Conspirituality 292: Women of Jan 6 (w/ Noelle Cook)
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Jan 22, 2026 Noelle Cook, an author and ethnographer, explores the intriguing world of women involved in QAnon and conspirituality in her book. She shares the complex journeys of Tammy Butry and Yvonne St. Cyr, shedding light on how childhood trauma and a need for community drive them into radical spaces. Cook discusses the emotional allure of online conspiracies, the blend of wellness and extremism, and the critical role of women's caregiving in these movements. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and deeper relationships in understanding the path to radicalization.
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Algorithms As Oracles Of Belonging
- Conspirituality offers belonging by merging New Age and right-wing narratives into a single emotional logic.
- Algorithms acted like oracles, giving isolated people purpose and visibility.
Deep Fieldwork With Two Women
- Noelle befriended Tammy Boutry and Yvonne St. Cyr, traveling, attending court, and sharing long calls.
- Tammy served prison time after January 6 and remained committed to her conspiratorial identity afterward.
Women Fuel Movement Building
- Women play different, movement-building roles in the far right, often organizing and doing emotional labor.
- These gendered roles make female participation strategically important for movement longevity.
