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The Skeptic Zone

Richard Saunders
Skepticism
Access Consciousness
Superstitions
Houdini
Alternative Therapies
Pseudoscience
Access Bars
Erika Englehaupt
Csicon
Australian Skeptics
James Randi
Psychic Phenomena
Alternative Medicine
Olympic Games
Mark Edward
Jane Hansen
Modern Health Treatments
Folklore
Andreas Zee
Lucky Girl Syndrome

The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason. Join Richard Saunders and his team of reporters for your weekly dose of skeptical news and interviews, reports and comments. Past guests have included, James Randi, Stephen Fry, Tim Minchin, Eugenie Scott, Dr Phil Plait, Michael Marshall, Dr Steve Novella, Dr Pamela Gay, Jon Ronson, Dr Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Prof. Richard Wiseman, Dick Smith, ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes906Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for The Skeptic Zone

Latest Episodes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:14 3i Atlas Update As Comet 3i Atlas emerges from behind the sun, we take a look at the latest news from NASA that confirms the object is not in fact being piloted by space racing aliens. Will this stop the ... more

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:07:18 The Think Tank Our international team spent time with Dr Siouxsie Wiles from New Zealand. Dr Siouxsie has been the victim of outrageous harassment after her efforts to promote vaccines and good science d... more

YouTube

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:06:04 I Think We Need to Think. With Susan Gerbic An interview with Susan about her recent feature in major Australian newspapers talking about fake psychics. We also learn about her ongoing investigations into... more

YouTube

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:44 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas This week Kate is interviewed at Skeptics in the Pub by Maynard. Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 0:18:28 Kinesiology and Applied Kinesiol... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Suzy Wiles
Microbiologist and science communicator in New Zealand.
University of Auckland
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #894 - 23.November.2025
Annie McCubbin
Host of the Why Smart Women podcast
Why Smart Women
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #887 - 5.October.2025
Kate Thomas
Pharmacist and science communicator
TikTok
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #884 - 14.September.2025
Avi Loeb
Hebrew University astrophysicist and author, known for discussing potential extraterrestrial phenomena.
Harvard University
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #882 - 31.August.2025
Kat McLeod
Investigator of paranormal activities and ghost stories.
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #882 - 31.August.2025
Peter Lamont
Author of Radical Thinking, Professor of History and Theory of Psychology
University of Edinburgh
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #878 - 3.August.2025
Dr. Eugenie Scott
Former Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education
National Center for Science Education
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #877 - 27.July.2025
Karl Gerhardt
Organizer of the St. Louis Skeptic Camp
Skeptical Society of St. Louis
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #874 - 6.July.2025
Sue Ieraci
Doctor, President of Australian Skeptics
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #874 - 6.July.2025

Host

Richard Saunders
Host of The Skeptic Zone, focusing on critical thinking, skepticism, and science communication.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 337 ratings
  • Still annoying

    Every year or so I try to listen to this podcast, being Australian and looking for local skeptical reports. Why is every conversation accompanied by music? And presenter talking like a rock star to himself. I’m a long time listener to SGU, Reality Check and Skeptics with a K, OS skeptic podcasts where presenters still chat but talk normally, and keep music as intro to segments.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nicky Squabble
    Australia2 years ago
  • Should be required listening!

    Such a sincere, open minded, and qualified group of folks on The Skeptic Zone! Each episode is thoroughly researched, carefully explained, and still manages to be entertaining for listeners while delivering careful analysis’ of each topic.

    Outstanding!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gorgeous George Bacon
    Canada3 years ago
  • Amazing podcast. So fantastic! I just wish there was more of this sort of content available to more people

    Podcast Addict
    5
    seektruth
    4 years ago
  • Love it!

    Informitive, entertaining and just fun!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    curmudgeon15
    United States4 years ago
  • Top Australian Science Communications

    With Richard and the gang you will learn, laugh and lunch while taking meandering journeys through mind-body-wallet festivals. Listen to the end, you may hear an interesting ongoing experiment and dice conversation! 😃👍🏼

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheBjårdman
    Canada4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some audience members express concerns about the informal nature of discussions, feeling that it occasionally detracts from the intended skeptical focus.
The show is well-received for its insightful critiques of pseudoscience, with many praising the respectful dialogue and encouragement of critical thinking.
Overall, there is a strong sense of community among listeners, many of whom feel inspired towards activism in skepticism and public health discussions.
Listeners appreciate the thorough research and engaging presentation style of the hosts, often describing the episodes as both informative and entertaining.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Skeptic Zone #894 - 23.November.2025
Q: Did you get a lot of support from your coworkers?
Yes, a lot of support from coworkers, but issues with my employer escalated the situation significantly.
The Skeptic Zone #894 - 23.November.2025
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your background for those people who aren't familiar with your work?
I'm a microbiologist and science communicator, involved in New Zealand skeptics and gained recognition particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Skeptic Zone #887 - 5.October.2025
Q: How does the anti-vaccination movement currently trend in Australia?
Vaccination rates have dropped, but this seems more attributed to vaccination fatigue rather than successful anti-vax campaigns.
The Skeptic Zone #887 - 5.October.2025
Q: What inspired your podcast, Why Smart Women?
The podcast arose from a frustration with influences selling ineffective products and promoting pseudoscience.
The Skeptic Zone #885 - 21.September.2025
Q: What's a little bit about your background?
Kate discusses her journey from pharmacy into policy writing and eventually returning to community pharmacy to keep her practice current, examining trends in wellness claims among consumers.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Skeptic Zone

What is The Skeptic Zone about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A dynamic platform dedicated to promoting skepticism and scientific inquiry, this podcast features engaging discussions on various topics spanning pseudoscience, critical thinking, and public health. The host, along with a team of contributors, brings insights on both local Australian issues and broader global perspectives, tackling contemporary challenges in understanding misinformation and promoting rational thought. The eclectic mix of segments, interviews with notable figures in the field, and humorous takes on serious subjects make this a must-listen for anyone interested in science and skepticism.

What sets this apart is the unique blend of humor and education, making complex topics accessible to a wider audience. With contributions ... more

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How many listeners does The Skeptic Zone get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Skeptic Zone has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Skeptic Zone?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Skeptic Zone:

1. Skeptics with a K
2. Skeptoid
3. Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
4. Squaring the Strange
5. Big Picture Science

How many episodes of The Skeptic Zone are there?

The Skeptic Zone launched 17 years ago and published 906 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Skeptic Zone?

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What guests have appeared on The Skeptic Zone?

Recent guests on The Skeptic Zone include:

1. Dr. Suzy Wiles
2. Annie McCubbin
3. Kate Thomas
4. Avi Loeb
5. Kat McLeod
6. Peter Lamont
7. Dr. Eugenie Scott
8. Karl Gerhardt

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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