Podcast
Conspirituality
Hosted by Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker · EN
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.
277episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Brief: The Chiropractors Are Coming
3w ago00:35:06Summary readySupport the podcast The MAHA Chiropractic Hub had a big launch in Washington DC this week, with RFK Jr extolling the benefits of the practice—and promising to redirect research funds their way as his movement attempts to spread chiropractic throughout the American healthcare system. But can back cracks really "reset the entire nervous system," as one MAHA-endorsed speaker claims? Or is the profession just dressing up subluxation theory, which has never been clinically validated, for the modern age? Derek and Julian discuss the four objectives of the Chiropractic Hub, what this could mean for American healthcare, and how Kennedy is likely helping funnel money earmarked for actual scientific research into this ghost religion. They begin with a brief history of chiropractic. Show Notes Subluxation Theory: A Belief System That Continues to Define the Practice of Chiropractic Chiropractic Vertebral Subluxations: Science vs. Pseudoscience Subluxation: dogma or science? Chiropractic subluxation is still "unsupported speculation" Chiropractic: A Skeptical View Effect of chiropractic treatment on primary or early secondary prevention: a systematic review This is how science dies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summary318: Wellness is the New Big Pharma [feat Mallory DeMille]
3w ago00:56:43Summary readySupport the pod on Patreon The pharmaceutical industry is filled with greedy businessmen getting innocent consumers hooked on their toxic products in order to barely keep them alive. But if you want to actually thrive, an entire array of natural supplements are just a click away. So goes most every wellness pitch on social media. Mallory DeMille returns to break down the marketing techniques as we dive into the sordid world of supplements and peptide creation, which, in reality, is not dissimilar from pharmaceuticals. In fact, many products use the same manufacturing processes and production plants, as Derek discusses. In the final segment, Julian revisits Bryan Johnson, the centimillionaire on a quest to live to 200, and what his recent chronic illness diagnosis says about pumping your body filled with experimental drugs. Show Notes Bryan Johnson Autoimmune Gastritis Explained What everyone got wrong about biohacker Bryan Johnson’s viral diagnosis: A medical expert weighs in What Bryan Johnson’s diagnosis says about the limits of health tracking, longevity medicine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryBonus Sample: Today at Death’s Door
4w ago00:05:12Summary readyListen to the full episode Matthew considers two registers of painful eulogy: spectacles thrown for elite terrible people, and the music offered for ordinary terrible people, when we can manage it. Lindsey Graham's death triggered a wave of bullshit from Trump, Harris, Booker, Netanyahu, and Canadian PM Mark Carney — while online ghouls predicted the same fate for Mitch McConnell and Trump. Where does the elite eulogy reflex come from? Ancient taboo, Thucydides on praise as a function of a rival's removal, and terror management theory on why elites protect their own at the moment of death. Then we have a music thanatologist's story about playing harp for a dying man nobody liked, and what it teaches about the difference between forgiveness that strengthens ordinary people and deference toward the powerful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryBrief: Graham Platner’s QAnon Moment
4w ago00:40:24Summary readyAccess ad-free listening and support the podcast Graham Platner’s recent 11-minute video, where he announced he was dropping out of his bid for the US Senate, is filled with some of the hallmarks we heard during peak QAnon: there's a deep state conspiracy between powerful politicians and the media to destroy me. The truth, as Derek and Julian cover, is anything but. They look at Platner’s campaign and, by contrast, another recent incident: two instances of public harassment against Scott Wiener, the progressive state senator from California who recently won a primary to try to replace Nancy Pelosi, and how that intersects with the type of political rhetoric we’re enduring this political cycle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summary317: Jordan Peterson vs the Nuns
Jul 1601:15:23Summary readyJordan Peterson is back. After a hiatus due to a, well, a whole lot of problems, he’s up for regular posting on his social media channels. We’re going to take a look at what’s happened over the last year or so of his absence, followed by his influence in the so-called manosphere podcast world. Then Matthew will offer a different perspective on podcasting that’s making waves: the Dominican Sisters Open Mic. Show Notes Who is looksmaxxing really for? When Help Is Harm: Health, Lookism and Self-Improvement in the Manosphere Men Need Better Fitness Role Models Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryBonus Sample: Taco Bell is Doing Better Public Health Than RFK Jr
Jul 1300:06:26Summary readyListen to the full episode A cyclospora outbreak has caused thousands of Americans to experience explosive diarrhea across 18 states. The CDC still has no idea where it's coming from. This has caused doctors to issue public health guidance, while even Taco Bell has pulled items from its menu nationwide to prevent any issues. RFK Jr? Not a peep on it. Derek looks at the many cuts that have led to this embarrassing episode. First, though, he looks at MAHA's recent attack on Dave Wallace-Wells New York Times article on MAHA, which warned about the very problems the cyclospora outbreak represents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryBrief: Cult Within a Church Does a Schism
Jul 1100:42:53Summary readyOn July 1, 2026, the Society of Saint Pius X consecrated four bishops at its Écône seminary, defying Pope Leo XIV's direct plea to "turn back." Within 24 hours, Rome declared the SSPX's bishops and roughly 750 priests excommunicated and schismatic — invalidating confessions and marriages going forward. Matthew traces SSPX's origins through Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre's formation in the shadow of Action Française's antisemitic integralism, his fight against Vatican II, and the movement's namesake, Pope Pius X's anti-Modernist crusade. It’s a wild ride: from Juan Fernández y Krohn's 1982 assassination attempt on John Paul II, through Holocaust denial among SSPX clergy, domestic abuse testimony from ex-member Cassandra Hackstock, and Xavier Lopez's 2022 weapons arrest. Will the schism of a right-wing Catholic sect born out of antisemitism and anticommunism bolster American and global resistance to Leo XIV’s progressive agenda? Is this the form of Catholicism that JD Vance has been looking for? Or will it shift the Overton Window rightward, emboldening Vance and other TradCaths in their lowkey contempt for Leo—because at least the Church should be grateful that at least they’re not full schismatics? Show Notes Vatican declares SSPX in schism, excommunicates bishops — AP/NBC News SSPX ordains four new bishops in defiance of Pope Leo and the Vatican — America Magazine Thunderstorm interrupts SSPX episcopal consecrations — Catholic Herald Vatican declares SSPX bishops, priests schismatic, says lay faithful risk excommunication — National Catholic Reporter Second Attempt on a Pontiff: The Little-Known 1982 Attack on John Paul II in Fatima — Gaudium Press Rise of 'new Catholics' hardens battle lines between US and the Vatican — Irish Times Inside the Schism Threatening the Catholic Church — Jacobin Seven Years in the SSPX — Where Peter Is Catholic Traditionalism After Francis — Commonweal Magazine Analysis: SSPX excommunications show what Pope Leo means by "unity" — America Magazine Pope news: SSPX | Magnificast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summary316: The War on Science
Jul 901:12:55Summary readySupport the pod on Patreon With so much emphasis on global politics and the World Cup in recent weeks, we’re going to focus on the somewhat quieter but intensely important bureaucratic dismantling of expertise occurring in health and science. First, Derek looks into a recent 412-page OMB proposal that hands political appointees veto power over federal science grants, effectively killing peer review, blocking research on health disparities, and walling off American scientists from the rest of the world. Matthew counters with Canada’s own corrosive behavior. Then we dig into the contradiction of MAHA: the pro-health movement running cover for the EPA quietly approving new forever chemical pesticides mere days after the Supreme Court gutted Americans’ ability to sue Monsanto (by way of their parent company, Bayer). Again, there’s a Canadian parallel: Bill C-30 hands cabinet the power to override Health Canada’s own scientists and approve pesticides they’ve already ruled unsafe. Finally, Julian removes gravity from the situation by covering congressional UAP hearings where unverified whistleblower claims about alien bodies and secret programs get treated with peer-reviewed science seriousness. Only, as with everything else in Trump’s America, the science is thin and the theater, thick. Show Notes The war against ‘woke’ could end US science as we know it Carney's government is cutting hundreds of environment and science jobs Departmental plans fuel concern over federal job, program cuts Environment Canada disbands radar research team amid cuts to weather services Weather experts concerned about public safety as Environment Canada disbands radar research team Carney government passes law allowing authorization of banned pesticides Pesticide regulation changes raise questions in Northeastern Ontario Amendments buried in Bill C-30 weaken environmental protections Former Haiti prime minister Smarck Michel dies at 75 Omnibus I: the EU concludes CSDDD and CSRD reforms EU scales back corporate due diligence and reporting rules Australia: Labor-Greens deal to fast-track mining and military projects Task Force Tackles MK Ultra UFO Disclosure Movement Goes To Washington Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryBonus Sample: Spielberg, Alien Disclosure, and the Death of David Wilcock
Jul 600:07:54Summary readyListen to the full episode Three events converge—everything is connected. Steven Spielberg releases his new sci-fi film Disclosure Day The American government’s UAP Disclosure Act drops three waves of declassified UFO documents Well-known 2012 prophecy-popularizer, Disclosure movement advocate, and History Channel’s Ancient Aliens host, David Wilcock, tragically ends his own life In the 16th installment of his Roots of Conspirituality series, Julian looks at the how everything inevitably led to this: How Spielberg got alien-pilled into being a true believer How 2012 prophecy had to end with David Wilcock holding a gun How the MAGA conspiracy chasers now find themselves standing on the steps beside David Grusch as he tells the media about non-human biologics and alien plasmoids Deeper than that, Julian asks if perhaps we are re-enacting a pattern from the mid to late 1800s, when social upheaval in America’s Northeast led to new religions, failed prophecies, the rise and fall of charismatic heroes, and good people quit booze but got intoxicated on some quite bizarre beliefs. Correction: This recording states that David Grusch lost his security clearance. That is incorrect. In The Intercept article, Ken Klippenstein wondered how he was able to keep his security clearance after his psychiatric holds. Grusch left his job to become a whistleblower. Show Notes White House Goes All In On UAP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryBook Club: America, USA
Jul 400:29:39Summary ready“I do not love America, and never have, especially now.” With an opening sentence like that, you know you’re in for a ride, and Eddie Glaude Jr does not disappoint. Derek discusses touch points from America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries, with a slight diversion into the surging online activism that purports to be about justice for all yet time and again refuses to acknowledge race as a foundation of our distress. Show Notes America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries Author Talk: Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. — America, U.S.A. - with Jonathan Capehart An African-Centered Critique of Marx’s Logic The war against ‘woke’ could end US science as we know it Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summary