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
Mar 11, 2024 • 7min
Bonus Sample: How to Stamp Out Racists (and more)
Discussion on when to write someone off based on disagreement, exploring personal growth and changing perspectives. Emphasis on stamping out racism in society. Topics include racial bias in education, historical debates on the American Dream, and the impact of distorted history.
10 snips
Mar 9, 2024 • 35min
Brief: The God Pivot: Rogan, Brand, & Huberman
Discussing the shift towards faith in online personalities like Russell Brand and Joe Rogan, exploring the intersection of religion and ethics, and analyzing public figures' confessions of personal details and reliance on God for absolution and transformation.
Mar 7, 2024 • 1h 15min
196: Julian Goes to the New Age Expo!
Explore the blend of mystical practices and COVID-related conspiracy theories at the Conscious Life Expo in LA. Discover the allure of conspiracist beliefs within the New Age expo, featuring unconventional beliefs and self-reliance responses. Dive into vibrational healing, pseudosciences on Instagram, and the metaphysical worldview presented at the event. Encounter the intense atmosphere of the Medical Freedom Symposium with Dell Big Tree leading the anti-vaccine movement.
Mar 4, 2024 • 6min
Bonus Sample: “There Are Worse Things Than Dying”
Exploring the intersection of conspirituality, grief, and belief in the pandemic era. RFK Jr's mantra 'There are worse things than dying' analyzed. Insights into American spirituality, individualism, and attitudes towards existential vulnerability.
6 snips
Mar 2, 2024 • 44min
Brief: The CPAC Pope and the Icicle Babies (w/ Brad Onishi)
Exploring Bishop Strickland's rise in Christian Nationalist circles post-removal by Pope Francis. CPAC analysis includes Nazi presence. Delving into gender roles, reproductive rights, and the critique of tolerance and abortion. Fatherhood and extremism intersection discussed.
Feb 29, 2024 • 1h 14min
195: Long COVID (w/Tara Haelle)
Exploring the challenges of Long COVID, patient advocacy, and medical recognition. Discussing diverse symptoms and blood test research. Analyzing NIH's Recover Study frustrations and medical gaslighting experiences. Advocating for empathy in healthcare and understanding vaccine injury compensation.
Feb 26, 2024 • 6min
Bonus Sample: Through the Looking-Glass
Mirror-world doppelgangers, synchronicities, New Age spirituality, cosmic holy war, pyramids charging UFOs, British Empire history, white guilt, cameo from Julian's Dad
Feb 24, 2024 • 38min
Brief: The “Super Reasonable” Dr. Vinay Prasad
The podcast discusses Dr. Vinay Prasad's contrarian views on COVID-19, demanding randomized trials for ICU patient care. It explores misinformation spread by influential figures and the normalization of anti-vaccine sentiments. The controversy surrounding randomized controlled trials and the disparities in research on pharmaceuticals and non-pharmacologic interventions are also highlighted. The Great Barrington Declaration and differing perspectives on COVID-19 management strategies are analyzed, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking.
9 snips
Feb 22, 2024 • 1h 11min
194: The Power Worshippers (w/Katherine Stewart)
Exploring the influence of Christian Nationalism in America, intertwining religious beliefs with extremist political ideologies. Discussing the dangers of faith turning into conspiracy theories, Jesus becoming Trump, and the impact on society. Uncovering the historical roots of Christian nationalism, manipulation tactics in the pro-life movement, divisive nature within relationships, and the need for a diverse coalition to defend democracy.
Feb 19, 2024 • 7min
Bonus Sample: Your Gut Isn't Leaking
Guest Mark Hyman, physician at Cleveland Clinic, discusses controversial topic of leaky gut syndrome and its alleged connection to various health issues. Podcast explores the lack of evidence in microbiome research and critiques wellness influencers exploiting gut health for product sales.
