Conspiracy theories find potting soil in the Christian right and the New Age left

Conspirituality is a convergence of right-wing conspiracy, New Age spirituality, and grift.

The throughline from a left-leaning yoga instructor to a right-wing QAnon conspiracist is skepticism of institutional authority and Western medicine.

Skepticism within both groups accelerated during the pandemic, making wellness communities more vulnerable to the anti-vax, anti-COVID messaging QAnon packaged in softer tones and imagery that appealed to women concerned with health and wellness.

This hour, we explore how conspirituality plays out in our current political climate. We also talk about how conspiracy theories can sometimes cover up real conspiracies.

GUESTS: 

• Derek Beres: Senior Editor at Eco a co-host of the podcast Conspirituality; he’s currently co-writing Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Public Health Threat with Matthew Remski and Julian Walker
• Julian Walker: Co-host of the podcast Conspirituality; he has taught yoga in Los Angeles for 27 years
• Sarah Kendzior: author of  three books including The View from Flyover Country: Dispatches from the Forgotten America; her new book, They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent, will be published in September, and she’s the co-host of the podcast Gaslit Nation

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Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, and Cat Pastor contributed to this show.

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