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The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason

The Skeptic Zone #386 - 13.Mar.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:05:50	Report : An Evening with Alan Alda Alan Alda was in Australia and gave a talk in Canberra about the importance of good science communication.
0:17:16	Good Thinking Investigates: Peter Popoff Good Thinking has been investigating ‘faith healer’ Peter Popoff and his highly-lucrative current business of promising to heal sickness and cancel debts in exchange for ‘seed faith’, in other words: cash donations.
0:23:00	Psychic Sunday in Fairfield Richard Saunders drops by a Psychic Fair to see if any psychics are on offer.
0:41:30	Chiro Board says “toe the line” or else The Chiropractic Board of Australia, which regulates Australia’s 5000 chiropractors, has released a statement reinforcing that practitioners need to ensure their advertising complies with the requirements of the National Law, or they risk prosecution and disciplinary action.
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Scientific American Frontiers Alan Alda's address to the National Press Club Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science Chiro Board says “toe the line” or else Good Thinking!

Alan Alda

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_386_160313.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #385 - 6.Mar.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:04:48	The Raw Skeptic Report This week Heidi Robertson gives us her no nonsense report on Chicken Pox.
0:23:07	Good Thinking Investigates: Osteopathy Many osteopaths claim to treat colic with cranial osteopathy – a therapy with no evidence of effectiveness. Following Good Thinking's recent investigation into similar claims made by chiropractors, they decided to find out what an osteopath would tell a distressed parent seeking advice…
0:31:42	Anti Vax in the media Chris Savage, noted anti-vaccination campaigner, has set up operations in Bali, offering intravenous magnesium injections to treat autism.
0:41:30	Sydney Skeptics in the Pub What do skeptics say to "Chemical Free" food?
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Good Thinking! Antivaxer offering medical treatments

Heidi Robertson

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_385_160306.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #384 - 28.Feb.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:04:20	Holes in the Plot From science fiction fans to water dowsers, why do people work so hard to preserve their belief systems? In this talk, Richard Saunders looks at the thinking and mental gymnastics.
0:27:10	Peter Bowditch - Vaccination in Oberon A letter to the editor by long time skeptic, Peter 'Ratbags' Bowditch.
0:30:40	Good Thinking Investigates: Chiropractic In 2008, the British Chiropractic Association unsuccessfully sued science writer Simon Singh for highlighting that there is no reliable evidence that chiropractic can treat colic. Six years later, we wanted to find out whether chiropractors would still treat babies suffering from colic.
0:40:33	An alternative universe where vaccines are the villain, not the hero At a meeting last Sunday called “Mandatory Vaccinations” the 300 or so attendees did not come to hear “the medical and scientific facts about vaccines” as billed (this was not offered anyway); they came for validation: to indulge their conspiracy theories and to pat each other on the back for the area’s 50 per cent vaccination rate, the lowest in the country. - By Jane Hansen
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Good Thinking! Jane Hansen: An alternative universe where vaccines are the villain, not the hero Ratbags.com Skeptical Money - Interview with Richard Saunders

Richard Saunders

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_384_160228.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #383 - 21.Feb.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:03:50	Wi-Fried? We look at the fallout from ABC TV's science show 'Catalyst' after its broadcast of a story that many see as nothing more than scaremongering. Included is the reaction from the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) via their science channel.
0:22:40	Homeopathic Radio We join Michael Marshall from the Good Thinking Society in the UK has he appears on BBC radio to counter the strange statements from a local homeopathic G.P.
0:33:40	Evidence Please... with Jo Alabaster Jo reports on why some parents in the north coast region of NSW are suspicious of vaccinations. Induced are quotes from our very own Heidi Robertson.
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Catalyst: Wi-Fried? - ABC TV Science Video Experts, audience slam ABC Catalyst's report on "Wi-Fi danger" - by Signe Dean ABC's Catalyst criticised for linking Wi-Fi with brain tumours Do Wi-Fi and mobile phones really cause cancer? Experts respond BENT SPOON NOMINATION FOR ABC CATALYST Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) RiAus.tv \| Australia's Science Channel Things You Need To Know Before Starting Your Own Podcast - Advice from Richard Saunders

Wi-Fried?

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_383_160221.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #382 - 14.Feb.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:05:36	Evidence Please... with Jo Alabaster Jo reports on Biodynamic Gardening. WHAT? Find out with Jo.
0:17:54	A Week in Science The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science.
0:21:04	When a letter from Heaven ... isn't. "Letters from heaven": TV psychic Lillyanne sends almost identical readings to dozens of customers. A report with the help of Trish Hänn and James Randi.
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... An evening with Alan Alda Getting beyond a blind date with science Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus)

Jo Alabaster

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_382_160214.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #381 - 7.Feb.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:04:04	Dr Phil Plait We catch up with Dr Plait and talk about the late astronaut Edgar Mitchelll as well as Pluto and UFOs.
0:27:06	A Week in Science The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science.
0:31:27	Anti-Vaxxers react to Mark Zuckerberg Some of the more extreme nastiness from the anti-science trolls.
0:34:35	Sydney Skeptics in the Pub Another great evening in Sydney where we ask the big questions!
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Dr Phil Plait Crash Course Astronomy Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus)

Phil Plait

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_381_160207.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #380 - 31.Jan.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:04:22	Evidence Please... with Jo Alabaster Jo reports on the importance of being on the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
0:12:00	Dr Richard Wiseman We catch up with Dr Wiseman who tells us about is very, very clever magic videos, a 'psychic' dog and the study of dreams.
0:38:35	A Week in Science The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science.
0:24:20	Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard interviews Dr Ken Harvery about his action against the Chiropractic board and ongoing investigations into quackery.
1:01:20	The passing of Fred the Skeptic Zone cat.
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Dr Richard Wiseman Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry Chiropractic board in firing line Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) Surfcoast-Summer-Skepticamp

Val e Fred

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_380_160131.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #379 - 24.Jan.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:03:15	Recollect: Health and Medicine Richard visits the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and gets a guided tour by Tilly Boleyn and Frankie Lee of the history of medical devices.
0:41:00	A Week in Science The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science.
0:44:10	Psychic TV Australia Online threats are alleged to have been made against some of the 'psychics' on Psychic TV, a business promoting a 'dial a reading' service.
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Recollect: Health and Medicine Powerhouse Museum Psychic TV Clip Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus)

Tilly Boleyn

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_379_160124.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #378 - 17.Jan.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:03:17	Evidence Please... with Jo Alabaster Jo has a message for Pauline Hanson who appeard on the 'Sunrise' TV program.
0:07:50	A Week in Science The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science.
0:10:54	Dr Rachie Reports... with Dr Rachael Dunlop This week, Dr Rachie reports on the University of Woolongong's decision to award a Ph.D for a thesis claiming that conspiracies are behind the Australian Immunisation Schedule.
0:23:40	Bent Spoon for University of Wollongong? By Tim Mendham, read by Richard Saunders
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Letter to Pauline Hanson Judith Wilyman PhD controversy - Wiki Judy Wilyman PhD thesis critique Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus)

Jo Alabaster

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_378_160117.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #377 - 10.Jan.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:04:08	Evidence Please... with Jo Alabaster Jo reports on the horror that is Black Salve. A warning to everyone.
0:15:27	Guest Reporter Kevin Davies from Canberra Skeptics Kevin chats to Dr. Rachelle Duvall, Research Physical Scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Embassy Science Fellow.
0:20:13	A Week in Science The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science.
0:23:18	Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard interviews pub goers at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub. What are their predictions for 2016 and what do they think about New Year Resolutions?
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus)

Jo Alabaster

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_377_160110.mp3

The Skeptic Zone #376 - 3.Jan.2016
0:00:00	Introduction Richard Saunders
0:03:16	Evidence Please... with Jo Alabaster Jo reads from the AGE Newspaper. Chiropractors promoting anti-vaccination views despite rules.
0:11:00	A Week in Science The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national scientific not-for-profit organisation with a mission to bring science to people and people to science.
0:13:50	Report Queensland childcare centres and the new vaccination laws. Report from Australian Skeptics.
0:18:18	Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard interviews more people at the recent Austalian Skeptics National Convention.
As mentioned on the Skeptic Zone... Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus)

Maynard

Direct download:
the_skeptic_zone_376_160103.mp3

The Vaccination Chonicles

Solar Flare

Featuring

Verna Morris, Maureen Chuck, Ken McLeod, Monica Saville, Dr Richard Gordon, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, John Bundock, Peter Bowditch and Lauren Cochrane with Ada and Jack.

YouTube
http://youtu.be/mTprFOmIjIg

Buy the DVD

The Band of Power

Join the cast of the Skeptic Zone Podcast, and host of special guests, in their first audio adventure as they board the Australian Space Ship Solar Flare to fight the forces of woo thoughout the galaxy!

Also featuring the hit song
FAR by George Hrab.

It's old time radio from the future!

Solar Flare episode 1

The Skeptic Zone Podcast is an independent production by Richard Saunders and the team of reporters. The views and opinions expressed on the Skeptics Zone Podcast are not necessarily those Australian Skeptics Inc. or any other skeptical organisation.

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