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Chris Knowles on The X-Files & Conspiracy Culture

Oct 10, 2025

Guest

Chris Knowles

Chris Knowles, a researcher and author with a focus on occult and conspiracy culture, dives deep into The X-Files and its lasting influence. He discusses how the series reflects psychological operations and conspiratorial themes surrounding the National Security State. Knowles critiques the show's later seasons and critiques modern fandom's toxicity. He also examines the show's role as a release valve for 1990s trauma, intertwining nostalgia with themes of truth and alien mythology. Fans are urged to revisit the series for its rich subtext.

02:05:34

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INSIGHT

X-Files' Layered Obsession

Chris Knowles says OCD drove his deep, layered analysis of The X-Files and its many hidden references.
He emphasizes the show's density of subtext, symbolism, and cultural resonance that keeps revealing new connections.

insights

INSIGHT

Show As Zeitgeist Conduit

Knowles argues The X-Files plugged into 1990s zeitgeist, making it uniquely resonant with a mass audience.
He says the series blended myth, science, and occult themes in ways most viewers didn't consciously register.

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ANECDOTE

Toxic Early Fandom

Knowles recalls being online in the 90s and witnessing toxic X-Files fandom on early internet forums.
He says that vicious fan behavior colored reception and hurt the show's reputation.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Why Chris Became Obsessed with The X‑Files

01:41 • 3min

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The X‑Files' Cultural Reach and Longevity

04:27 • 4min

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Why People Should Revisit the Series

08:09 • 1min

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Critiquing Later Seasons and Reboots

09:35 • 60sec

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On JJ Abrams, Fringe, and Tropes of Manipulation

10:35 • 2min

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Why Reboots Can't Capture the 1990s Moment

12:47 • 2min

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The X‑Files and the Toxic Internet Fanbase

14:23 • 2min

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Generation X Identity in The X‑Files

16:16 • 4min

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Alternative Spirituality and 1990s Thought Currents

20:16 • 4min

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Mainstream Conversation, Conspiracy, and the X‑Files

24:03 • 5min

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Personal Nostalgia and Cultural Spaces

28:39 • 2min

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Why The X‑Files Felt Necessary to Viewers

30:26 • 1min

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The Internet's Early Promise and Its Decline

31:41 • 9min

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X‑Files' Use of Real Events: Crime, Scandals, and Gulf War Themes

40:58 • 3min

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The X‑Files as a Release Valve for 1990s Trauma

44:28 • 4min

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Borders, Bookstores, and the Magic of Physical Media

48:21 • 9min

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Jungian Archetypes and Mulder–Scully Syzygy

57:00 • 3min

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Storytelling, Archetypes, and Public Hunger

01:00:27 • 8min

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The Gnostics as Proto‑Conspiracy Thinkers

01:08:29 • 2min

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Mulder as a Gnostic Revealer

01:10:43 • 4min

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The 'Truth' Motif and Spiritual Meaning in the Series

01:14:21 • 2min

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Conspirituality, David Icke, and 1990s Streams

01:15:52 • 6min

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Debates Over Gnosticism and Modern Mischaracterizations

01:21:58 • 5min

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Religious Pluralism, Tolerance, and Cultural Limits

01:26:41 • 6min

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Alien Religion and State Efforts to Manufacture Belief

01:32:37 • 4min

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Should People Just 'Be Left Alone'?

01:36:12 • 3min

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Martyr Narratives, Media Manufacture, and Social Control

01:39:19 • 6min

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The Rabbit Hole and the Unmooring Effect of the Internet

01:44:54 • 2min

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Demand for Evidence Amid Widespread Deception

01:47:21 • 5min

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Polarized Data Realities and the Risk of Civil Conflict

01:52:03 • 3min

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X‑Files Predictive Themes: 9/11, Pandemics, and Programming

01:55:19 • 5min

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How XF‑ULTRA Was Structured for Readers

02:00:21 • 1min

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Seasons of Conspiracy: Episodes and Historical Context

02:01:40 • 2min

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Looking Ahead: Post‑Gnosis and New Projects

• Mentioned in 33 episodes

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Aniela Jaffé

This book is a unique blend of autobiography and psychological insight, composed from conversations with Aniela Jaffé and chapters written by Jung himself. It covers Jung's childhood, his relationship with Freud, his travels to various countries, and his deep exploration of the unconscious mind. The book delves into Jung's concepts such as the collective unconscious, archetypes, and the integration of opposites, providing a comprehensive reflection on his remarkable life and intellectual contributions.

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This book is an introduction to Carl Jung's work and ideas, particularly his theory of the unconscious and its role in human psychology. It emphasizes the importance of dreams and symbols in understanding the unconscious mind. The book is divided into five parts, each written by Jung or his closest associates, and includes chapters on approaching the unconscious, primitive myths, the process of individuation, symbolism in art, and symbols in individual analysis. Jung's concept of individuation, where the conscious and unconscious minds learn to live in harmony, is a central theme. The book is richly illustrated and provides insights into how symbols in dreams reflect and influence our lives.

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The Occult Elvis

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Miguel Conner

Secret Society, Psychological Warfare

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The seat of the soul

Gary Zukav

In 'The Seat of the Soul', Gary Zukav argues that humanity is undergoing a spiritual evolution, transitioning from a focus on external power based on the five senses to authentic power derived from aligning with the soul. He explores concepts such as karma, reincarnation, and the idea that our thoughts and intentions shape our reality. The book emphasizes the importance of harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for life, and encourages readers to live by the values of the spirit rather than the ego. With contributions from notable figures like Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou, the book offers a profound perspective on personal and spiritual growth.

The Deep State and Deep Space Archons shudder as Chris Knowles joins me to discuss his new book, XF-ULTRA: The X-Files, Conspiracy Culture and the National Security State. We’ll dive into the iconic television series and its impact, examining its rich depth of subtext, Synchromysticism, and symbolism. Chris will uncover the terrifying historical connections linking the series’ storylines, including military mind-control programs, genetic experimentation, and ancient mythology, to the pervasive reality of the National Security State. By meticulously tracing the consistent juxtaposition of psychological operations and alien narratives throughout the franchise, his analysis proposes a radical theory: the entire story may secretly depict an elaborate psychodrama staged for the benefit of its unwitting protagonists.

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