Conspirituality Podcast Summary: Episode 261 – "Where Are They Now?"

Hosts: Derek Barris, Matthew Remsky, Julian Walker

Release Date: June 12, 2025

In Episode 261 of the Conspirituality podcast, titled "Where Are They Now?", hosts Derek Barris, Matthew Remsky, and Julian Walker delve into the current states of influential figures previously discussed in their book "Conspirituality." This episode marks the beginning of a three-part series revisiting nine key personalities who have significantly impacted the intersections of conspiracy theories and spiritual movements. The focus of this installment is on three prominent figures: Christiane Northrup, Charles Eisenstein, and Mickey Willis.

Setting the Scene: Unrest in Los Angeles [00:23 – 04:22]

The episode opens with a discussion about the escalating tensions in Los Angeles, highlighting the presence of police, National Guard, and Marines interacting with the city's residents. Derek Barris describes the situation as "the test case city in the front line of American authoritarianism" (03:14). Despite the chaos and fear, community support and acts of solidarity are prominent, showcasing both the fear and love among the populace.

Revisiting Christiane Northrup [04:22 – 10:33]

Julian Walker introduces Christiane Northrup, a once-celebrated women's health expert and Oprah favorite, who has since transformed into a prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy figure. Northrup was instrumental in popularizing the “Plandemic” video released in May 2020, which significantly boosted the anti-vax movement.

Key Points:

• Influence on Plandemic: Northrup played a crucial role in amplifying the “Plandemic” video, acting as a "vector" that propelled the video into widespread attention (05:02).
• Great Awakening Series: She introduced the term "Great Awakening" from QAnon lore into the wellness discourse, merging spiritual messages with conspiracy theories (05:17). Her daily video series combined spiritual insights with political advice, creating a blend that resonated deeply with her followers.
• Shift in Focus: Despite Facebook’s content moderation efforts, Northrup maintains a significant follower base, albeit with reduced engagement. Her current content primarily promotes her wellness products under the brand "Amata Life," emphasizing natural menopause relief through unverified supplements (07:56).

Notable Quote:

“Her Facebook videos now are now almost entirely about marketing... Her sales pages also serve as email capture sources for her video courses and her book on menopause.” – Julian Walker (09:12)

Examining Charles Eisenstein [10:33 – 33:44]

Charles Eisenstein, a philosophical skeptic, has been a pivotal figure in the "Maha" movement, aligning with RFK Jr. and the anti-vax discourse. The hosts trace his journey from advocating for spiritual healing to embedding himself within conspiracy-laden narratives.

Key Points:

• Role in Maha Movement: Eisenstein served as the messaging director for RFK Jr., shaping the movement's narrative around separation and unity (26:17). His collaboration with Aubrey Marcus helped craft the movement's New Age origin story.
• Content and Impact: Eisenstein’s writings often intertwine pseudoscientific claims with spiritual philosophies, subtly steering educated, liberal audiences towards anti-vax ideologies. His engagement with AI, particularly a self-criticizing essay generated by ChatGPT, reflects his introspective yet convoluted thought processes (41:39).
• Recent Activities: Despite past influence, Eisenstein's current online presence appears limited, with his content shifting towards personal healing narratives and reduced engagement. His Substack subscription-based model indicates a move towards a more isolated dissemination of his ideas (42:40).

Notable Quote:

“He [Eisenstein] does it when he's stressed out. He says as much. It's like something. This terrible thing happened in the world and I had to disappear into myself for like eight days and come up with 9,000 words on whatever.” – Matthew Remsky (35:08)

Spotlight on Mickey Willis [33:44 – 61:26]

Mickey Willis, originally a model and filmmaker, gained notoriety with his "Plandemic" documentary, which catalyzed his anti-vax stance. Over time, his messaging has evolved, intertwining conservative values with conspiratorial narratives.

Key Points:

• Background and Shift: Willis transitioned from environmental documentaries to anti-vax content, blaming figures like Anthony Fauci for personal tragedies. His early virality included a heartwarming video of his son playing with an Ariel doll, which has since been scrubbed from his online presence (45:35).
• Current Endeavors: Willis produces short documentaries targeting convicted professionals like Robert Young, promoting naturopathic cures for diseases despite their lack of scientific backing. His supplement company, "Rebel Lion," markets overpriced wellness products under the guise of pandemic protection (52:26).
• Media Strategy: Leveraging grassroots film festivals, Willis has secured awards and increased visibility in niche communities. His content oscillates between family values and apocalyptic conspiracies, maintaining a dedicated yet insular follower base (50:33).

Notable Quote:

“Everything Willis doesn't like or agree with seems to be propelled by a secret for some part of an agenda.” – Derek Barris (58:49)

Analyzing Patterns and Implications [33:44 – 61:26]

The episode concludes with an analysis of the common threads among Northrup, Eisenstein, and Willis. These figures exemplify the transformation of respected professionals into conspiracy endorsers by exploiting spiritual and emotional vulnerabilities. Their strategies include:

• Monetization of Influence: Shifting from informational content to product promotion to sustain their movements financially.
• Blurring Boundaries: Combining wellness rhetoric with conspiratorial ideologies to appeal to a broader, often disillusioned audience.
• Community Engagement: Maintaining tight-knit communities that reinforce their narratives, making it difficult for followers to critically assess the misinformation presented.

Notable Quote:

“Pretending to think critically about power and science when all you're really doing is regurgitating generations of spiteful anti-intellectual propaganda to me is really fucking disingenuous.” – Julian Walker (61:26)

Concluding Thoughts

Episode 261 of Conspirituality provides a comprehensive examination of how influential figures within the wellness and spiritual communities have pivoted towards conspiratorial narratives. By revisiting the journeys of Christiane Northrup, Charles Eisenstein, and Mickey Willis, the hosts highlight the mechanisms through which credibility is co-opted to spread misinformation, ultimately undermining public health and fostering polarized communities. This episode serves as a critical analysis of the evolving landscape where spirituality and conspiracy intertwine, posing significant challenges to discernment and collective well-being.

Notable Quotes:

1. Julian Walker on Christiane Northrup’s Monetization:

   “Her Facebook videos now are now almost entirely about marketing... Her sales pages also serve as email capture sources for her video courses and her book on menopause.” (09:12)

2. Matthew Remsky on Charles Eisenstein’s Writing:

   “He does it when he's stressed out. He says as much. It's like something. This terrible thing happened in the world and I had to disappear into myself for like eight days and come up with 9,000 words on whatever.” (35:08)

3. Derek Barris on Mickey Willis’s Agenda:

   “Everything Willis doesn't like or agree with seems to be propelled by a secret for some part of an agenda.” (58:49)

4. Julian Walker on Regurgitating Propaganda:

   “Pretending to think critically about power and science when all you're really doing is regurgitating generations of spiteful anti-intellectual propaganda to me is really fucking disingenuous.” (61:26)

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, introductory remarks, and promotional content to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses presented in the episode.