Conspiracy Theories

Happy Holidays! This week, we're sharing an episode of one of our other favorite podcasts, The Tape Library. This episode is a chilling exploration of the Arctic’s most haunting legends — from phantom trappers to the doomed Franklin Expedition — as we uncover the truth behind the frozen north’s darkest mysteries. Keep up with Conspiracy Theories! YouTube: ⁠⁠@ConspiracyTheoriesPodcast⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@theconspiracypod⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@conspiracy.pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrea Taylor, an administrative supervisor at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, shares her eerie Christmas Eve experience at a hotel. She recounts feeling an unsettling presence in her room, heightened by strange stains and a sense of being watched. Her story escalates as she encounters a dark, humanoid shadow lurking in the corners, prompting her to invoke her faith to confront it. Tension builds until daylight breaks, leaving her family baffled by the supernatural twist. Skepticism clashes with belief, stirring intrigue in paranormal phenomena.

Every December we step back and reflect on some favorite episodes from the year…today we're declassifying our best of 2025 picks. This summer we traveled to every continent… and through time. For our second pick, we’re revisiting Time-Slipping Through Europe.Our team is already digging deep into stories we want to tell in 2026, so drop us a suggestion in the Spotify comments or on social. We really appreciate you all. Thank you again for an incredible 2025! Keep up with Conspiracy Theories! YouTube: ⁠⁠@ConspiracyTheoriesPodcast⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@theconspiracypod⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@conspiracy.pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Delve into the thrilling escape from Alcatraz, deemed inescapable due to its notorious security. Discover the ingenious use of paper-mâché heads and the meticulous planning involving chiseling vents and crafting a raft. Hear about Alan West's conflicting accounts and the physical evidence found in the bay post-escape. Explore the intriguing claims of a buried FBI report and family narratives suggesting the trio managed to flee to Mexico and Brazil. The pursuit continues, with ongoing investigations into possible sightings and age-progressed photos.

Dive into the dramatic saga of Emperor Nero, who is rumored to have fiddled while Rome burned. Explore allegations of treachery, including matricide and spousal murders, and the fraught political landscape leading to his downfall. Uncover conspiracy theories suggesting he was assassinated rather than dying by suicide. The podcast also delves into the mysterious rumors of his survival and connections to early Christian lore. Who really had the motive to take down one of history's most infamous rulers?

Dive into the scandal of the Knoedler Gallery, where $80 million in supposedly authentic Rothko and Pollock paintings turned out to be forgeries. Discover the intriguing backstory of Anne Friedman and her connection to the mysterious Glafira Rosales. Explore the forensic tests that unraveled the fraud and the FBI's investigation into the art crime. Was Friedman a victim or complicit in the deception? This tale reveals the psychological tricks of con artists and the art world's dark underbelly.

Dive into the intriguing world of Nikola Tesla's missing notes and inventions. Discover the mysterious 80 trunks confiscated by the U.S. government and the speculated existence of a death ray designed to prevent wars. The podcast explores Tesla's attempts to sell this technology, government surveillance, and theories linking his work to modern military projects. Unravel claims of weather control, alien signals, and the debate over whether Tesla was a genius or a charlatan. The enduring myth of Tesla continues to spark curiosity and conspiracy!

Explore the gruesome Lindbergh kidnapping case that sparked rumors and conspiracy theories in America. Was Bruno Richard Hauptmann the true culprit, or was he framed? Delve into accusations involving Charles Lindbergh himself and his unsettling ties to eugenics and medical experiments. Unpacked are questions about accomplices, missing ransom money, and the potential for DNA testing of critical evidence. Ponder the disturbing possibility that the iconic aviator orchestrated the crime, intertwined with a chilling legacy that forever changed public perception.

The story of Travis Walton's alleged alien abduction unfolds with seven lumberjacks witnessing a UFO. After Walton disappears for five days, he claims to have encountered nonhuman beings aboard the craft. Skeptics, including debunker Philip Klass, argue it was a hoax motivated by fame and financial gains. Tensions rise as allegations of government disinformation emerge, blurring the lines between truth and myth. The case continues to captivate the public, embodying modern folklore and the struggle between belief and skepticism.

Dr. Mike Dash, a historian specializing in curious history, delves into the legend of Spring-Heeled Jack, a creature known for its terrifying leaps and assaults in 1830s London. He discusses how sensational newspaper reporting shaped public perception and panic around the creature. Mike evaluates the credibility of notable attacks, like those involving Jane Alsop, while debunking theories about aristocrats as the culprits. The conversation also explores surprising global variations of the myth, linking it to broader themes of social immunity and urban legends.