Inside the Hidden World of Secret Societies: Dr. Richard Spence On How They Form & How They're Still Influencing Our Politics

Nov 11, 2025

Dr. Richard B. Spence, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Idaho and expert on secret societies, delves into the mysterious world of clandestine organizations. He explores how secret societies have shaped history and politics, including the influence of the Freemasons on the Founding Fathers. Spence discusses the appeal of these groups, from exclusivity and rituals to their modern online incarnations. He even examines the connection between secret societies and dangerous leaders, revealing intriguing parallels with today’s political landscape.

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INSIGHT

Fellowship Framing Masks Social Influence

Freemasonry framed as self-improvement and fellowship, avoiding politics and religion in formal meetings.
The organization cultivates like-minded members who can influence society once private meetings end.

INSIGHT

Lodges Can Become Political Petri Dishes

A group of like-minded members forms a 'petri dish' that can be repurposed for political plotting.
Historical revolutions have been planned inside lodges, demonstrating real political potential.

ANECDOTE

Young Turk Revolution Planned In A Lodge

Richard B. Spence cites the Young Turk Revolution as a concrete example of a lodge-planned overthrow.
He identifies the Macedonia Resorta Masonic Lodge in Salonica as a plotting site.

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What if secret societies have been controlling the world from the shadows since the dawn of civilization?

In this explosive interview of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Dr. Richard B. Spence — Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Idaho, expert on espionage, secret societies, and occultism, and co-host of the hit podcast Strange As It Seems — pulls back the curtain on the hidden organizations that may have shaped history, politics, and even the founding of the United States itself.

Dr. Spence breaks down the benefits of being in a secret society (and why you should care, even if you’d never join one), whether ancient secret orders have influenced the rise and fall of empires, how modern politics is subtly manipulated by groups we don’t even realize exist, and the psychological and mystical appeal that keeps these societies alive. He discusses whether secret societies help dangerous leaders rise to power, including shocking theories around Hitler’s rise, the true definition of "the occult", why many secret orders are accused of Satan worship or dark rituals, the most active and influential secret societies today, and how new ones are forming online in the digital age.

Dr. Richard B. Spence also reveals:

- Surprising parallels between ancient orders and modern Greek life (fraternities and sororities)

- Origins and influence of the Freemasons: were the Founding Fathers truly Freemasons, and what ideals did they embed into this country’s DNA?

- How secret societies evolve, and why some are actually designed as self-improvement programs

- Why these organizations can become “petri dishes for nefarious actions”, sparking revolutions and even government overthrows

- Why these groups have historically been male-dominated, and the surprising stories of female and even child secret societies

- How intelligence agencies may manufacture conspiracy theories as tools of psychological warfare

- Difference between misinformation vs. disinformation, and how each is weaponized

- Are modern day government agencies like the CIA really just secret societies with better branding?

- Fine line between secret societies, cults, and religions, and how they manipulate loyalty and belief

- Why it’s harder than ever to tell truth from deception, especially in the age of AI-generated misinformation

- And finally…could the MAGA movement itself be considered a modern-day cult?

This deep dive will make you question everything you thought you knew about power, control, and truth. TUNE IN to MBB to discover why the line between myth, conspiracy, and history might be thinner than you think…

Dr. Richard B. Spence’s podcast, Strange As It Seems: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeAsItSeemsPodcast

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