Conspirituality

Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Philosophy
  • Updated twice weekly

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.

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  1. 13 Jul

    Bonus Sample: Taco Bell is Doing Better Public Health Than RFK Jr

    Listen 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

  2. 11 Jul

    Brief: Cult Within a Church Does a Schism

    On 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

  3. 6 Jul

    Bonus Sample: Spielberg, Alien Disclosure, and the Death of David Wilcock

    Listen 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

  4. 6 Jul • Subscribers Only

    Spielberg, Alien Disclosure, and the Death of David Wilcock

    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.

    Spielberg, Alien Disclosure, and the Death of David Wilcock

  5. 29 Jun

    Bonus Sample: Why Does JD Vance Think Catholic Social Teaching is Cool?

    JD Vance calls Catholic Social Teaching (CST) a "fully integrated theory of a good human life" — and he's not wrong that it sounds good. So how’s he going to weaponize it? Matthew traces why CST's moral critique of capitalism, innovated by Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum (1891), is tailor-made for Vance's political project. CST may be sincere about human dignity, but it actively suppresses structural analysis, while opening two dangerous doors of moralism: scapegoating powerful enemies above, and blaming the poor for their own immiseration below.  Show Notes Rerum Novarum, Leo XIII (1891) Humanum Genus, Leo XIII (1884) Purusha Sukta, Rigveda 10.90 B.R. Ambedkar, Annihilation of Caste (1936) JD Vance, Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith David Kertzer, The Popes Against the Jews Canadian Food for Children Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. 29 Jun • Subscribers Only

    Why Does JD Vance Think Catholic Social Teaching is Cool?

    JD Vance calls Catholic Social Teaching (CST) a "fully integrated theory of a good human life" — and he's not wrong that it sounds good. So how’s he going to weaponize it? Matthew traces why CST's moral critique of capitalism, innovated by Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum (1891), is tailor-made for Vance's political project. CST may be sincere about human dignity, but it actively suppresses structural analysis, while opening two dangerous doors of moralism: scapegoating powerful enemies above, and blaming the poor for their own immiseration below.

    Why Does JD Vance Think Catholic Social Teaching is Cool?

  7. 27 Jun

    Brief: Tulsi Gabbard & the Cult Leaders in the News

    Has former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s career been scripted and controlled by the strange leader of a breakaway Hare Krishna group? Chris Butler formed the Science of Identity organization in the seventies. Gabbard’s parents joined when she was two years old. Gabbard claims Butler has no influence on her political life, yet bombshell reporting by the Washington Post piece unearths 25,000 leaked documents to reveal that her guru may have been pulling the strings all along. The kicker? Gabbard resigned two days after journalist Jon Swaine let her team know the article would be published. Meanwhile, another cult-leader story concerns American-born Abdullah Hashem. Claiming to be the “true and only legitimate pope” (as well as successor of Jesus, Saint Peter, and Mohammed), Hashem and 150 followers took over a former orphanage in England—and have been building a significant online following ever since. On April 29, hundreds of police raided Hashem’s headquarters, charging the holy man and eight others with human trafficking, sex crimes, and forced marriage. This is the story of how these two cult operators are influencing minds across the pond. Show Notes British Police Raid Abdullah Hashem’s Compound Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders Granted in AROPL Case Religious Sect Immigration Visas Investigated Patreon Bonus: The New Age Muslim Apocalyptic Prophet WaPo Piece on Tulsi Gabbard’s Mysterious Guru’s Influence on her Political Career Hare Krishna Guru Sought Political Power Starting in the 1970s New Yorker: What Does Tulsi Gabbard Believe? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. 26 Jun

    REWIND: Tulsi Gabbard’s Krishna Consciousness (w/Nitai Joseph)

    Recent reporting in the Washington Post found that Tulsi Gabbard has been taking policy guidance from her guru. We revisit our episode from May 2023, where we lay out Gabbard's lifelong involvement in this cult: What does it mean for a prominent American politician to come into power as the sleeper cell of an eccentric Hindu-American cult? Does she act independently, or has her God-man got her on speed-dial? Can she bridge the divide between left and right with the radiant glow of Krishna consciousness? Joining us today to help answer these questions is Nitai Joseph. He shares some heritage with Gabbard, because he also grew up in a Hare Krishna sect. He holds an MSc. in the Psychology of Coercive Control and has worked across a range of issues connected to ideology and manipulation, including cultic awareness, child sexual abuse prevention, adverse meditation experiences, and organizational ethics and accountability.  Show Notes Tulsi Gabbard, her guru and the mysterious messages that helped shape her political career Gopala Govinda Rama Chant by Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa Chris Butler QAnon Anonymous Episode 211: Tulsi Gabbard P1 (The Cult) feat Mike Prysner QAnon Anonymous Episode 212: Tulsi Gabbard P2 (The Fascist Turn) feat Mike Prysner  Tulsi Gabbard Had a Very Strange Childhood What Does Tulsi Gabbard Believe? | The New Yorker Chris Butler Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa: on “freedom” An Insiders Perspective on Tulsi Gabbard and her Guru | by Lalita | Medium  Tulsi Gabbard 2016 Janmashtami Message  ISKCON Abuse Timeline Definition of Betrayal Trauma Theory Archived ex-Hare Krishna message board Nitai can be reached via LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1k
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Conspirituality
  • Show Website
    Conspirituality
  • Provider
    Derek Beres

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