The Skeptic Zone

00:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders
    00:06:00
2026 Bent Spoon Award
Australian Skeptics president Jessica Singer together with Richard Saunders announce the winner of the 2026 Bent Spooner award. This year's winner is Dolly Adamson of Kyneton Paranormal, Victoria, who claims to talk to the ghosts of murdered children, and their killers, via a radio.

https://www.skeptics.com.au/bent-spoon-award-for-2026
    00:15:10
Why Smart Women on the Mones Zone
Join Annie McCubbin from the Why Smart Women podcast, Kate Thomas from On The Mones podcast, Richard Saunders from the Skeptics Zone podcast and special guest Dr Angela Mattke as they ponder the world of quackery over coffee and toast.

Applied kinesiology
https://youtu.be/hlhvgG8lRhk?si=cbDVunPJgbf5Fp-R
    00:51:50
Maynard's Spooky Action
Not-A-Con + Skepticon Interviews
The Board Meeting - Maynard reports from a room full of Skeptics, all having a great time playing a variety of tabletop board games. Among the celebrities dotted around the room, Maynard finds George Hrab and Bob Novella.
Also
Richard Saunders in TV Week
https://www.nowtolove.com.au/entertainment/the-one-search-for-australias-most-gifted-psychic/

ESP - Quack Watch - Crime
    00:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders
    00:04:38
You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill
Adrienne catches up with András Pinter, co-host of the European Skeptics Podcast (ESP), in their annual meetup in Canmore, Alberta. The pair attempt to walk, talk, avoid traffic, and occasionally giggle about skeptical topics from Europe and Canada.

The ESP - European Skeptics Podcast
https://theesp.eu
    00:20:25
Quack Watch - Barbara O'Neill
Be Wary of Barbara O'Neill's Health Recommendations - by Ken McLeod

Wellness guru Barbara O'Neill has an enormous, devoted global audience for her many egregious, non-evidence-based claims about "natural" health. She has credited God for at least some of the advice she has offered. She has gained 4.7 million followers.

https://quackwatch.org/11ind/be-wary-of-barbara-oneills-health-recommendations/
    00:34:34
Origami Posters
Michelle Bijkersma tells our Japanese listeners about free origami posters.
    00:35:46
Australian Skeptics Newsletter
What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill.

http://www.skeptics.com.au
    00:47:00
The TROVE Archives
A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to Crime and Supernatural.

    1924.08.24 - The Sun - Sydney

EVP - Cupping - Hinch
    00:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders
    00:06:00
The Loons From Canada
This is part 2 of the Loons from Canada discussing the results of testing Rodney Schmaltz's Psychology students and the participants of the Western Canadian Reason Conference to see if people hear the same audio pareidolia as purported to be heard on an EVP. Which will have clearer spirited voices? The spirit box from part 1, or the EVP in part 2? Listen to find out.

Adrienne's WeCanReason talk:
Produced by Seth Andrews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwFiu2-kYVU&t=133s

Mondegreens taken out of Seth's production of Adrienne's talk:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Sa9sHyi__9s
    00:24:28
Cupping Woo
We are joined by the secretary of Australian Skeptics, Lara Benham who recounts her frustration in trying to find an evidence based physiotherapist.
    00:40:52
The TROVE Archives
A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to the late skeptical broadcaster Derryn Hinch.

    1984.05.13 - The Sun Herald
    1984.05.18 - The Age
    1984.05.20 - The Sun Herald


www.trove.nla.gov.au

Spirits - Newsletter - Paranormal
00:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders
    00:03:50
The Loons From Canada
The Loons from Canada revisit Episode 775 of The Skeptic Zone by testing Rodney Schmaltz's Psychology students and the participants of the Western Canadian Reason Conference to see if people hear the same thing as psychic medium Cael O'Donnell claims he heard while using a spirit box during a walk through a graveyard. This is part I of a 2 part investigation testing spirit boxes and EVPs.
    00:23:12
Australian Skeptics Newsletter
What news has caught the eye of news editor Dee this week? Read by Adrienne Hill.

http://www.skeptics.com.au
    00:36:38
The TROVE Archives
A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers to look for references to 'Paranormal and Berkeley'.

    1980.04.19 - The Lodi News-Sentinel
    1985.01.11 - Ocala StarBanner


www.trove.nla.gov.au

Looksmaxxing - Movies - Students
 
    00:00:00
Introduction
Richard Saunders - LIVE from SkeptiCal 2026, Oakland, California.
    00:03:12
Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas
Looksmaxxing (often associated with the term "man maxing") is an internet subculture focused on optimizing physical attractiveness. It spans from standard self-improvement (like skin care and fitness) to more extreme and potentially hazardous methods involving cosmetic procedures, performance-enhancing substances, or high-risk physical manipulation.

Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass
    00:17:58
You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill
At CSICon 2026 in Buffalo, NY, Adrienne chats with Fresno State University students Kimberly Salinas, Wasayef Ghannam, and Tyler Woolrich regarding their poster presentations based on their research surrounding critical thinking and that stubborn myth that won't go away, learning styles. During a break between sessions, she crosses paths with presenters Katie Suleta and Alejandro Borgo on a break between sessions where they discuss the importance of involving young people in skepticism.
    00:31:32
Movie Reviews
Join in on a road trip with Dr Eugenie Scott and Richard Saunders as they discuss the recent movies, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" and "Disclosure Day". Were they impressed? Would they go again? Find out in this week's episode.
    00:46:44
Sunday Speakers
Adrienne Hill, Rob Palmer and Susan Gerbic report on the wonderful Sunday Speaker session at the recent CSICon 50th.