Podcast Episodes

Escaped Nuns from Evil Convents

Season 2 Episode 1

In the late summer of 1834, a torch-wielding mob burned down a Boston convent for reasons that sound a lot like . . . Pizzagate. Fueled by rumors of kidnappings, papal paranoia and phony exposés, con…

Published on 1 year ago

The Feminine Draw of Contemporary Conspiracy (Culture Study with Anne Helen Petersen)

What’s the difference between a conspiracy theory and gossip? When does joking around about Kate Middleton’s abduction turn into something much darker? Are women actually more susceptible to contempo…

Published on 1 year ago

The Kamala Harris Disinfo Dossier

Season 1 Episode 11

From cuckoo claims she’s secretly a man to attacks questioning her Blackness, Kamala Harris conspiracy theories are one of the most predictable features of the 2024 election, it turns out. Disinforma…

Published on 1 year ago

The Transvestigation of Michelle Obama

Season 1 Episode 10

What can an obscure conspiracy theory involving Michelle Obama, Joan Rivers and the deep state tell us about the gender panicked rise of reactionary politics? Enter “transvestigation”—a brain-rot con…

Published on 1 year ago

Did #FreeBritney Really Free Britney?

Season 1 Episode 9

Free Britney started as fan sleuthing, which ultimately helped end Britney Spears’ conservatorship, sparked a pop cultural reckoning and galvanized a disability rights movement. Podcaster and comic T…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Greta Thunberg: Climate Conspiracy's Forever Scapegoat

Season 1 Episode 8

At just 16, Greta Thunberg led the largest climate protest in history—and became a target for right-wing conspiracy theories. Scholar Emily Ryalls dissects how Greta was recast as a hysterical pawn o…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Avril Lavigne's Clone Hoax That Won't Die

Season 1 Episode 7

Who sparked the bizarre conspiracy theory that Avril Lavigne was replaced by a clone named Melissa, and why does it still persist? Snopes reporter Nur Ibrahim unravels the allure of celebrity death h…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Meghan Markle's Royal Pregnancy Truthers

Season 1 Episode 6

Why did Meghan Markle's pregnancies unleash tabloid rumors and unprecedented speculation? Royal reporter Ellie Hall unravels the community committed to exposing their “Duchess of Deception,” from cla…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Megan Thee Stallion vs. Misogynoir

Season 1 Episode 5

When Megan Thee Stallion revealed the truth about being shot by Tory Lanez, why was she met with disbelief, Bigfoot jokes, and Illuminati rumors? NPR Music reporter and longtime hottie Sidney Madden …

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

Beyoncé’s Illuminati Mess

Season 1 Episode 4

From secret messages in “Single Ladies” to the infamous Blue Ivy bump gate, Beyoncé has been at the center of countless conspiracy theories. But nothing tops (or stops) the Illuminati rumors. Where d…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago