Podcasts about australian skeptics inc

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:13 King St. Newtown Join Richard Saunders has he walks the length of Newtown's (an inner west suburb of Sydney) main street, stopping along the way to investigate no end of New Age and health stores. https://www.google.com/maps/@-33.898499,151.1854725,16.1z 0:24:03 Fake Medicine - Book Launch We travel to Geebooks in Glebe, Sydney to attend the launch of the new book by Dr Brad McKay, 'Fake Medicine'. Joining Richard is Australian Skeptics Inc. President Jessica Singer, Josh Godbee and Lara Benham. https://www.hachette.com.au/bradley-mckay/fake-medicine-exposing-the-wellness-crazes-cons-and-quacks-costing-us-our-health 0:32:34 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to 'Telekinesis'. telekinesis noun the supposed ability to move objects at a distance by mental power or other non-physical means. "she possesses the power of telekinesis" http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Tim Hunkin on youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/timhunkin1

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:23 Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan Around 1,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Australia. Often, ovarian cancer feels like nothing. For that reason, most women are diagnosed when they are Stage III or IV. Siobhan tells us her story with this cancer and her advice for women. (With the help of Mr. Tom Toms the cat.) Siobhan O'Sullivan is an Australian political scientist and political theorist. Her research has focused, among other things, on animal welfare policy and the welfare state. She is the author of Animals, Equality and Democracy (2011, Palgrave Macmillan) and a coauthor of Getting Welfare to Work (2015, Oxford University Press). She co-edited Contracting-out Welfare Services (2015, Wiley) and The Political Turn in Animal Ethics (2016, Rowman & Littlefield International). She founded a regular podcast entitled Knowing Animals. https://www.abc.net.au/religion/what-i-learned-after-being-surprised-by-ovarian-cancer/13156080 https://knowinganimals.libsyn.com 0:32:30 Maynard's Spooky Action Dr Brad McKay - Part #3 Dr Brad McKay is an Australian science communicator, TV host and GP at his clinic in Sydney. He is an experienced broadcaster, interviewer and public commentator, appearing regularly on TV and radio, including as a host of ABC's Catalyst and a regular commentator on The Today Show, and presenting several medical podcasts for health professionals. He is also on the editorial board for The Medical Republic magazine and a committee member of Australian Skeptics Inc. https://www.booktopia.com.au/fake-medicine-bradley-mckay/book/9780733646867.html 0:39:04 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for reports on Harry Houdini. On March 18, 1910, he made three flights at Diggers Rest, Victoria, near Melbourne. It was reported at the time that this was the first aerial flight in Australia, although this is contested. Nevertheless he is at least among the first people to fly in Australia. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au   https://youtu.be/YtW36LBfoOY Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:08 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill Not for Prophet From the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine from Australia, Adrienne reports on the ups and downs of checking thousands of mystical predictions covering the years 2000 - 2020. https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2041%20(2021)%20No%201%20(Cover).pdf 0:24:06 Maynard's Spooky Action Dr Brad McKay - Part #2 Dr Brad McKay is an Australian science communicator, TV host and GP at his clinic in Sydney. He is an experienced broadcaster, interviewer and public commentator, appearing regularly on TV and radio, including as a host of ABC's Catalyst and a regular commentator on The Today Show, and presenting several medical podcasts for health professionals. He is also on the editorial board for The Medical Republic magazine and a committee member of Australian Skeptics Inc. https://www.booktopia.com.au/fake-medicine-bradley-mckay/book/9780733646867.html 0:33:18 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for reports on Dr Carl Sagan. http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud The 'V' Word https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-14/mullumbimby-anti-coronavirus-vaccination-changing-narrative/13109238

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:06 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill A new segment for The Skeptic Zone. Do bad things really happen in 3s? Adrienne looks at some of the psychology about this "bad things" myth and finds how easy it is for people to come to believe there might be something in it, even something mystical. 0:11:40 Alert on Anti-Vaxxers Police are making a list of anti-vax protesters with concerns that they could target storage facilities. A Joint Intelligence Group, made of members from the AFP, Australian Security Intelligence Information, Australian Border Force and state police forces has also been set up by the Department of Home Affairs. It will be staffed around the clock and act as a central hub for information on the anti-vaccination movement and vaccine security. - by Sarah Sharples, reported at news.com.au 0:15:48 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at planets, days, dates and death. And so it goes, the almost inevitable realisation that all knowledge is connected and connectable. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:28 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. We hear the summing up of Canon Knight and L. A. G Strong as they give their opinions on the so-called psychics and mediums they encountered. Into the Unknown - Part #10 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229628547 Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:04:45 Crystal Healing: The Science and Psychology Behind What Works, What Doesn't, and Why An interview with Dan Lynch and Julie A. Kirsch Whether you're new to the practice of crystal healing or have a level of experience with it, chances are you have questions: What works? What doesn't? How and when should I spend my money etc? Forget the magic, the mysticism, and the mythology. You've come to the right place for answers. Dan R. Lynch is a professional geologist and the author of many books about rocks and minerals. Julie A. Kirsch is a trained psychologist. Together, they delve into the fascinating study of crystal healing, and they share their answers with you. https://adventurewithkeen.com/product/crystal-healing 0:18:58 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at seeing things, insights and outsights. And so it goes, the almost inevitable realisation that all knowledge is connected and connectable. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:26:21 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:47 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. We hear the summing up of Dr Bendit and Mrs Haldane as they give their opinions on the so-called psychics and mediums they encountered. Into the Unknown - Part #9 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229628547 Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:43 Pete Evans Banned (Again!) Pete Evans' Instagram shut down for spreading COVID-19 misinformation. Also his bid for a Senate seat has been widely criticised. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/pete-evans-instagram-account-has-been-shut-down-for-spreading-coronavirus-misinformation 0:11:21 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Argument from Gibberish". This occurs when a person makes a claim that something is true, then supports that claim with an explanation that includes highly technical jargon from a field that is difficult to comprehend. It also occurs when a claim is based on pure gibberish in lieu of a strong argument. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:23:29 Facebook Puts Critical Health Information at Risk Like many organisations, Australian Skeptics Inc was affected by Facebook's changes to sharing and viewing news in Australia. While they are pleased to see that their Facebook Page and past posts have been restored, their own site content is still unable to be shared on Facebook. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2021/02/19/facebook-puts-critical-health-information-at-risk-by-blocking-legitimate-news-sources 0:30:58 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. "It'a All In Your Head!" - This week Tim looks at Phrenology, part #2 of 2 - by Michelle Cooper. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:07 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. Into the Unknown - Part #8 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229628547 Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:23 Queensland Chiropractic Bad Advice Chiropractor forced to take down video on COVID-19, claiming 'nonsense' about 'big bad bug' and other bad advice. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/chiropractor-forced-to-take-down-video-on-coronavirus-claiming-nonsense-about-big-bad-bug/news-story/57390e8ab06cce03ba5eba8e23f7f694 0:09:12 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Fallacy of the Single Cause". Also known as 'causal oversimplification', this fallacy occurs when it is assumed that there is a single, simple cause of an outcome, when in fact there may be a number of causes. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:18:02 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. "It'a All In Your Head!" - This week Tim looks at Phrenology, part #1 of 2 - by Michelle Cooper. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:29:31 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950. Into the Unknown - Part #7 http://www.trove.nla.gov.au 0:44:23 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:44 Test Your E.S.P. From 1977 comes this test from 'The Australian Women's Weekly'. How do you rate your psychic abilities? Have you ever experienced astral travel, levitation, mental telepathy . . . or seen a ghost? https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/5845338 0:19:03 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Appeal to Common Sense". The ‘Appeal to Common Sense’ is a specific version of ‘Alleged Certainty’. It occurs when someone simply asserts their conclusion as obvious and a fact, however, it may not necessarily be so. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:28:48 The Book of Tim with Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at magicians, ethics, names, laws and more. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:36:27 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers. This week testing psychic claims from 1950 with spirit healers. SPIRIT HEALING, the "laying on of hands" or the making of psychic passes is not regarded by all psychic workers as a legitimate part of what can strictly be considered to be within the scope of spiritism. Into the Unknown - Part #6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/24681718 Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:50 The Misadventures of the VeXXed Bus We look at the bumpy road and comic mishaps of the "Vaxxed II" bus as it travels along its sorry road. 0:16:44 James Randi, a quiet chat. In 2014, Randi and Saunders toured Australia. During some downtime they chat about magic, memories and TV productions. James Randi: Psychic Investigator - YouTube https://youtu.be/ix_DEto6nH4?t=820   0:28:57 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The Hasty Generalisation Fallacy". Also known as the argument from small numbers and the lonely fact fallacy, this is when you base your conclusion upon limited or inconclusive information. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:35:47 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:42:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at Double Delusion - House of Horrors - House of Science and more. https://www.skeptics.com.au Also The Correx Files https://www.abc.net.au/science/correx Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 A tribute to James "The Amazing" Randi. 1928 - 2020. 0:06:20 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:10:45 Australian Skeptics Inc. Annual Awards 2020 Join President Jessica Singer, E.O. Tim Mendham and Chief Investigator Richard Saunders as they annouce this year's awards, as heard at Skepticon 2020. The Fred Thornett Award for the promotion of reason - The Barry Williams Award for media - The Skeptic of the Year - The Bent Spoon Award. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:23:20 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Tim looks at Godwin's law (or Godwin's rule of Hitler analogies). https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:45:40 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the Loch Ness Monter. Where oh where are you Nessie? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:02 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson. Interview with Brian Deer, a British investigative reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, was published in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press. Part #3 - Brain tells us of the impact of Wakefield's work on vaccination rates, the other authors of the original paper and the link to Elle Macpherson. https://briandeer.com 0:16:33 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "Weasel Words". These are words for phrases that seem to point in one direction or give a certain impression, but in reality are often meaningless or even misleading. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:24:02 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. This week Wishful Thinking, Risky Business, Gambling and more. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:32:00 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the term "E.S.P." Can you read my mind? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:09 The Raw Skeptic Report. With Heidi Robertson. Interview with Brian Deer, a British investigative reporter, best known for inquiries into the drug industry, medicine and social issues for The Sunday Times. Deer's investigative nonfiction book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, was published in September 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press. Part #2 - Brain tells us of why Wakefield left the Royal Free Hospital, conflicts of interest, buying blood from children, and some of his other investigations. https://briandeer.com 0:22:51 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:31:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Another reading from the pages of 'The Skeptic' from Australian Skeptics Inc. FLAT EARTHERS. In the paranormal world, there have always been some claims and claimants that have been ... how shall we put it ... weird. https://www.skeptics.com.au 0:37:55 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised Australian newspapers on a search for references to the term "Quackery". How many ducks can we line up? http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Skepticon 2020 https://www.skepticon.org.au Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:39 What Doctors Don't Tell You In the last week of April 2020, the conspiracy theorist magazine "What Doctors Don't Tell You"was yanked from the sheveles of two Australian Supermarkets after action by Prof. Darren Saunders and radio host Ben Fordham. https://www.2gb.com/exclusive-supermarkets-selling-dangerous-conspiracy-magazines https://www.2gb.com/anti-vaccination-magazine-lashes-out-at-ben-fordham https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/what-doctors-dont-tell-you-magazine-pulled-from-supermarket-shelves/news-story/45b5c8f45ca878859e1424cdaa49eb5f 0:23:38 Logical Fallacies. With Michelle Bijkersma This week Michelle looks at "The False Dilemma". Also known as “the false dichotomy”, “the either/or”, and “the false choice”, this is when an argument is framed as having only two options or conclusions, when there are in fact other logical alternatives. A Logical Fallacy is an error we can make in reasoning, but it usually crops up when we are discussing or arguing our point of view. 0:30:54 The Book of Tim - With Tim Mendham Please to Remember (From Vol. 36 No. 3 of 'The Skeptic') Tim looks at some of the ideas and theories about Stonehenge. http://www.skeptics.com.au https://www.lynnekelly.com.au/the-memory-code/ 0:39:25 Saunders on the radio... 2002 A very young Richard Saunders appeared on Sydney community radio in 2002 to talk about the role and aims of Australian Skeptics Inc. It's 18 years later and how much has changed? Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud Maynard MADD Club LIVE https://www.facebook.com/Maynardcomau Skepticon 2020 https://www.gcskeptics.com/skepticon-2020

This week an old friend of ours Brian Eggo from Glasgow Skeptics joins us to bring you a show packed with news, thoughts and curiousities. We talk about how Skeptics in the Pub events are going online, that one time Rupert Sheldrake got stabbed and how Pope Francis has nothing to offer to help with the pandemic. After the usual COVID-19 update we talk about how Sweden takes a different approach to the disease than most, why the Royal Astrologer should not be trusted, and how a German consumer reported homeopaths for offering sugar pills to avoid infection. We also talk about Massimo Polidoro's new video series, "OK Scienza", Britt Marie Hermes' law suit and the Skeptics Legal Defence initiative by the Australian Skeptics Inc. We mention how French skeptics at AFiS respond to a fake treatment Trump and Bolsonaro both promote, Fullfact brings you a list of guidelines to fact-checking and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences translates the mythbusting site of WHO. Unfortunately, the WHO also gets the prize for being Really Wrong for removing the advice not to use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) against Covid-19.

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders live from Portland, Oregon 0:02:14 The Think Tank... or The Hot Tub of Truth This week the Think Tank comes to your from a Hot Tub, surrounded by snow, in the city of Bend, Oregon. Joining us in the tub to discuss if science can "save humanity" are... Dr Erika Anderson Dr Jean-Marc Roch PhD Prof. Wendi Wampler Brian Dunning Susan Picard Lisa Dunning Richard Saunders https://svahausa.com 0:34:00 The Skeptic Zone Recomends In Season 2 of "The Dream", Jane Marie, an alum of This American Life, and Dann Gallucci, look at a world just as shady and mysterious as MLMs, but one whose promises are at times even more bombastic and unfathomable: WELLNESS. What is it? Who sells it? And will it bring you eternal happiness and, perhaps, eternal life? https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stitcher/the-dream 0:44:23 Maynard's Spooky Action... Interviews from Skepticon 2019. This week, highlights from the annual dinner, part #3 Jo Benhamu is a Senior Clinical Research Nurse with almost twenty years of experience in clinical nursing. She has a Masters in Bioethics and teaches ethics to medical students at Monash University. She is a founding member of Stop the AVN and has co-authored several papers challenging anti-vaccination papers in the scientific literature. She is Vice President of Australian Skeptics Inc. You can find her on Twitter: @jobenhamu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Immortal_Life_of_Henrietta_Lacks Also Maynard's 2020 Calendar http://maynard.com.au/2020-maynard-calendar Canberra Skeptics https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/SocialSkepticsCanberra

Show Notes 0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:25 NZ Skeptics vs. Jeanette Wilson NZ-based, self-described "spiritual medium" Jeanette Wilson has started touring the country with her Psychic Surgery show. New Zealand Skeptics are running a campaign to try to disrupt this by contacting the venues and making them aware of the sort of thing they're hosting. We talk to NZ Skeptics Chairperson, Craig Shearer. https://skeptics.nz https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018715951 https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12273065 0:24:22 The Raw Skeptic Report... with Heidi Robertson Naturopath O'Neill banned for life The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission has given a life ban to naturopath Barbara O'Neill. The order permanently prohibits O'Neill from "providing any health service, whether on a paid or voluntary basis, to any person". The term "health service" includes "health education services", which were a feature of the northern NSW Misty Mountain Health Retreat founded by O'Neill and her husband Michael in 2001. Breaking the terms of the prohibition order could incur a six months prison sentence. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2019/10/02/naturopath-oneill-banned-for-life/ https://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/Hearings---decisions/Public-statements-and-warnings/Public-Statement-and-Statement-of-Decision-in-relation-to-in-relation-to-Mrs-Barbara-O-Neill https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/03/naturopath-who-said-bicarbonate-soda-cures-cancer-banned-for-life-by-health-watchdog 0:38:19 Maynard's Spooky Action... Maynard asks pubbers at Sydney Skeptics in the Pub the big question... What do they think of the recent action taken by the New Zealand Skeptics to stop a so-called psychic healer? With President of Australian Skeptics Inc. Jessica Singer, Tim Medham and others. Also Skepticon 2019 - https://skepticon.org.au Skeptoid 13th Birthday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAD0h7-YG3c&t=38700 BrusFri - Noise Reduction - https://klevgrand.se/products/brusfri       Skeptic Zone Promo .wav - 30 sec. Download Here  

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 be jumping into the murky waters of Anti-VAX rhetoric and 5G fears. 0:36:50 Readers' Indigestible From the pages of "The Skeptic" magazine, the Journal from Australian Skeptics. Tim Mendham looks at those 'other' publications, where skepticism is a dirty word ... sometimes. One is an extreme example of niceness, with lashings of all things New Age that will give you a sugar rush of epic proportions. The other is more down to earth ... literally. https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine/ Also Skepticon 2019 https://skepticon.org.au

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 GP – WHO’S MORE QUALIFIED? Is it true that GPs and chiropractors do much the same level of training and are thus equally qualified to practice primary healthcare? Should chiropractors play the role that GPs currently do as the first stop for medical consultation? The argument used by chiropractors to practice as primary healthcare is that they must go through the same level of medical training as GPs, including the same courses, and are thus as qualified to offer primary healthcare as GPs. The question is whether this is true. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2016/02/22/chiro-and-gp-whos-more-qualified/ 0:39:10 Maynard's Spooky Action! Maynard does a follow-up report on the pill testing at music events issue. Interviews with Shane Greenup, Sophie and Dr Alex Wodak. 0:47:43 ASI position statement on “gay conversion therapy” Australian Skeptics Inc. (ASI) commends Daniel Andrews and the Victorian government for the recently announced plan to ban “gay conversion therapy” across the state. These church-based therapies are not based on scientific evidence, have been proven not to work, and are well known to cause physical and psychological harm. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2019/02/20/asi-position-statement-on-gay-conversion-therapy/ Also Maynard 's DJ Gig in Sydney https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=468290

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:20 Crowd Interviews from Skepticon 2018 We chat to Mandy-Lee Noble Heidi Robertson The GSoW Team Dr Sue Blackmore 0:13:33 Aust Skeptics Campaigns and Investigations – have your say Australian Skeptics Inc is regularly involved in a range of campaigns and investigations, some of which have been well-publicised (like the investigation of the PowerBalance wrist band), and others that are on-going and still under wraps. This is your chance to get involved. Feel free to contact us with tips and suggestions. You might also like to add your own active contribution and play a part in the campaign and/or investigation itself. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/10/01/aust-skeptics-campaigns-and-investigations-have-your-say/ 0:17:42 Maynard’s Spooky Action... Interviews from Skepticon 2018 Yvette d'Entremont, also known as The SciBabe Part #1 Dr Vyom Sharma Trish Hann Also... RSVP for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub with David Rosenberg https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/AustSkeptics/

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:45 Interview with Celestia Ward Squaring the Strange brings evidence-based analysis and commentary to a wide variety of topics, ranging from the paranormal to the political. Investigating ghosts. Debunking conspiracies. Dodging chupacabras. If a claim seems strange, Ben and Pascual will try to square it with the facts. https://squaringthestrange.libsyn.com/ 0:15:00 A Random RANT! With Dr Paulie Interview with Hana Svobodová from Save Turtle. Save Turtle Organization is Czech NGO founded in 2017. It concentrates on the protection of sea turtles and their natural habitat. They wish for a world where people care for nature and take an interest in sea turtles. http://saveturtle.net/ 0:28:20 Open letter to the RSL : Let the Dead Rest in Peace Through its clubs, the Returned Services League commemorates our servicemen and women, including some who made the ultimate sacrifice. We are concerned that those clubs are occasionally used for a form of entertainment that is disrespectful to the departed, and to their relatives and friends. https://www.skeptics.com.au/2018/09/04/open-letter-to-the-rsl-let-the-dead-rest-in-peace/ 0:32:36 Kevin Davies and Star Wars Can the Star Wars movies be used as a real guide to help in military strategy? Kevin chats to Mick Cook and Major General Mick Ryan in Canberra. Strategy Strikes Back: How Star Wars Explains Modern Military Conflict The Dead Prussian Podcast http://www.thedeadprussian.com/ Mick Cook https://twitter.com/mick_cook Mick Ryan https://twitter.com/warinthefuture 0:39:10 Talk like an Australian! Skepticon Speaker Interview We chat to Lee Murray, a teaching associate and PhD candidate, Linguistics Program School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics at Monash University. http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/llcl/ 0:48:08 Ian Bryce and the Higgs Ian qualified at Monash University in science (BSc, physics) and engineering (BE Hons). His career has involved applying science to spaceflight for companies including Hawker de Havilland, Optus and Asia Pacific Space Centre. He created several space courses and lectured for eight years at four universities. Recently he has turned these skills toward communicating science and philosophy. He is also the challenge coordinator for Australian Skeptics Inc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPOc7TzXhvA Also... RSVP for Australian Skeptics FREE Friday night trivia and meetup 12 Oct. https://www.skeptics.com.au/event/national-convention  

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 her new role in helping to get the sketpical message out on social media. Also... http://www.skeptiCalCon.com

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 for alternative medicine and has been offering homeopathy since it was founded in 1849. https://goodthinkingsociety.org/nhs-homeopathy-ends-in-london/ 0:27:43 Roadblocks to Good Science | A Panel Discussion - Excerpt The Center for Inquiry presents Dr Rachael Dunlop, Cara Santa Maria, and Britt Hermes for a conversation on the real and perceived problems in science. What prevents people from understanding or discovering science, the roadblocks that stop good science and research, plus solutions on how to solve these problems. This talk took place at CSICon Las Vegas on Sunday, October 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpFoFTQ5YdI Also All back issues of "The Skeptic" magazine from Australian Skeptics - PDF https://www.skeptics.com.au/the-magazine

Stories from the week • ---------------------------------- Britt Hermes is a former naturopath who now campaigns against naturopathic practices. She's recently been taken to court in Germany by US-based naturopath ‘Dr' Colleen Huber in a defamation lawsuit. Australian Skeptics Inc is managing a fundraising campaign to assist Britt in her current legal action. Please consider contributing to the --------------------     Secular Therapists/Therapy Please use and share these links with anyone seeking professional help within a secular framework.   For those that appreciate visual wordplay on an auditory medium, here is the reference  

Stories from the week • ---------------------------------- Britt Hermes is a former naturopath who now campaigns against naturopathic practices. She's recently been taken to court in Germany by US-based naturopath ‘Dr’ Colleen Huber in a defamation lawsuit. Australian Skeptics Inc is managing a fundraising campaign to assist Britt in her current legal action. Please consider contributing to the --------------------     Secular Therapists/Therapy Please use and share these links with anyone seeking professional help within a secular framework.   For those that appreciate visual wordplay on an auditory medium, here is the reference  

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 Telegraph https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nsw-children-die-from-preventable-diseases/news-story/84af0ebaaeeb6e6f47fc8f3dd190771c Also... Australian Skeptics on the radio https://www.talkinglifestyle.com.au/?s=Skeptics    

This episode is a post-congress show that features interviews with Eran Segev, president of Australian Skeptics Inc. and Martin Mahner, who runs the office of the German skeptical organisation, GWuP. If you want to have more information on Denkfest, please check it out here: https://denkfest.ch/de/

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:05:05 An interview with Kurt Andersen We discuss his new book FANTASYLAND: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History Conspiracy Theories: Nearly 1/2 of Americans believe that millions of people voted illegally in the 2016 election. 1/3 believe global warming is a hoax. 1/3 believe that extraterrestrials have visited (or now reside) on earth. 1/4 believe that U.S. officials planned the 9/11 attacks. How did we arrive at this point? http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/209776/fantasyland-by-kurt-andersen/9781400067213/ 0:16:30 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee With Ben Lewis Your 5 Step Asteroid Success Plan. Want to become an asteroid mining magnate? Thanks to a new law in Luxembourg we've come up with a foolproof five step plan. https://www.australiascience.tv/vod/brew-ha-ha-your-5-step-asteroid-success-plan/ 0:18:40 Maynard's Spooky Action.... Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, one of Australia's top science communicators, talks to Maynard about dreams, memories, tiny spiders and loud shirts! 0:38:17 Live report from an Anti-Vax Rally in Sydney Richard Saunders reports from a poorly attended ant-vaccination rally in Sydney and is confronted by one of the organisers. Also, The NSW Parliament has passed legislation removing exemptions for conscientious objection in vaccination rules and tightening vaccination requirements for childcare centres and schools. Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children will no longer be allowed to enrol them in child care with the “conscientious objector” option scrapped from January 2018. http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/09/14/nsw-parliament-no-conscientious-objection-to-vaccination 0:52:35 Australian Skeptics $100,000 Prize, turned down on TV Ruthie Phillips, who bills herself as “Australia’s Top Clairvoyant-Medium”, has turned down an offer to be tested for the Australian Skeptics’ $100,000 challenge. The offer was made to her by Australian Skeptics Inc committee member Richard Saunders on Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise program on September 9. http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/09/11/top-clairvoyant-refuses-skeptics-100000-challenge Richard Saunders on Sundrise TV - Video https://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/37020419/prove-youre-a-psychic-and-win-100-000/#page1 Also... Richard Saunders and Tim Medham - late night radio segment http://www.2gb.com/?s=Skeptics Comedy Writing Masterclass with Tim Ferguson http://www.cheekymonkeycomedy.com/comedy-writing-masterclass-2 Maynard and Bunga Bunga maynard.com.au CSI Con - Las Vagas http://csiconference.org European Skeptics Congress - Wroclaw http://euroscepticscon.org QED - Manchester qedcon.org QED - Skepticamp Manchester skepticamp.co.uk SITP Organiser Survey - http://glasgowskeptics.com/sitp Skepticon Sydney http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:08:22 Shingles Attack! Richard Saunders learns first-hand of the real life consequences of having Chicken Pox around 50 years ago. Includes an excerpt from the documentary "The Vaccination Chronicles" with G.P. Dr Richard Gordon talking about the condition. 0:19:20 Edith Cowan Uni bans crystal healing training seminars The seminars have apparently been running on the university grounds since 2011, and the next was due to take place on June 25. But in response to queries from Australian Skeptics Inc, ECU Vice-Chancellor Prof Steve Chapman says that “We have written to the organisation and requested that they remove all reference to these events on their website.” http://www.skeptics.com.au/2017/05/31/edith-cowan-uni-bans-crystal-healing-training-seminars 0:23:40 Brew Ha Ha: Science in less time than it takes to order a coffee With Ben Lewis https://www.australiascience.tv/vod/brew-ha-ha-iheart-hacking If you were going to hack a device, a pacemaker might not be your first choice. But with over 8000 security vulnerabilities it might be your easiest choice. 0:26:10 Speical Report from Susan Gerbic Join Susan as she wanders around the Monterey Bay Aquarium and tells of the importance of supporting scientific institutions to save them from resorting to so-called Ghost Tours. http://guerrillaskepticismonwikipedia.blogspot.com.au 0:32:20 The Raw Skeptic Report... with Heidi Robertson Armed with a new PhD from the University of Wollongong, anti-vaccination campaigner Judy Wilyman has lashed out at a West Australian journalist who questioned the science behind a new documentary on supposed links between vaccines and autism. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/antivaxxer-putting-her-new-phd-to-good-effect/news-story/e13162f0b86d332e688ea81761413314 0:39:16 Maynard's Spooky Action.... Maynard tries is hand at CPR! Will the dummy survive? Another Sydney Skeptics in the Pub with a talk by Trish Hann on basic CPR techniques. Maynard also asks pubbers why they think more people don't apply for the Skeptics' prize money. With Jessica Singer - Lara Benham - Dr Brad McKay - Tim Mendham - Ian Bryce and Alethia Dean. Also... NECSS - New York https://necss.org CSI Con - Las Vagus http://csiconference.org European Skeptics Congress - Wroclaw http://euroscepticscon.org SkepticCal - California http://www.skepticalcon.com QED - Manchester qedcon.org Skepticon Sydney http://www.skeptics.com.au

0:00:00IntroductionRichard Saunders 0:06:00The "ESP" PodcstAn interview with the movers and shakers of the European Skeptics Podcast - András Gábor Pintér, Jelena Levin and Pontus Böckman. 0:16:30Chickenpox outbreak at “tolerant” Victorian schoolReport from Australian Skeptics Inc.. 0:25:12A Week in ScienceThe 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. 0:28:18Maynard's Spooky Action.. Maynard heads for Sydney Skeptics in the Pub and chats with guest speaker Ross Balch about Viruses and other tiny things. 0:40:13Evidence Please... with Jo AlabasterJo looks at so-called psychics with their so-called preditctions (cough.. guesses) for the coming year. Can Skeptics do any better?