucasus Mountains made with kefir "grains", a

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:00 Let's Have a Random Rant! With Dr Paulie Our new reporter Dr Paulie interviews John Cook, a research assistant professor at the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University, researching cognitive science. https://www.skepticalscience.com http://evidencesquared.com Critical Thinking Cafe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAp1Foj7BzY Plos One paper "Neutralizing misinformation through inoculation: Exposing misleading argumentation techniques reduces their influence" http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0175799 0:23:04 ASI's vaccination day for Sydney-siders – May 19 Don't tell the anti-vaxxers, but Australian Skeptics Inc will be hosting a flu vaccine day for Sydney-Siders at the East Sydney Doctors clinic on Saturday, May 19, from 2pm. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/04/12/asis-vaccination-day-for-sydney-siders-may-19/ 0:25:25 Lauren Cochrane - Australian Skeptics new Social Media Manager We chat to Laruen about

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:04:05 Maynard's Spook Action March for Science 2018 The March for Science celebrates the public discovery, distribution, and understanding of scientific knowledge as crucial to the freedom, success, health, and safety of life on this planet. Maynard interviews Adam Spencer. https://marchforscienceaustralia.org   0:22:44 Naturopath jailed. The sentencing EXTREME diet naturopath Marilyn Bodnar has been sent to prison for her role in the baby starvation case. http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/nsw/NSWDC/2018/76.html    

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Includes trying to make sense of Astrology.   0:12:50 Naturopath jailed EXTREME diet naturopath Marilyn Bodnar has been sent to prison for her role in the baby starvation case. http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/naturopath-faces-sentencing-in-starving-baby-case/news-story/bc594346e08341bfee402f19471b830d http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-05/naturopath-sentenced-to-seven-months-in-jail/9622276   0:20:55 Breakfast Radio Skeptics John Stanley and Garry Linnell chat to Richard Saunders one last time about the world of woo. http://radiotoday.com.au/goodbye-talking-lifestyle-hardly-knew   0:30:00 Fort Collins Skepticamp 2018 Join Susan Gerbic has she chats to people at Fort Collins Skepticamp 2018. http://skepticamp.wikia.com/wiki/Fort_Collins_Skepticamp_2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD2XBXFhPhA   0:37:20 March for Science 2018 The March for Science celebrates the public discovery, distribution, and understanding of scientific knowledge as crucial t

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:06:26 The Great Prediction Project in Melbourne Join Dr Steve Roberts and Richard Saunders has they head to the State Library of Victoria to sort through over 900 issues of "New Idea" magaine. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/ 0:23:38 All back issues of "The Skeptic" magazine from Australian Skeptics - PDF https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine 0:28:00 Interview with Dr Steve Robers Where have all the UFOs gone? Is the TRUTH (Newspaper) out there? - No, it's no longer published! From 1989 we bring you a tall story of UFOs landing in Australia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_(Melbourne_newspaper)

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:08:40 Fundraising campaign for Britt Hermes Britt Hermes, a noted skeptical campaigner, has been taken to court in Germany by US-based naturopath 'Dr' Colleen Huber, claiming that Britt has defamed her. For this reason, Australian Skeptics Inc is managing a fundraising campaign to assist Britt in her current legal action. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/13/fundraising-campaign-for-britt-hermes/ 0:11:33 Rob Palmer and Susan Gerbic reply to Kirill Alferov The story is not all bad for skeptical outreach as Rob and Susan chip in with their thoughts to our interview from last week. 0:23:50 Ban for hospital where the Queen's homeppath works The hospital where the Queen's homeopath works has been banned from offering homeopathy to NHS patients for disobeying health service policy. An audit found that the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine had been wrongly charging the alternative treatment to taxpayers. The hospital is Europe's biggest publicly funded centre fo