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
Feb 10, 2024 • 41min
Brief: The Culture Warrior to Wellness Pipeline (w/Dax-Devlon Ross)
Author, lawyer, and social impact consultant Dax-Devlon Ross discusses the harm caused by wellness influencers spreading health misinformation and their lack of original thoughts on culture war issues. They highlight DEI initiatives in Montgomery, Alabama, address misconceptions, and critique the tactics and rhetoric of the right in DEI discourse. The podcast also examines the New York Times' platforming of controversial figure Rufo and the criticisms surrounding it.
Feb 8, 2024 • 1h 2min
192: Coffee is Your Friend, Not Your Enema (feat Mallory DeMille)
Mallory DeMille, wellness advocate and debunker of coffee enema myths, discusses the dangers of coffee enemas, deceptive marketing tactics of a coffee enema kit company, and the ethical concerns surrounding an Instagram influencer's suggestion to use detox and diet to treat autism.
Feb 5, 2024 • 6min
Bonus Sample: The GOP Takeover of Media
Investigating Project 2025, a governance plan aiming to give all power to the executive branch. Focus on the chapter discussing the GOP's plan for state-sponsored media exclusively controlled by the president.
Feb 3, 2024 • 45min
Brief: Deep Church Conspiracy (w/David Lafferty)
David Lafferty, a podcast guest, discusses reactionary Catholics and Cardinal Carlo Maria Viganò. They delve into the conspiracy theories spread by Viganò, his open letter to Trump, and his influence on TradCath crusaders. The podcast also explores the corrosive nature of the Tradcath movement, Vegano's role in the Vatileaks scandal, homosexuality within the priesthood, and the evolving conspiratorial worldview of Vegano. Lastly, they discuss the potential impact of Vegano's statements on the Catholic Church and the support for Pope Francis among American Catholics.
7 snips
Feb 1, 2024 • 52min
191: Extremely Online (w/Taylor Lorenz)
Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post columnist and author of a recent book on internet culture, discusses the challenges of reporting in an age of conspiracy theories and online trolling, the impact of social media on journalism, the origins and consequences of the GamerGate movement, the rise and fall of Vine and its influence on TikTok, and the difficulties faced by social media creators and journalists in adapting to different platforms and navigating online risks.
Jan 29, 2024 • 7min
Bonus Sample: The Plan to Dismantle Health Care
Project 2025 aims to give all power to the US executive branch. This chapter discusses the Department of Health and Human Services and its anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ+ writer.
Jan 27, 2024 • 46min
Brief: New Year, Same Old Conspiritualists
The podcast explores whether people admit their errors when radicalized into conspiracies or cults. It discusses the online messaging of influential figures like Russell Brand and Dr. Christiane Northrup during Christmas and the New Year. The speakers humorously discuss paranoia around family gatherings, different perspectives on Christmas, and the power of speaking reality into existence. Additionally, they touch on battles between light workers and reptilian aliens, extreme interpretations of child sacrifice, and overcoming challenges.
Jan 25, 2024 • 1h 10min
190: Females Drive Evolution (w/Cat Bohannon)
Author Cat Bohannon discusses how science has historically focused on male bodies, but that is changing with more women and BIPOC entering STEM fields. She highlights the significance of studying the female body in understanding human evolution. The podcast also explores the problematic treatment of physical health in wellness spaces, the misconceptions surrounding gender and LGBTQ support, and the importance of gynecology in human evolution. It addresses the obstacles towards achieving sex egalitarianism and emphasizes the progress made in STEM fields.
Jan 22, 2024 • 7min
Bonus Sample: Post-Catholic Music (w/Julia Tucker)
Julia Tucker, a professional church organist, discusses her journey out of Catholic revanchism, the unexpected freedoms of homeschooling, and how music began to displace religion for her. She also delves into the ominous and effective impact of leaders like Bishop Strickland and the Catholics heading up Project 2025.
Jan 20, 2024 • 47min
Brief: Being Muslim Amidst the Wars (w/Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee)
Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee, psychologist and practicing Muslim, discusses the tensions within the Muslim community over sex ed and gender issues. She also explores the impact of the Israel-Gaza war on her clinical practice. Topics include emotional impact, perceptions of Muslim women, framing of Prime Minister Trudeau's statement on protests, concerns for Muslim parents' rights in education, intersections of Islamophobia and marginalization, and the aspects of love and connection in Islam.
