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The Skeptic Zone

Richard Saunders
Skepticism
Access Consciousness
Superstitions
Houdini
Alternative Therapies
Pseudoscience
Access Bars
Erika Englehaupt
Csicon
James Randi
Australian Skeptics
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes909Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesScience

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Artwork for The Skeptic Zone

Latest Episodes

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:26 2026 Bent Spoon Now's your chance to nominate an individual, company or product in Australia that, in your opinion, is worthy of the Bent Spoon Award. Do you have your eyes on a psychic? Or maybe a parti... more

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0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:46 TikTok Psychic Attack Only the Skeptic Zone podcast is brave enough to investigate the important but little spoken about public health imperative of...."Psychic Attack!" Is your psychic being attacked? I... more

YouTube

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:00 The "Why Smart Women Zone" Podcast - Part #1 LIVE from the Occidental Hotel in Sydney Australia, comes a combination of two of Australia's favourite critical thinking and skeptical podcasts. The combinat... more

YouTube

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

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jon Michael
Former ghost hunter who discusses his journey into skepticism.
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #897 - 14.December.2025
Jessica Singer
President of Australian Skeptics
Australian Skeptics
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #896 - 7.December.2025
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 Podcast
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #889 - 19.October.2025
Kate Thomas
New reporter and skeptic, attending Mind Body Spirit Festival
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #889 - 19.October.2025
Avi Loeb
Hebrew University astrophysicist and author, known for discussing potential extraterrestrial phenomena.
Harvard University
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

Hosts

Richard Saunders
Host of The Skeptic Zone, known for engaging discussions on skepticism and science, and for his critical examination of pseudoscientific claims. Saunders often brings humor and depth to the topics, emphasizing rational discourse and evidence-based practices.
Kate Thomas
Pharmacist and science communicator focused on debunking wellness misinformation and promoting critical health literacy through her reports and segments on the podcast.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 338 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
    Canada4 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.

Many reviewers express appreciation for the informative and research-driven content, highlighting its engaging and entertaining approach to discussing skepticism and science.
Listeners often mention the podcast's vibrant community and diverse guest expertise that contributes to broadening their understanding of important health and wellness topics.
Some express criticism regarding the presentation style, suggesting it could benefit from tighter editing and a more structured format to enhance focus on core topics.

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 #896 - 7.December.2025
Q: How are you going to ensure that you dont silence the other side?
The panel discussed the necessity of engaging with different perspectives without giving undue credibility to misinformation.
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.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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?

This show focuses on promoting scientific skepticism and critical thinking through a mix of interviews, news reports, and engaging commentary. It covers a wide array of topics including misinformation in health and wellness, the influence of pseudoscience, as well as critiques of alternative therapies and wellness trends. Featuring knowledgeable guests from diverse fields such as medicine, pharmacy, and various scientific disciplines, the show emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices while tackling contemporary issues like the anti-vaccine movement and consumer rights concerning health products. The blend of humor and serious inquiry, along with the unique Australian perspective, sets it apart in the landscape of science commun... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Skeptic Zone?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Skeptic Zone:

1. Skeptoid
2. Skeptics with a K
3. Squaring the Strange
4. Astronomy Cast
5. The Know Rogan Experience

How many episodes of The Skeptic Zone are there?

The Skeptic Zone launched 17 years ago and published 909 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. Jon Michael
2. Jessica Singer
3. Dr. Suzy Wiles
4. Annie McCubbin
5. Kate Thomas
6. Avi Loeb
7. Peter Lamont
8. Dr. Eugenie Scott

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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