The Skeptic Zone

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

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:17 Dr Rachie Reports.... with Dr Rachael Dunlop Rogue medical practitioners will no longer be able to make false statements about a child's ability to be immunised thanks to new laws which passed Victorian Parliament. Dr Rachie looks at how the AVsN are helping to bring about new laws with own goals. https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-no-jab-no-play-laws-shut-the-door-on-rogue-doctors/  0:17:28 Maynard's Spooky Action! Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where it's trivia night. Test yourself with the third round of 20 questions. Your MC for this final round is Maynard himself. 0:42:30 Why The Skeptical Movement Is Not Changing The World We chat to Kirill Alferov in Berlin on his views regarding problems getting the skeptical message out to the world. https://louigiverona.com/?page=projects&s=writings&t=philosophy&a=philosophy_skepticism   Also Blue Mountains Skeptics Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1121976514605992/

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:03:35 The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe How to Know What's Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake We are joined by Dr Steve Novella from SGU who tells about the new book by the skeptical rouges. Also the online Sci-Fi review show Alpha Quadrant 6. https://www.amazon.com/Skeptics-Guide-Universe-Really-Increasingly/dp/1538760533 https://www.facebook.com/alphaquadrant6/   0:21:50 Maynard's Spooky Action! Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where it's trivia night. Test yourself with the second round of 20 questions. Your MC is Lara Benham.   0:36:10 Is the truth out there? We chat to Dr. Gleb Tsipursky who is passionate about promoting truth-oriented behaviour, rational thinking, and wise decision-making. He researches these topics as a professor at Ohio State University. https://www.protruthpledge.org/ http://glebtsipursky.com/author-page/the-truth-seekers-handbook-a-science-based-guide/ https://intentionalinsights.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:04:06 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble Health claims on the menu. Mandy-Lee looks at the amazing claims found on the menus of some cafes. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/   0:13:35 Michael Marshall Marsh joins us from the UK to talk about the last days of London's Homeopathic Hospital. https://goodthinkingsociety.org/   0:31:26 Maynard's Spooky Action! Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where it's trivia night. Test yourself with the first round of 20 questions.

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Includes a report on a retracted letter about vaccine safety made potentially "slanderous" claims. http://retractionwatch.com/2018/02/21/retracted-letter-about-vaccine-safety-made-potentially-slanderous-claims/ 0:10:08 What's it like to be an editor for GSoW? We chat to Susan Gerbic in the USA and Stuart Jones in Australia about what's it's like to do editing work for Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia. http://guerrillaskepticismonwikipedia.blogspot.com.au/ 0:25:35 Let's Have a Random Rant! With Dr Paulie Our new reporter Dr Paulie interviews Associate Professor Ken Harvey about the recent bill concerning the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). What should the public look out for when relying on this important overseeing agency? http://www.www.gcskeptics.com/events Also... Interview with Richard Saunders on 501 Conversations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mQ0WEKB7Lw

0:00:00 Introduction - Richard Saunders Includes a brief look at the case of the missing Beaumont Children from 1966   0:14:32 A Grain of Salt... with Eran Segev This week Eran brings us new of the sucess of the ongoing Fundraising campaign for Britt Hermes. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/13/fundraising-campaign-for-britt-hermes/   0:21:04 Maynard's Spooky Action! We join Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where he interviews Dr Andrea Leong, a microbiologist with an interest in finding ways to reduce antibiotic use. Her PhD thesis looked at surface coatings that repel and kill bacteria by using antimicrobial peptides, a class of molecule that could prove to be an alternative to conventional antibiotics. https://futureparty.nationbuilder.com/support_andrea_leong   0:30:25 Memoirs of a Former Mystic A feature documentary film by Jessica Schab & Élisabeth Feytit - Produced by l'Esprit & la Matière - Expected release date: late 2018. After 10 years of being a New Age guru and iconic Crystal Chil

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders   0:04:13 A Piece of his Mind - With Professor Paul Willis Religious Freedom Review - Professor Paul Willis gives us his thoughts on keeping religion out of secular life. https://pmc.gov.au/domestic-policy/religious-freedom-review https://www.mediaengagementservices.com.au/   0:12:08 Dragons lack critical thinking - An interview with Bill Nuvo Magician and Skeptic Bill Nuvo helps lift the lid on the old tricks of Applied kinesiology in Canada. Scam or science? How not to get fooled (Marketplace) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Kl0XkZuCw http://nuvoentertainment.com/ http://scambusting101.blogspot.com.au/     0:27:15 The Raw Skeptic Report Diphtheria death shows Queensland is failing to properly vaccinate, AMA warns. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-08/diptheria-death-shows-vaccination-failure-ama-says/9407920   033:33 'Softens hardness' TGA under fire for health claim list that critics say endorses pseudoscience. http://www.smh.com.au/national/softens-hardness-tga-

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 The Raw Skeptic Report This week Heidi Robertson brings us updates and news reports on yet more foolery, buffoonery and silliness from the Anti-Vax crowd. 0:16:40 Wake Up Australia! A gem from 1980 with dire warnings for the future of the planet! Find out when it all went to hell! Does anyone remember it happening? http://www.skepticzone.tv/pdf/wake_up_australia_1980.pdf 0:31:00 Maynard's Spooky Action! We join Maynard at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub where is askes, "How would you like to be remembered?" Also... Mordi Skeptics in the Pub https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/ Logical-LA http://logicalla.com/ Australian Skeptics on the radio https://www.talkinglifestyle.com.au/?s=Skeptics Fundraising campaign for Britt Hermes https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/13/fundraising-campaign-for-britt-hermes/

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Includes and update on the Britt Hermes story. 0:08:04 18 nurses face disciplinary action after anti-vax comments on Facebook EIGHTEEN nurses are facing possible disciplinary action for allegedly posting anti-vaccination comments on Facebook, after a pro-vaccination campaigner reported them to the health watchdog. - Vanda Carson, The Courier-Mail 0:14:52 Dr Angie Mattke and Dragon*Con We chat to Dr Angie who is now the Assistant Director for the Skeptrack at Dragon*Con in Atlanta. http://dragoncon.org/ http://skeptics.dragoncon.org/ 0:33:33 In Profile - Barry Williams From the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper 1987. - It's fun to shoot down UFOs and con men. By Ian Cockerill. Also... Australian Skeptics on the radio https://www.talkinglifestyle.com.au/?s=Skeptics Fundraising campaign for Britt Hermes https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/13/fundraising-campaign-for-britt-hermes/

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:35 Vale – Barry Williams It is with great sadness that we report the news of the passing of Barry Williams, who died on January 20, 2018, at the age of 79, following a series of heart operations. Includes Barry on the TODAY TV show in 1986, Newspaper story from 1994 and an interview with Maynard in 2015. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/21/vale-barry-williams 0:30:16 Susan Gerbic with news from Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia We chat to Susan who tells of us of the recent grant to Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia by the James Randi Educational Foundation. Also news of some psychic stings now in operation. https://www.facebook.com/GSoWproject Also... Australian Skeptics on the radio https://www.talkinglifestyle.com.au/?s=Skeptics Fundraising campaign for Britt Hermes https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/01/13/fundraising-campaign-for-britt-hermes/

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:57 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/ 0:10:50 Trish Hann and Medical Superstitions Diagnostic Radiographer Trish Hann tells us of some of the supersitions she has encountered in her years of work at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Also her concerns with chiropractic neck manipulation. https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/rpa/services.html 0:40:20 NSW children die from 'preventable' diseases FIFTY-FOUR NSW children have likely died from diseases for which a vaccine was available, and almost half of the deaths over the past decade were considered "preventable". Story by Danielle Le Messurier, The Daily Telegrap

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:15 Big Trees are...... BIG! Join Dr Eugenie Scott and Richard Saunders as they wander through Big Trees State Park in California. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a state park of California, United States, preserving two groves of giant sequoia trees. It is located 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Arnold, California in the middle elevations of the Sierra Nevada. https://www.stateparks.com/calaveras_big_trees_state_park_in_california.html http://w3w.co/myths.blitz.tighter 0:22:58 Maynard's Spooky Action! During the recent Australian Skeptics convention, Maynard interviewed Catherine Hughes from the Light for Riley group. Also Mandy-Lee Noble with more insights into the pros and cons of weight loss. https://www.facebook.com/lightforriley/

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:45 Flat Earth.... Again! On a fine sunny day in San Francisco, Moriel Schottlender chats to Richard Saunders about the ongoing conspiracy theory of the Flat Earth. https://www.popsci.com/10-ways-you-can-prove-earth-is-round https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Home 0:23:40 Running a Skeptics in the Pub Pint Sized Fun – Australia has had a close association with the history of those informal gatherings known as Skeptics in the Pub. Tim Mendham reports on the highs, lows and current state of the SitP movement. http://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine/   Happy 2018 to you all.  0:37:00 Fortune Teller - Musée Mécanique The Musée Mécanique, one of the world's largest (over 200) privately owned collection of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines in their original working condition. (You can play them!) Located on Pier 45 at the foot of Taylor Street in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Free Admission Every Day! http://www.museemecaniquesf

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:17 Again with the UFOs A video capturing an unidentified object flying off the coast of San Diego in 2004 has been released by the US Department of Defense. The program (2007 - 2012) collected video and audio recordings of reported U.F.O. incidents, including footage from a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet showing an aircraft surrounded by some kind of glowing aura traveling at high speed and rotating as it moves. https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/pentagon-ufo-video/ https://badufos.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/about-those-glowing-auras-in-pentagon.html 0:12:00 Maynard's Spooky Action! During the recent Australian Skeptics convention, Maynard interviewed Michelle Vernon from University of Newcastle Atheist & Skeptic Society and also science presenter Adam Spencer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/UoNAtheistSociety/ https://www.adamspencer.com.au/ 0:25:35 2017 - The year in review We hear from Susan Gerbic - Celestia Ward - Evan Bernstein

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:12 Mayanrd's Spooky Action! Time again for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. December's guest was Samuel Hutchinson who gave a preview of his documenatary film ' Conspirituality'. We also here from pubbers who give their opinon on the project. Includes A Grain of Salt with Eran Segev. https://www.facebook.com/mustgofasterfilms 0:23:13 Anti-vaxxer on the hunt for $$$ The on-again-off-again head of the Australian [anti] Vaccination-skeptics Network (AVSN) is trying to raise $5000 per month via the Patroen site to "help make my dream of widespread vaccination education become a reality and – nearly as important – make nocompulsoryvaccination the anti-choice government's and pharma's biggest nightmare!" http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/11/29/anti-vaxxer-meryl-dorey-spruiking-for/ 0:28:05 Spoon Bending on the Radio Richard heads into the studios of Talking Lifestyle in Sydney to bend some spoons with presenters John Stanley and Garry Linnell. Audio credit Macquarie Media 2017.

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:10 The Raw Skeptic Report with Heidi Robertson "VACCINES killed my baby." That's the alarming headline on a pamphlet currently being dropped in letter boxes around the country. It's emotive, terrifying, and wrong. Story by Jane Hansen. 0:16:30 Mayanrd's Spooky Action! More interviews and insights from Skepticon 2017 including; Mandy-Lee Noble Tim Mendham 0:26:08 An interview with Alan Melikdjanian aka Captain Disillusion. http://captaindisillusion.com The Unbearable Loneliness of Being Right on the Internet: Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbeXdotc5FU 0:43:43 A Grain of Salt with Eran Segev This week Eran chats to Jakub Kroulik at the European Skeptics Congress about Exorcism by Hypnosis. Also... Bunga Bunga LIVE 19th of Dec. http://maynard.com.au/bunga-bunga-xmas-2017/ Blue Mountains Skeptics Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1121976514605992/

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:50 Water Divining .... still a thing? We chat to Prof. Richard Wiseman in the UK about companies still using the services of water diviners to look for ..... water! https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/ 0:26:30 Mayanrd's Spooky Action! Reactions of the audience to the Skeptic Zone LIVE. Includes interviews with Dr Karl, Dr Brad, Heidi Robertson, Mandy-Lee Noble, Stefan Sojka and more. 0:42:34 A Skeptical Birthday Join a small but happy crew at the club at the end of the street as we eat, drink and be merry and chat about skeptical issues like... UFOs. Also... Bunga Bunga LIVE 19th of Dec. http://maynard.com.au/bunga-bunga-xmas-2017/ Mordi Skeptics https://www.meetup.com/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/ UFOs - Are they myth... or do they actually exist? http://www.abc.net.au/radio/darwin/programs/afternoons/ufo-sceptic-richard-saunders/9202932 Australian Skeptics - Late night radio segment with Mike Williams http://www.2gb.com/?s=Skeptics Australian Skeptics - Breakfast wit

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:50 Mayanrd's Spooky Action! We join Mayanrd at the pre-convention drinks in Sydney. Skeptics from all over Australia and overseas crammed into one pub! Includes Paul Gibbs, Beth Place, Heidi Robertson, Paul Roberts, Eran Segev, Joanne Benhamu, Trish Hann, Dr Brad McKay, Jessica Singer and Richard Saunders. 0:31:00 2017 Bent Spoon to NICM; Skeptic of the Year Christine Bayne Every year, Australian Skeptics hand out a range of awards – some positive, and the not-so-desirable Bent Spoon. This year's winners include a couple of key campaigners against pseudomedicine, and one university-based proponent of pseudomedicine. http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/11/19/2017-bent-spoon-to-nicm-skeptic-of-the-year-christine-bayne/ 0:37:05 Blue Mountains Skeptics in the Pub We take a train up to Wentworth Falls in the Blue Moutains west of Sdydney to kick off the first Skeptics in the Pub. Good food, good beer and a piano. With Peter Bowdtich and Tim Medham. Blue Mountains Skeptics Gr