logo
episode-header-image
May 2020
41m 20s

Conspiracy

NPR
About this episode
Since the beginning of the pandemic, conspiracy theories about the coronavirus have exploded. But conspiracy theories themselves are nothing new - in fact, they're fundamental to American life. In this episode, how conspiracy theories helped to create the U.S. and became the currency of political opportunists.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Aug 21
The Queen of Tupperware
Who ushered housewives into the workforce and plastic storage containers into America’s kitchens? Today on the show, the rise and fall of Brownie Wise, the woman behind Tupperware's plastic empire — and a revolution in women’s work.Guests:Alison Clarke, author of Tupperware, the ... Show More
49m 11s
Aug 14
We the People: Succession of Power
The 25th amendment. A few years before JFK was shot, an idealistic young lawyer set out on a mission to convince people something essential was missing from the Constitution: clear instructions for what should happen if a U.S. president was no longer able to serve. On this episod ... Show More
47m 31s
Aug 7
We the People: Cruel and Unusual Punishment
The Eighth Amendment. What is cruel and unusual punishment? Who gets to define and decide its boundaries? And how did the Constitution's authors imagine it might change? Today on Throughline's We the People: the Eighth Amendment, the death penalty, and what cruel and unusual real ... Show More
47m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2018
Illuminati
Please note that today’s episode is going to sound a little different than a typical episode of Conspiracy Theories. We felt it was important for us to share the founding and history of the Illuminati before diving into the conspiracy theories. The Illuminati has stirred up fear ... Show More
57m 1s
May 2019
Conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories: Laurie Taylor talks to Thomas Konda, Professor of Political Science at SUNY, Plattsburgh, about the history and changing nature of conspiracy theories. Why have such wild theories overrun America? Also, Hugo Leal, Methods Fellow at the University of Cambridge ... Show More
28m 28s
Mar 2021
The QAnon Conspiracy
QAnon is a conspiracy theory born in the underbelly of the internet.  While easy to disprove, these cryptic ideas captured the minds of many people and (in part) paved the way to the 2021 storming of the US Capital. This is a contemporary conspiracy which came into existence and ... Show More
43m 54s
Oct 2023
Clear Thinking | Applying Logic to Conspiracy Theories, Part 1
Why conspiracies theories are popular 
1h 6m
Mar 2018
Illuminati Pt. 2
The root of hundreds of conspiracy theories, the modern Illuminati is shrouded in mystery and secrecy. And at the top of the rumored group are the most illuminated ones, 12 ruling bloodlines that control every major event. We dive deep into the Illuminati, investigating the theor ... Show More
1 h
Feb 2023
Part Two: A Complete History of the Illuminati
We conclude the story of Adam Weishaupt and talk about how the Illuminati went from nerd club to the USAs favorite conspiracy theory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
1h 4m
Jun 2021
Psychology of Conspiracy Theories Pt. 2
When do conspiracy theories stop being theories? Today’s episode visits real accounts of deadly misconduct committed at scale by governments and businesses. Poisoned alcohol, contaminated medicine, mind control experiments — in every case, the truth came out… eventually. Learn mo ... Show More
39m 3s
Nov 2022
The Early Internet & 9/11 Conspiracies
Jordan Klepper has heard a lot of 9/11 conspiracy theories, including this shiny emerald: Osama bin Laden was a CIA operative named Tim Ossman. Together with Dr. Joan Donovan, research director of Harvard’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, Jordan unpacks h ... Show More
1h 16m
Jun 2017
E07 Les théories du complot
Intermediate French Podcast with Transcript. Learn French in Context with these Fascinating Topics. Did the Americans actually send men on the moon? Who exactly are the Illuminati and how can I become one? Unfortunately you won’t get the answer to those questions here. And I won’ ... Show More
33m 3s