Conspiracy Theories

The world’s most controversial events, and the complex beliefs behind them. From Bigfoot sightings to bitcoin takeovers, alien landings to assassinations, who’s shaping the narrative — and why? Conspiracy Theories is a Spotify Podcast. New episodes Wednesdays.

History
True Crime
Society & Culture
251
The Secret President
When President Woodrow Wilson suffered a paralyzing stroke in 1919, First Lady Edith Wilson stepped in to maintain order in the White House.
38 min
252
The Pope Who Got Pregnant
Around the 9th century C.E., a new pope rose to power. For years, the congregation was certain Pope John filled the role perfectly... until he went into labor during an Easter processional. Had a woman ascended to the papacy in secret?
35 min
253
Hollywood Horror: The Shining
When critics didn’t understand Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror masterpiece, fans stepped in to explain the secrets behind its signature dread.
34 min
254
Hollywood Horror: The Exorcist
The release of The Exorcist in December 1973 caused a global wave of panic and trauma. Due to a series of on-set accidents and untimely deaths, many believe the film was cursed.
32 min
255
Waco Siege Pt. 2: The First Shot
Nearly two decades after the Waco Siege, people are still wondering what transpired at the Branch Davidian compound.
30 min
256
Waco Siege Pt. 1: Massacre at Mount Carmel
On February 28th, 1993, government agents raided a compound in Waco, Texas, belonging to a religious group known as the Branch Davidians. A 51-day standoff ensued, ending in a violent siege.
29 min
257
Alien in the White House: Valiant Thor Pt. 2
Valiant Thor's story has sparked a flurry of theories regarding our government's knowledge of UFOs.
40 min
258
Alien in the White House: Valiant Thor Pt. 1
In 1957, the Pentagon received an unexpected visitor. His name was Valiant Thor, and allegedly, he was from Venus. His mission on Earth was to convince world leaders to deactivate their nuclear arsenals.
37 min
259
Stolen Body Hypothesis
For centuries, people have debated whether or not Jesus Christ rose from the dead. From graverobbers, to Jewish High Priests, to Jesus's own disciples — a flurry of potential thieves has been placed at the scene of his empty tomb.
44 min
260
Shroud of Turin
In Turin, Italy there’s a piece of cloth that has perplexed religious experts for decades. Is the Shroud of Turin one of the greatest antiquities known to us? Or nothing more than a medieval hoax?
38 min
261
Who Started the Centralia Fire? Pt. 2
Locals are sure that big corporations are after their coal, and started the Centralia Fire to smoke them out. Others insist the blaze was nothing more than bureaucratic incompetence.
37 min
262
Who Started the Centralia Fire? Pt. 1
For nearly 60 years, a fire has been raging beneath a small town in Pennsylvania. Centralia was once an epicenter of coal mining. But after the blaze sparked in 1962, toxic fumes and sinkholes forced residents to evacuate.
39 min
263
9/11 Pt. 6: Legacy
In the final episode of our 9/11 series, we examine the legacy of that day, and how its memory impacted — and still impacts — the world.
32 min
264
9/11 Pt. 5: Warning Signs
How much did the U.S. government actually know about the 9/11 attacks before they happened?
38 min
265
9/11 Pt. 4: Coverup
Throughout the 1990s, a private equity firm called the Carlyle Group began purchasing and investing in a multitude of private defense contracting and weapons companies.
41 min
266
9/11 Pt. 3: Fringe Theories
We trace the path through history to 9/11, then examine how the official 9/11 Commission Report gave conspiracy theorists a foothold.
32 min
267
9/11 Pt. 2: Ground Zero
The horrific attacks of September 11th come to an end. In the aftermath, rescuers and volunteers clean up while military and government leaders decide how to respond.
29 min
268
9/11 Pt. 1: The Attacks
The morning of September 11, 2001 changed the world. Twenty years later, questions still linger about the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
32 min
269
Iraqi Dinar Scam
When U.S. forces invaded Iraq in 2003, investors began buying up Iraqi currency. Some expected a massive payup, others were scammed by unethical dealers. And some believe that terrorist cells or an international alliance of government agencies may be manipulating the dinar's value to reshape the global economy.
41 min
270
O.J. Simpson Pt. 2
In the case of the century, O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of double homicide in 1995, despite a wealth of DNA evidence.
33 min
271
O.J. Simpson Pt. 1
On June 12th, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were brutally stabbed to death.
36 min
272
The Coup Against Harold Wilson Pt. 2
In 1976, Prime Minister Harold Wilson made a daring confession — someone had tried to overthrow him and his cabinet.
43 min
273
The Coup Against Harold Wilson Pt. 1
In 1976, following an abrupt resignation, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson claimed he was forced out of Parliament. As a socialist, he’d provoked liberals and conservatives alike — but with a conspiracy afoot, everyone became suspect in the alleged coup.
44 min
274
The Bilderberg Group Pt. 2
Where there's a group of powerful world leaders, there's whispers of conspiracy and a New World Order.
43 min
275
The Bilderberg Group Pt. 1
Formed after WWII as a way to unite the divided nations, the Bilderberg Group consists of some of the world's most elite politicians, businessmen, and royalty.
39 min