Conspirituality
Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
Dismantling New Age cults, wellness grifters, and conspiracy-mad yogis. At best, the conspirituality movement attacks public health efforts in times of crisis. At worst, it fronts and recruits for the fever-dream of QAnon. As the alt-right and New Age horseshoe toward each other in a blur of disinformation, clear discourse, and good intentions get smothered. Charismatic influencers exploit their followers by co-opting conspiracy theories on a spectrum of intensity ranging from vaccines to child trafficking. In the process, spiritual beliefs that have nurtured creativity and meaning are transforming into memes of a quickly-globalizing paranoia. Conspirituality Podcast attempts to bring understanding to this landscape. A journalist, a cult researcher, and a philosophical skeptic discuss the stories, cognitive dissonances, and cultic dynamics tearing through the yoga, wellness, and new spirituality worlds. Mainstream outlets have noticed the problem. We crowd-source, research, analyze, and dream answers to it.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 8, 2025 • 6min
Bonus Sample: “Joe Rogan of The Left” Glazes China
Hasan Piker's recent two-week trip to China stirs up a storm of debate. Did his lavish accommodations hint at government influence or a whitewashing of human rights issues? Examining the implications of his livestreams, the discussion pivots to the chilling history of Tiananmen Square and the ongoing censorship surrounding it. With claims of presenting a sanitized view of the country, Piker's impact on young voters and his potential role as a left-leaning influencer raises important questions about accountability and perception in the digital age.
8 snips
Dec 6, 2025 • 29min
Brief: Have Tech Bros Killed Psychedelics?
Bryan Johnson's recent live-streamed psilocybin trip raises eyebrows about the performative nature of psychedelic experiences. The hosts critique the blending of self-experimentation with narcissism, questioning the authenticity of 'doing science.' They discuss the implications of public figures evangelizing psychedelics and how it might influence culture. Additionally, concerns arise about the right-wing co-opting of psychedelic spaces, and the hosts emphasize the importance of private integration over spectacle.
12 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 8min
286: RFK Jr’s Great Crusade
The podcast explores RFK Jr.'s controversial role in public health and his connections to the anti-vaccine movement. They discuss recent changes at the CDC, including the appointment of a doctor known for promoting ivermectin. The hosts analyze how misinformation shapes public perception and delve into Kennedy's past, from environmental victories to conspiratorial health claims. They critique the implications of his rhetoric and the impact of litigation on vaccine policies, alongside a messy media scandal involving him.
5 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 6min
Bonus Sample: How Does Andrew Wakefield Keep Getting Resurrected?
The resurgence of Andrew Wakefield is dissected with a focus on his discredited study linking vaccines to autism. The episode highlights how misleading claims by figures like Wakefield and RFK Jr. can manipulate public perception. Attention is drawn to the CDC's recent website changes that have reignited vaccine misinformation. Political narratives, such as Senator Ron Johnson's call for an apology to Wakefield, are critiqued. The dangers posed by the revival of these discredited individuals are underscored, along with a plan to revisit their harmful manipulations.
Nov 29, 2025 • 34min
Brief: Black Friday’s Wellness Extravaganza
Derek and Julian dive into the chaotic world of Black Friday wellness deals. They critique influencers profiting from dubious products, like overpriced enemas and detox programs, while mockingly dissecting dramatic ads. The duo exposes the ethical pitfalls of ‘free birth’ courses linked to baby deaths and the marketing strategies behind health quizzes that push supplements. They hilariously call out the absurdity of celebrity-endorsements and inflated prices on wellness bundles, raising eyebrows about consumer safety and integrity in the wellness industry.
Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 11min
285: Can Peter Attia Live Forever?
Peter Attia's approach to longevity sparks debate, cutting through wellness fads. The hosts dissect his critics and elaborate on the high-stakes world of biohacking. Highlights from the Eudaimonia Summit reveal a preoccupation with longevity, alongside contentious debates over seed oils. They critically assess Attia's lucrative model, the ethics of influencer health narratives, and the psychological allure of immortality. Ultimately, they reflect on the ancient quest for meaning over mere longevity, suggesting a balanced view on life and aging.
Nov 24, 2025 • 5min
Bonus Sample: Graeber vs Bannon, Anarchism vs Leninism (Part 2)
Dive into a thought-provoking clash between anarchism and Leninism, exploring the historic tensions sparked by Marx and Bakunin during the Paris Commune. Discover David Graeber's vision of 'everyday communism' and the power of horizontal organizing seen at Occupy. Contrast this with critiques of failed spontaneity, as evidenced by events like January 6th. Lessons from past protests reveal the peril of unstructured movements against organized forces, bringing a nuanced view of how ideology plays out in real-world activism.
21 snips
Nov 22, 2025 • 43min
Brief: Graeber vs Bannon, Anarchism vs Leninism (Part 1)
This discussion dives into the historical clash between anarchism and Leninism, revealing how the American right has adapted Leninist strategies to their advantage. It highlights Bannon's embrace of these tactics, contrasting them with Graeber's vision for egalitarianism. January 6 is analyzed as a chaotic event symbolizing a lack of strategic planning, while the podcast questions the effectiveness of contemporary resistance movements. A comparison of global protests explores their failure to establish enduring power structures, leaving listeners pondering the future of activism.
Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 12min
284: When Prophecy-Science Fails (w/Thomas Kelly)
Thomas Kelly, a political scientist and writer, critiques the famed study When Prophecy Fails, exposing inaccuracies and biases in its portrayal of a UFO cult led by Dorothy Martin. He highlights how researchers like Festinger manipulated events to fit their cognitive dissonance theory. Kelly reveals the newly unsealed archives showing ethical issues in 1950s field research and questions the credibility of findings that have shaped our understanding of belief persistence. His insights challenge the legacy of this psychological cornerstone.
Nov 17, 2025 • 7min
Bonus Sample: Temple of Blood & Fire
Delve into the chilling tale of the Order of the Solar Temple, a late 20th-century French cult steeped in mysticism and dark rituals. Discover their bizarre beliefs involving reincarnation and the pursuit of solar-bodies in the Sirius star system. The tragic climax, a mass sacrifice that led to 74 deaths, raises questions about humanity's historical fascination with ritual killing. Uncover the cult's connections to Rosicrucianism and Knights Templar myths, as well as the twisted narratives that drove these believers to their demise.
