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Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes

Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes is a true crime and conspiracy theories podcast about the people who take belief too far and the deadly consequences that follow. Hosted by Vanessa Richardson, two weekly episodes unpack real stories of murderous cults, criminal cover-ups, mass manipulation, and twisted conspiracies. From Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate to CIA mind control experiments, presidential assassinations, and the Octopus Murders. This is true crime at the intersection of faith, fear and manipulation. Follow now for new episodes every Wednesday and Friday. This is a Crime House Original, powered by PAVE Studios.

  1. 40 Years Later: The Murder of Sherri Rasmussen, with Carter Roy

    3D AGO

    40 Years Later: The Murder of Sherri Rasmussen, with Carter Roy

    Marking the 40-year anniversary of Sherri Rasmussen’s murder, Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes revisits a case defined by power, proximity, and unanswered questions. Vanessa is joined by Carter Roy, host of Murder: True Crime Stories, to break down the earliest moments of the investigation—and the assumptions that steered it off course. From a rushed burglary narrative to overlooked personal motives, the discussion explores how institutional loyalty and perception may have clouded the search for truth. Four decades later, the origins of this case still raise disturbing questions about who was protected—and why. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    36 min
  2. CRIMES: The Unicorn Killer

    FEB 13

    CRIMES: The Unicorn Killer

    Ira Einhorn was a celebrated counterculture figure, environmental activist, and self-proclaimed guru who helped promote the very first Earth Day—until his carefully crafted image unraveled. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson tells the chilling story of how Einhorn’s ego, manipulation, and hunger for control led to the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, Holly Maddux. From his rise as a charismatic leader to decades on the run across Europe, this episode exposes how ideology can mask abuse, how followers can become accomplices, and how one man used the language of peace and progress to hide a deadly crime in plain sight. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    41 min
  3. CONSPIRACY THEORIES: Greenwashing

    FEB 11

    CONSPIRACY THEORIES: Greenwashing

    From “clean diesel” cars to recyclable products that aren’t, greenwashing has shaped how corporations sell sustainability—often at the planet’s expense. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson traces the history of greenwashing from the Industrial Revolution to modern climate pledges, exposing how companies have used advertising, deception, and shifting blame to appear environmentally responsible while continuing to pollute. Featuring scandals like Volkswagen’s emissions fraud, oil industry cover-ups, and the rise of “net-zero” promises, this episode asks a critical question: are corporations saving the planet, or just selling us the illusion that they are? If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    42 min
  4. CRIMES: The Attempted Assassination of Pope John Paul II

    FEB 6

    CRIMES: The Attempted Assassination of Pope John Paul II

    On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot in broad daylight in St. Peter’s Square—an attack that stunned the world and left behind decades of unanswered questions. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson investigates the gunman, Mehmet Ali Ağca, his ties to far-right extremist groups, and the tangled web of theories surrounding who truly ordered the assassination. From Cold War intrigue and alleged KGB involvement to apocalyptic prophecies tied to the Secrets of Fátima, this episode explores how faith, politics, and paranoia collided in one of the most mysterious assassination attempts in modern history—and why the truth may never fully be known. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    36 min
  5. CULTS: The Order of the Solar Temple

    FEB 4

    CULTS: The Order of the Solar Temple

    In the 1980s and 1990s, a secretive spiritual order spread across Europe and Canada, promising enlightenment, cosmic destiny, and rebirth among the stars. Instead, it led to one of the most disturbing cult tragedies in modern history. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson investigates the Order of the Solar Temple, its charismatic leaders Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret, and the blend of New Age beliefs, Catholic ritual, and apocalyptic prophecy that drew hundreds of devoted followers. As paranoia, financial exploitation, and staged “miracles” spiraled out of control, the group’s teachings culminated in coordinated murders and mass deaths that claimed 74 lives across two continents. This is the haunting story of how faith, secrecy, and manipulation turned belief into catastrophe. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    38 min
  6. CRIMES: The Tech Bro Murders

    JAN 30

    CRIMES: The Tech Bro Murders

    A string of high-profile killings involving tech leaders sparked fears that Silicon Valley’s elite were being hunted—but the truth is far more complicated. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the so-called “Tech Bro Murders,” unpacking the brutal deaths of entrepreneur Fahim Saleh, Cash App co-creator Bob Lee, and rising tech leader Pava LaPere. Through each case, the episode reveals how personal relationships, misplaced trust, misogyny, and systemic failures—not wealth alone—led to devastating violence. It’s a sobering look at how ambition, power, and proximity can turn deadly behind the glossy image of the tech world. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    42 min
  7. CONSPIRACY THEORIES: The Simulation

    JAN 28

    CONSPIRACY THEORIES: The Simulation

    What if reality isn’t real at all? In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson explores Simulation Theory — the unsettling idea that our world may be an advanced computer program. Tracing the concept from ancient philosophy and science fiction to modern thinkers like Nick Bostrom and today’s tech leaders, this episode examines why millions believe we’re living in a simulation, the so-called “glitches” people claim as proof, and the dangerous consequences when the theory blurs the line between belief and violence. Is this a harmless thought experiment… or a worldview with real-world consequences? If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    36 min

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4.4
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256 Ratings

About

Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes is a true crime and conspiracy theories podcast about the people who take belief too far and the deadly consequences that follow. Hosted by Vanessa Richardson, two weekly episodes unpack real stories of murderous cults, criminal cover-ups, mass manipulation, and twisted conspiracies. From Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate to CIA mind control experiments, presidential assassinations, and the Octopus Murders. This is true crime at the intersection of faith, fear and manipulation. Follow now for new episodes every Wednesday and Friday. This is a Crime House Original, powered by PAVE Studios.

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