Vault: Conspiracy Theories

Summary

The Bert Show – Vault: Conspiracy Theories (August 6, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode, The Bert Show dives into the ever-fascinating world of conspiracy theories. The hosts open the phone lines and welcome listeners to share their favorite (and wildest) conspiracies. Through humor, personal anecdotes, and a bit of skepticism, the team explores why people believe in conspiracy theories and what makes these ideas so captivating—spanning topics from moon landings to medicine, sports, and famous unsolved mysteries.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

Gender and Conspiracy Theories

• Is conspiracy theorizing a "dude thing"?
  • The hosts open with a light-hearted debate on whether men or women are more prone to embrace conspiracy theories.
    • Co-host: "I think more men believe them wholeheartedly than women do. Maybe that's a generalized statement, but I think men typically spend some more time crafting these things." [01:08]
  • Acknowledgement that everyone can be intrigued, but mainstream acceptance and crafting of these ideas often skews male.

Jump-off Story: Laura Ling in North Korea

• Recap of journalist Laura Ling’s capture in North Korea while reporting on the sex trade.
  • Radio Host: "[Her tour guide] walks her right on over into North Korea…North Korean soldiers surround them and say, ‘you’re not allowed to be here.’" [01:32]
  • Freed thanks to President Clinton’s negotiations after 140 days in captivity.
• Used as an example of situations that give rise to conspiracy theories about government actions and international intrigue.

Government, War, and Classic Conspiracies

• Conspiracy theories often target governments and high-stakes events (e.g., wars, assassinations, scientific achievements).
  • Caller/Participant: "There’s 9/11 conspiracy theories…It was military planes and they were brought down by bombs…There’s Elvis conspiracy theories. There was that Michael Jackson conspiracy theory just the other week..." [02:28]

Global Warming and Environmental Doubt

• Some callers express skepticism about global warming, positing it may be a manufactured concept for profit or control.
  • Co-host: "He thinks that’s a conspiracy theory, something that was made up that’s actually not happening to our world and our atmosphere as we dump oil into the Gulf." [03:10]
• The panel navigates environmental skepticism with a blend of humor and seriousness.

Notable Listener-Contributed Conspiracy Theories

The Moon Landing Was Faked

• Caller: "My theory is, is that we’ve never been to the moon...Moon buggy. Who came up with the moon buggy? Well, buggies were very popular back in the 70s. So all of a sudden, they put a buggy on the moon." [04:00–04:43]

  • Skepticism about the footage quality and technological feasibility echoed, with the "moon buggy" as a focal point of doubt.

• Panel Reaction:

  • Radio Host: (joking) "Moon Segue today." [04:59]
  • Co-host: "He seemed oddly passionate when it got to the buggy part." [05:03]

Professional Sports Are Rigged

• Radio Host: "He sort of believes that professional basketball and football games are all set up…bigger markets usually get in because the TV revenue is in ratings." [05:46–05:59]
  • Discusses the widespread theory that leagues push certain teams for profit reasons.

Toyota Acceleration Scandal

• Caller: "I think that the Toyota acceleration getting stuck was a conspiracy to help boost US Auto sales." [06:25]
  • Co-hosts call this an "actually great conspiracy theory." [06:36]

The Cancer Cure Suppression

• Caller (with Cancer): "I believe that they will not find the cure for cancer."
  • Elaboration that potential cures are hidden due to profit incentives in ongoing treatment and research.
    • "I have stage four cancer and they know chemo does not work, but yet they continue to give it." [07:28]
    • Describes spending on alternative therapies and suspicion of systemic motives behind treatment protocols.
  • Co-host: "That makes me sad." [07:26]
  • This segment stands out for its vulnerability and seriousness amidst lighter topics.

Food, Health, and Government Control

• Caller: "When you try to eat healthy on a diet, the food always costs so much more expensive than everything else. I think it’s the government making sure that Americans stay unhealthy and stay in the hospitals paying more taxes to the government." [08:36]
  • Further discussion on how industry lobbies may benefit from the status quo, raising suspicions about food costs and national health trends.

O.J. Simpson Case

• Caller: "I think O.J. didn’t do it, but I know who did—his son…he was a chef, so he was good with knives. Any father will cover for his son..." [09:18–09:39]
  • Hosts and panel treat it with intrigue, noting the story’s persistent mystique.

Celebrity Mysteries: Marilyn Monroe & Elvis Presley

• Panel recaps alternative theories about Monroe’s death ("intentionally murdered because she was having an affair with the president" [09:51]) and the "Elvis tombstone" claim (his middle name spelling allegedly signaling a cover-up) [10:05].

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Radio Host: "I just think that things…are so complicated to actually launch most of these theories that I just don’t think people think that far ahead. But I guess it is absolutely possible." [02:15]
• Caller (on Moon Landing): "Two words that will absolutely blow a hole in the fact that we’ve been to the moon: moon buggy." [04:41]
• On sports rigging: "The star of the other team gets a little bit more leeway so they can score some more points to even up a series." [05:59]
• Caller with Cancer: "I have stage four cancer and they know chemo does not work, but yet they continue to give it." [07:28]
• Food and health costs: "When you try to eat healthy…the food always costs so much more…government making sure that Americans stay unhealthy…" [08:36]
• OJ Simpson Theory: "Any father will cover for his son. Later in life is going to come out." [09:23–09:39]
• Celebrity name confusion: After a slip between "Lance" and "Neil" Armstrong:
  • Radio Host: "Why did you say that? I said Lance Armstrong was on the moon. I didn’t even catch—" [08:17]
  • Light-hearted group ribbing follows, cementing the show’s easy rapport.

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Notable Timestamps

• 01:02 – Introduction to conspiracy theories and male/female perspectives
• 01:32 – Laura Ling’s capture story
• 02:28 – Common government-focused conspiracy theories
• 03:10 – Discussion on global warming skepticism
• 04:00 – Caller: Moon landing hoax theory ("moon buggy")
• 05:46 – Professional sports are rigged conspiracy
• 06:25 – Toyota acceleration scandal theory
• 07:00–08:04 – Cancer cure suppression (caller shares personal story)
• 08:36 – Caller: Food prices and government motives
• 09:18 – O.J. Simpson’s son theory
• 09:51 – Celebrity deaths and mysteries (Marilyn Monroe, Elvis)

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Overall Tone and Takeaways

The Bert Show maintains its hallmark conversational, playful, and occasionally irreverent tone—even when addressing serious subjects. With active listener participation, the episode highlights just how common it is for people to latch onto alternative narratives, whether out of skepticism, humor, or genuine distrust. The show’s approach is open, often skeptical but never dismissive, giving each theory room while keeping the atmosphere light and witty.

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This episode will appeal to listeners who enjoy both the sociology of belief and the fun of out-there ideas—plus, it offers a crash course in popular modern conspiracy theories straight from the fans themselves.

Transcript

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[Radio Host]

Conspiracy theories Is this mainly a dude thing? Is this going to be boring for half of our audience here?

[Caller/Participant]

I don't think so.

[Co-host/Commentator]

I think conspiracy theories are fascinating, but I think more men believe them wholeheartedly than women do. Maybe that's a generalized statement, but I think men typically spend some more time crafting these things.

[Radio Host]

So we're just talking about this whole Laura Ling situation in North Korea and it's pretty nasty situation. I mean, she had to really make. She was doing a piece on North Korea on the sex trade industry.

[Co-host/Commentator]

That's right.

[Radio Host]

And her tour guide, great, this must been his first day, walks her right on over into the. Into North Korea and she don't even know it until North Korean soldiers surround them and say, you're not allowed to be here. And they're pulling her by the hair and then she takes the butt of a gun to the head and then it's real.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Then it gets serious and then she was in captivity. She was in a small cell for the first couple of weeks, but total she was captive for 140 days until President Bill Clinton came over and was able to negotiate for her freedom.

[Radio Host]

So we have a virtual listener that called us a couple of minutes ago and thinks that this is a conspiracy theory. I'd love to hear what your conspiracy theories are and well, I'll make fun of you. Just want to hear them because I do Think that I pretty much take things at face value.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Me too.

[Radio Host]

I just think that things, you know, like, so complicated to actually launch most of these theories that I just don't think people think that far ahead. But I guess it is absolutely possible. So if you have one. 404-7411-Q100.

[Caller/Participant]

Well, usually conspiracy theories have to do with some sort of government thing. The government's always behind everything. There's nine, 11 conspiracy theories. How it wasn't real airline planes, it was military planes and they were brought down by bombs. But I think they're mostly like that. There's Elvis conspiracy theories. There was that Michael Jackson conspiracy theory just the other week that he was on.

He appeared on Larry King after he died.

After he died.

[Radio Host]

It's got to be something more important than that though. On Wikipedia, when you're looking about conspiracy theories, wars mostly like, number one, the motivations for nations starting entering or ending wars are often brought into question by conspiracy theorists. Munitions suppliers are often blamed for wars.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Well, the first call we had talked about global warming. He thinks that's a conspiracy theory, something that was made up that's actually not happening to our world and our atmosphere as we dump oil into the Gulf.

[Caller/Participant]

And what's fascinating about.

Well, one doesn't have to do with the other.

[Co-host/Commentator]

The global warming.

[Caller/Participant]

Does it have to do with oil in the Gulf?

[Co-host/Commentator]

Well, I was just saying we're ruining the planet.

[Radio Host]

Your jokes better be accurate, cave woman.

[Co-host/Commentator]

He hasn't said anything in two hours. I'm just glad you're part of the show, Jeff.

[Radio Host]

Clinton body count is the theory that Bill Clinton was sort of killing off some of his staff members that were getting in his way. So there are many of these conspiracy theories. Let's just pretend here, okay? We will form sort of a wall around you. We're not gonna make fun of you, just want to hear them. 404-741-Q100. Hello.

[Caller]

Hey, what's going on?

[Radio Host]

You tell us what's going on.

[Caller]

My theory is, is that we've never been to the moon.

[Radio Host]

Never been. My grandfather. This was a, this was a, this is an old school one right here. Because my grandparents believed this was a conspiracy.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Why do you think that?

[Caller]

Well, if you look at the footage, I mean, it's pretty crappy, but it just looks like it could have easily been done on some Hollywood lot. You know, we've never been back to the moon since we can barely in some cases get, get, get rockets and, and spacecrafts to get out of our atmosphere without, you know, Some kind of complication or God forbid, you know, an explosion like the one years ago. But two words that will absolutely blow a hole in the fact that we've been to the moon.

[Caller/Participant]

Okay.

[Caller]

Moon buggy.

[Radio Host]

Moon buggy.

[Caller]

Moon buggy. Who came up with the moon buggy? Well, buggies were very popular back in the 70s. So all of a sudden, they put a buggy on the moon. So if we'd have gone to the moon today, what would people be rollerblading? Would that be on skateboards? Moon buggy. You got to be kidding.

[Radio Host]

Segue. Moon segue today.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Okay.

[Caller/Participant]

He seemed oddly passionate when it got to the buggy part.

[Radio Host]

Well, conspiracy theorists are very passionate about this, and they don't have. They don't have much voice.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Mm.

[Radio Host]

Like, I guess now the. With the Internet, you can blog about it, but publicly, you don't have much of a voice, and people want to kind of say, you're freak, man.

[Bus Driver / Safety Advocate]

No way.

[Caller/Participant]

And you can look at different circumstances. That's the funny part about conspiracy theories, because there's always, like, a little nugget that you're like, hey, that could be true. Or, hey, I saw that in the photograph, like, with the moon thing. There's apparently on part of the picture of Lance Armstrong on the moon, there's a little, like, dark spot where they're like, that's supposed to be the camera and lighting equipment in the background. Then you look at it, you're like, huh, that could really be a camera and lighting equipment in the background. So it just makes you think. And then as soon as you start thinking, you're like, I believe it.

[Radio Host]

This physical therapist that's helping me through my knee, he is. He sort of believes that professional basketball and football games are all set up.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Oh, really?

[Caller/Participant]

There's a big argument during this year's playoffs for TV revenue.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Oh, really?

[Radio Host]

TV revenue? Yeah. Like, the bigger markets usually get in because the TV revenue is in ratings. And if you notice, like, in a basketball game, like, the star, if the. The opposing team is winning, the star of the other team gets a little bit more leeway so they can score some more points to even up a series. A lot of people believe stuff like that.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Really?

[Radio Host]

Hey, Brad. Good Morning. You're on Q100.

[Caller]

Hey, good morning.

[Radio Host]

Good morning.

[Caller]

I think that the Toyota acceleration getting stuck was a conspiracy to help boost US Auto sales.

[Bus Driver / Safety Advocate]

Oh, wow.

[Co-host/Commentator]

That's actually a great conspiracy theory.

[Radio Host]

And when you tell your group of friends about that, they probably look at you like, come on, man.

[Caller]

Yeah, they don't believe it. They Think I'm crazy, right?

[Co-host/Commentator]

Well, I wouldn't believe it if I had a Toyota. That accelerator got stuck, it shot through

[Caller/Participant]

the front of my closed garage door.

[Radio Host]

Laura, good morning. Your conspiracy theory.

[Caller with Cancer]

I believe that they will not find the cure for cancer.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Oh, that's horrible.

[Caller/Participant]

There's actually a pretty significant conspiracy theory that they have already found a cure for cancer. But because cancer is such big business that it's.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Oh, don't say that.

[Caller/Participant]

It's kept buried because then everybody doing that is going to hell because there's. I mean, there's so much money to be made in the research and attacking that disease. I've heard that before.

[Co-host/Commentator]

That makes me sad.

[Radio Host]

Is that your theory, Laura?

[Caller with Cancer]

Yeah. I have stage four cancer and they know chemo does not work, but yet they continue to give it.

[Caller/Participant]

Oh, that's awful.

[Radio Host]

So what are you doing? What alternative ways are you doing to fight it?

[Caller with Cancer]

I go to Progressive Medical and spend a ton of money to get vitamin C. I get injections. I get big needles stuck in me all the time just to clear out all the crap out of my body. Because the toxins in our environment is causing cancer. They know it's not genetic anymore.

[Co-host/Commentator]

And are you doing any of the Chinese medicine? I've heard of people looking at alternate therapies there too.

[Caller with Cancer]

Yeah, we're looking at all kinds of stuff.

[Radio Host]

Thanks for calling, Laura. I'm not going to argue with a woman that has cancer. Good morning, Mike. You are on Q100. Hi.

[Caller]

Yeah, I just want to let you guys know Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France and Neil Armstrong.

[Caller/Participant]

Oh, yeah, Neil Armstrong. My bad.

[Radio Host]

Why did you say that? I said Lance Armstrong was on the moon. I didn't even catch.

[Co-host/Commentator]

I didn't even catch

[Caller/Participant]

one of those Armstrongs.

[Radio Host]

Damn.

[Caller/Participant]

It was.

[Radio Host]

Why did I catch that?

[Caller/Participant]

I've got a conspiracy theory that Wendy's bright.

[Radio Host]

Cameron, good morning. You are on the birth show. Conspiracy theories.

[Caller]

Hi. If you've ever noticed, when you try to eat healthy on a diet, the food always costs so much more expensive than everything else. I think it's the government making sure that Americans stay unhealthy and stay in the hospitals paying more taxes to the government.

[Radio Host]

Yeah. I also know a lot of people that believe that because there's money in the industry for pesticides and stuff like that. So you can't really. You can't have completely healthy food because in the industry that's supplying the chemicals, they go under also. I've heard that.

[Caller]

Yeah. And if the government can raise higher taxes to the producers, then they can. That means more cost to them, which means higher prices in the stores for us.

[Radio Host]

Thank you for calling and Felicia, good morning. You've got a conspiracy theory.

[Caller]

I do. I think OJ didn't do it, but I know who did.

[Caller/Participant]

Okay.

Who do you think did it?

[Caller]

His son. His son hated Nicole. He's big and strong like his dad. And he was a chef, so he was good with knives. Any father will cover for his son later in life is going to come out.

[Radio Host]

So he took. He took the fall for his son.

[Caller]

Yep.

[Radio Host]

Okay. That's a good. Yeah. And you're sure of this one? I'm sure you are sure of this one. Thank you for calling.

[Co-host/Commentator]

That would be a good one if that ever came out.

[Radio Host]

Oh, that would be beautiful.

[Co-host/Commentator]

There's all kinds of conspiracy theories on Marilyn Monroe's death. That it wasn't an overdose, that it was that she was intentionally murdered because she was having an affair with the president.

[Radio Host]

That's right.

[Caller/Participant]

The whole thing about Elvis Presley's tombstone.

[Radio Host]

What's that one?

[Caller/Participant]

His name is misspelled. His middle name is wrong on his tombstone like his middle name is Aaron, but it's spelled, I think on his birth certificate like his given name was with 1A or 2. But on the tombstone it's the opposite.

[Radio Host]

I don't know.

[Caller/Participant]

So he's not really in there. And that's how it's okay here.

[Radio Host]

Bircha.

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