Hard Knox with Amanda Knox #124 - Circling the Rabbit Hole (Stephanie Kemmerer)
Jun 4, 2025
Stephanie Kemmerer, a former conspiracy theorist and founder of the support group Doubt, recounts her captivating journey through the world of conspiracy beliefs. She discusses how trauma and the search for meaning can lead people into the depths of delusions. Stephanie examines the psychological effects of political turmoil and shares her transformative path from belief to understanding. She emphasizes the power of empathy and the necessity of supportive communities for those looking to escape conspiratorial thinking.
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Dual Psychology of Conspiracy Mindset
- Conspiracy belief offers a dopamine rush and feeling of special knowledge but also creates learned helplessness.
- This paradox destroys motivation because conspiracies portray control as impossible or in the hands of malicious forces.
Conspiracies and Mental Health Signs
- Many conspiracy theorists display symptoms of personality disorders like borderline and narcissism.
- Conspiracies often trigger manifestations of mental illness, including celebrated victimhood and paranoia.
Haunting Regret Over 9-11 Denial
- Stephanie Kemmerer once told a woman that there were no planes on 9-11 after she mentioned losing a friend in the attacks.
- This moment haunts her as an example of her past smugness and denial of real suffering.
