The Podcaster's Guide to the Conspiracy

This week Josh and M discuss a recent thread on Twitter by Dr. David Shiffman (@WhySharksMatter) of Simon Fraser University who asked: “Scientists: what’s the weirdest, most illogical conspiracy theory you deal within your area of expertise?" It's quite amusing, especially the bit about sentient thunderstorms. — Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEp7...

This week Josh and M discuss a 1977 NSA memo detailing "PARAPSYCHOLOGICAL WEAPONS" from the "STARGATE" section. Startling enough, M doesn't talk at length about their love of Stargate SG-1, and the predicted talk of "Akira" ends up being very perfunctory. — Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEp7xTcFU3hc2W0kfdSvAQ and learn more about their academic work at: ht...

An episode that is not an episode: Josh fills you in what happened years ago, and M discusses what they are working on right now. -- Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEp7xTcFU3hc2W0kfdSvAQ and learn more about their academic work at: http://episto.org/ Why not support The Podcaster's Guide to the Conspiracy by donating to our Patreon: https://www.pa...

This week Josh and M discuss the life (and recent death) of Lyndon LaRouche, someone who was a prominent conspiracy theorist in the late 20th Century (but no so much in the early 21st). From an imagined conversation between Elizabeth II, Queen of Auckland, and Jerry Garcia, to LaRouche's final advice to Baby Boomers, this episode ranges from one kind of absurd claim to another, because that was th...

This week Josh and M return to 2001 and ask "What happened to those Twin Towers in New York City?" Well, actually, they ask the why, the who, and the how of a new Grand Jury inquiry into 9/11. -- Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEp7xTcFU3hc2W0kfdSvAQ and learn more about their academic work at: http://episto.org/ Why not support  The Podcaster's Guide t...

This week Josh and M revisit the world of (purported) gang stalking by taking a look at the 'Targeted Individual' community. Along the way Josh gets distracted by M's knees... Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEp7xTcFU3hc2W0kfdSvAQ and learn more about their academic work at: http://episto.org/ Why not support The Podcaster's Guide to the Conspiracy&nbsp...

This week Josh and M discuss the curious case of the Smiley Face Killers, a purported gang operating in the U.S. who predate on young men, leaving their drowned bodies near to distinctive graffiti. What do our conspirologists think of the claim there not only exists a criminal conspiracy, but also a cover-up of that conspiracy? Is this the episode which will turn Josh's frown upside down? -- Watch...

Over the Xmas and New year break Josh was entreated by M to listen to the podcast series The RFK Tapes ( http://rfktapes.com ). In this episode of  The Podcaster's Guide to the Conspiracy Josh and M talk not so much about the death of Robert Kennedy but more about the way in which the narrative of  The RFK Tapes unfolds, looking at how a collaboration between someone who isn't sure what...

It's been a month since Josh and M last spoke the dreaded words "The Podcaster's Guide to the Conspiracy" so it seems apposite to find out what has been happening in the world of conspiracy theory and conspiracy theories in the interim. Which means news and updates, but split into new and "exciting" segments. Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEp7xTcFU3hc2W0kf...

The Podcaster's Guide to the Conspiracy turns 200 episodes old (well, 200 canonical episodes) and so Josh, M and intern Sam present you with an intriguing conspiracy theory about 'page societies' and update you on some very interesting news. This is also the final episode of the year: the team will be back mid January to reluctantly update you on the only conspiracy theory the world seems interest...

This week, a slightly longer than usual episode: M interviews friend of the show (and target of QAnon), Joe Uscinski (Miami), the political scientist working on conspiracy theory theory. Due to the longer than usual shenanigans, the news update was moved entirely to the bonus content, available at low-low prices to potential patrons. (Also, this episode has a few visual gags, so maybe go watch it:...

Josh and M investigate the November criminals and the associated conspiracy theory that says the Germans could have won the First Great War if it hadn't been for those pesky kids. They also check in Julian Assange and Paul Manafort's (alleged) secret meetings, ask why a local opinion piece writer is engaging in crypto-antisemitism, and poke at a niggling IT issue. Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” h...

In this special episode M interviews Dr. (soon to be an Ass. Prof.) Patrick Stokes, one of the contributor's to M's new book 'Taking Conspiracy Theories Seriously.' From a discussion to what counts as a conspiracy theory to who gets to claim the nationality of Russell Crowe, Pat and M have a wide-ranging discussion on conspiracy theory and conspiracy theories over the course of nearly fifty minute...

In this week’s episode Josh and Dr. M review and discuss “Ethical Human Rights,” a book by New Zealand activist Anthony Ravlich. “Ethical Human Rights” suggests the existence of a UN conspiracy to destroy the self-determination of the West? Is it good? Is it awful? Let us be the judge(s). We also catch up on that alien autopsy film from 1995, talk a little about the latest Trump news, and discuss...

This week Josh and M review "Morning Star's tale," a book by Lee Austin which may or may not reveal the truth of the Flat Earth. They also take a quick look at Australian Nazis, Surefire Intelligence, and update you on the Jami-Lee Ross/Simon Bridges scandal back in Aotearoa. Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEp7xTcFU3hc2W0kfdSvAQ and learn more about their a...

In this episode Josh and M talk about the various conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Pope John Paul I, one of the Roman Catholic Church's shortest lived pontiffs. They also talk a lot about dog-whistle racism in recent U.S. politics, and reference both the works of Julian Sands and William Shatner. It's just a perfectly normal episode of  The Podcaster's Guide to the Conspiracy . Wa...

In this episode resident (lapsed) Catholic M and (dubiously) recently baptised Catholic Josh discuss a few Catholic conspiracy theories, the Know Nothings, and fake popes. They also catch us up on the death of Jamal Khashoggi, those suspicious packages in the US, and the never-ending saga that is the disappearance of MH370. Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJE...

This week Josh and M discuss Number Stations (and, for some reason, their favourite found footage films), before tackling Saudi Arabian-dismemberment plots and the curious case of Jami-Lee Ross, MP for Botany! -- Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEp7xTcFU3hc2W0kfdSvAQ and learn more about their academic work at: http://episto.org/ Why not support  The Po...

This week Josh and M discuss mysterious (and sometimes) ominous disappearances, like that of Fan Bingbing and Meng Hongwei in China, and the suspected disappearance and murder of Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabian embassy in Turkey. We also catch up with Taylor Swift's political views, talk academic hoaxes, and pour scorn on a post "Do no evil" Google. Watch M’s series “Conspiraci...

This week Josh and M discuss phantom cosmonauts, discuss Brett Kavanaugh for possibly the last time, discuss a taxpayer's onion, and check in on the Seth Rich saga. Oh, and there's a reminder to go watch M's new web series, "Conspiracism." Watch M’s series “Conspiracism” here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEp7xTcFU3hc2W0kfdSvAQ and learn more about their academic work at: http://episto.org/ W...

This week Josh and M discuss the Dulles Plan (or Doctrine), which posits a huge conspiracy by the U.S. to undermine Russia from within. They also discuss Ben Carson's claims about the Fabian Society, touch on some purported Chinese espionage back in Aotearoa, and update you on the requistite Trump news. Just another week at the coalface of conspiracy theory. Oh, and M introduces their new YouTube...

What do Pacman, billiard balls and transwarping all have in common? They are associated with the Flat Earth thesis. Join Josh and M as they puzzle over the Flat Earth and Flat Earthers. Along the way they comment on the continuing sore that is the Brett Kavanaugh story, and talk a little about the flipping of one Paul Manafort. Learn more about M's academic work on the Philosophy of Conspiracy The...

This week we discuss the junk science behind cancerous claims about Round-up, Agent Orange, 1080, and Autism diagnoses, looking at how legal findings do not necessarily tell you anything interesting scientifically. We also cover some shenanigans surrounding the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, a 9/11 missing person case, and the latest disinformation from Russia.   Links: That 1080 image -  htt...

Get a sneak peak at what the patrons get to hear for free this week, as we discuss the supposed white power hand symbol flashed by Zina Bash at the Brett Kavanaugh hearing, who drilled a hole in the ISS, and why we're not perturbed that Steve Bannon isn't getting a platform at the New Yorker Festival.

We return to QAnon to check in with their recent predictions, talk a little about 1080, cast shade on Twitter, and discuss the purported use of microwave weapons against U.S. diplomats in Cuba and Beijing.   [The audio this week is better than last week, but due to a problem with the set up the audio recorded on the wrong mics... Sorry!]   Learn more about M's academic work on the Philos...