logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2019
42m 9s

Conspiracy Theories

NPR
About this episode
This week we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes about one of our favorite topics: Conspiracy theories. They're a feature of today's news and politics. But they've really been a part of American life since its founding. In this episode, we'll explore how conspiracy theories helped to create the U.S. and how they became the currency of political opportunists.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Apr 21
Why the wall was built
As the United States expanded into a global superpower, it simultaneously strengthened its national borders and began to limit who could come in and out of the country. In this week’s episode, the story of how one of the very first walls meant to divide people was built on the US ... Show More
13m 13s
Apr 16
The original clickbait king
When we call something "clickbait," we don't mean it as a compliment. But let's be real: we also click. It's hard to resist a spicy story, and 19th-century newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst knew it. At a time when most papers merely reported events, his papers created them ... Show More
48m 11s
Apr 14
How the US became America
In the late 1890s, the United States fought wars and backed independence movements around the world. By the time the fighting was over, the US emerged as a new global power —and with it, a new identity. This week: how the U.S. became an empire, and why it started calling itself A ... Show More
15m 39s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2021
The QAnon Conspiracy
<p>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.</p> <p>This is a contemporary conspiracy which came into exis ... Show More
43m 54s
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
55m 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
Dec 2023
Presenting Conspiracy Theories: Book Club!
For the next three weeks, we’ll be putting out a special series we’re calling Conspiracy Theories: Book Club. Every week for the past five years you’ve heard Carter tell captivating stories researched and written by our talented team. On Conspiracy Theories: Book Club, you’ll hea ... Show More
1m 29s
Jun 2017
E07 Les théories du complot
<p>Did the Americans actually send men on the moon? Who exactly are the Illuminati and how can I become one?</p> <p>Unfortunately you won’t get the answer to those questions here. And I won’t try to debunk those theories either. But we will talk about conspiracy theories and I wi ... Show More
33m 3s
Dec 2022
The Early Internet & 9/11 Conspiracies - Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy
Jordan Klepper has heard a lot of 9/11 conspiracy theories at Trump rallies, 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, ... Show More
1h 18m
Aug 2021
Justin Trudeau is Fidel Castro's Son
tail spinning
45m 51s
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
Jan 2018
Welcome Trailer!
The truth is rarely the only story. Every Wednesday, we take a skeptical look at history's most controversial events and cover-ups… What's really at Area 51? How did Princess Diana die? Are the Illuminati controlling everything? Conspiracy Theories premieres Wednesday January 31s ... Show More
1m 20s
Jul 2023
The Early Internet & 9/11 Conspiracies | Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy
Jordan Klepper has heard a lot of 9/11 conspiracy theories at Trump rallies, 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, ... Show More
1h 17m
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami