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
Oct 6, 2025 • 6min
Bonus Sample: Death is Just A Doorway
Delve into the dark side of cults that promise a better afterlife, exploring tragic tales like Jonestown and Heaven's Gate. Discover how charismatic leaders manipulate followers into fatal decisions, driven by spiritual beliefs. Uncover the psychological and neuroscientific elements that enable such extreme behavior and the allure of death as a 'doorway.' The discussion highlights the shocking intersections between faith and self-preservation, raising haunting questions about belief and mortality.
10 snips
Oct 4, 2025 • 26min
Brief: He’s Coming For All Vaccines
A viral video by RFK Jr. claims that vaccines aren’t the main reason for declines in infectious diseases. Derek dissects this argument, revealing how Kennedy misrepresents key studies and conflates morbidity with mortality. He highlights the importance of nutrition and socioeconomic factors in health improvements. Kennedy's selective reading and political smear tactics are critiqued, underscoring the potential threat his agenda poses to public health gains. The discussion emphasizes the need to acknowledge vaccines while cautioning against undermining their role.
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 3min
277: TikTokTylenol [feat Mallory DeMille]
Mallory DeMille, a commentator on wellness and social media misinformation, explores the sensational TikTok claim about a pregnant woman overdosing on Tylenol to 'own Trump.' She discusses how the story lacks proof and critiques wellness influencers who rapidly market dubious alternatives. Additionally, they unpack the dangers of homeopathy, analyze the push for questionable treatments like red light therapy, and delve into the cultural and political implications of this misinformation on motherhood. It's a fascinating dive into the intersection of wellness culture and social media hysteria.
Sep 29, 2025 • 5min
Bonus Sample: The Wellness Civil War
RFK Jr. raises eyebrows by linking Tylenol to autism, sparking a wave of fear-mongering by wellness influencers. Derek critiques the spread of misinformation and demands accountability from those amplifying unverified claims. He questions the medical credentials of top wellness figures and highlights audience backlash against their narratives. The show explores the critical difference between correlation and causation, while also touching on the political dynamics of loyalty among supporters. A tease for upcoming content adds to the intrigue!
7 snips
Sep 27, 2025 • 27min
Brief: MAGA’s Censorship Hypocrisy
MAGA congressman Clay Higgins recently demanded tech companies conform to his standards of acceptable speech, raising eyebrows about free speech hypocrisy. Hosts dive into Higgins' controversial history and his alarming social media threats against those celebrating political violence. They highlight the irony of his support for free speech legislation while pushing censorship. The discussion reveals broader trends of media control and pressures on tech platforms, pointing to an unsettling connection between government and corporate influence.
Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 11min
276: Inventing Saint Charlie Kirk
The podcast dives into the murder of Charlie Kirk, exploring the rapid right-wing framing surrounding his death. It examines his controversial shift from secular activism to Christian nationalism and the rhetoric at vigils. The hosts discuss the impact of meme culture and online nihilism on political motives, while critiquing the exploitation of his death by wellness influencers. They also tackle the broader implications of Kirk's influence and the reactions from liberal commentators, highlighting the complex interplay of power, media, and political narratives.
Sep 22, 2025 • 6min
Bonus Sample: Antifascist (Autistic) Christianity — Simon(e) Weil (Part 2)
Dive into an exploration of the radical love of Simon(e) Weil, defined as belief in the existence of others. Discover how her neurodivergence shaped her activism and spirituality, emphasizing embodied encounters over traditional church beliefs. Hear about her struggles with migraines and her unique expressions of care that reject hypocrisy. This discussion contrasts caricatures of Weil with her true essence as a fierce advocate for communal repair, using liturgical symbols in direct action as a bold statement against oppression.
Sep 20, 2025 • 48min
Brief: Antifascist (Autistic) Christianity: Simon(e) Weil (Part 1)
Matthew delves into the life of Simone Weil, a French philosopher and antifascist, drawing parallels to Greta Thunberg. He explores her childhood acts of solidarity and dynamic political activism, including her labor in factories and service in the Spanish Civil War. Key ideas emerge, such as attention as a rare generosity, prioritizing obligations over rights, and the concept of 'decreation'—shedding ego for love. Weil's advocacy for rootedness stands as a powerful antifascist stance against oppressive nationalism.
4 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 58min
275: It’s Never the Guns
A deep dive into the rise of gun violence in America raises questions about political narratives and deflection tactics. While recent tragedies unfold, pundits claim rhetoric—not firearms—is to blame. The discussions explore the myths surrounding antidepressants and their connection to violence, revealing a lack of evidence supporting this link. Additionally, the podcast examines the profiles of lone actors and the toxic online subcultures that breed radicalization, shedding light on the dark intersections of culture, politics, and mental health.
Sep 15, 2025 • 53min
Bonus Sample: The 9/11 Rorschach Test
September 11, 2001, reshaped global perspectives, and individuals interpret these events through their beliefs. Conspiracy theories emerge as reactions against official narratives, while others view the attacks as a response to American imperialism. The impact on U.S. foreign policy and military actions post-9/11 raises moral dilemmas, scrutinizing the justification behind interventions. Historical contexts reveal the complexities of Middle Eastern conflicts, emphasizing the interplay between politics, religion, and colonial history.
