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The Skeptic Zone

Richard Saunders
Skepticism
Pseudoscience
Australian Skeptics
James Randi
Critical Thinking
Ufos
Astrology
Psychics
Psychic Predictions
Skeptics In the Pub
Alfred Russel Wallace
Alternative Medicine
Psychic Penny
Ghosts
Galactic Federation
Mind, Body, Spirit Festival
Superstitions
Vaccination
Bermuda Triangle
Wellness Patches

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes941Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for The Skeptic Zone

Latest Episodes

00:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders

00:23:06 Maynard's Spooky Action George Hrab - 1 of 3 George Hrab, in Sydney for Not-A-Con, visits Maynard's International Studios annex in the suburb of Glebe. This week - Vegemite crackers, drinking alcohol... more

YouTube

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 Pa... more

YouTube

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, Alb... more

YouTube

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 Canadia... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Angela Mattke
Medical professional joining from Atlanta, Georgia for Notacon coverage
Notacon guest from The Skeptic Zone collaboration
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #929 - 26.July.2026
András Pinter
Co-host of the European Skeptics Podcast, tour guide for a Canadian travel company
European Skeptics Podcast (ESP)
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #928 - 19.July.2026
Rob Palmer
Skeptic and reporter, CSICon roundup participant
CSICon/Media
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #925 - 28.June.2026
Tyler Woolrich
Student researcher from Fresno State
Fresno State
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #925 - 28.June.2026
Carlos Orsi
Author of What Science Says About Astrology
Columbia University Press
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #924 - 21.June.2026
Amanda Townley
Executive Director, National Center for Science Education
NCSE
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #923 - 14.June.2026
Eugenie Scott
Former NCSE Executive Director, Skeptics expert
NCSE
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #923 - 14.June.2026
Rodney Schmaltz
Academic/skeptic and educator
MacEwan University, Edmonton
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #923 - 14.June.2026
Avi Steiner
Guest from Chicago, organizer of Chicago Skeptic Camp 2026
Chicago Skeptic Camp
Episode: The Skeptic Zone #922 - 7.June.2026

Hosts

Richard Saunders
Host of The Skeptic Zone; long-time science communicator and skeptic advocate
Adrienne Hill
Co-host/reporter and skeptical correspondent with on-site reports and newsletters
Kate Thomas
Contributor on skeptical science and report segments

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
    Australia3 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
    5 years ago
  • Love it!

    Informitive, entertaining and just fun!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    curmudgeon15
    United States5 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
    Canada5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel the banter and insider references can be off-putting to newcomers.
Listeners praise the show for being thoroughly researched and entertaining, with careful analysis of each topic.
Overall, the show is seen as informative, approachable, and a valuable resource for science communication and skepticism.
A few episodes are critiqued for being too insider-focused or lengthy in discussion of conferences and events.

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 #928 - 19.July.2026
Q: What makes the European Skeptics Congress different from other skeptical events like QED?
The Congress focuses more directly on skeptical topics with a conference-like structure, whereas QED was described as a broader science-and-skepticism festival with a wider range of topics and formats.
The Skeptic Zone #907 - 22.February.2026
Q: What started getting you into skeptical activism and communication?
Nick Tiller shares that he was introduced to skepticism through The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast, which opened his eyes to critical thinking and the broader skeptical movement.
The Skeptic Zone #903 - 25.January.2026
Q: Tell me about some of the lineup. Who was speaking there?
Adrienne mentions speakers like Leonard Tramiel, Kyle Pollach, and Mano Singham, highlighting their interesting talks.
The Skeptic Zone #900 - 4.January.2026
Q: How does skepticism help in research contexts according to Dr. Dunlop?
It allows scientists to critically evaluate claims and avoid falling for scams especially affecting patients in desperate situations.
The Skeptic Zone #900 - 4.January.2026
Q: What is Dr. Rachael Dunlop currently researching?
She is working on motor neurone disease and developing a blood test for quicker diagnosis.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Skeptic Zone

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

A long-running science and skepticism program that covers a wide range of topics from rigorous debunking of pseudoscience to on-site reporting from science centers and live skeptic events. Expect thoughtful interviews with scientists, doctors, journalists, and field reporters, plus archival deep-dives and critical takes on contemporary claims in health, space, and everyday wellness. The show's approach blends accessible explanations with practical examples, community outreach, and event coverage, making it a solid fit for listeners who want evidence-based analysis wrapped in engaging storytelling. Noteworthy is the mix of on-location reports, behind-the-scenes skepticism outreach, and a steady stream of guest voices that span academia, medi... 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. Squaring the Strange
3. Skeptoid
4. The Skepticrat
5. The Scathing Atheist

How many episodes of The Skeptic Zone are there?

The Skeptic Zone launched 18 years ago and published 941 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. Angela Mattke
2. András Pinter
3. Rob Palmer
4. Tyler Woolrich
5. Carlos Orsi
6. Amanda Townley
7. Eugenie Scott
8. Rodney Schmaltz

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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